Firm Assertion of Personal Effort
Sri Vasista
Just as effulgence is the most important feature in all the different colours, the spirit of `sadhana' (intense practice) is the most important characteristic feature of all those who are guided by `sastras' in their activi- ties.
If one does not endeavour through `Sastra' -ordained action to achieve his mental ambitions, it is mere mad- ness. It causes delusion but does not achieve the goal.
The way one binds himself with his own actions (fate) the same he experiences. Even gods can not go against this.
Human effort (and action) is of two kinds : one ordained (and approved) by sastra; the other not approved by sastra(according to law and against law). The one ap- proved by sastra achieves the supreme purpose. The other is calamitous.
The past action (destiny) and the present action fight like two he-goats. The weaker one will be quelled.
And so, one should perform such actions in the present (birth) that will quell the result of the past actions (des- tiny).
One's own and others' actions (and destinies) fight with each other like two powerful he-goats. The mightier one of them wins.
Where calamities and misfortunes occur in spite of fol- lowing the sastra - ordained and guided actions, it should be realised that the (other) self - guided actions (and the consequences) are far mightier than the former.
The bad consequences of earlier (fate) actions can be pounded down with the actions guided by noble atti- tudes.
`I am being forced to indulge in these heinous actions by my previous distiny'- such mental stance does not stand scrutiny.
One should endeavor, to the extent possible, to do right things and perform right actions. With such an attitude, the entire ill-fate of earlier actions will subside by itself.
It is true that the sins due to earlier actions will be dis- solved by present actions. The best illustration for this is that the present good actions dissolve the future sins.
With intense effort and concentration if one pushes away the inauspicious action, one should seek the methods of crossing the ocean of `samsara'
One who does not strive for such (crossing) is equiva- lent to a human ass. If one strives guided by `sastras' he will gain both the worlds.
If one does not strive to get out of this hole of `samsara' by self effort, he is like a deer in enemy's cage.
One should always keep in mind (with effort) that this body is impermanent and perishable. One should reject all animal tendencies. One should do what is ap- propriate to a good person.
To make life soft by a little sweetening with wife and tasty foods is like (allowing) a fly to suck a tender wound. It is not (proper) to spoil one's activity (by such things).
Good and auspicious deeds yield good and auspicious fruits. Bad and inauspicious deeds yield bad and inauspucious fruits. (It is as simple as that). There is nothing like Providence or fate.
If one puts aside direct evidence and relies on infer- ences, it is like running away thinking that his own hands are serpents.
`Providence is driving me in this activity' - Goddess Lakshmi does not like to look at the faces of such fool- ish people.
And so, one should first acquire discrimination capa- bility by personal effort, Then he should inquire into the meaning of `sastras' and acquire knowledge of Self.
For one's own good, one should think and act accord- ing to sastras. Not to try so, but to desire things is fool- ish.
However, human effort can not be limitless. Desirable great things can be obtained through great effort only. One can not obtain a gem from an (ordinary) stone.
Just as a pot or cloth is finite and limited, there is a limit to the human (purpose) effort and desire (purushartha)
Only actions done according to ordinances of sastras and association with interaction with good people will yield proper fruits. That is the nature of (right) action. Otherwise desires are not achieved.
If a person conducts himself according to the nature of (right) action, he will never be unsuccessful.
The best of men have achieved positions equivalent to that of Indra due to their right actions in spite of the many miseries and sufferings.
By practising the good tenets of sastric inquiry and in- teraction with good people from child hood onwards, people have achieved their purposes.
Unintelligent think that all that is achieved is providen- tial (due to some unseen force) without recognising such direct evidence and experience.
If there is no laziness in this world, who ever does not become either a rich man or a pundit? In this earth sur- rounded by oceans, laziness has turned men into ani- mals and made them poor.
After childhood is past with its fanciful playfulness, one should try to carry out (constantly) a self-appraisal of merits and short comings through interaction with noble people and with an intelligent and critical understand- ing of sastras and the tenets contained in them.
Sri Valmiki
While the great Muni was discoursing thus, the day passed and the evening arrived. Sun started setting making the horizon dark. The assembled people bowed to the assembly and went for their bath. The sun-caused horizon sunk into night which passed off (in course of time).
