Other Discussions during the session:
There is a story about the wishes we wish. Once there was a victorious king (Baadshah), who had defeated many kings and was crossing a desert to conquer other lands. On the way, they saw some vegetation, amidst the grand sand dunes. A way was narrow. A man lay across the road, and the kingsman could not cross. One of the soldiers asked him to move away as Baadshah had to cross. The man said, “Tell your Baadshah that I’m Shahanshah. I won’t move.” The news reached the king and he came himself. The man asked him, “Who are you and what do you want?” The king replied, “I’m the Baadshah and I’m going to conquer other lands. Who are you?” The man replied, “I am Shahanshah. I don’t want anything. I do not wish for anything. You wish for conquering further. Say for the sake you lose all your soldiers and kingsman in a sand storm, and I have a glass of water, what shall you pay me for the glass of water?” The king replied, “I shall give you my half kingdom.” The man said, “What if I don’t give you at that cost?” The king said, “I shall give you my entire kingdom.” The man said, “This cost is nothing before the glass of water. Your entire kingdom can’t pay for it.”
This story tells us it is important to stop asking Lord for small wishes. Ask him for pure love and devotion. Intense thirst for Lord can only make us realize the Self.
These names are one and the same. It is depicted that Shiva rides on Nandi’s back. Until our mind is fixed on Shiva, Shiva cannot drive us. Once the Anand descends, we become Nandi.
Let’s imagine an image…
He is the Shiva. The Ganga denotes the ambrosia of true knowledge flowing. Once the true knowledge manifests within us, we become Shiva. A bright light adorns his eyebrow center. The light from the point burnt the Kama into ashes.. the ‘Soular Energy’. He has smeared the ashes of the burnt negativities, which he has taken and freed us. The heartbeat we feel at times is the same beating sound of the Damaru.
Why are the special days of power are celebrated at night, like Shivaratri, Navaratri, Shab-e-Miraj, and the rest? In the day, it is very difficult to focus on the Self, as we mingle with the world actively. But, if we spare our sleep and meditate, we can feel it. The tranquil silence of the night is spectacular. It can be understood once practiced.
As we progress in life, we must add na- before and after Mann, which makes Naman (to express gratitude) and Manan (to focus within). We are in the Vish (poison) as we are after our wishes. We are attached to the Vishaya (the sensual objects). But, as the ambrosia of love (Amrit) increases, Shiva takes the Vishay and the true name of Neelkanth manifests. We must observe the form or the formless light within and let it manifest. Rama, Nanak, Buddha, Mahavir, Kali, Shiva, and the rest… all are the same.