by umakishan » Thu Sep 11, 2014 8:35 am
HGRR
Selections for Reflection
(11) The Vedas condemn the sin, not the sinner. The evil ways of the sinner are but expressions of the evil thoughts in the mind, and so if the texture of the thoughts in his mind could be changed, the texture of his behavior would also be transformed. He who has to keep consistently in his mind thoughts of the Lord accomplishes, in the warmth of his growing devotion, so total a rehabilitation of the mental life that he cannot thereafter carry on his career in sin. (9.30)
(12) The perfection indicated in religion lies only as far away from us as our waking state is from our dream. (9.31)
(13) Of all spiritual practices (sadhana), the most efficient is the constant remembrance of the Lord with a heart overflowing with love and devotion (upasana) (9.32)
HGRR
Thoughts and Concepts (24)
Why should even the most sinful person be regarded as 'righteous' if he has taken a strong resolution to be good?
Right resolution is more important than mere routine. The majority of seekers only plod on their path- a melancholy brood. He who steadily walks the path with an iron-heart of resolution, open-eyed and enthusiastic, cheerful and heroic, he alone is marked for sure success and therefore, the rightly resolved man of evil ways is to be considered, from the moment of his noble decision, as one especially marked out to be soon a successful Man of Perfection. Hence, even the most sinful person is to be regarded as 'righteous' the very moment he has rightly resolved. (9.30)
HGRR
Thoughts and Concepts (25)
Explain the terms 'stri', 'vaisya', and 'sudra' in the following Verse.
मां हि पार्थ व्यपाश्रित्य येऽपि स्यु पापयोनयः ।
स्त्रियो वैश्यास्तथा शूद्रास्तेऽपि यान्ति परां गतिम् ॥
For, taking refuge in Me, they also, who O Partha, may be of "sinful birth" - women, Vaisya as well as Sudras - even they attain the Supreme Goal.
These terms- 'stri', 'vaisya', and 'sudra' - are used by Sri Krishna to indicate special types of mind-intellect equipments.
Stri- By 'stri', is meant a feminine mind and not a woman. The 'feminine-minds' (striyah) are those that have a larger share of deep affections and binding attachments.
Vaisya - By traders (vaisyas) are meant those who have a 'commercial attitude' in all their thoughts and actions, ever calculating the profits that would accrue from all their investments. Such a calculating mind, ever looking for the profits that could be raised, is not fit for easily evolving through the 'Path of Meditation'. To surrender all fruits of actions is the secret of holding the mind still. Thus, when the Science of Spirit-development condemns the 'traders', it is only a denunciation of the 'particular commercial tendency' of the mind. Those who fall, psychologically, under the group of 'traders', cannot hope to progress on the Path Divine.
Sudra : Those with mental attitudes of slumber and sloth are indicated by the term 'sudras'. (9.32)