AW: My life (11c) : samadhi -end of it

[Guest guest]

> -----Ursprungliche Nachricht-----

> Von: Gasusima [Gasusima]

>

> Advaitins are saying

> that scriptural knowledge is the only means to attain

> liberation. Is that true? Wouldn't that eliminate someone

> like me as a candidate? Can not Lord Shiva Himself guide

> me to the non-dual state?

>

> Regards,

> Gasusima

>

Dear Ma,

 

Hari Om!

 

Those who say "Scriptural knowledge is the only means to attain liberation"

say that based on their understanding. It is only a school of thought in

Advaita. Let me remind you of Sri Totakacharya, one of the foremost

disciples of Sri Adishankara, was uneducated and looked down -- by his

co-disciples like Padmapada --- as somebody who is not fit for atmagnana!

So while the other disciples were studying scriptures seriously at the feet

of jagadguru Shankara, Totakacharya used to wash the clothes of the guru and

arrange the things for him. But only Sri Adishankara knows that he is

ripeenough for atmagnana. So the story says, Sri Shankara has blessed him

with seer compassion (guru kRUpA kaTAksham) and Totaka has realized and

composed such great hymns which sound so beautiful and rich with meaning!

 

"vidithAkhila SAStra sudhA jaladhE

mahitOpanishad kadhitArtha nidhE

hRUdayE kalayE vimalaM caraNaM

bhava SaMkara dESika mE SaraNaM"!

 

To give you an example, Brahman is like ocean, we are all like the waves

raising in that ocean. Each wave is unique! Each wave will undergo a

distinguished speed of travel, all will reach the shore! Sometimes they say

that wind and the underwater current, or sudden change in the weather will

effect the speed of the wave.... Same is the situation here. Each wave is a

being who is travelling at his own pace. When a wave recognizes that ---

though it is appearing seperate from the ocean --- its essence is nothing

but ocean, then it gets no more worried for its appearent seperate existance

from the ocean, for where ever it is --- it is sustained only because of

ocean.

 

Can a wave which has raisen from the floor of the ocean stand still?

Impossible, because it is not in the nature of the wave. It has to merge

back in to the ocean, it can never sustain permanently -- no matter what

ever way it tries -- its wave form! Similarly, taking a human birth (or any

birth) is like being born as a wave.... Recognizing who you are (your

essence) will rid you from the fear of everything ---- that includes feeling

lonely, leftover, forgot by God, not achieved blah blah blah. Once you are

free from your fear, then you will remain as a wave --- as long as the

natural forces sustain it and then you merge...

 

Can a Human who has taken birth can stop with out working? (karma)

Impossible! Because not working (akarma) is not in the nature of Human

existance. So work you must! So what kind of work is called work?

Performing Archana to your isthadevata is also a work! It depends on the

sanskara of the human on what kind of work he chooses. For example you are

given a choice of cleaning the Idol of your Isthadevata, or spend that time

gossiping with your friend --- what will you do? It depends...

 

Anyway, as I see it, Isthadevata (like stated in ESopanishad) plays a

greater role in helping you rid of the fear of everything you have. So

never hesistate to pray. Because you will never lose anything by doing

anysuch! Each time you pray with your heart, you are heard. Your prayers

will reach where they are supposed to reach. And you will be answered when

your time comes.

 

Yours,

Madhava