A single letter can remove the cover of ignorance

- Brahma preached a single letter to gods, humans and demons seeking improvement in life

- Horizon-Bhaven Katchi

- Enlightenment cannot be attained through voluminous scriptures, travel or daily activities.

A book by Sri Rang Avadhuta Maharaj Rachit Dutt Pranati contains an enlightening passage from the Bruhdaranyaka Upanishad.

Once the devas, mortals and asuras (demons) stayed with their father Brahma to study as disciples, and began to serve him. After a few days passed like this the first devas went and requested Brahma to give us some instruction that would change our lives. Brahma preached only one letter 'D'.

In the beginning, the gods thought that what kind of sermon is this, we have not yet developed the qualification for his sermon, so in this way, Brahmaji seems to have avoided us by saying only the word 'D' in the sermon.

Brahma was confused in the mind of the gods. He told the devas that 'Take my preaching seriously. The 'd' word is the sermon you deserve. If you think about it and live such a life, you will be saved.

The Devas were pleased that Brahma had indeed considered us worthy of the Upadesha. They returned to their abode and all gathered together and began to think what this 'D' meant, what to understand the Upadesha.

The gods saw themselves and it dawned on them that 'how many indulgences we live. We continue to enjoy sense pleasures to the extent of lust. We have to control the mind beyond the control of such senses i.e. suppress its luxurious tendencies. 'Suppress' would be the same as Brahmaji's sermon, so he gave us the word 'D'.

The gods then lived like that. became restrained.

After a few days the human beings went to Brahma for preaching. Brahma also preached 'd' to them. Humans did not know that Brahma had given the same message to the gods.

Human beings were also confused as to what kind of preaching this was. But Brahma said something indicative. Humans also filled the meeting and realized what was missing in us which the 'D' word was called to fill.

Human beings after reflection came to the conclusion that 'we have become self-centered and selfish. We do not think about the upliftment of others. Many people live with poverty and disease. Education and food - water or even a room - they have no luck. Those of us who are happy have never shown any inclination to accommodate such needy ones. We have failed our duty by being harsh and greedy. Brahma has become our vice, so he preached the word 'd' meaning 'donate.' be generous'

After that, desiring to reside in the heart of Brahma, or to live in such a way that human beings who have learned from this teaching that charity is the greatest religion - human religion, live in that way and realize that they have attained divinity and true happiness.

A few months after this, the asuras (demons) felt a great need to preach to Brahma. Brahma gave the word 'D' to the Asuras too. The asuras still believed from within that they were not even worthy to stand before Brahma, this was how yoga was created. And these asuras were those who themselves accepted that we have to come out of the inferiority complex and progress. That is why they were allowed to live in the presence of Brahma. But, hearing the word 'D' preached, they felt that Brahma was mocking us. The asuras did not know that the gods and mortals also received the same instruction. Brahma lovingly told the Asuras that 'I am pleased that you want to sit as a human being, so I have given you the proper instruction.

The Asuras departed blessed. They held a meeting in a large cave to understand what this 'd' sermon meant.

All the asuras did self-contemplation. They felt what kind of trouble we are spreading in the deva world and the earth world. We have taken the life, happiness chain of all. We are by nature averse to violence. In fact, Brahma preaches the word 'D' and tells us to think in such a way that 'You should not be so merciless. Be kind to animals only. 'D' means kindness.'

After that the Asuras who had the goal of spiritual Udharva Gati or had a change of heart became merciful by the grace of Brahma. From micro-organisms to humans joined the welfare of the world.

Sriranga says that even today Brahma Aloka from the sky preaches 'da da da' (sound of thunder) to the gods, mortals and asuras living in the next world through the roar of the clouds. All of us have these three instincts.

Some have to cultivate virtues of suppression, some of charity and some of kindness. After this event in the Upanishad there is a one-line verse 'daya dan aru daman hai yah daddaka bhed.'

You think, thousands of years ago, even in the Upanishads, what kind of unique knowledge has been shown. We read some scriptures and scriptures to become a better person or a wise man. We listen to the story. We go to see God. In fact, even if we start living with one or two virtues, we are waiting for an excellent life. We don't start living well, but we end life knowing how to live well. During this journey, our life continues to move forward with its original nature and distortion.

The Upanishad passage given above states that one does not need to become a pothi pandit or do pilgrimages to become a higher class human being with knowledge. For advancement, it is imperative to take in what is received from outside and then do self-introspection or self-contemplation. Not even an intelligible word, if like gods, human beings and asuras, if we give up our egoism and peer into the depths of space and think about what is our own vice, surely our degenerate instincts will come to the surface and cry out to us, 'Take me out of you. I am the only obstacle to your progress.'

Suppose someone gives me the word 'gh' in a sermon, I think I am arrogant, or my behavior with family members is not good, or I need to be worn down for others, I am too self-centered, the meaning of 'gh' is appropriate to the way I am. I will take it. Yes, I have to empty my container of water, shake it to bring the sediment to the surface, and then throw it out. This process is not so easy because ignorance and ego will only believe that 'our water is clean.'

If Brahma comes to us at home and gives us a word as a sermon, we will say as if complete, 'Sorry, Brahmaji, I didn't understand your sermon. I have only those qualities or adjectives that can be listed from the word you have given. If you say so, let me know.'

* Rang Avadhoot Maharaj has written a unique book based on the Gita named Akshar Gita. It contains the essence of the entire Bhagavad Gita with the support of Barakhdi's alphabet and grammar structure.

Knowledge post

How far knowledge? Temple, satsang and till listening to katha. When we go out and put on our shoes, we are back to how we were.