VIVEKA CHUDAMANI
VIVEKA CHUDAMANI
Swami Madhavananda Part 5
4O. Lord, and describe at length how to put an end to the misery of this relative existence.
41. As he speaks thus, tormented by the afflictions of the world – which is like a forest on fire – and seeking his protection, the saint eyes him with a glance softened with pity and spontaneously bids him give up all fear.
42. To him who has sought his protection, thirsting for Liberation, who duly obeys theinjunctions of the Scriptures, who is of a serene mind, and endowed with calmness – (to such a one) the sage proceeds to inculcate the truth out of sheer grace.
43. Fear not, O learned one, there is no death for thee; there is a means of crossing thissea of relative existence; that very way by which sages have gone beyond it, I shall inculcate to thee.
44. There is a sovereign means which puts an end to the fear of relative existence; through that thou wilt cross the sea of Samsara and attain the supreme bliss.
45. Reasoning on the meaning of the Vedanta leads to efficient knowledge, which isimmediately followed by the total annihilation of the misery born of relative existence.
46. Faith (Shraddha), devotion and the Yoga of meditation – these are mentioned by the Shruti as the immediate factors of Liberation in the case of a seeker; whoever abides in these gets Liberation from the bondage of the body, which is the conjuring of Ignorance.
47. It is verily through the touch of Ignorance that thou who art the Supreme Self findestthyself under the bondage of the non-Self, whence alone proceeds the round of births and deaths. The fire of knowledge, kindled by the discrimination between these two, burns up the effects of Ignorance together with their root.
48. Condescend to listen, O Master, to the question I am putting (to thee). I shall begratified to hear a reply to the same from thy lips.
49. What is bondage, forsooth ? How has it come (upon the Self) ? How does itcontinue to exist ? How is one freed from it ? What is this non-Self ? And who is the Supreme Self ? And how can one discriminate between them ? -- Do tell me about all these.
50. The Guru replied: Blessed art thou ! Thou hast achieved thy life’s end and hastsanctified thy family, that thou wishest to attain Brahmanhood by getting free from the bondage of Ignorance !
