The Model Man

Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha

[This is an extract from a lecture titled “Secret Of Harmonious Human Development” given by Poojya Swamiji at Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, on 6th Nov. '84. It appeared in the February 1985 issue of the monthly journal ‘Vicharasetu – The Path of Introspection’]

I shall tell you, in the words of Gita, about the model man, the exemplary Knower who derives ample subjective magnitudes within himself:

Aapooryamaanam achala-pratishtham
Samudram-aapah pravisanti yadwat
Tadwat kaamaa yam pravisanti sarve
Sa saantim aapnoti na kaama-kaamee                     (Gita, 11-70)

Many perennial rivers, some huge and dashing, flow on to the sea. The sea remains unaffected. It says "my dear Ganga, flow ceaselessly on to my bosom; O Yamuna, you come on alike; come, many others too. Let there be as many mighty rivers as the great mountains can produce and send down. I shall receive, assimilate and absorb all of you, in­creasing my own majesty and revealing my own immovable nature." Likewise, is the man of Spiritual Wisdom, with regard to the many external objects, situations, places, persons and events, with which he has to interact in the world. He remains unaffected by all, enriching himself every time.

Like the sea one must have the mental depth, vastness, profundity. Only then he will be able to receive and assimilate any development that takes place in his life. Generally you have a well-like mind or a tank-like mind. By introspection and development, you have to get to further levels and become sea-like. Nay, grow further to be like the sky. Sankara says in Vivekachoodamani:

Aakaasava-llepa-vidhooragoham
Aaditvavad-bhaasya vilakshanoham  
Ahaaryava-nnitya vinischaloham  
Ambodhivat-para vivarjitoham                               (Vivekachoodamani, Verse 500)

This kind of mental state comes only when you, using the knowing process, interact with the subject, the Self, and derive more and more of Self qualities. As the intelligence with the objects outside now, so should it be made to interact with the Self, the subject, from and to which all the interactions ultimately relate. For that you have to remain in a place, say in a room. Close the room. Close your eyes too. Then let the intelligence turn inward to the Subject, interact with it, as if the Self were an object in front. From a circumference you trace the centre. It is a process somewhat similar. Find out from where all your thoughts and experiences proceed.

*  *  *  

Self Improvement

Devotee praises and worships God, regarding Him as Supreme.  With every thought he revolves, word he utters, his own personality, not the external God, gets enriched and strengthened.  Select such thoughts, words and acts, which will enrich the worshipper best, showering the benefits and bounties which he needs and will fulfill him.

 - Swamiji