My
Life: Its Legacy and Message (Serial)
Gurudev Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya ( With this issue we start serialising revised English
version of Gurudev's autobiography in Hindi - Hamari Vasiyat aur Virasat ) THE NEED FOR AN IN-DEPTH SURVEY OF MY PRESENT LIFE
SOJOURN.
There is
another category of persons who are realistic and at the same time are endowed
with insight. They wholeheartedly believe in Rishi traditions. They concede the
supremacy of spirituality (Science of Spirit) over the physical sciences which
deal with the working of apparent phenomena and are inquisitive about its real
nature. Every fruit vendor says that her plums are sweet but the truth or
otherwise of the claim is determined after actual testing of the fruit. When
righteous people act together towards righteous ends, the result is bound to be
good. Thus, those who want to understand the nature of spirituality of the
Rishi traditions will greatly benefit by the in-depth study of my way of life.
The whole
of my life of the past sixty-three years since the age of 15, has been spent
for this very purpose. The results are there for everyone to read like an open
book and to be convinced that the right path must have been pursued to get
these astoundingly sublime results. Such a sunlit path can be profitably
followed by others. It is hoped that those who are drawn towards self-knowledge
and the life-transforming power of spirituality, who want to see its re-effulgence,
who want to test theories on the touchstone of the actual proof would find the
perusal of these pages (truthfully narrating the process of my own self-growth)
rewarding.
There is
nothing peculiar or fascinating in my outer life apart from certain turning
points, which are being published here. There is no scope in it for magic or
miracles or for hopping and jumping about by way of fun and frolic. I have been
spending my time single-pointedly in a well-organised and well-planned manner.
Therefore, those looking for a march of glittering pageant of stimulating
events will be disappointed. However, those interested in the verities and
mysteries working beneath the foam and froth of the surface events will get a
glimpse of the perennial unbroken tradition of the flow of spirituality and
they would be able to understand the underlying causes of success and failure
in life.
The only
reason which causes disappointment in the field of religious worship, which has
defamed spirituality and made it ridiculous, is to consider formal ritual as
everything and to pay no attention to the inner cleansing and refinement. My
outward actions and activities are like those of any ordinary person but they
directly originate from the bedrock of Spirit and release the spiritual
splendour and energy (brahmatejas) which bestows the capacity to accomplish
something worthwhile and of decisive importance for the good of all. There was
no purpose in describing in detail the various events of life, except to
satisfy some curiosity.
What
really mattered were the inner vision and steadfastness of faith which acted as
manure and water for nurturing the tiny seed to grow into a mighty tree. In
fact, it is the radiant personality of the devotee (sadhak) that infuses life
in sadhana and mere performance of rituals is nothing but a pastime. Ram of
Tulsi, Hare Krishna of Soor, collective singing of devotional songs by
Chaitanya, songs of Meera, Ramakrishna's worship of Mother Kali, did not become
radiantly alive for these devotees merely by their ritualistic worship.
Innumerable persons act in an absurd and mechanical manner; what they get is
nothing but ridicule.
When
Valmiki changed the pattern of his life, he became illumined even by doing japa
in an incorrect, reverse manner. Ajamil, Angulimal, Ganika and Amrapali were
hardly literate but they had moulded their inner lives in conformity with
spiritual ideals. It is rather a sad irony that people these days mistakenly
assume that they have embarked on the path of self-realisation merely by
uttering some words, performing certain rituals or making certain offerings to
the Deity.
They
never try to transform their thoughts, character and attitudes in the light of
the Indwelling Spirit which is a must for spiritual progress. I have always
been cautious not to allow this falsity to enter into my way of sadhana. This
path is realistic, practical and easy to be followed by and beneficial to the
common mass of humanity. My way of life should be studied keeping this in view. ( To be continued.......)
Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,
Shiv Sharma
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