Swami Sivananda Vani

[Guest guest]

ANNIHILATE THE EGO

 

Study the autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi. He never made any

difference between menial service and dignified work. Scavenging or

cleaning the latrines were the highest yoga for him, the highest

puja. He annihilated his illusory little `I' through this service.

Many highly educated persons joined his ashram to learn yoga under

him. They thought that Gandhiji would teach them yoga in some

mysterious manner, in a private room. They thought that he would

teach them pranayama, meditation, awakening of the kundalini, etc.

They were asked to clean the latrines first.

 

Gandhiji used to mend his own shoes. He himself used to grind the

flour. He would take upon himself the work of others when they were

unable to do their allotted portion of work. When an educated

person, a new ashramite, felt shy to do grinding work, Gandhiji

himself would do the work in front of him. And then the man would

willingly do the work the next day.

 

Try to do daily as many virtuous actions as possible. When you go to

sleep have a review of your day's actions. Mark them in your

spiritual diary. Performance of virtuous actions is the beginning of

spiritual life.

 

Repeat mentally or silently with the breath, the Lord's name ­ such

as Hari Om, Sri Ram, or your own ishta mantra. Do this even when you

are working in the office. A strong habit of repetition of the

mantra will soon be formed.

 

Karma, according to Jaimini Rishi, is the performance of agnihotra

and other vedic rituals. According to the Gita, any action done with

niskamya bhava (unselfishly, motivelessly), is karma yoga. Lord

Krishna says: " Work incessantly. Your duty is to work but not to

expect the fruits thereof. " The central teaching of the Gita is non­

attachment to work. Breathing, eating, seeing, hearing, thinking,

etc., are all karmas.

 

Service of your guru or a mahatma (saint) is the highest form of

karma yoga. This purifies your heart quickly. Contact with a great

soul or guru has immense advantages. You will benefit by the

magnetic aura of the great personage. You will draw inspiration from

him.