Pujya Bhaishri gives an enlightening discourse at Hindu Temple, Canton, Michigan, USA

July 12th 2003 saw Pujya Bhaishri give an enlightening discourse at the Hindu Temple, Canton, Michigan, USA.

Pujya Bhaishri’s focus in his discourse was on the Triveni Sangam and its true meaning in our lives. Triveni means the merging of three streams. Where they enjoin as one, is called a triveni. Any union of two streams or more is considered pure, but there is an especially important significance attached to bathing at the Triveni at Prayag. Pujya Bhaishri drew comparisons between a saint and a river and said that a saint is also like a river. The defining aspects of a river are:

1. Movement or gattisheelta: a stagnant body of water is not considered a river. This is why our Vedas urge Saints to “constantly be on the move” physically, but totally still mentally, fixed upon their goal.
2. Wetness or dravta: Saints are full of grace or karuna and not solid, they are easily melted.
3. Cool or Sheetalta
4. Purity or Nirmalta
5. Limits/boundaries or Mariyaada

A river that has 5 of the above qualities is worshipped, like Maa Ganga. But when it floods and flows beyond its bounds it is devastating! That same life giving source becomes life taking and frightening. It is only worshipped when she flows within her limits and boundaries and hence when in maryaada. A saint too has those above qualities. They are komal, as Shree tulsidasji says, “sant hriday navneet saman.”

Pujya Bhaishri ended the discourse by saying that let God test you. Don’t’ get discouraged. He gave the example of Ranti Dev the King who went through a lot in his penance to reach God. He said, “think about it, when you go to the vegetable market you take so much care to simply pick a few vegetables, don’t you think God deserves to test you just as much before accepting you? Because he Himself proclaims, that Once His, Forever His. He is only testing us this much because he wants to make us his own! If you want him to apnao you then give him full permission and the right to test you!”