Sadhana Karu Pyare is a unique philosophical compilation set in 54
lines and arranged in the form of couplets (dohas). In these lines, Shree
Maharajji has summarized the entire philosophy of the knowledge of God and Guru
(Philosophy of Divine Love).
Swamiji explained the complete set of 54 lines at the Puri Sadhana
Shivir in 2008, which we will reproduce in this series.
sādhanā karu sādhanā karu sādhanā karu pyāre
sādhanā karu sādhanā karu sādhanā karu pyāre
O Dear Soul ! Please do Sadhana (devotional practice)
O Dear Soul ! Please do Sadhana (devotional practice)
In this verse, Shree Maharajji says '"Pyare" or "Dear
One"! Now who is the dear one? Is it the animals or the birds or is it the
celestial Gods? Here, "Dear" means, "Dear humans",
"Dear devotees". He is advising us strongly to do spiritual practice.
We have got this human life only to do devotion (Sadhana). Just observe that
all other living forms have a horizontal or inclined spinal columns. Only human
beings have vertical spinal columns. This is symbolic of the fact that we
humans have the opportunity to elevate ourselves upwards, through the power of
knowledge. Hence, Shree Maharajji says, an individual has got this rare
opportunity to uplift oneself spiritually by practicing devotion.
The scriptures say -
durlabham mānuṣham janm prārthyate tridaśhairapi
There are 8.4 million species on earth and the human form of life is
the rarest amongst them. It is so rare that even celestial Gods long to attain
the human form. So do not waste this life in fulfilling the desires of these
material senses. We have been doing this since eternity as we transmigrated in
the 8.4 million forms.
āhār nidrā bhay maithunañch sāmānyametatpaśhubhirnarāṇām
Even animals pursue the pleasures of eating, sleeping, defending and
procreation. We have got this rarest of opportunities of having acquired a
human body, and we must attempt to rise above the level of these four basic
activities, by using our intellect. If we know the importance of this
form of life then we will not waste even a single moment of it.
kṣhaṇārdhamapi vyarthe naneyam
Chanakya Pandit said: The biggest mistake and act of ignorance in our
lives is that moment when we forgot to remember Shree Krishna. We lose
that moment and it never comes back. So, we have to speedily progress
towards attaining the goal of human life. This is our golden opportunity and we
can make full use of it by utilizing every moment in remembering God. One day,
we will have to leave this human body and go, whether we like it or not. This
body will never remain with us.
Shree Maharajji says:
avasar bītyo jāt are man
We are asleep in an illusionary trance created by our own mind. We are
approaching death everyday and yet we cheerfully celebrate our birthday. We do
not realize that each day which is passing by, is not a joyful moment, but a
matter of regret, that so much time has passed away and very little remains.
So, without further delay and realizing that this body is temporary, we should
start doing Sadhana from this moment.
Some people say "Swamiji! You are right, we should surrender
ourselves to God but we will do it tomorrow." Those who says like this can
never surrender to God. Their tomorrow never comes. We have only today,
not even today but "now". The present is in our hands.
jo kal karanā hai so āj kar, jo āj karanā hai so ab
pal mein paralay hoyagī, pherī karegā kab
This present moment is the only gateway to reach God. The past has
gone; future has not yet arrived, So we have to do devotion in this present
time. We all have got such a beautiful and convenient atmosphere here in
Jaganath Puri to do Sadhana. In the olden days, people use to go for pilgrimage
on foot. About 500 years ago, Shree Chaitainaya Mahaprabhu did padayatra
(walked on foot) through the whole of south India and proceeded to Dwarika
(Gujarat) before coming back to Puri. It took him two years to complete his
journey. But these days, we get everything so easily. The austere practices
people do today is nothing compared to the olden days. Yet, we do not attempt
to do Sadhana because of inconveniences it brings to us. Sadhana is the pursuit
of beating the mind and its fancies. We have to overcome the difficulties and
discomfort faced during Sadhana by fighting the mind. We have spent countless
lifetimes thinking about ways to attain happiness. Our mind does not like any
discomfort. Shree Krishna said in Bhagavad Geeta:
mātrāsparśhā tu kauntey śhītoṣhṇ sukh dukhadāḥ āgamāpāyino
nityāstānstitikṣhasv bhārataḥ
A true sadhak is one who continues spiritual practice even in adverse
situations.
Shree Krishna says, "O Arjun!" Cold, heat, happiness and
sorrow - we experience these sensations because our material senses come in
contact with the external world. But the one who remains undisturbed and calm
in his mind always realizes the fact that he is not a mortal body but a Soul.
He always keeps increasing his tolerance. In our daily life, we use many
luxurious and convenient objects to make our lives comfortable. We have been
enjoying these material comforts and will continue to enjoy. Real Sadhana
is when you stop complaining about external interferences, pain and discomforts
and continue to remember God under all conditions.
Thank you for this inspiring lecture. Meditation retreats are always uplifting and blissful.
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