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Spiritual Realization

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Spiritual Realization

When people attain progress in the realm of spiritual realization, that progress is divided into six stages.

(1) At the stage of Saalokya, people feel that they have come onto the earth at the same time as Param Purush. This brings a sense of ecstasy to them. This state of bliss is termed as Saalokya. When Krishn was in Vraj, the people felt intense joy and a sense of pride that a great personality in the form of a young man had chosen to live in their midst.

Duryodhan, even though he was apparently Krishn's enemy, was convinced that Krishn was not an ordinary person, that is why he also thought that he would be fortunate indeed if he could win Krishn's support. So on the eve of the Kurukshetra war he went to Krishn to ask Him for His help. Arjun was there, too, for the same reason.

Duryodhan arrived at Krishn's palace before Arjun only to find Krishn lying in bed with His eyes closed. He seemed to be fast asleep. Duryodhan sat near Krishn's head. Arjun came afterwards and took his seat near Krishn's feet. As Krishn woke up, He looked first towards Arjun sitting near His feet and said, "Welcome Arjun, you've come. It's good to see you." Then He caught sight of Duryodhan and said, "Welcome Duryodhan, you have come too. It's good to see you too." Duryodhan's realization of aalokya was less than Arjun's that is why he could not get benefits of Saalokya of Krishn, while Arjun could get it easily. Now the entity who seemed to be asleep was not Vraj Krishn, the constant wielder and player of the magic flute, but instead He was Paarthaa-saarathee Krishn, the intellectual. Had He been Vraj Krishn, he would have played his magic flute, drawing Duryodhan as close to Him as Arjun. Paarthaa-saarathee Krishn was practical and diplomatic.

(2) The second stage of spiritual realization is Saameepya. In this second stage, people feel close enough to Param Purush to talk to Him on friendly terms, even regarding their extremely personal matters, and thus be relieved and comforted by Him.

(3) Next comes the stage of Saayujya. It implies close contact, almost body contact, the closest proximity imaginable. But it was not so easy to attain this state - not everyone is blessed with this realization. None of the other brothers of Arjun had this opportunity.

(4) The next stage of Saadhnaa or spiritual practice is Saaroopya. It implies that "Not only am I close to Him, but whenever I think of Him I see Him in all directions."

(5) Next comes Sarshti, when spiritual aspirants realize Param Purush in all possible ways and in all conceivable manners. Not only do the devotees see Him, they also remain united with him, one with Him. When a Saadhak attains this stage, he feels, "Lord! You exist. I exist. We are so close that I have become You. You have become me."

One can attain Sarshti through Paarthaa-saarathee Krishn no doubt, but not of this kind. There the ideation is "O Param Purush, O Lord, O Paarthaa-saarathee, You have made me exclusively Your own.

(6) Finally when the devotee merges with Param Purush without maintaining his existence, that is the stage of Kaivalya.

 

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Created by Sushma Gupta on 5/9/09
Contact:  sushmajee@yahoo.com
Updated on 11/05/11