The Minimum Qualifications for a Sadhaka
The Minimum Qualifications for a Sádhaka | |
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Speaker | Shrii Shrii Anandamurti |
Date | 1978 November 9 |
Time | Evening |
Place | Kolkata, India |
Topic | To have a human frame can become a great asset when one utilizes it for acquiring self knowledge. |
Included in | Ananda Vacanamrtam Part 4 |
Location in Sarkarverse |
“The Minimum Qualifications for a Sádhaka” is a discourse given by Shrii Shrii Anandamurti in Kolkata, India. The discourse was delivered on the evening of 1978 November 9. This discourse is the seventeenth chapter of Ananda Vacanamrtam Part 4.[1]
Synopsis
Jiṋániicenmokśamapnuyát. "One must attain self knowledge. The attainment of self knowledge means the attainment of salvation." This was Shiva's answer. In order to follow the path of spirituality one must possess one qualification, and that is, one must acquire a human body. All of you here have human bodies and that's why you are entitled to follow the path of spirituality. This was Shiva's reply.
Anandamurti starts the discourse by saying that one must possess some qualifications in order to be able to do any activity. When Parvati asked Shiva who is eligible to follow the spiritual path, Shiiva's reply was that the first qualification is to possess a human body. Anandamurti then explains that human beings are predominantly mental beings. Unlike animals, humans can control their inborn instincts with the help of intellect. Anandamurti goes on saying that acquiring virtue is what allows people to enjoy the positive fruits of their actions. Nevertheless, this will not lead them to salvation. According to Shiva, the only way to get salvation is to know one's own inner self, which is equal to the knowledge of Brahma (the Supreme Entity).[1]
References
Preceded by Ye Yathá Máḿ Prapadyante |
Ananda Vacanamrtam Part 4 With: The Minimum Qualifications for a Sádhaka |
Succeeded by Treading the Broad Path of Spirituality |