Om Sree Vighnaeswaraaya namah Dr Sarmaworks 1 Part

‹Ï ªÄë ©Ã� ÊäªÁí§ ¦ÁþÁ¥ÁÐ Om Sree Vighnaeswaraaya namah Dr. Sarma@works 1

Part I From 01 to 41 ©Ã©Ê� Á úÁÆ™ ¥Á›Ã Vivaeka Choodaamani The Crest Jewel of Discrimination Dr. Sarma@works 2

Dr. Sarma@works 3

€žËíœÁ ¬Ãž ãÏœÁÏ Doctrine of Monism £ëöÁé ¬ÁœÁêÏ ü� ÁþÃéŸ ê üÄ©Í £ëÿËé©Á þ ¡Á§ÁÐ Brahma is the Real World is only an illusion The Jeeva is none other than the Brahma Dr. Sarma@works 4

¥ÁÏ� Á® úÁ§Á›Ï ¬Á§Áí ©Êž ÏœÁ ¬ÃŸ ãÏœÁ � ÍúÁ§ÁÏ œÁ¥Á ÍúÁ§Á¥÷ � Í©ÃÏžÁÏ ¡Á§Á¥Á þÁÏžÁÏ ¬ÁžÁÅÓ§ÁÅÏ � sarva vaedaanta¡Á뛜ͬÁéêÿÁ¥÷ sidhdhaanta gocharam||tama agocharam govindam paramaanandam sadgurum pranatosmyaham || VC 01 Dr. Sarma@works 5

Invocation • • • My obeisance to the Almighty - Govinda Whose nature is Bliss Supreme Who is the Guru of Gurus (sadguru) Who is the import of all erudition (Vedas) Who is beyond the reach of speech & mind (Sri Govindaacharya is the preceptor of Sankara Bhagavat paada) Dr. Sarma@works 6

VC 02 ªÁœÁ� ÍýÃüþÁé ¬ÁÅ� ÁÇœËÐ üÏœÁÆþ Ï þÁ§ÁüþÁé žÁŧÁì¤ÁœÁ¥ÁÐ ¡ÁôϬÁàíÏ œÁœÍ ©Ã¡Áëœ œÁ³ éžËížÃ� Á ŸÁ§Áé¥Á §ÁÓ¡Á§Áœ ©ÃžÁíœÁàí¥Á³ éœÁå§Á¥÷ , � éþ œÁé ©Ã©ÊúÁþÁÏ ¬ÁíþÁŤÁ©Í œ jantoonaam narajanma¬ÁϬÃáœÃ durlabhatamah pumstwam tato viprataa £ëöÁéœ éþ tasmaadvaidika dharma maargaparataa vidwat twamas maatparam, §ÁÅé� Ãà§Íä ªÁœÁ� ÍýÃüþÁé ¬ÁÅ� ÁÇœËÐ Atmaanaatma vivaechanam swanubhavo brahmaatmaanaa samsthiti ¡Áô›Ëê§Ãíþ ¨¤ÁêœÊ || rmuktirno satakoti janma sukritaih punyair vinaa labhyatae || Dr. Sarma@works 7

Blessed We are ! • • • Among all beings a human birth is a gift More so a fit and healthy body (male) Rarer than that is one with adequate intelligence Rarer still is inclination towards Vedic path Higher than this is discriminative ability Still higher is Realization of Identity – Brahman Isn’t this the merit of millions of births ! Dr. Sarma@works 8

The rarest three These three things are rare indeed • Birth in human form (with special powers) • The longing for Liberation (not all possess) • The guidance of perfected teacher These are due to the grace of god Dr. Sarma@works 10

Oh! Man – commit not suicide • • Dr. Sarma@works Having been empowered with all the above said special gifts from god Isn’t it too foolish not to exert for realization Not to commit ourselves for liberation By clinging to the things so unreal Aren’t we wasting our precious gift ? Isn’t this deliberate suicide !! 12

What a fool ? What greater fool is there than the man • Who having obtained a rare gift of human body • And that too a healthy, powerful and intelligent one • If he neglects to achieve the real end of life Real end meaning liberation ( salvation) Dr. Sarma@works 14

Rituals never are the means • May be well versed in all scriptures • May one undertake all rituals and karmaas These indeed help one go no where But without the realization of our true identity with the Atman within There is no liberation Even after millions of years of existence Lifetime of Brahma : 1 day = 432 miln. years Dr. Sarma@works 16

‚œÊê©Áÿà ªÁÅëœÃÐ €¥ÁÇœÁœÁí¬Áê þ ª ¬Ãà©ÃœÊàþÊœÊê©ÁÿêÁÅëœÃÐ, £ë©ÄœÃ � Á§Áé›Í ¥ÁÅ� Êà§ÁÿÊœÁÅœÁíϬÁÅæýÏ ¦ÁœÁÐ || amritatwaasya naasaasti vittaena ityaevahisrutihi, braveeti karmano muktaer ahaetutwam sphutam yatah || VC 07 Dr. Sarma@works 17

The Vedic Dictum • There is no hope of immortality by means of money or money made many things – • Such indeed is the declaration of the Vedas • So, it is clear that rituals, desire prompted actions, forbidden paths and foolish clinging to worldly riches cannot cause liberation. (Ref : Brihadaaranyaka II. iv. 2) Dr. Sarma@works 18

¬Á¥ÁÅ¡ÊœÁê žÊªÃ� ÁÏ €œÍ ©Ã¥ÁÅ� Ëàê ¡Áë¦ÁœÊœÁ ©Ãž íþ÷ ¬ÁÏ þÁê¬Áà £ öÁê§ÁÅáðŽ¬ÁåÇÿÁÐ ¬Áþ÷ ato vimuktyai prayataeta vidwaan ¬ÁþÁàÏ ¥ÁöÁþÁàÏ samnyasta ¬Á¥ÁÅ¡ÊœÁê žÊªÃ� ÁÏ baahyaartha sukhasprihah santam mahaantam samupaetya daesikam VC 08 œÊþÍ¡ÁžÃ´ Û§Áá¬Á¥Á ÿ Taenopadishtaartha samaahitaatmaa || 19 Ãœ œ é || Dr. Sarma@works

What are we to do ? • • Therefore one must strive for liberation How? By renouncing sensual pleasures Devoid of desires on external objects Duly* approaching a generous preceptor Fixing the mind on the truth inculcated by him. *Gita IV– 34 : pranipaataena pariprasnaena sevayaa Dr. Sarma@works 20

„žÁã§Êž œÁéþ œ éþÁÏ ¥Á� ÁäÏ ¬Áϳ §Á© §Ã� Î, ¦É � §ÁÆšÁœÁí¥Á ³ žÁê Áâ§ÁîþÁþà «ÁܦÁ || vaarithou, Uddharaed¬Á¥Áê� aatman aatmaanam magnam samsaara Yogaaroodhatwam aasaadya samyag darsana nishthayaa || VC 09 Dr. Sarma@works 21

How to attain yoga ? • • Though immersed in this of mortal life One should rediscover himself and lift himself up – for no one else can lift us up* ! What are the means ? 1. Perfect devotion (yogaaroodha** state) 2. Right discrimination *Gita VI – 5 : uddharaed atman atamaana **Gita VI– 4 : yadaa hi …. . . Sarva samkalpa sanyaasiee yogaaroodha stadochyatae Dr. Sarma@works 22

¬ÁÏþÁê¬Áê ¬Á§Áí� Á§ é›Ã ¤Á©Á£ÏŸÁ©Ã¥ÁÅ� Áà¦Ê, ¦ÁœÁêœ Ï ¡ÁϙÜ˧Äã§Ë§ œ é¤ ê¬Á sanyasya sarwakarmaani bhavabandha vimuktayae, „¡Á¬ÃáœËÐ || yatyataam panditair dheerair aatmaabhyaasa upasthitaih || VC 10 Dr. Sarma@works 23

Cut loose all ‘Actions’ • The wise = the man with discrimination • The erudite = the man with equanimity • Give up all actions* = All desire prompted motivated actions and all forbidden or evil actions – not the selfless service *Gita V-11 : kaayaena. . …sangam tyaktwaa *Gita III-5 : nahi kaschit kshanamapi Dr. Sarma@works 24

Ten million is naught • The works prescribed by the scriptures, when done with faith and devotion, lead to purification of mind and wash of tainted thoughts. • These are only a prerequisite to the end – and not the end by itself – neither they are the means to reach the perfect end – the salvation. • This does not ensure perception of reality unless true discrimination is practiced. Dr. Sarma@works 26

¤ ëþÍàêžÃœÁ¥ÁöÁ¬Á§Á åÐ ¬Á¥Áê� Ãíú §ÁœÁÐ ¬Ãž ã §ÁüÅØœÁœ àí©ÁŸ §Á› , ¤ ëþÍàêžÃœÁ¥ÁöÁ¬Á§Áå¤Á©ÁžÁ ÅŽÐsiddhaa ©Ãþ ªÁþÄ || Samyag vichaaratah rajju tattwaavadhaaranaa, Bhraantyodita mahaasarpa bhavadukhah vinaasanee || VC 12 Dr. Sarma@works 27

The delusion • By adequate reasoning the conviction about reality is gained – just as the rope mistaken as snake – perceived correctly as rope by adequate reasoning and proof. • This annuls the great misery and fear caused by the delusion in the mind. Our mistaken identity that we are this never lasting body - when in reality we are the ever existing Atman – is the Delusion or Bhranthi Dr. Sarma@works 28

©Ãú §Ê› žÁÇ´ÍÛ €§Áá¬Áê þêÁÖ¦É žÁÇ´ÍÛ ©Ãú §Ê› ÿÃœÍ� ÃàœÁÐ, þÁ³ äþÊþÁ þÁ ž þÊþÁ ± ë› ¦Á © || arthasya nischayo ¥ÁªÁœÊþÁ drishto vichaaraena hitoktitah, Na snaanaena na daanaena praanaayaama sataena vaa || VC 13 Dr. Sarma@works 29

Nay by baths, gifts…. • • • 1. 2. 3. Dr. Sarma@works By reasoning upon the salutary counsel from the wise (men of realization) – only then Truth is seen to dawn on the seeker Not by hundreds of Holy dips in sacred rivers Charities made Pranaa yama (restraining breathing) 30

¢Á¨ ¬ÃžÃã €ŸÃ� §Ã›¥Á ª ¬Êà ¢Á¨¬ÃžÃã§ÃíªÊ «ÁœÁÐ, „± ¦Á žÊªÁ � ¨ ž Ðê ¬ÁþÁàê¬Ãéþ÷ ¬ÁÿÁ� phalasiddhir §Ã›Ð || wisaeshatah, Adhikaarinam aasaastae Upaayaa daesa kaalaadyaah santyasmin sahakaarinah || VC 14 Dr. Sarma@works 31

Success • • Success essentially depends on the Qualified* aspirant / seeker Time, place and other such means are but auxiliaries in attaining success *Qualifications ? ……. Let us proceed further Dr. Sarma@works 32

The Guru • The Guru – The best of the knowers of Brahman – Must have personally experienced the truth – Should be an ocean of mercy and kindness • The Seeker – Must duly approach the Guru – Must take the path of reasoning and test the truths inculcated to him– not passive listening Dr. Sarma@works 34

€ŸÃ� § êœÁé ©Ãž ê¦Á ¥ÊŸ ©Ä ¡Áô§ÁÅ´Í ©Ãž íþÁÆöÁ±ÍÿÁ©ÃúÁ¯Á›Ð , €ŸÃ� § êœÁé ©Ãž ê¦Á ¥ÁÅ� ÁਯÁ›¨¯ÃœÁÐ || maedhaavee purusho vidwaan ooha apoha vichakshanah , adhikaaryaatma vidyaayaam ukta lakshana lakshitah || VC 16 Dr. Sarma@works 35

Fitness of recipient • • • Dr. Sarma@works Intelligent to grasp the subtleties Devoid of any doubts (samsayas) Skilled in defending scriptural injunctions Expert in refuting counter-arguments Endowed with above characteristics Such recipient is fit to receive Atma Jnaana 36

£ëÿÁéüÃü Ú³ ©Ã©Ê� ÃþÍ ©Ã§Á� Áà¬Áê ªÁ¥Á žÃ� ÁÅ› ª ¨ÃþÁÐ , ¥ÁÅ¥ÁÅ¯Í §Ê©Á ÿà £ëÿÁéüÃü Ú³ Áêœ ¥Áœ vivaekino ¦É � viraktasya samaadi guna|| saalinah , mumuksho raeva hi brahmajijnaasaa yogyataa mataa || VC 17 Dr. Sarma@works 37

Who is qualified ? • Who discriminates between real and unreal • Whose mind is tuned off towards the unreal • Who possesses calmness (sama) and allied qualities • Who is longing for liberation He is the one qualified to inquire after the Brahman Remember no one is debarred Dr. Sarma@works 38

³ ŸÁþÁ úÁœÁÅ «ÁÛ¦ÁÏ ³ ŸÁþ þÁêœÁë úÁœ í§Ã � Á� Ãœ þà ¥ÁþÄ «Ã¤ÄÐ ¦Ê «ÁÅ ¬ÁœÊðí©Á ¬ÁþÃä´ Ü ¦ÁžÁ¤ ©Ê þÁ ¬ÃžÁãêœÃ || Saadhanaan yatra chatwaari kathitaani maneeshibheeh yaeshu satswaeva sannishthaa yadabhaavae na siddhyati || VC 18 Dr. Sarma@works 39

The four • Sages have prescribed four means (steps) for attainment. • Devotion to Brahman succeeds only when these four means are harmoniously utilized. • In the absence of these, this pursuit for Brahman will be only a vain attempt. Dr. Sarma@works 40

The first two • First and foremost is – The Discrimination between the Real and unreal • Next comes the aversion towards or disinterest – in enjoyment of fruits of our actions here and hereafter - this is renouncing the unreal Dr. Sarma@works 42

The next two • Next in order are – The group of six attributes – calmness (sama) and the rest, • Lastly – The intense yearning/ longing /love for liberation A firm conviction of the mind to the effect that Brahman is the Real and universe is unreal Dr. Sarma@works 44

©Ã©Ê� ÁÐ ³Í¦ÁÏ þÃœ êþÃœÁê©Á¬ÁÅà©Ã©Ê� ÁÐ ¬Á¥ÁÅž ÿÁÇœÁÐ œÁžËí§ � ÁêÏ üÃöÁ³ ¦Á žÁ§ÁîþÁªÁë©Á› žÃ¤ÃÐ || soyam nitya anitya vastu vivaekah samudaahritah Tad wairaagyam jihaasaa yaa darsana sravanaadibhih || VC 21 Dr. Sarma@works 45

Discrimination 1. A firm conviction of the mind to the effect that Brahman is the Real and universe is unreal 2. This is designated as the true discrimination (viveka) between the real and unreal. 3. Vairaagya or renunciation is the active effort to give up all transitory sensual enjoyments Dr. Sarma@works 46

©Ë§ � ÁêÐ žÊöÁžÃ£ëÿÁé¡Á§ÁêþÊà ÿÁêþÃœÊê ¤Í� Áê©Á¬ÁÅàþà ©Ã§Áüê ©Ã «Á¦Á © ëœ žÍâ «ÁžÁÇ´ Ûê ¥ÁÅÿÁŧÁÅéÿÁÅÐ || Daehaadi brahma paryantae hyanityae bhogya vastuni virajya vishaya vraataad doshadrishtyaa muhur muhuh || VC 22 Dr. Sarma@works 47

Vairaagya 1. Vairaagya or renunciation is the active effort to give up all transitory sensual enjoyments. 2. This ranges from this animate body to those upto the supreme brahmaahood 3. Having already understood the defects of these by observation, instruction and so forth time and again (continually). Dr. Sarma@works 48

ªÁ¥ÁÐ ¬Áí¨¯Êê þæÁœ ©Á³ á¥ÁþÁ¬ÁÐ ªÁ¥Á „úÁÖêœÊ, ©Ã «Á¦Ê¤ÁêÐ ¡Á§ ©Á§Áàê ³ á¡ÁþÁÏ ¬Áí¬Áí� Í®Á� Ê|| swalakshyae niyata avasthaa manasah sama uchchyatae, vishayaebhyah paraavartya sthaapanam swaswagolhakae || VC 23 Dr. Sarma@works 49

Calmness Tranquility or calmness or Sama • Steadfast effort to rest or turnoff the mind after having declined entry for the sensory inputs from manifold sense objects and not permitting unwarranted motor activity • In simple terms controlling the antah karanams or inner functional faculties Dr. Sarma@works 50

žÁ¥ÁÐ - „¡Á§ÁœÃ „¤Á¦Ê´ ¥ÃþÃâë¦Á › Ï ¬ÁžÁ¥ÁÐ ¡Á§Ã� ħÃàœÁÐ £ öÁêþ ¨Ï£þÁÏ ©ÁÇœÊà§Ê´Í¡Á§ÁœÃ§ÁÅœÁà¥Á || Ubhaya yeshaam indriyaanaam sa damah parikeertitah, Baahya anaalambanam vrittaer aesha uparatir uttamaa || VC 24 Dr. Sarma@works 51

Self Control Self restraint or self control or Dama • Turning both the motor and sensory organs away from sense objects at the entry level itself and fixing them in their respective spheres of reality is called Dama or self control. Self withdrawal + active tuning inward- Uparati • After the inner organs are turned off- tuning them towards inner atmaan for higher pursuits of life (without mental craving for senses)– – is called uparati – inactively active state –(like the atom) Dr. Sarma@works 52

œÃœÃ¯ ¬ÁÿÁþÁÏ ¬Á§ÁížÁÅÐŽ þ ¥Á¡ÁëœÄ� §Á ¡Áõ§Áí� Á¥÷, úÃÏœ ©Ã¨ ¡Á§ÁÿÃœÁÏ ³ œÃœÃ¯ þÃ� ÁžÁêœÊ || sahanam sarwa duhkhaanaam apratiikaara puurwakam, chintaa vilaapa rahitam saa titikshaa nigadyatae || VC 25 Dr. Sarma@works 53

Forbearance Titikshaa or Forbearance • The ability to bear with all afflictions, duals and insults without caring to redress or revolt for them in spite of having the mental and physical capability to do so, being free from anxiety and lamentation on the afflictions received. Dharma Raja is the best example Dr. Sarma@works 54

ªÁëž ã ª ¬Áàë¬Áê � ÁŧÁÅ© � Áê¬Áê ¬ÁœÁê£Åž ãê©ÁŸ §Á› , ³ ªÁëž ã � Á� Ãœ ¬ÁžÃè§Áê¦Á ©Á¬ÁÆà¡Á¨¤ÁêœÊ || Saastrasya guru vaakyasya satya buddhya avadhaaranaa, Saa sraddhaa kathitaa sadbhir yayaa vastu upalabhyatae || VC 26 Dr. Sarma@works 55

Acceptance • Acceptance by firm judgment after practicing and verifying what the Guru and the scriptures instruct – as true is termed as sraddhaa or faith. • Not to be confused with blind belief • The whole mind must attain that perfect state of reliance on the truth of the instruction – then only practice is possible. Dr. Sarma@works 56

¬Á¥Á Ÿ þÁÏ ¬Á¥Áê� ³ á¡ÁþÁÏ £ÅžÊãÐ ªÁÅžÊã £ëÿÁé›Ã ¬Á§Áíž , œÁœÁð¥Á Ÿ þÁ¥ÃœÁÅê� ÁàÏ þÁœÁÅ úÃœÁà¬Áê ¨ ¨þÁ¥÷ || samyagaasthaapanam buddhaeh Suddhae brahmani sarwadaa, tat samaadhaanam ityuktam natu chittasya laalanam || VC 27 Dr. Sarma@works 57

Self-settled ness • The constant concentration of intellect or the affirming faculty on the ever pure Brahman is what is called Samaadhaana or Selfsettled ness • Not mere indulgence of thought for a while out of curiosity • Not mere studying the truth to gain objective knowledge – It should give subjective experience. Dr. Sarma@works 58

¥ÁÅ¥ÁůÁÅœ €ÿÁÏ� § žÃžÊöÁþ à £þ ãþÁü ÚþÁ� Á¨Ãåœ þ÷ ¬Áí¬Áí§ÁƱ ©Á£ÍŸÊþÁ ¥É � ÁÅà¥Ãú × ¥ÁÅ¥ÁůÁÅœ || Ahamkaaraadi daehaantaa bandhaan ajnaana kalpitaan Swa swaroopa avabodhaena moktumichchaa mumukshutaa || VC 28 Dr. Sarma@works 59

Yearning for freedom • The strong desire or longing in the inner core to free or liberate oneself, by realizing one’s true nature, from all bondages of body, mind and egoism, super imposed due to ignorance. Goutama Buddhaa is the best example Dr. Sarma@works 60

The Essential Four 1. 2. 3. 4. Viveka – Discrimination of real and unreal Viraagya – Active renunciation of fruits of actions – aversion to sensual enjoyments Sama etc. , six 1. Sama/ Calmness- Antah karana restraint 2. Dama/ Self control– External gateways control 3. Uparati/ Inward withdrawal – Inactively active 4. Titiksha/ forbearence – Dharma raja example 5. Sraddha/ Faith/acceptance – Truth of instruction 6. Samaadhaanam/ self settledness – Identity with brahman Mumuksutwam – Intense yearning for liberation. Dr. Sarma@works 61

¡Áë³ žÊ©Á � ÁŧÍÐ ¥ÁÏžÁ ¥ÁŸÁê¥Á §ÁƱ ¡Ã ©Ë§ � Êê› ªÁ¥Á žÃþ , ¡Áë³ žÊ©Á � ÁŧÍÐ ¬Ê¦ÁÏ ¡Áë©ÁÇž ã ¬ÁƦÁœÊ ¢Á¨¥÷ || manda madhyama ruupaapi vairaagyaena Samaadinaa, prasaadaeva guroh saeyam pravriddhaa suuyatae phalam || VC 29 Dr. Sarma@works 62

It develops • Though torpid (dull) and mediocre • This yearning for freedom develops by means of vairaagya and sama and so on • May bear fruit due to perseverance • Of course by the grace of the Guru Dr. Sarma@works 63

Intense yearning • If the yearning for liberation is very intense • Sama and other practices, verily, become meaningful • His efforts bear fruit – indeed in a very short time Dr. Sarma@works 65

¥Á§Î ¬Á¨Ã¨©Áœ÷ ˆœÁ¦É §ÁéþÁ✠€œÁë ©Ã§Á� ÁàœÁí¥ÁÅ¥ÁůÁ¦É Ð ¥Á§Î ¬Á¨Ã¨©ÁœÁàœÁë ªÁ¥Á žÊ§ è ¬Á¥Á ªÃëœ || Etayoer mandataa atra viraktatwa mumukshayoeh marou salilavat tatra Samaadaerbhaa samaasritaa || VC 31 Dr. Sarma@works 66

Hypocrite • When the renunciation or vairagya is not perfect (pseudo vairagya) • Where the yearning for liberation is not intense and not from within • Then Sama and the other means (practices) are mere external appearances – • Like a mirage in a desert, they are in vain • Such pseudo-seekers are hypocrites Gita III- 06 : Karmaedriyani …. midhyacharaha …. Dr. Sarma@works 67

¤Á� Ãà§Ê©Á � Á§Ä¦Á¬Ä, ¥É ¯Á � §Á› ³ ¥Á� ëêÏ ¤Á� Ãà§Ê©Á Á§Ä¦Á¬Ä, � ¬Áí¬Áí§ÁƱ þÁŬÁþ ãþÁÏ ¤Á� Ãà§ÃœÁê¤ÃŸÄ¦ÁœÊ || moeksha kaarana saamagryaam bhaktiraeva gareeyasee, ³ íœÁéœÁœ àíþÁŬÁÏŸ þÁÏ ¤Á� Ãà§ÃœÁê¡Á§Ê ü� Áityabhidhiiyatae ÅÐ Swa swaroopa anusandhaanam bhaktir || swaatmatattwaanusamdhaanam bhaktirityaparae jaguh VC 32 Dr. Sarma@works 68

Bhakti alone is supreme • Among the things which culminate in liberation • Bhakti or devotion is the most essential requisite. What constitutes Bhakti ? • The seeking after ones real nature is bhakti – QM • The inquiry into the truth of one’s own Self is bhakti - Sankara • It is extreme love and longing for God- Narada • It is extreme attachment to Iswara - Sandilya Dr. Sarma@works 69

„¡Á¬ÄžÊžÁÅÓ§ÁÅÏ „� Áà ³ ŸÁþÁ¬ÁÏ¡ÁþÁä ¬ÁàœÁíüÃü Ú¬Áŧ œÁéþÁÐ, „¡Á¬ÄžÊžÁÅÓ§ÁÅÏ ± ëüÚÏ ¦Á³ éžÁçþÁã ©Ã¥É ¯Á›¥÷ || ukta saadhana sampanna statwa jijnaasur aatmanah, Upaseedaed gurum praajnam yasmaad bandha vimoekshaam || VC 33 Dr. Sarma@works 70

Duly approach the Guru • The seeker about the truth of Atman • Having made sure he possesses the means of attainment - described earlier – • Must duly approach a wise preceptor • Who confers on the seeker – emancipation from bondage Dr. Sarma@works 71

žÊªÃ� ÁÏ ªÍëœÃë¦É €©ÁÇüÃþÍ €� ¥ÁÿÁœÍ ¦É £ëÿÁé©ÃœÁà¥ÁÐ Srotriyoe avrijino akaamahato yoe brahmavittamah VC 34 Dr. Sarma@works 72

Real Guru • • Dr. Sarma@works Who is well versed in Vedas Sinless Unsmitten by desire Knower of Brahman par excellence Continued… 73

žÊªÃ� ÁÏ £ëÿÁé›Åê¡Á§ÁœÁÐ ª þÍà þçÃþÁãþÁ ‚© þÁ¨Ð €ÿÊœÁÅ� ÁžÁ¦Á ¬ÃþÁÅã§ÁçÏŸÁŧ þ Á¥Áœ Ï ¬Áœ ¥÷ || brahmanyuparatah Saanto nirindhana ivaanalah Ahaetuka dayaasindhur bandhur aanamataam sataam || VC 35 Dr. Sarma@works 74

Real Guru • • • Dr. Sarma@works Who has withdrawn himself into Brahman Who is calm Like fire that has consumed its fuel Who is boundless reservoir of mercy Who knows no reason to debar any one Friend of good seekers who surrender This sloka is direct adoptation from Sruti 75

¡ÁÇúÊל÷ œÁ¥Á § ŸÁê � ÁŧÁÅÏ ¤Á� àê ¡ÁëÿÁí¡ÁëªÁë¦Á¬Ê©ÁþËÐ, ¡Áë¬ÁþÁäÏ œÁ¥ÁþÁű ë¡Áê ¡ÁÇúÊל÷ ü ÚœÁ©Áê ¥Á œÁéþÁÐ || tamaaraadhya gurum bhaktyaa prahwa prasraya saevanaih, prasannam tam anupraapya prichchaet jnaatavyam aatmanah || VC 36 Dr. Sarma@works 76

Should inquire • When ? – – After complete self surrender Devoid of any ego – prostration etc. . After pleasing the guru with due service Taking care to be very humble and with humility • What ? – What the seeker really ought to know – Means the knowledge of Atma Jnana Dr. Sarma@works 77

³ í¥ÃþÁä¥Á¬Êà þÁœÁ¨Í� Á£þÍã �§ÁÅ›ê¬ÃþÍã ¡ÁœÃœÁÏ ¤Á© £Îã, ¥Á ¥ÁÅžÁ㧠œÄé¦Á� Áý ¯ Swaamin namastae nataloka bandho ÁžÁÇ´ Ûê Kaarunya sindho patitam bhava abdhou, †ü íêœÃ� §ÁÅ›ê Maam|| uddhara atmeeya kataaksha drishtyaa ¬ÁÅŸ ¤Ã©ÁÇ´ Ûê VC 37 Rijwyaati kaarunya sudhaabhi vrishtyaa || Dr. Sarma@works 78

Seekers prayer Oh ! Respected Master, • You are indeed very friendly to the humble • You are the ocean of mercy • My obeisance to thee • Fallen I am into this ocean of Samsara • Please lift me up with thy graceful glance • Thy grace supreme is indeed nectarine A characteristic oriental hyperbolic expression Dr. Sarma@works 79

The helpless state • I am caught in this unending fire of world-forest* • Shaken violently by the gales of duradrusta** (untoward forces) • Terrified and so, seeking refuge in thee • For, I know not any alternative and safe shelter • Save me from this every day death (misery) *Samsaara is called Daava anala (wild forest fire) **Duradrusta is the summated effect of yester deeds Tapatraya = the three types of misery Dr. Sarma@works 81

¥ÁÿÁþÍà ª Ïœ ¥ÁÿÁþÍà þéÁ¬ÁþÃà ¬ÁþÍà ©Á¬ÁþÁà©Á¨Íìì� Á ÿÃœÁÏ úÁ§ÁþÁàÐ, œÄ§ ßÐ ¬Áí¦ÁÏ Saantaa mahanto nivasanti santo ¤Ä¥Á¤Á© §Áß©ÁÏ üþ vasantavalloka hitam charantah, þÁ ÿÊœÁÅþ þ êþÁ¡Ã œ §Á¦ÁþÁàÐ || teernaah swayam bheema bhavaarnavam janaa VC 39 Dr. Sarma@works na haetunaanyaanapi taarayantah || 82

Attributes of the Great Sir, I firmly believe, You are • A great soul* , calm, composed and magnanimous • Bring good to others like the Spring – unasked for • You, yourself have skillfully and practically crossed this dreadful ocean of Samsaara • And also ready to help others in crossing the same • You don't have any motive whatsoever – and show no difference towards the seekers. *Man who experienced the Para-apara Brahman Dr. Sarma@works 83

¬ÁÅŸ ϪÁÅ §Ê «ÁÐ €¦ÁÏ ¬Áí¤ ©ÁÐ ¬ÁíœÁ ˆ©Á ¦ÁœÁå§Á ªÁë¥Á ¡ÁþÍžÁ¡Áë©Á›Ï ¥ÁöÁœÁéþ ¥÷ ¬ÁÅŸ ϪÁÅ §Ê «ÁÐ ayam swabhaavah swata yaeva yatpara ¬Áí¦Á¥Á§ÁÑ� Á§ÁѪÁ Sramaapanoda pravanam mahaatmanaam ¡Áë¤ ¤Ã œÁ± à¥Á©ÁœÃ sudhaamsu raeshah swayam arka karkasa VC 40 ¯ÃœÃÏ � è || prabhaabhi taptaam avati kshitim kila || Dr. Sarma@works 84

The Magnanimous The magnanimous – • On their own accord make effort to help others overcome any trouble • Like the moon – who, unasked for, grants his cool and pleasing shower of light • And voluntarily saves the parched earth and its scorched inhabitants – from the flames of the Sun. The earlier example of Spring also is similar Dr. Sarma@works 85

¡Áë¤Í ¬Äí� ÁÇœ Ð VC 41 £ëöÁéþÁÏžÁ§Á³ þÁŤÁÆœÃ� Á¨ÃœËÐ ¡ÁõœËÐ ¬ÁŪĜ˧ÁÅêœË §ÁÅê «Áéž í� ÁѨªÍüÃÙœËÐ ªÁÅëœÃ¬ÁŎ˧ í� ê¥ÁÇœËÐ ¬ÊúÁ¦Á ¬ÁÏœÁ¡ÁàÏ ¤Á©Áœ ¡Á ž ©ÁžÁÿÁþÁ Brahmaananda rasaanubhuuti kalitaih pootaih suseetairyutai ü í¨ ¤Ã§ÊþÁÏ ¡Áë¤Í Ryushmad vaakkalasojjitaih sruti sukhair vaakyaamritaih saechaya ŸÁþ ê¬Êà ¤Á©ÁžÄ¯Á›¯Á› � ÁœÊÐ samtaptam bhavataapa daavadahana jwaalaabhir ± œÄë� ÁÇœ Ð ¬Äí� ÁÇœ Ð || yaenam prabho dhanyaastae bhavadeekshana gataeh paatreekritaah sweekritaah || Dr. Sarma@works 86

Metaphor Oh ! Lord – what can I say ! • Your speech itself is nectar – for its sweetness comes from your tasting of the Brahmaananda • It is cool and emanates in streams from thy lips as though from a pitcher of honey • Very delightful to the ear – • I am longing to be drenched in it – for I am tormented by the wild flames of worldly afflictions • Blessed are those who are accepted by you even for a passing glance of thy enlightened eyes. Stripped of its metaphor – the sloka means – take pity on me and teach me the way out of this worldly misery. Dr. Sarma@works 87

End of Part – I Continued in Part - II Dr. Sarma@works 88