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A few announcements and remembrances are shared, including the passing of a student, Jana Matusková, for whom prayers are offered for her soul's journey to eternal peace and light. The conversation turns to the profound bond between humans and animals, illustrated by personal stories. One disciple’s dog saved his life by alerting his wife after he fell unconscious. Another story is shared by Len Turner, who is present. Her large dog, Lex, once jumped from her car and ran into a yoga center in Atlanta. When she followed, she met her first teacher, Sevā Devī, and began her yoga practice. She believes her dog, sensing her postponed desire, guided her to it. This leads to the teaching that animals, possessing immense love, are like our children, raising the question of how one could kill and eat them. The Bhajan of the Two Parrots A bhajan by Mahāprabhujī is introduced—a dialogue between two parrots, a male (Sua) and a female (Menā). This song carries a deep spiritual meaning according to Vedānta and is an allegory for ourselves. The male parrot (Sua) speaks to Menā: Sunore menā tu haribaja lava lūṭa. "Listen, my dear Menā, reap the harvest of joy in God's name (bhajan). That is the essence. All other pursuits in this world are unreal (jag kāra bāra saba jhūṭa). Why struggle for material things that will one day slip from your grasp? Attend only to what is necessary for survival." He admonishes her: "You flutter from branch to branch, wandering here and there (ghaṭa vise phala khāī). You are eating poisonous fruits in your heart—these are desires. You see them as beautiful now, but they will become bitter and poisonous through disappointment. You are consuming these fruits of desire, filled with pride and ego." He gives an example: A man once told Swāmījī how his ego swelled after marriage, only to later find himself divorced. This is the fruit of desire and pride (phala khāī phuliphirī). These desires are a mirage (mṛgatṛṣṇā). Just as a thirsty deer (mṛga) runs toward the illusion of water on the horizon, only to die exhausted, so do we chase desires that can never be truly fulfilled or enjoyed. The parrot warns: Death is cruel and can steal everything in an instant. At that time, no relationships or material possessions belong to you. Therefore, do not fill your heart (ghaṭa) with these poisonous fruits. He says: "Oh my dear, on the day we are separated from this garden (life) by death (pīra visare ina bhaga se), we do not know if we will meet again or not (milana ho ki na ho)." Therefore, he advises: Haṁso haṁsa kaho jī. "So, my dear, repeat this mantra: 'Haṁsaḥ' (I am That)." It means "I am that pure consciousness, the Ātmā. I am not this body, mind, desires, or intellect. I am Ātmā." (Haṁ so’haṁ haṁsa kaho jī). "Renounce the world (De duniyāṁ pūṭa), for sooner or later you must leave it all behind. In the presence of the Guru's holy feet and in Satsaṅg (Guru Caraṇa Kamala Satsaṅga), there is the immortal tree bearing the fruit of nectar (Amṛtavṛkṣa palajan). This Satsaṅg itself is heaven, it is Vaikuṇṭha (Bhoḥi Svarga Bekuṇḍa)." "Listen, my dear Menā, enjoy God's name. That alone is real; the world is unreal." The Female Parrot's Reply Now the female parrot (Menā) replies. A true partnership (dostī) is when two (do) follow the path of truth (satī). She says: Sunore suā tum vratale so’haṁ nāma. "Listen, my dear Suā, you too should repeat the name of Ātmā, So’haṁ (I am That)." Jīva, tere ghera kī pyāre, lagata nahīṁ kāśudāma. "My dear, your tongue is your own property. Repeating the name of God costs you nothing—no money, no tax. On the contrary, you gain. God gives love, contentment, and happiness freely." But she also warns: "You tell me this, but you should also know: the cat of death will eat you. It will tear apart the cage of your body in no time." Therefore, she urges: "Do not waste time. Repeat your mantra." The Allegory Explained The mind (mana) is the parrot (suā). The body (tana) is the cage (piñjarā) in which the soul (jīva ātmā) is confined. The Ātmā within is the mantra So’haṁ (ātmā so’haṁ nāma). Mehera kare Gurū Devajī to jada pāvai viśrāma. "If the Guru bestows his grace (mehera, dayā, kṛpā), then this parrot (the soul) will find peace and rest." The Final Exhortation The bhajan concludes with a universal call: Hari bhajale ausara miliare, uṭa śubha aruṣama. "Repeat the name of God. You have obtained this opportunity as a human being. Do not miss it; do not waste time. Get up early in the auspicious dawn (śubha aruṣa) to meditate and practice your mantra. Remember God morning and evening." "This garden of the world will one day dry up. Everything will be destroyed. You will not have the fruits you wish to eat (the body will cease). You will be left with nothing. So utilize the time you have been given." Mahāprabhujī said to take this as truth (Śrīddhi pakahe sat mañjo). In the presence of a saint (Sant Śaraṇa) is the abode of great happiness (Sukhadhāma). This is the teaching of the Vedas and all the saints. This beautiful bhajan is a symbolic dialogue between the Ātmā and the mind, between Māyā (illusion) and Brahma (the Supreme). Dīpa Nārāyaṇa Bhagavān kī, Deva Puruṣa Mahādeva kī, Dharma Samrāṭ Satguru Svāmī Madhavānandajī Bhagavān kī, Satya Sanātana Dharma kī Jaya!