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Swami Brahmananda Saraswati Quotes

A collection of quotes of Swami Brahmananda Saraswati.

One should always be cautious, so that no sin happens, so that one has no regrets at the time of death.

Concentration on the unmanifest is not possible.

Keep your luggage packed. (Symbolically this means let not death find you unprepared.)

When the mind realizes God, it is permanently established there and does not desire other things.

Learn to make full use of the human body. One should not waste this chance.

Swami Brahmananda Saraswati (1871-1953)

Explanation:

"Keep your luggage packed" is a metaphorical expression urging readiness and preparedness for the unexpected, particularly in the face of mortality. Just as one keeps their luggage packed when traveling, ready to embark on a journey at any moment, this phrase advises being mentally, emotionally, and spiritually prepared for the inevitable journey of death. It speaks to the importance of living each day with intention, ensuring that one's affairs are in order, and nurturing meaningful connections with loved ones. By embracing this mindset, individuals can face the uncertainty of life with courage and grace, knowing that they have lived fully and are prepared for whatever may come their way.

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When the mind realizes God, it is ... and does not desire other things. 

The concept referred here is central to many Hindu spiritual traditions and philosophies. In Hinduism, the ultimate goal of human life is often described as Moksha, which is liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara) and union with the divine, or realization of one's true nature, often referred to as Brahman or God.

When a person's mind realizes God or experiences union with the divine, it is said to be in a state of permanent bliss or contentment. This realization is often described as a profound spiritual awakening where one recognizes the interconnectedness of all things and experiences a deep sense of peace and fulfillment. In this state, desires for worldly things diminish because the individual recognizes that ultimate fulfillment lies beyond the material world.

Hindu saints and spiritual teachers often emphasize the importance of spiritual practice (such as meditation, prayer, and self-inquiry) in achieving this realization. Through dedicated practice and purification of the mind and heart, individuals can gradually remove the veils of ignorance (avidya) that obscure their true nature and experience the divine within themselves.

Once the mind is firmly established in this realization, it is said to be free from the fluctuations of desire and attachment that characterize ordinary human existence. Instead, it remains absorbed in the contemplation of God or the divine, leading to a state of lasting peace, joy, and contentment.

This teaching is not unique to Hinduism but is also found in various forms in other spiritual traditions around the world, each with its own terminology and practices aimed at achieving union with the divine or enlightenment.