We have got this human life only to do devotion (Sadhana). Just observe that all other living forms have horizontal or inclined spinal columns. Only human beings have vertical spinal columns. This hints us - we humans have the opportunity to elevate ourselves upwards, through the power of knowledge. Hence, Shree Maharajji says, an individual has got this rare opportunity to uplift oneself spiritually by practicing devotion.
The scriptures say -
durlabham mānuṣham janm prārthyate tridaśhairapi
There are 8.4 million species on earth and the human form of life is the rarest amongst them. It is so rare that even celestial Gods long to attain the human form. So do not waste this life in fulfilling the desires of these material senses. We have been doing this since eternity as we transmigrated in the 8.4 million forms.
āhār nidrā bhay maithunañch sāmānyametatpaśhubhirnarāṇām
Even animals pursue the pleasures of eating, sleeping, defending and procreation. We have got this rarest of opportunities of having acquired a human body, and we must attempt to rise above the level of these four basic activities, by using our intellect. If we know the importance of this form of life then we will not waste even a single moment of it.
kṣhaṇārdhamapi vyarthe naneyam
Chanakya Pandit said: The biggest mistake and act of ignorance in our lives is that moment when we forgot to remember Shree Krishna. We lose that moment and it never comes back. So, we have to speedily progress towards attaining the goal of human life. This is our golden opportunity and we can make full use of it by utilizing every moment in remembering God. One day, we will have to leave this human body and go, whether we like it or not. This body will never remain with us.
Shree Maharajji says:
avasar bītyo jāt are man
We are asleep in an illusionary trance created by our own mind. We are approaching death everyday and yet we cheerfully celebrate our birthday. We do not realize that each day which is passing by, is not a joyful moment, but a matter of regret, that so much time has passed away and very little remains. So, without further delay and realizing that this body is temporary, we should start doing Sadhana from this moment.
Some people say "Swamiji! You are right, we should surrender ourselves to God but we will do it tomorrow." Those who say like this can never surrender to God. Their tomorrow never comes. We have only today, not even today but "now". The present is in our hands.
jo kal karanā hai so āj kar, jo āj karanā hai so ab
pal mein paralay hoyagī, pherī karegā kab
This present moment is the only gateway to reach God. The past has gone; future has not yet arrived, So we have to do devotion in this present time. We all have got such a beautiful and convenient atmosphere here in Jaganath Puri to do Sadhana. In the olden days, people use to go for pilgrimage on foot. About 500 years ago, Shree Chaitainaya Mahaprabhu did padayatra (walked on foot) through the whole of south India and proceeded to Dwarika (Gujarat) before coming back to Puri. It took him two years to complete his journey. But these days, we get everything so easily. The austere practices people do today is nothing compared to the olden days. Yet, we do not attempt to do Sadhana because of inconveniences it brings to us. Sadhana is the pursuit of beating the mind and its fancies. We have to overcome the difficulties and discomfort faced during Sadhana by fighting the mind. We have spent countless lifetimes thinking about ways to attain happiness. Our mind does not like any discomfort.
Shree Krishna said in Bhagavad Geeta:
mātrāsparśhā tu kauntey śhītoṣhṇ sukh dukhadāḥ āgamāpāyino nityāstānstitikṣhasv bhārataḥ
A true sadhak is one who continues spiritual practice even in adverse situations.
Shree Krishna says, "O Arjun!" Cold, heat, happiness and sorrow - we experience these sensations because our material senses come in contact with the external world. But the one who remains undisturbed and calm in his mind always realizes the fact that he is not a mortal body but a Soul. He always keeps increasing his tolerance. In our daily life, we use many luxurious and convenient objects to make our lives comfortable. We have been enjoying these material comforts and will continue to enjoy. Real Sadhana is when you stop complaining about external interferences, pain and discomforts and continue to remember God under all conditions.
Shree Maharajji says:
However, we can say that every individual performs various actions every moment with a single purpose. It may appear strange but it is true. Some do good deeds and some perform bad ones. In reality, everyone performs actions that give them happiness.
Since infinite lifetimes, all of us are searching happiness in this material world but according to our scriptures (Vedas) and our personal experiences, there is no doubt that worldly happiness is short lived. It is finite and illusive. When we eat a rasgulla (an Indian sweet) for the first time, we experience great pleasure. But if someone asks us to keep eating the same sweet, we feel like vomiting. So if there is pleasure in rasgulla or any such object, then we should experience this pleasure forever. But this is not the case. Why don't we derive constant happiness from that object? In the same manner, the pleasure from wealth, spouse, children, food etc. keeps on fluctuating and finally comes to an end.
Once a Saint was walking along the seashore. At the same time, His disciple approached Him and inquired Him, “Guruji, how can I realize God?” The Saint directly walked into the sea with His disciple and asked him to take a dip into the water. As he was inside the water, the Saint caught him by his neck and kept him in the water forcefully. After two minutes, he released him, and asked him, “Can you tell me your feeling right now?” His disciple answered, “I felt as if my eleventh hour had come.” Then, the Saint told, “You will surely attain and see God when your heart pants for Him as it has panted for a breath of air just as you were in the water.”
