This chapter is the English translation of Gujarati Book
               Title   -  Sadhak and Sathi
               Author  -  Shri Atmanandji (Dr. Soneji)




                           CHAPTER  14

                         ADVERSE  FEELINGS:
                           (VIBHAVA-BHAVO)


      THE IMPURE EMOTIONAL STATES

      The qualities inherent in the original and basic constitution of
      soul (Atma) are natural and pure (Svabhava-Bhava).  When the
      soul (Atma) misses these natural qualities and experiences some
      other ones, then impure and emotional states arise.  Examples of
      the natural and basic qualities of soul are forgiveness,
      humbleness, and contentment.  The reverse of these, including
      anger, pride, and jealousy are impure emotional states of soul.

      The aim of an aspirant should be to wash out these impure
      emotional states from the soul and to reveal its pure qualities.
      It would therefore be beneficial to narrate and analyze in brief
      the different impure states or feelings that the soul is likely
      to experience.

      TYPES OF IMPURE EMOTIONAL STATES:

      The belief of self in the non-self is the first and major impure
      state responsible for infinite perpetuation of the mundane
      existence of births and rebirths.  Other impure states cannot be
      eliminated from one's life, unless the Atma gives up the
      delusive belief of ownership of the body and other human
      features as one's true self.

      This delusive belief is known by different names, such as
      ignorance, illusion, falsehood, sense of extroversion and so on.
      Other impure feelings are those of anger, different forms of
      pride, illusory behavior, greed, various types of passions,
      jealousy, sorrow, fear, disgust, false allegations, violence,
      theft, hunting, gambling, and so on.


      ORDER OF THE ANNIHILATION OF IMPURE EMOTIONAL STATES:

      The science and methodology of getting rid off these feelings is
      subtle indeed.  This whole activity is known as advancement on
      the path of liberation.  The implementation of this path can be
      presented in three grades as follows:

      1. In the initial stage, the enlightened preceptor preaches the
         aspirant somewhat like this, "Well brother, get over your
         varied defects so long as you are hale and hearty.  As you
         proceed to self-improvement, the biggest defect to encounter
         is wantonness.  Let it be annihilated by association with the
         wise, which will induce virtues in you."

         Thus, by a combination of humility, obedience and similar
         other virtues you will be worthy of properly perceiving the
         spiritual sermons of the preceptor or the mystic teachings
         learnt through the study of authentic scriptures.

         For awakening your soul and getting a proper grasp of the
         absolute Reality, you have to acquire true knowledge of the
         basic elements (Tattvas) of the universe such as Soul and
         Matter (Jiva and Ajiva), and practice deep contemplation on
         their nature.

         It is said,

         "Controlled activities of senses and simplicity, recognition
         of the instructions of saints and good thoughts, compassion
         and gentleness - these qualities form the prime basis for the
         realization of the Soul (Atman)."

         "Let one ponder over the knowledge acquired.  Let us serve
         the enlightened preceptors - this is the resolve of the
         learned."

      2. Thus it can easily be understood that by a continuous
         studying of the true nature of the Self, the spiritual
         aspirant firmly believes that only his true self is his own,
         and none others.  He does not accept body, anger, lust, and
         so on as constituting the original nature of Soul.  These
         impure emotional states arise due to a lack of awareness of
         the Soul in a state of Karmic bondage.

         Such an aspirant has realized that these feelings of anger
         and so on are the defiled states of the soul and hence are
         impure and sorrowful.  As they are the cause of further
         bondage, he has resolved to remove them all.

      3. Such a wise aspirant knows one thing for certain, that these
         impure states of anger and so on arise or get inflated only
         if he entangles his mind in worldly affairs losing sight of
         his mission.

         Now, if the aspirant develops indifference and conceives
         these impure states as worthy of renunciation, he will
         naturally minimize all those different activities which give
         rise to or excite these adverse feelings so that, in due
         course, the force of these impurities will lessen.

         In addition to reducing these activities, he enriches his
         will-power by practicing and participating in activities such
         as the company of the wise, scriptural studies, devotion to
         God, observance of silence (Mauna), seclusion, pondering over
         reality, and others.

         Just as the aspirant progresses in his spiritual life
         (Sadhana) of reflection and meditation by enhancing his vows,
         he will progress towards spiritual enlightens.  One fine
         fortunate day, during meditation, he attains to that divine
         and enlightening experience called self-realization, which
         pervades all aspects of his life, and produces a total change
         in his personality.

         Now, at this stage, he is transformed from an aspirant into a
         saint, and is firmly established in the path of attaining to
         supreme Godhood - a state of pure knowledge and infinite
         bliss, through attainment of the state of Sthita-Prajna and
         Nirvikalpa Samadhi.  He thus conquers all invisible peaks of
         spiritual development and becomes a perfect soul.

      We have thus, analyzed from the spiritual point of view the
      progress and order in which impure states of the individual
      soul can be purified.  In modern days, we can concede that the
      development of the spiritual path is more difficult.  This is
      because the remembrance of the previous births is limited,
      association with enlightened souls is difficult to obtain and a
      common person is surrounded by antagonistic and evil events in
      life.  Also an aspirant fails to loosen his attachment to the
      flimsy and worldly pleasures of mundane life.

      In other words, the strength of determination has to be further
      reinforced constantly to overcome the varied sensual temptations
      and their effects on day-to-day life.  For this, again, great
      tolerance, patience, courage and sincere following of the right
      path are necessary.

      In the modern atomic age, the battle of the Sadhaka against
      adverse feelings and experiences is long drawn, tough, full of
      calamities and spread over both the imminent and transcendental
      forms of Sadhana.  Still, however, with firm determination and
      by frequent or constant association with the wise, victory is
      easy, simple and natural; because the attainment is aimed at
      one's own pure state, which is the rightful, inborn and eventual
      destination of every wise person


      LIVING EXAMPLES OF VICTORY OVER ADVERSE FEELINGS:

                                   (1)

      This is an incident of the time of Bhagavan Mahavira.

      There was once a discussion among monks (Shramans).
      The topic of discussion was as follows:  "Who drowns deepest in
      the ocean of life:  a person of lust, anger, greed, delusion, or
      pride?"

      The monks discussed their different views, but there was no
      agreement.  All jointly approached Bhagavan Mahavira and sought
      a reply.

      There was a counter question from Bhagavan Mahavira, "If we
      throw in the water a fine, dry boat, will it sink?"

      Monks replied, "No Sir!  It will not."

      Bhagavan: "Now, if there is a hole in the boat?"

      Monks: "Surely Sir, it will sink then."

      Bhagavan: "At what place should the hole be, so that the boat
                 will sink?"

      Monks: "Holy Sir, it will sink with a hole anywhere in it."

      Bhagavan: "Similar is the reality of Atman, O Shramanas!
      Anywhere in the Atma - be it lust, anger, greed, delusion or
      pride, these lead to bondage of Karma and the Atma bound by
      Karma is sure to be drowned in the ocean of life.  Therefore,
      let the Sadhaka ever try to be free from these adverse feelings,
      that are blemishes.  Let him thus propitiate God by true faith,
      true knowledge, and true conduct and progress on the path of
      liberation."


                               (2)

      There was a sudden shout  in the peaceful atmosphere of the
      Gurukula (religion college).  Someone shouted, "A scorpion has
      bitten Guruji (religion teacher)!"

      All students ran to find out as to what had happened and how.
      Some students were rubbing gently to Guruji, one student
      captured the scorpion under a stick.  Guruji told all pupils, "I
      am fine.  Go back and get back to your work again."

      However, one student tied the scorpion with a string and hung it
      on the wall.  The scorpion was released after three hours
      following a pressing appeal from Guruji.  Still, the anger of
      that student towards the scorpion had not disappeared.

      After a few months, on the festival day known as Guru-Poornima,
      there were preparations for a festival.  At that time, Guruji
      declared, "This year, I shall seek an individual gift from every
      student." All students were delighted at this declaration.  They
      were willing to give anything that will please Guruji.

      At the end of the festival, it was the time for Guruji to demand
      some gift from the students (Guru-Dakhsina).  However, Guruji
      demanded a type of the gift which was totally unexpected.
      Gauruji asked every student to remove the major faults from his
      life, for example greed, anger, a critical outlook and so on.

      Ultimately, there came the turn of a student who had punished
      the scorpion.  Guruji told him, "You have to take a vow not to
      get angry.  This will be the gift (Guru-Dakhshina) from you to
      me."

      This noble Guruji was Shree Nrusinh Acharya, a scholar and yogi
      who specializes in the field of meditation.  He lived near
      Baroda, Gujurat in the middle of the present century.


                                (3)

      Queen Catharine of Italy was known for her angry and capricious
      temperament.

      Once it so happened that she was passing through a military
      camp.  she heard some commotion among the soldiers.  She got
      down from her carriage and proceeded towards the soldiers with
      few body-guards.  In a trench, soldiers were talking about the
      difficulties that they faced and particularly they were blaming
      Queen Catherine.

      The body-guards and the Queen heard all this.  The Queen got
      angry at first, but in no time, she got over her anger and told
      the body-guards, "What the soldiers state is correct.  I have
      gone on committing violence and hatred for a long time.  I shall
      try to get over all my blemishes that my soldiers and people are
      critical of.  I declare that I shall do my best to provide all
      happiness and benefits for my soldiers and people."

      Thus she declared the change in her temperament and summoned the
      soldiers.  The soldiers approached trembling with fright.  The
      Queen consoled and reassured them.  She passed on instructions
      to the commanders to do everything for their comfort and
      happiness.

      A feeling of joy and admiration spread over all her subjects.