Bhaj Govindam
It is rare indeed to find a disciple who is able to take the guru’s work and word forward. There can be a crowd of thousands, yet not one would be able to resonate with the teachings of the guru and the realisation of the self. There is something more that is needed, not just teachings, this we saw when we read about the desperate Guru, who went to the rice picker (with no scriptural knowledge) to make him a successor, inspite of having 500 highly so called, qualified disciples. (refer to Verse 11, Story 2)
Guru Shankaracharya was blessed, to have self realised followers. In this verse we will see, how beautifully Guru Padmapada, goes a step forward to explain what his guru said in the precious verse. He has built on and given more clarity on what is not a ‘Sajjan Purush’ and how to keep from being deceived by others and the self. It is important to note - most often we cheat ourselves, and fool the self into believing what we are not.
It is also important to mention here that there is often a debate as to which verse is attributed to Shankaracharyaji and which to the students. But, when the teacher and the student both become one with the divine, no difference remains.
Verse 14
जटिलो मुण्डी लुञ्छितकेशः,
काषायाम्बरबहुकृतवेषः।
पश्यन्नपि च न पश्यति मूढः,
उदरनिमित्तं बहुकृतवेषः॥
Jatilo Mundi Luncitakesah
Kasayambarabahukrtavesah
Pasyannapi Ca Na Pasyati Mudho
Hyudaranimittam Bahukrtavesah
Bhaja Govindam Bhaja Govindam
The fourteenth verse said to me - Shruti Says🌷
Matted locks, shaven head, hair pulled out one by one,
red, ochre coloured robes - so many different get ups.
Inspite of seeing the fool does not see,
that just to satisfy ones stomach (ego, hunger),
various disguises have been displayed.
Don’t get fooled - Beware Beware Beware
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Never judge a book by its cover we have often heard. Never let the first impression be the last impression we have been warned. But, it takes a lot of vigilance and alertness to stop the flow of thoughts, which is condition to believe what one sees and is trained to accept what one hears, and often negate what the heart feels and says. Don’t relay on your senses, but see how your heart feels - It is what comes from the heart that goes to heart. But in the rush to be practical, the subtle emotionalities of things are just suppressed.
“Something tells me, I can’t say what, but something tells me… is something we more often than not just over look.”
Here, there are three kind of deceptions that we are being warned of in the form of outer appearance;
An Imposter in the garbs of a Sage
Ek Ghada tha mota taja,
baan baitha jangal ka raja.
Kahi sher ka chamda paya,
Jhat wesa hi roop banaya.
Saab ko khub darata vaan mai,
rehta app needar ho main mai.
Ek baar jo jee mai aayi,
Laga garaj ne dhum macahi.
Per ghada garaj ta nahin hai na.
This poem is about a donkey who found the skin of a lion, with this on, he fooled and ruled all in the jungle, until, one day when he opened his mouth to roar, we all know what happened. His secret was let out, as he could only bray - hee haw.
This was what was happening in the times of Guru Shankaracharya and it is evident today also. In the guise of sages there are so many imposters all around us. It is very difficult to find out who is a realised soul and who is...
