Sai Satcharitra-Let us all read it together, a little everyday

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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 and the next. 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 himself 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. Unless a man has turned away from wickedness, and stopped from

doing wrong, and has entirely composed himself and unless his mind is at rest,

he cannot gain 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. The

man, who has understanding as his charioteer (guide) and is able to rein his

mind, reaches the end of the journey, which is the supreme abode of the

all-pervading, Vishnu (lord). (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 desireless (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 labour 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) and lastly the 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, nor by intellect, nor by much learning. He, whom the Self

chooses, by him It is gained. To him the Self reveals Its nature", says the

Katha Upanishad.

After the dissertation was over, Baba turned to the gentleman and said - "Well

sir, there is in your pocket the Brahma (or Mammon) in the form of fifty-times

five(Rs.250/-) rupees; please take that out." The gentleman took out from his

pocket the bundle of currency notes, and to his great surprise found, on

counting them, that there were 25 notes of 10 rupees each, Seeing this

ominiscience of Baba, he was moved and fell at Baba's Feet and craved for His

blessings. Then Baba said to him, "Roll up your bundle of Brahma viz. Currency

notes. Unless you get rid completely of your avarice or greed, your will not

get the real Brahma. How can be, whose mind is engrossed in wealth, progeny and

prosperity, expect to know the Brahma, without removing away his attachment for

the same? The illusion of attachment or the love for money is a deep eddy

(whirlpool) of pain full of crocodiles in the form of conceit and jealousy. He,

who is desireless, can

alone cross this whirlpool. Greed and Brahma are as poles asunder, they are

eternally opposed to each other. Where there is greed, there is no room for

thought or meditation of the Brahma. Then how can a greedy man get dispassion

and salvation? For a greedy man there is no peace, neither contentment, nor

certainty (steadiness). If there be even a little trace of greed in mind, all

the Sadhanas (spiritual endeavors) are of no avail. Even the knowledge of a

well-read man, who is not free from the desire of the fruit or reward of his

actions, and who has got no disgust for the same, is useless and can't help him

in getting self-realization. The teachings of a Guru are of no use to a man, who

is full of egoism, and who always thinks about the sense-objects. Purification

of mind is absolutely necessary; without it, all our spiritual endeavors are

nothing, but useless show and pomp. It is, therefore, better for one to take

only what he can digest and assimilate. My treasury is full, and I

can give anyone, what he wants, but I have to see whether he is qualified to

receive what I give. If you listen to Me carefully, you will be certainly

benefited. Sitting in this Masjid, I never speak any untruth."

When a guest is invited to a house, all the members of the household and other

friends and relations that happen to be present, are entertained, along with

the guest. So all those that were present in the Masjid at this time, could

partake of the spiritual feast, that was served by Baba for the rich gentleman.

After getting Baba's blessings, one and all, including the gentleman left the

place quite happy and contented."Gurur Brahma Gurur VishnuGurur Devoh

Maheshwar;Gurur Shakshat ParambramhaTashmai Shri Gurur Veh Namah"May the

Merciful Sri Sai Baba always shower His grace on us and our families and remove

our problems and anxieties by giving us all - strength , goodluck, success and

happiness with peace of mind.Sai bhakt,Deepa

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