Chapter VII
Swami continues with His gospel on the relevance of focussing on Name and Form
of Lord.
Do not discuss the path with everyone
"However, be
careful not to discuss these paths with all and sundry, because each one’s path
appears the best. If the people consulted are treading another path, they will
decry your practice of repetition of the name and meditation and treat them with
scant respect. They will look down upon them, as if they were very elementary
and as if you were but a beginner in school. As a result, you will start
doubting the efficacy of your chosen path! You will get concern where before
you had joy, disgust where before you had love.
Therefore, reflect
within yourself which among these is sweeter. Or you can approach those who
have tasted the nectar of that name and ask for details of their experiences.
Do not argue about these things with everyone you meet. The time spent in these
haphazard disputations is best used for the cultivation of joy through the
repeated bringing of the name (nama) to
memory and meditation on the form (rupa) of
the Lord."
Introspection
Hallmark or the identification of a true
and sincere spiritual sadhaka is that “He / she shall never criticize
the path followed by the other, though it may be totally / partially different
from the path he / she has been following”.
Criticism, comparison of my path with
your path etc. would be there only when there is ego, when one has not reached
advanced stage in sadhana and one has not experienced the unity in all, in
everything.
The more one gets deeper into one’s
sadhana, more silence, more acceptance of all, more love towards all would be
there automatically.
Even when the other person argues with
such a sadhaka and puts down the path followed by the sadhaka, upholding the
path followed by the other, drawing reference to supports the other person’s
argument with relevant quotes by Swami / other masters, all that this sadhaka
would be transmitting would be “Love” in “silence”.
Swami continues,
Mere weighing of the
pros and cons, like which is greater among the two, will end only with the
quick loss of all the success gained after great efforts through spiritual
discipline. Until you become an expert, bring the name constantly to memory and
repeat it firm and unruffled, either alone or in the company of devotees. Then,
nothing can waver you.
Look at the fish! In
early stages, it breeds its newly hatched young ones in a quiet shallow spot.
Then, it pushes them into the wide-open sea, rough and rude with its monstrous
denizens! They can then survive there, courageously, and grow without
fear.
If the young ones were
bred in the open sea from the earliest stage, they would certainly be swallowed
up even by minor fishes! So, remembrance of the name (namasmarana), repetition of the name (japa), and meditation (dhyana) must be practised with a great deal of care,
according to a planned routine, and without any discussion with others.
Repeating the name is safest and easiest
Nowadays, many aspirants
are discarding the name and taking up yoga and breath control (pranayama). These are fraught with many dangers. To
follow them correctly is difficult. Even if correctly followed, preserving, and
protecting the fruits achieved is even more difficult.
If people grope in the
water while spreading the net on the bank, can they find fish in the net? To
give up repetition of the name and faith in that path and to sit in yoga and
penance is as foolish as hoping to catch fish by this means. If the name is
taken as the refuge and support, He can be realised tomorrow — if not today. If
the name of a thing is known, the thing itself can be easily acquired. But if
the name is not known, even if the thing is right in front, it cannot be
recognized.
So, repeat the name
without intermission or faltering. By means of the name, love (prema) is developed; through love, meditation of the
Lord can be practised. If love is deeply rooted in you, God, who is composed of
love, becomes your own. However, many the paths for the realization of the
Lord, none is as easy as this.
Note this. When a
peculiar disease is prevalent in a country, the drug that can cure it is also
found in that very country, more so than anywhere else. Though available after
vigorous search in other lands, it will not be so good or plentiful. Similarly,
this specific drug is available now, in the present age (the Kali-yuga)! In this age (yuga), the ghastly evils of injustice, immorality, and
falsehood infect the world.
That is why the
scriptures (sastras) have
been proclaiming again and again, with greater and greater emphasis that in
this Kali age, there is no means of salvation other than the name! Of the four
ages, the Kali-yuga is the best on account of this. Remembrance of the name,
repetition of the name, and meditation strain out the evil in mankind. Human
nature is guarded and protected by these three. Hence, the fruits of meditation
are greater than those secured with great difficulty through yoga, sacrifice (yajna), or breath control (pranayama).”
Introspection
Swami has emphasized that yoga should not
be merely physical, should not be aimed at physical perfection. The meaning of
“Yoga” itself is Union and hence, even in the path of yoga, the aim / goal
should always be drawing ourselves nearer to the supreme, call it SELF or GOD.
This Kali yuga avatar, Bhagawan Baba has
always stressed the importance and value of Namasmarana.
Since the age of Kali has witnessed
drastic decline of values, of dharma, the chances of a human being getting
astray and succumbing to the tempting call from this objective world is huge,
Swami has prescribed namasmarana, constant remembrance of Lord’s name as
the most effective means to always feel / experience the divine presence and
divine guidance within."
Love.
