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Chapter 14
THE GUNAS: DEVELOPING THEM AND GOING BEYOND THEM
80. Sattva And The Method To Deal With It
24. Another way is to give up attachment even to sattva. Pride and attachment are two distinct things. This is a subtle thought which can be understood more readily by means of illustrations. The pride of sattva may disappear, but attachment to it may remain. Take, for example, breathing. One does not feel proud about it, but attachment to it is very much there. We cannot stop breathing even for a few minutes. It goes on though there is no sense of achievement. Socrates was snub-nosed and people used to make fun of it. But the witty Socrates would say, “In fact, it is my nose which is beautiful as wide nostrils take in more air.” The point is that one feels attachment to sattva. Take, for example, compassion for all creatures. It is a good quality, but we should be able to keep away from attachment to it. We should have compassion, but no attachment to it. The saints can guide others because they possess sattva. Their compassion attracts people to them so much so that the whole world showers love on them. As love has reached its zenith in them, they receive love from the whole universe. They give up attachment to their bodies, but the whole world gets attached to them. It cares for them. But the saints should give up this attachment too; they should get free from this bondage also. They should separate the Self from this love and adoration, which is their great reward. They must not feel that they are somewhat special or exceptional. Sattva should thus be assimilated. |
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