Guest guest Posted November 20, 2004 Report Share Posted 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. http://www.davidgodman.org/rteach/gvk_intro.shtml Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2004 Report Share Posted November 20, 2004 Dear Vicky, thank you for this post. It comes at the right time as my life is severely shaken up by Prarabdha. What Grace to sit securely in Ramana's lap, where no karmic thunderstorm can reach. In Him Christiane On Nov 20, 2004, at 09:43, viorica weissman wrote: > 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. > > > > http://www.davidgodman.org/rteach/gvk_intro.shtml > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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