We take birth not to be born again and again. We should die not to die again.
From the book Liberation Here Itself Right Now Part II
EXPERIENCING BLISS
Throughout Hindu religious
literature there are hymns and poems, which refer to God as the beloved. The
soul of the devotee is the bride, and God is the bridegroom. The merger of the
two is a divine or spiritual marriage. Though the word marriage is used here to
refer to the union, it has nothing to do with marital pleasure. In union, the soul in the company of God enjoys bliss.
Unbearable sorrow is experienced by even the thought of separation. This state
is referred to in the book “Annammacharya” on page 26, written by Mr. Adapa
Ramakrishna Rao.
Before our readers go
through the pages of this book describing Prema, they should bear this point in
mind. The goal of Madhura Bhava, Nayak Bhava or Nayaki Bhava is merger with God
and to enjoy the resulting bliss. Beloved readers, you may understand my
feelings better if you keep this thought in mind during reading.
Vasantha: Swami,
why does Goddess Saraswathi ride on a swan?
Swami:
Goddess Saraswathi represents the form of Jnana (knowledge) and
the swan is the symbol of Jnana. Saraswathi Devi (Goddess) bestowed on you the
title Jnaneswari. A devotee said that she experienced bliss when she read the
third part of the first volume of the book, ‘Liberation Here Itself Right Now.’
Haven’t a number of people given the same appreciative opinion? How do people
enjoy great bliss? If they read the book ‘ Liberation Here Itself Right Now,’
they will experience bliss.
Vasantha:
Swami, why are you saying this?
Swami: Yes!
Didn’t a number of people tell you that they read the third part of that book a
number of times? Those who read with devotion the portion describing the
conversation between you and I, will experience bliss.
Vasantha: Swami!
You said if one sees a chariot, one gets salvation! Now, You are saying that
just by reading the third part of this book one can attain salvation! Does this
mean that a person need not go to the forests, need not do tapas (penance),
perform severe austerities like sitting on the tip of the sharp needle in the
midst of Panchagni (5 sacred fires) You seem to show a much easier path to
Liberation?
Swami: True!
Those who read the third part repeatedly, imbibe it’s inner meaning and retain it in their
mind, derive bliss, which otherwise
could only be attained by doing meditation and penance. This is certain. This
unique book describes the journey of an individual soul to the universal soul,
knowing and realising the truth of
union.
Vasantha:
Even without doing meditation, one can experience bliss!
You have shown such a simple path to humanity. Kindly accept my prostration
with reverence and gratitude, on behalf
of humanity. Which other incarnation of God has done this? During which Avatar
except yours, were the gates of the path of liberation thrown open so easily to
everyone? Oh! Swami! Your body, life, and thoughts are made of the essence of
Prema. Oh! What great mercy and grace towards humanity! Oh! God! You are
converting this world into a heaven. What a great blessing for us!
Swami: This book is a guide and pointer for
spiritual aspirants, who only contemplate on the individual and universal soul. It shows them the communion of the
individual with the Lord. The devotee’s longings, pangs of separation from God,
cries of anguish, and the distress arising from separation are all described in
this book. And Behold! How the
Almighty rushes to such a devotee and
throws open the gates of liberation! This book will cause a revolution in this
world. It is going to usher in a great
spiritual renaissance. Those who dive deep into this book will enjoy the bliss and exhilaration of truth. It will thus create a thirst for
seeking God.