Qualities of a Self-Realized Person

Krishna has clearly laid out different paths to Self-Realization for different people (depending on their innate nature or gunas). He now explains the qualities of a Self-Realized person.

They are insightful, understanding, self-disciplined, masters of the senses (not a slave to them); have strong-healthy wills; live to serve others (selfless though not subservient); are not interested in personal gains; and have no likes or dislikes (is without personal aversions or desires). They enjoy solitude, modest diet, and speech, living in a meditative state, and being dispassionate. Such a person is without pride, violence, arrogance, lust, wrath, possession (no sense of ‘I’ or ‘mine’), and is at peace with themselves.

They are serene, neither desiring nor grieving, wholly devoted to God, knowing God, taking refuge in God, surrendering all thoughts and feelings to God, seeing God as the highest goal, ever devoted 50–58]

O Arjuna, I will summarize how a person achieving perfection of cessation of reactions attains the highest goal of life (Brahman). [50]

Endowed with pure understanding, self-controlled through willpower, renouncing sense objects like hearing and touching, abandoning craving and aversion, staying in secluded locations, eating moderately, controlling body, speech, and mind; always absorbed in meditation, adept at detachment, forsaking egotism, power, pride, lust, anger, and material things; is peaceful; and is without sense of ownership; such a person is qualified for Self-Realization. [51–53]

Becoming one with the Supreme Lord (Brahman), joyous from within the Self, neither grieving nor desiring, equal to all creatures, that person realizes supreme devotion to Me. [54]

Only through devotional service is one able to realize My truth. When one is fully aware of the Supreme Lord, they immediately enter into Me. [55]

Even though constantly performing all action, those who take refuge in Me, realizes the eternal unchanging abode by My grace. [56]

Mentally surrendering all actions to Me, seeing Me as the highest goal, seeking refuge through yoga, always remaining conscious of Me. [57]

Fixing your heart on Me, you will overcome all obstacles by My grace. But if due to egotism you do not hear Me, you will perish. [58]

This is basically a repetition of all that has been stated throughout the Bhagavad Gita. Living moderately, modestly, eating Ayurvedic/sattwic diet, and serving others with mind and heart fixed on God.

Now Lord Krishna applies the qualities of a saint to Arjuna’s current situation. He says, Arjuna, by your saying, “I will not fight, ” you tell me that your ego overrides your protector/warrior nature.

Bound by your own karma (pre-determined actions to be lived out in this life) and gunas (nature), your duty compels you to fight. So rather than fight against your nature to protect others, devote all of your actions to God, be detached (having no desires or aversions), keep an even, peaceful mind, and act to prevent a genocide. A motiveless life dedicated to God releases one from bondage. In other words, it melts the wall of ego between the person and God; it unites the two Divine lovers (God and you). Nothing in this life is higher.

This is the essence of the teaching. [Verse 59–60]

If egotism causes you to rationalize a reason to not fight, the decision will be in vain; your own nature will compel you. [59]

O Arjuna, due to illusion you are now wishing to not act according to My instruction. But you are compelled by your own nature to act anyway. [60]

This is a very profound teaching for a very common situation. People often ask, ‘should I do this or the other thing? ’ Here Krishna says that the question itself is born of ego (should I do). Krishna is saying, whatever you do, dedicate all action, thought, speech, and outcomes to God. This removes personal motive from the picture.

Act in such a manner that you have nothing personal to gain or lose from a situation. Only then you can act in a saintly manner.

Having a motiveless life does not mean leading a hopeless life.

Quite the opposite, it is the strong desire to feel and love God that engenders this state. Moreover, it can be quite difficult and frightening to allow oneself to lead a motiveless life. Our society teaches us not to stand there, but “do something.” We also hear that a mind is a terrible thing to waste. So to understand the subtle difference between a motionless, hopeless, motiveless life and a God-based motiveless life is crucial in order to experience this state. It is very to say it is the intent. Unhappiness, emptiness, anger, vindictiveness, and loneliness are the symptoms of an unhealthy, motiveless life. Conversely, hope, positive intentions, feeling or wanting to be closer to God, wishing to help people, trying to not hurt anyone or think bad of anyone, these are signs that the life is spiritually-based and motiveless.

Included in this instruction on how to live and grow to God, Krishna says, not only do not argue with yourself or others about the ‘right way’ to do things, but also do not even discuss this secret teaching to those who show no such spiritual qualities of sincerity or integrity; avoid such talks with superficial, immature, cynical, doubting individuals. Know when to speak and when not to.

Discussing this highest teaching with those who are truly ready and thirsty for Self-Realization is the highest act of devotion one can perform for God, and makes that person dearest and most beloved to God. [Verse 61–70]

O Arjuna, the Supreme Lord lives in the hearts of all creatures, causing them to revolve like spokes on a wheel. [61]

O Arjuna, surrender in Him fully. By His grace you will attain supreme peace and the eternal abode. [62]

Thus, I have explained this most profound of all secrets to you. Contemplate this fully, then act as you wish. [63]

As you are very dear to Me I shall repeat My most supreme instructions. I speak for your benefit. [64]

Always think of Me and be My devotee. Worship Me and offer obeisance to Me.

Thus, you will attain Me. Truly, I promise that you are dear to me. [65]

Giving up all ideas of righteousness (dharma), take refuge in Me alone. I will free you from all sinful reactions; do not despair. [66]

You should never reveal this to anyone devoid of austerity, without devotion, who does not render devotional service, or to one who speaks ill of Me. [67]

Those who share this supreme secret with My devotees, attains eternal devotion unto Me and certainly comes to Me. [68]

There is no one more dear to Me than this person (who shares this wisdom with My devotees), and there will never be anyone in this world more dear to Me. [69]

Those who study this sacred conversation of ours shall be worshipping Me through the sacrifice of wisdom. This is My conviction. [70]

Those who live by this teaching will know the intimacy of God’s love. But it is not just to be studied and practiced without understanding (direct experience), feeling, or compassion. [Verse 71–72]

Even if a person merely listens to this with full faith and without malice, they too become liberated and reach the sacred region of those of virtuous deeds. [71]

O Arjuna, have you heard this with rapt attention? O Dhananjaya, are your illusions and ignorance now dispelled? [72]

After hearing this discourse, Arjuna awakens to the truth, the delusion of his mind dispelled. The teller of the story now also notes that he, too, reciting this story continually grows in bliss, growing ever closer to God. [Verse 73–78]

O Krishna, by your grace, my illusion is dispelled and realization is restored. I am stable and my doubts are cleared. I shall follow your advice. [73]

Thus I have heard this wonderful, electrifying conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna. [74]

By the grace of Vyasa I have heard this supreme secret wisdom of merging individual Soul with universal Soul directly from Lord Krishna. [75]

O King, I repeatedly recollect this wonderful and holy conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna. I rejoice again and again. [76]

O King, repeatedly recollecting that most wonderful form of Lord Krishna, I am awestruck, rejoicing again and again. [77]

Wherever Lord Krishna, master of Yoga, is found; wherever Arjuna the bowman is found; there you will find prosperity, victory, exceptional power, and a sound nation.

This is my form conviction. [78]

Afterthoughts

It is commonly held that we struggle in life to reach some goal, some touchdown, and then we will live on ‘Easy Street’, never again needing to think or discriminate or work or grow. We won, we ‘got it’; now we can sit back and coast. Even in many spiritual circles, the notion of Self-Realization comes with its implied belief that once one becomes Self-Realized, they can navigate on autopilot, being impervious to loss and able to rest on their holy laurels.

Life is not meant to be coasted through with inattentiveness; it is a life of inner and outer sadhana (silent meditation and thoughtfully industrious, active meditation that leads to eternal Divine intimacy with God).

The reality is that life is a continuum. Even the Self-Realized saints are ever learning (though it is in higher, non-material realms), ever growing, ever coming closer to God. No one says, I’ve had enough air today. I’m done breathing; I’ve had enough joy today, I’ll go back to muck and misery. After falling in love with one’s spouse, a person does not say, ‘I’ve got enough love now, I can stop loving them now.’ So, too, the ongoing, ever-present growing intimacy with God is something that continues to become an ever more intimate experience, it does not make any sense to put such intimacy on auto-robot or ignore it.

As Lord Krishna said above, full devotion to God, dedicating mind, heart, speech, and actions to God is everything; it is all there is. This is the highest teaching. The poet Rumi calls it ecstatic love, where at times, one’s idea of self is annihilated or merged with God, and at other times, it yearns for closer intimacy.

Whatever stresses and challenges are in your life, whatever word you use for God, pray to feel the ever-growing spiritual intimacy, and you will feel God helping you along your path. Pray that all you desires, wishes, powers, and knowledge for the immortal nectar of intimate, ecstatic God-love that comes from silent and active sadhana (meditation and service to humanity).

By praying for this with sincerity, a person will gradually feel the very real, experiential, ever-growing graceful, eternal jubilant love with their personal God.

I pray that all who read the story of the Bhagavad Gita and this commentary will take this Divine suggestion to heart. Whatever your religion or spiritual predilection, aim for Divine love in every moment of every day, in every pore of your being, in everything you see, hear, taste, smell, and touch.

Exercises

• Think of times when stress or obstacles were paramount in your life. If possible, examine your thought processes leading up to the event. What choices did you make? Did you have an option to wait, but chose to act, or vice versa? By examining and exercising the decision/waiting process in your mind you become more aware of your choices and their consequences, and subsequently will find yourself making more decisions that lead to more fulfilling and peaceful outcomes.

• Review past situations when you were choosing between options (eg, should I do ‘a’ or ‘b’). Rather than focusing on the choices, did you pray for the best outcome for everyone in itself — the harmonious thought somehow accomplishing the prayer on its own? Practice choosing thoughts, words, and actions that are harmonious and non-harmful, and see if your life becomes embedded with these energies. The law of karma says, as you sow so shall you reap. So by thinking positive, harmonious thoughts, such peace returns to you manifold. When you make a choice, imagine the best of all possible future outcomes in your mind, and see if this vision comes to pass.

• Consider the most notable times in your life that were particularly pleasant or difficult. Try to remember how the event began. Did challenging beginnings yield wonderful results? Did an overly pleasurable start result in long-term trouble? Correlate these experiences with Lord Krishna’s teaching, ‘what starts as poison ends in pleasure, and what starts as pleasure ends in poison’. Does it help you make better decisions resulting in greater peace in life?

• Review the qualities of a Self-Realized person on page 181. Which qualities would you most like to exhibit in your life? Sincerely pray for these qualities to grow and consciously make choices to think, speak, and act in those ways. When you are making a decision, ask yourself which choice would a person with this divine quality make and follow through with it. Can you feel yourself come to life? Do you feel your self-esteem rise?

• Finally, review all the exercises in this book. If you have kept a journal, review your feelings and insights, and see how much you have changed since you began these exercises. Taking stock of your spiritual growth, and observing real growth, inspires a person to take bigger spiritual steps, set greater spiritual goals, and listen to higher spiritual visions. Return to your journal or these exercises every 6 months to a year, like spring spiritual cleaning, to monitor your progress towards your goals in your personal, family, and career life. You likely will discover more meaning in your life and ever-growing peace and harmony. May God bless you with peace and harmony.

 

Aum Shanti Shanti Shanti

 

About the Author

 

Swami Sadashiva Tirtha received sannyas in 1991 from his guruji, Swami Narayan Tirtha, in his guruji’s ashram, Shankar Math, in Uttarkashi (Himalayas). Since then, Swamiji has visited his guruji yearly until his mahasamadhi (demise) in 2001.

Swamiji is a part of the dual Siddhayoga Tirtha lineage. Tirtha is a lineage created by Adi Shankaracharya (788 — 820 CE), and is more recently known through Shankaracharya Bharati Krishna Tirtha, who, at the invitation of Paramhamsa Yogananda, was the first Shankaracharya to visit the USA. The Siddhayoga lineage is traced from Swamiji’s guru, Swami Narayan Tirtha to his guru, Swami Shankar Purushottam Tirtha, to Narayan Dev Tirtha and to his teacher Swami Gangadhar Tirth Maharaj.

He founded the Swami Narayan Tirtha Math in his guruji’s name (swaminarayantirtha.org), and published two books by his Param Guruji (grandfather guruji — Swami Shankar Purushottam Tirtha);

Yoga Vani, Instructions for the Attainment of Siddhayoga, and Guru Bani, 100 Ways to Attain Inner Peace.

Swamiji has written two books, The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, and the Ayurveda Primer (e-book), and is a published Ayurvedic researcher.

He is certifed in Ayurveda, Vastu Shastra, and Jyotish, and earned a Doctor of Science in Ayurvedic Research.

Swamiji spends his time in the ashram and does some writing, guiding people to realize peace in their daily lives.

surfer balanced, wave does the work, surfer enjoys the ride.

person balanced, life does the work person enjoys the ride.

- Swami Sadashiva Tirtha Resources:

Other books by Swami SadashivaTirtha entifc research, more. Therapies include herbs, nutrition, aromas, yoga, and meditation. [686 pages -8.25 x 11”]

This is also available as an e-book at ebooks.com)

Ayurveda Primer: Introduction, Case Studies, & Research (eto most frequently asked by beginners are covered. Also inmeditation exercises and audio pronunciations of words.

(download available at vedicvendor.com)

Spiritual Books from Sat Yuga Press by Swami Shankar Purushottam Tirtha.

The author was requested to substitute as the Shankaracharya while H.H. Bharati Krishna Tirtha came to the USA at he elected to leave the seat and return to his secluded ashram.

Yoga Vani: Instructions for the Attainment of Siddhayoga. This book discusses the authentic spiritual life — originally published decades before Western infuence. Written in an easy-to-read, teacher-student question and answer conversation, the topics addressed include the meaning of Siddhayoga, gunas; experiences of asanas, pranayama, mudras; diksha (spiritual initiation), true Gurus, mantras, nada, kundalini shakti, deities, hatha, laya, raja yogas; yama-niyama, how to meditate, experiences in sadhana (meditation), the three bodies, more. 194 pgs.

Guru Bani: 100 Ways to Know Peace. This book addresses how to live a spiritual life outside of meditation. Short essays extracted from talks given by Swamiji to his disciples — some married, others monks. Pure teachings from an ancient time untouched by modernism. 59 pgs.

Both books available at at http: //vedicvendor.com Swami Sadashiva Tirtha’s Web Sites 1. Swami Narayan Tirtha Math thor’s guru, Swami Narayan Tirtha. Specifcally it talks about his dual Siddhayoga and Tirtha lineages. Also available are spiritual articles, poems, pictures, and letters by this great saint. See full details at http: //swaminarayantirtha.org 2. Ayurveda Holistic Community This site is a free educational online community. It offers Ayurveda article and research journals where hundreds of articles by Ayurvedic doctors from India and around the world freely share their expertise. http: //ayurvedahc.com/

The online Research Ayurveda Journal publishes abstracts on research and case studies. http: //www.ayurvedahc.com/articlelive/categories/Research-Ayurveda-Journal/

Shakti Ayurveda Magazine (available only as an online ezine)

Ayurveda, Spirituality, Ecological, Renewable energy, Alternative Education, Social/Fair Trade ideas, poetry, book reviews, and more. Free sign up at:

http: //ayurvedahc.com/

Suggested translations of Bhagavad Gita Books Srimad Bhagavad Gita By Swami Paramananda Vedanta Centre Publishers Cohasset, MA, USA The Bhagavad Gita:

According to Gandhi Berkley Hills Books Berkley, California, USA Online:

http: //www.bhagavad-gita.org/Gita/verse-02-01.html http: //www.asitis.com/6/20-23.html http: //webapps.uni-koeln.de/tamil/

Reader Feedback Do you have questions, comments, or a story how this book has helped transform your thinking and life experiences? Do you have a parallel between ideas from your religion and those discussed in the that will beneft others as well, and may use comments to update future editions of the book.

Sat Yuga Press books Find information books;

future editions, ideas for new books, and author information.

http: //satyuga.com Sat Yuga Press is an ‘socio-eco-positive’ publisher - using recycled papers, organic and non-toxic products; offsetting carbon emissions, tree and water usage in both our professional and personal lives and donating more for resources than we use. In this way we stop harming mother nature and rejuvenate her as well.

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See our socio-eco-positive policy online at satyuga.com Lord, thank you for the best day possible

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