UPANISHAD VAHINI - Sathya Sai Speaks

UPANISHAD VAHINI29The spider, as already indicated, spins out the webfrom itself without any extraneous agency. It also takesin the web it has spun. So too, Creation was effectedwithout an agent and the Universe emanated. This Natureor Prakrithi is but a transformation of the basic Brahmam,like pot from mud, cloth from cotton, jewels from gold.So Brahmam is called the Upadana cause of Prakrithi. Itis also the Nimiththakarana (predetermined cause), orthe Nimiththa (efficient) cause. For, this Universe canonly be the result of a High Intelligence, an Intelligencethat is all-comprehensive, a Sarvajna. Heaven is thehighest attainable stage through Karma. Of such Karmasor rites, the worship of Fire called Agnihotra is the chief.The performance of such rites contributes to the cleansingof the mind. Such cleansing is a necessary preliminary toParavidya. The flames that rise high from the sacrificialaltar of fire appear to the performer as if they are hailinghim on to realise the Reality or Brahmam. He who doesthe rite with full awareness of the significance of themanthra is able to reach the Solar Splendour, through theofferings made. They take him to the region of Indra, theLord of the gods.The Vedas recommend two types of obligatoryKarmas: Ishta and Poortha. The rite of Agnihotra,adherence to Truth, Thapas or Asceticism,Vedaadhyayanam or study of the Vedas, the serviceoffered to guests in one’s home—these are Ishta;