Guru Vachaka Kovai - Obstacles

November 20, 2004

Obstacles

(Guru Vachaka Kovai - tr. Sadhu Om

& Michael James)

617 The many afflictions which occur with severity like thunderbolts in the

life of great devotees are only to establish their pure mind more and more

firmly [in tapas, that is, in Self-abidance] and not to shake them down [from

it].

618 Discriminating and knowing well that all the sufferings that come by

prarabdha in his life are sent to him by God's Grace in order to make his mind

stronger and thereby save him, let an aspirant bear with them patiently as tapas

without being alarmed even in the least.

619 Just as a gem taken from the mind will not have full lustre if it is

not polished on the grindstone, so the real tapas, the sadhana which one is

doing, will not shine well if it is not provided with trials and tribulations on

its way.

620 For a big temple-chariot to go along the streets and safely reach its

destination, not only the strong linchpins but also the obstructing blocks,

which prevent it from dashing into anything by running to the sides of the

streets, are indispensable.

Sri Muruganar and Sadhu Om: In the whole of this verse, only an example

[upamana] is given and the 'exampled' [upameya] is left to the reader to infer.

It should be understood as follows: 'Similarly, for an aspirant to successfully

complete his tapas or sadhana, not only a blemishless character and mode of life

but also the obstacles that come through prarabdha are indispensable. Hence, an

aspirant should accept obstacles patiently, viewing them as being due to Grace'.

For instance, the harsh words, "Why all these for one who is like this?",

uttered by the elder brother of young Venkataraman, when patiently accepted,

brought forth one great Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi to the world. Not only by

unintentional words like these, but even by the intentional troubles caused by

wicked people, will great good result in the life of an aspirant.

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