| Canto 7: The Science of God Chapter 9: Prahlāda Pacifies Lord Nṛsiḿhadeva with Prayers |
[From - http://vedabase.net/sb/7/9/49/en ]
TRANSLATION
Neither the three modes of material nature [sattva-guṇa, rajo-guṇa and tamo-guṇa], nor the predominating deities controlling these three modes, nor the five gross elements, nor the mind, nor the demigods nor the human beings can understand Your Lordship, for they are all subjected to birth and annihilation. Considering this, the spiritually advanced have taken to devotional service. Such wise men hardly bother with Vedic study. Instead, they engage themselves in practical devotional service.
PURPORT
As stated in several places, bhaktyā mām abhijānāti: [Bg. 18.55] only by devotional service can the Supreme Lord be understood. The intelligent person, the devotee, does not bother much about the practices mentioned in text 46 (mauna-vrata-śruta-tapo-'dhyayana-sva-dharma). After understanding the Supreme Lord through devotional service, such devotees are no longer interested in studies of the Vedas. Indeed, this is confirmed in the Vedas also. The Vedas say, kim arthāvayam adhyeṣyāmahe kim arthā vayam vakṣyāmahe. What is the use of studying so many Vedic literatures? What is the use of explaining them in different ways? Vayam vakṣyāmahe. No one needs to study any more Vedic literatures, nor does anyone need to describe them by philosophical speculation. Bhagavad-gītā (2.52) also says:
buddhir vyatitariṣyati
When one understands the Supreme Personality of Godhead by executing devotional service, one ceases the practice of studying the Vedic literature. Elsewhere it is said, ārādhito yadi haris tapasā tataḥ kim. If one can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead and engage in His service, there is no more need of severe austerities, penances and so on. However, if after performing severe austerities and penances one does not understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, such practices are useless.
Nor all the modes of nature, nor their predominating deities; nor the complete of the cosmic intelligence, the false ego, the gross and subtle elements, the senses and their objects; nor those who are so mindful together with all the godly and the mortals who all have a beginning and an end, o Lord glorified by all the saints, is truly capable of covering all that is Yours, and thus do the purest consider the end of their studies [and the begin of their devotional service, see also B.G. 2: 52].
Nor all the modes of nature nor their predominating deities, nor everything to the Mahat of the elements, the senses and their objects, nor those of the mind with all the godly and the mortals who all have a beginning and an end, o Lord Glorified by All the Saints, may truly understand Yours and so do the purest consider the end of their studies [and the begin of their devotional service, see also B.G. 2.52].'
Which form of meditation is good? Correct? Useful? Harmful? Dangerous? The simplest of all styles is to meditate by shutting one's eyes and use meditation beads or do not use beads or any support. I would think the most crucial choice is to meditate. Actually start on meditation and keep doing it without fail. Meditate daily. This is the most difficult hurdle to cross.
There are many advisors in the world who would be only too willing to deny you the direction to the correct path. Friends, relatives, colleagues, acquaintances and strangers, will all have advice on suggesting that it is not necessary to take up meditation. There are many theories and theorists out there. Let them be, I think. I feel very strongly that meditation exists as a pathway to better knowledge and experience, clarity and holistic sharing within oneself, and therefore, one should begin.
The second most difficult aspect in meditation is to continue at meditation, once you have begun. It is easy to assume that there are no visible or tangible benefits, and therefore, one need not continue with meditation. The entire aspect of meditation is to explore your inner self, and understand yourself. Your own understanding of yourself can never be visible or tangible. One needs to be able to continue to meditate with easy discipline, i.e., without prejudice or punishment.
I was taught that if I failed, I should start again. If I failed again, I should once again, start again.
That is what life is all about. As human beings, we are frail, and we fail again and again and again. Therefore, we should start again.
It does not mean, that consciously one should want to stop and start one's life or for that matter, meditation. The aspects of our mind are very strange, mysterious and worrisome, if we allow it to be exploited. We can deny ourselves the torture. It is upto us to strengthen ourselves, through regular and easy meditation.
8 January 2011
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