Continued...
I was unable to complete this, by 18th July, as my husband was down with fever and I took time off to take care of him... Nevertheless, I will complete this, and I trust you enjoy reading it as much I enjoy writting this..
An example
Narada went to Bhagavan Sanatkumara for initiation. Sanatkumara said, 'Tell me first what you know;then I shall decide what is to be taught.' At this Narada gave a detailed list of what he had studied. None of the principal scriptural texts were left out. He had come to Sanatkumara after finishing the studies of all the major scriptures. He said he had read Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, Atharva Veda, the six Vedangas; also all the principal puranas(eightteen), and many texts dealing with secular branches of learning. In spite of so much learning he said, 'I and not in peace, neither am I satisfied. I still feel discontented. This sense of unfulfilment is probably the cause of my mental unrest.' 'Well, Narada,' said Sanatkumara, 'I understand that you have studied quite a lot. But what you know are only some words. You have become a master of words; but you do not know yourself. You are not an atmavid. Only a knower of the Self overcomes grief. since you are not an atmavid, a knower of one's Real Nature, you have been overpowered by grief.' Then Narada humbly said, 'Bhagavan, kindly impart me that knowledge by which I can get rid of all misery.'
Moral of the Above Story
What does this story suggest? It suggests that it is necessary to prepare the ground of one's mind before initiation. It is no use sowing seeds without preparing the soil. The soil must be properly tilled, and manure must be spread beforehand. If the seed is sown after that, it grows well. But if we sow the seeds without tilling the soil and without adding manure, will there be a good crop? No. Similarly, careful preparation is required before receiving spiritual initiation. This preparedness conduces to success. This must be kept in mind.
Most humbly, I want to touch another point. There is no end to this preparation. Before taking the name of God, before receiving the mantra, the soil of our mind has to be processed. Unless the mind is pure, the mantra will not be effective. The mind has to be prepared through the practice of good conduct, humility, sraddha, and tru yearning.
Have True Yearning
If there is a genuine urge in the mind for taking the name of God, the result of initiation will be higly rewarding. There is a beautiful simile given by Sri Ramakrishna. The oyster eagerly awaits with it's mouth open. If a drop of rain falling during the ascendancy of the Swati constellation enters, the oyster closes its mouth, goes to the bottom of the ocean and turns it inot a pearl. Spiritual initiation is just like this drop of water in association with the star Swati. Before having initiation, one must keep one's heart open to receive that Truth with great yearning like an oyster. Only then will the mantra be effective in life.
Have Sraddha
We always say, even at the time of initiation, that without devotion and faith it does not become fruitful. Hence we must have faith. One has to receive the mantra with sraddha. Only then the mantra, like a seed, will sprout and flourish into a full grown tree, bearing flowers and fruits. Hence it must be borne in mind that preparedness before receiving the spiritual initiation is mandatory. In fact, nothing in spiritual life can be achieved without preparation.
The scriptures recommend that a spiritual seeker must approach the guru for learning the ideal by being serviceful, humble, with selfless devotion, making himself pure and blemishless. Why is so much importance laid in the scriptures on preparedness? the reason is, the moment is an invaluable one, when the name of God is presented to us. Receiving that holy name in our heart with faith and devotion and concentrating our mind on it, f we can dive deep into our being, like the oyster, and remain engrossed in it, the most valuable gem will take shape within us. This is to be especially borne in mind. We get this lesson from the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna.
Be Humble
In the Bhagavad Gita also it said,'This is never to be spoken by you to one who is devoid of austerities of devotion, nor to one who does not render service, not to one who cavils at Me' (18.67)
Why have these categories of people been excluded" Because the field (of their mind) is not prepared. The criteria mentioned earlier are only preparatory steps. Once the field is ready, one develops love for the name of God. This is to remembered by both - those who are seeking diksha and also those already initiated. Hence it is said in the scriptures that one must be humble, inclined to serve and must keep one's life as pure and stainless as possible.
Before being initiated, our hearts are to be purified to receive initiation. Before installing the diety, the temple and its surrounding must be well cleaned. Then only can we think of the installation ceremony. Receiving mantra signifies installation of God in one's life. all preparations are aimed at this only. Without compliance to these conditions, or even being indifferent to them, we cannot really install God in our heart. This must be especially borne in mind.
To be continued....
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I was unable to complete this, by 18th July, as my husband was down with fever and I took time off to take care of him... Nevertheless, I will complete this, and I trust you enjoy reading it as much I enjoy writting this..
An example
Narada went to Bhagavan Sanatkumara for initiation. Sanatkumara said, 'Tell me first what you know;then I shall decide what is to be taught.' At this Narada gave a detailed list of what he had studied. None of the principal scriptural texts were left out. He had come to Sanatkumara after finishing the studies of all the major scriptures. He said he had read Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, Atharva Veda, the six Vedangas; also all the principal puranas(eightteen), and many texts dealing with secular branches of learning. In spite of so much learning he said, 'I and not in peace, neither am I satisfied. I still feel discontented. This sense of unfulfilment is probably the cause of my mental unrest.' 'Well, Narada,' said Sanatkumara, 'I understand that you have studied quite a lot. But what you know are only some words. You have become a master of words; but you do not know yourself. You are not an atmavid. Only a knower of the Self overcomes grief. since you are not an atmavid, a knower of one's Real Nature, you have been overpowered by grief.' Then Narada humbly said, 'Bhagavan, kindly impart me that knowledge by which I can get rid of all misery.'
Moral of the Above Story
What does this story suggest? It suggests that it is necessary to prepare the ground of one's mind before initiation. It is no use sowing seeds without preparing the soil. The soil must be properly tilled, and manure must be spread beforehand. If the seed is sown after that, it grows well. But if we sow the seeds without tilling the soil and without adding manure, will there be a good crop? No. Similarly, careful preparation is required before receiving spiritual initiation. This preparedness conduces to success. This must be kept in mind.
Most humbly, I want to touch another point. There is no end to this preparation. Before taking the name of God, before receiving the mantra, the soil of our mind has to be processed. Unless the mind is pure, the mantra will not be effective. The mind has to be prepared through the practice of good conduct, humility, sraddha, and tru yearning.
Have True Yearning
If there is a genuine urge in the mind for taking the name of God, the result of initiation will be higly rewarding. There is a beautiful simile given by Sri Ramakrishna. The oyster eagerly awaits with it's mouth open. If a drop of rain falling during the ascendancy of the Swati constellation enters, the oyster closes its mouth, goes to the bottom of the ocean and turns it inot a pearl. Spiritual initiation is just like this drop of water in association with the star Swati. Before having initiation, one must keep one's heart open to receive that Truth with great yearning like an oyster. Only then will the mantra be effective in life.
Have Sraddha
We always say, even at the time of initiation, that without devotion and faith it does not become fruitful. Hence we must have faith. One has to receive the mantra with sraddha. Only then the mantra, like a seed, will sprout and flourish into a full grown tree, bearing flowers and fruits. Hence it must be borne in mind that preparedness before receiving the spiritual initiation is mandatory. In fact, nothing in spiritual life can be achieved without preparation.
The scriptures recommend that a spiritual seeker must approach the guru for learning the ideal by being serviceful, humble, with selfless devotion, making himself pure and blemishless. Why is so much importance laid in the scriptures on preparedness? the reason is, the moment is an invaluable one, when the name of God is presented to us. Receiving that holy name in our heart with faith and devotion and concentrating our mind on it, f we can dive deep into our being, like the oyster, and remain engrossed in it, the most valuable gem will take shape within us. This is to be especially borne in mind. We get this lesson from the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna.
Be Humble
In the Bhagavad Gita also it said,'This is never to be spoken by you to one who is devoid of austerities of devotion, nor to one who does not render service, not to one who cavils at Me' (18.67)
Why have these categories of people been excluded" Because the field (of their mind) is not prepared. The criteria mentioned earlier are only preparatory steps. Once the field is ready, one develops love for the name of God. This is to remembered by both - those who are seeking diksha and also those already initiated. Hence it is said in the scriptures that one must be humble, inclined to serve and must keep one's life as pure and stainless as possible.
Before being initiated, our hearts are to be purified to receive initiation. Before installing the diety, the temple and its surrounding must be well cleaned. Then only can we think of the installation ceremony. Receiving mantra signifies installation of God in one's life. all preparations are aimed at this only. Without compliance to these conditions, or even being indifferent to them, we cannot really install God in our heart. This must be especially borne in mind.
To be continued....
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