Guidance from the Guru

(Letter 16)

Swami Tapovan Maharaj

Om Narayana Smriti

Uttarkasi,
26-1-1954

With loving Narayana smaranam.

Practising Sri Krishna bhakti – in the course of practice common evils such as desire and anger are found to be obstacles”. These are the two points to be gathered from the letter.

The practice of Krishna bhakti is good, very good. At the beginning of spiritual life one should prefer practice of bhakti to the practice of jnana , because it is simpler, easier. Even for those whose discrimination and dispassion are not well established it will not be difficult to follow bhakti. Therefore repeat Krishna mantra always, meditate upon His form, listen to the stories of His great qualities and powers – following these acts of bhakti regularly people must try to develop divine love.

Samsara (worldliness) is none other than the evils of the mind such as desire and anger. Once these are destroyed there is no samsara at all. He who has freed himself from samsara is said to be “liberated”. He is now of the form of Brahman. It is to combat those evils that people resort to spiritual practices. So as the beginning of practice there is not meaning in complaining about them. If one is able to bring undesirable and unrestrained desire, anger, etc, under control it is itself a great success. For householders, desire, anger etc. within limits is no sin. But for aspirants engaged in spiritual sadhanas the more these are restrained the better it will be for their spiritual exercises and experiences. Indeed these are terrible obstacles in their way. If through association with good men, prayers, hearing of holy stories, etc. one is able to find delight in the thought of God, opportunities for the recrudescence of desire, anger, etc. will be minimised.

These matters are, of course, well known. All people know. So there is no need to expatiate upon the topic. Only, there is no intense desire to perform those sadhanas suggested above to curb mental evils. Proportionately the benefit will be less.

All else well. Wish you well.

Swami Tapovanam