Nama Dwaar Nibbles

The mind can be destroyed only by upasana(worship) to a particular deity. When that is the case, how can the mind be destroyed by turning one’s vision inward putting it back in its place of origin. The river Godavari has flown towards the ocean from the day of its origin. If Godavari had decided to remain in its place of origin from day one, that itself would have become a very big ocean.

– Adi Sankara in Prabodha sudhakaram

A man is caught in a flood and is desperately reaching out for help. He notices a log of wood coming his way and holds on to it in an attempt to save himself. But what appeared as a log turned out to be a fiery crocodile which itself killed him. Similarly, if one strives to escape the clutches of ignorance and attain Jnana while still attached to the physical body, that attachment itself will destroy him like the crocodile.

– Adi Sankara