Yoga Sutra- 1.36

Dear All,

Please listen to the audio satsangh talk on yoga sutra- 1.36 

The sutra goes like this

            विशोका वा ज्योतिष्मती ॥ १.३६ ॥

            viśokā vā jyotiṣmatī || 1.36 ||

            Or (by the meditation on) the effulgent one which is beyond all sorrow

 

Love

Vivekachudamani- Post 87

If you have indeed a craving for Liberation, avoid sense objects from  a distance, just as you avoid things known to be poisonous; and with  respectful reverence, daily cultivate the nectarine virtues - contentment, forgiveness, straightforwardness, calmness and self-control. (82)

So far, Sankara (through the Guru) was advising the seekers in Vedanta on what they should do in order to realize the Self, and thus end their misunderstandings and sorrows in life. He has, so far, insisted upon the importance of viveka and vairagya. 

Now he is slowly coming to a discussion to encourage the development of the noble qualities of the head and heart which, as we have earlier discussed, is the third item of adjustments to be  made by a student before a guaranteed success in Self-realization is assured to him. 

Having known a thing to be poisonous, however thirsty you may be, you will not be tempted to drink it: so too, however  tempting the sense objects may look, an individual who seeks  liberation should totally renounce the idea that they contain even  a trace of potency to supply joy. 

By withdrawing the sense organs from their field of activity, we conserve a tremendous amount of energy which would otherwise be wasted. 

If this newfound energy is not immediately harnessed to do special work, the chances are that we will spend this dynamism in mentally dreaming of sense indulgence. This brings about an ugly deformity in our personality. 

To remain physically inert but mentally sensuous develops a distorted personality, drained of all brilliance and beauty through suppressed desires  and unseen mental dissipations. 

It is to avoid such dangerous consequences at the mental plane that we should have the guidance of the Teacher. Fresh fields have been discovered where the energy so conserved  could be used up to raise smiling crops of beauty and profit. 

We are told how an individual who has learnt to shun sense objects must immediately take up the constructive scheme of developing the positive qualities such as, contentment, compassion, forgiveness, straightforwardness, calmness and  self-control. 

These are the six fold inner wealth Sankara gives here. It is not the six alone, many are mentioned in the Gītā 16th chapter.

Abhayaa satva samsuddhi; jnana yoga vyavasthih; etc.; all of them we should acquire. In fact, if you plan to earn them, in fact, it is a life long pursuit. And not only that, you will enjoy acquiring them so much; that you do not consider worldly acquisitions as a very big thing at all.

Therefore, bhaja; bhaja means acquire them; adarat; means diligently, with commitment, with involvement, wholeheartedly.

And when should I work for that. Nityam; nityam means regularly, consistently; start the morning with auto suggestion and end the day with introspection. Auto suggestion-introspection; it is a most beautiful life. 

When we analyze  all the above virtuous qualities,  we find that each one of these qualities is in itself an attitude of the mind which will not suffer even the least disturbance. 

As we diligently practice them, necessarily will we seek and establish our identity with our fellow beings and enjoy the intimate brotherhood of man and the divine fraternity of the soul.

Love

Vivekachudamani-Post 86

Know that mortality soon overtakes a foolish man who walks the dangerous path of sense pleasures. Whereas one who sticks to the path of divinity, according to the instructions of well-meaning and noble Guru, constantly walks the path divine helped by one's own reasoning faculty, one achieves the end; know for certain this is true. (81)

In Vedanta, meditation is the technique for gaining the final experience of self -rediscovery but meditation can be successful only when the mind is not agitated by desires. In a sensuous life, 

One is never without some desire or the other. Thus, an individual cannot have success, both in the life of meditation and in the world of sensuousness. 

The human mind is disintegrated because of its desires, and  it cannot be brought back to its state of healthy integration without its renouncing the very germs of its present disease. 

So, in Vedanta, great stress has been laid upon the necessity of avoiding the mind’s running amok with its uncontrolled appetites. 

This idea is explained again in a very powerful style. Sankara crisply repeats what the rishis have been continuously saying in the  pages of the scriptures that the path of sensuousness leads straight to mortality while the path divine leads to immortality.  

Thus, sensuous activities with motives of pleasure and indulgence harden the animal impressions in our minds and thereafter, thoughts begin to flow in that direction increasingly powerfully. Such a stupid man becomes increasingly daring in his criminalities, until at last he becomes irredeemable and slips down the ladder of evolution to be ultimately destroyed. 

On the other hand, the way up the evolutionary ladder is also open to man by climbing which he can slowly ascend to the very pinnacles of total fulfillment. 

This path has been beautifully described in the third line of the verse which insists that he must follow the instructions given by reliable guides, the Gurus, on the path of spirituality. 

Even if there be a sacred Guru and the disciples surrender unto him, this in itself cannot bear any fruit unless they are ready to actively cooperate with the Teacher and cultivate for themselves the perfection indicated to them by him. 

This verse  contrasts the paths of "preyas" (pleasurable) and "shreyas" (beneficial) and emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance from a guru to attain liberation. It highlights that the path of fleeting pleasures leads to suffering and mortality, while the path of self-knowledge, guided by a wise guru and one's own reasoning, leads to true liberation. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

The Path of Pleasure (Preyas):

This path is characterized by attachment to sensory enjoyments and worldly pursuits. It is portrayed as a dangerous and ultimately destructive path that leads to suffering and death. 

The Path of Benefit (Shreyas):

This path involves seeking self-knowledge and liberation through the guidance of a qualified guru and the application of one's own intellect. 

The Role of the Guru:

The verse stresses the importance of a guru who is not only knowledgeable in scriptures but also free from desires and deeply rooted in wisdom. Such a guru can provide the necessary guidance and support to navigate the path of self-discovery. 

The Importance of Discrimination:

The verse implicitly emphasizes the need for viveka (discrimination) between the real and the unreal, the transient and the eternal. This discrimination is essential for choosing the path of shreyas and avoiding the pitfalls of preyas. 

The Goal of Liberation:

The ultimate goal of the path of shreyas is liberation (moksha), which is freedom from the cycle of birth and death and the realization of one's true nature (Atman). 

In essence, this verse serves as a call to action, urging the seeker to renounce the allure of fleeting pleasures and embark on the journey of self-realization with the guidance of a true guru.

Love