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Spiritual ladder

CHENNAI : Vairagya (dispassion) is the basis of spiritual life and is absolutely essential to gain the vision of God. Vairagya implies no attachment to worldly objects but single-minded attachment to God. When spirituality takes root in people, it has to take place in one's inner heart. The attractions of the world draw one away from spirituality by focussing more on materialistic things.

The story of a few drunken men whose effort to set sail was unsuccessful because they had not released the anchor, though they got into a boat one night and used the rows meticulously, illustrates the truth that as along as one is entrenched in worldly attachments one cannot set sail towards liberation, pointed out Swami Gautamananda in a lecture on Sri Ramakrishna's teachings. Releasing the anchor of worldly attachment qualifies one to enter the path of salvation.

When the harmful ego is attached to lust and greed there is suffering, pain and grief. Lust and greed only bring momentary pleasures. Worldly people become exhausted after wandering around in all directions seeking happiness. The way out from Samsara is yearning and renunciation. Take refuge in God and pray to Him with a yearning heart for true devotion. God definitely listens to the prayers of one who calls on Him with a longing heart. But without renouncing lust and greed one does not succeed. It is only by renunciation that ignorance is dispelled.

Being a realised soul, Sri Ramakrishna was able to maintain an impartial attitude towards his disciples who were devoted to him and intuitively served him. He understood that God willed to bring about a spiritual resurgence in this manner. There were different kinds of disciples to help him with the mission entrusted to him. Some were steeped in service mentality, while others served more in kind than time. He knew that God is the only doer, and that all beings are just His instruments. Sri Ramakrishna said that the Lord incarnates Himself as a human being to reach out to the common man. He exemplified the truth that a Jnani should be free from ego.

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