7/23/2019 Pranayam 443

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Lesson 15

Once a wandering sannyasin (parivrajaka)

entered a village and a pious Brahmin called

out to him: "Swamiji, please take bhiksh a (food)

at my home." The sannyasin did so and afterthe meal, the Br ahmin begg ed that he be given

diksha (initiation). The sannyasin told him towait some time and continued on his way.

After some years the sannyasin again came to

the village. The Brahmin was very pleased and

again invited him to take food. He did so, and

after the meal the Brahmin again asked for

diksha. Again the sannyasin replied, "Don't be

in a hurry; continue your karma yoga," and

went on his way.

Many years passed, then again the sannyasin

came to the same village. The Brahmin was

overwhelmed. He thought that this time he

would definitely get diksha. After the usualmeal he raised the matter again, and again the

sannyasin told him to wait. This time the

Brahmin became very angry and wanted to

know the reason for the delay.

The following day the sannyasin came again

to the Brahmin's house for bhiksha but as he

was about to place the food in the bowl he

noticed something that looked like urine inthe vessel. He said: "Swamiji, I can't put food

in your bowl, there appears to be urine in it."

"What if ther e is?" rep lied t he sannyasin. "But

if I do tha t it will be pollut ed, useless!" "Similar

is the state of your mind ," exp laine d the

sannyasin. "While it remains even a little uncleanmy diksha will be of no value."

Some disciples, even though they may be

initiated, cannot proceed on the spiritual path

or gain spiritual experiences, for the same

reason. They blame their guru, yet it is only

because of t he ir un fi t state th at no pr og re ss is

made. When the mind is cleansed and pure,then progress is assured.

Swami Satyananda Saraswati