Dear All,
To gain the knowledge which we read in the previous post, there are two primary requirements.
One, we must find a Guru. One who is wise and
has the vision of the Truth – Jnaaninas Tattva Darshinah.
Two, we ourselves must be ready with a
disciplined mind, become a purified vessel to receive this knowledge.
In this respect, Lord Sri Krishna mentioned
three (3) other secondary requirements in preparation. Reference is made here
to Chapter 4, verse 34 of the Bhagavad Geeta.
Tat Viddhi Pranipaatena
Pariprashnene Sevayaa
Upadekshyanti Te Jnaanam
Jnaaninas Tattva Darshinah
Understand that – Tat Viddhi
By prostrating – Pranipaatena
By asking proper questions - Pariprashnena
By doing service – Sevayaa
Approach a Guru who is wise – Jnaaninas
One who has the vision of the truth - Tattva
Darshinah
To teach you this knowledge - Upadekshyanti
te Jnaanam
1st: How to approach the Guru - By Pranipaatena
When we approach the Guru, we prostrate – we
offer our salutations to the Guru. The literal meaning of pranipaatena is
falling down properly – with the right attitude.
Prostration implies certain surrender on one’s
part and being ready to give up one’s ego. Surrendering to the Guru as well as
the teaching is important for gaining this knowledge.
2nd: Asking Pertinent Questions-
Pariprashnena
While studying, appropriate questions should be
asked, at the right time taking into consideration the subject matter being
taught.
For example, when studying the Geeta we can ask:
“What is bondage? How has it come about? What is released from this bondage?
How does this release take place?”
Only when bondage is clear will Moksha become
clear. In this way, certain questions may arise and whenever appropriate, they
should be asked because the subject matter is something that must be
understood.
This type of questioning is what is meant by pariprashnena.
3rd: Service to the Guru – Sevaya. Anything that can be
done for the Guru must be done. Guru Seva is an attitude which is
important for gaining this knowledge.
And what happens when these threefold means of
preparation are followed? The teacher who has been won over by our devotion,
our commitment, our seriousness will teach us this knowledge.
What are the qualities of those – who are
wise and who have the vision of the truth? - Jnaaninas Tattva Darshinah
1. They
know the Shastra
2. They
know the methodology of unfolding the Sashtra
3. They
have a clear vision of the truth – about themselves, the world and God
4. They
themselves personify the content of these words of the Sashtra
These teachers are called “Tattvadarshis”.
Only they, with their patience, kindness and compassion can unfold the Sashtra to
reveal our true nature of the Atman within us which is all pervasive.
How Do They Teach?
- Upadekshyanti Te Jnanam
These teachers who are themselves the meaning of
the words of the Sashtra can make us see the Atman within us
by negating what the Atman is not – thus freeing us from our sense of
limitation.
They lift us up to see what they see. That we
are not this limited body-mind-sense complex but We Are the Whole.
This is how- our oneness with God and the
Universe is taught – Upadekshyanti Te Jananam.
The entry of Guru in the life a sincere seeker
of Knowledge is the most crucial phase in the disciple's spiritual pursuit.
Hence, we will devote more posts on this.
Hari Om Tat Sat.
