ONCE, a bird sat on the mast of a ship. When the ship sailed through the mouth of the Ganges into the ‘black waters’ of the ocean, the bird failed to notice the fact. When it finally became aware of the ocean, it left the mast and flew north in search of land. But it found no limit to the water and so returned. After resting a while it flew south. There too it found no limit to the water. Panting for breath the bird returned to the mast. Again, after resting a while, it flew east and then west. Finding no limit to the water in any direction, at last it settled down on the mast of the ship.
What a man seeks is very near him. Still he wanders about from place to place. As long as a man feels that God is ‘there’, he is ignorant. But he attains knowledge when he feels that God is ‘here’. (198)
The Purpose of Putting in The Tremendous Effort is Only to Realise That The Inner Being Cannot Be Realised Through Effort.
This is the greatest mystery of spiritual life. The Atman chooses, and then the Atman reveals Itself to the seeker. Then what is the position of the seeker’s effort here? What we call effort, intellectual, mental or physical, is only a symptom of ignorance. It is permissible to the extent that it goes. The purpose of putting in the tremendous effort is only to realise that the Inner Being cannot be realised through effort. Effort can only help earn something from outside; it may give us some physical or mental experiences, but not existential experience. With effort, we can gain material objects or some emotion or thought. Existence cannot be achieved; it is already there in you as your own being. As long as you try to achieve it, you will fail to recognise it. That is why Bhagavan says here, “Only by My grace do you attain it.”
- This Atman is not attained through scriptural teaching and studies, not by a powerful intellect which can delve deep into the meaning of the Scriptures, and not even by listening to many teachers. Whomsoever this Atman chooses, to him the Atman reveals Himself. — Katha Upanishad 1.2.23
- Neither by the Vedas nor by austerity, charity, and sacrifice can I be seen in this form as you have seen Me. — Bhagavad Gita 11.53