This Issue

Prayer

Heart to Heart Communication

Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu
After the Bhajans are over, Sai devotees observe the Arati (the waving of the camphor flame) and at the end of the Arati song, pray in chorus :

"Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu "

i.e., Let all the worlds be happy.

Let us go deep into its implications :- The word ‘Loka’ in Sanskrit language is derived from ‘avalokita’ which means ‘seen’. So, Loka is something that is seen. And what is seen depends on with what we see: We can see with our eyes, with optical instruments, with the power of reason, with insight etc. We can possibly see with the divine eye such as the one bestowed upon Arjuna by Lord Krishna (Divya chakshu) during Gita Upadesa prior to the Kurukshetra War.

The point to be noted, therefore, is that ‘all the worlds’ means ‘all the beings in all the worlds, including plants, animals, spirits, angels, etc.,’ — not merely human beings. Indeed the happiness and welfare of human beings is concomitant with beings in all the worlds. Indeed we are already spiritually part of the worlds-wide-web!
So if we really mean what we say in this prayer, we must match our words with deeds: we must do what we can through monetary contributions, through voluntary services in person, through contributions in kind etc. to reduce the suffering of our fellow human beings in any corner of the earth; we must ensure continuation of the various plant and animal species; we must recognise the existence of our fore-fathers etc. in subtle bodies and show our gratitude to them in suitable ways; we must recognise the existence of divine beings and pay our homage to them appropriately; and so on. Otherwise this prayer will become a noisy ritual. prayer1.gif (2408 bytes)
In this context, it is useful to understand the real meaning of the word ‘happiness’: it is not necessarily pleasure or a sense of comfort and satisfaction. Your dear son or neighbour may be suffering from some illness and may seek your help and you may have to get up from your sleep, walk in pouring rain, get some medicine and provide him relief. All that is not quite pleasant or comfortable. But there is an inner joy of having been helpful, of having cared and loved, of having done your best in the given circumstances. This is happiness and this leaves an imprint that is long-lasting unlike pleasures, comforts and satisfactions of senses, ego etc, which are temporary and limited in their effects. prayer2.gif (2419 bytes)

When we are free from prejudices, presumptions and preoccupation with our little selves and false identities, and when we then spontaneously engage in what we have to do, we are fully happy. It is that happiness that we must wish and pray for. This one-sentence prayer can be amplified by two more ancient prayers found in the vedas:

 

Om sarve vai sukhina santu

Sarve santu niramaya

Sarve Bhadrani pasyantu

Ma kascid dukham apnuyat.

Om Santi Santi Santi:

 prayer3.gif (2607 bytes)

"Oh God! Let all be happy. May all be free from illnesses. May all see what is good and positive (in all things, beings and events). May no one be sorrowful. Let there be peace everywhere."

How do we go about making all people happy? Well, we can start with ourselves! Let us train ourselves to be happy, instead of being bound by the vicious circle of pleasures and pains. Let us infect others with happiness and peace! Similarly let us be as healthy as possible physically mentally and spiritually! That will pave the way for the true health of all. In these endeavours, it will be very useful to develop a positive attitude towards everything and everyone in our life . Deficiencies and drawbacks can be very useful to bring forth our best or to our success in another sphere, with another person etc. Even the sorrows of others can be opportunities for us to express our love, our spiritual unity with them and our potential talents.

The other prayer is :

Om. Sahana Vavatu Sahanau Bhunaktu

Saha Veeryam Karava Vahai

Tejasvinava Dheetamastu

Ma Vidvisha Vahai. Om. (Santi)3

"Oh God ! Protect us together. Rule and nourish us together. Let us do something efficiently and usefully together. For this purpose let our intelligence and power of discrimination be bright. Let us not develop (unnecessary) feelings of difference and hatred."

Let us pray then with such words used from time immemorial by saints and spiritual aspirants and match them with deeds. The heart feels; the head fashions the words to express the feelings; the hands should engage in deeds accordingly. Then the prayer is answered at the earliest. Then only the prayer is a true prayer and is answered fully and perfectly.

O. P. Vidyakar