Shri Gurumayi has given everyone a beautiful birthday gift. I am so delighted that I have been given the seva of writing a commentary on Gurumayi’s gift to everyone—the virtue in honor of her birthday on June 24, 2021.
वदान्यता
Vadānyatā
Whenever I come across a new word, and especially when it is a gift from Gurumayi, the very first thing I like to do is to say the word out loud. It’s like having Gurumayi’s prasad and relishing her prasad as a mantra. So I invite you to do just that. Read the word, mentally formulate the pronunciation correctly in your head, enjoy the beauty of the syllables. For example, when written in roman script, the word has many “a” vowels: (va-daanya-taa). It’s a bit like saying “Aaaaaah,” like freeing the breath. Repeat the word a few times out loud to yourself.
When Gurumayi says something to us, we feel an ethereal resonance in our hearts, in our beings. It is indescribable. For this reason, with the virtue that Gurumayi has given us as a gift, when we say it out loud, it invokes a certain bhava, an inner state of being, a familiar yet novel feeling, which holds divine inspiration. So once again, repeat this word aloud or if you wish, say it in your mind:
Va-dānya-tā
As you repeat this word, let it pulsate in every cell of your body. Simply enjoy it. Relish it. Let the beauty of it permeate your being.
The virtue vadānyatā is replete with profound meanings. No single word in any other language can express exactly what vadānyatā means and all the other qualities it encompasses and evokes.
Therefore, I will elucidate here its multifaceted denotation and multihued connotations, in order for you to understand its essence, admire its exquisiteness, and be able to apply it to your Siddha Yoga sadhana.
Let’s begin. Vadānyatā can be derived from two different Sanskrit verbal roots: vad “to speak” or “to express,” and dā “to give.” Inherent in this derivation is an array of meanings that include the qualities of magnanimity, nobility, and benevolence; friendliness and affability; as well as eloquence and speaking kindly.
Now, let us look at these different flavors of vadānyatā and how they apply to everyone’s life.
Vadānyatā is magnanimity, nobility, and benevolence.
The glow of goodness in a person evincing vadānyatā is like a beam of sunlight that brightens the darkness of a thick forest. People with hearts full of goodness naturally believe in caring for and looking out for one another. They have faith in the circuit of munificence in which one good deed inspires another, creating a ripple effect that encourages others to also be thoughtful and empathetic. Their magnanimity is devoid of selfishness as they genuinely look for opportunities to offer their best to their world. Their nobility comes from their dedication to implementing the virtues of the Heart, the divine virtues that Gurumayi teaches. And their benevolence is founded in the knowledge that everything in this universe is one principle; therefore, they act with the understanding that when one helps others, one also helps oneself. There is no holding back in their giving and no ulterior motive to their altruism. The only parallel to the virtues of such people is in nature’s immeasurable bounteousness.
A well-known subhashita, a wise saying in Sanskrit, draws this picture of the virtue of vadānyatā:
dhatte bharaṁ kusuma-patra-phalāvalīnāṁ marma-vyathāṁ spṛśati śītabhavāṁ rujaṁ ca । yo dehamarpayati cānyasukhasya hetostasmai vadānya-gurave tarave namo’stu ॥
I bow to the great magnanimous tree,
which holds the weight of its branches
laden with leaves, flowers, and fruits.
It endures pain as it offers its branches
and stands through severe cold,
and in this way gives its whole being
for the welfare of others.1
Vadānyatā is friendliness and affability.
The nature of people who embody the virtue vadānyatā is to be friendly and affable. They are welcoming, hospitable, and ready to lend an ear. As friends, they are warm, and their presence evokes easefulness and spontaneity.
Sage Bhartrihari in his text Nitishatakam says:
तन्मित्रमापदि सुखे च समक्रियं यत्।
tanmitramāpadi sukhe ca samakriyaṁ yat ।
A friend is one who is present in both
times of hardship and times of happiness.2
A good friend is someone whose steady presence and guidance give you strength in times of adversity, and who adds to your delight in times of joy.
Mitra, one of the Sanskrit words for “friend,” is also one of the names for the god of the sun. As the source of light and vitality on this planet, each morning the sun invariably awakens all life forms, summoning them to live, breathe, and flourish. As mitra, a friend of this universe, the sun keeps an eye on the entire creation, sustaining the earth and the planets. The sun is an equal friend to all, be it animals, birds, humans, trees, rivers, mountains, or oceans.
Vadānyatā is eloquence and speaking kindly.
Words—whether they are spoken, written, or experienced through thoughts—are the main way we have to express ourselves. Our words have a lasting impact on our life, our destiny, and the people we love—they can either mend or bend, enliven or dishearten. The virtue of vadānyatā teaches us to express ourselves with care and clarity. We are manifesting vadānyatā when we are lucid in our communications.
Vadānyatā mirrors God’s bounty and affection through words. It guides us to speak kindly. Speaking kindly is not about indulging in insincere “sweet talk.” We speak kindly when we are respectful yet honest. We speak eloquently when we are coherent. We speak sweetly when the intention behind our words is to support others. Vadānyatā shines most brightly when our words are thought through and well chosen.
Vadānyatā is magnanimity, nobility, and benevolence. Vadānyatā is friendliness and affability. Vadānyatā is eloquence and speaking kindly.
I invite you to look closely at these flavors of vadānyatā. If you look at your surroundings, you will find many examples of this noble virtue emanating from all living beings and inanimate objects. My staunch belief is that by revealing this virtue, vadānyatā, to us and by giving it as a birthday gift, Gurumayi is emphasizing that—at any time in our sadhana and especially during this turbulent, uncertain time—we need to guard, practice, and embody this virtue vigilantly, for it will act as an anchor in our own lives as well as for others.
The recognition of vadānyatā will give us the drishti, the outlook, that the sages of India possessed and taught to their disciples. Expounding on this sublime outlook, the sage Vasishtha says:
Having the vision of equality, wise beings
are greathearted, magnanimous, and charitable.
They are calm, loving, kind in their speech,
and graceful in their looks.
They truly are famed for their virtuous deeds.3
Isn’t this beautiful? Isn’t this a wonderful goal to envision, to strive for, and to live by?
I firmly believe that when Gurumayi gives us something, she has full trust in our ability to experience what she is giving us. Therefore, I encourage you to know that you do have the virtue vadānyatā within you. You might not have known how to describe these amazing qualities that are inherent within you, and now you know.
Last night as I prepared for sleep, I read Ami Bansal’s commentary on vadanyata, and I spoke the virtue out loud. Immediately, the seven-month-old baby growing in my womb began to move. “Vadanyata!” I said again, and the baby danced. “Vadanyata! You like that word?” More dancing!
California, United States
Gurumayi’s gift of the virtue vadanyata and Ami’s eloquent commentary stirred me to return to a response I’d written in my journal to a story appearing on the Siddha Yoga path website around the Chinese New Year—“Manraj the Ox and the Strength of Words.” I had quite forgotten the story’s details and the significance of the ox for 2021. My eyes fell on words I’d copied, spoken by Manraj: “Kind words ignite the invincible love of the soul and can bring about miracles.”
Reading those words again, with the awareness of vadanyata, I felt my heart open. I located the story in the Siddha Yoga website archives; as I read it again, I experienced it anew. My heart leaps in joy as my understanding swirls wider and deeper to encompass the story’s multilayered teachings. I apprehend how I can root my life with greater purpose in the “multihued” virtue of vadanyata and in expressing it. This has refreshed my intention for this year—to deepen my inner companionship with the Guru and live in joyful wonder and love.
California, United States
This commentary has such clarity; it is such a blessing. The sentence “We are manifesting vadanyata when we are lucid in our communications,” really stood out for me. I have experienced that when my words are lucid, coming from the light of the Self, they exhibit the qualities of vadanyata, and then this experience impacts both me as the speaker and those who hear my words. When I perceive another as a manifestation of the Divine, and speak and act from that perception, the lucidity of love shines through me and them, alike.
My wish is to manifest vadanyata in all my communications.
California, United States
When I read Ami’s wonderful commentary on vadanyata, I felt deeply moved. I recognized that over years of sadhana, this virtue has begun to take root in me. I didn’t know that the qualities I was practicing had a specific name which encompasses them all. So I am thankful to Gurumayi for giving me, and all of us, the beautiful name of this virtue.
I began practicing the Siddha Yoga teachings as a shy youth nearly three decades ago. As I look back, I can see how the practices and teachings have changed me. It is wonderful to see that the shy person I thought was now feels capable of creating a positive atmosphere, of offering appreciation, encouragement, and hope to others. I feel I now have an attentive ear for those who reach out to me, and I am grateful when people tell me they feel comfortable expressing themselves freely with me.
When I read the affirmation, I sensed acknowledgment within that, through my Guru’s grace, “I am imbued with the hues of vadanyata.”
Hosur, India
This wonderful gift from Gurumayi on her birthday not only is a wisely crafted commentary for me to contemplate and study, but it also invites me to recognize and experience this special virtue within me. The commentary itself shines with the qualities of vadanyata!
As I read it and followed the instructions, I was pervaded by a steady flow of nectar, an unending fountain of bliss, like the image in Gurumayi’s Message Artwork for 2020, illustrating her Message Atma ki Prashanti. I was filled with gratitude and remembered how Gurumayi embodies the divine qualities described in the commentary. I also recognized them in many of my sadhana companions—and within me.
A spontaneous prayer arises in my heart now: may I be able to embody this virtue to the fullest, and enjoy its blessings.
Trieste, Italy
As I opened the Siddha Yoga path website today, the refreshingly new word vadanyata appeared and got imprinted in my consciousness. I pronounced it a few times aloud with my family members, and they shared my sense of wonder and joy.
Later, as I reading this commentary, I was awestruck by the greatness of its meaning. As I was reading, I experienced a very soft and sweet vibration within me. Something started melting away within, and a sweet feeling of love permeated my entire being. I experienced gentleness, sweetness, serenity, and love. At one moment I felt that Gurumayi herself had written this commentary and she was expounding it directly to me.
I feel that repeating vadanyata like a mantra will help evoke its beneficent qualities within me. Today, on Gurumayi’s Birthday, I pray that this virtue may unfold and evolve to its full potential in my being and that I may live my life under its sweet benevolence.
Ahmedabad, India
A few days ago, I was contemplating the Siddha Yoga practices I’ve been doing, as well as how I’ve been doing them. One question I contemplated was whether there was something else that would be good to include in my daily routine.
This morning when I read the commentary on vadanyata, I smiled and smiled. I’d wanted further instructions and it felt like I was granted a whole list! I offer my thanks to Gurumayi for so many blessings, so much grace, and such abundant instruction!
Cancun, Mexico
After reading Ami’s wonderful commentary on vadanyata, I was drawn to the color design of the accompanying image. Yellow makes me think of lightness, but also power. Green elicits for me soothing and healing energies.
I realized that practicing vadanyata is an anchoring form of self-awareness that naturally uplifts others too. The continual flowing movement of the image also suggests to me that the gift of this word is ever new and completely accessible.
Texas, United States
My heart has been overflowing with love and increasing joy as we have approached Gurumayi’s Birthday. And now I have received the Guru’s abundant prasad in the form of the virtue of vadanyata and the poem “Resonance of Joy”!
As I read this commentary on vadanyata, I gratefully recognized these qualities in myself, knowing that they have flowered within me because of the Guru’s grace as I walk on this golden path. Still, I know they are not yet constantly present for me. On this birthday, my prayer and commitment are to let the qualities of vadanyata be reflected more each day in my thoughts, words, and actions.
North Carolina, United States
I felt transcendent while reading this eloquent commentary on the virtue vadanyata, like I was unwrapping something profoundly new, bounteous, and inherent in my Self. I noticed in myself a growing, uplifting faith that this virtue exists, and I realized that it has been aspects of vadanyata that have been shining forth—expressing the Self—whenever I am intending the best for others and acting in accordance with this intention to bless the event.
My willingness to move more deeply into the awareness of this virtue, and to absorb and implement its divine attributes, further strengthens my conviction. I feel challenged, known, and blessed by this wondrous virtue—vadanyata!
New York, United States
I am grateful to Gurumayi for this glorious gift of the virtue of vadanyata, and for showing me what it is. I feel she has always done this through her way of being, her boundless generosity, and her love for others, and also by showing me that I myself can become someone who embodies vadanyata. Today, through reading this great commentary, I feel that I am closer to becoming such a person.
Mexico City, Mexico
My heart is touched to receive the beautiful gift of vadanyat a from Shri Gurumayi in honor of her birthday. It feels like a precious gift to cherish, study, and imbibe. I immediately started to say the Sanskrit word out loud, letting myself feel what its sound evoked in my being. As I repeated it, the feeling that came to me was a feeling of being grounded. I even thought of the word anchored and was amazed to see that Ami used that same word in her commentary.
When I read about “the glow of goodness in a person evincing vadanyata,” I recognized in these words the owner of the company where I work. He embodies Ami’s description of such people “with hearts full of goodness.” It brought tears to my eyes to recognize that he embodies this virtue in so many ways and that I am blessed to have someone like him in my life.
I am thrilled and filled with enthusiasm to receive, cherish, study, and imbibe this amazing virtue.
Colorado, United States
I felt joy within me in receiving the golden virtue of vadanyata from Gurumayi on her birthday. As I began exploring vadanyata through this commentary, I noted down two sterling qualities of this golden virtue that especially resonate for me: (1) generosity in bestowing, and (2) expression of the highest powers of speech.
Immediately, an image of beloved Baba Muktananda appeared before me. I realized how Baba became the true friend of humanity by generously bestowing the gift of shaktipat on seekers around the world—an act that is a supreme expression of the highest power.
I offer my gratitude and salutations to Gurumayi and Baba for their generosity and true friendship for all of humanity.
Sydney, Australia
This commentary has inspired me to contemplate strategies to utilize these teachings about vadanyata in my everyday routine. I want to implement the power of pure thoughts, speech, and acts in a way that would please my Guru. And I want to follow my dharma amid challenging times by always remembering the brilliant virtue vadanyata, which Shri Gurumayi has given me as sacred prasad.
The Houghton, South Africa
Vadanyata. What a beautiful virtue! It speaks to my heart and my soul. It gives me joy and hopefulness.
Since reading about it first thing this morning, I have repeated it to myself many times, so grateful that a word exists to describe a virtue I love so much. It makes me so happy to know about the virtue of vadanyata. It’s exciting to know that I can practice this attitude, this way of being, knowing that the saints venerate and love it too.
Melbourne, Australia
I am forever grateful to Gurumayi for giving us this unique, precious gift: the virtue of vadanyata. From this commentary I now know that its meaning is deep, and its nuances truly resonate within me. I will take it to heart in my sadhana and to strive to implement those nuances that Ami so eloquently expounded on.
Virginia, United States
I have now spent some time simply saying this melodious word, vadanyata, over and over. It is like a small song and my being loves the way it moves in me.
As I read Ami’s beautiful commentary on this birthday gift from Gurumayi, I realized that vadanyata encapsulates how I have always wanted to be. This has been so since my earliest memories. I saw that with Shri Guru’s grace and the fruits of my dedication to sadhana, the qualities of this virtue are present in my life and my interactions with the world. I see also that the reason vadanyata is anchored in my being is because I know its source—the one pervasive Consciousness that underlies all things. I know that more fully imbibing this virtue continues to be my sacred duty. Yet when I look, I can see it playing within me and in every moment I encounter.
Hampton, Australia
In reading this commentary on the virtue of vadanyata, what stood out for me was the description of those for whom “there is no holding back in their giving.” This is such a beautiful thought to hold in my awareness! I feel that it takes a strong heart to give selflessly, for the benefit of others.
As an actor, I can anticipate that practicing this virtue can wash away the fear of standing in front of an audience; as I step on stage to perform, I will no longer need to feel intimidated by the audience. Instead, I can remember that I am there for the purpose of giving and sharing selflessly, for the benefit of all.
I am very grateful for this wonderful commentary on vadanyata. I pray that I may learn, experience, and cultivate this sacred virtue.
Mexico City, Mexico
I woke up early this morning wondering what the virtue on Gurumayi’s Birthday would be. As I lay in the dark, I could feel a radiant splendor arising within me. When I learned that the virtue is vadanyata and read Ami’s commentary on it, I had the experience of vadanyata being suffused with that same golden radiance.
For the last year I have been grappling with how best to be in the world, given the current challenging circumstances. Now I have clarity: to practice vadanyata in all my words and actions, as an offering to the world.
Port Macquarie, Australia
Thanks to Ami’s commentary on the virtue vadanyata, my tongue is already enticed by the invitation to speak with vadanyata. I am very grateful to Gurumayi for her generosity in giving us this virtue on her birthday, and for the wisdom and grace that flow ceaselessly from her heart and through this website.
