Transcription
Dakshinamurthy Stotram: The Cure for Life's Ailments

Introduction and the Importance of the Verses The Dakshinamurthy Stotram, composed by Jagatguru Adi Shankaracharya, consists of two parts. The first seven verses are for meditation, where one contemplates alongside the actual verses. The remaining 10 verses are the main verses, which are directed towards understanding the significance of Guru Dakshinamurthy and his teachings.

• The Primacy of Meditating on Dakshinamurthy In these initial seven verses, the focus is solely on meditating on the image of Dakshinamurthy. This image symbolizes the place and manner in which everything is happening. In the first verse, Shankaracharya explains the power and importance of Dakshinamurthy.

• Explanation of the Verse and its Meaning The first verse is explained as follows: "Nidhi: Sarva Vidya Nam, Visha J Bhava Roga Na Gurve Sarva Loka Nam, Dakshina Murthy Nam Nidhi:". This means that Dakshinamurthy is the Guru who is the repository of all knowledge and who liberates from the disease of birth and death.

• Symbolism of Bhava Roga and its Liberation Dakshinamurthy bestows upon us the supreme knowledge among all worldly knowledge, which liberates from the disease of Bhava Roga (the cycle of birth and death). He is the Guru of all the worlds in the entire universe, and Shankaracharya bows down to this Guru.

• Symptoms of the Disease and its Diagnosis Shankaracharya explains the concept of disease and its symptoms. Just as physical ailments have symptoms, the disease of existence also has symptoms. Correct diagnosis of the disease is crucial because a wrong diagnosis would lead to incorrect treatment.

• Process of Correct Diagnosis of the Disease Shankaracharya emphasizes the importance of correctly diagnosing the disease. Once the disease is correctly diagnosed, its treatment becomes straightforward. To identify physical ailments, doctors conduct various tests to ensure the correct treatment.

• The Singular Disease of Existence and its Solution Shankaracharya points out that there is only one disease of our existence that causes all our sufferings. The solution to this disease is found in the Dakshinamurthy Stotram, which offers a unique and significant remedy.

• The Importance of God and His Guru:

In this hymn, Lord Dakshinamurthy is revered as the Guru of all worlds and a specialist doctor for treating the most profound illness of our existence. He provides the cure for the greatest disease of our life and liberates us from the sorrows of existence.

• The Treatment of Illness and Its Importance:

Shankaracharya explains that while treating the illness is crucial, diagnosing the illness correctly is even more significant. Once the diagnosis is accurate, the treatment becomes simple and uniform for everyone.

• The Blessings of Dakshinamurthy and the Direction of Our Life:

With the blessings of Dakshinamurthy, we can be freed from the greatest illness of our life. He grants us knowledge that is supreme among all forms of learning and liberates us from the disease of worldly existence (Bhava Roga).

• Disease and Cure on the Path to Experiencing Akhandananda and Satchidananda:

1. Various Problems in the World, but One Disease:
There are 8 billion people in the world, all troubled by different issues, but the disease is the same for everyone. There are different kinds of doctors—cardiologists, diabetologists—each treating different diseases, but the underlying illness is one.

2. Lack of Experience of Akhandananda and Satchidananda:
What is this disease, and what are its symptoms? It is the disease that prevents us from experiencing Akhandananda (unbroken bliss) and Satchidananda (existence, consciousness, bliss). These are the symptoms we suffer from.

3. Acceptance of Disease as the First Step:
The first essential step in curing any disease is for the patient to accept that they are ill. Often, patients claim that they are fine, so how can the doctor treat them? The patient’s acceptance is the first step.

4. Honest Acceptance and Desire for Treatment:
If the patient honestly admits that they are ill and wants to recover, that is the first step. But we often refuse to acknowledge our illness. Why? Because accepting it is difficult.

5. Symptoms of the Disease and the Suffering of Existence:
What are the symptoms of our illness? First, we are unhappy, we suffer, we become unhealthy, and we experience distress. These are our symptoms. What is the disease? It is Bhava Roga, being trapped in the ocean of worldly existence.

6. Concept of Bhava Roga (Worldly Disease)
In our Indian culture, this is referred to as the "Bhava Sagara," which represents our existence. Bhava Roga means that as we are, we are neither healthy nor stable. We feel the need to be something different.

7. Mental State and Lack of Acceptance
In our current state, in our mental state, we are unhealthy. We do not accept this state. We try to change it, which is a symptom of the disease. Due to the lack of acceptance, we keep wandering.

8. Power of Acceptance and Liberation from Disease
If we accept our anger, greed, desires, etc., we can be liberated from Bhava Roga. But the problem is that we do not accept them, and therefore, we remain suffering.

9. Importance of Complete Acceptance
Whatever our current state is, we must accept it completely. Those who cannot do this are always trying to change their situation, and because of this, they continue to suffer.

10. Desire for Mental Stability and Wandering
Our mental state is not stable; we are always trying to become something else. This is our disease, and the only way to get rid of it is through acceptance and stability.

• Complete Acceptance: Freedom from the Anxiety of Change
  The anxiety of change: We try so hard to change ourselves, to bring about change within us. People are more anxious about this and even meditate, but others say, "You meditate, yet you get angry; how do you do that? How do you get anxious?"

• Importance of Acceptance
  You are unhappy; if you accept that you are unhappy, there is a revolution in that acceptance of sorrow. There is no need to be anything different from what you are. This is liberation from Bhava Roga.

• Desire for Change
  Bhava Roga means a constant desire to be something different. Right now, you are listening to Shankaracharya, doing yourself a great favor, trying to find a new path to liberation from Bhava Roga.

• Art of Living in the Moment
  But even while listening and doing this, we think of doing something else instead. We are not in the moment we are in. In every moment, we want to be something else, to be somewhere else.

• Lack of Stability
  We are not stable where we are. At the office, we think of home, and at home, we think of the office. If one becomes a monk, they think of worldly matters, and if one is worldly, they think of becoming a monk. Those who live in cities think of moving to the village, and villagers think of moving to the city.

• Vicious Cycle of Discontent
  Those living in India think of going to America, and Americans think of coming to India. Those who are unmarried think of getting married. Once married, they think, "What a hassle!" and wonder how to get out of it.

• Liberation through Acceptance
  We want to escape from our current mental and situational state, to change it. We do not fully accept it. The moment you accept it completely, you are liberated from Bhava Roga. You are fine just the way you are. All is well. This is it; there is nowhere else to go. This is it.

• Perfect Bliss
  You are bliss. Right now, in this moment, there is no need to run around. At this moment, within you, in whatever state you are in, bliss manifests. Let it manifest as it pleases; don't force it to be a certain way.

• Colors of Life
  Bliss sometimes appears as one thing, sometimes as another. Just as colors change in the sky, the sky within you will also change colors. Let it change. It is the same Divine manifesting in different colors and ways. Let it happen. Once you accept and experience this, you realize that you are always and forever the embodiment of Satchidananda (Truth, Consciousness, Bliss).

• Spirit of Creation
  That Satchidananda manifests in different forms, in different emotions, at every moment. Once you accept this, you are liberated from Bhava Roga. This does not mean that you will do nothing. You will create something new, you will create new circumstances. But when creating new circumstances, you will not do it with the feeling of running away or feeling incomplete.

• Wholeness and Expression: From the State of 'Bhag' to the State of Akhandananda

1. Composition of Ramayana: Why did Tulsidas write the Ramayana? It is because so much joy came into him, so much bliss filled him, that he felt the need to express it. By writing the Ramayana, he was expressing the joy within himself, singing the praises of Lord Rama to manifest the bliss within.

2. Kabir’s Joy: Kabir used to make clothes. So much joy filled him, but how could Kabir express this joy? He did it by making clothes. Kabir was both a poet and a cloth maker. If you ask him why he made clothes, he would say it was to earn a living, because he was poor.

3. Feeling of Incompleteness: The current state of the mind is that of feeling incomplete. One feels the need to do something to achieve completeness. This is the state of 'Bhag,' a state of disease, where one feels incomplete, feels that there is something wrong, some flaw within.

4. Expression of Completeness: What is the state of Akhandananda? It is the state of being complete as you are. Yet, even completeness needs to be expressed. As long as you are alive, you will do something. How will you do it? You will express it in the way that completeness inspires you to.

5. Power of Completeness: Completeness is a power in itself; it will not remain dormant. This power will express itself naturally. Let it express itself. When you express completeness, you do so with a sense of awe and reverence. Whatever you do, you will do it with this sense of awe.

6. State Free from Expectation: When you are expressing completeness, you do not need anything. You do not expect anyone to fill your incompleteness. You do not expect anything from anyone, not even from your family. Even within the family, you will express your completeness.

• Expression of Love and Joy: In every relationship within the family, you will express joy, completeness, and love. But you will not demand respect, care, appreciation, or praise from them because you have done something or another. There is nothing of that sort.

• Creation and Fragrance: When you have expressed your completeness, it is like a flower spreading its fragrance in existence. Whether anyone senses it or not, whether anyone says anything about it or not, it does not matter. The flower blossomed in existence, expressed its fragrance, and that is all.

• From Incompleteness to Completeness: This is the state of creation from completeness. But we live in 'Bhag,' and whatever we do, we do it with a sense of incompleteness. We think that actions done with a sense of incompleteness will lead us towards completeness, will lead us to Akhandananda.

• State of Bhavarog: No action can lead to Akhandananda. You already are Akhandananda; actions do not change this. The purpose of action is to express it, not to gain anything. How will the disease of 'Bhag' be cured? What does 'Bhag' mean? It means you want to become something, to be separate.

The Path to Overcoming Existential Disease and Achieving Peace

• Comparison in Society and Personal Suffering

If I have one eye, what’s the problem with me, since everyone else has two? We often question whether we are sick or not, measuring it by comparing ourselves to others. For instance, a blood pressure reading of 120/80 is considered normal because it is average. We tend to judge our health by comparing ourselves to others.

• The Reality of Society and the Illusion of Normalcy

In today’s society, almost everyone suffers from some form of existential disease. Everyone wants to become something, achieve something, or reach somewhere. In such an environment, it becomes difficult to discern whether this is a disease or just normalcy. When we meet great figures like South Indian saints, Shankaracharya, or a true guru, we experience a realization of truth.

• The Importance of a Truly Healthy Person

Only by seeing a truly healthy person do we realize our own lack of health. When we sit with a person who is in a state of stable and supreme peace, we become aware of our own ailments. At that moment, we also understand what the cure for our existential disease might be.

• Treatment for Existential Disease

If we have developed a disease of running everywhere in the quest for joy, becoming almost mad in the process, what can be the cure? Only when we sit with someone who is stable, peaceful, and in joy, do we experience true healing.

• Definition of Healthy Consciousness in the Gita

In the Gita, it is said that a ‘sthitaprajna’ is someone whose consciousness is steady. Such a person does not need to go anywhere or desire anything from anyone. They can sit under a Peepal tree or in the forest and remain in peace.

• The Difference Between a Pleasure-Seeker and a Yogi

In today’s society, we encounter only pleasure-seekers who are running after satisfaction in their lives. But when we visit figures like South Indian saints and sit with them, we experience stability and peace.

• The Power of Silent Teaching

When we sit with someone who imparts supreme knowledge even in silence, just being with them allows us to experience inner peace.

• The Significance of Silent Teaching

The real meaning of silent teaching is that knowledge can be gained even in silence. Gandhi also said that there is great power in silence.

• Experiencing Peace and Stability

Sitting with figures like South Indian saints provides us with the experience of their peace, stability, and health, which in turn brings us stability. This experience reminds us that we too can be immersed in peace.

• Silent Teaching and Self-Realization

Silent teaching implies that self-realization can be achieved through silence. Peace and stability in silence ultimately lead to liberation from existential disease.

Inspiration Towards Spiritual Life and Self-Realization

• Gandhiji's Message: "When someone asked Gandhiji about his life, he responded, 'Shall I say My life, My message? Look at my life; my life is my message.' You can go to the Guru, Dakshinamurthy."

• Path to Self-Realization: "He is seated, and when you sit with him, it becomes a satsang, and ultimate knowledge is attained. You, too, reach that state where he is, because in the company of many who are diseased, you also become diseased."

• Beginning of the Vedanta Story: "In a Vedanta story, it is said that a lioness had a cub in her womb. While jumping from one hill to another in a forest, she fell."

• Lion Cub Among Goats: "The lioness's cub fell from her belly and landed among goats. The cub grew up with the goats."

• Life of the Lion Cub: "The cub started speaking in the language of goats and, like the goats, it also began to fear. Just as goats run away in fear, so did the cub."

• Lion's Attack and Cub's Fear: "One day, a lion attacked the group of goats. All the goats started running away, and the lion cub also ran in fear."

• Moment of Self-Realization: "The lion left the goats and caught the lion cub. The lion took the cub to a nearby pond and showed him his reflection."

• Recognition of Truth: "The lion told the cub, 'Look, this is my face and this is your face. Both our faces are the same.' The cub then roared like a lion."

• End of Fear and Self-Realization: "The cub realized that he was also a lion and had become like a goat while living among them. But now, he had found his true identity."

• Expression of Spiritual Bliss: "When you realize that you are the embodiment of consciousness and bliss, your life's purpose is not to beg for happiness, but to express happiness."

The State of Bliss and the Ultimate Purpose of Human Life

• Stability in the State of Bliss: The key is to remain stable in the state of bliss. Other rituals or religious practices are not as important. The only thing that matters is to become immersed in this state of bliss and become one with it. The ultimate goal is to attain a state of eternal bliss, and everything else in life is insignificant and immaterial.

• The Ultimate Purpose of Life: Consider how Jain monks renounce wealth, whether it is 2000 crores, 500 crores, or 100 crores—they throw money on the road. Why? To make us understand that all of this is meaningless. The ultimate truth lies in becoming stable in the state of the eternal. This is a major commitment and focus in both Buddhism and Jainism.

• Jainism and Buddhism: In Japan, the Buddhist practice is known as Zen. Zen has a philosophy, a path, and a method. What does "Zen" mean? It signifies reaching a state of bliss, of eternal joy. The term "Zen" implies sitting in meditation, reaching that state of blissful stillness.

• The Method of Meditation: For thousands of years, there have been numerous ashrams where people practice meditation. When asked what to do, the instruction is simple: "Sit down." Sit in silence for 10 hours a day, alone. This practice is similar to what is mentioned in the Akshara Murti scriptures: sit down, do not speak. The teaching is that of mental discipline. Even the gurus in such traditions often do not speak; they simply instruct to sit and observe.

• The Importance of Silence: In certain religious practices, it is advised not to use microphones. Although times have changed, some gurus still prefer not to use them. The idea is that speaking is often futile. Just sit down, be stable in bliss. When people who are distressed by the rush of life come and see you in this state of peace and bliss, they will also become immersed in it.

• Realization of the Futility of the World: They will realize the futility of their own lives, of their constant running around. If you are involved in relationships, you often do so with the expectation of gaining something from them—emotional fulfillment, happiness, validation.

• The Search for Happiness in Relationships: You might have an identity as a good father, and you seek validation from your child, wanting them to say you are a good father. This is something you want from them. In your family, in your business, you seek wealth and a reputation as a successful person. If you are an author, you might want your books to be read by millions, seeking recognition as a wise and knowledgeable person.

• The Hunger for Knowledge and Recognition: When we do things with the desire to achieve something, it is a form of madness that only leads to more suffering. This is why so many people are troubled by marriage. In America, 40% of people are not getting married anymore. Why? Because marriage often brings more problems than it solves, as people seek happiness from it.

• The Begging for Happiness and Suffering: Two beggars asking for alms from each other, two unhappy souls thinking they will find happiness together. Why? Because they beg each other for validation, to be told that they are good people.

• Attaining the Ultimate Truth of Life: When we realize that all of this is meaningless and that remaining stable in the state of bliss is the ultimate purpose of life, then we truly understand the essence of life. At that point, everything else—whether it is relationships, wealth, or recognition—becomes secondary.

The Art of Living in Unbroken Bliss Through Self-Acceptance

• The Madness of Self-Imperfection
  First, the mind establishes a kind of madness that says, “I am wrong, I am not good, I am not complete; there is something incomplete, something lacking, sin, or flaw in me.” You have accepted this strongly. Now, you work hard, perform good deeds, act with love, give donations, and practice religion. What do you seek from others? Validation—“You are good, brother, your love is great, it must be acknowledged.” Such validation is needed.

• The Pain Arising from the Desire for Validation
  This madness further exacerbates our suffering. We chase after every action, trying to hide our perceived imperfections under others' words and opinions, avoiding facing them.

• The Path to Liberation from the Disease of Perfectionism
  So, how do we free ourselves from this disease? Just sit down. You might wonder where to find the Dakshinamurthy (a form of Lord Shiva) in a forest. The scriptures say, “The deity is already within your home’s temple.” Sit down, go nowhere, do nothing, and become still.

• Creating Love with Spiritual Stability
  Since you cannot sit still for 24 hours, engage in expressing and creating love. Love your family without expecting anything in return. You do things for your family, not to receive validation. If your family criticizes you for not doing this or that, accept it as their structure or design. It is not a reflection of you but their perspective.

• Liberation from the Desire for Certificates
  Do not expect others to give you certificates to become someone. What is this disease of becoming something? Whether you want to be a good parent, a good partner, a good employee, a good boss, a good citizen, or a good leader—stop seeking certificates from others.

• The Need for Social Certification
  In this world, whatever you want to become is defined by others’ certifications. How do you become a doctor? Others give you a certificate that you are a doctor. How do you become an engineer? Others give you a certificate.

• The Art of Living in Unbroken Bliss
  Living in unbroken bliss requires no external certification. You don’t need others’ certificates to experience bliss. When you reach unbroken bliss, express that joy. Your entire life should be an expression of joy.

• The Importance of Sharing Bliss
  You don’t need to become or be anything; just live in a state of expressing joy. God has already given you enough. Every moment, every breath should be about giving and creating, sharing and spreading joy. While sharing this bliss, do not seek validation from others.

• The Teachings of Shankaracharya on Unbroken Bliss
  Celebrate and spread bliss. If people do not acknowledge it or criticize it, let it be. You are not dependent on their approval. Your joy is for you to express, not for others to validate. If they say, “Your joy is false,” or “Your attempt to spread joy is false,” it is okay. Let them say what they want.

• Words of Shankaracharya

So, Shankaracharya says that the practice of sitting down, which leads to the state of uninterrupted bliss, is the pinnacle of all knowledge. Look, we teach our children to go here, go there, become engineers, become doctors, follow this, follow that. But have we ever taught them to sit quietly, peacefully? This isn’t taught. We haven’t learned it ourselves, so we haven’t taught it to them.

• The Art of Sitting

The art of sitting down is considered the treasure among all forms of knowledge. Schools and colleges teach the art of running around, but not the art of sitting. This art of sitting is the Kohinoor of all knowledge. It is the remedy for the disease of worldly attachments. At some point, you will realize that in childhood, a lot of time is spent on trivial things.

• The Remedy for Worldly Attachments

Enough of the children’s games, dolls, and play. The disease of worldly attachments is extensive. Now it’s time for a remedy. The remedy is found in the great individuals who possess it. I bow to such people. They do not need your respect, but your respect opens your mind to receive the remedy. You need to be ready to receive it.

• Bow and Receive the Remedy

What is the remedy? Sit down. By bowing, you are acknowledging that you accept the presence of the supreme state represented by figures like Shankaracharya. By sitting like them, near a sacred tree, you are ready. Enough running around, enough madness.

• The Practice of Yoga

Now, consider the yoga scriptures of Patanjali. The first verse is: "Atha Yoga Anushasanam" – now begins the discourse on yoga. The word "Atha" means "now," signaling the start of yoga practice. Before this, it was all about running around.

• The Story of Running Around

Everyone’s life story is the same – running around. Your suffering and story of running around are no different. Forget that and sit down. "Atha Yoga Anushasanam" – now begins the inquiry into yoga. Similarly, there are inquiries into devotion and the ultimate reality.

• The Art of Uninterrupted Bliss

The practice of sitting down, which we receive from the great teachers, is considered the Kohinoor of all practices. As mentioned in previous sessions, dedicate 10, 15, or 20 minutes each week to sit quietly. Make it a habit. You sit, go nowhere. Developing that habit helps you experience the bliss of uninterrupted peace. Let this feeling of bliss and uninterrupted joy become stable in everyone’s life. We pray to Lord Dakshinamurthy for this.