Simple Living and Divine Meditation

Simple Living, and Divine Meditation

Since Pantheism is ultimately a shallow view of the divine, Śukadeva Goswāmī begins to take the conversation deeper. He observes that the creator of the universe, the four-headed Lord Brahmā, after awakening from a long sleep, rekindled his dormant remembrance of God by meditating on the Universal form. Once having achieved enlightenment again, he set about recreating the cosmos as it was before. 

 In this way, his forgetfulness was transcended. As we are all prone to forgetfulness, we may learn from the example of the creator. This world of names bewilders our intelligence. Even the Vedas which were given by Śukadeva’s father to lead us from the wilderness offers confusing promises about the afterlife. Led on by false promises of heaven, common men strive after karmic deeds of great proposition. But endless karma in the circle of birth and death leads nowhere but to the grave.

“O King,” said Śukadeva, “Make your life simple. The enlightened soul should strive for no more than needed in this world of names. Be fixed in divine intelligence. Let God be your guide. Why work hard for nothing in this world of misunderstanding when we must leave everything behind?”

“O King,” said the boy, his lotus eyes unblinking, “What need is there for a royal bed and pillows of silk, when one has the soft earth for a bed and arms for pillows? Why do we need gold an silver spoons when we can use our fingers for eating? 

What need is there for fine embroidered cloth, when the skins of trees will do for covering our bodies? And if we must have rags to wear, are there no rags lying in the street? Have the trees stopped bearing fruits? Do the rivers no longer flow and give their waters to the thirsty? Have the mountain caves closed up their mouths? Do they no longer offer shelter to the wise men who seek refuge there? 

Does God no longer shelter the surrender souls? Why then do we need strive for wealth? Live simply. Have faith. Why work so hard for nothing in this world of woe when we must leave it all behind?

“I know that sometimes saints and sages fall prey to insecurity. They sometimes worship wealthy donors and flatter men who are intoxicated by gold and silver. You have seen such men. But the renounced order of life is not for parasites and sycophants. Have firm conviction on the path and do not waver. Live a simple life. If you are hungry you can find a generous tree with ample fruits. When you are thirsty you may find a river. There is no need to live like a hypocrite. Try to see the Lord in the heart.

“He is there. He is within you. By living such a simple life, dedicated to this meditation, gradually you will understand: the Lord is in the heart. Serve Him. Understand your soul and see God in the Universe. Meditate and you will find Him in your heart. Serve Him and you will see: the eternal unlimited Bhagavan will make Himself known to you. He is the ultimate goal of life. Do bhajan to Him and become free from this saṃsāra.”

“Only a fool will reject this advice and go on living in this temporary dream-world of names, this world of misconception. Look around and you will see so many souls lost in the river of misunderstanding, drowning in their own karma. But those who are wise in the ways of transcendence rise above this world of misery. 

Leaving aside all superficial meditations, they see the fourhanded Lord Himself in 8-inch area of the heart; He holds the lotus, the chakra, conch. and club. His eyes are like lotus petals and His lotus mouth is joy; adorned with golden cloth and flowers He shines, bedecked with jewels. Remember this transcendental form. I shall describe more in due time.”