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we have covered it with so many false images that the real meaning of the Pranava has been lost.
Yesterday, I told you one thing. Most of you might remember that. You are participating in a yoga convention. What is the aim of our participation? Sage Patanjali has stated the purpose of yoga as being Atha yogaanushasaanam. (Ch. 1, v. 1) If you move towards dharma, then you will have inquisitiveness, Athato dharma jigyaasaa. In the quest of dharma, if you have the urge to know about Brahma, then you will get the first thing, Athato dharma jigyasa. If you turn towards bhakti (devotion), you will find Bhakti vyaakhyaasyam. We shall explain about bhakti, but in yoga you find atha yogaanushaasanam. This is a discipline of yoga.
In yoga, guru is a must, and if you practise yoga under the guidance and discipline of the guru, you will reach perfection. But if you do as you like, then success in yoga cannot be achieved. Somebody enquired of the sage Patanjali, "You talk of discipline; whom is this yoga going to discipline? What is yoga?" He says, Yogah chitta vritti nirodhah. (Ch. 1. v. 2) “Yoga is the elimination of the modifications of the mind.” Such modifications have come to cover that real element. These modifications have not come into existence as yet which is related to the real element within yourself. But so many modifications have come to cover that real element. These modifications work as covers of your real self. Yoga aims to eliminate these modifications of the mind.
Suppose a spark of fire is there under a heap of ash. Even if it is covered under ash, fire is fire. Similarly, there are many unwanted modifications, samskaras, there which have covered your real form. When you allow the real form to remain covered, it will have its effect. If you put your palm on the ash under which is the fire, your palm will not be burned. The fire cannot burn your palm because its power has been obstructed. In a similar manner, the Almighty is within you and is fully effulgent. It tells you every moment, "I am lying within you." But because it is covered by these limitless, unwanted modifications, it is not being utilized.
We do not make the effort to become blissful. We are ourselves bliss. This bliss, happiness, does not come from outside. If you collect huge wealth, it is still not possible to get happiness from it. Ravana, the king of Lanka, was most powerful, wealthy and strong. He used to order the sun not to give off so
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