Thought for 8^th November 2011

Catur-gagAra samyukte punar-janma na vidyate //

This is an old saying.  It means: When the four ga’s are all together with us, there is no more birth again.

The four ga’s are: GangA, GitA, GayatrI, Govinda.

The GangA should be on our heads;

The GitA should be in our minds;

GayatrI should be in our hearts; and

Govinda, the name of God, should be in our tongues.

kAyena, manasA, vAcA – is a familiar refrain in all Hindu thought processes.

By the body, by the mind, by speech .

Sins by the body will lead us to an inanimate state, if not in this life, certainly after life.  AhalyA is one example.

Sins by the mind will lead us to a lower level of reincarnation. Bhishma is one example.

Sins by the tongue will cause us to be born in the speechless animal world. Shirdi Sai Baba narrates a real story to illustrate this.

Finally, GayatrI is the one thing to be cherished in the heart all the time so that we can realise the truth of

Ishvaras-sarva-bhUtAnAM hRd-deshe’rjuna tishhTati /

bhrAmayan sarva-bhUtAni yantrArUDhAni mAyayA // (B.G. 18 – 61)

the meaning of which is: GOD IS IN THE HEART OF ALL BEINGS, CAUSING THEM ALL TO REVOLVE THROUGH MAAYAA, (AS THOUGH) THEY ARE MOUNTED ON A MACHINE.