|
|
Adi Shankaracharya Bhaja Govindam
- The pleasures and riches of worldly life
are deceptive appearances. Understanding that they are all but a
passing-show, be detached and dispassionate, cultivate renunciation
and seek Brahman.
- Day and night, dawn and dusk, winter and
spring, all these are flitting across the stage of the world. While
time thus is frolicking and befooling us, our life span is also
running out; yet we do not , even a little, give up the clinging to
our desires, nor do we let the desires loosen their grip on us.
- Crazy man ! Why do you worry so much about
your wife and property? why don't you seek out the Truth ? Know that
in these three worlds it is only the association with the good and
holy that can help you in crossing safely the ocean of life.
- The ascetic with matted locks, the man
with the shaven head or one with hair pulled out, or the man
parading in the ochre robes -- they all have eyes but yet do not
see. All these are but deceptions for cheating the world, for
filling their bellies. ( Renunciation does not lie in external
appearance, but in inward thought, attitude and feeling).
- The body has become decrepit, the hair on
the head has turned completely gray; the mouth has become totally
toothless; the back is bent down and the old man cannot take even a
step witout the aid of his stick; yet he does not loosen even a bit,
his hold on the bundle of desires.
- Homeless he is; his back is bent down with
age. His body has lost its heat and he has to warm himself before a
fire or in the sun. Tree is his only shelter; he lives by begging
and by the crumbs thrown into his palms by others; in the night he
sleeps by holding his chin on his knee ( because the back is bent
and he cannot stretch himself and lie down). Yet, he does not let
and allow the grip of desires on him loosen even a bit.
- One may have bathed in the holy Ganges or
even in the Ganga Sagar; he may have performed many charities and
observed many vows; yet unless one has glimpsed the Truth ( God), he
will not gain release even after a hundred lives. (note: this is the
warning of all the religions)
- Who can disturb the peace and happiness of
a man if he has the true spirit of renunciation and has controlled
his desires, even if he be the poorest, sleeping only in the temple
halls and choultries or under trees or on the bare ground and just
with a deer skin to cover.
- Whether one is immersed in yoga or is
revelling in bhoga ( i.e, outward enjoyment), whether he is enjoying
himself in social company or has retired into solitude, true
happiness certainly cannot be his; but who alone is revelling
inwardly in Brahman, (wherever he be), he alone will be truly happy
and will verily enjoy.
- Even a little study and understanding of
the Bhagawad Gita, or sipping of even a tiny drop of the waters of
the holy Ganges or even a little worship of Murari -- these will
surely save one from confrontation with death !
Bhaja Govindam Songs -
Songs 1 -
11, Songs 21 - 31
^Top
Back to Adi Shankara Teachings |
Subscribe
Bookmark & Share
|
