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For man, there is no better armour than the cultivation of virtues. Manu states that the Brahmin will not lose his status so long as he holds on to the Gayathri and is inspired by its meaning; he says that, if he is too weak to pursue the study of the Vedas, he must at least recite the Gayathri and adhere to it, till the very end. The Smrithi too says that there is no treasure richer than the Gayathri. Soul-force can accomplish all the tasks of the world; and since the Gayathri confers inner strength, to foster that force, it has to be cultivated with care at the right moment, without neglect. For the growth and development of the body pure Sathwic food is very necessary, is it not? So also, the effulgence of the Sun has to be drawn, to reinforce the inner effulgence of man in the form of Bhaavana, or creative imagination. When soul-force waxes, the senses too are activated and directed along fruitful lines. When it wanes, the senses fail and fail you. So, if the solar energy is drawn at that very juncture, it will be as seeds planted in season, the harvest is assured. Can darkness hide and confuse when the sun has risen and bathed the earth in splendour? Can sorrow prevail, when we have infused ourselves with that effulgence? How can we be devoid of strength, the strength derived from the very fountain-head of Brahman? The technique of this process has been laid down by the ancients, for the benefit of all aspirants. Learn and practice it; by your own experience, you will be able to witness the Truth of their path. Of what purpose is the Upanayana sacrament? Which is the Manthra that
you are initiated into that day? Why has that Manthra alone to be taught
then? Why are other mystic formulae not given equal prominence? Reflect
on these matters and then you will find that the Gayathri is the Monarch
of Manthras. You will also find the rituals shining with a new meaning,
the rituals and restrictions full of purpose; the deeds and activities
of the ancients will seem worth while. If you do not try to know the significance,
you will interpret them as your fancy leads, and land yourselves in tricks
and stratagems, to escape the obligations of life. You will be caught
in injustice and negation, Anyaya and Adharma. |