Gayatri Sadhana

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Q.6. I have been doing Gayatri Sadhana regularly. Nevertheless, at times, I feel

depressed and dissatisfied with my progress. What is the remedy?

 

Ans. The feelings of occasional depression, dissatisfaction with progress and

momentary loss of interest are not uncommon in course of Sadhana.

 

In order to understand this paradoxical phenomenon, it is necessary to

understand three successively higher phases of spiritual evolution. These are

known as :-

 

(1) The Mantra Diksha or Initiation

 

This is the initial Kindergarten stage - the `Bhuha' stage of Dikcha, in which

the `Acharya' - a representative of Guru, introduces the novice to the concept

of Gayatri disciplines through `Baikhari Vani' (by speaking). Any contemplative,

spiritually- wise, high-character, talented, person may assume the charge of an

`Acharya'. Nevertheless, this is a great responsibility, since after

establishing the spiritual relationship, sins and virtues of the disciple are

shared by the Guru. Since the Guru, by definition, is sinless, his displeasure

on any dereliction by the devotee is quite natural. Besides, it must also be

very clearly understood, that merely admission to the school of Sadhana through

Mantra Dikcha is not sufficient. The devotee must persistently endeavour to

qualify for the higher stages of Diksha.

 

(2) Agni Diksha or Pran Diksha

 

This is the `Bhuwaha' stage of Dikcha carried out extra-sensorially, through

`Madhyama' and pashyanti Vani (Telepathic and soul-to-soul communication). In

this case the Guru undertakes refinement and development of the Sukchma Sharir -

the conscious and supra-conscious levels of mind (`Man': `Budhi', `Chitta' and

`Ahankar') of the devotee. When the devotee graduates to this next higher class

of `Agni Dikcha', the Guru extra-sensorally transmits a part of the spiritual

charge (Pran) to the devotee, from his own spiritual battery accumulated after

prolonged Tapascharya. The `concepts' planted and developed during the Mantra

Dikcha are now translated into `action' by this new acquisition of powerful

energy (Pran). At this stage, there is a great turmoil in the inner-self of the

devotee, which he/ she apparently feels as a fast growing dissatisfaction with

his / her progress, uneasiness and momentary depression. These external symptoms

are, in fact, an indication of the churning, taking place within deeper levels

of the soul. Hence, unless the devotee feels this turmoil, it is to be assumed

that the activation by the Guru has become feeble, because of some shortcomings

in the devotee's Sadhana.

 

After Agni Dikcha, the devotee becomes more enlightened and is able to discern

his / her personal faults, however trivial they are. The term Agni Dikcha owes

its nomenclature to the process of `Incineration in the inner-self by the fire

of discernment'. The phenomenon is parallel to the exercise of Tapascharya for

the purification of physical body.

 

There are three clear signs of a person undergoing Agni Dikcha. (1) A strong

inclination to perform `Tap' for self-purification, (2) A feeling of

discontentment with one's progress and a desire for speedy innergrowth and (3)

realisation of many shortcomings in one's thoughts, behaviour and nature.

 

Here, it must be emphasised that `Only that Guru can give Dikcha, who has

himself earned and conserved sufficient spiritual charge by performing

Tapascharya'.

 

(3) Pran Dikcha (`Swaha' stage)

 

This is the highest level of Dikcha in course of which the transfer of spiritual

energy takes place from the soul of the Guru to the soul of the devotee. This is

the process through which the Guru hands over spiritual succession to the most

deserving disciple. In other words, it means appointing the spiritual successor.