Dakshinamurthy Stotram - Post 31

“All this is Atman” – this knowledge has just been explained in this Ashtakam. It follows from it that:

v   By hearing this knowledge,

v   By reflecting upon it,

v   by meditating on it, and

v   By reciting it regularly; 

Four steps of Vedantic Sadhana are mentioned in this Pada.

i)	Sravana	this step removes “I do not know”, i.e. our Abhavana or ignorance.
ii)	Manana	this step removes “I do not understand”, i.e. Asambhavana or doubts.
iii)	Nididhyasana	this step removes “I do not experience”, i.e. our Viparita Bhavana or the past tendencies which cloud our vision of the Self.
iv)	Sankeertana	this step removes the “I” itself, by glorification of the Lord.

In this manner the barrier between us and the Lord is systematically broken down through practicing these four primary Sadhanas of Vedanta. 

To the extent one practises and perfects these Sadhanas, one becomes eligible for the fruit of the Sadhana:

Spiritual practices for Vedantic study

Shravana 

It literally means listening. However, it implies much more than just listening. It means to use these teachings (that you hear) for the sake of discovering the TRUTH of yourself. It means to use these teachings to guide your own process of self-enquiry.

Manana 

Manana means meditation. In general meditation is about putting your mind into a particular state or condition. It is intellectual enquiry for the very specific reason. 

In our mind many doubts arise. Doubts are born of confusion. We need help to deal with those doubts / confusion. Manana is the process of removing those doubts and confusion.

Nididhyaasanaa 

Nididhyaasanaa means contemplation. The purpose of contemplation is to address a gap between what we understood and how we behave. It is the process of seeing the TRUTH over and over again to remove wrong way of thinking. 

It is a process of assimilation, having the spiritual teachings go in deeply, having these teachings penetrate all of our thinking, having these teachings finally become our world view. 

When these teachings become your world view, you see everything as manifestation of Atman. Shravana, Manana and Nididhyaasanaa are absolutely necessary practices in spiritual growth. 

Merely studying this hymn without these spiritual practices might not be useful. In fact all the Vedanta might become useless without, and – just like all the books in a bookshelf sit there unopened are useless. 

You have to use those books to get any benefit out of them. You have to use the teachings of Vedanta to get any benefit out of that. Using them does not mean just reading them. Reading any other book is fine. Reading Vedanta book is not enough. 

Shravana is a process of learning. It has to be followed by manana and nidhidhyasana 

Sankirtana 

It is important to recite the hymn. Sankirtana also means teaching. Some people might learn it thoroughly and would teach others. However, teaching is optional. But reciting for your own spiritual growth is important.

By doing this – Shravana, Manana, Nididhyaasanaa and Sankirtana, what would you get?

Sarvaatmatvam means being the TRUTH of all. It is revealed clearly in this hymn that if you practise, and, you gain

Shravana makes you discover the fact about Sarvaatmatvam.

Manana removes any doubts about Sarvaatmatvam,

Nidhidhyasana allows you to fully assimilate that reality.

 

Continued..

 

Love.