Hari OM
'Text-days' are for delving into the
words and theory of Advaita Vedanta
SAADHANA PANCHAKAM.
FIVE VERSES ON SPIRITUAL PRACTICE. Written by Sri Adi
Shankaraachaarya. Please click on the relevant label and ensure to review the
posts till date.
Now we come to shloka three.
वाक्यार्थश्च विचार्यतां श्रुतिशिरःपक्षः समाश्रीयतां
दुस्तर्कात् सुविरम्यतां श्रुतिमतस्तर्कोऽनुसंधीयताम्।
ब्रह्मासीति विभाव्यतां अहरहर्गर्वः परित्यज्यतां
देहेऽह्ंमतिरुझ्यतां बुधजनैर्वादः परित्यज्यताम्॥ ॥३॥
vAkyArthashca
vicAryatAM shrutishiraHpaxaH samAshriiyatAM
dustarkAt
suviramyatAM shrutimatastarko.anusandhiiyatAm.
brahmAsiiti
vibhAvyatAM aharahargarvaH parityajyatAM
dehe.ahMmatirujhyatAM
budhajanairvAdaH parityajyatAm.. ..3..
Reflect ever upon the meaning of the Upanishadic commandments and...
take refuge in the Truth of Brahman
Avoid Perverse arguments
Follow the discriminative rationale of Shruti
Be absorbed in the attitude "I am Brahman"
Renounce Pride
Give up the idea "I am the body"
Give up arguments with the wise
Sri Adi Shankaraachaarya-ji was supreme in his lucid and succinct
presentation of instruction. It shows in
his higher teachings also, but here in the five jewels of saadhana we find the
very epitome of concise presentation of the essentials to be worked upon in the
life of spiritual pursuit. In shloka one it was the basics to be incorporated
into daily life. In shloka two the
greater focus required to give life solid meaning. Here we now enter the intense and committed
purpose of spiritual living.
Paada One
Reflect ever upon the meaning of the
Upanishadic commandments. Immediate we find the flow direct from the
last paada of shloka two. In that statement we were asked to listen...shravanam. It is not the simple
hearing of the words spoken, but full listening is to absorb as the sounds are
heard and store them well for this stage now given which is to reflect...mananam. Indeed, the experienced
shishya is so alert and attentive in shravanam that mananam happens almost
instantaneously. That same experienced
shishya understands that there ought to be no distraction from shravanam - even
mananam! The rumination, cogitation,
assessment and inquiry must be reserved until all the relevant information of
the day has been received.
How often do we leave from a discussion with only partial (if any
recall) of what was actually said? Mananam can only lead to problems and wrong
conclusions if at first the shravanam has been at fault. If, during study or lecture we have half our
mind thinking on, say, the speaker themselves rather than what they are saying,
or worse still, on the shopping which must be done afterwards, we can miss so much of value.
There are those who say "oh but I just record the lecture and
listen again later." However, if during that 'later' there are other
distractions such as preparing a meal or the party next door, is this any
better? Recording and taking notes are a
good support for memory prompt, but the best of students are so present in the
lectures or in their reading that relistening or rereading become almost
unnecessary and are used simply to clarify or confirm understanding. Thus it is
within the last of shloka two and the first of shloka three that we find one of
the most powerful pointers to the need for 'presence of mind'.
Only if the listening has been strong can the mananam reach the
depths which will lift the student's being.
What are 'the commandments' referred to in this paada, though? वाक्याः/vaakyaaH are the sentences and passages of
such import in shruti that they are often quoted outwith the texts in which
they are found. There are many; but from each Veda comes one महावाकयाः/mahaavaakya or 'great statement'. Each
represents an understanding of the Ultimate Truth in stages;
- प्रज्ञानं ब्रह्मा/prajnaanam brahmaa (definition of Truth = 'consciousness
is Brahman')
- तत्त्वं असी/tat tvam asii (instruction/advice of the guru to the
shishya = 'that thou art')
- अयं आत्मा ब्रह्मा /ayam aatma brahmaa (statement of direct experience =
'this atman is Brahman')
- अहं ब्रह्मास्मी/aham brahmaasmii (statement of the realised soul = 'I
am Brahman')
These mahaavaakyas will be getting studied fuller and at great
length at later stages of study, but all who approach Vedanta will hear them
often and they are used at first to keep the mind focused on the goal.
It is worth pointing out that complete understanding of the BMI
chart and how we relate to body, mind, intellect versus our higher natures is
essential now. This is where we have to integrate the concept that the presence
we refer to as 'God' is pure consciousness; that same awareness is what we are;
that the individual soul expression of consciousness is nothing but Brahman
and, finally, acceptance of total unity within that Universal Consciousness.
Almost too huge to contemplate?
NO! ...and that is exactly what these instructions request. Right now
these statements can seem abstract. We
may even find there is a fear arising at the prospect of raising ourselves to
such heights.
Yet, if we follow each step and the guidance of those who have gone
before, we can reach places we never thought possible.
Paada Two.
Take refuge in the Truth of Brahman.
If, now, we are feeling limited and intensely mortal, we must trust fully the
instinct which has brought us even this far. Until we are able to recognise our
fullness of Being, we can latch onto our personal God, in whichever guise we
prefer. We must do so, though, in the
understanding that all such are representations of that One Consciousness, just
as we, the individualised ego-selves, are. Keep working on the concept of the
one divinity, the One True Self, being our own Self and the Self in every thing
we perceive.
ॐ तत् सत् /OM TAT SAT.
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