Sai Gita 9 (Jnana Yoga part 3): Telugu Talk
Sai Gita 9 (Jnana Yoga part 3):
Qualifications for Brahma-Jnana or Self-Realization
All persons do not see or realize the Brahman in their life-time. Certain qualifications are absolutely necessary.
(1) Mumuksha or intense desire to get free:
He, who thinks that he, is bound and that he should get free from bondage and works earnestly and resolutely to that end, and who does not care for any other thinks, is qualified for the spiritual life.
(2) Virakti or a feeling of disgust with the things of this world:
Unless a man feels disgusted with the things, emoluments and honors, which his action would bring in this world and the next, he has no right to enter into the spiritual realm.
(3) Antarmukhata (introversion):
Our senses have been created by God with a tendency to move outward and so, man always looks outside him self and not inside. He, who wants self-realization and immortal life, must turn his gaze inwards and look to his inner Self.
(4) Catharsis from (Purging away of) sins:
As humans we need to turn away from wickedness, and stop doing wrong things or acts.
We have to show great composure and put our minds at rest. Then only we can attain self-realization, even by means of knowledge.
(5) Right Conduct:
Unless, a man leads a life of truth, penance and insight, a life of celibacy, he cannot get God-realization.
6) Preferring Shreyas, (the Good) to Preyas (the Pleasant):
There are two sorts of things viz., the Good and the Pleasant; the former deals with spiritual affairs, and the latter with mundane matters.
Both these approach man for acceptance. He has to think and choose one of them.
The wise man prefers the Good to the Pleasant; but the unwise, through greed and attachment, chooses the Pleasant.
(7) Control of the mind and the senses:
The body is the chariot and the Self is its master; intellect is the charioteer and the mind is the reins; the senses are the horses and sense-objects their paths.
He who has no understanding and whose mind is unrestrained, his senses unmanageable like the vicious horses of a charioteer, does not reach his destination (get realization), but goes through the round of births and deaths; but he who has understanding and whose mind is restrained, his senses being under control, like the good horse of a charioteer, reaches that place, i.e., the state of self-realization, when he is not born again.
(8) Purification of the mind:
Unless a man discharges satisfactorily and disinterestedly the duties of his station in life, his mind will not be purified and, unless his mind is purified, he cannot get self-realization.
It is only in the purified mind that Viveka (discrimination between the Unreal and the Real), and Vairagya (Non- attachment to the unreal) crop up and lead on the self-realization.
Unless egoism is dropped, avarice got rid of, and the mind made desire less (pure), self-realization is not possible.
The idea that 'I am the body' is a great delusion, and attachment to this idea is the cause of bondage. Leave off this idea and attachment therefore, if you want to get to the Self-realization.
(9) The necessity of a Guru:
The knowledge of the self is so subtle and mystic, that no one could, by his own individual effort ever hope to attain it. So the help of another person-Teacher, who has himself got self-realization, is absolutely necessary.
What others cannot give with great labor and pains, can be easily gained with the help of such a Teacher; for he has walked on the path himself and can easily take the disciple, step by step on the ladder of spiritual progress.
(10) Lord's Grace is the most essential thing:
When the Lord is pleased with any body, He gives him Viveka and Vairagya; and takes him safe beyond the ocean of mundane existence, "The Self cannot be gained by the study of Vedas, or by intellect. He, whom the Self chooses, by him It is gained. To him the Self reveals Its nature", says the Katha Upanishad.
Summary of this chapter:
You should teach your own mind that you are yourself the pure Brahman, but you are bound to the body like a parrot, clinging to the bar which goes around rotating. You have been lured away by illusions and temptations. Therefore, you have forgotten your own true self. Be aware and realize your real nature immediately.
Delusion creates more delusion; and thus the illusion about bodily pride takes place. Try to understand that the concept of ‘I and Mine’ is like a mirage. Therefore, why don’t you become detached?
Oh, you! Think well, whether you should get entangled in this notion of ‘I and Mine’ in this worldly existence. Oh, parrot! Leave the bar and fly high above in the sky.
Where there is liberty there is bondage; and bondage is accompanied by liberty. Ignoring both these conditions, you should live in the purest spirit within you.
This is subjective knowledge. Happiness and misery is total ignorance. Therefore, abandon that knowledge and acquire true knowledge, which is the knowledge of the Brahman, and which is with you.
The path of knowledge of Brahman is difficult. It is not easy to follow for all and sundry. When the time is ripe, it appears before that fortunate person, all of a sudden.
The knowledge of Brahman can be attained flawlessly by the highest category of aspirants but mediocre persons are always tradition bound and must proceed stage by stage. The former ones have a spiritual flight, like the path of a bird; the latter follow the steps of tradition, according to the Shastras (Scriptures). But for the incapable person, the whole effort about Brahman is useless.
Without that self-control and discrimination, there is no other sure means of achieving Brahman. Though this is the real truth told by the Vedas, can it be possible for everyone to practice?
It is only through diligence and practice, when even your bones seem ready to disintegrate, that the Guru’s grace descends and enlightenment dawns slowly.
When there is the true knowledge of the Self, that person’s entire nature becomes one with Brahman. At such a stage, the whole universe burns down in the fire of Brahman and the world turns into ashes.
Phalasruti (Benefits of reading or listening to Sai’s stories)
By listening to Sai’s life story, sins will be destroyed.
By listening to his life story, destiny will be fought.
By listening to his life story, supreme happiness will be achieved effortlessly by the listeners.
By listening, the heart will become pure;
By listening the cycle of birth and death will be avoided;
By listening the listeners will achieve Brahman, which can be achieved by performing actions and offering the fruits to Brahman.
Such a person who desires to serve Sai, Sai will make him desire less and Sairama will give rest, peace and happiness to his own devotee.
‘Know thyself perfectly well. That happiness is Brahman’; is the famous quotation from the Taittiriya Upanishad. Baba, who is well-versed in scriptures, always reiterated this fact.
Finally Baba’s assurance: "D o not worry in the least. Remain always cheerful. Do not have any anxieties until death. " Baba always preached this. He will take us to the destination if we surrender to him and show Shradda (faith) and Sabhuri (patience).
Let Sai give knowledge to all of us.
OM SAI RAM!
No comments:
Post a Comment