Where can be fear for the disciple who has surrendered at the feet of such a Sadguru? Where can be the worldly bondage? Sorrow and attachments - can they trouble him? The disciple will cross over everything, as confirmed by the declaration - “he crosses over the ocean of worldly life, he crosses over. This very worldly life, instead of being a baron one, becomes a great lake of divine Sudharasa. Ananda and peace will fill and overflow; and such a sadhaka becomes a Jeevan muktha. Shri Shankaracharya, in his Dakshinamurthy stotra explains thus :
Naanaachidra ghatodara sthitamahaa
deepaprabhaa bhaasvaram
jnaanam yasya tu cakshuraadikarana
dvaaraa bahihispandate
If a lighted lamp is placed inside a pot, which has holes all over its surface, the light rays ooze out of all the holes, equally, in all directions, simultaneously. Similarly, waves of Jnana, Ananda and light oozes out of the divine person of such a Sadguru. With the blessings and grace of such a guru, the disciple also acquires the status of Satchidananda and becomes Fearless. Just like a caterpillar, always thinking about the colorful butterfly, transforms itself into one such beautiful butterfly, a satshishya gets transformed to a Sadguru, Parabrahma. Hence, Sri Shankaracharya declares confirmedly, without any doubt, you will surely see the divinity within your own heart”.
Poor and weak can worship easily
Suramandirataru moolanivaasaha
shayyaabhootalamajinam vaasaha
sarvaparigrahabhogatyaagaha
kasya sukham na karoti viraagaha
Where to seek happiness? How to achieve calmness and contentedness? Happiness does not enshrine itself only in an urban life, loaded with wealth, property, family, status and popularity. True happiness is in renunciation and giving away. True happiness uncovers itself where ever there is giving off of wealth, property and their associated pride, disowning the fruits of all our activities and leading a very simple life bereft of pomp and selfishness.
A Jnani continues to live in the same circumstances and domestic traps as others but is careful enough to totally abandon the attachment, pride of his belongings, property and relatives; thus leading an ever contented, peaceful life. He even abandons the cozy comforts of a house and lives in temples or dilapidated shelters. Some times even the shelter of a tree trunk is quite welcome to him. Discarding all selfishness and attachment to anything-called his, he leads a quiet life, under the solace that everything belongs to God. For such a person, where are the necessities of a cushioned bed & cot? The comforting lap of the earth, the greenery and the pristine environment is quite sufficient for him. A deer skin or the scalp of a tiger can easily replace the silk and woolen clothes. Being steadfast in such life, slowly discarding all the earnings and wealth, he leads a very happy and peaceful life with whatever nature provides him. Can anybody else have the richness or the contentedness of such a jnani?
There is a story of “Raikwa” in Chandogya Upanishat. Janashruthi the king of the country named Maha Vrsha - was famous for his giving away of wealth to the poor and needy. The king was quite self conscious about his name and fame. Goaded by over hearing the conversation between two birds, janashruthi was appalled by the fame of pious Raikwa. The king tried to approach Raikwa to be taught in Brahmajnana, by pampering and offering his wealth and vehicular troops. But Raikwa discarded all the wealth and denied to initiate Janashruthi. Impressed by the absence of attachment in Raikwa, the king left behind all his kingly retinue and wealth, and walked bare foot to meet Raikwa. Now Raikwa was pleased and he initiated the king into Brahmajnana. Thus even being a mendicant, a Jnani can be very happy and contented in his own self.
In a stark opposite case, the great king Janaka was mentally a renunciated, unattached Brahmajnani, even though he lived in the royal environments and commanded wealth unlimited. Sri Purandaradasa advised everyone by asking a simple question - decide yourself who is good for your well being - Is it the damsel, the real estate or the wealth unlimited?” He warned people not to go behind the dangerous trio - woman, wealth and properties - and to acquire mental renunciation and satisfaction.
This article has been taken from the book A Torchlight in the Path of Salvation, Bhaja Govindam- Pray to Govinda by K V Varadaraja Iyengar