The Taittiriya Upanishad in its Shiksha Valli section repeatedly advises the student of this knowledge, “Svadhyaya pravachanecha”. This means that it is one’s primary duty to lift oneself first through study and reflection upon the truth, and then in trying to lift others. Gurudev Swami Chinmayanandaji told us that it doesn’t matter if such a one is doing no other karmakanda (rituals). Once we have been given the gift of this liberating knowledge, it is our sacred duty to give it out freely to whosoever is ready to receive it, never force it on unwilling listeners. It is said in our scriptures that it is a debt to our teachers, (rishi rin) that we must pay back.
When a student’s mind is ready to receive it, he develops a capacity to absorb the teaching and make it his own. It is again and again stressed that a teacher must occupy himself not only in study but in practising sincerely and continuously this knowledge. A teacher must be a good sadhak himself. He shouldn’t begin to think that he has realised or totally understood so now there is no need to meditate or do any sadhana.
Swami Chinmayanandaji said that no one can teach Vedanta to anyone. He himself faced harsh scrutiny by a mahatma in Uttarkashi when he said that he was teaching Vedanta to the masses. Gurudev used to say “I only do manan (deep contemplation) loudly, not silently, so that others ‘may’ benefit. I am warming myself near a fire, you also come and warm yourself.” He further added, “If you feel you are teaching, your mind will go…it will ooze out with this abhiman (pride)…and then the Grand Trunk Road to disaster…sarvanash (complete destruction).” Anyone who can help to establish the devotion of surrender to this Supreme Reality in any heart, “he doubtless comes to me”. This is a promise from the Lord of the Gita.
Prarthna Saran, President, Chinmaya Mission, Delhi.
