Swamiji says that desire still indicates impurity.
Swamiji explains how whatever the level of evolution or status of an individual, in the spiritual sense, if they continue to have desires for all manner of things, they are still impure. He uses King Dasharatha as a perfect example of one who became desireless.
The 'gold standard' Swamiji indicates, is desireless-ness. Desire only to merge into and fulfil the will of the Guru. Then we are not living, selfishly, for ourselves. As with Sri Hanumanji where his desire is completely merged in Lord Rama.
Swamiji shares some interesting philosophical thoughts on the Guru vs. God. This is an interesting conversation, clearly delivered to a specific audience with a specific mindset. And is one of the joys of these posts. Because I have heard Swamiji say practically the one hundred and eighty degree opposite. That's why it's so important to always remind oneself, that these talks were given and tailored to specific audiences with (not in a derogatory way) distinct faith-based, intellectual, cultural and educational capabilities or perspectives.
Reminiscent of how the Lord Jesus' disciples asked him why he spoke to certain groups of people in parables. His answer was simple: 'Lest (in case), understanding, they come to the knowledge of the Truth (for which they were not yet ready).' This doesn't mean that he was hiding anything from them, but that they were simply not ready for the bigger-picture understanding. We can relate this to Arjuna's terror on seeing Lord Krishna in his (terrifying) Vishwaroop, universal, all-consuming aspect, following which Arjuna asked the Lord to return to the form, with which he was more familiar.
Swamiji refers to how many modern day self-appointed gurus think they can ignore the Shastras and the Vedas. And Swamiji says that should not, and must not be done. He emphasised so many times, that the great ones come here to fulfil and extend the scriptures. Not to negate them.
A real Guru doesn't go against any teaching, says Swamiji. Amplifying Master's [Sri Ramakrishna's] teaching of 'Take each person from where they are.' Swamiji repeated this to us, so often: 'You have no right to disturb the faith of another person.'
This is a deeply educational description of how King Dasharatha was the vehicle for a new Avatara [incarnation] in the form of Lord Rama. It gives not only historical but dharmic history and context. Swamiji emphasises that each time a new Avatara incarnates to refresh spirituality and lead us forward, they build on the previous. They don't negate it. Existing teachings become the stepping stones to higher realisation.
Swamiji wraps up the homily by clarifying what was meant by the 'sun standing still' at the time of Sri Rama's incarnation. To listen to these uplifting teachings, please click on the link below. Jay Sri Ramakrishna!
Duration: 07:51
NEW! For a fresh daily reading recorded and transcribed by Team Radha Ma and Brother Tim, Click HERE.
The original audio recordings of these posts were made by close Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa and Swami Shivapadananda devotee, Mother Radha. The audio editing and noise reduction of the original 1970s-onwards tapes, has been lovingly engineered, over many years, by her son and our dear gurubhai, Brother Tim. May Sri Ramakrishna and Swamiji bless them both.
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Context: As always, care should be taken to remember that what Swamiji was saying, may have been very specific to the needs of people with him at the time. Please bear this in mind.
Links to our Guruparampara (spiritual lineage) organisations, which will broaden your knowledge base: Ramakrishna Math and Mission and our alma maters, the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa and the Sri Sarada Devi Ashram in Durban.