Kindle the Lamp of Life

The knowledge of Brahman can be attained only with the grace of the Guru, and not by penance practiced over thousands of years. An unlit lamp cannot light itself without having contact of an already kindled lamp, irrespective of the amount of oil or number of wicks it has. Similarly, the darkness of our ignorant heart is not dispelled as long as it does not come into contact with the enlightened heart of a Brahmajnani saint. It is hence that Lord Krishna has said:

Tadwidhidhi pranipathen pariprashnen sevaya

‘Understand the true nature of that knowledge by approaching the enlightened ones; prostrate at their feet, render service to them and question them with an open and guileless heart….’
(The Gita: 4.34)

The Lord could have just said ‘question the enlightened ones’. Why did he use the words ‘prostrate’ and ‘render service to them’? A question by itself will only invite a response in words, but if it is accompanied by prostration and service, then the words will be backed with the saint’s resolve, guidance and experience.

It is one thing to read and listen to Vedanta, and another to internalize it. A worthy recipient, a son or a disciple of a self-realized saint are considered to be eligible for Vedanta, but if the son lacks faith or discipleship and looks upon the saint as his father, he will fail to assimilate his grace. That was the reason why Eknathji’s son could not assimilate his grace whereas his disciples did.

The preceptor of the gods, Brihaspati, instructed his son Kacha to renounce everything if he wanted to attain (the state of ) immortality Kacha came down to the world of mortal beings, renounced everything, and lived in caves and caverns for eight years. When Brihaspati came to him, he worshipped him as a Guru. He said, “Lord! I have renounced everything. Is there anything for me to do now?” Brihaspati left saying, “Renounce everything.” Kacha then renounced his loincloth as well. At times he would eat some roots and tubers or go without anything practicing penance. Three years later, Brihaspati came again. Kacha worshipped him with great reverence and said, “I have still not attained immortality. The immortal being is the Absolute Brahman. The rest all is relative.” The father instructed, “Renounce whatever is yours.”

The instruction was backed with resolve as well, but why wasn’t the resolve made earlier? That was because the disciple’s heart was not ripe (free from passions) then. The preconsidered notions are eradicated with the gradual purification of the mind. Seeds are useful only when used on tilled land, and not on concrete roads. Similarly, the precepts of saints are lodged in our hearts with the gradual purification of our heart through devotional faith and discrimination. Just as a clean cloth is thoroughly stained with a coloring solution which then loses its whiteness, similarly the resolves of the self-realized saints penetrate only those discriminative hearts endowed with faith and devotion. There will be then no trace of the individual soul (Jivatva). It becomes one with the Absolute (Brahman). People will see great tasks being carried out by you, but you will not feel any sense of doership. Your mind will be dyed with the color of the absolute. An enlightened one may appear to be angry, fighting or renouncing, but in himself he is neither an angry man, a warrior, nor a renouncer.

‘My master is an expert Dyer.
He has colored my veil,
By washing, which fades not,
But becomes brighter day by day.’