SIVANANDA DAILY READING FOR 31 DECEMBER

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SIVANANDA DAILY READING FOR 31 DECEMBER

A BEACON-LIGHT TO THE WORLD

 

 

The liberated sage, like unto holy waters, purifies others by mere

sight, touch and the utterance of his name. Sometimes he remains

unnoticed, while sometimes he becomes known to those who desire

welfare. He eats food offered to him by pious devotees and burns up

their past and future evils and impurities. A liberated sage or a

saint is the ultimate source of knowledge of the soul. To keep

company with a jivanmukta (liberated sage) for even a minute is much

better than to rule a kingdom - his very presence is so thrilling and

inspiring. Seek his company and evolve. Serve him with faith and

devotion.

 

A jivanmukta may give up his body in any place, at any time. Just as

the falling leaves and fruits of a tree will not affect the tree

itself, so also, the shedding of the body will not affect the self

which survives like the tree. His vital airs do not depart elsewhere

for transmigration. They are absorbed in Brahman after the exhaustion

of his destiny, the results of past actions that have already begun

to bear fruit. He is freed from further births The jivanmukta is

freed from the trammels of mind and matter. He is absolutely free,

perfect, independent. He is absolutely free from hatred, lust, cares,

worries and anxieties. Everybody surely desires this state of

beatitude or final emancipation. It is the final goal of life, the

end of all human aspirations.

 

The state of a jivanmukta is the be-all and end-all of existence.

There is fullness in this state. All desires are burnt. It is a state

of absolute and perfect satisfaction. There is no gain greater than

this; no bliss greater than this; no wisdom greater than this.

 

There, at the summit of the hill of eternal bliss, you can see the

sage or jivanmukta or a full-blown yogi. He has climbed the

stupendous heights through intense and constant struggle. He did

severe, rigorous spiritual practices. He did profound meditation. He

spent sleepless nights. He kept long vigils during several halting

stages. He persevered with patience and diligence. He surmounted many

obstacles, conquered despair, gloom and depression. He is a beacon-

light to the world now. Remember that he was also rotting in those

days in the quagmire of births and deaths, like yourself. You can

also ascend to that summit if only you will.