It Takes Double the Force to Sail the Boat Against Currents
By H H Maa Purnananda
“Asainyataatmanaa Yogo Dushprap Iti Me Matih; Vashyaatmanaa Tu Yatataa Shakyoavaaptum Upaayatah.” - (Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta – 6/36)
Sailing a boat against currents means your actual speed is your boat’s engine speed minus the speed of the current. This makes forward progress slower and increases fuel consumption. To manage this safely, you have to maintain a straight heading into the current, avoid steep choppy waves and keep a steady throttle. If the current speed is as fast as your maximum boat speed, you will be unable to make any forward progress.
Currents tend to be stronger in deep, wide channels and slower near shorelines or behind landmasses. You have to stick to the shallower inside bends to minimize the current’s drag.
When approaching a dock against a current, use the current as a natural brake. Pull into it slowly and shift into neutral or use reverse to maintain controlled, gradual movement.
Now if we talk about an aircraft, then all of it would change. Aircrafts are not directly pushed into the air by the winds. Instead, the engines provide forward thrust while taking off into the headwind. This headwind increases the speed of the air flowing over the wings, which generates the necessary upward lift at lower ground speeds.
The aircraft’s engines create thrust that pushes the plane forward. As the plane moves forward into headwind, the combined speed of the plane moving through the air–speed is much higher. This increased air-speed creates more pressure underneath the wings than above them, causing lift.
Whether you row a boat as explained above or fly an aircraft, in both cases you need expertise, right? Else you won’t be able to drive either! To drive a Vaahan (vehicle) that would carry you from point A to B in your own comfortable atmosphere, whether on earth or in the sky; you need to learn, appear for exams, qualify and get certified by a recognised authority before you are allowed to do so. This is understandable, chiefly due to the risk of life involved therein I am sure!
But, when it comes to the most important subtle transportation of the soul to the Self, do you mean to say, or are you ready to accept, that it can be accomplished without any learning, testing, qualifying and getting certified from a recognised authority? That is exactly what is going on………
Beware of the danger of falling into deep darkness for lives together if unfortunately you get carried away in such falsehood! There is comprehensive Science of Sthaapatya Shastra (Temple architecture) and Philosophy of Advait Vedant (Non-dualism), that when learnt under the qualified and capable Guru-s, and further practiced as per Their instructions, would truly become the best means to transport one’s own acquired self to one’s Absolute Self.
The first condition to begin with such practices, as per the above-mentioned Shlok indicates cultivating self-control, self-restraint, dispassion and so forth. Sree Bhagwaan says that Yog (union with the Absolute Self) would not be possible for those who are extrovert, passionate and disintegrated.
Now look at the world! It’s environment is exactly in the direction which is absolutely not conducive to the Sacred return journey of the soul to the Self! Hence, the practices discussed above are somewhat like sailing against the currents of the deep waters that would require sufficient technique, proper knowledge and of course, unfailing implementation of the same as instructed by the great Seers and Sages of the yore.
With the Divine Force of the invincible inner strength we need to put in deep faith, unswerving belief, sincere learning, tireless effort and constant awareness in the direction in which we want to sail our boat (Vaahan, which is our Antahkaran) while rowing against the currents (the contemporary world, the society). So begin your Sadhna by getting established in inner integration and peace.
Thereafter row your ‘boat’ (Vaahan-Antahkaran) faithfully and fearlessly to sail through the rough opposite currents. Once you achieve that, thereafter you would be blessed by Sree Guru Parampara for being capable enough to take your ‘Aircraft’ (Vaahan-Antahkaran) to fly high up in quiet Space within. And finally, your Vaahan-Antahkaran would be blessed to be the Sacred Vaahan, such as Sree Nandi, Sree Garuda or Sree Hansa; to take you towards the ultimate Divine Destination, the self-effulgent Absolute Self! Incidentally, the Vaahan-Deepstambh with the engravings of the three Sacred Vaahan-s was installed in front of Sree Ishwar Darshan Temple here at SISS two years back, on 29th August 2024.
Make it possible by seeking Sree Ishwar’s grace and Sree Guru’s compassionate blessings!