ASHTAVAKRA GITA | When everybody is equal for God, whether a butterfly, a snake, a scorpion or a human being, how is it that someone loves a human being a little more than a scorpion or a snake?

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        🌺 ASHTAVAKRA GITA🌺

    

                🌿Chapter - 12🌿

        ~ The Nature Of The Mind ~

                   🌱 Day - 64 🌱

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सर्वभूतेषु चात्मानं सर्वभूतानि चात्मानि ।

मुनेर्जानत आश्चर्यं ममत्वमनुवर्तते ॥

It is really strange (a wonder) for an enlightened person, who is in every being, and in whom everything is there, to have a feeling of 'mine'. How can there be a personal feeling, when something is so universal? This is what bothers some people. When everybody is equal for God, whether a butterfly, a snake, a scorpion or a human being, how is it that someone loves a human being a little more than a scorpion or a snake?

Here Ashtavakra also explains, or hints at the state of Buddha-hood - the state of enlightenment which is inexpressible. He is trying to express how it is very personal. Though the love is so universal and equal for everybody, yet it is very personal when it involves an individual. In personal love, when one person is being loved so dearly, we think that means others are not loved. Or there must be something missing when somebody is loved and feels the love more intensely. Personal love is very strong, and this is the same as in any other love. If you love somebody very dearly, very personally, then you are so engrossed, attached and lost in that personal love. But people think that universal love means not having personal love for anybody. This has been the concept that someone who has no attachment is really enlightened.

Ashtavakra removes that concept. It is possible for the Infinite, for the Divine to have personal love for anyone and everyone - very unique and very personal with each one. So, if you find you love somebody very dearly, don't have a conflict in your mind or run away or try to resist and fight. Many sadhaks do this. They had been told to do this. In many schools of thought, people feel that you should not only hate, but also you should not love anybody, too. If you have any attachment or love for anybody or anything,it should be destroyed immediately. This was misinterpreted and taught that way for ages. So Ashtavakra says that, even the personal feeling can be wondered at. And when a conscious person realizes he is attached to so-and-so, it pains him more. And once the pain starts, it continues. Then one gets into the same darkness and is totally drowned. The mechanics are beautiful. This is a very fine and golden line of wonder he has given here. Now this is within oneself. If you see attachments in others, don't get worked up about it either. People ask why Vivekananda was very dear to Ramakrishna Paramhansa, and not other people. So many questions are asked. Ashtavakra says, "Just wonder." You trouble your mind and yourself by questioning. If you feel anything is unacceptable, uncommon, or not the way it should be, you can either work your mind on it, losing all your love, faith and positive direction towards it, or you can just wonder about it. There are two points here. The words are very few, but the meaning contained in them is enormous! This is a double-edged sword. This applies to you i.e. not to get upset about yourself. And the same applies to others in your surroundings - i.e. not to judge others. Don't judge yourself, and don't judge others. In either case you will rise above, into the golden line of Being.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji

ASHTAVAKRA GITA

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