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| === ऐलस्य विलापः ॥ Aila's Lament === | | === ऐलस्य विलापः ॥ Aila's Lament === |
− | When Urvashi abandoned Pururavas and left, he wept aloud and followed her naked like a madman crying; asking her to stop and not run away. Though Urvashi had lived with him for many years, his desire was not satiated. Infact, his mind was so allured by Urvashi that he was not aware of the passing of the days, nights and years. | + | When Urvashi abandoned Pururavas and left, he wept aloud and followed her naked like a madman crying; asking her to stop and not run away. Urvashi had lived with him for many years but his desire was not satiated. Infact, his mind was so allured by Urvashi that he was not aware of the passing of the days, nights and years. |
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| Pururavas confesses that his understanding was clouded by lust so much so that his passing lifetime went unnoticed and made him, an emperor, a plaything of a woman.<ref name=":1" /> He wonders (12) of what use is knowledge, austerities, renunciation, scriptures, solitude and silence to the one whose mind is stolen by women.<ref name=":0" /> And states that only the Supreme Being can be powerful enough to make the mind pure and free when it gets carried away behind a courtesan.<ref name=":1" /> | | Pururavas confesses that his understanding was clouded by lust so much so that his passing lifetime went unnoticed and made him, an emperor, a plaything of a woman.<ref name=":1" /> He wonders (12) of what use is knowledge, austerities, renunciation, scriptures, solitude and silence to the one whose mind is stolen by women.<ref name=":0" /> And states that only the Supreme Being can be powerful enough to make the mind pure and free when it gets carried away behind a courtesan.<ref name=":1" /> |
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| (19-20) One can never tell whether this body belongs to one's parents, wife, employer, fire (of one's funeral), dogs, vultures, oneself or one's friends. Even then, one gets attached to this unholy matter and praises it, especially in case of a woman, for having such a cute nose, beautiful smile and face. And by doing so one heads with it for the lowest destination of decay. (21) For, there is no difference between a worm and the one who enjoys what is composed of skin, flesh, blood, tendon, fat, muscle, marrow, bone, urine, stool and pus. | | (19-20) One can never tell whether this body belongs to one's parents, wife, employer, fire (of one's funeral), dogs, vultures, oneself or one's friends. Even then, one gets attached to this unholy matter and praises it, especially in case of a woman, for having such a cute nose, beautiful smile and face. And by doing so one heads with it for the lowest destination of decay. (21) For, there is no difference between a worm and the one who enjoys what is composed of skin, flesh, blood, tendon, fat, muscle, marrow, bone, urine, stool and pus. |
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− | Therefore, a man who understands what's best for him (22) should never run after women or associate with men thus engaged. Because, the mind united with the senses reaches for sense objects and thus, gets agitated [compare 5.5: 2, 7.12: 9, 9.19: 17, 9.14: 36]. (23) However, a thing not heard of or seen gives no rise to mental agitation. Therefore, the mind of someone not engaging his senses becomes fixed and pacified. Moreover, even wise men cannot rely on the six enemies viz. lust, anger, greed, bewilderment, intoxication and envy known as the Ari-Shad Varga. One should therefore, not get sensorily attached to women or to men attached to women [see also yoṣita].<ref name=":0" /> | + | Therefore, a man who understands what's best for him (22) should never run after women or associate with men thus engaged. Because, the mind united with the senses reaches for sense objects and thus, gets agitated [compare 5.5: 2, 7.12: 9, 9.19: 17, 9.14: 36]. (23) However, a thing not heard of or seen gives no rise to mental agitation. Therefore, the mind of someone not engaging his senses becomes fixed and pacified. (24) Moreover, even wise men cannot rely on the six enemies viz. lust, anger, greed, bewilderment, intoxication and envy known as the Ari-Shad Varga. One should therefore, not get sensorily attached to women or to men attached to women [see also yoṣita].<ref name=":0" /> |
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− | Chapter 26
| + | === सत्सङ्गतिः ॥ Good Association === |
| + | Bhagavan states that Pururavas who spoke the Aila Gita then shook off the delusion through knowledge, realised the Supreme Being and attained the bliss of Self-realisation.<ref name=":1" /> He advices that (26) an intelligent person, having abandoned bad company should associate himself with the righteous and the wise, for only their company can cut off the deep attachment of one's mind.<ref name=":0" /> |
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− | The Song of Purūravā
| + | To emphasize the benefits of associating with good people, Bhagavan explains their characteristics. He says, |
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− | (1) The Supreme Lord said: 'Having acquired this human body that is My characteristic, one achieves, being situated in My dharma, Me, the Supreme Soul of Spiritual Happiness situated in the heart.
| + | The wise desire nothing. They are independent and do not accept any gifts. They devote their mind to the Supreme, have a calm mind and visualise the Supreme equally everywhere. They are free from the notions of ‘I’ and ‘Mine’ and are beyond the pairs of opposites. They are free from attachments of any kind. |
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− | (18) What does this filthy body, unclean, full of bad odors, have to offer; what are those 'pleasing [feminine] qualities' and so on anyway? They constitute an influence originating from ignorance! | + | Also, they constantly talk of the Supreme Being and by virtue of listening to talks or stories about the Supreme Being (from them), one is completely absolved from their papas. For, those who listen to talks or stories about the Supreme Being with sincerity, reverence and faith in their efficacy, sing them and are delighted in them, become attached to the Supreme Being and attain faith and devotion to Him. And once devotional service unto the Supreme Being, the embodiment of knowledge and bliss, is achieved, there remains nothing else to be accomplished by one.<ref name=":1" /> |
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− | (25) The Supreme Lord said: 'He, the worshipable lord of gods and men, who thus sang his song [of complaint], then gave up the world of Urvaśi. Realizing Me, the Supersoul in his heart, he with the transcendental knowledge found peace within himself and ended his illusion.
| + | Chapter 26 |
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− | (26) An intelligent person having abandoned bad association therefore should be fixed on devotees, for only by their words he can cut off the deep attachment of his mind.
| + | The Song of Purūravā |
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− | (27) Devotees with their minds fixed on Me do not depend [on lusts] and are, with an equal minded vision, completely peaceful and free from possessiveness, false ego, the dualities and greed. | + | (1) The Supreme Lord said: 'Having acquired this human body that is My characteristic, one achieves, being situated in My dharma, Me, the Supreme Soul of Spiritual Happiness situated in the heart. |
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− | (28) Oh most fortunate one, these greatly fortunate souls are constantly discussing My stories that have the power to completely eradicate the sins of anyone who chooses for them.
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− | (29) They who, faithfully dedicated to Me, hear, chant and respectfully take them [My stories] to heart, will attain My bhakti.
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− | (30) What else would there remain [to be accomplished] for a devotee once he has achieved devotional service unto Me, the One of Countless Qualities who is the Absolute Truth comprising the experience of spiritual happiness? | + | (18) What does this filthy body, unclean, full of bad odors, have to offer; what are those 'pleasing [feminine] qualities' and so on anyway? They constitute an influence originating from ignorance! |
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| (31) Just as cold, fear and darkness will dissipate for the one who resorts to the supreme grace of fire [Agni], similarly dullness, apprehension and ignorance will dissolve for someone who serves the devotees. | | (31) Just as cold, fear and darkness will dissipate for the one who resorts to the supreme grace of fire [Agni], similarly dullness, apprehension and ignorance will dissolve for someone who serves the devotees. |