Bhakti

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SELF - EFFORT

 

 

In this world whatever is gained is gained only by self-effort. Where

failure is encountered it is seen that there has been slackness in the

effort. This is obvious. But what is called fate is ficticious and is not

seen.

 

Self-effort is that mental, verbal and physical action which is in

accordance with the instructions of a holy person well versed in the

scriptures. Self-effort is of two categories: that of past births and that

of this birth. The latter effectively counteracts the former. Fate is none

other than self-effort of a past incarnation. There is constant conflict

between these two in this incarnation; and that which is more powerful

triumphs.

 

Self-effort which is not in accord with the scriptures is motivated by

delution. There is no power greater than right action in the present. One

should overcome evil by good and fate by present effort. The lazy man is

worse than a donkey. Life is ebbing away every moment. one should not revel

in the filth of sense-pleasures. One who says "fate is directing me to do

this" is brainless. Goddess of fortune abandons him. It is because laziness

is found on earth that people live the life of animals, miserable and

poverty-stricken.

 

What is called fate or divine will is nothing other than the action or

self-effort of the past. The present is infinitely more potent than the

past. They indeed are fools who are satisfied with the fruits of their past

efforts and do not engage themselves in self-effort now. The wise man should

know what is capable of attainment by self-effort and what is not.

 

Self-effort is based on these 3 factors : Knowledge of scriptures,

instructions of the Guru and one's own effort. Fate does not enter here. The

fruit of your endeavours will be proportional to the intensity of your

self-effort. In this world, except a corpse, everything is active and such

activity yields its appropriate result. The Sage Vishvaamitra became a

Brahma Rishi by self-effort. hence, renounce fatalism and apply yourself to

self-effort.

 

In the mind of man are numerous latent tendencies(Vaasanas) which give rise

to various actions - physical, verbal and mental. Surely, one's actions are

in strict accordance with these tendencies. The tendencies brought forward

from past incarnations are of two kinds - pure and impure. The pure ones

lead you towards liberation and the impure ones invite trouble. You are free

to strengthen the pure tendencies. The impure ones have to be abandoned

gradually. By encouraging the good tendencies to act repeatedly, strengthen

them. The impure ones will weaken by disuse.Thus, when you have overcome the

force of the evil tendencies, you will have to abandon even the good ones.

You will then experience the Supreme Truth with the intelligence that rises

from the good tendencies. As long as the highest wisdom does not dawn in the

heart, the person revolves in this wheel of birth and death.

 

This wisdom destroys the forest of ignorance. One should therefore approach

an enlightened teacher. He should then avoid unwise company. There are 4

gate-keepers at the entrance to the Realm of Freedom (Moksha). They are

Self-control, Spirit of enquiry, Contentment and Good Company. The wise

seeker should diligently cultivate the friendship of these. When the truth

has been seen in the heart, then this very world becomes an abode of bliss.

 

The realised person has nothing to acquire, nor anything to shun. He is

untainted by the defects of life, untouched by its sorrow. He is not

affected by the past tendencies which have lost their momentum. His mind has

given up its restlessnes and he rests in the bliss that is his essential

nature. Such bliss is possible only by self-knowledge. Hence, one should

apply oneself constantly to self-knowledge - this alone is one's duty.

 

The eternal is not attained by rites and rituals, by pilgrimages nor by

wealth; it is to be attained only by the conquest of one's mind, by the

cultivation of wisdom. All that is good and auspicious flow from

self-control.

 

The wise man regards strength, intellect, efficiency and timely action as

the fruits of enquiry. The spirit of enquiry protects one from the

calamities that befall the unthinking fool. It is the absence of enquiry

that gives rise to actions that are harmful to oneself and to others. One

should avoid the company of such unthinking people. The eye of spiritual

enquiry does not lose its sight even in the midst of all activities. What is

this enquiry ? It is aking oneself "Who am I " repeatedly. Knowledge of

Truth arises from such enquiry; from such knowledge there follows

tranquility, peace and bliss in oneself. Enquiry is not reasoning nor

analysis; it is directly looking into oneself.

 

Contentment is another gate-keeper to liberation. A contented person does

not crave for sense-pleasures. To renounce all craving for what is not

obtained unsought and to be satisfied with what comes unsought. With the

rise of contentment the purity of one's heart blooms. The contented man who

possesses nothing owns the world.

 

Yet another gate-keeper to liberation is Satsanga - the company of the wise,

holy and enlightened persons. Satsanga enlarges one's intelligence, destroys

one's ignorance and psychological distress. Satsanga should never be

neglected. Satsanga is indeed superior to all other forms of religious

practice like charity, austerity, pilgrimage, rituals, rites etc. Adore and

serve the holy men. To summarise:

 

Contentment is the supreme gain.

Satsanga is the best companion to the destination.

Self-enquiry is the greatest wisdom.

Self-control is supreme happiness.

 

Try to follow them one by one. For more details please read the book: Yoga

Vasishta by Swami Venkatesananda. This scripture consists of 32,000

couplets, spread over 6 Chapters :

 

Sl. No,

Name of Praakaranam

Couplets

 

01

Vairaagya (Dispassion)

1,500

 

02

Mumukshu Vyavahaara (Behaviour)

1,000

 

03

Utpathi (Creation)

7,000

 

04

Sthiti (Existence)

3,000

 

05

Upashaanti (Cessation)

5,000

 

06

Nirvaana (Liberation)

14,500

 

 

One who studies this scripture and comprehends its teaching is no longer

deluded by world-appearance