Never-failing Sadhana 1

How could this sublime achievement be possible? It was possible by cultivation of competence or worthiness. It is also known as Jivan-Sadhana. It is intimately related to Upasana. Electric current flows through a metal wire and not through wood. A dry log of wood burns far more quickly and brightly than a wet one. A mother takes up a child into her lap when he is neat and clean. If he is stained with filth and dirt, she will first wash and clean him and then take him in her lap and feed him. For securing nearness, proximity to God, purity of character is a must. Several persons had remained soiled with carnal cravings in their previous lives but the moment they took to faith, devotion and Sadhana their lives were transformed beyond recognition. Valmiki, Angulimal, Bilva-manga, Ajamil became saints in the true sense of the term, the moment they surrendered themselves to God, although their past lives were far from pious. We adopt the policy of Ram Nan Japana, paraya mal apana(mechanically taking Ram's nabe but coveting what belongs to others). We go on doing evil deeds and yet think that by worshipping God merely through outward symbolic acts, we will escape from retribution for our trespasses. Is this not a great delusion?

Before dying, a cloth has to be washed. Before showing it is necessary to plough the land. To earn the grace of God one has to lead a pious life and become a Sadhak. A Sadhak alone can become a true devotee. In the absence of Jivan-Sadhana the thoughts, character, diet and daily routine of a person will all be disorganized. Such a person will always remain restless on account of greed and desires and he will never be abl3e to concentrate his mind. No purpose is served merely by performing Karma-kand and symbolic worship. Worship is directly related to inner feelings. With such sublimated feelings alone a person is able to assimilate righteousness in his attitude, actions and nature.

When a respectable guest pays a visit or there is a function, the entire house is cleaned and white-washed. If God is to be invited to occupy the chamber of the heart, it has to be first cleaned of all the dirt and dross which fill it. For this one has to take recourse to self-introspection, self-purification, self transformation and self-growth. These facts were explained to me and I thoroughly assimilated them. After all, why do we lead a contemptible life? Greed, delusion and pride, these three are at its root. A man having these vices is bound to be dragged towards hell.

Actions are shaped by our subtle tendencies. Our physical body is governed by our mind. Mind alone and not the body should be considered responsible for all the misdeeds. Keeping this fact in view, I considered it appropriate to cut the root of the poisonous tree and started Jivan-Sadhana, considering mind as the basis.

Crimes are often committed due to economic compulsions and temptation. A pledge was, therefore, taken by me to lead a simple life of an average Nepali. Whatever the income, it should be spent economically, according to local conditions, on th principle of 'simple living and high thinking'. In principle, most of the people give it lip support, but when it comes to practice they find it difficult to do so. It requires unshakable firmness and resolve, as members of the family have also to be prepared to follow it strictly, not only in principle but also in practice.