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## Baladashti: Serving the Means with the Soul
(231) The meaning of bondage is this: Just as worldly possessions like wife, children, etc., are the world for the foolish, so too, for the ignorant and spiritually unrefined, "scriptural world" is their bondage!
Similarly, even the most excellent means like Yama, Niyama, Samyama, Tyaga, Vairagya, etc., become bondage if they are performed with attachment, or if they are performed forgetting the desired goal, or if the means are considered the goal itself. Shri Ratnakarpachisi says:
"Vaishachar Pavashyanaach, Dharmopadeisho Sansanay. Vaaday Vidyaadhyayanam Cha Me'bhoot, Kiyad Bruve Hasya Karam Swamiish."
Knowing this, the seeker of liberation (Mumukshu) uses these instruments as instruments. He serves these means as means and does not create attachment or desire-restriction, thus not making them bondage. Because he serves Yama, Niyama, Samyama, Tyaga, Vairagya, Bhakti, Japa, Tapa, Vrata, Shastra, etc., all these extremely beneficial means, only as means, with the soul. He constantly keeps the goal of pure self-realization in mind. Just as the arrow of the archer aiming at Radha is focused on the target (the idol of Radha), similarly, the seeker of liberation constantly focuses on the ultimate goal of pure soul (Atma). Because of this, he does not experience any obstacles in the means, and desire-restriction does not hinder him.
Similarly, this seeker of liberation avoids all means, abandons all sinful actions, and does not engage in prohibited conduct. Therefore, he diligently practices the eighteen stages of non-violence (Ahimsa). This also ensures that he does not face any obstacles in his spiritual practice, and he remains free from desire-restriction. Nothing hinders him. He practices his spiritual path with purity and without any distractions.
And this obstacle-free spiritual practice bears the fruit of great joy. Therefore, this pure and obstacle-free spiritual practice brings about the attainment of Amudaya-Punyadaya (liberation from the cycle of birth and death) and the achievement of liberation (Moksha) for the seeker. This great joy is his reward!
"Obstacles are not present here, in the pursuit of Dharma; by avoiding misconduct, one attains great joy. Oh Jinendra! Wealth." - Shri Ye Das Rupa
"Putradaraadisansaraha Punsam Samoodhachetasam. Viguna Ratraha Sonahiitamanaam" - Bindu