tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31351038.post116457952610073226..comments2024-03-26T13:06:41.178-04:00Comments on Jagat: An answer to the letter from a devoteeJagadananda Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05887720845815026518noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31351038.post-1164856268810594772006-11-29T22:11:00.000-05:002006-11-29T22:11:00.000-05:00Interesting. This was to be the subject I was goin...Interesting. This was to be the subject I was going to tackle next. As usual, it may take a while...Jagadananda Dashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05887720845815026518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31351038.post-1164846717346195272006-11-29T19:31:00.000-05:002006-11-29T19:31:00.000-05:00How does one assess their adhikar?Here's one thing...How does one assess their adhikar?<BR/>Here's one thing that I got from "young devotee's” letter that I would like you to address. <BR/>What, in fact is the qualification for abandoning a lower dharma for a higher one?<BR/>I would like to assert that one's adhikar is an internal matter only and functions independently from karmas performed.<BR/>For example, that man who dwells constantly (or at least daily -Visvanatha) on the YugalaKishore in his heart and cleans the latrine is eminently qualified to leave the latrine for another and perform solitary bhajan if he is inspired to do so.<BR/>His state is unimpeded by his outward circumstances and like a balloon held under water, he will with great ease rise up. His natural (sahajya) state is such that wherever he goes he will be satisfied (sadA nAma la-iba, yathA lAbhete santoSa |<BR/>eita AcAra kare bhakti-dharma-poSa || 1.17.30).<BR/>My feeling is that when one’s adhikar is there, all unnecessary things fall very naturally away.<BR/>When you already are dwelling in that internal state, Swamini will very nicely make all arrangement for you. <BR/>In addition, I have known those who have left the home to attempt heroic feats of spirituality.<BR/>I have never been impressed by the outcome. <BR/>Nothing is more conducive to sloth and bad habits than gerrua (insert cult renounced color here :)and the respectful distance and deference it inspires.<BR/>So, to recap, an easy (haha) way to tell if you are qualified to renounce a lower dharma for a higher one is to ascertain when you actually are operating internally on that platform.<BR/>Radhe Radhe!skippy longbeachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05640462922707850162noreply@blogger.com