Do not Procrastinate; Learn, Practice & Progress
By H H Maa Purnananda
“Asainyataatmanaa Yogo Dushprap Iti Me Matih; Vashyaatmanaa Tu Yatataa Shakyoavaaptum Upaayatah.” - (Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta – 6/36)
We learn from Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta, the importance of learning! We also learn from the same, the importance of practising whatever we learn from It. We learn from the invaluable Sacred Teachings therein, that thereafter, dispassion ought to slowly develop in the Saadhak; dispassion not towards duties and responsibilities, but dispassion towards the result and the fruits that would incur from the work.
What exactly are we supposed to learn from the Holy Scriptures? Why are they called “Holy”? What is “Sacred” about them? Is it the knowledgeable content in them? Is it the scholarly detailing and explanations therein? Is it so because some saintly or holy person has authored it? Is it Holy because so it is believed to be traditionally? Is it because it is ancient knowledge? Is it because people revere them? Why are they called Holy?
Firstly, we must understand the reason as to why are they called “Holy” Scriptures. Whichever Knowledge takes us higher in our inner evolution, whichever is elevating to human beings; that which ultimately points towards the Supreme being, to the Real Self, the One All-pervading, Supreme Reality which is Omnipresent, Omniscient and Omnipotent; surely would be the ultimate content of any given Holy Scripture.
Mere Knowledge that is contained in such Scriptures would not automatically get translated into elevation of any human being’s Antahkaran (inner-equipment)! Self effort in the direction given by the Scriptures would be of utmost importance. Studying the Scriptures sincerely could make the reader a scholar. But to improve ourselves and elevate as per the instructions given by the Men-of-Wisdom, we surely need to sincerely practise as per our learning; very faithfully, carefully and diligently.
So the theoretical knowledge that we gain from the Scriptures rots in our Antahkaran, making us more arrogant and rigid, if not put into regular and sincere practices. When the day-to-day life is oriented by the tamed Antahkaran on the basis of Sacred and Spiritual points of view, it is one of the most required Yog Sadhna-s. Such practices help the practitioner to elevate and thereafter lead him to higher levels of Yog Sadhna. But if not put into practice, the scholarly knowledge of the Scriptures would be of very little benefit, or no benefit; or sometimes even harmful rather than beneficial. The Antahkaran of such a scholarly person might remain untamed and rather disturbed, harming him of course, and harming others as well who are acquainted with him!
In the given Shlok, Sree Bhagwaan says that in His view, Yog is hard to attain by one of uncontrolled Antahkaran (inner equipment), but the self-controlled and striving one attains it by right practices. Here, we have to understand the word “Yog” with its higher meaning and deeper import; which means “union with the Divine within”. This stage is attained after achieving the higher levels of Yog Sadhna.
Therefore, we need to not only learn the Scriptures, but also we need to learn from the Scriptures and practice what we learn from the Scriptures, without delay! On the Auspicious occasion of Sree Guru Purnima, let us sincerely put all our effort to practice whatever little we can, from whatever we learn from the Scriptures and get going……. Our sincere gratitude at the Holy Feet of Bhagwaan Sree Vedvyas and Sree Guru Parampara, seeking Their blessings for being worthy of Their invaluable Sacred Teachings.