Four Foursomes

06/04/2004

Poornamadaha Poornamidam Poorvaatpoorna mudachyatheh
Poornasya Poornamaadaaya Poornamevaavasishyatheh

- - - - Brihadaaranyaka Upanishad

( The Omnipresent, Omnipotent Universal Consciousness 'That', is infinite (full,
voidless, all-inclusive and all-pervasive). 'This' the universe (Jagat) from the micro
to the macro states of existence, in short everything that is not 'That', is also
infinite. The infinite 'This' has emerged from the infinite 'That'. Even when the
infinite 'This' is taken away from the infinite 'That', even then, the Infinity in 'That'
remains unaffected )

NB: This reminds us of the parameter 'infinity' in mathematics. Actually, as there
cannot be two 'infinities'(otherwise, infinity cannot be all-inclusive), it hence implies
that both 'That' and 'This' are the same one and only one Infinity.
- - - - - - - -

Hello everyone ! Sukravaaram Suprabhaath !

Here are the four foursomes of Indian scriptural/traditional heritage :

1. The foursome of Purushaardhas (life objectives) :
(a) Dharma (righteous conduct) (b) Arththa (wealth, prosperity)
(c) Kaama (wishes, desires) (d) Moaksha (Deliverance, Salvation)
Of these, the middle two are pursued by a majority of individuals who are
intrinsically tied up with the world and their innumerable activities. In general,
most of the individuals desire nothing more than a lucrative and prospective
profession, a happy family and social setting, an ambience of prosperity, and,
fulfilment of their desires. For a truly happy life however, what is important
is, not merely how much one earns, but how one earns. This is when the
first Purushaardha comes into the picture. A righteous way of living, good
character and conduct, an ethical and moral outlook, a knowledge of the
Scriptures, and, pursuit of higher ideals - - -, these afford one with an
ennobling and enlightened course of life, leading towards the fourth Purusha-
ardha, which however involves an assiduous and arduous 'saadhhana' (practice).

2. The foursome of Aasramas (stages in life) :
(a) Brahmacharya (boyhood and student phase) (b) Grihastha (house-holder
phase, the prime time with family responsibilities and social obligations).
(c) Vaanaprastha (the phase of retirement (not VRS !), gradual withdrawal from
hectic activities, cultivation of an attitude of detachment, and development of
an introspective tendency) (d) Sanyaasa (phase of renunciation). However,
in present times, this is more conspicuous by its absence. Only those of an
intensely spiritual temperament, intent upon pursuit of Truth to its logical
conclusion, take recourse to this phase.

3. The foursome of Saadhhanas, called 'Saadhhana Chatushtaya', for such of
those thirsting for spiritual progress and bliss of Deliverance.
(a) 'Aathmaanaathma viveka' i.e., discrimination between what is permanent and
abiding and what is not; between the Eternal and ephemeral, between Reality and
illusion. (b) Acquiring and possession of the six desirable qualities (shadguna
sampaththi), and conversely, the rejection of six undesirable qualities. Both these
Do's and Don'ts are given subsequently. (c) A gradual repugnance towards
sensual pleasures and material gratifications. (d) An earnest and intense longing
for search for Truth, and finally release from earthly bondages.

4. The foursome of Yogas :
(a) Karma Yoga (path of action), (b) Bhakthi Yoga (path of devotion)
(c) Raja Yoga (path of meditation) (d) Gnyaana Yoga (path of knowledge).
These have been dealt with in an earlier Fri-Call (16 Apr 04), but will be briefly
reviewed. It was stated that these are not four independant discrete paths, but
different stages in the path to Perfection.These are to suit different temperaments
and mental equipments of the Seekers who comprise a diverse lot. The preliminary
stage is Karma Yoga, wherein is enunciated the principle of 'Nishkaama Karma' which
implies action without anxiety for its fruit. The second path is 'devotion' (bhakthi)
usually of a Deity with name anf form, with implicit Faith and surrender. The mind
gets purified to be in a fit state for the third path, the Yoga of meditation. With
this, the mind, sharpened and enlightened, melts itself away into the 'Nirvikalpa'
(attributeless, changeless) state, leading to realisation of one's 'True Self' the final
objective of Gnyaana Yoga.

Now to the Do's and Don'ts mentioned in item 3(b) :

The six Do's : 1. Sama or tranquility of mind thru self-control, and turning it from
mundane thoughts to a higher plane. 2. Dama or control over the five sense-
organs, and the five organs of action, disciplining them towards right perception.
3. Uparathi, acting without sense of doer-ship and concern for fruit of actions.
4. Thitheeksha. Equanimity towards pairs of opposites like joy and sorrow etc.
5. Samaadhaana or orienting the controlled mind, and organs of perception and
action, towards spiritual practices 6. Sradhdha. Devotion to Preceptor, Scriptures
and unswerving Faith in the Divine.

The six Don'ts : 1. Kaama (intense passion for worldly objects) 2. Kroadha (wrath)
3. Loabha (miserliness, avarice and selfishness) 4. Moaha (lust) 5. Madha or
inebriation due to wealth and power, and hence pride and arrogance.
6. Maathsarya (jealousy and envy).

Thus is given the guidance for the right way of living, conducive to peace of mind,
and happiness of self as well as the community.