Shri Sai Sat Charitra-Chapter 16-17, Part 3

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Sai Ram. We will continue with Chapters 16 and 17 (they are combined into One chapter in the English version) of Sri Sai Satcharitra. Sai Ram.

Qualifications for Brahma-Jnana or Self-Realization

All persons do not see or realize the Brahman in their life-time. Certain qualifications are absolutely necessary. (1) Mumuksha or intense desire to get free. He, who thinks that he is bound and that he should get free from bondage and works earnestly and resolutely to that end;and who does not care for any other things, is qualified for the spiritual life.

Sai Ram. Both the feelings of bondage and liberation are aspects of the mind. It is the mind which makes the person feel limited and bound by fears and desires. It is the same mind which yearns for freedom and works to gain that knowledge which sets the mind free. Sai Ram.

(2) Virakti or a feeling of disgust with the things of this world and the next. Unless a man feels disgusted with the things, emoluments and honors, which his action would bring in this world and the next, he has no right to enter into the spiritual realm.

Sai Ram. Since the mind has got addicted to various pleasures of the senses, which have now become bondages, mind has to first negate the sensory pleasures and thus Virakti has to develop. Sai Ram.

(3) Antarmukhata (introversion). Our senses have been created by God with a tendency to move outward and so, man always looks outside himself and not inside. He who wants self-realization and immortal life, must turn his gaze inwards, and look to his inner Self.

Sai Ram. Introversion is very much essential to realise the hidden cravings and fears, desires and aversions, which all bind the individual.

(4) Catharsis from (Purging away of) sins. Unless a man has turned away from wickedness, and stopped from doing wrong, and has entirely composed himself and unless his mind is at rest, he cannot gain self-realization, even by means of knowledge.

Sai Ram. Knowing that one must take a medicine is the first step but it is not sufficient. Knowledge must be set into practice. The dirt which has accumulated over many births has to be washed off by practising the spiritual knowledge. Disease will be cured only when the medicine, however bitter is taken inside. Sai Ram.

(5) Right Conduct. Unless, a man leads a life of truth, penance and insight, a life of celibacy, he cannot get God-realization.

Sai Ram. Stopping to do evil is an important step but purification through right conduct is more important. The cloth needs to be washed with the right soap solution to stay clean periodically. Celibacy or brahmacharya is not just abstaining from sexual intercourse, but remembering and walking the path of Brahma, which is devoid of all desires and cravings for pleasure. Sai Ram.

(6) Preferring Shreyas, (the Good) to Preyas (the Pleasant). There are two sorts of things viz., the Good and the Pleasant; the former deals with spiritual affairs, and the latter with mundane matters. Both these approach man for acceptance. He has to think and choose one of them. The wise man prefers the Good to the Pleasant; but the unwise, through greed and attachment, chooses the Pleasant.

Sai Ram. The vaasanas, hidden desires in the mind go on sprouting up and try to seek fulfillment. These are not just of this birth but come with us from our many previous births. So, viveka (wisdom) is needed to choose the right action, which is not selfish but which is useful. The right karma should be performed keeping the welfare of the society in mind. Sai Ram.

(7) Control of the mind and the senses. The body is the chariot and the Self is its master; intellect is the charioteer and the mind is the reins; the senses are the horses and sense-objects their paths. He who has no understanding and whose mind is unrestrained, his senses unmanageable like the vicious horses of a charioteer, does not reach his destination (get realization), but goes through the round of births and deaths; but he who has understanding and whose mind is restrained, his senses being under control, like the good horse of a charioteer, reaches that place, i.e., the state of self-realization, where he is not born again. The man, who has the understanding as his charioteer (guide) and is able to rein his mind, reaches the end of the journey, which is the supreme abode of the all-pervading, Vishnu (lord).

Sai Ram. And if one is unable to control the mind, one should surrender to the Higher Force (Guru) so that He takes care of our chariot and our destination. Just as Sri Arjuna agreed to let Sri Krishna be his Saradhi, if we surrender (hand over) ourselves with all out defects to our Sai Sadguru, He will take care of us, just as Sri Krishna took care of Sri Arjuna and other Pandavas. Sai Ram.