|
Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 4: Chapter 8: Verses 28-44
Dhruva's departure for the woods
Even if you have developed the sense of honour and ignominy, there are no diverse causes of discontent for a man other than ignorance; for whatever he reaps in the world follows from his own (past) actions. Seeing the ways of God, therefore, a wise man should rest contented, dear son, with whatever is placed within his reach by Providence. Besides, He whose grace you seek to win by means of the discipline taught by your mother is accounted by me as hard to propitiate. Sages fail to discover His path even though they seek for it with the help of abstract meditation coupled with. rigorous self-discipline (in the form of Devotion etc.,) carried on in a detached way through numberless births. Therefore, let this futile pertinacity of yours cease; you may strive (for that end) when the time for practices (such as Devotion and so on) leading to final beatitude comes. Reconciling oneself to that which is decreed for that being by Providence in the form of joy or sorrow, an embodied being reaches the end of darkness (in the shape of mundane existence). A man should be pleased at the sight of one who is superior in qualities, should have tender feelings towards one who is inferior in accomplishment and seek friendship with one who is on a par with him; by doing so a man is never overwhelmed with afflictions. Dhruva said : Your venerable self has graciously shown a remedy for those whose mind is disturbed by joys and sorrows-a remedy'which cannot be easily found by people like us. Yet in the heart of my insubordinate self, who has inherited a violent martial spirit-a heart which has been cleft by the shaft-like taunts of Suruci (my stepmother)-the precept has failed to make any abiding impression. Be pleased, O holy sage, to tell me a good path, keen as I am to attain to a place which is the highest in all the three worlds and which has not been attained to by (any of) our forefathers or anyone else. You are surely no other than the son of the worshipful Brahma, who for the good of the world roams about like the sun, playing on his lute. Maitreya resumed : The worshipful Narada was pleased to hear the aforesaid words (of Dhruva) and full of compassion, replied to the child in the following excellent words: Narada said : The course pointed out by your mother is the one leading to your highest good. Lord Vasudeva (Himself) represents that course (means); (hence) adore Him with a mind exclusively devoted to Him. For him who seeks his own good in the shape of what is known by the names of Dharma (religious merit), Artha (worldly riches), Kama (sensuous enjoyment) and Moksa (final beatitude), adoration of Sri Hari's teens the only means to that end. Therefore, God bless you, dear child, seek the holy bank of the Yamuna covered by the sacred spot of Madhuvana (the tract of land lying round Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Sri Krsna), which is ever hallowed with the presence of Sri Hari. Bathing three times (in the morning and evening as well as at midday) in the blessed waters of the Kalindi (Yamuna) and after finishing one's proper duties one should spread a seat (of Kusa grass etc.,) and squat thereon (in a suitable and easy posture). Having gradually cast off the impurities of one's life-breath, senses and mind by means of the threefold Pranayama (breath-exercises), one should (then) contemplate with a steady mind on Sri Hari (the Supreme Preceptor) as below :
|
|
