We
continue with the lessons Lord Dattatreya learned from Nature. When we live in awareness and are conscious
of what is happening around us, we learn lessons from Nature which help us walk
the divine path effortlessly.
Pingala
– One day Dattatreya observed a prostitute named Pingala. She had dressed herself
well and was waiting eagerly for a particular client to come so that she could
satisfy her lust and also receive a generous reward from him. She waited for
him till late in the night. But he did not come and she was extremely
disappointed. She reflected on her actions and was disgusted with herself. She felt that she was stupid that she had
waited for her client and had disregarded the Divine Spirit within her. She
understood that lust and expectations lead only to disappointments in life and
meditation on the Divine Spirit lead to peace and eternal bliss. At the height
of her suffering, detachment and wisdom dawned on her. She turned her awareness within and was able
to cut the bondages of attachment to lust, her clients and wealth. A great
transformation took place in her and she was able to focus on God within her.
Through such repentance she was able to attain blessedness.
By
observing her, Dattatreya understood that a sage should reject the lure of
Siddhis as such lesser powers could beguile and lead astray a spiritual
aspirant from the final goal. He also learnt that waiting for others to do
things will lead to disappointment and pain. He understood that renunciation
and inward reflection are the only way of realising infinite bliss and joy. Viveka
and Vairagya – knowledge and detachment are needed to soar freely and reach the
Light within.
Arrow–maker:
Once Dattatreya passed by an arrow-maker. Dattatreya noticed that the
arrow-maker was completely focussed on moulding a sharp arrow. His concentration
was so intense that he was totally undisturbed by the colourful noisiness and
gaiety of a royal procession passing by. Dattatreya understood that when a
spiritual aspirant is concentrated on the Self, he is oblivious to the world. He
is totally absorbed in the light within himself. The lures and temptations and the colours and
the merriment of the world cannot disturb him. The arrow-maker reminded
Dattatreya the importance of sattwaguna and undisturbed one pointed focus or
ekagrata which are essential for a seeker. The single minded concentration and
all absorbing contemplation of self is the sole secret of success in spiritual
path.
A
Playful Child: A little child is relaxed
and playful. He has no ego and does not recall the pains of past or plans for
future. He lives from moment to moment. Since he does not know honour or
dishonour, he holds no grudge against anyone. He has no tension in play or
competitiveness. He lives and plays in sheer joy. For him, life is fun and full
of celebration. His happiness comes from within. It does not depend on any
external factor or conditions.
Dattatreya
understood that a sage of perfect enlightenment is like this playful child. His
happiness and contentment spring from within. His bliss does not depend on any
external conditions. The spiritual path is full of love, joy and celebration.
The spiritual seeker should be alert and not give in to the weight of ego. Ego
destroys contentment or santosh.
Contentment is an essential quality of a seeker or disciple.
