Paths of Worship and Inquiry

[Guest guest]

Jaya Guru Datta,

 

Sri Swamiji was once asked, "What is the difference between Upasana Marga (path

of worship) and Vicharana Marga (path of enquiry?) If they are two different

paths, can they be unified?"

 

Sri Swamiji answered thus:

 

“Upaasana literally means 'to sit near.' There has to be some object near which

one can sit. Then one has to meditate upon it. Upasana (worshipping) basically

begins in the heart.

 

We must understand the special qualities of the object on which we meditate.

This is Vicharana (enquiry.) It requires reading of various books. But too much

reading can also pose impediments on the path of Upasana. We see many seekers

who are caught in this trap. Upasana devoid of Vicharana will be like one blind

leading the other. But too much of Vicharana will result in increased ego.

Increased ego will hinder true worship. Where is the solution for this problem?

 

Saint Tyagaraja, the great composer of Indian Classical Music has said in one of

his compositions that a heart without feelings will never be able to acquire

knowledge. In the same kriti, he has said that meditation should culminate in

happy experience. Everyday, we perform innumerable actions. Some we do with a

sense of duty. Such actions seldom give us happiness. We do not feel like

repeating those actions. But there are some acts which give us happiness. We

feel like doing them again and again. This feeling is called as Anuraga.

(passion).

 

Vicharana (enquiry) undertaken with passion will take the form of Upasana.

Similarly, when Upasana is undertaken with discrimination, Vicharana comes

automatically. Thus there will be fusion of both the paths if actions are

undertaken with Anuraga and Viveka (passion and discrimination.)

 

Sri Swamiji

Bhakti Mala, July 1997

http://www.dattapeetham.com/india/bhaktimala/July-Bhaktimala/july-questions.html

 

Sri Guru Datta,

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