| Discourses On Gita By Acharya Vinoba Bhave |
 |
| Discourses On Gita |
| THE GUNAS - BUILDING UP AND BREAKING DOWN |
| The Final stage - Self-realization and refuge in bhakti 27. Now to the last matter. Though we become full of sattva, though we over egoism, though we have given up all attachment to fruit, so long as the body lasts we shall be subject now and again to the assaults of the rajas and tamas. We might for a while think that we have overcome these gunas, but they come back again and again with all their power. Therefore, we should be ever vigilant. As the waters of the sea rush in and make inroads into the land, the floods of rajas and tamas enter our minds and eat into them. There should not, therefore, be the smallest chink through which they can enter. We should keep constant watch. No matter what care and skill we exercise, there is danger, so long as we have not attained self-realization, the vision of the Self. Therefore, we should endeavor, no matter by what means, to attain Self-realization. 28. Self realization will not come from mere vigilance. How then it will come? Will it come through exercise? No. There is only one way, and that way is to be devoted to the Lord, to yearn for Him with all one's heart. We may overcome rajas and tamas, we may become steadfast in sattva and give up attachment to its fruit, but this is not enough. The task is not complete till Self-realization is attained. In the end, therefore, the grace of the Lord is essential. And through real devotion of the heart, we should qualify for the grace of the Lord. I know no other means for this. At the end of this Chapter, Arjuna puts the same question, and the Lord answers, "With mind absolutely one-pointed and without desiring the fruit, be devoted to Me and serve Me, He who serves Me thus crosses maya, illusion and reaches the other shore. It is not easy by any other means to cross this dense maya." This is bhakti's easy method. And this is the only way. |
|
|
