Guidance from Shri Prannathji’s Ultimate Revealed Wisdom:
In the profound teachings of Shri Prannathji, it is illuminated that the acquisition of four invaluable gifts— the iron age (Kali Yuga), the sacred land of the Indian subcontinent (Bharatvarsha), a human form, and Supreme Divine Wisdom (Brahm Gyan or Tartamic wisdom) — should not be squandered or lost in vain.
Instead, these precious endowments serve as a sacred opportunity. Shri Prannathji encourages us to possess them and judiciously employ these gifts. The aim is clear: by utilizing them wisely, one should strive to attain the incomparable eternal wealth — the Realization of the Supreme Lord or Brahma Sakshatkar (Kirantan 128/47).
Wisdom from Sage Kapil’s Sankhya Darshan:
In the profound teachings of Sage Kapil’s Sankhya Darshan, the essence unfolds: the most significant human endeavour lies in attaining the bliss of the Supreme Lord by completely relinquishing all three types of suffering — whether bodily or mental, celestial/natural calamities or worldly afflictions (Sankhya 1/1). This succinctly captures the essence of the ultimate human pursuit — liberation from all forms of suffering through communion with the divine.
Insights from Shankaracharya’s Vivek Chudamani:
Shankaracharya’s Vivek Chudamani imparts a poignant truth: One who, having acquired the precious gift of a human birth and mastery of the Vedas, fails to exert for self-liberation is deemed foolish. In this neglect, such an individual not only forfeits the opportunity for self-realization but also self-destructs. By clinging to the transient and unreal, they unwittingly engage in self-sabotage, undermining the very purpose of their existence (Vivek Chudamani 4).
Wisdom from Bhartrihari:
Bhartrihari illuminates the transient nature of worldly pleasures, comparing them to the temporary lightning that flickers briefly in the sky. Life is equally momentary, like drops of water on lotus leaves swaying in the wind. The desires and passions that grip life are fleeting.
Armed with courage and determination, a discerning individual must focus on contemplating the Supreme understanding of the impermanence of all transient phenomena. Though momentarily enticing, the allure of luxuries and worldly pleasures becomes the root cause of the perpetual cycles of birth and death.
In this transient world, no comfort or happiness is enduring, rendering the pursuit of fleeting joys futile. Bhartrihari urges the wise to cease accumulating fleeting pleasures and direct their minds towards the self-form and the Supreme Lord. Through cultivating serenity and purity, one liberates oneself from the binds of transient expectations.
The ultimate act of wisdom lies in fixing the mind on the Supreme Lord, relinquishing the pursuit of transient pleasures. Bhartrihari asserts this is the most impactful and virtuous deed, leading to serenity and connection with the eternal.
Navigating Life’s Transience:
Life mirrors flickering waves, transient and ever-changing. The allure of youth is just a fleeting guest. Wealth and property resemble delicate and ephemeral castles in the air. Luxury and enjoyment are momentary lightning flashes in the monsoon sky—even lovers’ embraces are not everlasting.
Amidst this impermanence, the only vessel to navigate the fear-laden worldly ocean is contemplation on the Supreme Lord of three embodiments—Truth/Power, Consciousness, and Bliss. In the profound embrace of Sat-chit-Anand Paar Brahm lies the enduring anchor amidst life’s transience.
Ineffable Bliss of the Supreme Lord:
For the one immersed in the Supreme Lord’s bliss, Brahma and Indra’s grandeur pales into insignificance. The joy derived from ruling over the entire triloka (three worlds) becomes lacklustre and insipid when contrasted with the profound bliss of the Supreme Lord.
Pure and genuine bliss resides solely in that divine connection. This Supreme Bliss perpetually unfolds and surpasses all other transient forms of happiness. In comparison or exclusion, all other joys are fleeting. Hence, all must recognize and contemplate upon the Supreme Lord, for in that contemplation lies the eternal wellspring of ineffable bliss.
The following are from Vairagya Shatak 31 – 40
The Shadow of Fear in Life:
Fear stealthily permeates every facet of life. The fear of disease shadows enjoyment, the dread of losing social standing lingers, and the anxiety of wealth slipping away haunts one. In the realm of honour, humiliation breeds fear; power brings the fear of enemies, beauty harbours the fear of ageing, and the fear of opponents shadows scriptural erudition. Virtue fears traducers, and life itself fears the inevitable embrace of death.
In essence, all aspects of life are entwined with fear. The unerring path to fearlessness, therefore, lies in renunciation. Only by letting go can one transcend the pervasive shadows of fear and find the sanctuary of true freedom.
Life’s Inevitable Encounters:
In the symphony of existence, death patiently awaits the living. Brilliant youth succumbs to the relentless grasp of old age. Contentment becomes prey to the voracity of greed, and the relentless call of lust tests self-control. Virtues fall victim to the insidious influence of jealousy, and even the serene forest tracts yield to the ravages of predatory beasts.
Wicked counsel tarnishes kings’ reputations, and power’s ephemeral nature succumbs to the pervasive force of evanescence. In the grand tapestry of life, every element is inevitably seized by something else. The dance of existence unfolds, shaped by the intricate interplay of opposing forces.
Inescapable Realities of Existence:
Varied ailments afflict both body and mind, corroding health; perils lurk in the shadows of prosperity, and death patiently awaits everything born, repeating its inevitable embrace again and again. In the grand design of existence, the question echoes: What, in this creation, remains steadfast under the hands of the Creator?
The Transience of Enjoyment and Life’s Phases:
Enjoyment mirrors the fleeting nature of breaking clouds and surging waves — inherently unstable. The body, a vessel of existence, faces the imminent prospect of rapid dissolution. The ephemeral buoyancy of youthful happiness, entwined with our objects of love, endures but for a brief span.
Wise teachers of humanity, recognizing the imperfection and transience that shroud the entire world, channel their energies into living exemplary lives. Let the illumination of their existence guide and benefit humankind.
Ephemeral Nature of Enjoyment and Life’s Fragility:
Enjoyment for all embodied beings is as fleeting as the rapid dance of lightning within a mass of clouds. Life’s insecurity mirrors a drop of water delicately clinging to the edge of a lotus leaf, dispersed by the wind’s gentle breath. The desires of youth, inherently unsteady, swiftly come and go.
In recognizing these transient facets of existence, the wise swiftly turn their attention, patiently and poised, to communion with the Supreme Lord. Through steadfast patience and balanced tranquillity, they attain a connection that transcends the fleeting nature of life’s desires.
Navigating Life’s Transient Currents:
Life unfolds like a colossal wave, ever-changing and impermanent. The allure of youthful beauty graces existence for but a fleeting moment. Earthly possessions, akin to passing thoughts, are transient. The entire sequence of our enjoyment mirrors the fleeting flashes of lightning in the monsoon sky. Even the embrace around the neck of our beloved ones lingers only briefly.
To successfully navigate the vast ocean of existence (bhavsagar), tether your existence to the Supreme Lord. In this steadfast connection lies the anchor that transcends the transient currents of life.
The Cycle of Discomfort and Discontent:
In the womb, one resides in discomfort, confined amidst impure matter with limbs cramped. Though adorned with moments of pleasure, the enjoyment of youth is tainted by the intense suffering of mental distraction arising from separation from our beloved ones. Even old age, with its undesirable attributes, becomes the object of contempt, sometimes more often than not.
Amidst this cyclical existence, O’ humans! Reflect on whether true happiness dwells in this world.
The Foreboding Shadow of Aging:
Old age approaches with a fearsome demeanour, akin to a tigress striking fear in the hearts of men. Various ailments afflict the body like relentless enemies, and life steadily dwindles, much like water escaping from a leaky vessel. Yet, despite these inevitable truths, it remains a profound marvel that humans persist in engaging in wicked deeds.
The Transient Nature of Enjoyments:
The fabric of the world is woven with transient enjoyments, fleeting and temporary. Why then, O’ human, would you aimlessly wander in pursuit of these momentary fragments of happiness and pleasure? Cease the exertion for short-lived delights and redirect your efforts.
Place your unwavering faith in the Supreme Foundation. Contemplate on the Supreme, purified by quelling hope with its intricate meshes and emancipated from the liabilities of generating desire. In this shift lies the path to enduring fulfilment.
The Immutable Bliss of the Supreme:
Amidst the transient sea of enjoyment, one singular ecstasy exists—lasting, immutable, and supreme. It renders tasteless the grandest possessions, even the sovereignty of the three worlds. Anchored in this Supreme Principle, the loftiest gods appear as mere strands of straw.
O’ righteous one, do not set your mind and heart on any ephemeral enjoyment other than the bliss derived from the Supreme Lord. In the pursuit of this enduring ecstasy lies the path to true fulfilment.
***********************************************
