Dec 15, 2004, 12.00am IST
R K Langar.
Gopinathji, the shaivite saint of Kashmir, spoke very little. But whatever he spoke was rich with sublime values and guided his devotees on both the worldly and spiritual life. According to him, man must first become morally sound before entering spiritual life. The saint spelt out the desirable qualities of an ideal person in three Kashmiri words: sezar, pazar, shozar — straightforwardness, truth and purity. With these three divine traits, a person would become eligible to raise himself to the highest level of perfection with self-effort and divine grace. Gopinathji attached great significance to God's grace for self-elevation. He was a celibate, but Gopinathji advised his devotees not to shun married life in the search of godhood for it can be attained irrespective of his status or station in life. Spiritual enlightenment can be achieved wher-ever you are depending upon the intensity and sincerity of your sadhna.
The twin purpose of human life is self-perfection and service to humanity — sadhna and seva. Man should be ever willing to help remove the miseries of afflicted persons. The greatness of a man is in helping his fellow beings irrespective of who they are. One should not undertake special exercises for awakening the kundalini, the spiritual power
lying dormant within. Love for God and working for the good of others awakens the kundalini on its own. There can be no spiritual progress as long as man is attached to worldly gains and has not given up worldly desires.
Gopinathji believed that silence is God. He became emancipated after seven years of yoga sadhna when he remained in solitude and observed complete silence. He emphasised on silence and vichara. Gopinathji's consciousness can be des-cribed as a state when man thinks, speaks and acts with a pure and pious mind. Such a person becomes a practitioner of truth and righteousness. He lives for others. The easiest way of uprooting one's ego was by surrendering oneself to God, by living a disciplined and regulated life without compromising on principles. To those who studied scriptures, his advice was that one should live the teachings of scriptures; their study alone would be of no use. He said that all human beings are equal in the eyes of God and God-realisation is available to all and not only to a select few.
By calling Brahmn a tree and its branches the different religions, Gopinathji upheld the Vedic thought that truth is one; only, the wise speak of it in different ways. No founder of any religion has deviated from this fact and if there is any misinterpretation regarding oneness of ultimate reality, it is due to the followers and not the religion. In fact they are themselves imperfect who perceive imperfection in religion. The truthful and selfless person acquires purity of mind which is a precondition for God-realisation. In silence one hears the inner voice and it comforts the restless mind.
The truly great saint's message is heard at distant places without his being physically there. Gopinathji spent his entire life in Kashmir but his followers can be found everywhere. Some of his devotees consi-der him in the lineage of Rama, Krishna and Buddha. A devotee abroad states that Gopinathji exercised spiritual power unequalled since the time of Jesus Christ. Gopinathji is known to have cured devotees of dreaded diseases. His followers declare that they feel his presence whenever they are in distress. There could not have been a larger tribute to Gopinathji than this. Known as a miracle man, he was, according to media reports, noticed guiding our troops during the recent Kargil war.
R K Langar.
Gopinathji, the shaivite saint of Kashmir, spoke very little. But whatever he spoke was rich with sublime values and guided his devotees on both the worldly and spiritual life. According to him, man must first become morally sound before entering spiritual life. The saint spelt out the desirable qualities of an ideal person in three Kashmiri words: sezar, pazar, shozar — straightforwardness, truth and purity. With these three divine traits, a person would become eligible to raise himself to the highest level of perfection with self-effort and divine grace. Gopinathji attached great significance to God's grace for self-elevation. He was a celibate, but Gopinathji advised his devotees not to shun married life in the search of godhood for it can be attained irrespective of his status or station in life. Spiritual enlightenment can be achieved wher-ever you are depending upon the intensity and sincerity of your sadhna.
The twin purpose of human life is self-perfection and service to humanity — sadhna and seva. Man should be ever willing to help remove the miseries of afflicted persons. The greatness of a man is in helping his fellow beings irrespective of who they are. One should not undertake special exercises for awakening the kundalini, the spiritual power
lying dormant within. Love for God and working for the good of others awakens the kundalini on its own. There can be no spiritual progress as long as man is attached to worldly gains and has not given up worldly desires.
Gopinathji believed that silence is God. He became emancipated after seven years of yoga sadhna when he remained in solitude and observed complete silence. He emphasised on silence and vichara. Gopinathji's consciousness can be des-cribed as a state when man thinks, speaks and acts with a pure and pious mind. Such a person becomes a practitioner of truth and righteousness. He lives for others. The easiest way of uprooting one's ego was by surrendering oneself to God, by living a disciplined and regulated life without compromising on principles. To those who studied scriptures, his advice was that one should live the teachings of scriptures; their study alone would be of no use. He said that all human beings are equal in the eyes of God and God-realisation is available to all and not only to a select few.
By calling Brahmn a tree and its branches the different religions, Gopinathji upheld the Vedic thought that truth is one; only, the wise speak of it in different ways. No founder of any religion has deviated from this fact and if there is any misinterpretation regarding oneness of ultimate reality, it is due to the followers and not the religion. In fact they are themselves imperfect who perceive imperfection in religion. The truthful and selfless person acquires purity of mind which is a precondition for God-realisation. In silence one hears the inner voice and it comforts the restless mind.
The truly great saint's message is heard at distant places without his being physically there. Gopinathji spent his entire life in Kashmir but his followers can be found everywhere. Some of his devotees consi-der him in the lineage of Rama, Krishna and Buddha. A devotee abroad states that Gopinathji exercised spiritual power unequalled since the time of Jesus Christ. Gopinathji is known to have cured devotees of dreaded diseases. His followers declare that they feel his presence whenever they are in distress. There could not have been a larger tribute to Gopinathji than this. Known as a miracle man, he was, according to media reports, noticed guiding our troops during the recent Kargil war.
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