Sutra 42. Tadeva Saadhyataam Tadeva Saadhyataam.
(Let that alone be practised, let that alone be practised)
Tat: that (aids to love of God referred to in Sutra
35-37);
Eva: only, alone
Saadhyataam: let it be practised.
Tat: that, refers to renunciation and loving service
described in Sutras 35-37 as well as the grace of God and Mahapurushas or
great souls. Self-surrender must be complete. Then alone the divine grace will flow. Self-surrender is Praptti.
Strive after love of God alone, strive after love of God
alone.
Work for, strive after the grace of God. Make serious
efforts to obtain the grace of God. The object of repeating the phrase is to
stress its urgency and importance.
Such practices as would enable us to obtain their grace
alone should be adopted.
Therefore cultivate this, cultivate this (contact with
the lover of God, or Mahatma).
If you wish to cultivate divine love, sincerely’ long for
the company of saints. Through the grace of the Lord you will obtain the
company of great souls or Mahatmas, Mahapurushas.
Eva: that alone. That alone is valuable. Other things
are of no value. God’s grace alone must be obtained. The methods have already
been given detachment, service, kirtan, hearing of Lord’s leelas, etc.
Summary
Having been born as a Human, to be convinced that the only purpose is to reach and merge with God and to take up all steps, all sacrifices to win the grace of God to attain God, is the only and only goal of a man.
Sutra 43. Dussanga Sarvathaiva Tyaajya.
(Evil company should be certainly given up by all means)
Duh-sanga: evil company
Sarvatha: by all means
eva: only, certainly
Tyajya: to be given up.
Everywhere, at all times, by all means avoid the company
of the wicked.
A person who keeps company with the wicked people loses his devotion and develops evil qualities. He also comes to
the level of a worldly man. Mind imitates. Evil company is the main obstacle
to devotion.
In the company of the wicked one develops immorality,
licentiousness, vicious habits, voluptuousness, sensuality, hypocrisy,
arrogance, etc. Evil company destroys all virtues such as purity, truthfulness,
compassion, etc.
If the locality, food, surroundings, environment, vocation,
form of worship, topics of discussion, books you read are sattvic you will grow
in spirituality and virtue. If they are Rajasic or Tamasic you will develop
evil traits.
Some people argue “Why should we shun evil company? Is
not God there also? Why should we see evil anywhere? Shall we not see only
the good? Should we not see only God in the evil also?
A sage alone is above good and evil. He alone sees good
in the evil too . For him there is neither good nor evil. He alone will not be affected by
evil. He sees God in evil also.
Ordinary man and a raw aspirant will be easily
affected by evil company He cannot see good in evil. Evil is a solid reality
for him.
God is everywhere. God is in pure water, and in dirty
water. But you cannot drink the dirty water.
A young
aspirant cannot take refuge in the Upanishadic saying, “All Indeed is Brahman”
when he is in the midst of temptations. Every object that stimulates lower
passions must be ruthlessly avoided.
This sublime instruction should only be imparted to the
aspirant who is endowed with absolute moral purity, discrimination, dispassion
and who is free from cravings for sensual pleasures.
Evil is a product of ignorance. Good is that which leads
you to the attainment of God-realisation or eternal bliss. Evil is that which
leads you to sorrow, unhappiness, misery, birth and death. Sattva is goodness.
Tamas and Rajas are evils. Sattva will give serenity, tranquility, composure,
calmness. Rajas and Tamas will cause agitation, restlessness, anxiety, vexation,
suffering and unhappiness.
SUMMARY
This sutras follows the previous sutra rightly.
Only when a man has clear goal of realizing God as emphasized in the previous sutra, he will automatically avoid evil company and his heart lit up with Godly thoughts will desist evil company, knowing that it may take him away from his goal.
Love.
