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The body is like a boat. The soul is the boatman. Life is like an ocean. The great objective is liberation. Those desiring liberation can cross the ocean with the help of the boat.
Just as a boat made of logs proves useful in crossing over the ocean, similarly, the aid of the body-boat is necessary for crossing over the ocean of life. The basis of all kinds of sadhana is the body. The question is, how to utilize it? He who knows the art of utilizing the body can make it yield its special energy which he can then use for liberation.
Q. What do you mean by the art of utilization? If a man
has energy, he can utilize it. But if energy is lacking, then however accomplished a man may be, he has nothing to work on. Will you kindly elaborate on it a little?
Ans. This is best illustrated by a story. A merchant - used to visit many countries in connection with his business. Once he found himself in a country where there were no milch animals like cows or buffaloes. So the next time he visited that country, he took with him a cow. In order to win the king's favour, he usually sent him gifts. Besides valuable objects, among his gifts were milk, curd, butter, milk-preparations like rabri and khoya, and other delicacies. The king found these eatables to be very delicious. The businessman was a clever guy. Through his gifts, he secured for himself many concessions and his business flourished. After a few months, he set about returning to his own country. The king did not like the idea of his leaving for home. Where would he get those delicious milk products after the man's departure? The king even indirectly hinted at it on the occasion of the merchant's last visit. In the hope of future gain, the merchant presented the cow to the king and told him that
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