December 8, 2012
The video above shows failure of the first launch of the SpaceX mission to resupply the International Space Station (ISS) on May 19, 2012.
Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayanandaji once used the example of a failed spacecraft liftoff to describe the why tuning the mind is so critical on the spiritual path. In Geeta 18-67, Śrī Kṛṣṇa clearly warns of unqualified people trying to understand the Bhagavad Geeta. He is pretty explicit in his caution:
इदं ते नातपस्काय नाभक्ताय कदाचन |
न चाशुश्रूषवे वाच्यं न च मां योऽभ्यसूयति ||१८-६७||
idaM te naatapaskaaya naabhaktaaya kadaachana .
na chaashushruushhave vaachya.n na cha maa.n yo.abhyasuuyati .. 18-67..
This is never to be spoken by you to one who is devoid of austerities or devotion, nor to one who does not render service, nor to one who desires not to listen, nor to one who cavils at Me (speaks ill of me).
In the "Holy Geeta", Swamiji says:
Verses like this in a śāstra are meant as instructions for the students on how to attune themselves properly so that they can make a profitable study of the śāstra. None should expect an immediate result from his study of the Geetā. Personality readjustments cannot be made overnight. There is no miracle promised in the Geetā.
Indirectly, the verse also gives some sane instructions by its suggestions. If a student feels that he cannot satisfactorily understand the Geetā, he only has to sharpen his inner nature further by the above subjective processes. Just as we clean a mirror to remove the dimness of the reflection, so too, by properly readjusting the mind and intellect equipment, its sensitivity to absorb the Geetā philosophy can be increased.
Of course, SpaceX was able to fix the problems that were discovered with the launch and successfully resupply the ISS within a few days of that aborted launch. I like ending on a happy note.
There is no doubt that with the appropriate discipline (tapas), devotion (bhakti) and selfless action, accompanied by listening to Śrī Kṛṣṇa and the Geeta with an open, pure heart every seeker can liftoff into the realization of the Supreme Truth.
Hari Om and Namaskaar until the next post
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