|| Shree Hari ||

Benefits of an Unwavering Aim

उद्देश्यकी दृढ़तासे लाभ

continued.....

When we go to Badrinarayan then on the way we come across many great places,  then too we do not stay there for a long time,  and even if we come across very ordinary places along the way, then too we do not stop the journey. Our move ahead continues.   Even if the worst of worst roads come along the way,  even if there is treacherous climb,  even if the sun is beating down hard,  even if we are sweating, then too we continue to march forward.  And further ahead if the road is gorgeous,  the forest have fragrant flowers,  or dark clouds are hanging overhead,  the cold winds are blowing, then too we continue to march ahead.   The thoughts don’t come in the mind that this is a good place,  there is fragrance in the flowers,  therefore let me halt, and stay here.   The reason being that this is not our aim, our goal.  

On the way, whether a place is good or bad,  it is all only the path; but we are interested in reaching the destination (aim, goal) Badrinarayan.  In the same way, whether the situation is favorable or unfavorable,  it is about the direction (our intent), that  we have to realize God.   No matter what situation or circumstance we are faced with, there should be nothing lacking in our “bhajan”.   Like this, if our aim remains single-pointed and unflinching,  then perfection will take place very quickly by God’s grace.   We will not have to exert for our accomplishment.  From God’s side, in showering His grace, he has not left anything out.    Just as a calf drinks milk from one of the mother cow’s udders,  even though God has blessed the cow with four udders.  In the same way,   God is showering His grace on us, from all four sides.  We have only to become his instrument.   God says to Arjun ‒

मयैवैते निहताः पूर्वमेव निमित्तमात्रं भव सव्यसाचिन् ॥

                       (गीता ११ । ३३)

Maiyaivaite nijataah poorvameva nimittmaatam bhava savyasaachin" (Gita 11/33) "

All these have already been slain by me. O' Brave Warrior ! You should become a mere instrument."

and ‒

            मया हतांस्तवं जहि मा व्यथिष्ठा-

              युध्यस्व जेतासि रणे सपत्नान् ॥

                                                                 (गीता ११ । ३४)

mayā hatāṁstvaṁ jahi mā vyathiṣṭhā

yudhyasva jetāsi raṇe sapatnān

‘Slay Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Jayadratha, Karṇa and other brave warriors, who are already doomed to be killed by Me.  Fear not, you will surely conquer your enemies in the battle (without any doubt), therefore fight.  ।’

The war was in front of Arjun,  therefore God says to him,  that you become merely an instrument,  fight the war,  you will surely win.  In the same way,  there are spiritual disciplines in front of us;  therefore becoming a mere instrument,  if we do our spiritual practices,  then there will surely be victory over this life.  In this world, if we do not have attraction, attachment,  desires, and remain careful and alert,  than this itself is being “nimmit” merely an instrument.   God says to Arjun, that all these brave warriors have been killed by Me from the beginning,  in the same way, this attraction etc,  have been slain by Me from the very beginning.   They are non-existent.   We only have given it existence.   This life is  constantly moving towards non-existence ‒‘नासतो विद्यते भावः’ and God is ever attained ‒‘नाभावो विद्यते सतः’ That which is eternally non-existent, we have to quieten it -  and that which is ever attained, we have to attain it.

Narayan ! Narayan !! Narayan !!!

   From book ‘Jin Khoja Tin Paayiyaa’ by Swami Ramsukhdasji