Once while Sankaracharya was going to river
Ganga with his 14 disciples, he came across a Brahmin
who was memorising some Sanskrit passage, “Dukrun
Karane”.
The Acharya asked him what he was doing
and the Brahmin replied that he was studying Panini
(the Great Grammarian).
“What do you gain out of this
study of grammar?”, the Acharya asked.
He replied, “I
shall become a great scholar and go to some royal
Court or the other and become an official scholar and
earn all the wealth that I need. With wealth earned like
that, I shall lead a happy life.”
“How long will you live
like that?”
“I shall live as long as I am alive.”
“What
next?” asked the Acharya.
He replied, “I don’t know,”
Then, Sankaracharya made his famous pronouncement,
“Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam, Govindam Bhaja
Moodhamathe, Samprapthe Sannihite Kale Nahi Nahi
Rakshati Dukrun Karane,”
(O fool, chant the name of
Govinda.
When the hour of death approaches, the
nuances of grammar will not come to your rescue).
The Acharya said, “You fool, you will enjoy all the
pleasures of the world as long as you are alive, but
after this body passes away, what will you do? So,
keep chanting the name of Govinda incessantly and
don’t waste your time in these mundane studies. These
studies are all related to Pravritti. This helps only for a
very short time. You are proud of your youth; how long does youth last? Soon you will be an old man. Do
not put your faith on your youthful prowess, place your
firm faith in God.”
Realise your self-confidence.
Self-confidence
leads to self-satisfaction and self-satisfaction
leads to self-realisation.
(From the Divine Discourses of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba)
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