नारायणं नमस्कृत्य नरं चैव नरोत्तमम्
देवीं सरस्वतीं चैव ततो जयम् उदीरयेत्
महाभरत
The Swan and the Sadhyas
The golden swan continued: "Sharp words pierce the heart like darts. But a wise man adopts peace without being angered by insults and humiliation. A wise man avoids wrath, as anger is corrosive. Without yielding to anger, he is joyful and free from malice. The enlightened person subdues his blazing wrath whose fury would consume him. When one indulges in anger, he speaks ill of others and becomes his own foe. And so, when one speaks ill of me, I forgive him. "
"Forgiveness and truth, sincerity and compassion are the foremost of virtues. The inner meaning of the Vedas is divine truth. Truth may be realized through self-restraint; but the inner meaning of self-restraint is dedication. This leads one to liberation from birth and death and all the darts and miseries of mortal life. Dedication in divine love is the greatest secret found in the teachings of the scriptures. "
Whilst gently describing a circle in the still and crystal waters of the holy river, the Swan continued: "Who is an enlightened soul? A true brahmana or muni is one who stills the urge to speak, as well as the urges of the tongue the stomach and the organs of pleasure. A person who controls anger is closer to truth than one who fails to still the urge to anger.
"One who practices self-restraint can see the truth more clearly than one whose mind is clouded by uncontrolled impulses. One who seeks the truth is more advanced in self-realization than one who has no interest in knowledge. The self-controlled soul avoids harsh speech even when insulted. He practices humility and tolerance. Only through humility and tolerance can one become free from ego. Humility and tolerance are achieved through dedication."
"He is unmoved both by insult and praise. When struck, he does not return the injury.
"He has such spiritual strength that he does not wish evil to those who injure him. He forgives those who sin against him. By practicing such forebearance he achieves success in his search for truth.
"He seeks the company of other souls who are purified from hatred and anger.
"He waits on the righteous and thirsts not for sensual pleasures. He leaves the path of sin and supresses wrath. He is neither seduced by covetousness, nor does he fall from the path of righteousness. Nor does he approach others with solicitations for wealth."
"If he is cursed, he does not curse in return. Self-restraint is the path to immortality, for by freeing the mind from distractions one may know reality as it is.
"As you are sincere in your search for truth, I will disclose to you the mysteries of the Vedas. The human form of life is superior to other forms as it affords the opportunity to become free from the snares of birth and death. Just as the moon is not contaminated by shadowy clouds, but moves through them unaffected, so the enlightened man, free from sin, achieves success through patient dedication to the path. Seek and find. Wait and see. Die to live."
"Die to live"
"A self-restrained and dedicated soul, worshipable by all, attains to the highest goal. That person whose mind and speech are restrained and always devoted to the Supreme, succeeds in attaining the inner mysteries of the Vedas.
"Such a man of wisdom should never revile those who are destitute of merit. The man of wisdom accepts insult as nectar and learns the truth through tolerance and humility. He sleeps peacefully, in harmony with himself and with the Supreme."
The Sadhyas sat quietly with unblinking eyes as they listened to the swan who spoke in dulcet tones while gently shifting on the clear waters of the holy river.
"And yet, the man of anger, knows no peace.
Offended by all, he reviles them in return. He meets with destruction. He lives in anger, works in anger and sleeps in anger. But his works in anger lead to his own destruction. The sacrifices he performs in anger are ashes and smoke.
"The penances he undergoes in anger lead only to tears of rage. The offerings and libations made to the sacred fire in anger are robbed by Yama, the lord of death. They have no merit, neither do they save him from his karma. In this way, the toil of an angry man is fruitless."
"In conclusion, those who are practice truth in speech and deed, who are self-restrained, who live with sincerity and compassion, and who are patient; those who are devoted to the study of holy scripture, who do not covet what belongs to others and who pursue the good with single purpose, attain to heaven."
नारायणं नमस्कृत्य नरं चैव नरोत्तमम्
देवीं सरस्वतीं चैव ततो जयम् उदीरयेत्
महाभरत
Mahābharata
As retold by
Michael Dolan, B.V. MahāyogiThe Swan and the Sadhyas
The golden swan continued: "Sharp words pierce the heart like darts. But a wise man adopts peace without being angered by insults and humiliation. A wise man avoids wrath, as anger is corrosive. Without yielding to anger, he is joyful and free from malice. The enlightened person subdues his blazing wrath whose fury would consume him. When one indulges in anger, he speaks ill of others and becomes his own foe. And so, when one speaks ill of me, I forgive him. "
"Forgiveness and truth, sincerity and compassion are the foremost of virtues. The inner meaning of the Vedas is divine truth. Truth may be realized through self-restraint; but the inner meaning of self-restraint is dedication. This leads one to liberation from birth and death and all the darts and miseries of mortal life. Dedication in divine love is the greatest secret found in the teachings of the scriptures. "
Whilst gently describing a circle in the still and crystal waters of the holy river, the Swan continued: "Who is an enlightened soul? A true brahmana or muni is one who stills the urge to speak, as well as the urges of the tongue the stomach and the organs of pleasure. A person who controls anger is closer to truth than one who fails to still the urge to anger.
"One who practices self-restraint can see the truth more clearly than one whose mind is clouded by uncontrolled impulses. One who seeks the truth is more advanced in self-realization than one who has no interest in knowledge. The self-controlled soul avoids harsh speech even when insulted. He practices humility and tolerance. Only through humility and tolerance can one become free from ego. Humility and tolerance are achieved through dedication."
"He is unmoved both by insult and praise. When struck, he does not return the injury.
"He has such spiritual strength that he does not wish evil to those who injure him. He forgives those who sin against him. By practicing such forebearance he achieves success in his search for truth.
"He seeks the company of other souls who are purified from hatred and anger.
"He waits on the righteous and thirsts not for sensual pleasures. He leaves the path of sin and supresses wrath. He is neither seduced by covetousness, nor does he fall from the path of righteousness. Nor does he approach others with solicitations for wealth."
"If he is cursed, he does not curse in return. Self-restraint is the path to immortality, for by freeing the mind from distractions one may know reality as it is.
"As you are sincere in your search for truth, I will disclose to you the mysteries of the Vedas. The human form of life is superior to other forms as it affords the opportunity to become free from the snares of birth and death. Just as the moon is not contaminated by shadowy clouds, but moves through them unaffected, so the enlightened man, free from sin, achieves success through patient dedication to the path. Seek and find. Wait and see. Die to live."
|
| "Die to live" |
"A self-restrained and dedicated soul, worshipable by all, attains to the highest goal. That person whose mind and speech are restrained and always devoted to the Supreme, succeeds in attaining the inner mysteries of the Vedas.
"Such a man of wisdom should never revile those who are destitute of merit. The man of wisdom accepts insult as nectar and learns the truth through tolerance and humility. He sleeps peacefully, in harmony with himself and with the Supreme."
The Sadhyas sat quietly with unblinking eyes as they listened to the swan who spoke in dulcet tones while gently shifting on the clear waters of the holy river.
"And yet, the man of anger, knows no peace.
Offended by all, he reviles them in return. He meets with destruction. He lives in anger, works in anger and sleeps in anger. But his works in anger lead to his own destruction. The sacrifices he performs in anger are ashes and smoke.
"The penances he undergoes in anger lead only to tears of rage. The offerings and libations made to the sacred fire in anger are robbed by Yama, the lord of death. They have no merit, neither do they save him from his karma. In this way, the toil of an angry man is fruitless."
"In conclusion, those who are practice truth in speech and deed, who are self-restrained, who live with sincerity and compassion, and who are patient; those who are devoted to the study of holy scripture, who do not covet what belongs to others and who pursue the good with single purpose, attain to heaven."
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