Lessons From the World

- Swamini Shraddhanand Saraswati

      The avadhuta begins his teachings in response to the request of Yadu Maharaja. Hear the Lord clearly indicates that the king received the teachings of avadhuta because he possessed the essential qualifications of a seeker. The first and foremost qualifications of a seeker. The first and foremost qualification of the king was that he was a brahamanya (ब्रह्मण्यः), i.e. one who had respect for Brahma. The word Brahma in this context has two meanings. One is a brahmana and the second meaning is the Veda. Brahmanya is thus one who has reverence for both the Vedic teachings and for the Vedic teachers. In the olden days the Brahamanas were one who taught the Vedic scriptures. The king had reverence for both the teachings and the teachers. It was because of his श्रद्धा and भक्ति that he deserved to be taught indicating that श्रद्धा (faith or trust in the शास्त्र and the words of the teacher) and भक्ति (devotion to the Lord) are important qualifications of a seeker. Another prerequisite is indicated by the term सुमेधसा  i.e. by him who had the necessary intellectual caliber to receive the teaching. Since the reality is not easily recognized, it being the innermost, invisible essence in one and all. Hence one must first prepare the mind which is the instrument by which one comes to recognize the reality. Thee mind for this purpose has to be both pure (i.e. free from impurities like राग, द्वेश, etc.) and sharp, capable of grasping the innermost essence. Thus honored by the king, The avadhuta gave the Vedic teachings to the who had offered prostrations filled with humility, faith and devotion. Infact seeking the teachings itself is an honor because a ज्ञानी is raised to a level of a teacher only when asked for the teachings. 

(To be continued....)