Baba's Storytime - Smarana and Anusmarana

“Mamaivamso Jeevaloke Jeevabhoothas-sanathanah” declares Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita. Thus the ideal is set for the entire world that all beings are sparks of the Eternal Divinity. Without understanding the import of this great truth, many aspirants are suffering from anxieties and worries, bereft of self-confidence. 

Those who are sparks of Divinity have no reason to get into grief at all. The Divine has no worry or grief. He is Eternal Bliss Himself! How then can His sparks be subject to worries? It is only due to the non-realisation of their real nature that people get worried. They are carried away by the momentary and transient worldly comforts and ultimately plunge themselves into grief. 

This is nothing but sheer animal quality.  A compassionate heart is the natural feature of human being. Therefore, what is the use of reading the scriptural texts? What is the use of studying the Bhagavad Gita without making any effort to put the teachings into practice?

Arjuna asked Krishna, “Why are you putting us to this harrowing experience of fighting the battle, and why have you burdened us with family problems and other difficulties, while we have been always following the righteous path and are devoted to You?” 

Krishna smilingly replied, “Oh Arjuna, you made me sit on your chariot as a charioteer. This chariot is after all susceptible to destruction. You have not made Me sit in your heart, which is the eternal chariot. That is mantra, whereas this physical chariot is yantra (machine). Yantra has no life, while mantra has the life force. You say that you think of Me. This is only smarana, and not anusmarana – smarana is time-bound, while anusmarana is constant contemplation, beyond time and space. If you do anusmarana, you will experience Divinity within.” 

Krishna said, “Maam anusmara! Youdhyacha”. Think of me even in the battle-field and fight. You will have no trouble at all."

Arjuna asked Krishna, “How can I constantly think of you? I have to perform my duties to my family and rule the kingdom.” 

Krishna said, “No doubt, these are your rightful duties. You have to take of your wife and children and discharge your responsibilities given by God. But when you do your duties thinking of Me, you will have no difficulties.”

(From the Divine Discourses of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba)