Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji meeting with the Kings of a region of Ghana 🇬🇭

ASHTAVAKRA GITA | You can enjoy the infinity of the universe,the stars and the magnanimous universe, without desire - the total giving of one Self, while at the same time desiring the betterment of the entire universe. Total fearlessness,

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        🌺 ASHTAVAKRA GITA🌺

    

                🌿Chapter - 13🌿

               ~ Fear Is Like Salt ~

                   🌱 Day - 70 🌱

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Curiosity expands your avenue of understanding,and wonder completes it. विगतकौतुकः । so, just being curios is not enough. विश्वं पश्यन् विगतकौतुकः । If you see the world out of curiosity, you will never understand it as maya. But the one who can see this universe as a maya, has surpassed curiosity. This is very interesting and important. See the world out of curiosity, or just see the world, but beyond curiosity. Monkeys are very curious. But, they don't wonder. Have you observed them? Give them anything and they'll open it, just like you! And they look so many times. Once a monkey took a necklace up a tree and then tore it apart. And one by one he took the pearls and started biting and breaking them open to see what is inside. It could have done this with one pearl. But it broke and tested all the pearls in the mala, whether they had some taste! The monkey mind! Curiosity is not important; even monkeys have it.

If we have the same curiosity until the end, then we have not grown beyond our previous incarnation, our ancestors or the monkeys life! विश्वं पश्यन् विगतकौतुकः । 'Look into the world outgrowing the curiosity. Still see the world,' He did not say not to see the world. He says to see how events happen in this entire universe. None of the events stay. Pleasant, unpleasant, horrible or most excellent, events come, float and pass away, float and pass away. अपि सन्निहिते मृत्यौ कथं त्रस्यति धीरधीः । Even if death comes, it cannot shake the enlightened one. How can it? What is death? Death is just like taking off your clothes in the bathroom. You take off your clothes and throw them on the floor, and you look at them. Even death cannot shake such an established being. What is it you are worried about? There's nothing to be worried obsessed about.

Look at the events come, pass as go. According to their own law of karma, both pleasant and unpleasant events come and pass through you. There is no comparison to the one who has established himself in himself. Ashtavakra says, 'What can I compare? There's nothing that can be compared to a being established in himself. It is most unpredictable, unimaginable! It appears like a story; it appears to be unreal. You can only wonder about it.' Infinite awareness and focused attention, from very small things to the big. The capacity to enjoy small things appears in such a consciousness. You can even enjoy a small toffee a chocolate. You can enjoy the infinity of the universe,the stars and the magnanimous universe, without desire - the total giving of one Self, while at the same time desiring the betterment of the entire universe. Total fearlessness, yet with concern. Care and concern arises. It's a different part of the consciousness - so much care, concern and precision. All these qualities are found in a natural and most ordinary way. स्वभावतः ।

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji

ASHTAVAKRA GITA 

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ASHTAVAKRA GITA | One who has known one's Self knows that the entire universe is as amazing as one's own Self. So he is amazed. He is just wondering, and has no curiosity.

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        🌺 ASHTAVAKRA GITA🌺

    

                🌿Chapter - 13🌿

               ~ Fear Is Like Salt ~

                   🌱 Day - 69 🌱

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मायामात्रमिदं विश्वं । The entire universe is experienced by our senses, - eyes, ears, nose, etc. Without the eye there is no way you can feel how bright a light is. Without the ear, you can never feel how loud the sound is. So each sense gives you an idea about the universe. You measure it with them. That's why the universe is called Maya. 'Maya' means that which is being measured. It's all maya. That means it's all relative. If you have had a sweet, maybe a gulab jamun, and then you taste milk, coffee or tea. You feel there is no sugar in it. That's why there is the word 'understand'. 'Understand' is what is called tanmatra. The entire universe and its experiences are present in some degrees within our Self. And through that, you understand them. There is some iota of sound inside you, and you are able to hear other sounds because of it. You cannot hear any sound beyond the frequency of sound already inside you. It is called 'ultrasonic' frequency or inaudible frequencies. Similarly, your eyes have a certain degrees of light in them. Any light below that degree is invisible and you cannot see it. That's why a cat can see what you cannot see. An owl can see what a cat cannot see. There's an iota of that element inside our own body. Our tongue or our taste buds have some iota of those elements. That's why in English we use the word 'understand' - meaning you are standing below that threshold,and you are able to experience it.

One who has known one's Self knows that the entire universe is as amazing as one's own Self. So he is amazed. He is just wondering, and has no curiosity. विगतकौतुकः । This is very important. If curiosity has not arisen in you at all, then you have been inert like the dead. You are neither curious about nor do you have any interest in anything. But,if you are curious and you overcome the curiosity (surpass and grow out of it), it turns into a wonder. The beginning of the mind has started, and its completion is in wonder. This is spiritual growth - the real blossoming of life.

All the prophets had very scientific minds. 'Scientific mind' implies that even science is not beyond the domain of spirituality; it encompasses it. The maturity of science is spiritual knowledge. I don't mean everybody needs to be a scientist. But the mind gains this ability in the most natural way. Because the more you know, the more you wonder. You see there are stars, the flowers,the moon and the sun, so many universe, nebulae, galaxies, and what not; atoms, sub-atomic particles, so many elements and creatures....And Infinity, is everywhere, in every avenue.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji

ASHTAVAKRA GITA 

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ASHTAVAKRA GITA | What is the difference between wonder and curiosity? Curiosity is the beginning of the mind. Wonder is the end of the mind.

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        🌺 ASHTAVAKRA GITA🌺

    

                🌿Chapter - 13🌿

               ~ Fear Is Like Salt ~

                   🌱 Day - 68 🌱

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मायामात्रमिदं विश्वं पश्यन् विगतकौतुकः ।

अपि सन्निहिते मृत्यौ कथं त्रस्यति धीरधीः ॥

निःस्पृहं मानसं यस्य नैराश्येऽपि महात्मनः ।

तस्यात्मज्ञानतृप्तस्य तुलना केन जायते ।

स्वभावादेव जानानो दृश्यमेतन्न किंचन ।

इदं ग्राह्यमिदं त्याज्यं स किं पश्यति धीरधीः ॥

अन्तस्त्यक्तकषायस्य निर्द्वन्द्वस्य निराशिषः ।

यदृच्छयागतो भोगो न दुःखाय न तुष्टये ॥

What is the difference between wonder and curiosity? Curiosity is the beginning of the mind. Wonder is the end of the mind. The beginning of intellect is curiosity. Children start being curious once they start recognizing things. They ask so many questions. 'Daddy, Daddy, what is this? Daddy where did the butterfly go? Daddy, what does the flower do, and how did it come?' 'Where do the clouds go?' So many questions! They are curious about everything. If you answer them, they will have more questions! Sometimes parents get fed up and tell them to be quiet. Children are more curious between the ages of three and six. They are curious about everything. But, then the curiosity moves on in life. They grow a little older and they get curious about other things. At the adolescent age, they get curious about particular things. And then after a certain age, the curiosity stops. Inertia takes over, and people become dull and dejected. They are not interested in anything. Disinterest in life and the world takes over as the curiosity ends.

Curiosity is the mother of science. Wonder is the mother of spirituality. The first step in science is being curious. Curiosity works through the mind. Wonder is an expression: 'Ha! Aho!' It is something that rises from the heart. And, if you do some courses or spiritual exercises just out of curiosity you will get nowhere. You won't get anything. People do course after course, just out of curiosity - to see what happens. Somehow they do the Kriya and are completely gone! Suddenly, they experience something more than just the mind being curious. If you are curious, you had better wait. As time goes on, curiosity dies. If you are curious about something, wait, it dies out after some time. It can't stand the rest of the time. And after a while, you take for granted whatever you were curious about. Even a miracle! At first every miracle appears to be just that. But, after some time one takes for granted even a miracle. And then that is it! One is not curious any more. You can be curious about how a flower grew from a seed or how the leaves have a colour pattern - a coffee color with green, and tu stripes. This is a wonder.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji

ASHTAVAKRA GITA 

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ASHTAVAKRA GITA | The craving for a future moment is desire. And what is lust? What is sex? Sex is coming totally to the present moment.

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        🌺 ASHTAVAKRA GITA🌺

    

                🌿Chapter - 13🌿

               ~ Fear Is Like Salt ~

                   🌱 Day - 67 🌱

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Fear is the cause of orderliness. Fear is like salt, a little bit of it keeps one alert. Have you observed what happens in fear? You become awake in the present moment. You are totally in the 'here and now' during moments of fear. What is unpleasant about it is how it tears this physical body apart. The after effects of fear are very unpleasant. Fear creates an enormous amount of toxins, tearing this physical body apart,and that is what fear is about! Our main fear is about losing this body. It is the only fear. Yet fear brings you to the very moment, the present moment, and is so closely associated with the body. Fear starts to exist in the body as the ego starts coming up in a child. When self- recognition starts in a child, fear also starts arising. It is fear that protects life. Completely opposite values with one thing - fear. If there is no fear, you would simply jump down from anywhere and hurt your body very badly. Fear is a necessity. It is a protection for this body when it is present in a limited amount. A little more salt in the food and the food becomes inedible and you can't eat it, but just the right amount keeps things orderly. Then one functions orderly, with alertness and awareness. Joy alone gets you spaced out and very happy. One day you are very happy, and don't know what you are doing or saying. Do you know who insults others? One, who is either very unhappy or very happy. He says things, totally unaware of what he is doing, and this has repercussions on others. A very excited person becomes very insensitive and says things that might hurt others. Isn't it? Have you not experienced this? Gods have a divine quality called abhaya (fearlessness). A human being has an iota of fears. Gods and the realm of the Gods have fearlessness. Fearlessness balances fear. Both these qualities are within you.

There are several types of fear, for instance, fear about this physical body or about your image, or what people think about you or about what might happen. You can go on categorizing it. If a fear exists even after enlightenment and knowing one's true nature, what do you do? Ashtavakra says you can only wonder at it ! It's not a normal condition. It's not what is commonly seen, not a common thing or phenomenon. But if it happens, don't negate the enlightenment because you found some fear in an enlightened person. It may be possible because these are moments and not a permanent nature. Whether it is lust, desire, 'I'-ness or fear, they are not one's nature, but are like passing clouds. You may say this area is very well covered and a cloud cannot pass through. But suppose a cloud does pass through? Don't think this area is not covered. Don't be deluded by these passing events. It is possible anything can pass through anywhere. But they are fleeting moments and will not be there always. That's not their nature.

It is the same with desire. What is desire? How does it arise? It appears when the present is not enough. Things are not alright now, and they should be different in the future. The craving for a future moment is desire. And what is lust? What is sex? Sex is coming totally to the present moment. The mind and body come to the present moment. They strive hard to be in the present moment. So, how can one, who is in the present moment, desire something? If a desire does arise in such an existence, then you can only wonder at it - "This is an impossible thing. How did this happen?" It is normal for human beings to have one head. But what is a child is born with two heads? It is a child! You can only wonder that this has happened.

So Ashtavakra removers chances for you to slip away from the royal existence; the royal path. Then he says, 'Like one who observes somebody else doing something, one observes how one's own body is acting or reacting and doesn't get perturbed by it or by the flow of events.'

चेष्टमानं शरीरं स्वं पश्यत्यन्यशरीरवत् ।

संस्तवे चापि निन्दायां कथं क्षुभ्येत् महाशयः ॥

One observes the fear arising as though it's happening elsewhere; in some other body. That is how he sees it and he is not disturbed. He moves royally through them.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji

ASHTAVAKRA GITA 

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ASHTAVAKRA GITA | You are moved by people's words. If someone says something, you go mad and lose yourself. Why were you so shaken by these words?

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        🌺 ASHTAVAKRA GITA🌺

    

                🌿Chapter - 12🌿

        ~ The Nature Of The Mind ~

                   🌱 Day - 66 🌱

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धीरस्तु भोज्यमानोऽपि पीड्यमानोऽपि सर्वदा ।

आत्मानं केवलं पश्यन् न तुष्यति न कुप्यति ॥

A brave person abides in his Self all the time, even while enjoying the senses (sensory enjoyments) or being bothered by anything (circumstances, surroundings). The fulfilment of desires will neither give him any great joy nor will the unfulfilment of the desires in any way annoy him. You are against some things. Whatever you are against, press those buttons in you - making you angry. Behind your anger is your desire. Anger is the other end of your desire. Either you hang onto the desire or you get angry. Either you like sex or you get angry about sex. Either you like the feeling of mine-ness and are totally engrossed in it, or you are too much against it.

धीरस्तु, the brave one, though he is amidst everything, is not shaken, fulfilled, satisfied, agitated or angered by the events. That is the golden light you come to. With these four points, Ashtavakra removed all the concepts of enlightenment from Janaka's mind - about how things should and should not be. By telling him to wonder if things are the way they are. Ashtavakra lifted Janaka above all the ideas and the concepts of the mind. आत्मानं केवलं पश्यन् न तुष्यति न कुप्यति । See the Self, the one Self everywhere and in everything. And there will be no anger, disturbance or fulfilment by the things around. The while thing is like a game.

चेष्टमानं शरीरं स्वं पश्यत्यन्यशरीरवत् ।

संस्तवे चापि निन्दायां कथं क्षुभ्येत् महाशयः ॥

When activities and actions happen in the body, look at them as though they are happening in some other body. Look at hunger in the stomach as though it is happening in another body. Likewise, feel the same about thought, sleep, etc.

Janaka sees all this, the phenomenon in the body, as though happening elsewhere. And how could such an enlightened, such a soul, be moved by somebody's words? You are moved by people's words. If someone says something, you go mad and lose yourself. Why were you so shaken by these words? When someone says how much they love you, then also you are shaken! You are sold out for their words. If someone says how much they dislike you, you are so caught up by their words! How could that established person be carried away by people's words? This is the clue - detach the connection you have with the words of others i.e. being the football of others' opinions. It is so deep. It is a lifetime's experience. It takes a lifetime to work on it. Every day, every minute you have to keep reminding yourself about it, over and over again, in your life. Are you accepting every situation? Are you being the football of others'opinions? These simple sutras and simple sentences are not to be taken lightly.

If you take them lightly, you will drown. Take these words into your heart, not just the head.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji

ASHTAVAKRA GITA 

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SHIVA SUTRAS 3.3 | Knowledge and love is such a thing that you are filled with astonishment from within…. Then the heart and mind connects,

*Guru Gyan:* _(Shiv Sutra_3.3)_विस्मयो योगभूमिका:। इसीलिये कुछ महात्मा चमत्कार करते रहते है। अगर लोग चमत्कार के आधी हो जाते है और चमत्कार रोज रोज होने लगे तो उसमें विस्मय नहीं होता। ज्ञान जगे तो विस्मय होता ही है। ज्ञान और प्यार ऐसी चीज है जिससे आप भीतर से विस्मय मे भर जाते हो ....तब दिल और दिमाग जुड़ जाता है, मन आत्मा में समा जाता है....योग होने लगता है। शरीर, सांस, बुद्धि, चित्त, अहंकार...सब एक ताल मे चलने लगा तो योग होने लगता है। प्रित पुरानी...और पुरानी प्रित से बोरियत नही होते....क्योंकि प्रित विस्मयकारक होती है। पुराना खोज नहीं कहते है...नया खोज कहते है। और नया खोज भी विस्मयता से भरा हुवा रहता है। खोज नया हो तो उसमें विस्मय है और उस विस्मयता मे रस है। विस्मय मे भी रस है और तलाश सिर्फ रस की ही है। विस्मयो योगभूमिका:। शिव शिव सदाशिवा...हर हर हर महादेवा.... ओम नमो नमो नमोशिवायः। 

Shiv Sutra_3.3_ Vismayo Yogabhumika:. That is why some Mahatmas keep performing miracles. If people get used to miracle and miracles start happening every day, then there is no surprise in it. Knowledge awakens. Knowledge and love is such a thing that you are filled with astonishment from within…. Then the heart and mind connects, the mind dissolves in the soul… Yoga starts happening. Body, breath, intellect, mind, ego… everything in a rhythm, then yoga starts happening. Love is not bored although it is old… because Love is amazing. It is not called as Old search ... new discovery is called. And the new discovery is also full of awe. If the discovery is new, there is amazement in it and in that awesomeness is there. There is also juice in amazement and the search is only about juice. Vismayo Yogbhumika:. Shiva Shiva Sadashiva ... Har har har mahadeva .... Om Namo Namo Namoshivayah. 

SHIVA SUTRAS 3.2 | We are situated in the power of our soul, in the power of bliss.

*Guru Gyan:* _(Shiv Sutra_3.2)_ उद्यमो भैरवः। आपके द्वारा करानेवाली शक्ति भी वही है, करने की इच्छा आयी वह भी वही है, ना करने ईच्छा भी उसी शक्ति की है...इसी तरह से साक्षी बनकर के और लय हो कर के चैतन्य का विकास होता है। साक्षी और लय दोनों में विकास है। और साक्षी और लय के बीच मे उद्यम है, उसमे भी विकास है....यह जीवन की तीन धाराएं है....साक्षी, लय और उद्यम। उद्यम करो और जो कुछ भी करते हो उसमे 100 प्रतिशत लगाओ और सिद्धान्तों के उलझनों से पार हो जाओ। जिसके साथ तुम्हें लय होना हो तो उसके साथ विस्मय की, तड़प की जरूरत पड़ती है। इसमें मन रुकावट डालता है। मन रोज रोज नया चाहता है पर दिल की दौड़ पुराने की तरफ होती है। जो मन मे जीते है उन्हें नयी नयी चीजें लगती है। कभी किसी ने नए संबंधों पर गर्व प्रकट नही किया। दिल की दौड़ पुराने की ओर रहती है। जहाँ प्रेम जग गया वहाँ विस्मय रहता ही है। प्रेम का अंग है विस्मय। उदाहरण के तौर पर जिस घर मे नया बच्चा पैदा होता है वहाँ घर के बुजुर्ग उसके हर चाल चलन पर, हर हाव भाव पर विस्मय होता है। प्रेम मे विस्मय है ही है, पर मन मे विस्मय हो तो मन भर जाता है, मन शांत हो जाता है.... अपने आत्मा के सत्त्ता मे, आनंद की सत्त्ता मे हम स्थित होते है। 

Shiv Sutra_3.2_ Udyamo Bhairava. The power that you give is also the same, the desire to do things is the same, not the desire to do it is the same power… In the same way, by becoming a witness, and by developing a rhythm, consciousness is developed. There is progress in both witness and rhythm. And there is action between witness and rhythm, there is also progress in it… It is three streams of life… witness, rhythm and enterprise. Do efforts and put 100 percent in whatever you do and get over the mess of principles. With whom you have to have a rhythm, you need awe, yearning with him. The mind interrupts. The mind wants new every day, but the heart races towards the old. Those who live in the mind find new things. Nobody ever took pride in new relationships. The heart races towards the old. Where love is awakened there remains awe. Astonishment is part of love. For example, in the house where a new child is born, the elders of the house are surprised at every move, every gesture. There is awe in love, but if there is awe in the mind, then the mind fills, the mind becomes calm… We are situated in the power of our soul, in the power of bliss. 

SHIVA SUTRAS 3.1 | If you want to get angry, then we do it immediately....Change this habit .... It is the same effort, the same is Udamo Bhairav.

*Guru Gyan:* _(Shiv Sutra_3.1)_ एक कॅनेडियन महिला की कहानी। एक डूबते हुए व्यापारी की कहानी। मन ऐसी बात है...अच्छा काम करना हो तो तुरंत करना चाहिए, नहीं तो उसको आगे करोगे तो वो होता ही नहीं। कुछ भी अच्छा काम करना हो तो हम उसे हम आगे बढाते है, पर गुस्सा करना हो तो तुरंत कर देते गई। इस प्रवृत्ति को बदलो.... वही है पुरुषार्थ, वही है उद्यमो भैरवः।

 Shiv Sutra_3.1_ Story of a Canadian woman. Story of a drowning businessman. Mind is such a thing ... If you want to do good work then you should do it immediately, otherwise if you postpone it, it would not have happened. If we want to do some good work then we postpone it, but if you want to get angry, then we do it immediately....Change this habit .... It is the same effort, the same is Udamo Bhairav. 

SHIVA SUTRAS 2.7 | If you want to do good, do it immediately, and if you want to do bad work, postpone it.

*Guru Gyan:* _(Shiv Sutra_2.7)_ योग कर्मसु कौशलम्। कर्म मे कुशलता हो। "हेयं दुःखमनागतम् ।" जो दुःख आया नहीं है उससे कैसे बच पाए.... उस उपाय का नाम योग है। आनंदस्वरूप आत्मा के साथ जुड़ जाओ। प्रकाश के साथ जुड़ गए तो अंधेरा कहाँ? सुख स्वरूप के साथ जुड़ गए तो दुःख कहाँ? अंतरसंपत्ति के साथ जुड़ गए तो जर्जरता कहाँ?...मगर उसके लिए उद्यम,पुरुषार्थ करना पड़ेगा....उससे ही सिद्धि मिलेगी। भगवान, गुरुजी, सभी संत तुम्हें पुकार रहे है....साधना करो, ध्यान करो, सत्य मार्ग पर चलो.... चलो उठो। वह आवाज तो निरंतर है। पर हमें जब करने का नही।होता तब हम बोलते है....जब भगवान की इच्छा होगी तब करेंगे। अच्छा काम करना हो तो तुरंत करो, और बुरा काम करना हो तो उसे पोस्टपोन करो। मेरे सद्गुरु की छबि कैसी है....मोहे लागे मोहन जैसी है....

Shiv Sutra_2.7_ Yoga Karmasu Kaushalam. Be efficient in action. "Heyn Dukhamnamagatam"....How to escape from the misery that has not come… The name of that remedy is Yoga. Connect with the soul in blissful form. Where does darkness connect with light? Where are the sorrows, when they are associated with happiness? If you join with inter-property, where is the disgrace? ... But for that, you will have to make enterprise, effort ... then only it will be achieved. God, Guruji, all the saints are calling you .... do Sadhana, meditate, walk on the true path .... let's get up. That voice is continuous. But when we do not have to do it, then we speak… when God wills, we will do it. If you want to do good, do it immediately, and if you want to do bad work, postpone it. How is the image of my Sadhguru….It look like Mohan. 

SHIVA SUTRAS 2.6 | Put your 100 percent ... Not just by physical, also put your 100 percent with your mind, and intellectual also

*Guru Gyan:* _(Shiv Sutra_2.6)_उद्यमो भैरवः .... अप्रयत्नशील न रहो। सूरज जब उगता है, तब तभी उदय होगा, बारिश जब आनी है, तभी आएगी....मगर आपने खिड़की नही खोली तब सूरज उदय होने के बाद भी आपके कमरे मे अंधेरा रहेगा। हमारे उद्यम से ही सबकुछ होता हो, तो हर आदमी सफल होता। कभी आप सफल होते हो, कभी असफल होते हो, कभी मनचाही बात होती है, कभी अनचाही बात होती है....तब आपको लगेगा कि यह क्या चक्कर है? कोई व्यक्ति आलस्य में पड़ा रहता है, और कोई ज्वर से पीड़ित है वह करा जा रहा है, आशाओं को पकड़के तनाव से भरा जा रहा है....इससे मार्ग क्या है? तब शिव बताते है...उद्यमो भैरवः। सूरज अपने समय पर उगता है, और अपने समय पर डूबता है....मगर सूरज उगने के समय आप खिड़की खोलोगे तब प्रकाश अंदर आएगा। सबका दाता राम जरूर है पर अपने उद्यम से, भैरव बनों, रामदूत बनों। उद्यम या पुरुषार्थ न करने से कुछ भी सिद्ध नही होगा। और सिर्फ उद्यम करने से ही फल मिल जाएगा ऐसा सोचके भी नहीं करना है... फिर भी भाग्य उसी को है, जो उद्यमी है। अपना 100 प्रतिशत लगाओ...सिर्फ शारीरिक नही, मन से, बौद्धिक भी 100 प्रतिशत लगाओ। लोग कहते है, हम बहोत अच्छे है फिर भी मुसीबत मे पड़ गए। अच्छे लोगों को दुःख क्यो मिलता है, गलत काम करनेवाले मौज मे है। अच्छे लोग बेवकूफी के कारण दुःख पाते है। सिर्फ अच्छे होने से नही चलेगा, अच्छे के साथ निपुण भी बनो। निपुणता का नाम ही योग है। योग कर्मसु कौशलम्।

Shiv Sutra_2.6_ Udyamo Bhairava: Do not remain without putting effort. When the sun rises, then it will rise, when the rain has to come, then it will come… but if you did not open the window then it will remain dark in your room even after the sun rises. If everything happens with our efforts, then every man would be successful. Sometimes you are successful, sometimes you are unsuccessful, sometimes desired thing happens, sometimes unwanted things happens… Then you will feel that what is the problem? Somebody is lying idle, and someone is suffering from desires, he is being made, holding hopes and being filled with stress… what is the way out of this? Then Shiva says… Udyamo Bhairava. The sun rises on its own time, and sets down on its own time… but when the sun rises you will open the window, then the light will come in. Rama is the giver of all, but by your own efforts become Bhairava, become Ramdoot. Nothing will be achieved by not doing effort. And do not even think that you will get the fruit only by venturing ... yet the fate belongs to the one who is the entrepreneur. Put your 100 percent ... Not just by physical, also put your 100 percent with your mind, and intellectual also. People say, we are very good, yet we got into trouble. Why good people get trouble, wrong doers are in fun. Good people get hurt due to their stupidity. Just being good will not do, be good with skills. Yoga is the name of mastery. Yoga Karmasu Kaushalam. 

ASHTAVAKRA GITA | Desires and lusts are known to be the biggest enemies of awareness

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        🌺 ASHTAVAKRA GITA🌺

    

                🌿Chapter - 12🌿

        ~ The Nature Of The Mind ~

                   🌱 Day - 65 🌱

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आस्थितः परमाद्वैैतं मोक्षार्थेऽपि व्यवस्थितः ।

आश्चर्यं कामवशगो विकलः केलिशिक्षया ॥

उद्भूतं ज्ञानदुर्मित्रमवधार्यातिदुर्बलः ।

आश्चर्यं काममाकाङ्क्षेत् कालमन्तमनुश्रितः ॥

Desires and lusts are known to be the biggest enemies of awareness. It is still surprising, a wonder, how even though the body is not capable of functioning, one has desires and lust. Your mind is not clear and focused when there is an obsession, or when desire is burning in you. And see how calm, collected, cool and aware your mind is when these desires drop. See how clear and focused you are. Many people have never experienced such focus, such clarity at all in their lives! This is their misfortune. I can only wonder at how those who have experienced even a little bit, get into desires and lust. Knowing it, you still get into it. Ashtavakra is not saying this is bad and you shouldn't do it, because then the mind will say, 'No, I shouldn't do it' and then the whole trip begins. The monkey will begin there. He says, 'Wonder!' So maybe once in a while, even Janaka would get some thoughts of mine-ness or a little fear here and there. Ashtavakra gives him formula, 'Look and wonder about these samskaras in you. At that very moment they dissolve and you rise above them.' People strive for liberation. They want freedom. Yet, even those who long for freedom are afraid of freedom. On one hand, they wan to be free, and on the other hand they don't want the freedom. It is really a wonder to see how even those who have dispassion, in their worldly things and in their inner experiences,and who long or strive for liberation, have a fear of being liberated.

So Ashtavakra spoke about four aspects : sex, the feeling of mine-ness or personal feelings, desires and fear.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji

ASHTAVAKRA GITA

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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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ASHTAVAKRA GITA | Wonder awakens you, and makes you aware of what is happening.' At those moments when you forget your infinite being,

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        🌺 ASHTAVAKRA GITA🌺

    

                🌿Chapter - 12🌿

        ~ The Nature Of The Mind ~

                   🌱 Day - 63 🌱

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श्रुत्वापि शुद्धचैतन्यमात्मानमतिसुन्दरम् ।

उपस्थेऽत्यन्तसंसक्तो मालिन्यमधिगच्छति ॥

सर्वभूतेषु चात्मानं सर्वभूतानि चात्मनि ।

मुनेर्जानत आश्चर्यं ममत्वमनुवर्तते ॥

आस्थितः परमाद्वैैतं मोक्षार्थेऽपि व्यवस्थितः ।

आश्चर्यं कामवशगो विकलः केलिशिक्षया ॥

उद्भूतं ज्ञानदुर्मित्रमवधार्यातिदुर्बलः ।

आश्चर्यं काममाकाङ्क्षेत् कालमन्तमनुश्रितः ॥

इहामुत्र विरक्तस्य नित्यानित्यविवेकिनः ।

अाश्चर्यं मोक्षकामस्य मोक्षादेव विभीषिका ॥

Ashtavakra mentions four points : sex, the feeling of 'mine-ness', desires and fear. Number one : sex. This body came into existence through sex. Sex is the oldest and most basic impression in this body. Animalistic sex is the lowest form of sex. Even in sex there is a gradation; there is growth. He says, 'It is so surprising how one could be interested in the genital organ and get into more unconsciousness?' He says this is a wonder! The consciousness and the mental make-up of people who look at pornography and all those things, or even teenagers, is very immature. It's on level of animals - bounded by the body. This is the basic sex - body sex.

But then for more mature people (a little grown-up), sex is not so much with the organs of the body, but with feelings and vibrations. It is more on the mind and mental level. The focus is not on the genital organ. The lowest form of sex is only focused on the genital organs, nothing else is visible. One doesn't care who the person is. All their attention is on the piece of flesh. Like the eagle that flies so high in the sky with its sight always on the piece of flesh on the ground. This is obsession. You'll find these people in bars. Most of the people remain stuck in this adolescent sex. 

But a little more mature than that, is mental sex. Mental means it is the person who matters more. One craves companionship. The sense of touch is choosy. It's not just the body; the mind is involved. The mind has some concepts that go with sex.

And the third and final avenue of sex is sex of the soul or union of the soul. When the soul longs, that longing is mature - a refined form is sex i.e. uniting with the wholeness, with the eternity. Sex is permeating throughout your life; permeating the entire creation in one way or the other. Even for a tree to bear fruit, for pollination. Everything is born out of sex: the animals, insects and birds. And the supreme form of sex is the uniting of the mind, soul and the being inside. We call it love or leading to Divine love. Despite knowing that unconscious results in the lowest form of sex, and that it still exists in this universe. This is a wonder! So, Ashtavakra says, 'Wonder about it. If such a thought existed in your mind, don't feel, why it came up. Rather just look at it and wonder. You rise up and a transformation takes place in you. Do not fight it. Do not resist in your mind. Rather, be aware; wake up. Wonder awakens you, and makes you aware of what is happening.' At those moments when you forget your infinite being, limited desires arise in you. Immediately, wonder about these desires that are arising and you already out of them. It is so beautiful. This needs a lot of understanding.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji

ASHTAVAKRA GITA

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ASHTAVAKRA GITA | There is one golden point by which the mind can be lifted up, and that is wonder. Wonder is where there is no concept,no mind

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        🌺 ASHTAVAKRA GITA🌺

    

                🌿Chapter - 12🌿

        ~ The Nature Of The Mind ~

                   🌱 Day - 62 🌱

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Suppose a delicate piece of cloth, silk, is caught up in a thorny bush. It needs a skill to remove it. It is the same with the mind. It is very easy for the mind to either like or dislike something, or swing between these two extremes. The mind exists by doing this. It cannot exist without these opposites; without the duality, without the swing. Either the mind will like or dislike something. The mind hates something, and then, again it loves something else. The mind goes towards whatever one understands is bad or not right (what we should not do). It does it more often. The mind is attached to some ideals and resolutions. 'I must do this, I want to be like that', and then one finds it very difficult to follow those ideals. You have all experienced this over and over again. Every time you have failed. When you have failed, you have blamed the failure on your practices, on your efforts, on other things you do to improve yourself. You keep blaming yourself. You either blame yourself or you blame your sadhana, the instruments or tools you use to improve yourself. You either say, it hasn't worked for you or you say you are not fit for it at all. It is easy to come to these two conclusions. Then the mind still remains; the mind still exists. What is to be done?

Have you heard the story about the monkey? There was a farmer who went to a saint and said, "Give me something so that my life becomes wonderful. Give me a mantra, a japa and then I will do something great." The saint agreed and gave him a mantra to chant. The farmer was very happy. He was about to leave when saint said, "Just a minute, I forgot to tell you something. Whenever you want to chant the mantra or when you sit for meditation, take care not to think of a monkey. If you do, the mantra will become useless and impotent. It won't be of any use to you." The farmer said, 'Oh, this is so easy! I have never thought about monkeys in my life. There is no reason why I should think about them now. And I have just a wheat and paddy field. Monkeys don't come there at all.' So he went home and sat to meditate. The first thing that come to his mind was a monkey! He thought, 'Oh, perhaps it is daytime now. Maybe they are here somewhere and those vibrations are striking my mind. It is not me. Maybe the monkeys want me to remember them. But at night they'll be asleep. Let me meditate then.' So he got up at 10 o'clock that night, and started to meditate. The first thing that came to his mind was the monkey. He thought of monkeys not only during meditation, but at all other times too! While sitting, standing, eating, drinking, he even had nightmares of monkeys in his dreams! Within three days he was so bothered by the monkeys, he ran back to the saint on the fourth day and asked him to take his mantra and money back! 'I don't want it! Relieve me of this monkey business! I have gone crazy! I can't do anything!' 

The mind is like that. Ashtavakra knew this nature of the mind very well. There is one golden point by which the mind can be lifted up, and that is wonder. Wonder is where there is no concept,no mind. One slips very easily from wonder to concepts. It is such a balancing line! Wonder about the concepts of likes or dislikes. How it should or should not be. What I want and what I don't want. In wonder, there is no wanting or not wanting. Wonder is a wonder! In wonder there are no likes or dislikes. It is what 'is', is wonder. Ashtavakra removed all these concepts from Janaka's mind. What is it that could have bothered Janaka? He says, 'It is really a wonder to see a man of wisdom - one who has known oneself as Infinity, as unbounded, not of this body - to be still getting into the gross.' This is the wonder. A conscious and aware person is pained more by his own faults. A conscious man's main problem is his own mind, not the others. Someone who is conscious of himself, of his nature is troubled by his own mind, if he has even a bit of awareness. What troubles a conscious person is his own mind. First, let us enquire what is it that troubles it? We will see what this is.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji

ASHTAVAKRA GITA

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ASHTAVAKRA GITA | You are the most amazing and wonderful being. You are this infinite being - endless and pure, full of light and love. This is what you are.

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         🌺 ASHTAVAKRA GITA🌺

    

                🌿Chapter - 11🌿

   Give Everything And Take Nothing

                   🌱 Day - 61 🌱

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प्रातः स्मरामि मनसा अद्भुतमन्तराभम् ।

ज्योतिर्मयं सकलपापमप्रहत्रम ॥

In the morning, remember your nature. What is your nature? You are the most amazing and wonderful being. You are this infinite being - endless and pure, full of light and love. This is what you are. The day should begin remembering and reliving this; like the sun rising. When you have risen from sleep, the sun has come up. The sleepy sun has gone to rest, and the sun in you has come up.

You walk in the morning, floating like a cloud, remembering your origin; your true nature. You don't walk, you simply float. There is no end to the little disturbances, a little irritation over this or that. A cockroach can irritate you one mosquito can go on irritating you the whole night. And if you happen to be in a place where there is no light, you can't even kill the mosquitoe. It becomes a game. It goes on humming. You are even ready to donate a little blood to the mosquito. It irritates you more when it hums. It disturbs you and puts off your sleep. There is no end to irritation here. It goes on.

In life, an x, y or z will be there to irritate you, anyway! I'm not saying you shouldn't get irritated. Now don't get irritated about getting irritated, and feel, "I am bad. I cannot change. This is my nature. Perhaps I cannot do it even in lifetimes." You think of lifetimes, and you may feel that you are fed up. What are you fed up with? With yourself! This is what is known as maya, an illusion of mind - seeing fleeting events as though they are a reality. The world's nature is to cause you irritation! If the world doesn't cause you irritation, it is not a world. Be sure of that. And it is for your own good. It's doing you good otherwise you'd be stuck here forever. You are stuck in a world which irritates you. Think about a world which never irritates you. You'd be stuck with it forever. You'd be even more deeply stuck in it, and would never get out of it. You'd never turn towards your Self. So, all these things in the world are there to help you to turn inward for your your own growth; for you to look into the Being.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji

ASHTAVAKRA GITA

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On Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar first visit to Ghana in Africa was received by the President H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

On Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar first visit to Ghana in Africa was received by the President H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. He welcomed gurudev to initiate The Art of Living workshops ranging from ayurveda, agriculture, youth skills training to prison programs, with an aim to uplift wellness in the country.

ASHTAVAKRA GITA | Your Self is joy. You are beautiful and great. You are the world. You are God. You are all that 'is'.

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        🌺 ASHTAVAKRA GITA🌺

    

                🌿Chapter - 11🌿

   Give Everything And Take Nothping

                   🌱 Day - 60 🌱

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विश्वं स्फुरति यत्रेदं तरंगा इव सागरे ।

सोऽहमस्मीति विज्ञाय किं दीन इव धावसि ॥

'Like waves in the ocean, the entire universe springs from me; from inside me. I am all this. I am the infinite ocean. When you can get in touch with your own ocean, with your own infinite and true nature, how will you, as a very meek person, run here and there for this and that?' What is that you are running after?

All the desires arise when your mind is not fully conscious. A semiconscious mind is the mother of desires. If it is unconscious, no desire comes, for instance, in sleep there is no desire. And when the mind is fully awake, then also there is no desire because everything is already acquired. What does desire mean? It means a lack of joy or fulfilment, and a requirement for fulfilment and joy. It is not that if desires arise, they should be stopped. When they are there, they are there. When desires arise, you should become more conscious and be aware of your nature.

श्रुत्वापि शुद्धचैतन्यमात्मानमतिसुन्दरम् ।

उपस्थेऽत्यन्तसंसक्तो मालिन्यमधिगच्छति ॥

Your Self is joy. You are beautiful and great. You are the world. You are God. You are all that 'is'. Even having heard this, it doesn't really register deep inside. You have read it in the books, and heard it so many times. Ashtavakra says the same thing. It's not the first time you are hearing this. शुद्धचैतन्य - You are pure. You have heard that you are pure. Yet, you feel you are a sinner. You have heard that you are beautiful. Yet, you feel you are very ugly. You have heard so many times you are beautiful, but you don't feel so yourself. Having heard all this, what is it that you still desire? This is a sort of wonder and not a question. It's really a wonder how, in spite of this, you may still get interested in desire of lust or small things. So just hearing is not enough. The liveliness of consciousness comes in every cell of our body. If every cell of being becomes alive the desires will automatically vanish. We don't need to wait for it to happen. Be more alive right now! In the morning when you get up, you should feel as though you are infinite sky. Become aware of your nature. That's what we chant in the mornings during these long courses.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji

ASHTAVAKRA GITA 

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ASHTAVAKRA GITA | By the knowledge of Self, you discover you are love; the source of love. All is love.

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        🌺 ASHTAVAKRA GITA🌺

    

                🌿Chapter - 11🌿

  Give Everything And Take Nothing

                   🌱 Day - 59 🌱

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अात्माज्ञानादहो प्रीतिर्विषयभ्रमगोचरे ।

An old example people often used to give in India, is the mother of pearl. Mother of pearl gives you the impression of being shining silver. When you see it from a distance on the beach ( or anywhere ) and the sun shines on it, it gives a false impression of being silver. As you go near it, you find it's not silver. The glitter is an optical illusion. In the same way he said that, not knowing your Self, you start finding joy in all the sense pleasures. Where is the source of pleasure? You are unaware of that. You think by eating lots of gulab jamun ( a sweet ), you will be happy. How many gulab jamun can you eat - three, four, five....then? How many can you have? You have a limitation to your experience. Food is nice but how much can you eat? You eat and eat and the food that gave you pleasure and joy will give you problems and cause pain after a while. It is the same thing with music and all the other senses. Consider the eyes. You see something very beautiful and what do you do? You look, touch, feel it - then? Consider a good scenery. You go to Kashmir and it is all so beautiful there. What do you do with the mountains? You don't know. You get thoroughly confused and go on repeating mechanically how beautiful they are. First, you felt beautiful. Then when you started putting it into words, even the beauty disappeared and only a concept remained in the mind, it was beautiful; it was nice. Everything is burning you down and leaving your hands empty. You are left with ashes; with nothing. But then why do all these things appear to be so nice and wonderful? Why are our minds attracted and pulled in all these directions? You are pulled in these directions because you are ignorant of the Being; of the Self, of the consciousness, of the Divinity.

If you get joy from any experience, it arises from somewhere deep within you. That is you; you are the joy. You get joy whether from music or sex. The joy in sex is not in the sex; it is in your Self. The joy in company is not in the company. The joy in alcohol is not in the alcohol. You are simply unaware of where that delicate inner whirlpool of sensation that enables or enlivens the whole body, comes from. When the inner sensation arises, it enlivens every cell. Most of our body so dead, it's not alive. You have experienced this in Sudarshan Kriya. How is the mind at that moment? How do you feel? What is the taste of your Being? Light, loving and joyful. Sometimes, there is current flowing in a wire even if the switch is off. But that current is not sufficient to make the bulb glow. What happens if you turn the switch on and a the power moves through the line? You can get a shock, but the light will not turn on. Sometimes it gives you a shock but doesn't heat the water. There is current passing into the boiler through the wire. But the water is not getting heated. It's not alive.

So everyone is living. There is some current, otherwise you can't be alive and there won't be anything. There will be no movements. Everybody is living but with a feeble current. The bodies are getting older and weaker. And then it all ends. It's unlit. It's not energized and power does not arise in it. What is sadhana, practices and meditation for? They are needed to remove the inertia in the body. It is the inertia that puts you down and makes you like a rock. If you have even once gone through the Sudarshan Kriya, you will understand. You know what happens at the time. You become more and more alive. Even by meditating a few times, one knows what it does, and what is meant by silence or peace. Many do not even know this because they are so used to being agitated. And they continue being so. Then, it appears as though it is life. One's own access to the source is blocked.

अात्माज्ञानादहो प्रीतिर्विषयभ्रमगोचरे । By the knowledge of Self, you discover you are love; the source of love. All is love. Joy appears to be in this little things or that little thing but it is just illusion; like the silver in the mother of pearl. What do you think joy is? Joy is an intense sensation arising in you. Observe and you'll realize that all the sensations are arising here.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji

ASHTAVAKRA GITA 

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ASHTAVAKRA GITA | In a country, economics comes first. Law and order, of course, follow economics.

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        🌺 ASHTAVAKRA GITA🌺

    

                🌿Chapter - 11🌿

  Give Everything And Take Nothing

                   🌱 Day - 58 🌱

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अष्टावक्र उवाच

अविनाशिनमात्मानमेकं विज्ञाय तत्त्वतः ।

तवात्मज्ञस्य धीरस्य कथमर्थार्जने रतिः ॥

अात्माज्ञानादहो प्रीतिर्विषयभ्रमगोचरे ।

शुक्तेरज्ञानतो लोभो यथा रजतविभ्रमे ॥

Janaka was a king; an emperor. He had to govern, and was concerned with the welfare of the entire country, all the people, animals and crops. The complete responsibility of this was on his shoulders. Someone who does not have any responsibility, who does not even care to do anything, can just do whatever he wants to. If he wants, he can earn; if he doesn't want, he can be idle. But, the head of an institution or a country has to plan and look into everything. In a country, economics comes first. Law and order, of course, follow economics. He had to be concerned about every little thing in the country, about economics. Business is the main part of any country. Prosperity is the main goal of any country. He could not say that he had nothing to do with the prosperity of his people; so why should he earn money? He had to be concerned with their prosperity. अविनाशिनमात्मानमेकं विज्ञाय तत्त्वतः । Ashtavakra smiled mischievously, and said that knowing the truth, that the entire universe is one Self, one Being, one atma, and it is indestructible, how can one be interested in accumulating wealth? How can one find joy in making country prosperous? It was a question with a smile. When you say 'my country', there are other countries, too. You have to exploit another country in order to make your country prosperous. Some exploitation is going to take place in the economic development of a big country. Some countries sell arms to other counties, and prosper with the money that comes from it. Some countries sell drugs to other counties and prosper. Some counties export chemicals, medicines and other things, knowing very well they are not too safe. And that is the way they prosper. Some countries destroy nature, cutting down forests for wood. Environmental pollution is a big cry in the West these day but they can't stop, because it will have a bad impact on heir economics. They are unable to stop alcoholism in India, because they will lose lot of revenue if they ban liquor. Mahatma Gandhi's followers talked much about him but never followed the one thing that Gandhi wanted - to eradicate alcoholism. They take Gandhi's name, put garlands on his statue but they could never implement this because, when they discussed and analyzed, they felt the economics would be jeopardized if they implemented it.

'Having understood all this, how can you be interested in managing a country, in earning money, and doing these things?' Ashtavakra asked Janaka with a smile. By now, Ashtavakra knew very well that Janaka had no interest or motivation in this. He did not have any pleasure doing it. But it was happening. He was doing it as a game. There are some things you do from your periphery, but some things become your very 'soul'. When business becomes your very 'soul', the 'soul' is destroyed and you 'die'. That is what Janaka upheld. He was carrying out the two extremes: total love, pure love and knowledge, while still being responsible for the entire country's welfare on the periphery. It is a very strange and unique situation. That is what makes Janaka very unique. It is easy to be a Buddha. Buddha dropped everything, put on a saffron robe and sat under a tree. Anybody would come and feed him. Hundreds of thousands of people would come to do so. He did not start an ashram. An ashram came up around him. Everything started happening. Even then, he could not escape. There were people and when there were people, a kitchen was needed. Other things followed. A laundry came because the clothes needed to be washed. The whole paraphernalia came up. Then a vehicle was needed and somebody had to do the transport. But the so-called saints, the so-called spiritual people who run away from all this are bewildered. They are afraid of the world. They do not want a headache. They want to be by themselves. They want to go to the Himalaya for sanyas, to go to a monastery or stay somewhere quietly, all by themselves. Janaka, being in the world amidst people, and having much more responsibility than any individual, ordinary, common man, could attain the highest. So the world is not an impediment. It is not an impediment, at all. Politics is not an impediment. It is all really very difficult to achieve, but not impossible.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji

ASHTAVAKRA GITA 

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