right vs wrong knowledge, surrender in action (narayana tattva)

[Guest guest]

Right knowledge leads to vairagya and bliss. Wrong knowledge leads to

suffering. There is no sinner who will not one day attain to sainthood, and no

saint who was not once a sinner - the point being - that we should all make

efforts towards evolving our natures, in whatever way possible, so that one

day...

 

The practical method of distinguishing between right and wrong action is to look

at the results. One must ascertain to what degree one is dependent on external

factors for one's happiness. If one's happiness is situated on the external

conditions, then it is by virtue of wrong knowledge that one has achieved such

happiness. Likewise, if one is suffering, for any reason, then it is understood

that this condition is brought about - not by mysterious forces at work to screw

with you - but by the application of wrong thinking.

 

Right thinking, leads to right knowledge, leads to bliss and independence from

our internal bondage.

 

The best measure to understand the extent of one's internal bondage, is in our

ability to distance ourselves from external events, while still participating in

them. This is Karma Yoga. If we are emotionally reactive to a scenario, it is

indicative of the intrinsic (remaining) bondage that prevents us from right

thinking. Without right thinking, there is no right seeing, and without right

seeing, there can be no possibility of future right thinking. A vicious circle.

To break free, one must " let go " of the attachment to one's desired outcome,

being satisfied in the Self, by the Self. Then, the emotional reaction will be

broken. This is applicable to all situations and all times.

 

There are many times when we proclaim that " my conscience will not allow me to

do... " such and such activity (as if our conscience is superior, and that of

others is flawed...). This is our ego (our convenient " holiness " ). It is wrong

thinking exemplified by Arjuna's declaration that " I will not fight these my

relatives and kinsmen. " [lays down his Gandiva bow] and Krishna's admonision

that " You speak words like a wise man, and yet you grieve over those who are not

fit to be greived for. The wise grieve neither for the living, nor for the

dead. "

 

Significance of Surrender in Action (Narayana Tattva)

 

The truth is that until such total and absolute surrender occurs within one's

self, the desire itself acts as its own obstacle. The inability to surrender

the outcome itself becomes an obstacle to the attainment. This is the secret

aspect of the concept surrender that is under-appreciated. This is WHY one is

asked to surrender. That said, one cannot " falsely surrender " - the surrender

must be genuine and true to be effective. The ego itself is the obstacle to

attaining the fruition of a desired outcome.

 

An analogy is that of a bow and arrow (consider this as " dhanus shastra " ). A

desire should be strung on the bow of one's will (iccha shakthi), contemplated

upon until made firm by faith in the outcome (if you doubt the outcome, it is

akin to not having aimed properly, or in not standing still enough to hit a

definite target), and then the arrow-bow should be " released " (surrender of the

desire into the fire of Self sacrifice) in order for the arrow to hit its target

without fail. Not surrendering is like stringing a bow and not firing the

arrow, and then crying that you are unable to hit anything. This is how any/all

achievements may be accomplished in this world. While this is easily said, it

takes a strong power of true Tapas (acquired will power) to be able to practice

it.

 

In the movie sita kalyanam (story of Rama and Sita's marriage) there is a story

regarding the history of the bow or Lord Shiva (which later Sri Rama is able to

lift and string to win the hand of Sita, in the svayamvaram). The inner

significance of the symbols is this. But first, the story. Tripura asuras are

ransacking and wreaking havoc upon the three worlds, and causing much

disturbance in deva loka ( " heaven " ). Indra, being agitated and worried that he

will lose his position (as the king of " heaven " ), goes with the band of devas to

Lord Shiva to ask for refuge and protection from the asuras (demons). Shiva

agrees to the devas request. Shiva then fashions a bow from the Himalayan

mountains. Strings it with Adhi Sesha (the divine serpent of Lord Vishnu).

Fashions a ghanta (bell) to its top. Lord Narayana becomes the divine arrow.

Lord Shiva aims the bow/arrow at the Tripura rakshasas, and destroys their

cities.

 

The bow being fashioned from the himalayas, is symbollic as to the extent of

will power that Shiva has at his disposal due to his tapas shakthi. The

himalayas are a surreal and natural representation of Sada Shiva and the might

of His supreme Will. The string is fashioned of a snake (kundalini shakthi,

uncoiled and strung from the muladhara to the sahasrara). The ghanta makes a

sound whose peal is that of the pranava mantra (in " laya " yoga), or Om. The

arrow is Lord Narayana (the mantra). The target is the Tripura cities (the

three states of Waking, Sleeping, Dreaming, subjected to the dense ignorance of

the three Gunas of Sattva-Rajas-Tamas). In one single shot, he aims and

destroys the three cities (of ignorance).

 

One who is truly desireless has infinite Tapas shakthi - His will dominates

everything else and can change the very course of " fate " or " predetermination "

if He deemed it so. He is verily Lord Sriman Narayana himself. Nothing is

impossible for one who has attained to this state of Sriman Narayana. Sada

Shiva is the goal. Lord Narayana is the path (marga). This bow fashioned by

Shiva represents his Will. This is the significance of the svayamvara scene in

which no one is able to lift the bow. Ravana, with all his ego and his boasting

about his accomplishments, is unable to lift the bow of Lord Shiva. Lord Rama,

the representative of human surrender, is able to lift it with a single hand, to

win Sita (incarnation of Maha Lakshmi). So, that one hundred (or one thousand,

or one million) men cannot accomplish, you can accomplish by faith in SatGuru

and surrender to His feet.

 

Swamiji's Will, never fails to hit its target. Surrender your will unto His

holy feet.

 

Jaya Guru Datta. Jaya Guru Datta. Jaya Guru Datta.

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Gurorangripadme ManaScenna Lagnam tata: kim! tata: kim! tata: kim! tata: kim!?