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Determination is absolutely necessary for the path of Jnana. It is next to impossible for a man who pampers his palate with a variety of tasty dishes at every meal and leads a pleasure filled life to control his mind. The food one eats affects his mind. Srimad Bhagavatam says, ‘jitam sarvam jitam rase’ –The senses become a slave of the man who has won over his taste buds. Unless the taste buds are won over it is difficult to win over the other senses. Today, we are unable to forego even a cup of tea! Under such circumstance, does not uttering words of Vedanta [‘Brahma satyam jagat mitya’] – that only Brahman is true and the world is illusory – amount to duping ourselves!
Do you know who was taught Vedanta lessons in ancient times? A Sadguru who was a Jnani spoke Vedanta to the deeply dispassionate students who had renounced everything and lived under a tree or on the banks of the Ganga. Vedanta lessons would be conducted without any concern for joy and sorrow, cold and heat, hunger and thirst.
But what is the situation today? Unable to shirk even a slight attachment to the body one is trying to do Jnana vichara [Self-enquiry].
Adi Sankara while speaking on this says, ‘attempting to cross the ocean of life through Jnana vichara [Self-enquiry] without giving up the attachment to the body is akin to a man caught in the floods trying to reach the shore taking hold of a crocodile in the mistaken notion that it is a log.’ He says, ‘it is certain that the crocodile will kill him.’ Therefore, Jnana marga [way] is not for mere listening and reading but has to be brought into practice with determination. So, this path certainly does not suit our lifestyle in this Age of Kali.
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