|| Shri Hari ||

Taking Refuge in Gita

continued....

Taking refuge in the Lord (Sharanagati) is a very easy spiritual discipline.  Like a man taking a nap,  does not need to make any effort,  nor exert,  nor remember anything,  nor do anything,  rather all he does is leave everything.  When he leaves everything, then sleep naturally comes on its own.  Similarly,   on having no pride in his strength,  intellect, knowledge,  abilities etc., no reliance on anything, “sharanagati”  will take place on its own.  Man does not need to do anything  for it.   The reason being, in fact all beings are under the shelter of God.     God regards everyone has his very own -  

“sab mama priye sab mama upajaaye”  (Manas,  Utter.   86/2).  

However, out of pride,  “jeev”  (embodied soul)   becomes distant from God,  in other words,  he feels he is distant from God.   Therefore taking the support of one’s own strength,  abilities, class,  stage in life, etc,  is the main obstacle in taking refuge.   If pride does not leave, then,  cry out to the Lord, and pray to the Lord -  He Naath!  O’  Lord!  I want to leave pride, but I cannot leave it,   what should I do!”  Then He will make you leave it.   The work that is difficult for you,  is most easy for God.    Therefore if you see any flaws in you,  then call out only to the Lord.   Do not give emphasis to your flaws,  give important only to “sharanagati”.     On giving importance to “sharanagati”, the flaws will automatically go away.  

A devotee that has taken refuge in God,  for him the spiritual practice is also God and the end goal, is also God and the accomplishment is also God.  Therefore,   in Gita,  the Lord has given the allegiance of both Karmayog and Jnanayog,  but he has not shared the allegiance of Bhaktiyog.   The reason being that the practitioners of both Karmayog and Jnanayog,  have their own allegiance and adherance.   But a devotee does not have his own allegiance,  rather it is the allegiance of God only.   A devotee is not  intent on spiritual practices, rather he is intent on only God.

    (continued....)

 

From book in hindi “Jit Dekhu Titi Tu” by Swami Ramsukhdasji