Renunciation of Appearances, and Devotion

The meanderings of the thoughts vanish in the bliss of the Self. In the pleasure stimulated by objects and the fulfillment of desires, arise the numerous meanderings of thought. In this world, all material pleasures are enjoyed only through the medium of thought and its meanderings. The "Bliss of the Self" is attained only after the meanderings of thought are given up and consequently "left off" without a trace to be found. This itself is true Yoga.

Renunciation is the only true source of happiness. Considering the world to be untrue, the one who calms the thoughts, attains the "Bliss of the Self" (Laya, absorption). If a person undertakes a certain business transaction, it follows that he has to face a series of complications and it requires him to adopt various strenuous efforts to fulfill his desire. The "extraneous worldly covering" (appearance of various circumstances) only torments and creates more stimulation for the thoughts. Understand that the fulfillment of worldly desires can never provide as much happiness as their renunciation.

For example, a person who goes to watch a drama has to spend money for a ticket, and has to sit upright, even uncomfortably at times, for hours. He also has to stay up late, even well past midnight. On the whole, he suffers more, and enjoys less. So much for objective happiness! On the contrary, the person who does not go to watch the drama is spared of all the trouble. He sits back, relaxes and enjoys a peaceful evening and a good night's sleep. The more that one renounces "appearances," the greater is the "Bliss of the Self."

He alone who finds this "extraneous world appearance" distasteful can be called the true devotee of the Master. No other bliss, or joy, is as great as the "Bliss of the Self." The "Bliss of the Self" is also known as the "Bliss devoid of desires." The fleas on the udders of a cow do not drink milk. They enjoy blood instead. Similarly, those who are not true devotees do not attain the "Bliss of the Self." They don't know any better, so they drink of the world and not of the Self. However, one can never really develop an aversion towards the "Bliss of the Self," as this bliss is not experienced through the sensory organs.

The bliss or joy that is enjoyed through the sensory organs in the fulfillment of desires only serves to tire and weaken the body. Eventually one develops an aversion towards such joys, because they are based in desire. Those who lovingly keep the company of the Saints may experience desires, yet would never be troubled by them. Saint Tukaram was broke in worldly life, yet in the company of Saints, he turned into a devotee and reached the pinnacle of devotion. Devotion should be practiced in various ways. If one keeps up the practice of devotion, detachment is sure to follow.

A lamp is not lit in order to set the house on fire, but if the lamp flares up and catches something on fire, it then burns down not only the house, but also the entire village. Similarly, when the fire of knowledge lights up one's heart full of faith, it flares up and burns down all desires, and then detachment is born. Many people may listen to discourses, but without faith in the Saints, it does nothing but provide them with expertise in debate. They may become unyielding like a tree, or bloated with conceit and pride, like a bull, but their faith in the Master is not firm. If there is humility, modesty and equanimity in one's behavior, and if one invests tremendous faith in the Master, then the residue of former concepts is washed away, and one becomes detached from desires.

One who is in the company of true Saints, indeed speaks like a Saint. Devotion to the Self, can turn a servant into a Master. Infinite is the range of devotion. The power of devotion is such that it makes the devotee superior even to a king. One who worries over the returns which devotion is likely to bring, can never attain the bliss of devotion. Lord Krishna in the Bhagawad Geeta says, "I myself am unable to describe the importance of devotion to me." It was devotion that enabled Saint Tukaram, a smalltime shopkeeper to say, "The Saints are prior even to God." Devotion can bring about immense change in the devotee. Such is the greatness of devotion.

- Shri Siddharameshwar Maharaj from a talk given October 2, 1933 on the Spiritual Classick "Eknathi Bhagwat" written by the Saint Eknath