Swami Shivapadananda on the symbolism of Vishnu

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY READINGS

Taken from Mother Radha’s
notes, written at Swamiji’s feet.

Day 333

 

All relationships spring from the mind. All experiences are mental,
psychological – do not categorise them. Then you will become aware of the
mental modifications, and eventually realise that ‘I’ and ‘me’ is nothing but a
thought. Realisation of this leads to perfect freedom.

How does energy (comprising the mind) become violent? See it and throw
it out. Only then there is no more violence.

Vishnu [the aspect of God representing preservation] carries several
things [objects in his hands]: Shankam, this is OM [or AUM], the
symbol of Brahman. Out of this was created the whole world. Padam is flower. It
indicates, “I am love.” Chakra [disc or wheel]: ‘With this I cut your karma
asunder,’ says Vishnu. Gada [club]: ‘To make you pay your karma I use Shiva,
the gada,’ says Vishnu. Watch out.

Desire itself does the action. Work itself happens. Do not think ‘I do
the work.’

‘I and my Father are One.’ Every reaction, every thought, word and deed
separates me from Him. So surrender all to God, the fruits of your actions and
yourself. Only then we are One. When you are united in thought, word and deed, there is nothing you
cannot do. Body, mind and spirit must become one to return to the Source, God.
Therefore it is so necessary to have a guru. Do not worry if the guru is
worthy. Are you worthy?

Even thinking of a stone as God, will take you to God.

You are only impure in thought. So purify your thought with the thought
of God. Control the mind through breathing. Meditation controls the mind, calms
the mind. This leads to the control of anger, to the control of the sex organs.
Practise deep rhythmic breathing. Offer the breath to God by using the guru
mantra [sacred word, syllable or name of God]. A God-man gives all for God and
lives on nothing.

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1) Care should be taken by the reader to understand and take Swamiji’s
words in these postings, in context. Every teaching or instruction that he gave
was specific to the people who were with Swamiji at the time.