Miscellaneous - Religion   

Self transformation

CHENNAI : Spiritual quest (Sadhana) involves getting more and more attached to God and in the process the seeker will disengage from the world of materialistic pursuits. The Supreme Being is within every being and hence one has to direct the search within. So eternal joy and peace can be discovered only within. While teaching the truth in the Bhagavata Gita, Lord Krishna pointed out to Arjuna that spiritual knowledge (Vijnana) He was imparting him would bring about a total transformation, "I shall unfold to you in its entirety this wisdom (knowledge of God in His absolute formless aspect) along with the knowledge of the qualified aspect of God (both with form and without form) having known which nothing else remains to be known."

In his discourse, Swami Mitrananda said spiritual knowledge transformed the seeker totally. The preceptor (Guru) is keen in his disciple's spiritual evolution and does not hold back anything from him. Partial instruction is possible while imparting other disciplines but not in spiritual knowledge for the Guru's love is selfless. This can be seen from the fact that the preceptor is revered as God Himself. On the part of the student total surrender to his teacher is essential. This can be seen from Arjuna's words when he surrendered to Krishna saying, "Tell me that which is decidedly good; I am Your disciple. Pray instruct me, who have put myself into Your hands."

That the Guru is gracious does not mean that a seeker can receive wisdom without any effort on his part. Though liberation is the birthright of every human being the desire to pursue the spiritual path is intense only in very few individuals. The seeker must be eager to find a Guru and study under him. The Lord told Arjuna that He imparted the ancient wisdom to him because he was His devotee and friend, and that it was the supreme secret. A seeker must make himself worthy of receiving this supreme science (Self-knowledge) by his conviction in the scriptural teachings, sincerity to realise the spiritual goal and above all service to his preceptor. The relationship between the Guru and disciple is unique.

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