Dear Guruji,
Lord Krishna had said:
परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृतां ।
धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय संभवामि युगे युगे ।।
Bhagavadgeeta 4.8
Whenever Lord Krishna killed a demon, it is said, the demon attained mukti (Liberation). Ravana too got liberated earlier than Vibheeshana. But the so called (pious) sadhus are still waiting. Why this is so?
ANSWER : Mukti (liberation) is the fruition of the aspiration and effort of the seeker.
Bhakti (devotion) is the common attitude of the devotees. Passion, fear, jealousy, competition and the like are more powerful emotional currents. Shreemad Bhagavatam says that vaira (hatred) is stronger and faster in fructifying, than the simple bhakti. Shishupala and others are examples of this kind.
The question is whether your mind is intensely ‘glued’ to the Lord! Attitude of hatred rivets the mind to the object of hatred, greatly more than other emotional notes. Sadhus may be humble, pious and silent. But is their pursuit powerful, intense, strong and relentless?
Some time back an aged sadhu, who had led decades of ascetic life, came to our Ashram. He said: “I had exposure from great Mahatmas and also their tuition. A rare fortune indeed. But I have not progressed much from where I was in the very beginning." The reason is lack of intensity…
Shreemad Bhagavatam clarifies this intriguing question through the dialogue between Narada and Yudhishthira:
यथा वैरनुभन्धेन मर्त्यस्तन्मयतामियात ।
न तथा भक्तियोगेन इति मे निश्चिता मतिः ।।
न तथा भक्तियोगेन इति मे निश्चिता मतिः ।।
Shreemad Bhagavatam 7.1.26
The extent to which man attains absorption of the Supreme through the bond of hatred (and dislike),
he does not get through (simple) devotion. This is my confirmed view.
I am happy that you have started thinking on the subject like this. Very good. Any kind of introspection is welcome. So compliments.
Antaraatma
Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
