Sadhaka -The Seeker: We are all sadhaks, trying to find who we are and the reason for our birth on Mother Earth. A Sadhaka’s ultimate goal is to become one with the divine i.e. to achieve salvation (mukti/ jeevan-mukt). To achieve that, us sadhakas can follow numerous paths which are luckily available to all of us (irrespective of our religion). The only thing we need to do is to have complete faith in whichever path we are on and persevere. One day we will definitely be successful with divine help.
SADHYA: What is SADHYA? SADHYA means your goal or ultimately what you want to achieve (Not including material attachments like cars and houses in this context). SADHYA in simple words means, “Aap Kya Pana chahate ha Jeevan mein?” Sadhaks can make smaller goals which can be easily achieved to start off, so they can have a feeling of fulfilment and gradually take steps towards the ultimate goal, Sadhya.
Sadhana: Sadhana means spiritual practice every day. Sadhana also means Tap or Tapashcharya. Sadhaks need to do Sadhana (practice) to achieve sadhya. The word sadhana comes from the Sanskrit word sadhan. Sadhan can be in many forms. For example, Naam Jaap is a form of sadhan (chanting his name, praying or meditating). However, it needs to be diligently practised everyday in your life, which makes it easy to achieve Sadhya. If you have a Guru, you should religiously follow all the sadhanas given by him.
Sadhan:-sadhan means ways, sources or in Hindi “jariya” which we can follow to achieve our sadhya.
Sadhu: The word Sadhu has a vast and deep meaning. Sadhu simply means one who has realised himself and has become one with the divine power.
Sadhu is the one who has overcome the shadripu. The Sanksrit word shadripu means the six enemies of the mind which we are aware of but find quite difficult to not be distracted by. They are:
• Kama– lust or self-control
• Krodha– anger
• Lobha– greed
• Madam-pride
• Moha– attachment
• Matsarya-jealousy.
A Sadhu is always available and waiting eagerly to help sadhaks to attain the ultimate sadhya by guiding them through different sadhanas (as per their karmas, needs and progress). A Sadhu is atmakrid who has realised the soul and is happy to show the path to sadhakas.
Sadhus have achieved the following six qualities (shat sampati means six and sampti means wealth) and so can help us do the same. They are:
• Patience
• Tolerance
• Detachment
• Self-control
• Faith
• Contentment
Sadhaks should follow the guidelines below on their journey to achieve their sadhya.
• Discipline yourself to practise sadhana every day. Try to find some time every day.
• An important part of sadhana is to stop complaining and be content.
• Sadhaks can try different ways or change sadhanas to achieve sadhya, but the focus should always be the ultimate aim.
• Remember even Sadhus have followed sadhana and have gone through hardship or tapshcharya (tap means penance) to achieve sadhya.
• Feel him within you and chant his name 24/7.
• Always remember that we are here to change ourselves and not others.
• Have a relationship with God and talk to him or even fight with him.
• Forgive the people who have hurt your feelings and move on for spiritual benefit.
• Always live in the present moment and don’t dwell on the past or future.
• Sadhaks will surely & ultimately achieve the Sadhya with his daily Sadhana, faith and perseverance, most importantly with the guidance and the blessings of a Guru.
• Most importantly, the journey of a Sadhak becomes Sahaj (easier) under a Guru’s Diksha, blessings and guidance.
• Surrender yourself whenever you feel overpowered by emotions like anger, pride and ego and keep reminding yourself “I am not the body, mind or doer.” Surrender every action to him.
• Once you surrender yourself then he will take all your worries, thoughts and there will be no ifs and buts left. Whatever will happen will happen for the best as per the supreme wish.
• Be obedient to your Guru! Every single word that comes from Guru’s wani has a deep meaning and for your spiritual upliftment so make sure you obey him with full faith and devotion. You should have confidence that he will take you closer to God.
• As a Guru has become one with divine power and knows how to help sadhaks to do the same, a Guru is given more importance than the God!
Om Shree Gurudev Namah!
