Atma Bodha - Post 7

Dear All,

Let us get deeper into the meaning of the first verse.

The Spiritual Meaning:

Purifying oneself through Austerities / Tapas

Tapas is any Sadhana which is undertaken to make the mind turn inward, to make it introspective and thereby suitable for inner reflection. 

This definition clarifies the popular meaning of the word which is taken to mean severe austerities. 

It is not what we DO that describes Tapas, but with what attitude we do it. This is an important distinction. 

Much of what passes as Tapas could in fact be pure expression of the ego wanting to gain acclaim in this manner.

Understanding the word to mean as defined above, such Tapas purifies one of all impurities. To purify oneself is the object of undergoing any Tapas. 

Having undergone Tapas, one gets the necessary purity of mind or Chitta Shuddhi to begin the path of Jnana Yoga or Vedanta that is to follow in the rest of the text.

Forms of Tapas:

The study of the Shastras is itself a Tapas, for it removes much of our impurities. The study of the Shastras never goes in vain. 

Austerities involve some form of self-denial. There are numerous kinds of Tapas. As already mentioned the common feature of true Tapas is that it must turn the mind within towards contemplation of the Self. The initial fruit is Chitta Shuddhi. This is the criterion for gauging the benefit of Tapas.

The term “kshee” is used to indicate that our sins have to be “decayed”. By decaying they will die off. They will, of course, be removed totally only through Jnana, which is still to come, but the bulk of the gross impurity is cleared by Tapas.

Sin is not an action in itself as explained earlier. It is the tendency to live and think negatively, which is left over in our mind as a result of our own wrong actions.

These sinful tendencies become week (Ksheena) whenwe practice self control over a period of time

Shanti or Peacefulness

Tapas eventually renders the mind calm and peaceful. Shaantanaam refers to those who are peaceful. Only such persons can see the defects of cravings; they are the persons described by the word Veetaraaginaam. 

Mumukshoonaam

When cravings for the objects of the world is removed by seeing the defects in them, then the desire for liberation grows in direct proportion. Persons with such desire for God are called as Mumuksh00naam in the verse.

Sadhana Chatusthaya is implied indirectly in this verse: Veetaragi is Vairagya, which comes from Viveka. 

Shanta sums up all the virtues under Shad Sampati. 

And Mumukshutwa is, of course, the fourth item that completes the Sadhana Chatushtaya.

(As much as 10 posts have been taken to explain "Sadhana Chatushtaya" in the theme "Vedas and Vedanta". Link for the first of the 10 posts is given below

https://bhaktirah.blogspot.com/2017/06/introduction-to-vedas-and-vedanta-part.html

After reading this post, readers may proceed to read all its subsequent 9 posts to get a clear insight of sadhana chatushtaya which is a prerequisite for a spiritual seeker in the path of Jnana.)

This verse does not disqualify those who have not cleansed themselves of their sins, have developed a serene and peaceful mind, who have taken up the sadhana chatushtaya and have developed intense craving for liberation.

It rather motivates a reader to start looking inward, to know where he is, as per the requirements specified so that he starts improving himself, starts moving away from negative tendencies and makes efforts to be worth enough to take up such a treatise sincerely.

Love.