|
Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 11: Chapter 20: Verses 22-31
With a clear knowledge of the ultimate principles (enumerated by the Sankhya system of philosophy), he should constantly contemplate in the order of creation the evolution, and in the reverse order the involution, of all categories (from Mahat-tattva down to his own body) till his mind becomes still. The mind of a man averse to worldly activity of various kinds disgusted with the pleasures of this world as well as of the next and ruminating on what has been taught by his preceptor gives up its wickedness (in the form of attachment to the pleasures of sense) by repeatedly dwelling upon what has (already) been ruminated upon (by him viz., the teachings of his preceptor). The mind should dwell on the Supreme Spirit (the only object worthy of thought) through Yama (self-control) and other Yogic processes, through right knowledge in the form of an inquiry into the essential unity of the individual soul and the Supreme Spirit or through worship of My image or other representation (worthy of adoration), but never by other methods. If a Yogi (ever) commits through error a reproachful act (although ordinarily there is little chance of his doing so), he should burn that sin by recourse to Yoga alone (in the form of repeated effort at Self-Realization, contemplation on Me or chanting of the Divine Name etc.) and should never resort to any other act (such as penance) in such circumstances. That (alone) which is known as strict adherence to one's own individual course has been extolled as a virtue. By making such demarcation of virtue and fault, restriction has been imposed on actions, which are (all) impure by origin (and that too) with the intention of enabling one to shake off attachments (to the pleasures of sense). He who has reverence for My stories developed (in his heart) and has lost (every) charm for all activities (but not for their rewards) and, though recognizing the pleasures of sense to consist of sorrow (alone) is yet unable to relinquish them should therefore lovingly worship Me (by means of hearing and chanting My names and stories etc.), full of faith and firm in his conviction (that everything will be accomplished through Devotion alone) and enjoying those pleasures while condemning them as attended with misery. All the cravings embedded in the heart of the sage constantly worshipping Me through the discipline of Devotion as (already) taught (in verses 20-23 of Discourse XIX above) disappear, I being present in his heart. The knot (in the shape of the ego-sense) in his heart is broken, all his doubts get resolved and the (entire) stock of his Karma is exhausted the moment I, the Soul of the universe, am realized. Therefore, for the Yogi who is full of devotion to Me and has his mind fixed on Me, neither Jnana (spiritual enlightenment) nor even Vairagya (dispassion) is generally conducive to blessedness in this world.
|
|
