Om Namo
Bhagavathe Vaasudevaayaa!
Essay 9:
The Four-pronged Practice
Methodology (Sadhana Chathushtaya) for Achieving Life’s Goal
We all know very well that for achieving the ultimate
goal in one’s life, one has to endeavor relentlessly on the chosen path and practice
the virtues that go with it. Any detour or shortcuts lead to the person not
reaching the goal. The path to success is not generally an easy one…but it is
the right one. A follower of this path not only has to do certain things, but
also has to strictly avoid or discard a lot of other things. Such a disciplined
approach applies uniformly to the goals in the mundane world and also to that
of the spiritual world. To make matters clear, let us consider two examples
from both these worlds … an aspirant for admission to IIT or MIT, Harvard,
Stanford and the likes on one side and a spiritual practitioner on the path of Gyana
Yoga working towards Self-realisation. Both these practitioners need to follow
a time-tested practice methodology that takes them to the desired goal. Let us
see what it is!
Sadhana Chathushtaya (The Four-pronged Practice
approach):
Self-realisation or Enlightenment is the
ultimate destination of a Gyan Yogi. As discussed earlier, the path to Enlightenment
is not an easy one. It requires stringent sadhana as per the ‘Sadhana
Chathushtaya’ or the Four-pronged approach. The four key elements of the
approach are:
I. Discrimination (Viveka)
II. Dis-passion or non-attachment (Vairagya)
III. The Six Virtues (Shat sampat)
IV. Longing for Liberation (Mumukshatva)
Now let us see by following these, how a goal
seeker in the materialistic life and a practitioner or sadhak in the spiritual
world would equally benefit.
I.Discrimination (Viveka):
It is the sense of choosing between good and
bad; helpful and detrimental; constructive and destructive. A right choice would
help the progress of the aspirant. An IIT aspirant should be able to choose the
right approach that would be helpful in his endeavors. Similarly, a sadhak has
to be able to choose between what is real or unreal (sat or asat); permanent or
impermanent (nitya or anitya); self and not-self (Athma or Anathma) matters. So,
the beginning starts with the right choices through an evolved sense of
discrimination.
II. Dis-passion (Vairagya):
A student has to exercise a sense dis-passion
or non-attachment to things that distract his energies. Passion about sports,
movies, outings, etc. come in the way of his preparation. He has to be detached
with these if he wants sure success in his endeavors. Similarly, a sadhak has
to develop a detachment to worldly distractions and the pleasures they give. He
needs to be above these material things. He need not avoid doing his worldly
activities; but he needs to develop non-attachment to the outcome of such
activities.
III. The Six Virtues (Shat sampat):
These six virtues are very essential for
training the mind into developing the right attitude and equip oneself for the
goal on hand. These virtues hold equally good for a student or the spiritual
sadhak. These are namely;
1.Tranquility (Shama):
Developing an attitude of inner tranquility
and balance of mind and composure, is the first step.
2. Sensory Control (Dama):
Controlling the sensory organs and directing
them into more constructive ways is Dama. The eye desires to watch a movie or a
game, the tongue wants to go out for dining; the ear wants to listen to pop
music. Such distractions derail the efforts of the practitioners. So, controlling
and channeling the energies of the sensory organs is very crucial for success
either at the University entrance examinations or for entering the world of
spiritual enlightenment.
3. Withdrawal (Uparathi):
Discriminatory withdrawal of the senses from
outside distractions and concentrating them inwards brings calm and satiety.
Such inward looking approach helps one stay focused on his goals.
4. Forbearance (Titiksha):
Tolerance to external situations and their
undesirable consequences with equanimity is called Titiksha. Unfavorable situations
during practice may occur…outside disturbances, inner urges like hunger and
thirst, weather oddities like heat and cold, activities of detractors; all
these may disturb the balance of the practitioner. Cultivating a sense of
forbearance helps the sadhak to stay on his path.
5. Faith and Dedication (Shraddha):
An unwavering faith in the direction chosen; in
the counsel taken; in the body of instructions and knowledge taken from the
trainer; is imperative for success. Skepticism in any of the above will steer
the sadhak off the course.
6. Focus (samadhana):
Resolute focus and concentration of all
thoughts and energies on the goal will negotiate the practitioner to the
destination.
IV. Longing (Mumukshatva):
An intense and longing desire for
enlightenment or for attaining the desired goal is called Mumukshatva. This
longing desire as an undercurrent, steers the practitioner away from various
distractions on the way and finally reaches him to the desired destination.
As you have seen, the ‘Sadhana Chathustaya’ encompasses
virtues that are very much applicable to anyone having set goals. He could be a
student or professional in the material world or a sadhak in the spiritual
world. The road blocks and distractions are the same on any path of progress. Overcoming
these hurdles requires concerted efforts and a time-tested strategy. The Rishis
have given us this highly time-tested strategy of ‘sadhana chathustaya’
thousands of years ago. It is necessary for us to be aware of this and adopt it
for success both in the day to day life and also for spiritual progress.
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