A seeker went to a Saint and asked humbly, “Dear Sir, it is
commonly believed that for pursuing spiritual path, one has to give up material
pursuits. Most of the sadhus and holy men even give up their household to
pursue mysticism. Can’t both coexist – mysticism and materialism?”
The compassionate Saint looked at the seeker and with a gentle
smile and chanted a shloka,
“Shuka Tyagi, Krishna bhogi, Janak Raghav Narendra,
Vashistha Karmanishtsya, Sarvesham
Gyaninaam samana bhokta II”
Shukadev was a renunciate, Krishna relisher, Janak Kingly,
The Saint continued, “Son, materialism and mysticism are
independent of each other. Materialism is in respect to the outer world,
whereas mysticism is all about the inner world. Sure, both can coexist, but
only with the help of spiritually elevated and purified intellect. One doesn’t
have to give up the material world for achieving the goal of supreme
blissfulness of the inner world. Kabir, Guru Nanak, Sant Ravidas and many
Saints realized the goal of life while leading a married household life. Even I
haven’t given up my worldly pursuit while pursing my spiritual goals.”
Posts
