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74
I am the Soul
But Lakshmana was fully alert. He had in store a wonderful strength of restraint and celibacy. As such, Shoorpanakha's overtures, her beauty and her proposal had no effect on him.
Consider this, Friends! A brave young man like Lakshmana, beauty before him and all favourable circumstances; why was he not tempted? Such arousal, such a temptation is but natural in a man of the common mould. But this man was Lakshmana. When Shoorpanakha pleaded, "Take me as your wife", Lakshmana replied, "I am a married man. My wife is in Ayodhya. I cannot accept you".
Did Lakshmana refuse in spite of a desire? No, not even in a corner of his mind did he have any desire. He sent her across to Rama. He too chased her away. She came back to Lakshmana. Her passions made her forget the limits and senses and when Lakshmana rejected her the second time too, she recoiled like a serpent and Lakshmana chopped her nose and ears and sent her packing.
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Let us match this episode with our inner state. The name Lakshmana has two words - laksha (4) - aim and mana (47) – mind. The aim of the mind should be constant alertness - to stand guard for Rama, that is the soul. Mere alertness will not do. The weapon of restraints necessary to cut down temptation. For one who does not possess it, Srimadji says -
त्याग विराग न चित्तमां, थाय न तेने ज्ञान,
Brothers! Only those who have an inner state immersed in renunciation and detachment will achieve self realisation. The first precondition for self realisation is that passions be abandoned. Selfishness be renounced, sins be renounced, then alone would self realisation occur. It is then that the Jiva experiences that 'I am the soul', 'I know myself', 'I recognise myself".
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