By
Sri Swami Sivananda
A DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY PUBLICATION
First Edition: 1939
Eighth Edition: 1999
(2,000 Copies)
World Wide Web (WWW) Edition : 2000
Website: http://www.divinelifesociety.org/
This WWW reprint is for free distribution
© The Divine Life Trust Society
ISBN 81-7052-098-3
Published By
THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY
P.O. Shivanandanagar—249 192
Distt. Tehri-Garhwal, Uttaranchal,
Himalayas, India.
Contents
Yoga is right living. This definition may appear to be simple, but
really it is very significant, for the meaning of right living is very
wide. Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj explains in an easy and homely style
the basic principles that a beginner in Yoga has to understand and follow.
These Easy Steps to Yoga are laid out with a special view
to enable the novice to ascend without much difficulty the heights of
spiritual attainment. Ethical and moral discipline forms the foundation
of Yoga. Sri Swamiji has beautifully brought together all the fundamentals:
good conduct, non-attachment, dispassion, unselfish work, sense-control,
meditation and knowledge to form a connected piece of complete information
on the practice of Yoga, beginning with bodily health and training,
and ending in Self-knowledge. We bring out the sixth edition of this
precious volume for the edification of students, both in the East and
the West, who have no acquaintance with the technicalities involved
in the subject, but are eager to have an adequate grasp of the main
guiding principles in living a life of wisdom arising out of divine
discontent.
THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY
1.
dáSy:s:ð s:v:üB:Üt:ð\:Ø
b:ÒaÉN:ð\:Ø g:v:ð\:Ø c: .
edx:Ø s:v:aüs:Ø g:g:n:ð p:v:üt:ð\:Ø n:di\:Ø c: ..
1. dç÷yase sarvabhåteùu bràhmaõeùu gaveùu ca |
dikùu sarvàsu gagane parvateùu nadãùu ca ||
Thou art seen (by the pious and the earnest Sadhakas) in all creatures,
in cows and Brahmins in all quarters of the globe, in the sky, as well
as in all rivers and mountains.
2.
s:h+c:rN:H Â:im:an:Î
S:t:S:i\:üH s:h+dákÏ .
tv:ö D:ary:es:
B:Üt:aen: p:àeT:v:iö s:v:üp:v:üt:an:Î ..
2. sahasracaraõaþ ÷rãmàn ÷ata÷ãrùaþ sahasradçk |
tvaü dhàrayasi bhåtàni pçthivãü sarvaparvatàn ||
Thou art thousand-footed, the glorious, thousand-headed and thousand-eyed
Being. Thou supportest all the worlds, this earth and the mountains.
3.
y:ð tv:aö dðv:ö D:ÒØv:ö
B:Vty:a B:j:nt:ð p:Ø,\::ð¶:m:m:Î .
)apn:Øv:ent: s:da kam:aen:h l::ðkñ p:r*: c: ..
3. ye tvàü devaü dhruvaü bhaktyà bhajante puruùottamam |
pràpnuvanti sadà kàmàniha loke paratra ca ||
Those devotees who zealously worship Thee, the Highest Lord, eternally
glorious Being, will always be duly rewarded, and have their desires
fulfilled in this as well as the other world.
The Ramayana
Thou art, O Lord, the Creator of this Universe. Thou art the Protector
of this world. Thou art in the grass and the rose. Thou art in the sun
and the stars. Salutations unto Thee, O Destroyer of the cycle of births
and deaths! Salutations unto Thee, O Bestower of Bliss and Immortality!
O Sweet Lord! May I be free from the bonds of death. May I never forget
my immortal nature! May I be able to look upon all beings with equal
vision! May I attain the Supreme seat of Brahman! May I be free from
impurity and sin! May I know my essential nature!
Adorations to the Supreme Being, who dwells in the hearts of all beings,
who is in the fire and water, who is in the plants, herbs and trees,
who is in the stone, brick and iron bars, and who is pervading the whole
universe.
I bow to Thee, O Secret of secrets! I bow to Thee, O Indweller of our
hearts! I bow to Thee, O Silent Witness of all activities of all minds!
I bow to Thee, O Inner Ruler of all beings, who pervades and permeates
and interpenetrates all things of this universe.
Salutations to Thee, the Supreme Lord! Thou art without beginning and
end. Thou art the flower. Thou art the bee. Thou art woman. Thou art
man. Thou art the sea. Thou art the waves. Thou art the old man tottering
with a stick. Thou art the saint. Thou art the rogue.
Thou art Light Divine. Thou art Light of knowledge. Thou art the dispeller
of darkness. Thou art the Supreme Guru. Thou art beyond the reach of
mind and speech. Thou art beyond any kind of limitation. Thou art the
Self of this universe.
Thou art Self-luminous. Thou art without parts, without actions, without
limbs, without any taint or fault, without birth and death. Thou art
our Father, Mother, Brother, Friend, Relative, Guru and Sole Refuge!
Thou art the embodiment of Peace, Bliss, Power, Knowledge, Strength
and Beauty.
O All-merciful Lord! Through Thy Grace May I realise the Truth. May
I always entertain sublime thoughts. May I realise myself as the Light
Divine. May I serve humanity with Atma Bhava. May I be free from greed,
lust, egoism, jealousy and hatred. May I behold the one sweet Immortal
Self in all beings. May I realise Brahman with pure understanding.
May that Light of lights ever guide me! May He cleanse my mind of all
impurities! May He inspire me! May He bestow on me Power, Courage and
Strength! May He remove the veil in the mind! May He remove all obstacles
on the spiritual path! May He make my life happy and fruitful. I bow
to Thee, O Lord of lords, O God of gods, O Deva of Devas, the Brahman
of the Upanishads, the Support for Maya and Isvara, the Supreme Bridge
to Immortality!
Om Santih! Santih! Santih!
There is restlessness everywhere. Selfishness, greed, wrath, lust are
havocing. Fights, skirmishes, petty quarrels are polluting the atmosphere
and creating discord, disharmony and unrest. Bugle is blown and soldiers
are marching in the battlefield to kill their enemies. One nation is
waging war against another nation for acquiring more dominions and more
powers. Side by side peace-movement is working silently for bringing
concord, harmony and peace, for eradicating the dire ignorance, the
root cause for human sufferings and disseminating Divine Knowledge or
knowledge of the Self and infusing devotion into the hearts of people.
Mysterious is the universe, still more mysterious is the silent workings
of the unseen God, who prompts Rajasic people on one side to wage war
and the Sattvic people on the other side to start Peace Centres for
the dissemination of spiritual knowledge and for bringing peace to the
suffering humanity at large.
The Goal of life is the attainment of Self-realisation or God-consciousness.
There is one supreme undying intelligent principle or Essence or Atman
or Brahman or the Supreme Self who dwells in the chambers of your heart.
He exists in the past, present and future. He is existence absolute,
knowledge absolute and bliss absolute. Ignorant man vainly searches
for his happiness and peace in perishable external objects, that are
conditioned in time, space and causation. He has no peace of mind. His
desires are not gratified. He amasses wealth, begets children, gets
titles, honours, name, fame and yet his mind is restless. He has no
abiding joy and lasting happiness. He is still in want of something.
He has no feeling of fullness. This feeling of fullness and eternal
satisfaction can be obtained by realising one's own Self through spiritual
Sadhana, self-restraint, purity and meditation, and by attaining the
highest rung in the Yogic ladder.
Peace and happiness can be found only within. You cannot certainly
find it in external objects. Wealth, women, children, property, palatial
buildings cannot give you the everlasting Peace. Look within. Realise
your oneness with that One Supreme Self, who lives in the chambers of
your heart. When you are established in That, which is an ocean of Peace
and Happiness, you will not be shaken even by heavy sorrow, loss or
failures, inharmonious and disagreeable vibrations. You will tide over
all difficulties or crises of life very easily and will come back with
triumph in all experiences. Mysterious is this Peace! Marvellous is
this Peace! Realise this Peace that passeth all understanding through
Yoga Sadhana and be free. Float in this ocean of Peace and rejoice in
the Peace of your own Self.
Why do you, O friend, cling to this material life of disappointments,
failures, diseases, afflictions, sorrows and uncertainties? Penetrate
into the hidden depths of the vast ocean of eternal life within. The
real Kailas and Manasasarovar are within you. The fountain of Joy, the
spring of the sacred water of immortality, the vast lake of ambrosial
nectar, the celestial jewel that bestows on you whatever you want, are
within you. What is this ephemeral existence with all sorts of mundane
troubles, this evanescent life like a mushroom or a bubble when compared
to the sweet eternal life in the soul within? Will you not start now
on a spiritual expedition with determination and an iron resolve to
explore the infinite realms of peace and bliss within?
In the present book Easy Steps to Yoga I am giving
you useful lessons on the practice of Yoga. According to the temperament
and capacity of the Sadhaka, the student can select any course of Sadhana
given in this book and safely proceed higher and higher in the spiritual
path and surely attain the goal of life quickly. Special instructions
given in Chapter VII will be of great help to all aspirants. The Chapter
VIII containing simple lessons on the practice of Asanas with illustrations
will be found highly useful to all. May Peace and Happiness abide in
you all!
Sivananda
CHAPTER I
1. Most of the diseases take their origin in over-eating, sexual excess
and outbursts of anger and hatred. If the mind is kept cool and calm
at all times, you will have wonderful health, strength and vitality.
Energy is depleted by fits of anger. The cells and tissues are filled
with morbid, poisonous materials, when one loses his temper and entertains
deep hatred. Various sorts of physical ailments crop up. The blood becomes
hot and thin and consequently night pollution results. Various kinds
of nervous diseases are attributable to excessive loss of the seminal
energy and frequent fits of explosive anger or wrath.
2. Let any disease remain in your body. Do not bother too much. Do
not fret and fume. Develop the powers of endurance and resistance. Strengthen
your body, mind and nerves. Take plenty of open-air exercises, substantial
nutritious food, medicated oil bath and plenty of rest. Have mental
and physical recreation. Lead a well-regulated life. Be moderate in
food, drink and enjoyments. Lead a spiritual life. All diseases will
leave your body by themselves. All microbes will die, when your vitality,
vigour and strength are at a flood tide. This is the secret of health
and happiness.
3. Do not be carried away by the pompous advertisements made by quacks
and charlatans. Lead a simple natural life. You will become all right
soon. Do not spend any money in purchasing the so-called patent medicines
and specifics. They are worthless. Quacks try to exploit the credulous
and the ignorant. Beware. Do not go to the doctors very often. Endeavour
to qualify yourself as your own doctor. Understand the laws of nature
and the principles of hygiene and health. Do not trespass against the
laws of health.
4. Bask in the sun. Expose your body to the rays of the sun for a short
time daily. This is heliotherapy or sun-treatment. Sun is the source
of energy and power. You will derive energy and power from the sun.
5. Soak 12 almonds at night. Remove the skin and take the almonds with
some sugarcandy in the early morning. Or you can make a refreshing beverage
by grinding these almonds with a little black pepper and sugarcandy.
This is called 'thandai' by the Punjabis. This is a fine, cooling and
strength-giving tonic.
6. Rest in bed is necessary. Adjust your diet. Take simple, wholesome,
easily digestible, bland and non-irritating food. Give up hot, pungent
curries, chutneys and chilliest Rest the stomach and the small bowels
by taking recourse to partial fasts. If you can fast for a whole day,
it is all the better. Fasting eliminates poisons and overhauls the system
thoroughly. You can take sago and milk barley water and fruits like
sweet oranges, grapes, etc. If you are thirsty, you can take lemon or
orange juice with sugarcandy.
7. Observe Brahmacharya. Get up at 4 a.m. and practice Japa of 'Hari
Om' or any other Mantra and also meditation for one hour. The Name of
the Lord is the best medicine or tonic in the world. You should have
intense faith in the power of the Names of the Lord. Incurable diseases
are cured by Japa or singing Hari's Name. Meditation creates new, healthy
vibrations in all the cells of the body and removes any kind of disease.
All the tissues are bathed in the nectar that flows during meditation.
All germs that cause diseases are destroyed. The rationale of this kind
of Yogic or spiritual treatment is yet unknown to the medical profession.
8. Why do you unnecessarily introduce foreign drugs into the system?
Resort to Nature Cure and Yogic Chikitsa. Practise regularly Pranayama,
breathing exercises, Asanas, concentration and meditation. This is the
ideal treatment. Do not think too much of the disease and too much of
the body. Too much thinking of the disease will intensify the malady.
Keep the mind fully occupied in some way or the other. This is very
important. Take away the mind from the body and think of the diseaseless
Atma or Soul within, the bed-rock or substratum for the body and mind.
Friend, cultivate this kind of Atma-chintana and attain the Anamayapada
or the Painless State Param Dhama or Immortal Brahman. Cheer yourself
up. Have a cheerful countenance always. Meditate on Om. Think of Om.
Sing Om. Om is thy real name. Om is the best tonic, specific or sheet
anchor, panacea or cure-all, 'pick-me-up' or sovereign remedy for all
diseases. Smile and laugh. Thou art bodiless, undying Soul. Never, never
forget this.
9. May God bless you with perfect health, high standard of vigour,
strength, vitality and longevity. May you prosper gloriously! Om Santi!
1. Get up at 4 a.m. daily. This is Brahmamuhurta which is extremely
favourable for meditation on God.
2. Asana: Sit on Padma, Siddha or Sukha Asana for Japa and meditation
for half an hour, facing the east or the north. Increase the period
gradually to three hours. Do Sirshasana and Sarvangasana for keeping
up Brahmacharya and health. Take light physical exercises as walking,
etc., regularly. Do twenty Pranayamas.
3. Japa: Repeat any Mantra as pure Om or Om Namo Narayanaya, Om Namah
Sivaya, Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya, Om Saravanabhavaya Namah, Sita
Ram, Sri Ram, Hari Om, or Gayatri, according to your taste or inclination,
from 108 to 21,600 times daily.
4. Dietetic Discipline: Take Sattvic food (Suddha Ahara). Give up chillies,
tamarind, garlic, onion, sour articles, oil, mustard, asafoetida. Observe
moderation in diet (Mitahara). Do not overload the stomach. Give up
those things which the mind likes best for a fortnight in a year. Eat
simple fool. Milk and fruits help concentration. Take food as medicine
to keep the life going. Eating for enjoyment is sin. Give up salt and
sugar for a month. You must be able to live on rice, Dhal and bread
without any chutney. Do not ask for extra salt for Dhal and sugar for
tea, coffee or milk.
5. Have a separate meditation room under lock and key.
6. Do charity regularly, every month, or even daily according to your
means, say six paise per rupee.
7. Svadhyaya: Study systematically the Gita, the Ramayana, the Bhagavata,
Vishnu-Sahasranama, Lalita-Sahasranama, Aditya Hridaya, the Upanishads
or the Yoga Vasishtha, the Bible, the Zend Avesta, the Koran, the Tripitakas,
the Granth Sahib, etc., from half an hour to one hour daily and have
Suddha Vichara.
8. Preserve the vital force (Veerya) very, very carefully. Veerya is
God in motion or manifestation-Vibhuti. Veerya is all power. Veerya
is all money. Veerya is the essence of life, thought and intelligence.
9. Get by heart some prayer-Slokas, Stotras and repeat them as soon
as you sit in the Asana before starting Japa or meditation. This will
elevate the mind quickly.
10. Have constant Satsanga. Give up bad company, smoking, meat and
alcoholic liquors entirely. Do not develop any evil habits.
11. Fast on Ekadasi or live on milk and fruits only.
12. Have Japa Mala (rosary) round your neck or in your pocket or underneath
your pillow at night.
13. Observe Mouna (vow of silence) for a couple of hours daily.
14. Speak the truth at all cost. Speak a little. Speak sweetly.
15. Reduce your wants. If you have four shirts, reduce the number to
three or two. Lead a happy, contented life. Avoid unnecessary worry.
Have plain living and high thinking.
16. Never hurt anybody (Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah). Control anger by love,
Kshama (forgiveness) and Daya (compassion).
17. Do not depend upon servants. Self-reliance is the highest of all
virtues.
18. Think of the mistakes you have committed during the course of the
day, just before retiring to bed (self-analysis). Keep daily diary and
self-correction register. Do not brood over past mistakes.
19. Remember that death is awaiting you at every moment. Never fail
to fulfil your duties. Have pure conduct (Sadachara).
20. Think of God as soon as you wake up and just before you go to sleep.
Surrender yourself completely to God (Saranagati).
This is the essence of all spiritual Sadhanas. This will lead you to
Moksha. All these Niyamas or spiritual canons must be rigidly observed.
You must not give leniency to the mind.
1. Karma Yoga is selfless service unto humanity. The important point
is to serve humanity without any attachment or egoism. The central teaching
of the Gita is non-attachment to work. Lord Krishna says: "Work incessantly.
Your duty is to work but not expect the fruits thereof."
2. The mind is so framed that it cannot work without expectation of
fruits or anticipation of rewards or even appreciation. You will have
to train the mind to work disinterestedly. Worldly people cannot understand
the spirit of Nishkamya Karma Yoga as their minds are charged or saturated
with impurities. Do vigorous service for some time. You will grasp the
spirit of Nishkamya service.
3. A Karma Yogi should be absolutely free from greed, lust, anger and
egoism. Then only he can do real useful service. Even if there are traces
of these Doshas, he should try to remove them one by one.
4. A Karma Yogi should have an amiable, loving, social nature. He should
have perfect adaptability, tolerance, sympathy, cosmic love and mercy.
He should be able to adjust himself to the ways and habits of others.
He should have an all-embracing and all-inclusive heart and equal vision.
He should have a cool and balanced mind. He should rejoice in the welfare
of others. He should have all the organs under perfect control. He should
lead a very simple life. He should bear insult, disrespect, dishonour,
censure infamy, disgrace, harsh words, heat and cold and the pain of
diseases. He should have power of endurance. He should have absolute
faith in himself, in God, in scriptures and in the words of his Guru.
Such a man becomes a good Karma Yogi and reaches the Goal quickly.
5. The man who serves the world really serves himself. That man who
helps others really helps himself. This is an important point. When
you serve a man, when you serve your country, always think that the
Lord has given you a rare opportunity to improve, correct and mould
yourself by service. Be grateful to that man who has given you a chance
to serve him.
6. Karma Yoga prepares the mind for the reception of Light or Knowledge.
It expands the heart and breaks all barriers that stand in the way of
unity or oneness. Karma Yoga is the effective Sadhana for Chitta Suddhi.
7. By doing selfless service you purify your heart. Egoism, hatred,
jealousy, idea of superiority and all the kindred negative qualities
will vanish. Humility, pure love, sympathy, tolerance, and mercy will
be developed. Sense of separateness will be annihilated. Selfishness
will be eradicated. You will get a broad and liberal outlook of life.
You will begin to feel oneness and unity. Eventually you will attain
knowledge of the Self. You will realise 'One in All' and 'All in One.'
You will feel unbounded joy. World is nothing but manifestation of God.
Service of humanity and country is service of God. Service is worship.
8. Generally people are impatient and they expect Siddhis after doing
a little service. The real Karma Yogi who serves the people with humility
and Atma Bhava (seeing God in every face) becomes a real ruler of the
world. He is honoured and respected by all. The more service you do
with Atma Bhava, the more power, energy, and capacity you will get.
Practise this and feel.
9. When the thought of doing good to others becomes part and parcel
of a man's very being, then he will not entertain any least motive at
all. He takes immense delight in serving others, in doing good to others.
There is peculiar joy and Ananda in the vigorous Nishkamya service.
He gets inner spiritual strength and power by performing motiveless
and selfless actions.
10. Never grumble or murmur when you do service to others. Take delight
in service. Be ever ready to serve others. Watch for opportunities to
serve. Never miss a single opportunity. Create opportunities. Create
field of good service.
11. In the practice of Nishkamya Karma Yoga, there is no loss of effort.
There is no harm. There is no transgression also. Even a little of this
practice can protect you from great fear of birth and death with its
concomitant evils. You will reap the fruits of Karma Yoga, viz., Jnana.
There is no uncertainty here. The path of Karma Yoga eventually leads
to the attainment of Bliss of the Self.
1. Bhakti is the slender silken thread of Prema or Love that binds
the heart of a devotee with the Lotus Feet of the Lord. Bhakti is intense
devotion and supreme attachment to God. It is the spontaneous outpouring
of love towards God. It is pure, unselfish, Divine Love or Suddha Prema.
Bhakti is sacred, higher emotion with sublime sentiment that unites
the devotee with the Lord. It has to be experienced by the Bhaktas.
2. Human love is all hollow. It is mere animal attraction. It is passion.
It is carnal love. It is selfish love. It is ever changing. It is all
hypocrisy and mere show. The wife does not care for her husband when
he is in the role of unemployment. She frowns at him. The husband dislikes
his wife when she loses her beauty on account of some chronic diseases.
You can find real, lasting love in God alone. His love knows no change.
3. Bhakti is the basis of religious life. Bhakti destroys Vasanas and
egoism. A life without Bhakti, faith, love and devotion is a dreary
waste. Bhakti softens the heart and removes jealousy, hatred, lust,
anger, egoism, pride and arrogance. It infuses joy, Divine ecstasy,
Bliss, Peace and Knowledge. All cares, worries, anxieties, fears, mental
torments and tribulations entirely vanish. The devotee is freed from
the Samsaric wheel of births and deaths. He attains the Immortal Abode
of everlasting Peace, Bliss and Knowledge.
4. Sakamya Bhakti is one where the Bhakta worships God for getting
riches, son or for removal of sufferings from diseases. Vyabhicharini
Bhakti is one in which the devotee worships or loves God for some time
and then his wife, children and property for some time. To love God
and God alone for ever and ever is Avyabhicharini Bhakti. Prahlada in
the advanced stage of devotion meditated on his own self as Lord Hari.
This is Abheda Bhakti.
5. The Bhakta remains in the Loka where Lord Vishnu resides like an
inhabitant of a state. This is Salokya Mukti. In Sameepya Mukti, the
Bhakta remains in close proximity with the Lord like the attendant of
a king. In Sarupya Mukti he gets the same form like that of the Lord
like the brother of a king. In Sayujya Mukti, he becomes one with the
Lord like salt and water. Thus there are four kinds of Mukti for the
Bhaktas.
6. Out of love the formless Brahman assumes the form of Lord Hari to
please His devotees. God is an embodiment of mercy. The Lord runs after
His devotees with food and water in His hands to the forests. He becomes
a slave of His devotees. Lord Vishnu says to Prahlada: "Dear, you are
too tender of age and too delicate of body to stand the terrible tortures
inflicted on you by the hot-headed father. A parallel of his atrocious
deed I have never seen before. Pray, therefore, excuse Me if I was late
in coming to your rescue." Again Lord Krishna says: "I am not in My
control. I am under the complete control of My Bhaktas. They have taken
entire possession of My heart. How can I leave them when they have taken
entire possession of My heart? How can I leave them when they have renounced
everything for My sake? He who seeks Me in all things, and all things
in Me, to him I am never lost, nor he to Me."
7. By following the following nine modes of worship (Navavidha Bhakti),
you can develop Bhakti and attain God-realisation: Sravana (hearing
the Lila of God); Kirtana (singing His praise); Smarana (remembering
His Name); Padasevana (worshipping His Lotus Feet); Archana (offerings);
Vandana (prostration); Dasya (service); Sakhya (friendship) and Atmanivedana
(complete self-surrender). Study the Gita, the Ramayana and the Bhagavata.
Have Satsanga. Visit holy places (Teertha-Yatra). Do Japa. Meditate.
Sing His Name. You can develop Bhakti and have His Darsana.
8. Do you really want God? Do you really thirst for His Darsana? Have
you got spiritual hunger? You may deliver thrilling lectures on Bhakti.
You may write several volumes on Bhakti, and yet you may not possess
a grain of true devotion. He who thirsts for Darsana of God will develop
Bhakti. If there is sincere demand for God, then the supply will come.
By regular, steady Sadhana may you attain Peace, Bliss, Knowledge, Perfection
and God realisation!
9. The Name of God chanted in any way, correctly or incorrectly, knowingly
or unknowingly, carefully or carelessly is sure to give the desired
result. The Glory of the Name of God cannot be established through reasoning
and intellect. It can certainly be experienced or realised only through
devotion, faith and constant repetition of the Name. Every Name is filled
with countless potencies or Saktis. The power of the Name is ineffable.
Its glory is indescribable. The efficacy and inherent Sakti of the Name
of God is unfathomable.
10. Just as fire has the natural property of burning inflammable things,
so also the Name of God has the power of burning the sins, Samskaras
and Vasanas and bestowing Eternal Bliss and everlasting peace on those
who repeat the Name of the Lord. Just as burning quality is natural
and inherent in fire, so also the power of destroying sins with their
very root and branch and bringing the aspirant into blissful union with
the Lord through Bhava-Samadhi is natural and inherent in the Name of
God.
11. O man! Take refuge in the Name. Nami and Name are inseparable.
Sing the Lord's Name incessantly. Remember the Name of the Lord with
every incoming and outgoing breath. In this iron age Namasmarana or
Japa is the easiest, quickest, safest and surest way to reach God and
to attain Immortality and Perennial Joy. Glory to the Lord. Glory to
His Name. Sing 'Hari Om,' 'Sri Ram,' 'Radheysyam,' 'Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare
Hare.'
1. Every aspirant in the spiritual path becomes a victim to the mood
of depression in the beginning of the Sadhana period. You will have
to overcome this mood through discrimination, reflection, Vichara, singing
Hari's Name, prayer, etc. This mood is like a passing cloud. You should
not be unnecessarily alarmed. It will pass off soon if you are vigilant.
2. Do not mistake emotion for devotion. Whenever you get the mood of
depression, sing Hari's Name vigorously by sitting alone in your room
with a melting heart. You may sing silently. This is an easy method
to drive away this undesirable mood.
3. Try to control wild outbursts of weeping. This is a weakness and
negative state. But allow the pearl-drops of Divine thrill or ecstasy
to trickle down occasionally when you are in a profound prayerful mood
or meditative state.
4. Shed the precious tears of Divine Prema when you are alone, when
you are in communion with the Lord. Do not weep in the presence of others.
The rare pearl-drops of Divine Prema are the outcome of melting of the
heart by the fire of devotion and the fire of Viraha or painful separation
from the Lord. Many people develop a habit of weeping and tears flow
on account of frequent irritation of lachrymal glands that secrete or
manufacture the tears but not on account of devotion.
5. Sometimes man feigns to be a devotee and sheds false tears just
to make his neighbours think that he is a great devotee and on account
of sympathetic action his neighbours also begin to weep. You will witness
a nice scene of a band of weeping people in a Sankirtan gathering but
in the case of heart there will be not an iota of devotion. Devotion
is a very rare gift from God. Weeping is not by itself a criterion to
judge the devotional nature of a man or a woman. Do not mistake the
crocodile tears of a hypocrite Bhakta for the genuine pearl-drops of
Divine Prema which inspire and elevate the bystanders. One may not weep
outwardly and yet he may be a genuine silent devotee.
6. Open the doors of your heart. Let the lightning spark of love arise
in your heart. Let the love pierce you through and through. Let the
heart sing to heart. Let your soul mix with the Supreme Soul. Let the
heart-lotus blossom and waft its sweet Divine fragrance. Let the Divine
thrill strike the strings of your heart. Let the tears flow now on your
cheeks. Let the Divine ecstasy fill your whole being.
7. Lord Hari is an ocean of mercy. He has boundless love for His devotees.
He is a purifier of the sinful and the fallen. He accepted even Ajamila
and that fallen woman Pingala. He drove the chariot of Arjuna in the
battlefield. He ran to save Draupadi and Gajendra. Though He is the
master of the three worlds, He is a slave of His devotees.
8. Sit silent. Collect the dissipated rays of the mind. Become serene.
Repeat God's Name: 'Hari Om' or 'Sri Ram' or 'Om Namah Sivaya.' Your
happiness will know no bounds. God will dwell in your heart.
9. May Lord Narayana take you to His bosom and bathe you in the sacred
waters of Divine Prema and transcendental Bliss!
1. In the whirlpool of fleeting sensual pleasures you have forgotten
the purpose of life and goal. You live more for the body than for the
soul. In your pursuit after the phantom shows of worldly vanities, you
have annihilated the spiritual instincts and longings of the soul. What
a sad state! Mysterious is Maya! Mysterious is Moha! Open your eyes
now. Wake up from the long slumber of ignorance. Realise the ultimate
Reality and enjoy eternal bliss.
2. Spiritual wealth is the real inexhaustible wealth. Spiritual knowledge
is the real knowledge. Spiritual life is the real life. Aspire. Know
the Self and be free. Regain the Divine Glory. Meditate and realise
the Immortal Atman the Indweller of your heart, the Inner Ruler, the
self-existent, self-contained, self-luminous imperishable Soul.
3. Raja Janaka realised his Self within the twinkling of an eye. Raja
Khatwanga attained Self-realisation within a Muhurta or forty-eight
minutes. Raja Parikshit achieved the final beatitude of life within
a week. You can also have Self-realisation within a week if you thirst
for God and if you apply yourself diligently to spiritual Sadhana in
right earnest with the right attitude of mind.
4. Holidays are not meant for playing cards, idle gossiping, feasting,
sight-seeing or aimless wandering. It is very difficult to get a human
birth. The aim of life is to attain God-consciousness. Holidays must
be well spent. Every second must be utilised in worship and meditation.
Delay in Self-realisation is practical death. You have wasted already
your life till now. Will you waste the remaining portion of your life
also? Will you waste your holidays also? Now wake up. Gird up the loins.
Whenever you get holidays start your Sadhana with zeal and enthusiasm
and march direct to the goal.
5. Here is a daily routine for you. Follow this tenaciously with faith
and earnestness. You can select a quiet solitary room for you in your
own house. If you can conveniently manage, you can do your Anushthana
either in Rishikesh, Prayag, Benares or Nasik or you can select any
convenient place on the banks of Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada or Kaveri. You
will have pure spiritual vibrations in these places. These vibrations
will help a lot in your spiritual practices. The mind will enter into
the meditative mood without any effort. You can put a small grass hut
here. Live on milk and fruits. If you find it difficult to live on the
regimen, you can take a little rice, vegetables, Dhal and bread. Live
alone. Observe complete silence for a week. Shut yourself in the room.
Plunge yourself in Japa and meditation. You can do Japa of either Om,
Om Namah Sivaya, Om Namo Narayanaya, Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya, Hari
Om, Sri Ram, Gayatri, according to your taste or temperament or repeat
your Guru Mantra. Have sleep for three to four hours. You must get up
at 3 or 4 a.m.
6. If you are not able to spend the whole time in Japa and meditation,
you can combine Kirtan and study of religious books such as the Gita,
the Ramayana, the Bhagavata, the Upanishads, etc. Whenever the mind
gets tired take to Kirtan for one or two hours. Then study religious
books. Then write your Ishta Mantra in a notebook for one hour. This
will be a sort of relaxation for the mind. Again sit for meditation.
Then again have Kirtan, study of books and Mantra-writing. Rotate in
this manner. Have as many sittings as you can. You will have good spiritual
experiences.
7. Wake up from your long sleep of ignorance. Get knowledge of the
Self. O wanderer in the quagmire of Samsara! Go back to your original
abode of eternal peace the fountain of infinite Joy and power, the spring
of boundless ecstasy, the source of life, the origin of light and love,
the immortal blissful Brahmic seat of illimitable splendour and pristine
glory. Fill the mind with thoughts of Self. Saturate your feelings with
purity and divinity. Let the Light of lights shine in every hair on
your body. Let the infinite Godhead vibrate in every cell of your body.
Let every breath sing the song of infinity and eternity with Soham or
Shyam or Ram!
8. On some holidays you can arrange for a Sankirtan Sammelan or Religious
Conference. You can invite great men, Sadhus and Sannyasins for Kirtan
and lectures. On such occasions feed the poor, Sadhus, Sannyasins, Mahatmas,
Brahmins and students. Publish some leaflets and pamphlets on Bhakti,
Yoga and Vedanta for free distribution. Thousands of people will take
part and get spiritual benefits. This is a wonderful way of spending
the holidays by which the whole city will be spiritually benefited.
This is a good practice for retired people. After retiring from service
you should live for one or two months in Prayag or Rishikesh or in a
solitary place on the banks of the Narmada or the Ganga or Yamuna where
you can get Satsanga of Mahatmas. You should live alone. If you do not
know how to cook your food, and if you can afford you can have a cook.
Then only you can destroy Moha or attachment for your wife and children.
Then only you can have good concentration and solid spiritual practice.
You can return back to your home. Live now in a solitary place that
is situated a mile away from your house. Construct a small Kutir. Ask
your people to send the food to your place. Sometimes you can take your
food in your house. Then again come back to the bank of the Ganga. By
so doing you and your family people will be used to separation. They
will not get any shock. Eventually you can stay in seclusion for any
number of years without any difficulty. Do not write any letters to
anybody when you are in seclusion. Spend the pension in charity. Plunge
yourself in Japa, meditation, Kirtan and Pranayama. Draw a daily routine
and stick to it tenaciously. Sri R.S.S., Mr. T.R.V. and others are following
this plan. They have derived wonderful spiritual benefits.
O old man! What is the use of getting a human body if you do not utilise
even the last portion of your life in divine contemplation, Bhajan or
worship? It is very difficult to get a human body again. Wake up from
the slumber of ignorance. Start this practice at once. Rejoice In Sat-Chit-Ananda
Atman. Realise the Self and be free in this very birth!
1. It is due to the veil of ignorance that you have forgotten your
real essential nature, the Sat-Chit-Ananda state. It is not at all necessary
for you to renounce the world and run to some Himalayan cave to regain
your lost divinity. Here is an easy Sadhana by which you can definitely
attain God-consciousness, even while living in the world amidst multifarious
activities.
2. You need not necessarily have a separate Meditation Room or fix
some time for meditation. Close your eyes for a minute or two once in
every two hours and think of God and His various Divine qualities such
as mercy, love, joy, knowledge, purity, perfection, and so forth during
work, and mentally repeat: "Hari Om," or "Sri Ram," or "Ram Ram," or
any other Mantra according to your taste.
3. This should be done even during night whenever you happen to get
up from bed to micturate or on any other account. Though you are not
in the habit of getting up from sleep, you should do this practice at
least occasionally when you slightly change your posture during sleep.
This sort of habit will come only by repeated practice.
4. Feel all along that the body is a moving temple of God, your office
or business house is a big temple or Vrindavan, and all activities such
as walking, eating, breathing, seeing, hearing, reading, etc., are offerings
unto the Lord. Work is worship. Work is meditation, when done in the
right spirit.
5. Work for work's sake without any motive without the idea of agency
(I am the doer, I am the enjoyer), and without expectation of fruits.
Feel that you are an instrument in the hands of God and that He works
through your organs. Feel also that this world is a manifestation of
the Lord or Visva Vrindavan and your children, wife, father, mother
and other relations are the images or children of the Lord. See God
in every face and in every object. If you develop this changed angle
of vision and Divine Bhava by protracted and constant practice, all
actions will become Puja or worship of the Lord. This is quite sufficient.
You will have God-realisation soon. This is a dynamic Yoga. This is
an easy Sadhana. Hereafter do not bring your old lame excuse: "Swamiji,
I have no time to do spiritual practices." Even if you practise this
dynamic Yoga for three months, you will become an entirely changed being
altogether. Realise right now your identity and intimate relationship
with all beings, with ants and dogs, elephants and tigers, Muslims and
Hindus, Jews and Christians. There is only a degree of difference in
manifestation or expression. All forms belong to God or Saguna Brahman.
When you look at a tree or a shrub, a Sikh or a Muslim, endeavour to
behold behind the veil of form, the real hidden Consciousness. If you
do this for some time, you will feel inexpressible Joy. All hatred will
cease. You will develop Cosmic Love or unity of consciousness. This
will be a magnanimous experience.
6. Write daily for half an hour in a notebook your Ishta Mantra observing
Mouna and without turning to this side or that. Write down in bold types
on slips of paper:
* SPEAK THE TRUTH
* OM COURAGE
* OM PURITY
* I MUST REALISE GOD NOW
* TIME IS MOST PRECIOUS
* I WILL BE A TRUE BRAHMACHARI
BRAHMACHARYA IS DIVINE LIFE
* I AM AN EMBODIMENT OF COURAGE,
PURITY, MERCY, LOVE AND PATIENCE
and fix them in the bed room, dining hall, front room and verandahs. Keep
some slips in your pocket and diary also. This is an easy way for developing
virtuous divine qualities.
7. Here are some Mantras, formulae, for effecting ungrudging and total
self-surrender. Repeat them mentally several times daily with Bhava:
"O Lord, I am Thine, All is Thine. Thy Will be done. Thou art everything.
Thou doest everything." This practice will remove egoism and mineness
and the idea of agency also.
1. God is the dispeller of ignorance, sorrow and fear. He is the bestower
of Eternal Happiness. Know Him. He ever dwelleth in thee.
2. Cultivate a very strong faith in God. Faith is the gateway to God.
Faith can work wonders.
3. Put your heart, mind, intellect and soul even in your smallest act.
This is the secret of success.
4. Be temperate in eating, drinking, sleeping, amusing and in all other
things.
5. Follow the correct principles of living. Strive for health, strength,
success and God-realisation.
6. Give. Give. Give. Give freely and spontaneously. Give everything.
Here lies the secret of abundance.
7. Always act with faith and determination. Be firm in your resolve
and fiery in your determination. Have an iron will.
8. Let bygones be bygones. Let the past be buried. There is a brilliant
future for you. Exert. Exert. Exert.
9. Be always cheerful and smile away your worries. Develop your will
by eradicating desires, egoism and hatred.
10. Sensual indulgence leads you to destruction. Renunciation leads
to Immortality. Give up clinging and attachment.
11. Right thoughts make right deeds, right actions and an admirable
character. Therefore develop right thinking.
12. Keep the reason pure. Free yourself from egoistic notions. Destroy
I-ness and mine-ness. Attain liberation. Be free. Enjoy Bliss.
13. Serve. Love. Give. Restrain (the Indriyas and mind). Be good. Do
good. Be kind. Be pure. Be patient.
14. Grow. Expand. Evolve. Destroy separateness. Mix with all. Develop
cosmic love. Become selfless.
15. Be vigilant and diligent. Watch and pray. Fast and meditate. Persevere.
Destroy fear, worry and anxiety.
16. Serve Sadhus. Have Satsanga. Sing the Names of the Lord. Live in
seclusion for a month. Live on milk and fruits. Meditate.
17. "Who am I? What is Samsara? What is Brahman? What is bondage? What
is freedom? What is Maya? What is Avidya?" Do Vichara.
18. Become dispassionate. Calm the mind. Have a one-pointed and a balanced
state of mind always.
19. Embrace spirituality. Practise purity. Do charity. Develop nobility.
Cultivate magnanimity. Attain Divinity.
20. Have purification. Do concentration. Cultivate reflection. Practise
meditation. Achieve perfection.
CHAPTER II
1. It is only within recent years, practically the last forty, that
the scientific attention has been brought to bear upon the subject of
the nature and evolution of the sexual impulse in man. Psychologists
and clinical students have made careful investigations into the phenomena
of normal and abnormal sexual life among the civilised populations of
the present day.
2. The close connection of the subject of sex with religion, both in
social evolution and individual psychology, renders the study of chastity
an extremely important chapter in the past and future sociology of the
race.
3. The gratification of every worldly desire is sinful. Man was created
for a life of spiritual communion with God. Moral goodness consists
in renouncing all sensuous pleasures, in separating from the world,
in living solely after the spirit, in imitating the perfection and purity
of God. Sensuality is inconsistent with wisdom and holiness. The great
business of life is to avoid impurity.
4. Man has degraded himself to a great degree by becoming a puppet
of passion. He has become an imitative machine. He has lost his power
of discrimination. He has sunk into the most abject form of slavery.
What a sad state! What a lamentable plight indeed! If he wishes to regain
his lost divine state and Brahmic glory, his whole being must be completely
transmuted by entertaining sublime divine thoughts and practice of regular
meditation. Transmutation of sex-desire is a very potent, efficacious
and satisfactory way to realise eternal Bliss.
5. Brahmacharya is the vow of celibacy in thought, word and deed, by
which one attains Self-realisation or reaches Brahman. It means control
of not only the reproductive Indriya but also control of all senses
in thought, word and deed. The door to Nirvana or perfection is complete
Brahmacharya. Complete celibacy is the master-key to open the realms
of elysian Bliss. The avenue to the abode of Supreme Peace begins from
Brahmacharya or purity.
6. "Rasad raktam tato mamsam mamsanmedhah prajayate; Medasosthi tato
majja majjayah sukrasambhavah-from food comes juice or chyle, from chyle
blood, from blood flesh, from flesh fat, from fat bones, from bones
marrow and lastly from marrow semen." Semen is the quintessence of food
or blood. One drop of semen is manufactured out of 40 drops of blood
according to the medical science. According to Ayurveda it is elaborated
out of 80 drops of blood. Just as sugar is all-pervading in the sugar-cane,
butter in milk, so also semen is pervading the whole body. Just as the
butter-milk is thin after butter is removed, so also semen is thinned
by its wastage. The more the wastage of semen the more is the weakness.
In Yoga Sastras it is said: "Maranam bindupatanat jivanam bindu-rakshanat-falling
of semen brings death; preservation of semen gives life." Semen is the
real vitality in man. It is the hidden treasure for man. It imparts
Brahma-Tejas to the face and strength to the intellect.
7. If the spermatic secretion in men is continuous, it must either
be expelled or reabsorbed. As a result of the most patient and persevering
scientific investigations, whenever the seminal secretions are conserved
and thereby reabsorbed into the system, it goes towards enriching the
blood and strengthening the brain. Dr. Dio Louis taught that the conservation
of this element is essential to the strength of body, vigour of mind
and keenness of intellect. Another writer Dr. E.P. Miller writes: "All
waste of spermatic secretions, whether voluntary or involuntary, is
a direct waste of life-force. It is almost universally conceded that
the choicest element of the blood enters into the composition of the
spermatic secretion. If these conclusions are correct then it follows
that a chaste life is essential to man's well-being."
1. Abstinence or continence is the corner-stone or foundation on which
the pedestal of Moksha stands. If the foundation is not very strong,
the superstructure will fall down when there is heavy rain. Even so
if you are not established in Brahmacharya, if your mind is agitated
by evil thoughts, you will fall down. You cannot reach the summit of
the ladder of Yoga or the highest Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
2. "Brahmacharyena tapasa deva mrityumupaghnata-The Vedas declare that
by Brahmacharya and penance the Devas have conquered death." How did
Hanuman become a Mahavir? It is with this weapon of Brahmacharya that
he acquired unsurpassable strength and velour. The great Bhishma, the
grandfather of Pandavas and Kauravas conquered death by Brahmacharya
It is only Lakshmana, the ideal Brahmachari who put down the man of
inestimable prowess, the conqueror of three worlds, Meghanada, son of
Ravana. Even Lord Rama could not face him. It is through the force of
Brahmacharya that Lakshmana was able to defeat the invincible Meghanada.
The valour and greatness of emperor Prithviraj was due to the strength
of Brahmacharya. There is nothing in the three worlds that cannot be
attained by a Brahmachari. The Rishis of yore knew fully well of the
value of Brahmacharya and that is the reason why they have sung in beautiful
verses about the glory of Brahmacharya.
3. The Srutis declare: "Naayam Atma balaheenena labhyah-This Atman
is not attainable by a weak man." In the Gita you will find: "Yadichhanto
brahmacharyam charanti-That desiring which Brahmacharya is performed"
(Chap. VIII-11). "Trividham narakasyedam dvaram nasanamatmanah; kamah
krodhastatha lobhastasmad etat trayam tyajet-O Arjuna! Triple is the
gate of the hell, destructive of the Self; lust, wrath and greed: therefore
let man renounce these three" (Chap. XVI-21). "Jahi satrum mahabaho
kamarupam durasadam-Kill this powerful enemy, passion, by the observance
of Brahmacharya" (Chap. III-43).
4. Just as the oil come in a wick burns with glowing light so also
the Veerya or semen flows up by the practice of Yoga Sadhana and is
converted into Tejas or Ojas. The Brahmachari shines with Brahmic Aura
in his face. Brahmacharya is the bright light that shines in the house
of human body. It is the fully-blossomed flower of life around which
the bees of strength, patience, knowledge and purity and Dhriti wander
about humming hither and thither. In other words he who observes Brahmacharya
will be endowed with the above qualities. Scriptures declare emphatically:
"Ayustejo balam veeryam vidya shrih kirtireva cha; punyam cha satpriyatvam
cha vardhate brahmacharyaya-By the practice of Brahmacharya, longevity,
glory, strength, vigour, knowledge, wealth, undying fame, virtues and
devotion to Truth increase."
5. Brahmacharya is the basis for the attainment of Kaya Siddhi. Complete
celibacy must be observed. This is of paramount importance. By the practice
of Yoga the semen becomes transmuted into Ojas-Sakti. The Yogi will
have a perfect body. There will be charm and grace in his movements.
He can live as long as he likes (Iccha Mrityu). That is the reason why
Lord Krishna says to Arjuna: "Tasmat yogee bhava Arjuna-Therefore, become
a Yogi, O Arjuna."
6. Women who are chaste can be called as Brahmacharinis. Through the
force of Brahmacharya only, many women of yore have done miraculous
deeds and shown to the world the power of chastity. Nalayani, by the
power of chastity has stopped the rising of the sun to save her husband's
life. Anasuya has turned the Trimurtis-Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesvara
as babies when they wanted Nirvana Bhiksha. It is through the power
of chastity only, she was able to turn the Great Deities as babies.
Savitri has brought back the life of Satyavan, her husband, from the
noose of Yama by her chastity. Such is the glory of womanhood. Such
is the power of chastity or Brahmacharya. Women who lead a householder's
life with chastity can also become an Anasuya, Nalayani or Savitri.
7. Real culture is establishment of perfect physical and mental Brahmacharya.
Real culture is the realisation of identity of the individual soul with
the Supreme Soul through direct experience. For a passionate worldly
minded man the terms: 'Self-realisation,' 'God, Self Vairagya, renunciation,
death, burial ground,' are very revolting and terrifying, because he
is attached to objects. The term singing, dancing, talks of ladies are
very pleasing. The attraction for objects will gradually vanish if one
begins to think seriously of the unreal nature of the world.
8. If one clearly understands the serious damages that come through
an impure life and if he determines to attain the goal of life by leading
a pure life, he must keep his mind busily engaged in Divine thoughts,
concentration, meditation, study and service of humanity.
1. Bhartrihari says: "For food, I have what begging brings and that
too tasteless and once a day; for bed, the earth; and for attendant,
the body itself; for dress, I have worn out blanket made up of hundred
patches; still alas! lust does not leave me."
2. A gentleman who had given up smoking, drinking, though married,
wants to practice Brahmacharya. His wife has no objection, but he himself
finds hard this discipline, especially the trouble seems to be in the
control of sight. "The street is my chief enemy," he said to me recently.
This means that the eyes are attracted to well-dressed ladies. An aspirant
says: "While I practiced vigorously Pranayama, Japa and meditation,
my mind was not polluted even if I saw half-nude young ladies. But when
I left the practice I was not able to control my sight and I was attracted
by well-dressed ladies in the streets and half-nude pictures that are
pasted in front of picture houses. The sea beach and Mall Road are my
enemies."
3. Jerome writes to the virgin Eustochium about his struggle for abstinence
and the power of lust: "Oh, how many times when in the desert, in the
vast solitude which, burnt by heat of the sun, offers but a horrible
dwelling to monks, I imagined among the delights of Rome: I was alone.
My limbs were covered by a wretched sack, and my skin as black as an
Ethiopian's. Every day I wept and groaned, and if I was unwillingly
overcome by sleep, my lean body lay on the bare earth. I say nothing
of my food and drink, for in the desert even invalids had no drink but
cold water. Well, I who out of fear of hell had condemned myself to
this prison, companion of scorpions and wild beasts, often seemed in
imagination among a band of girls. My face was pale with fasting; my
mind within my frigid body was burning with desire; the fire of lust
would still flame up in a body that already seemed to be dead." Such
is the power of lust.
4. There is no hope for you to have Self-realisation or knowledge of
the Self if you are not well established in Brahmacharya. Brahmacharya
is the master-key to open the realms of eternal bliss. Brahmacharya
is the very foundation of Yoga. Just as a house that is built on a rotten
foundation will surely fall down, so also you will fall down from your
meditation if you have laid no proper foundation, viz., the attainment
of perfect Brahmacharya. You may meditate for a period of twelve years
and yet you will have no success in Samadhi if you have not destroyed
the subtle lust or the craving-seed that lingers in the innermost recess
of your heart. You will have to search out carefully this dire enemy-lust,
that lies hidden in the various corners of your heart. Just as the fox
hides itself in the bush, so also this lust hides itself in the substratum
and corners of the mind. You can detect its presence only if you are
vigilant. Intense self-examination is very necessary. Just as powerful
enemies can be conquered only if you attack them from all sides, so
also you can keep the powerful senses under control if you attack them
from all sides, from within and without, from above and from beneath.
5. You must not labour under the delusion that you have eradicated
the lust completely by adjusting the diet a bit, by practicing Pranayama
and by doing a little Japa, and that you have nothing more to do. Temptation
or Mara may overcome you at any moment. Eternal vigilance and rigorous
Sadhana are very essential. You cannot attain perfect Brahmacharya by
limited effort. Just as a machine gun is necessary to kill a powerful
enemy, so also constant, rigorous, powerful Sadhana is necessary to
annihilate this powerful enemy, lust. You must not be puffed up with
pride for your little achievement in celibacy. If you are put to test
you will hopelessly fail. You must be ever conscious of your shortcomings
and you must constantly strive to get rid of them. Highest effort is
necessary. Then only you will have sanguine success in this direction.
6. It is easy to tame a wild tiger or a lion or an elephant. It is
easy to play with the cobra. It is easy to walk over the fire. It is
easy to devour fire and drink the waters of ocean. It is easy to uproot
the Himalayas. It is easy to get victory in the battlefield. But it
is difficult to eradicate lust. But you need not despair even a bit.
Have faith in God, in His Name and in His grace. Lust cannot be completely
rooted out of the mind except by the grace of the Lord. You are bound
to succeed if you have faith in Him. You can destroy lust in the twinkling
of an eye. The Lord makes a dumb man to speak and a lame man to ascend
a steep hill. Mere human effort alone will not suffice. The Divine Grace
is needed. God helps those who help themselves. If you do total self-surrender,
Mother Herself does the Sadhana. Regular meditation and Japa of Mantra,
Sattvic diet, Satsanga, practice of Pranayama, Sirsha and Sarvanga Asanas,
study of religious books, Vichara or enquiry into the nature of Atman
or 'who am I,' seclusion for three months on the banks of any holy river,
will entirely annihilate lust, however powerful the old Samskaras and
Vasanas may be. Positive always overcomes negative. You need not be
discouraged at any rate. Plunge yourself seriously in meditation, kill
Mara and come out victorious in the struggle. Shine as a brilliant Yogi.
Thou art ever pure Atman. Feel this, O Visvaranjan!
1. A Brahmachari should avoid looking at a woman with lustful eyes.
He should not have a desire to touch her or go near her with evil intention.
He should not play, cut jokes or talk with her. He should not praise
a woman's qualities within himself or to his friends. He should not
talk to her secretly. He should not think of a lady. He should not have
a carnal desire to have sexual enjoyment. A Brahmachari should, without
fail, avoid sexual intercourse. If he breaks any of the above rules,
he violates the vow of Brahmacharya.
2. For protecting the semen, it is essential to wear always a strip
of (black-coloured) cloth over the private part; for there will be no
night emission and growth of testicles. It is befitting for a celibate
to wear always wooden sandals as thereby the semen will be conserved,
eyes will be benefited, life prolonged and holiness and lustre will
increase.
3. The vow of celibacy will give you sure protection against temptation.
It is a strong weapon to attack lust. If you do not take a vow of celibacy,
the mind will tempt you at any moment. You will have no strength to
resist the temptation and you will become a sure victim. He who is weak
and effeminate is afraid of taking the vow. He brings in various excuses
and says: "Why should I be bound by a vow? My will is strong and powerful.
I can resist any sort of temptation. I am doing Upasana. I am practicing
will culture." He repents in the long run. He has no control over the
senses. That man only in whom the subtle desire for the object to be
renounced lurks in the corners of his mind brings in such sort of excuses.
You must have right understanding, discrimination and dispassion. Then
only your renunciation will be lasting and permanent. If renunciation
is not the outcome of discrimination and dispassion the mind will be
simply waiting for an opportunity to get back the object that has been
renounced.
4. If you are weak, take a vow of celibacy for a month and then extend
it to three months. You will gain some strength now. You will be able
to prolong the period to six months. Gradually you will be able to extend
the vow for one or two or three years. Sleep separately and do rigorous
Japa, Kirtan and meditation daily. You will hate lust now. You experience
freedom and indescribable joy. Your partner in life also should do Japa,
meditation and Kirtan daily.
5. You may be able to stop copulation for months and years, but there
should not be any sexual craving or attraction for ladies. Evil thoughts
also should not arise when you look at a lady, when you are in the company
of ladies. If you succeed in this direction, then you are established
in perfect Brahmacharya. You have crossed the danger zone. There is
no harm in looking at a woman, but you must have a chaste look. You
must have Atma Bhava. When you look at a young lady you can think within
yourself: "Prostrations unto thee, O mother. Thou art an image or manifestation
of Mother Kali. Do not tempt me. Do not allure me. I have understood
now the secret of Maya and Her creation. Who has created these forms?
There is an omnipotent, all-pervading and all-merciful Creator behind
these names and forms. This is all decaying false beauty. The Creator
or God is Beauty of beauties. He is an embodiment of undecaying beauty.
He is fountain-head of beauty. Let me realise this Beauty of beauties
by meditation." You will have to cultivate feelings of devotion, admiration
and awe when you look at a beautiful form by remembering the Creator
of this form. Then you will not be tempted. If you are a student of
Vedanta, think and feel: "Everything is Self only. The names and forms
are illusory. They are Mayaic pictures. They have no independent existence
apart from the Self."
6. Aspirants should not indulge in talk about ladies. They should not
think about ladies. Bring the image or your Ishta Devata in your mind,
if thought of a lady crops up. Repeat the Mantra vigorously. If sexual
feelings arise in your mind when you look at the mating of animals and
birds or at the bare bodies of ladies it indicates that lust is still
lurking in your mind.
7. Even advanced aspirants who have made great progress in Yoga should
be very careful. They should not mix freely with ladies. They should
not foolishly imagine that they have become great adepts in Yoga. A
great saint of repute had a downfall. He freely mixed with ladies made
lady disciples and allowed them to shampoo his legs. As the sex-energy
was not completely sublimated and turned into Ojas, as lust was lurking
in a subtle form in his mind, he became a victim. He lost his reputation.
The sexual desire was only suppressed in him and when a suitable opportunity
came, it again assumed grave form. He had no strength or will-power
to resist the temptation.
8. Another great soul who was regarded by his disciples as an Avatara
became a Yoga-bhrashta. He also freely mixed with ladies and committed
serious crimes. He became a prey to lust. What a sad misfortune! Aspirants
climb with great difficulty by the ladder of Yoga and they are irrecoverably
lost for ever on account of their carelessness and spiritual pride.
9. Remembrance of the skeleton and dead body of a woman, will induce
Vairagya in your mind. The body has come out of the filthy discharge.
It is full of impurities. In the end it is reduced into ashes. If you
remember this, Vairagya will dawn in your mind. Attraction for ladies
will gradually vanish. If you place before your mind the sickly figure
of a lady, or the picture of a very old lady you will develop Vairagya.
Remember pains of Samsara, the unreality of objects and the bondage
that comes from attachment to wife and children. Try any method that
suits you best.
10. One should try to get Viveka or discrimination between the real
Self and the unreal, impure body. He should hammer the mind and point
out to the mind the defects of a sexual life, viz., loss of energy,
innovation of senses, disease, birth and death, attachment and various
sorts of miseries, etc., the parts of the body of a woman, viz., flesh,
blood, bone, excrete, urine, pus, phlegm, etc. He should always think
of the ever-pure immortal Atman and the glory of the spiritual life,
viz., the attainment of immortality, eternal bliss, supreme peace. Gradually
the mind will be weaned from looking at a woman however beautiful she
might be. The mind will shudder to look at her with evil thought.
11. An aspirant complains: "As I continue meditation. layer after layer
of impurities are rising from the subconscious mind. Sometimes they
are so strong and formidable that I am bewildered as to how to check
them. I am not perfectly established in truth and Brahmacharya. The
old habits of speaking lies and lust are still lurking in me. Lust is
troubling me vigorously. The very idea of women agitates my mind. My
mind is so sensitive that I am not able to hear or think of them. As
soon as the thought comes in the mind, my Sadhana gets disturbed and
also the peace of the whole day is spoiled. I advise my mind, coax it,
frighten it, but it is of no avail. My mind revolts. I do not know how
to control this passion. Irritability, egoism, anger, greed, hatred,
attachment, etc., are still lurking in me. Lust is my chief enemy and
it is a very strong one too. I request you to be kind enough to advise
as to how to destroy the same."
12. When the impurities emerge from the subconscious mind and come
to the surface of the conscious mind with formidable force, do not try
to resist them. Repeat your Ishta Mantra. Do not think of your defects
or evil qualities much. It is enough if you introspect and find out
your defects. Do not try to attack the evil qualities. Then they will
show their long faces. Do not worry yourself often: "I have got so many
defects and weaknesses." Cultivate Sattvic virtues. Through meditation
and by the development of positive qualities, through Pratipaksha Bhavana
method all the negative qualities will die of themselves. This is the
right method.
13. Passion will subside by protracted Japa and meditation and Chintana
on Atman. Do not try to run away from ladies. Then Maya will chase you
terribly. Try to see the Self in all forms and repeat the formula 'Om
Eka Satchidananda Atma' often. Remember that the Atman is sexless. Mental
repetition of this formula will give you strength.
14. You should remain far away from ladies in the beginning of your
practice. After you are perfectly moulded and well-established in Brahmacharya,
you should test your strength by moving with ladies very cautiously
for some time. If your mind is very pure now also, if there is no sex-idea,
if the mind ceases to act through the practice of Uparati, Sama and
Dama, remember you have gained real spiritual strength and made considerable
progress in your Sadhana. You are safe now. You should not stop your
Sadhana thinking that you are a Jitendriya Yogi. If you stop it you
will have a hopeless fall. Even if you are a Jivanmukta and a dynamic
Yogi, you should be very careful when you move with worldly persons.
15. Thirsty aspirants who are treading the path of Self-realisation
who are householders and forty years of age should give up contact with
the partners in life. They should observe perfect physical Brahmacharya,
if they want rapid spiritual progress and Self-realisation in this very
birth. There are no half way measures in the spiritual path.
1. It is the mind that really does all actions. A desire arises in
your mind and then you think. Then you proceed to act. The determination
of the mind is put into action. First there is Sankalpa or thought and
then comes action. Therefore do not allow the sexual thoughts to enter
the mind. No space is empty at any time. This is the law of nature.
If one thing is removed from a place immediately another comes to fill
its place. The same law holds good in the case of the inner mental world
also. Therefore it is necessary to entertain sublime divine thoughts
to replace evil thoughts. As you think, so you become. This is the immutable
psychological law. The vicious mind is gradually divinised by entertaining
divine thoughts.
2. Vasanas grow from lustful look. You have no lustful look when you
see your mother or sister although they are well-dressed and decorated
with ornaments and flowers. You look at them with affection and pure
love. This is Suddha Bhavana. There are no lustful ideas. You will have
to develop such a pure love or Bhavana when you look at other ladies
also. Looking at a woman with lustful heart is tantamount to sexual
enjoyment. It is one form of Maithuna. That is the reason why Lord Jesus
says: "If you look at a woman with lustful heart, you have already committed
adultery in your hears." Though the first seven kinds of Maithuna do
not cause the actual loss of semen, yet the semen is separated from
the blood and tries to escape when opportunity comes either in dreams
or in other ways. In the first seven kinds man enjoys mentally.
3. You should have the Bhava that ladies are manifestations of World
Mother. They should be adored. This practice is for a beginner in the
spiritual path. Later he should develop the Atma Bhava, i.e., that everything
is Self. Otherwise he will begin to hate ladies and will not develop
cosmic love. The above mental picture is kept up to annihilate lust.
It is a mental discipline.
4. When you are in the company of ladies, try to identity yourself
with the sexless, all-pervading Soul. Constantly make the endeavour.
The sex-idea will gradually vanish and with it the attraction and lust
also.
5. You should entertain the mother Bhava or Isvari Bhava or Atma Bhava
towards women. Sister Bhava will not suffice. You may fail. Ladies also
should entertain Pitru Bhava or Isvara Bhava or Atma Bhava towards males.
Enquire 'who am I?' There is no lust in the sexless Atman.
6. One student writes to me "The impure flesh and skin appears to me
as very pure and good. I am very lustful. I try to develop the Bhava
of mother. I prostrate before a lady mentally, thinking that she is
an image of Goddess Kaali and yet my mind is externally lustful. What
shall I do now? I want to have a glimpse of a beautiful lady." Obviously
Vairagya and discrimination have not dawned in his mind. The old vicious
Samskaras and Vasanas are very powerful.
7. The cultivation of the Bhava is very difficult. You may fail to
develop the Bhava that all women are your mothers and sisters one hundred
and one times. It does not matter. Stick to your practice tenaciously.
You are bound to succeed eventually. You will have to destroy the old
mind and build a new mind. But you will have to do it if you want to
attain immortality and eternal bliss. You will surely succeed if you
are fiery in your resolve and if you have iron determination. The Bhava
will gradually manifest by constant practice. You will be soon established
in that Bhava. Now you are safe.
8. The mind will again try to do some mischief inwardly. It is very
diplomatic. It is very difficult to find out its ways and secret underground
operations. It demands subtle intellect and careful repeated introspection
and vigilant watch. Whenever the mental image of a lady crops up in
your mind with evil thoughts, repeat mentally: "Om Durga Devyai Namah,"
and do mental prostration. Gradually old evil thoughts will die. Whenever
you see any lady entertain this Bhava and repeat mentally this Mantra.
Your Drishti or look will become chaste. All ladies are manifestations
of World Mother. I wish, you practice the same Sadhana with your wife
also. Make mental prostration and repeat the same Mantra mentally. You
must give up the idea of wife. It is high time now. Then you will have
quick progress in spirituality. You must become a perfect Brahmachari
now. She also must observe fast on Ekadasi. Do not say now: "Swamiji,
What will I do? I am a householder." This is a lame excuse. How long
do you want to remain as a passionate householder? Is it till the end
of life? Is there not a nobler mission in life than eating and sleeping?
Do you not want to enjoy the eternal bliss of the Self? You have tasted
enough of the mundane pleasures. You have passed the stage of a householder.
I can excuse you if you are a young man, but not now. As soon as a son
or daughter is born, the wife becomes your mother, because you yourself
are born as a son or a daughter. Now get ready for the stage of Vanaprastha
and mental Sannyasa while remaining in the world. Colour your heart
first. This will be a noble life indeed. Prepare yourself. Discipline
the mind. Real Sannyasa is mental non-attachment. Real Sannyasa is destruction
of Vasanas, 'I-ness,' 'mine-ness', selfishness and Moha for children,
body, wife and property. You need not retire into the Himalayan caves.
Attain the above state of mind. Live in the world with family and children
amidst peace and aplenty. Be in the world, but be out of the world.
Give up worldliness. This is real Sannyasa. This is what I really want.
Then you will become a King of kings. I am shouting at the top of my
voice like this for many years. But only a few persons follow my teaching.
9. Thou art very dear to me, O Krishna, because thou art treading the
path of Truth. Thou art sincerely struggling. Thou art on the path of
Self-realisation too. Hence I am giving you this advice.
1. Brahmacharya is freedom from sexual thoughts and desires. It is
control of all Indriyas in thought, word and deed. It is for both men
and women. Bhishma, Hanuman, Lakshmana, Mira Bai, Sulabha, Gargi are
all Brahmacharins. Sri Sankara says: "Brahmacharya or spotless chastity
is the best of all penances. Such a celibate is God indeed."
2. Through Brahmacharya get over the miseries of mundane life and attain
health, strength, peace of mind, endurance, bravery, material progress,
psychic advancement, clear brain, gigantic will-power, bold understanding,
retentive memory, abundant energy, power to face difficulties in daily
battle of life and Immortality. One who has perfect control over sexual
energy attains powers unattainable by any other means.
3. By the practice of Siddhasana, Sirshasana, Sarvangasana, Mula Bandha,
Uddiyana Bandha, Maha Mudra, Yoga Mudra, Nauli, etc., a Hatha Yogi transmutes
his seminal energy into Ojas-Sakti. By the practice of Navavidha Bhakti
(Sravana, Kirtana, Smarana, Padasevana, Archana, Vandana, Sakhya, Dasya,
Atmanivedana) and Japa, a Bhakta destroys the impurity of his mind and
fixes it on God.
4. By the practice of Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana
and Dhyana, a Raja Yogi conquers lust and attains Kaivalya. A Jnana
Yogi becomes pure by Viveka, Vairagya, Vichara, Sama, Dama and Titiksha.
Constantly think of the sexless Atman. Destroy the sexual Vasana. See
Atman in all. Reject the names and forms and take the underlying Essence-Sat-chit-ananda.
5. Anything that brings impure thoughts in the mind is bad company.
Fly away from the worldly-minded persons. You will be far away from
the danger zone. The magnetic aura and powerful thought-currents of
developed adepts produce a tremendous influence on the minds of lustful
people. Have constant Satsanga.
6. Give proper attention to food. Have Mitahara. Take Sattvic food.
Pungent articles, garlic, onions, meat, fish, alcohol. etc., kindle
passion. Fasting checks passion, calms emotions, controls Indriyas and
helps Brahmacharya. Avoid long fasts.
7 Remember the pains of Samsara. Think of the component parts of body,
viz., flesh, bone, blood, excreta, urine pus, etc. Have a strong desire
for liberation. This will decidedly help you to destroy lust. Develop
'Mother' Bhava towards all ladies.
8. Have cold hip bath. Get up at 4 a.m. Do not think of a lady. Do
not look at a lady. Avert the sexual thoughts by sublime Divine thoughts.
Keep the mind fully occupied. Render your will pure, strong, irresistible.
When once the Veerya is lost, it can never be recouped by taking any
amount of Badam, nervine tonics, milk, cheese, etc. Veerya, when preserved,
serves as a master-key to open the realms of Divine Bliss and to obtain
all sorts of higher achievements in life.
9. Constantly remember: "Through the Grace of God, I am becoming purer
and purer every day, in every way." "Pleasures come but not to stay.
Mortal flesh is only clay. Everything will pass away. Brahmacharya is
the only way."
1. Brahmacharya is abstaining from all kinds of Maithuna or sexual
enjoyment forever, in all places and in all conditions, physically,
mentally and verbally.
-Yajnavalkya
2. Thinking of a woman or her picture, praising a woman or her picture,
sporting with a woman or her picture, glancing at a woman or her picture,
secretly talking to a woman, thinking of a sinful action towards a woman
actuated by sensuality, determining upon the sinful action, and bodily
action resulting in the discharge of semen are the eight characteristics
of copulation; and Brahmacharya is quite contrary to all these eight
indications.
-Daksha Smriti
3. Know that in this world there is nothing that cannot be attained
by one who remains from birth to death a perfect celibate In one person,
knowledge of the four Vedas, and in another, perfect celibacy-of these,
the latter is superior to the former who is wanting in celibacy.
-The Mahabharata
4. Brahmacharya or spotless chastity is the best of all penances; a
celibate of such spotless chastity is not a human being, but a god indeed.
To the celibate who conserves the semen with great efforts, what is
there unattainable in this world? By the power of the composure of the
semen, one will become just like myself.
-Lord Sankara
5. And those students who find that world of God through chastity,
theirs is that heavenly country; theirs, in whatever world they are,
is freedom.
-Chhandogya Upanishad
6. A wise man should avoid married life as if it were a burning pit
of live coals. From the contact comes sensation, from sensation thirst,
from thirst clinging; by ceasing from that, the soul is delivered from
all sinful existence.
-Lord Buddha
7. These sexual propensities, though they are at first like ripples,
acquire the proportions of a sea on account of bad company.
-Narada
8. Sensuality destroys life, lustre, strength, vitality, memory, wealth,
great fame, holiness and devotion to the Supreme.
-Lord Krishna
9. Death is hastened by letting out semen from the body; life is saved
and prolonged by preserving it.
10. There is no doubt that people die prematurely by letting the semen
out of the body; knowing this, the Yogi should always preserve semen
and lead a life of strict celibacy.
-Siva Samhita
11. Caution in diet is of threefold value, but abstinence from sexual
intercourse is of fourfold value. The Sannyasi had, and has, a rule
never to look at a woman.
-Atreya
12. Let not a Brahmin see a woman naked.
-Manu
CHAPTER III
1. Ethics or ethical science treats about Sadachara or right conduct,
morality or duty. Ethics is the science of morals, that branch of philosophy
which is concerned with human character and conduct.
2. Conduct is behaviour. Deportment, carriage, demeanour, conduct,
behaviour are synonymous terms. The way in which rational beings should
behave towards each other as well as towards other creatures is dealt
with in the science of morals or ethics.
3. To speak the truth; to practice Ahimsa; not to hurt the feelings
of others in thought, word and deed; not to speak harsh words to anyone;
not to show anger towards anybody; not to abuse others or speak ill
of others and to see God in all beings is Sadachara. If you abuse anyone,
if you hurt the feelings of others, really you are abusing yourself
and hurting the feelings of God only. Himsa (injuring) is a deadly enemy
of Bhakti and Jnana. It separates and divides. It stands in the way
of realising unity or oneness of Self.
4. That act or exertion which does not do good to others, or that act
for which one has to feel shame should never be done. That act on the
other hand, should be done for which one may be lauded in Society. This
is a brief description of what right conduct is.
5. Lord Manu says in the Smriti: "Achara (good conduct) is the highest
Dharma, declared by the Sruti and by the Smriti. Thus beholding the
path of Dharma issue from Achara, the sages embrace Achara as the root
of all Tapas."
6. Righteousness, Truth, good works, power and prosperity all originate
from conduct. You will find in the Mahabharata: "The mark of Dharma
is Achara (good conduct). Achara is the mark of good. Higher than all
teaching is Achara. From Achara, Dharma is born, and Dharma enhances
the life. By Achara man attains life; by Achara he attains prosperity;
by Achara he attains fair fame, here and hereafter. He who is the friend
of all beings, he who is intent on the welfare of all with act, thought
and speech-he only knoweth Dharma."
7. Dharma is extremely subtle (Ati Sukshma) intricate and complex.
Even sages are perplexed. Dharma gives wealth, satisfaction of desires
and liberation in the end. Dharma tops the list of the four Purusharthas,
viz., Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. Dharma is generally termed as
duty, righteousness, etc. Any action that is best calculated to bring
Sreyas (Moksha) is Dharma. That which brings well-being to human beings
is Dharma.
8. All that is free from any motive of injury to any being is surely
morality. For, indeed the moral precepts have been made to free the
creatures from all injuries. Dharma is so called because it protects
all. Indeed morality saves all creatures.
9. The conduct is the root of prosperity. Conduct increases fame. It
is conduct which prolongs life. It is conduct which destroys all calamities
and evils. Conduct has been said to be superior to all the branches
of knowledge.
10. It is by conduct that one acquires a long life, and is by conduct
that one acquires riches and prosperity. It is a means to attain the
goal of life. Without good conduct no one can achieve the goal. Good
conduct brings in fame, longevity, wealth and happiness. It eventually
leads to Moksha. It is conduct that begets virtue, and it is virtue
which prolongs life. Conduct gives fame, long life and heaven. Conduct
is the most efficacious rite of propitiating the celestials.
11. The good and virtuous are so on account of the conduct they follow.
The marks, again of good conduct are afforded by the deeds of those
that are good or righteous. Indeed, it is by conduct that one acquires
the fame that depends upon great deeds both in this world and in the
next. For sooth, one may, by his conduct alone, conquer the three worlds.
There is nothing which virtuous persons cannot obtain. A person of good
deeds and good, pleasant and sweet speech has no peer. People regard
that man who acts righteously and who does good acts even if they only
hear of him without actually seeing him.
12. The man whose conduct is improper or wicked never acquires a long
life. All creatures fear such a man and are oppressed by him. If therefore
one wishes his own advancement and prosperity, one should in this world,
follow the path of righteousness and conduct himself properly. Good
conduct succeeds in removing the inauspiciousness and misery of even
one who is sinful.
13. The man of right conduct has ideals, principles and mottoes. He
strictly follows them, removes his weaknesses and defects and develops
good conduct and becomes a Sattvic man. He is very careful in behaving
with his elders, parents, teachers, Acharyas, sisters, brothers, friends,
relatives, strangers and others. He attempts to know what is right and
wrong, by approaching Sadhus and Mahatmas and by studying scriptures
very carefully and then treads the path of righteousness or Dharma.
14. The man of right conduct always cares for the welfare of all beings.
He lives in harmony with the neighbours and all people. He never hurts
the feelings of others, never speaks lies. He practices Brahmacharya.
He checks the evil tendencies of the mind and prepares himself through
the practice of right conduct to attain the Bliss of union with Paramatman.
15. An aspirant went to Veda Vyasa and said: "O Maharshi, Avatara of
Vishnu, I am in a dilemma. I cannot properly comprehend the right significance
of the term 'Dharma.' Some say it is right conduct. Others say that
which leads to Moksha and happiness is Dharma. Anything, any action
that brings you down is Adharma. Lord Krishna says: 'Even sages are
puzzled to understand perfectly what is Dharma, what is Adharma. Gahana
karmano gatih-Mysterious is the path of action.' I am bewildered. O
Maharshi, kindly give me a very, very easy definition of Dharma to enable
me to follow Dharma in all my actions." Maharshi Vyasa replied: "O aspirant!
Hear me. I shall suggest an easy method. Remember the following sayings
always with great care when you do any action. 'Do as you would be done
by. Do unto others as you wish others do unto you.' This is the whole
of Dharma. Attend to this carefully. You will be saved from all troubles.
If you follow these wise maxims, you can never give any pain unto others.
Practice this in your daily life. Even if you fail one hundred times,
it does not matter. Your old Samskaras Asubha Vasanas are your real
enemies. They will come in the way as stumbling blocks. But persevere.
You will succeed in the attainment of the goal." The aspirant strictly
adhered to Vyasa's instructions and attained liberation.
16. This is a very good maxim. The whole gist of Sadachara or right
conduct is here. If one practices this very carefully he will not commit
