Gurunathar’s Divine Message Moolam Pooja 13-07-2011
I would like to give an elucidation. “In spiritual progress is there a concept of what is clean and what is not clean or permissible? Is hygiene necessary? We find some Siddhars sitting amidst unclean surroundings do we not? Does that not mean that at their spiritual level, cleanliness is not necessity?”.
To this friend who asked this question in mind I would like to clarify: “Dear one, there is an old saying, first seek to be clean – only then can you receive the grace of God”. If you had sat in meditation for the number of years I did, perhaps you need not assiduously seek it. At that level of awareness environmental impurities do not affect them the way they affect you. Hence it can be deemed that they are constantly in a clean and a pure state. Still, for those who travel from place to place physical cleanliness becomes a must. I would say that when it comes to making offerings to God you should wash the vessels and your hands before you do so. Siddhars are at a different spiritual level and you cannot compare yourself to them because they are not conscious of their physical selves. Whatever may happen to them, they remain unaffected. You cannot claim this can you? Even for the smallest ailment you seek the assistance of a medical professional? Those who are no longer conscious of their physical state can never be unclean.
For everyone else especially those on the spiritual path it is important to pay attention to the presence of cleanliness and purity. In particular they must avoid bluffing or speaking the untruth. To escape minor situations they must avoid white lies for this creates impure speech. In addition as far as possible take only food that is Satvic. As you progress on the spiritual path, your digestive power declines. There is also the practice of conforming to food with health value. If you do not cease to be a slave to your tongue it is difficult to progress spiritually. Both self-control in food and adherence to the truth are necessary disciplines connected to the tongue. You must keep this in mind always. I would advice you to stop trying to evaluate other’s levels of cleanliness.
Do you have their talents? You do not. So try instead to just concentrate on how you as an individual can progress spiritually by following the advice of great saints, of your elders, and those who have lived before you.
{Translation of Gurunathar’s Divine message given to and read by Guruji Shri.K.V.Narayanan}