Narayanasramam

[Guest guest]

Austerity by Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha

 

Harih Om Tat Sat. One more Gurupoornima has arrived, reminding all, but

Brahmavidya seekers in particular, again about the need to enrich

themselves with austerity, building sensitiveness and refinement in

their personality. The success and achievement in any field of life rest mainly

upon the austerity coordinate, one is able to generate and

preserve in himself.

 

Whether in the field of writing important Texts like what the great

Panini did in Sanskrit Grammar, Krishna himself did in the Himalayas

before the birth of Pradyumna, Parvati did to get Lord Shiva as her

consort, or even the Pandavas underwent during their forest exile, it is the

benefits austerity bestows that determine the fate of great

qualitative events in the world.

 

To be austere throughout is a very rare effort and gain. But every one

has to become austere to some extent at least. In austerity alone the

inner personality strives to cultivate subtle lasting merits for

effective endeavour in any walk of life. Gurupoornima brings the message of

austerity again and again, so that at least during these holy months of the year

people will try to incorporate some austere measures in their life.

 

Yajna, Daana and Tapas are the three pillars on which a good, noble

human life rests. Yajna consists of the deep feeling of allegiance

towards the Cause and Source of the entire creation. Daana, a far

simpler concept and virtue, consists in helping those not related to

oneself, with whatever means is proportionate to one's income. It

safeguards against one's own lavishness and waste, and also

contributes to the welfare of the whole society.

 

Tapas, austerity, consists in striving to eliminate the undesirable

elements in oneself and incorporate the desirable ones, aided by

restraint, discipline and refinement. The motivation for austerity comes from

the mind and intelligence. And the austerity itself, in truth, rests on these

two.

 

" What austere refinement has the past year brought for me, and to

which extent this can and should be enhanced now " , is the most

useful examination a seeker should do during this sublime period. Do not fail in

making this self-assessment.

 

Of all forms of austerity, Knowledge-austerity is the highest, deepest

and subtlest. In all the spiritual dialogues like Bhagavadgeeta,

Ashtavakra Samhita – even in Shrimad Bhaagavatam – what you find

is the imparting and imbibing of Knowledge-austerity . Reflect upon this

statement and try to understand it well. Also discuss it with others around.

 

As usual Gurupoornima will be observed in the Ashram, by expressing

allegiance to the whole Guru Parampara from Brahma downwards to Shankara and the

rest. From the next day starts the 6-day retreat here. Many of you are not been

able to be present here during the period, for various reasons.

 

Nonetheless, the effort on the part of every one to try to embody an

additional measure of austere sublimation should not be lacking. Be

earnest in your self-examination and the consequent endeavour.

 

May the Day and the holy period enrich you and your family with the

great Knowledge legacy of our land and a heart wedded to the

Guru-shishya relationship and what it represents in the growth and

fulfillment of human life.

 

This time, during the Retreat, I propose to discuss the very unique

Self-realizational Text called Ashtavakra Samhita. It is a dialogue King

Janaka had with Sage Ashtavakra on `liberation, knowledge,

dispassion' and the like. In short words, Ashtavakra drives home to

Janaka the essence, growth and fulfillment of the Self-realizational

experience, the enrichment it brings and steepens.

 

My love and asheerwaad to all of you. Nutan Swamiji and Ma also send you their

loving good wishes.