When we enter a temple, we have to cross seven doors before reaching the sanctum sanctorum. So also, there are seven floors in the Gopuram of the temple at the entrance. These are indicative of the steps one has to take to attain to freedom from bondage- kaivalya, muki, moksha or the param padam. When we stop indulging in the worldly affairs that look like the annual fair, jatra, Car festival of rejoice before entering the precincts of the Deity in a temple city, we tune ourselves to a spiritual or divine mode, There are four steps to reach the inner santum sanctorum from the busy streets of the temple. These are first reaching the temple town and go to the temple street. Reaching the temple is like salokya, the realm of the temple zone. Next is sannidhya, reaching the temple. The third realm is that of going near the Lord or Devi, that is sameepya. Finally we reach inner garbha gruha, the kaivalya dhama, and stand in the presence of the Deity. This is sayujya. We feel a sense of satisfaction, spiritual attainment. This by itself a kaivalya.
'Kaivalya' is said to be the final atainment to the 'Highest', the 'Supreme'. There is nothing beyond this. However, it is not clear as to what is this 'Highest Attainment'. Is this just accumulation of wealth, gaining applauds, power, name and fame? Or,just attaining peace and joy without external support? Probably, it is quite satisfying if one attains peace and joy while living now and here, not after death. We hear people say RIP, Let him/her soul rest in peace! If one is not peaceful while living, how can there be peace after death? Whether one likes it or not, this so called Soul, Atman is not something to rest! It is a dynamic Reactor that is generating an powerful unending 'Energy' without any supply of fuel from outside. But, 'Life is not one of bed of roses all the way'. There are thorns in the rose stick.
Born as living beings, struggling to fulfill the daily needsof hunger, thirst, and greed, there can never be peace and joy, all the time. Joy and peace become a mirage in a life full of needs, never ending desire, and much worse, each sense organ (there are ten of them), craving for (tens of thousands) gratifications. The tendency of these sense organs is always to look out for their fulfillment. They feel disgusted when they fail to get what they want. The sense organs are ignorant. They cannot think on their own. They all depend on the whimsical Mind (manas) which is not Intelligent and discriminatory by itself. Unless the Mind is guided by the discriminative intelligence, buddhi, it is difficult to have peace and joy.
The Mind is the culprit. This unintelligent, rather foolish, whimsical, ignorant, mind is the cause of all misery. It is impossible to control and guide the five sense organs (jnyanendriya) which are always out-going. Only a stern master who has determination and mastery in the techniques of Mind-Control can fix it! There is mano laya yoga, mano nasha technique. It is so simple, but difficult to practice. The technique of mind ontrol is simple; just observe the childish Mind it keeps quiet! It is just like a stern look at the pet dog that is wagging its tail all the time. Just give a stern look, it stops wagging its tail!
The yogic practice of just observing the mischievous mind, uncontrolled and misguided, due to ignorance, calls for a rigid practice of yoga, samyama. First, one should realize the illusory nature of this sensuous world and, then discard passion and love for pleasure of the senses. Renunciation, Sage Vasishtha imparts laya yoga to Sri Ramachandra. He advices Sri Ramachandra to be impassionate, avoid any indulgences, and be equanimous.
On should know that life is an endless journey, getting in and out at every station. Birth and death is the shackle, a chain; however, there are some weak links that can get us released! One should find such weak links and cut it and get out of bondage. The conquest of the senses through techniques of 'Mind Control' is the cutting player that can easily cut the chain. So, meditate on brahmn. Meditation is the only cure for the distressed minds.
Thus, one can gain happiness, joy and peace, here while living, and that is kaivalya. Kaivalya is not something to attain going somewhere (in the Himalayas) and, not even very difficult to attain!
The principle is "Just Keep Quiet (JKQ)". This will help win the mad mad race. So I J K Q.
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