Samadhi Shatak Part 03

Here's a comprehensive summary of "Samadhi Shatak Part 03" by Acharya Yashovijaysuri, based on the provided text:

Book Title: Samadhi Shatak Part 03 (Samadhi Shatak, Volume 3) Author: Acharya Yashovijaysuri Publisher: Gurubhakt Content Overview:

This volume, the third in the "Samadhi Shatak" series, continues the exploration of spiritual practices and insights aimed at achieving equanimity and inner peace, drawing heavily from Jain philosophy and the teachings of Acharya Yashovijaysuri. The book is structured around a series of verses (indicated by "Aadhar Sutra" - foundational verses) followed by detailed explanations and philosophical discussions.

Key Themes and Concepts Explored (based on the verse titles and summaries):

The book delves into various stages and aspects of the spiritual journey, emphasizing the importance of detachment, self-awareness, and the guidance of a Guru. The core message revolves around transcending worldly attachments and realizing the true nature of the self (soul).

Here's a breakdown of some key themes as presented in the provided verses:

• The Nature of Sadhana (Spiritual Practice):
  • Verse 48: "The momentum of auspiciousness and purity": Discusses how true sadhana is enjoyable and free from fatigue, mental distress, or doubt, much like Sita's journey in Ramcharit Manas. It highlights the importance of keeping the mind focused on self-knowledge and detaching from speech and body-related attachments to foster auspicious inclinations and self-realization. It emphasizes the role of the Guru in guiding the aspirant.
  • Verse 49: "Sadhana is enjoyable, enjoyable": Contrasts the experience of a beginner yogi (experiencing external happiness but internal unease due to the difficulty of the path) with a Siddha yogi (experiencing internal happiness and external challenges). It stresses the importance of "Bhavna" (contemplation or mental cultivation) as a tool to control negative tendencies and find joy in the spiritual path.
  • Verse 50: "Towards the state of a witness": Explores the concept of "Sakshi Bhav" (witness consciousness), emphasizing that true dedication and surrender lead to a state where questions dissolve, and only acceptance remains. It highlights how observing one's own actions and body without attachment is a path to detachment. It also touches upon the idea of seeing the divine in all things.
  • Verse 51: "My eyes are filled with nectar...": Discusses the importance of directing the senses towards the divine and the potential for spiritual bliss when the senses are engaged with the supreme being. It uses the example of Surdas, who blinded himself to protect his vision from worldly distractions, as a metaphor for purifying the senses towards spiritual realization. It underscores that true beauty lies in the divine form.
  • Verse 52: "You are Anandghan (the embodiment of bliss)!": Highlights the difference between attachment to possessions ("Parigrah") and detachment ("Aparigrah"). It suggests that one's internal state influences how the external world perceives and responds to them, and that true fulfillment comes from within, not from external acquisitions.
  • Verse 53: "Who can paint the sky?": Emphasizes that true spiritual knowledge is not acquired through external effort or forceful teachings for those who are not internally ready. Self-realization is an inner process, and the true Guru awakens the inherent potential within the disciple.
  • Verse 54: "Why open the external eyes?": Advocates for turning inwards, as the divine is within. External senses are seen as distractions. The path to the divine lies in internal contemplation and detachment from the external world. It stresses the importance of the Guru's guidance to achieve this inward focus.
  • Verse 55: "This personality is like a dry leaf!": Describes the state of a true yogi who is beyond worldly attachments, states of mental agitation (vikshep), or even meditative absorption (samadhi). Such a person is detached from the body and its actions, remaining serene and unaffected by external circumstances, like a dry leaf blown by the wind.
  • Verse 56: "Internal joy: How sweet!": Explains that true joy comes from within, from self-realization and dwelling in one's true nature. It speaks of the power of introspection and the gradual detachment from external desires and sensory experiences.
  • Verse 57: "The gateway to Sadhana": Highlights the fundamental question "Who am I?" as the entry point to inner sadhana. It contrasts the illusory self ("doing" or "kartrutva") with the true self ("being" or "astitva"), emphasizing the need to redirect one's consciousness inward.
  • Verse 58: "Just as clothes are not destroyed...": Illustrates the concept of the soul's immortality by comparing it to clothing. Just as clothes can be worn out or replaced without affecting the wearer, the body's decay does not affect the soul. The soul remains eternal and unaffected.
  • Verse 59: "What is the meaning of this running?": Explores the futility of external pursuits and the importance of inner realization. It uses the example of a disciple who initially focused on external observations but later understood the true meaning of detachment and inner focus.
  • Verse 60: "Towards living liberation (Jeevanmukti)": Describes the state of a liberated soul (Jeevanmukta) who is constantly aware of the self, detached from external phenomena, and absorbed in one's own blissful nature. It outlines the four stages of this realization: constant awareness of the self, detachment from external feelings, indifference to external objects, and absorption in one's own qualities.
  • Verse 61: "Guru continuously plays...": Discusses the importance of solitude and silence for spiritual growth. It emphasizes that true spiritual understanding comes from within, and external distractions hinder this process. The Guru's role is to guide the disciple towards this inner realization.
  • Verse 62: "Self-awareness towards self-absorption": Explains the progression from self-awareness to self-absorption. It stresses the importance of understanding the self as distinct from the body and its temporary states. True peace is found in realizing one's true, eternal nature.
  • Verse 63: "Inner Mahavideh": Explores the concept of "Mahavideh" (a state of supreme spiritual realization), emphasizing detachment from the body and its afflictions. It highlights how a realized soul remains unaffected by pain or pleasure, seeing them as temporary states.
  • Verse 64: "Towards Self-realization": Focuses on the path to self-realization, emphasizing the Guru's role in awakening the disciple's inner potential. It suggests that the disciple's own soul is the ultimate Guru, providing the path to liberation.
  • Verse 65: "In the realm of supreme bliss": Describes the state of profound bliss attained through spiritual practice, where external joys become insignificant. It emphasizes the importance of inner awareness and detachment from worldly desires.
  • Verse 66: "Inner journey": Discusses the progression through different stages of spiritual awareness, from introspection to deep absorption in the self. It highlights the importance of overcoming external distractions and focusing on inner realization.
  • Verse 67: "Different perspectives on seeing the world": Explores various ways of perceiving the world, from a purely physical perspective to a spiritual one. It encourages developing a detached and insightful view of external phenomena.
  • Verse 68: "Know yourself, forget yourself!": Presents a paradox in spiritual practice: to truly know the self, one must first learn to "forget" the illusory self – the ego, the body, and worldly attachments.
  • Verse 69: "The rhythm of 'Neti Neti'": Explains the Vedantic concept of "Neti Neti" (not this, not this), a process of negation to arrive at the true nature of the self by systematically discarding all that is not the self.
  • Verse 70: "Attainment of the Supreme State": Discusses the ultimate goal of spiritual practice – the attainment of the supreme state. It touches upon the necessity of transcending both positive (virtuous) and negative (sinful) actions to achieve liberation.
  • Verse 71: "Taste and Delight": Explores the spiritual "taste" and "delight" derived from cultivating virtues and performing spiritual practices. It emphasizes that true delight comes from the divine grace and the inner experience of spiritual bliss.
  • Verse 72: "The journey towards the self": Describes the process of moving towards the soul, highlighting the role of virtues and spiritual practices in this journey. It emphasizes the gradual progress and the ultimate realization of one's true nature.
  • Verse 73: "'Vedhakta Vedhak Lahe...'": Stresses that deep, penetrating insight is necessary for true spiritual realization. Superficial observations lead nowhere, while a profound understanding of reality brings about the desired transformation.
  • Verse 74: "The enjoyable path of purifying the essence": Focuses on the importance of purifying one's essential nature. It suggests that by removing impurities and cultivating inner virtues, one can attain spiritual purity.
  • Verse 75: "The slackening of attachment and aversion": Highlights the importance of reducing and eventually eliminating attachment (raag) and aversion (dwesh), which are the root causes of suffering, to achieve inner peace and liberation.
  • Verse 76: "Be in your own self...": Encourages the aspirant to remain centered in their true self, free from external influences and distractions, to experience lasting peace and bliss.

Overall Message:

"Samadhi Shatak Part 03" serves as a profound guide for seekers on the spiritual path. It emphasizes the internal journey over external show, the power of self-awareness and detachment, the indispensable role of a Guru, and the ultimate realization of the soul's true, blissful, and eternal nature. The book encourages a systematic approach to spiritual growth, moving from basic practices to deeper states of meditation and self-absorption.