Why does the mind become unclean? Just like body waste, we generate mental waste known as klesha. Although most of us know how to recite 1000 names or chant sahasranamas of various deities we are not realised souls. We don’t know who we are, we do not have a vision because of the three Ks predominant in us: Kutantra - the scheming mind, Klesha — mental waste, Klishta — troubles and problems, which are attracted to us.
This is because we think we are very smart and intelligent. But, we must sit back and think, how far will our smartness and intelligence take us? It may help us in our worldly transactions. After death, where will our intellect go? In what way has it helped us otherwise? It is important to understand not only science, but also the science of the soul.
Shiva tells us, be aware, be careful, no amount of pooja and austerities related to physical purity will help if you are not pure in mind. Divine experiences start only after that. Only after that will we transform.
Lord Shiva says we must make our internal world as beautiful as we are externally. God recognises only our inner beauty.
We will know if we are good natured or not in our interactions with the world -- if we are helpful, selfless, we participate in others’ problems, shed a tear in their times of difficulty.
Just like, we buy something only after examining its quality and purity, the lord examines whether we are qualified and eligible to receive His grace through good health, wealth and prosperity.
Shiva assesses our purity through the Guru. We have to be crystal clear inside — spathika. For this we have to orient ourselves to each shloka of the Guru Gita. Guru Gita points out to us how not to be, rather than how to be. The vedas teach us how not to be. A mantra will make sense to us only when we understand the purport of its meaning before reciting.
This is the only way we can understand the ‘Force of Nirvana’. Otherwise it is like trying to catch the sun in a basin filled with water. The Guru eliminates sense of competition in us and makes us complete in all respects.
Why is Shiva talking about the body in this shloka? Or doesn’t Devi know what our body is composed of? Shiva is comparing the body’s filth to the mind’s filth. He is telling us on one hand we are carrying the filth of impurities, on the other hand we are carrying the nectar of the soul as well.
In Kaliyuga, everything is ready-made, except the mind! That is why through the Guru, Lord Shiva is teaching us moral hygiene. He is teaching us how not to be immoral. Remember, we are traveling towards divinity and thereby we are initiating the process for divinity to access us. When a guest is expected in our house, we clean it and ensure that all dishes and utensils are clean and the food we serve is hygienic. Similarly we should ensure that our mind is clean before we give the Guru a seat in our hearts, before we go to see God. Then we will be auspicious. So remove the ‘Gu’ establish ‘Ru’ to become auspicious and precious.
Remove the garbage of emotions, harsh feelings and intellectual perversion. God will be pleased. Let your house and heart be clean every day. When God comes into our hearts, everyday is a festival.
Extract from The Force of Nirvana by Shri Nimishananda