|| Shri Hari ||
Taking Refuge in Gita
continued....
In reality, the things are not ours, rather the one who gives them is ours. We have to only take refuge of that one Lord.
In fact, we all are only God’s from time immemorial, we are in His shelter only. Therefore no man can say that out of my own will I have taken birth with these parents, and I can get the things I desire, and the situations that I want. The reason being that this is all in God’s hands. Our will does not work in this, rather it is God’s will only.
Kari Gopal ki sab hoyi |
jo apanou purushaarth maanat, ati jhuto hai soyi ||
Sadhak, mantra, jantra, udyam, bal, ye sab daarou dhoyi |
Jo kuch likhi raakhi nandanandan, meti sakai nahin koyi ||
Dukh-sukh, laabh-alaabh sumjhi tum, katahin marat houn royi |
soordaas swami karunaamaya, syaam-charan man poyi ||
(Survinay. 276)
Everything is done by God only; because from time immemorial He has taken us in His shelter. Now we only have to accept His shelter (sharanagati). We have to accept His will, whatever He wishes, we must accept.
From God’s side, we are all His only -
“mamaivaansho jeevaloke” (Gita 15/7),
“sab mama priya sab mama upajaaye” (Mana, Utter. 86/2).
However, from our side, we became of this world. Thus, in fact, we do not have to take refuge in God, rather we have to renounce the shelter of this world. We have to accept our mistake. Even Arjuna’s mistake was corrected on listening to Gita and he recollected that -
“I am only God’s from time immemorial”.
Arjuna says -
Nashto moha smrutirlabdhaa tvatprasaadaanmayaachyut |
Sthitosmi gatasandeha karishye vachanam tava ||
(Gita 18/73)
O’ Lord ! By Your grace my delusion is obliterated, as the memory is established. I am now firmly grounded, and without any doubts. I shall do as You say.
God said -
“Sarvadharmaan parityajya maamekum sharanam vraj”
“Give up dependence on all duties and surrender completely to Me. Seek refuge in Me alone.”
and to this Arjuna said -
“I shall do as you say.”
The meaning of this is that after taking refuge, man’s work is to follow the Lord’s command.
In karmayog, the sentiments are one of the mind being free of desires. In Jnanayog, the self is retained and in Bhaktiyog, there is sweet memories of mine-ness (my very own) with the Lord, and this relationship has been so from time immemorial.
A karmayogi has an eternal relationship with God, a jnanayogi has an intrinsic relationship and a devotees that has taken refuge in God, there is intimacy with Him, (a feeling of my very own). In eternal relationship, the worldly temporary relationship is renounced. In elemental relationship there is oneness with the elemental Essence (self realization) and in an intimate relationship, there is inseparability with God (Love). In eternal relationship there is relish of peace, in elemental relationship there is unbroken relish, in intimate relationship there is everlasting, eternal relish. Without attaining that eternal relish, a being’s hunger is not entirely satisfied. Attainment of eternal relish is possible due to taking refuge in God. Therefore surrendering to the Lord is the best of all spiritual practices.
(continued....)
From book in hindi “Jit Dekhu Titi Tu” by Swami Ramsukhdasji