Peace of Mind - Yogvashishth

 

Question:

Deer of the mind roams around in the world-form forest. Which is that tree that after coming under it, mind will feel peace? What kind of fruits, flowers and vines it has and where does such a tree grow? For my thus tormented mind kindly explain it.

Answer:

The effort with which such a tree grows, listen to it. All efforts are its leaves, fruits and vines. For the welfare of all mankind such a tree is essential. What is the sequence of it, now listen to it. It grows with the force of the atma in the heart of the saints. Quietude is its seed which grows in the land of chit. The seed is received in two ways; by embracing pains and sadness it appears and second by cultivating completely pure non-doing attitude in mind. By sowing this seed in the land of the chit and cultivating it with non-attachment, when cool, peaceful and pure waters of company of saints and contemplation on sacred text falls in the above land then this seed grows and takes the form of a tree. One has to guard it against excessive waters too. Then it is energised by the rays of light of atma-form Sun and is surrounded by hedge of courage from all sides. With austerity, alms giving, visit to sacred places and bathing in the sacred rivers one guards it lest it should dry up. One guards it against bird of hope, lest it takes out the seed of quietude and fly away. One guards it against old bull of desires so that it does not enter the land and trample on this tree. For this, contentment and its wife pure joy is made sit there. One has to guard it against the mist, which arises from clouds; wealth, beautiful women are the hails which spoil this tree. For guarding against such things there are two recourses, one is simple one and other is a special measure. With the help austerity keep the senses under control, have mercy on aggrieved, regular reading of scriptures and mantra jap; establishing such a activity form statue near, all disturbances are kept afar. The second special measure is one should keep the company of saints and listen to scriptures from them. One should meditate on the form of Om and contemplate on its meaning. This is the trident for annihilation of all the falling hails. When one guards against so many enemies only then the seed is saved. When the waters of company of saints and contemplation on the meaning of the scriptures, is given to it, then it sprouts and it grows well. As everyone bows to the moon of the second day, in the same manner contentment, mercy and glory form seedling appears. It has two leaves; one is वैराग्य(quietude) and other is विचार (contemplation) and they grow every day. One should practice regularly that which has been taught in the scriptures that Atma is truth and world is illusion. By irrigating the sapling with these, it grows more and more daily. But when its branches grow bigger, then attachment and abhorrence form monkeys jump on it and break them. So one has to make them stronger, by steadfast quietude, contentment and continuous practice, only then beautiful leaves, flowers and fruits will grow on it. Thus it will provide great shade extending to a long distance and good qualities of peace, coolness, purity, delicateness, mercy, respect and glory will appear. Under it deer form heart will find refuge and rest in peace. All three of his pains of Adhibhautik, Adhidevik and adhyatmic nature will cease. Where such a tree grows, beauty of that area cannot be explained. One who goes in refuge of such a tree all his pains disappear and great peace descends on him. Such a tree grows with support of brahm, quietude and contentment. Whosoever takes its refuge enjoys peace.    

Those who do not get refuge of such a tree they are never at peace. As a deer moves in a forest, in the same manner mind form deer keeps roaming all the time and never enjoys peace. Duality, ignorance and confusion form hunters try to kill it and it feels the pain. Then with great fear it accosts the senses in the village of this form, on seeing him they themselves enslave him and pull towards sense objects. Because of their fear it again runs towards the forest and again experiences pain due to non-closeness to sense objects. It again runs around in search of peace but dogs in the form of kaam start biting it. Because of their fear it again runs towards the forest of quietude and burns with the fire of anger. Desire form mosquitoes bite it. Darkness of attachment and greed make it blind. It tries to graze the green grass of his children and amassed wealth and falls in a pit as it was covered with green grass and not seen. That green grass is children and wealth and the pit represents attachment to them. Thus he experiences pain. When he tells lies, then is hounded by the hounds of his mind. All these pains and fears he faces when he turns away from the Tree. When he gets saved from the hounds of mind he is ensnared with the chains of desires. Thus till he does not come close to the tree, he will never find peace. Thus ignorant mind-form-deer keeps moving all the time. Hence, it is desired that one should accost the above tree. Only coming near it, peace will dawn. Only then all three types of fevers of the mind will get removed. As Suryamukhi lotus opens up on seeing the sunlight, in the same manner the lotus of the heart opens up under the above tree. He feels great anand, leaves the earth and climbs that tree. When he goes up this tree then he never falls down. When he comes down from it he establishes in the real meaning of the scriptures and whatever worldly things he observes, they seem like dirt to him. Then remembering all his past activities, he regrets his waste of time and energy.

Seeing his family and wealth, it feels like a dream and a world of his own imagination to him. When he thus arises from his sleep, he does not feel any ego and when he eats the fruit he gets great anand. Thus, a knower dies to the attachments of the world and remains untouched while in it. Then imagination of dual and non-dual also disintegrates.  As wood rest without any fire, in the same manner such a person’s activity also subsides on becoming desire less. He is busy in himself and walks like an elephant. Feeling of me and mine are annihilated and all the limitations of chit are freed. The world is experienced only due to duality. His action is due to his prarabdh, whether good or bad, else he does not take part in any activity while an ignorant person feels the world to be true. The cause of pain in the world is Desire. When this is removed mind also establishes in peace. So by continuous practice of company of saints, contemplation on the meanings of scriptures, one would surely attain knowledge of the self and then the world will disappear. Till such a state is realized continue performing austerities and when achieved then nothing is required to be performed.   

Om! Shantih! Sahntih! Shantih!