Discipline!


Maharaj Yudhisthira asked Mārkandeya Rsi: By what practice can a Brāhmanā always keep himself in pure condition?


Rsi replied: By chanting the Gāyatri mantra 3 times daily-in morning, noon & evening-one is freed from all sinful reactions. For such a person, even inauspicious stars & planets become auspicious & evil person cannot do any harm to him. However, without purity of heart, the chanting of the mantrā, carrying of tridanda, shaving of head & practice of other vows & austerities are all useless


One who is sinless at heart, as well as in words and action, is the real ascetic & not necessarily one who performs austerities. Austerity doesn’t mean abstention from worldly pleasures. One who is pure hearted & kind to all living entities is actually a great sage, even though he may be situated in household life. One who performs austerities with an impure heart, receives only bodily pains as a result, for his endeavors can never free him from sinful reactions


It is purity of heart & godliness that cause austerities to become effective. The acts, in & of themselves, such as taking sannyasa, fasting & so on cannot give good result


The real fruit of Vedic study & the execution of all kinds of austerities is to gain the spiritual vision whereby one can see that all living entities are spiritual beings distinct from their material bodies. Anyone can understand that the material body devoid of life is no better than a block of wood. When one understands his eternal relationship with the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead-that is a sure sign of liberation


The Vedas are the embodiment of the Supreme Lord. Thus, there is no other purpose in the Vedas than the understanding of one’s eternal relationship with the Supreme Lord Krsna


O King! It is the attainment of this transcendental knowledge that is the real fruit of all kinds of religious performances & austerities.


The discipline of our intent aligned to our true self is what elevates us otherwise whatever do, including the intense austerities, the efficacy of the same is zilch. We need to be authentic, which means to be disciplined. Getting swayed by the whims & fancies of our emotions & feelings, is not being true to self. We need to understand the source of such superficial feelings, till we dig deep to know our deep defining aspirations


Our present feelings frequently sabotage our deeper aspirations, but discipline gives strength to keep our likes & dislikes aside to pursue what is meaningful & fulfilling


Krsna says:

rāga-dveṣa-vimuktais tu viṣayān indriyaiś caran

ātma-vaśyair vidheyātmā prasādam adhigacchati


But a person free from all attachment & aversion and able to control his senses through regulative principles of freedom can obtain the complete mercy of the Lord


Thoughts? #gameoflife

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