Sutra 13. Anyatha paatitya sankaya.
(For, otherwise there is the
risk of a fall.)
Anyatha: otherwise
Patitya Sankaya : risk of a fall.
This sutra is in continuation with the earlier sutra which said, "Even upon realization, one should follow / practice / spread spiritual teachings".
So, in this sutra, it is said, if a realized master / a yogi in advanced spiritual level falls down and does not practice spiritual teachings, then there may be a fall (of him and of those who believe in him).
We are all aware how the
Rishi Vishwamitra of great tapas became a victim
to the influence of the celestial nymph. Even Lord
Buddha had to face Mara.
There must
not be any unholy thrill or unholy vibration in
the mind, even. This is the highest standard of
purity. The Gita says, “Who sitteth, controlling the
organs of action, but dwelling in his mind on the objects of
the senses, that bewildered man is called a
hypocrite.” Cha. III-6.
If a Master / Yogi / Spiritual preacher fails, then the society / people believing him will fail ten times more than the yogi's fail / fall.
So, in the path towards Self Realization, even in the penultimate step, one moment before the moment of Self realization, there is a risk of a sadhaka having a down fall and slipping away from the Goal.
Human beings desperately look forward towards spiritual leaders for self satisfaction, for mental peace.
There are so many spiritual leaders who appear to be some thing at surface level but turn out to be totally difference and not genuine, in later course of time.
When such leaders turn out to be ingenuine, there can be extreme impact on those who followed them. Either they may be extremely disillusioned or they may turn out to be extreme non-believers in spirituality.
This is what is given in this sutra - "OTHERWISE, THERE MAY BE A FALL".
Love.
Dear Readers,
ReplyDeleteSince a doubt came from one of the devotees, author felt it is important to clarify on one line in today's post.
The line is
" If a Master / Yogi / Spiritual preacher fails, then the society / people believing him will fail ten times more than the yogi's fail / fall."
On reading this line, a doubt may arise- "How a master can ever fail and how his failure can lead to the failure of his followers".
Clarification
- Self realization is an irreversible process.
- once a sadhaka attains realization, it is impossible for him/ her to fail because realization itself means abidance by SELF eternally.
- So, the above line may be read as under:-
" A spiritual teacher, whom the world believes to be a realized master, until he attains SELF REALIZATION, he may fall even in the penultimate stage"
Author wont name any one in particular but we have known various spiritual leaders, who had huge following, have been found to be guilty of wrong doings . This is in all religions across the world.
So, when such a thing happens, those who have been following such leads blindly, are either totally disillusioned, shocked, feel cheated and in many such cases, such followers also leave spiritual practice ( i.e. they also fall in their spiritual path)
Hope it is clear now.
Love