Chapter 7 – Vivekachoodamani 61 – 70
The preceptor speaks “The Veda, Shastra,
Ithihasa, Purana, Vedantha, Upanishads are ‘Shabdha Bhramam’ are superior
herbs, but the ignorant Jeeva who is drenched in the material matters and
bondage is bitten by the venomous serpent-like the attachments to people,
matters, money, richness, fame, wealth, etc. Therefore, the Jeeva requires ‘Athmajjana’,
not that knowledge in various Shastras and Puranas. The ‘Athmajjana Aushadhi’
only can protect the ignorant Jeeva from the miseries and sorrows of worldly
existence. The medicines consumed help the patients to get rid of ailments, not
that mere pronunciation of the cure. ‘Aparoksha Anubhoothi’/knowledge of
Bramham and contemplation upon it only could remove the grief and sufferings
of Samsara, not with the Bhramashabdha or discussions on the Bhramam cannot
bring Samsaranivriththi. The superior tool for the ‘Mukthi’/liberation from
vicious cycles of birth, and freedom from the miseries and sorrows, can be
achieved with the Dhrishyavilaya/getting rid of the interest in worldly matters
and bondage, and strict following of Aparoksha Thathvanubhoothi/knowledge of ‘self’.
The mere utterance of these would not bring any progress in the individual; it can
be achieved with the constant practice of austerities/Dhama, Shama, Sathyam,
Dhaya and Shaucham, vows, observance of celibacy, learning scriptures and
sacred texts, etc. The King along with his skillful warriors fights against the
enemies and achieve victory, the mere pronunciation of it would not bring
the glories of a King. In the same manner, mere pronunciation of Mumukshthvam,
Mokshathvam won’t bring Mukthi, it is entirely dependent on the individual
effort.”
The preceptor continues “I shall describe
how to achieve the ‘hidden treasure’, first of all the person who chases for
the treasure should have clear-cut knowledge about the place where it was
hidden. The person who gained the knowledge would put all effort to excavate the
land to find the treasure. In this way, the following methods should be
followed to achieve Athmajjana/knowledge of self/Parmathma, 1) Desire and
curiousness to learn 2) observance of celibacy and austerities, 3) approach the
preceptor, 4) serve the preceptor and learn the ‘Athmavidhya’ are the
important steps to achieve ‘Athmajjana’. Therefore, learning, reading, and listening to things won’t help to achieve Athmajjana, it should be brought into ‘Practice’.
It should work like the patient follow medication and strictness in meals to
get cured of ailments, the Sadhaka who strive to achieve ‘Athmavidhya’
undertake practices like austerities, Dhamashamadhi, etc. Oh! noble soul, you
have raised brilliant questions that are
1) Shasthrasammtha/something not against the Shastra 2) meaningful 3) and most
important information for the Mumukshu. Oh! Brilliant one, I shall answer to
your queries, listen to me carefully, mere listening to this would remove the
Samsarabandha of the Jeeva. Whoever practices 1) control over sense, 2) a clear understanding of Nithya/Permanent
and Anithyavasthu/impermanent things, 3)
absence from the deeds, thoughts, words,
which causes extreme grief 4) practice Thithiksha, Shamadhamadhi, and keep away from the performance of Karma for fulfilling one’s own
desires are the ‘Mokshakarana” and
whoever sincerely follow all these are deserved to achieve Moksha. The constant practice of austerities, contemplation, and meditation would purify the
intellect from the impurities like Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Madha and
Mathshcharya in due course of time, once the Vikshepa/perplexity is removed
with the knowledge of ‘Athman’, the Jeeva achieves ‘Nirvana Saukhyam’. ”
Ajjana Sarppa Dhashtasya Bhramajjanaushadham Vina | Kimu
Vedhaishcha Shashthraishcha Kimu
Manthrai: Kimaushadhai: ||
Na Gacchathi Vina Panam Vyadhiraushadha
Shabdhatha: | Vinaaprokshanubhavam Bhramashabdhair Na Muchyathe ||
Akrithva
Dhrishyavilayamajjathva
Thaththvamathmana: | Bhramashabdhai: Kuthomukthirukthi Mathraphaliar
Nrinam ||
Akrithva
Shathrusamharamagathvakhila Bhooshriyam | Rajahamithi Shabdhanno Raja
Bhavithumarhathi||
Apthokthim Khananam Thadho
Parisheeladhyuthkarshanam Sveekrithim | Nikshepa: Samapekshathe Nahi Bahi :
Shabdhaisthu Nirgacchathi | Thathvath Bhramavidhopadhesham Manam
Dhyanadhibhir Labhyathe | Mayakaryathirohitham Swvamamalam Thaththvam Na
Dhuryukthibhi: ||
Thasmath Sarvaprayathnena Bhavabandha
Vimukthaye | Swaireva Yathna: Karththavyo Rogadhaviva Pandithai: ||
Yasthvayadhya Kritha: Prashno
Vareeyancchasthravinmatha: | Suthraprayo Nigoodarththo Jjathavyashcha Mumukshubhi:
||
Shrunushvavahitho Vidhvan Yanmaya Samudheeryathe | Thadheth
Shravanathsadhyo Bhavabandhadhvimokshyase ||
Mokshasyahethu: Prathamo Nigadhyathe |
Vairagyamathyantha Manithya Vasthushu| Thatha: Shamashchapi Dhamasthidhiksha |
Nyasa: Prasakthakhila Karmanam Bhrisham ||
Thatha: Shruthisthanmananam Sa Thathva
Dhyanam Chiram Nithyanirantharam Mune: | Thatho Avikalpam Paramethya Vidhvanihaiva
Nirvanasukham Samricchathi ||