Way to become independent
I Will Not Desire Anything
Dependency is not liked by anyone. A dependent man does not gain happiness even in his sleep. "Paraadheen sapanehun sukhu naahi." (Manasa 1:102:3). Inspite of being so, then too man desires happiness from others, desires respect from others, desires praise from others, desires to gain from others - this is so very astonishing ! He who desires happiness from things, from individuals, from situations, from circumstances, from events, from various states / stages, he who desires rest and relaxation, who desires gain, he has to become dependent, he cannot be saved, whether he be Brahma or Indra or anyone for that matter. I say this to the extent that even Bhagwaan cannot be saved. He who desires something from anyone, he will be definitely become dependent.
He who desires Paramatma, he is not dependent; because Paramatma is not other. This Jeev (embodied soul) is very much an "ansh" (part of, ray of consciousness) of Paramatma, but on desiring anything other than Paramatma we become dependent; because besides Paramatma, nothing else is ours. It is only on having no desire for other things that desire for Paramatma is awakened. If desire for other things does not remain, then Paramatma will be realized.
When there is desire for anything, that desire validates poverty. In other words, unnecessarily at no cost, why are you buying poverty? If you desire to be happy, then do not desire happiness from anyone. “We will gain something from another” - get rid of this thought completely. Nothing can be done by anyone. He who desires something from another, can he be saved from dependency? Can he become independent? Therefore make this point firm - I will not desire anything!
He who sees himself has dependent on that which is created and later destroyed (perishables), how can he be happy? Because the Self is not one that is created and destroyed (perishable). The Self is Imperishable. There is another very extraordinary point, that he who desires something from another, is non-deserving. He is non-deserving at all. Just like, one who desires respect from another, he is not deserving of respect. He that deserves respect does not desire respect. If you look into it, out of 18 Akshouni armies, in which all were Kshatriyas and Kstatriyas alone, and in spite of being a Kshatriya Himself, Bhagwaan Shri Krishna, became a charioteer for one, and to guide his horse, is such an ordinary task, that can be mocked! Can driving the horses be anything of great work? Is one that commands any respect? But He was not ashamed of doing such work. He was deserving of respect, therefore he had no desire for respect. Now how is one to know that He is deserving of respect? In the opposite army, Bhishmaji is the first one to blow the conch, and in this army, Bhagwaan Shri Krishna, is the first to blow the conch. Because in the Kaurava army, the most important person was Bhishma and in the Pandava army, the most important person was Shri Krishna.
He who desires respect, he is a slave to respect, and is not deserving of respect at all. He who desires disciples, he is a slave to disciples and is not a Guru at all. He who desires wealth, he is a slave to wealth, not a master of wealth at all. Therefore desires must be removed from the mind completely.
or the embodied soul (Jeevatma) it has been said "Ishvar ansh, jeev avinaashi; chetan amal sahaj sukh raasi." (Manasa 1:23:3). In other words That Blissful Brahma, it's very own ray of consciousness is this embodied Soul (Jeevatma). Both have been shown to have the same qualities. Inspite of being so, the embodied soul, desires base things, that is such a disgraceful thing! This soul is has such a elevated post! It has so many rights! It has so much significance! but it desires base things, it gains happiness in meeting / acquiring these things, on having those things it considers itself to be important and worthy of respect. In disrespectful things it beliefs them to be respectful! Where has all the intelligence gone? In this if you have any doubts, please ask.
Questioner: There is no doubt, but the kings and great kings that are seen in front of us!
Swamiji: That which is seen, is perishable. Tell me, do you see anyone that is imperishable? Everything that is in front of you is perishable and perishable only.