Spiritual Enlightenment

Author(s): Yogindu Deva, A N Upadhye
Publisher: Radiant Publishers

Page 64

Spiritual Enlightenment
attachment and aversion; even a particle of attachment hinders self-realization; the attitude of equanimity (samabhava), which easily leads one to liberation, consists in eschewing these two (II. 52, 80-81, 100, etc.). It is merely a self-deception to pull out hair with ashes, if attachment is not given up (II. 90). Attitude of equanimity is a source of spiritual bliss, and it arises out of right comprehension of reality (II. 43, etc.). One who is endowed with this attitude treats all beings alike (II. 105). Even the company of a person who is not equanimous is harmful (II. 109). Addiction to the pleasures of senses involves Karmic bondage (I. 62). There can be no place for Brahman when the mind is occupied by a fawn-eyed one; two swords cannot occupy the same scabbard (I. 121). Moths, deer, elephants, bees and fish are ruined respectively by light, sound, touch, scent and taste; so one should not be attached to these (II. 112). The camels of five senses knock the soul down into Samsara after grazing the pasture of pleasures (II. 136). A great monk is absolutely indifferent to sense-pleasures for which he has neither attachment nor aversion (II. 50). These pleasures last for a couple of days only; so their leader, namely, the mind should be brought under control whereby they are all captured (II. 138, 140, etc.). Pleasures of senses and passions ruffle the mind, and then the pure Atman cannot be realized (II. 156). The soul under the sway of passions loses all self-control and renders harm unto living beings which leads the soul to hell (II. 125-127). Infatuation and consequent passions must be given up (II. 41-42). Infatuation and greed are the fertile sources of misery (II. 111-13, etc.). Mere outward practices such as reading scriptures, the practice of austerities and visiting holy places by ignoring self-control, are of no avail (I. 95 II. 82-3, etc.). Dangerous are the activities of mind, speech and body: the mind should be brought under self-control and Bhavashuddhi, i.e. the purity of mind, must be cultivated (II. 137). It is by cultivating pure manifestation of consciousness that the soul develops various virtues and ultimately destroys Karman (II. 67). This body is useless if Dharma in its practical and realistic aspects is not practised (II. 133-34).