THE FIVE ‘D’s

The group of five subjects to master in order to obtain the degree of Divine love are: Dedication, Devotion, Discipline, Discrimination and Determination (often referred to as the 5 D’s). Before taking up any activity, one should understand these Cardinal principles for doing selfless service.

DEDICATION

Dedication means offering. When you offer the flower of your heart to the Lord, it should be free from the pests of ego, desire, hatred, envy, greed and the like. Baba says, “Every act you perform must be dedicated to God” And the first step is to dedicate your ego at the Lotus feet and renounce ‘Ahamkaara’. Ego is only ignorance and only when you sacrifice your ego, can you proceed on the spiritual path.

The chief source of Ananda is dedication to God; nothing else can give that genuine and lasting joy. Become conscious of your kinship with the Lord. That kinship is not a mere fancy or a faked theory. It has come down since ages, from the beginning of time itself. It will persist till the very end of time, or, in other words, till the end of time so far as you are concerned. The Godhaavari is carrying all the waters of all the tributary streams relentlessly to the sea. The rain falls on the mountains; as streams it flows in the plains and the full Godhaavari rushes through the delta.

So too, the Jeeva (individual) is born in Dharma maarga (path of righteousness), it journeys through Karma maarga (path of action), and it rushes through Sadhu maarga (path of sages) to reach Brahma maarga (path of supreme reality). The Karma maarga and the Sadhu maarga are discovered by the Jnaanendhriyas (organs of perception). Keep them uncontaminated by Asuric (demonic) qualities and watch vigilantly lest they slip back. The Karmendhriyas (sensory organs) drag you into the tangle of Prakrithi (nature) itself. The cow eats grass and drinks gruel, but out of these it creates sweet sustaining milk; so too, let the experiences which are gathered by your senses help in the production of the sweetness of kindness, the purity of devotion and the sustenance of Shanti.

Krishna said, "Whoever is busy with no other thoughts than those about Me, whoever is ever remembering Me, he certainly will release his dying breath through the centre of the head; he will attain Me. I am as near him, as he is near Me. My dear Arjuna! How can I forget him, who never forgets Me? Forgetting is a human frailty, not the characteristic of God, let Me tell you! There is no need for Yoga or Tapas, or even Jnana; whether you give these up since you are too weak or whether, in spite of having the strength, you do not feel like struggling to master these, it does not matter. I do not ask for Yoga or Tapas; I only ask that your mind be fixed on me. Devote your mind to Me, dedicate it to Me, that is all I ask for."

Many assert that all their acts are dedicated to God (Deva) but their attitude shows that they are dedicating them to Deha only. Instead of dedicating them to God, they dedicate them to themselves. They assert, "This I offer to Krishna", but really, it is an offering to their Putra (son). "This is an offering to Rama", they declare; but their urge reveals that it is an offering to their "Raga", (sense of attachment, passion). How can these acts be dignified by the word dedication or offering?

Dedication inspires the body, mind and speech. If what you speak is not approved by the mind, if what is felt in the mind is not wholeheartedly put into action, then it becomes sheer hypocrisy. Be convinced that the doer, the deed and the doing are all He; be devoted to Him, rather than to riches, wife and children. Where your mind attaches itself, there your Bhakti also stays. Bhakti is pure as the waters of the Ganga; Karma is as the water of the Yamuna. And, Jnana is like the Saraswati, flowing secretly and mysteriously underground and sanctifying itself by merging with the other two. It is the commingling of these three that is called Triveni. It means the disappearance of the mind, the "becoming-one" of the three Gunas; it brings about the destruction of the ego.

Yajna means, 'any activity dedicated to the glory of God', not merely, this activity prescribed in the ancient scriptures. Activity dedicated to the glory of God is being done, and can be done in all climes, in all realms, by all races. The 'dedication' ensures success. Without it, there will inevitably arise anxiety, fear and faction. Every activity in the world is God-directed, God-ward moving, whether you know it or not. Only one has to be aware of it and share in the thrill of that knowledge. If God is not the inspirer and motivator, how can the universe be moving in harmony, wheeling so smoothly? Else, there will be chaos, anarchy and an inferno of gamble.

DEVOTION

What is devotion? It is the steady flow of love towards God. When your love flows towards individuals or towards transient, worldly things it cannot be called devotion; it is really only a form of attachment. But when your love flows unceasingly towards God, the one unchanging principle behind this world of change, then your love becomes devotion.

Initially, you develop your devotion by turning towards God and approaching him. Then, you strengthen your love for God by cultivating the attitude that you are his devotee or his servant and you surrender yourself to his will. As your love for God deepens, you progress to the stage where you feel an intimate closeness to God and experience his presence continuously. Finally, you reach the consummation of your spiritual journey when you fully realise the truth, "I am God. God and I are one."

In practice, devotion takes two forms. First, there is the type of devotion which involves various devotional practices and rituals engaged in by devotees, such as the traditional practice of worshipping the Lord with ritual offerings, making pilgrimages to spiritual centres and attending spiritual functions, singing devotional songs and studying devotional literature, and so on. These are the ordinary types of devotion. In the Gita the Lord taught that these various practices can be considered to be of a lower type. But, when your worship expands into a total absorption in God, when your love for God enters into every activity of your daily life and you develop a flawless, sacred character, then you are expressing the higher devotion, which very much pleases the Lord.

There is a clear distinction, therefore, between this devotion, which is particularly dear to the Lord and the more ordinary type of devotion. The latter uses the things of the phenomenal world to worship the Lord, such as flowers, for example. Where have these articles come from? Have you been able to manufacture them? Have you created these flowers? No. The Lord has created them all. Where, then, is the sacrifice in offering to the Lord things, which he himself has created? Such offerings will not get you very far on your spiritual path. But to offer to the Lord the sacred flowers of your heart, which are not related to the world, and to offer these in loving worship to the one who is seated in your heart, that is the highest form of devotion. That is the devotion you should aspire for.

Another way of thinking of this highest form of devotion is as the uninterrupted meditation on God alone. In the popular understanding of the word, meditation refers to concentrating on an object, and through that object reaching a higher state of consciousness. But this is not the correct approach to meditation. True meditation is meditation on God, and only on God. Therefore, meditation and devotion are really the same; both are the process of concentrating on God to the exclusion of everything else, thinking only of him. Without such meditation or devotion it is impossible to realise the constant presence of God everywhere, in everything, and thereby, gain true spiritual knowledge.

You long to enjoy the fruit, but you will not be able to get it without first having the flower. First comes the blossom, and then comes the fruit. Devotion is like the flower. Without first developing the flower of unshakable love for God and allowing it to blossom forth, it will be impossible for you to acquire the fruit of spiritual wisdom. This flower of love may express itself in different ways as the following example shows.

It is only the devotion that protects one from problems and accusations. Once upon a time the Pandya kingdom in Tamil Nadu reigned supreme. The Pandya king was very fond of horses. Once he sent his minister to buy horses. He gave him all the money and manpower required to procure the horses. The minister reached a village by name Perundurai. There he came across a holy man, Balayogeeswara. He did not want to waste that pleasant evening so joined the congregation and listened to the discourse of the holy man with rapt attention. He forgot himself as he listened to the discourse. He developed strong faith in that holy man. The minister forgot the task assigned to him by the king and spent days listening to the discourses and got immersed in the contemplation of God.

One day he found a Siva temple in a dilapidated condition. He used the money given to him by the king for renovating the Siva temple. The king came to know that he minister had used all the money, given to him to buy horses, to renovate the Siva temple. The king was also a devoted man. But since the minister disobeyed his command he sent his soldiers to bring him back. The king summoned the minister to his presence and asked him what he had done with the money given to him for procuring horses. The minister said, "O king, I used the money for God. Everything is God's gift. What God had given, I gave it back to him. Not only that I have offered myself unto him." But the king asked, whether he was justified in spending the money for a different purpose other than for which it was intended.

The minister replied that he did not use the money for worldly purposes, but used it for a sacred purpose. The king became furious at the minister's audacious reply, had him arrested and put in prison. The minister was unruffled. While in prison, he continued to recall the teachings of the holy man, Balayogeeswara, and started writing them down in the form of slokas. He composed many slokas every day. This work is known as Thiruvachakam, meaning sacred reading. He was immersed in bliss while composing hymns in praise of God and thus lost track of time. Later the king realised his mistake and summoned him. He was surprised to see the aura of radiance and brilliance around him.

How did he acquire such an aura? It was due to the constant contemplation of God. That minister was none other than Manikkavachagar. Each sloka (prayer) composed by him reflected the essence of the Vedas and the sacred texts. Since ancient times many such great saints took birth in Tamil Nadu. Temples in Tamil Nadu are more numerous than anywhere else in the country. Right from dawn break they go to temples and make sacred offerings.

Devotion alone bestows the supreme good;
Devotion alone is the destroyer of the disease of the cycle of existence;
Devotion alone is the means of recognizing Divinity;
Devotion alone is the means of Liberation.

DISCIPLINE

The human estate is based upon regulations and self-control. These have to be strictly adhered to in the daily life.  “Rules and Regulations are made for our safety in social or spiritual spheres. For every sphere of activity Discipline is necessary. Even our body temperature has to be at 98.4 degrees. If it crosses 99 degrees, one develops fever. Thus life is a limited company. Lack of Discipline leads to disease. For Love to manifest, discipline should be like a shadow which cannot be separated from one.”

Human life is extremely sacred and it is a matter of shame that man is not living up to his ideals. Man today lives, as he likes without following any discipline. Discipline is needed in every aspect to maintain the right course of life: "Na Sreyo Niyamam Vina". A river has two banks. But for this, the river may flow in all directions flooding the fields and villages and causing untold hardship and disaster. If it has banks to regulate the course of flow, it will be useful for irrigation.

In the similar manner, the river of life has to be contained between the two banks of eight-lettered axioms. One is "Sraddhavan Labhate Jnanam" and the other is "Samsayatma Vinasyathi". Both these declarations are made by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita. The meaning of the first one is, "it is only by faith that one attains wisdom" and the second one means "one who doubts will perish". So long as one has doubt, one cannot achieve anything. He who has no doubt and has full faith can achieve anything. The river of human life flowing between these two banks reaches the goal successfully.

A tree that needs water is provided water only at the root. Though the root cannot be visible to your eyes as it is buried under the earth, it is the basis for the tree to thrive. If the root is dry, the tree becomes dead. So, you have to safeguard the root. Similarly, you have to safeguard the root of life, i.e. you should have firm faith in the Self. Therefore, these two eight-lettered axioms are the essential needs of life. "Samsayatma Vinasyathi" is comparable to the root and "Sraddhavan Labhate Jnanam" is comparable to the tree of life. You have branches, leaves and components of a tree. The purpose of planting a sapling is to get fruit from the tree. The goal of human life is Poorna Jnana (perfect knowledge). Total faith is needed to achieve this goal.

Discipline should follow you wherever you may go. Bhagavan desires from all of you only discipline. Hence, when the discourse is over or when the Bhajans end, you should go out in silence. When you get back to your apartments you may discuss your private affairs. But as a rule observe restraint in speech everywhere. It helps to conserve energy. Excessive talk affects the nerves. You are liable to forget what you have heard. Moreover, elders set a bad example to students by talking in front of them. You should realise that the voice of the Divine is heard in the depths of silence. Restraint in speech also calls for the avoidance of harsh words. Speaking lovingly and ever thinking of God, you will be oblivious to all worldly things.

DISCRIMINATION  

Man should not let himself be guided by the mind. He should follow the directions of his intelligence (buddhi). As long as you follow the mind, you cannot obtain Madhava (Divinity). Discrimination is essential for every student and educated man.

“Based on the first three attributes, discrimination develops. You should always weigh every action of yours on the scale of discrimination and ask yourself if it is good or bad. Will Baba approve of it or not? When duality exists, discrimination is very essential. Be careful. Discriminate, not with your mind, not with your intellect, but only with your inner conscience! That is your Master, so follow the Master! Your conscience is your Master, your Guru, and your Atma. Where has it come from? It has come from the eternal consciousness that is Divinity itself.

Unfortunately the current tendency is to follow the dictates of the ‘Consense’. If you listen and become a prey to your senses you will surely be led to doom. The discrimination leads to self- confidence and self-satisfaction. From self-satisfaction comes self-sacrifice which leads to self-realisation which is the ultimate goal”.

If someone were to make adverse comments about you, you would soon conclude that the whole world was against you and you would feel depressed. The moment you were criticised or blamed by anyone your happiness would go, you would become grief stricken and regard all of life as meaningless. On the other hand, if anyone were to praise you and appreciate you, you would start bloating up with ego and pride. It would be practically impossible to hold you down. What is the reason for such instability? The single most important reason for these weaknesses is the type of food you take in. All these adverse feelings come about because of your lack of control and discrimination in the area of food. The Gita has emphasized the need for exercising extreme care in selecting the food you eat. You must constantly keep in mind the importance of pure food for helping you to maintain equanimity in all situations, so that you become neither elated when praise is showered, nor depressed when criticism is heaped upon you.

Discriminate between what is good and what is bad, which gives permanent joy and which is transient. Do good deeds. If you surrender to the Atma and be constantly in touch with it, God will be with you, around you, above you and below you.

DETERMINATION

Determination is the fifth D. It is like the reins for a horse. When you want to achieve something, you must have the determination and persistence to secure it by all your efforts. No room should be given for doubts and hesitations.  There is nothing on earth, which cannot be achieved by firm determination. Starting with Dedication, you end with Determination. “All the four attributes mentioned earlier are inter- linked and inseparable. When properly practiced they automatically lead to Determination. But this firmness should not be used indiscriminately”.

There is no use of relying solely on book knowledge or mere intellectual cleverness. There must be firm faith in God as the basis of everything. There is one kind of pest, which affects the leaves and branches of a tree. There is another, which destroys the roots of the tree. Likewise a hypocrite is a human pest that can spoil a good man. The hypocrite is not merely an actor.  He poses as a devotee externally, but is really evil-minded.  He leads a double life.  It is dangerous to associate with such persons. Many good men in the world have come to grief because of association with such pretenders.

Have high ideals. Strive to elevate yourselves. Make for the highest goal, God. Whatever the obstacle or opposition, do not be disheartened. Give up the animal in you, stabilise yourselves in human virtues and proceed boldly towards the achievements of Divinity. Do not waver; do not go today to devotion, tomorrow to sensual gratification, and the day after again to devotion. When everything is successful you are all for devotion; when something goes wrong, you are filled with despair; when discipline is enforced, you start holding back; and when love is showered, you come first. This dual attitude must be given up.

Whatever obstacle is encountered, whatever troubles and problems arise, with a resolute nature you will remain firmly committed to pursue the tasks which you have undertaken until you achieve your final goal. If you do not have this quality of determination, then patience will have no basis and cannot develop in strength. Patience and determination are twins; one cannot exist without the other. Without determination, patience cannot establish itself, and without patience, determination will degenerate into arrogance.

Man's life, though sacred, virtuous, beautiful, and praiseworthy, is short. In this limited life span man has to engage himself in good actions. There are enough good tasks that have to be done in this life. With our intelligence, we can accomplish anything. With determination, man can touch the sky and conquer the world.