Jivanmuktiviveka of Swami Vidyaranya

[Ramakrishnan Balasubramanian]

Ramakrishnan Balasubramanian <ramakris at erols.com> wrote:
\
> > 3. Sha.nkara makes it clear in his sUtra-bhAshhya that it is
> possible
> > that people who have not become parivrAjaka-s can become GYAnis.
The
> > question here is not what is *possible*, but what is *probable*.
To
> > give a worldy example, a person sitting in the hot sun could do
two
> > things. He may move to the shade or make a great effort and master
> > mantras which enable him to bear the heat. It is plain common
sense
> to
> > just move to the shade and not waste any more time. In fact, most
> > people who opt for the mantra route would probably die of heat
> stroke
> > before gaining the mantra siddhi.  Similarly, a person with true
> > vairAgya, who has realized the "heat" of karma can at once move to
> the
> > "shade" by becoming an ekadaNDin. However, unlike moving to the
> shade
> > of a tree, becoming an ekadaNDin requires great qualifications.
And
> > that qualification need not necessarily be possessed by a
tridANDin.
>

Just a quick clarification, in case I give the mistaken impression
that karma is not useful or necessary for the vast majority of people
(like me). The "shade" of becoming an ekadaNDin is not really a path
of comfort, unlike moving to the shade of a tree. The qualifications
for becoming an ekadaNDin should not be underestimated. Again, karma
is useless only for people with the right qualifications. The last
sentence is worth repeating many times.

Rama

--
bhava shankara deshikame sharaNam

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