[Chaturamnaya] Life and Teachings of His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyateertha Mahaswamigal - 23

[S Jayanarayanan]

 (Continued from previous post)

http://svbf.org/journal/vol4no3-4/teachings.pdf

11. There is no reason whatsoever to despair about one’s spiritual progress. If one tries hard
enough, one will certainly make much progress. After all, prarabdha has been compared by Brahma to a
seed. What one gets out of the field is determined not only by the seed but also by the effort one
makes to till the land. By proper manuring and the like, the result can be very much improved. It is
meaningless if a man just sits quiet and expects fate to lead him on in the spiritual path.

12. The greatest impediment to Bhakti is the ego which repeatedly asserts itself and prevents
self-surrender. Thus a man can truly surrender himself to Isvara only if he annihilates his ego.
Repeatedly thinking of Isvara and practicing spiritual discipline precisely in the manner indicated
by the Guru, go a long way in effacing the ego and engendering devotion.

13. One must never doubt the wisdom of God and must never feel that attempts to reach Isvara
are not noticed by the Lord who is an ocean of mercy. The Lord grasps the inner feeling and is not
concerned with mere externals and so prayer must be done with utmost sincerity. Even if one
accidentally makes mistakes while praying, one need not be unduly concerned.

14. When praying to Isvara it is best not to ask for anything. Asking Isvara for worldly things
is not a good practice at all. Isvara knows what is best and one should leave everything to him.
One should love Isvara purely for the sake of love. By keeping the company of sages one develops
pure devotion. Everything which one does should be completely dedicated to Isvara. One should act
for his sake and offer the fruits of all actions to him.

15. The need for mind control is quite obvious. Only he who has control over his mind can be
successful in worldly pursuits and be happy. Such being the case, what need be said about the need
for mind control in the case of spiritual aspirants? To study, to work, and even to play well,
the mind must be concentrated on the task in hand and this is possible only if one has control over
the mind.

16. The source of bliss is not something external but is one’s own true nature, the Atman.
Not realizing this, man devoid of discrimination seeks happiness in external objects. It is because
of the mistaken feeling that happiness can be obtained from things external that the mind goes
outward.

17. People are often devoid of dispassion. The reason for this is the lack of discrimination.
Dispassion may dawn due to some calamity but that dispassion is only temporary. The dispassion which
results from discrimination is lasting. The importance of burning dispassion can never be
overemphasized. It would not be wrong to say that much of the trouble which people encounter in
controlling the mind is due to want of vairagya.

18. Desire, anger and greed are described by Sri Krishna as the triple gates to hell. These are
man’s worst enemies and one must never succumb to them. Desire can be overcome by dispassion.
Anger is a result of frustration of desire. Thus, by conquering desire completely one can conquer
anger. An attempt must be made to control greed by impressing upon the mind that in reality
everything belongs to Isvara alone and that one is but an instrument in the hands of Isvara. 
 

(Concluded)
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