________________
DISCOURSE XXX
STAGES OF THE ATTRIBUTES OF THE SOUL
Gentlemen,
Nowadays news regarding the ascent of Himalaya's highest peak is set afoot in newspapers. In 1953, Sherpa Tensing was highly eulogised and honoured all over the world for surmounting the highest peak Mt. Everest measuring 29,141 ft. Only in few days wealth began to roll at his feet. His companion Edmund Hillary also was honoured all over the world.
In the next year in 1960 May some Indians shall lead an expedition to Mt. Everest. In 1961 September, Edmund Hillary shall climb the peak Makalu 27,790 ft. high in search of Ice-man on the Himalayas. Maz Isalin leading Swiss mountaineer intends to reach Mt. Dhavalgiri (26,795 ft.) which has not been still trampled by any human foot. One Japanese expedition desires to cover up Mt. Gaurishanker (23,440 ft.).
When you peruse these informations your heart thrills with joy. You begin to applaud openly heroism and adventurous nature of these mountaineers but ascending the stages of the attributes of the Soul is much more difficult and extremely adventurous and a level-headed soul only can ascend these stages. What words will you use to welcome them? These stages of the attributes of the Soul do not represent any location geographically but they deal with the Soul. We have often referred to the 13th or 14th stage of the attributes of the Soul (Gunasthanaka).
Just as the science of Economics is concerned with trade, the science of pathology is concerned with medicines and yoga is concerned with meditation, these stages of attributes are concerned with Karmas. If you digest the gradations and nature of these attributes of the soul then only you can know the soul's enjoyment of a particular Karma with particular bondage, unfolding of a particular Karma, and changes effected in Karmas. That is why we have selected this topic of the stages of the attributes of the Soul in this series of our discourses.
328
