VEDIC
SCRIPTURES
A Song of Fortune
- A modern Gîtâ -
CHAPTER 18b
Individual duties and
the one way of liberation
(41)
'Oh conqueror of your opponents, originating
from the natural qualities there are the professional activities
divided into the individual natures of the four societal classes of the
intellectuals and priests, the rulers and the military, the traders and
farmers and the servants and laborers38. (42) The intellectual actions of wisdom,
knowledge and belief in God are of the nature of peace, self-control
and austerity, as also of purity, tolerance and honesty. (43) The
ways of the ruler are characterized by valor, vigor, determination,
resourcefulness in conflict situations, steadfastness, generosity and
leadership. (44) To the nature of a trader one finds plowing, tending
cows and trade as the duty, while the laborer's duty consists of
delivering service.
(45) When each human being answers to his duty,
perfection will be the result. Now listen how that perfection can be
achieved. (46) Doing one's job with that39 by which all living entities found their
existence and by which all this is pervaded, a human being achieves the
perfection. (47) It is better to be imperfect in doing one's own duty40, than to be perfect following an estranged
course of action, because one will never be in conflict with oneself
when one proceeds according to one's own nature. (48) Even though
faults are bound to happen when one works for a result, o son of Alice,
one should never forsake one's duty, because all one endeavors is no
doubt accompanied by error, the way fire is covered by smoke. (49) When
one has an intelligence which is free from attachments and when one, no
longer fostering desires, in every respect is in control of oneself,
one attains, by the renounced order, the perfection of freedom from
reactions.
(50) Understand from me how, in conclusion, oh son
of Alice, without fail the spiritual perfection is achieved, the stage
of the supreme knowledge of filognosy. (51-53) With one's intelligence
fully straightened out, being connected in one's determination and also
of
regulation with things as sounds; having given up on the objects of the
senses, having refrained from passion and a negative attitude; living
secluded, eating little, and having one's speech, mind and body under
control; having taken to the shelter of detachment, all day residing in
the beyond of meditation, and not being of false ego, physical power,
false pride, lust, anger and material accumulation, one qualifies,
freed from possessiveness living the peace, for spiritual realization.
(54) One attains my transcendental, devotional service when one,
existing spiritually, is pleasing the soul and, never lamenting or
desiring, is of an equal mind for all living beings. (55) I am known in
devotional service, for that is what I am in reality; as soon as one
knows me that way, one has accessed me. (56) By whatever one, to the
mercy of my protection, is all engaged in, one achieves the
imperishable, eternal abode. (57) Take care to be aware of me all day
by giving up all possible profit motives consciously - that is to say,
to my lead taking to the shelter of an in yoga unified intelligence.
(58) Conscious of me you will by my mercy overcome all impediments, but
if you, on the other hand, on an ego trip, fail to answer to this, you
will be lost. (59) If you, as an escapist, try to hide in egoism and
refuse to stand your ground, your resolve is all wrong; according to
your position in the material world, you have no choice factually. (60)
Bound to your own activities according to the birth you took, you, in
illusion, prefer not to engage in that, oh son of Alice, in which you
even involuntarily will engage. (61) Aylen, God resides in the heart of
all living entities, where He gives directions to each creature
subjected to the mechanical of the outer illusion. (62) Surrender
yourself to Him in every respect, oh son of Many, by His grace you'll
reach the supreme abode of eternal peace. (63) Thus far my explanations
about the greater secret of confidential knowledge; now think carefully
about this and then do that what you wish to do.
(64) It is because you're so dear to me that I, for
your own good, restate this most confidential part of all my supreme
instruction: (65) Think of me, become my devotee, be my worshiper,
prove me your respects, and I promise you, since you're dear to me,
that you'll attain me without fail. (66) When you go for me as the only
one to surrender to, and abandon all other ways of proceeding
righteously, I will deliver you from all the trouble heaping upon you,
don't you worry! (67) But never tell this to anyone who is not of
penance, who is not a devotee, nor to someone not willing to listen, or
to someone who turned against me. (68) He who explains this most
confidential secret of mine to people of devotion, is unto me engaged
in transcendental, devotional service and will no doubt reach me. (69)
There is no one I like more among men, nor will there on earth anyone
become more dear to me than such a one. (70) By the sacrifice for the
sake of knowledge made by the person who studies this sacred
conversation of ours, I will be worshiped. That's how I see it. (71)
That human being who with faith, free from envy, listens to it, will,
apart from being liberated, attain the auspicious worlds of the pious
as well. (72) Oh son of aunt Alice, could you follow all this I've been
telling you? Has the delusion brought about by your lack of knowledge
now been dispelled, oh winner of the wealth?'
(73) Aylen said: 'The illusion is dispelled and I
regained my memory. Your mercy removed my doubts, oh infallible one,
I'm
back on my feet now. I'll do what you told me to.' "
(74) Ellery said: "This is what I've heard of the
wonderful and astounding discussion between the great souls Dwayne and
Aylen. (75) Thanks to grandpa Asaph16, I could firsthand from the mouth of Dwayne,
the master of uniting consciousness in person, hear this secret being
spoken concerning the supreme of yoga. (76) Oh master of politics,
repeatedly remembering this beautiful and pious conversation between
the man of beauty and Aylen, fills my heart with joy time and again.
(77) And also I am each time I remember that tremendously wonderful
form of Dwayne, oh ruler of man, to my greater joy, again and again
struck with wonder. (78) I am convinced that wherever there is the
master of yoga Dwayne, and the son of Alice with his speeches and
one-liners, that there opulence, victory, great power and morality are
assured."
Thus
A
Song
of Fortune ends, a modern Gîtâ, during the month
February 2760 AUC 12 translated
to the mind of his time, by Anand Aadhar Prabhu41, the master of
filognosy named Foundationbliss. He did this in service of the divine
association of the great souls of his time and the many preceding him
in this task.
2007 © Aadhar, Enschede
Commercial use requires permission
|