Interview with Dr. Satpathy
Recently Revered Guruji Dr. C B Satpathy was interviewed on a TV show titled “Ama Saharara Byaktitwa” by “City Plus Odisha” Channel, in Odia language.
Following are the excerpts from the interview:
Every individual has divinity inside him. Everyone feels passionate towards God from time to time, even an evil-doer sometimes feels the arousal of devotion inside him. Spirituality is to hold on to the force, to activate it and experience higher consciousness.
Devotion is love for God. Devotion develops some characteristics in a devotee, which is not ephemeral, It’s an unceasing feeling towards the Master. Devotion helps an individual to remain disciplined in life. Spiritualism can be attained through perseverance, however, in some cases, it is deep-rooted inside an individual like a seed, which later proliferates when comes in contact with the suitable environment.
Many times, Devotion and Spiritualism arises inside an individual spontaneously, when the person goes through the trials and tribulations of life. In many instances when a person is in grief, and when his ego shatters, he looks upward for help and the feeling of devotion arises in his mind. However, one can also be devotional in Happiness. No one can reach the pinnacle of devotion overnight. It takes time for one’s devotion to crystallize, only after one gains some experience with the Master, and after being convinced that there is no difference between Guru and God.
In the current time, it’s appropriate for someone to become spiritual while being a householder, and not become a mendicant. Spiritualism in its true sense is an expansion of one’s spirit, to go beyond one’s own welfare. So, how can one become Spiritual by remaining outside the society? Why Sai Baba chose Shirdi as his abode? He could have stayed in a forest or cave and could have evolved his consciousness. However, no one would have benefitted by this.
Action, Knowledge, and Devotion are all inter-dependent in a devotee’s life. All three are required for a balanced life. Out of the three, the path of devotion is the easiest and it leads to action and knowledge. Knowledge comes from a higher consciousness which is dependent on compassion which in-turn gives rise to devotion.
The word “Dharma” come from “dhru“, which means to accommodate others and to help and support others. Over time the word has narrowed down into self-interest and personal welfare. The absence of “Dharma” can be caused by either commission or omission – executed by some and watched silently by others. If you study Mahabharat, you will find that great personality like “Bhishma” and “Dronacharya”, though themselves were righteous and respectable characters, were part of “Adharma”, due to their vow to support “Kauravas”.
Fear, Self-interest propels most individuals to tread on the Spiritual path. A very few become spiritual in the quest of God. The quest of Guru and God are inter-related. Guru is a guide for God-realization. Only very few Gurus attain the stature of “SadGuru”. Sadguru is one who has realized God, who could have liberated his own soul and remain in a blissful state, however, chose to come back to this world to liberate many other souls. Since he himself has walked in the path, he is the most capable to guide his devotees towards God-realization.
Right and wrong are both attributes of divinity. Lord Krishna wouldn’t have incarnated during the epic war of “Mahabharat”, without the existence of the opposite “Karmas” of truth and deceit. Both need to exist since, “Dwandwaatmaka Viswah Itih”.
Our belief in God strengthens when we get rid of our ego. The fundamental problem with the human being is that each considers himself to be the center of the Universe – the little Universe he has created for himself. Therefore, he desires that every thing around him should fall in line with his requirements of that little Universe. We always seek for situations that give us pleasure. It is based on the Pleasure and Pain theory – what gives us pleasure is good for us and what causes pain is bad. Ego is like any other human emotions, which needs to be controlled and channelized to serve himself and the society. When one evolves to the state of perfect mental equilibrium when facing both pleasant as well as unpleasant situations then he will come to know what God is. This is what one must strive to achieve.
Often people come to me with their pain and sorrows. I don’t get perturbed as I have accepted that pain and pleasure are the part and parcel of life. There is no one in this world who is above pain and suffering, not even Sadgurus – They may not be in grief for themselves, may be for others. When one’s consciousness expands, he or she can feel other’s pain, without much effort – It is spontaneous, no one can strategize it.