Peace of Mind: Spiritual Evolution Is The Key To Salvation

By Sri Sri Ananda Murti

In a conversation with his consort Parvati, Shiva is believed to have said that through self-knowledge, one can attain salvation. People are born as human beings due to their past good samskaras, but to attain liberation they will have to attain self-knowledge.

In ancient times, Parvati symbolised the spirit of enquiry. She would pose questions to Shiva, and Shiva's answers provided deep insight into the nature of spirituality. Parvati's questions are collectively known as the Nigama shastra. Shiva's answers are philosophical; they are also of great practical value.

In Tantra, the Nigama - collection of Parvati's questions, and the Agama - the compilation of Shiva's answers, have been compared to the two wings of a swan. A one-winged bird cannot fly. Similarly, tantra philosophy is complete when both Nigama and Agama are present. If one aspect is absent, it compromises the essence of tantra.

Shiva answers Parvati's question: "The only way to attain salvation is to acquire self-knowledge through correct spiritual practice. Self-knowledge is to realise oneself." Shiva says that it is impossible to attain moksha without acquiring self-knowledge. Some people may argue that to attain self-knowledge, the path of devotion is the best.

But here the term bhakti has not been used, because in the early days of the Shiva cult, the word bhakti was not used in the realm of intuitional practice, it began to be used only in later days. The term bhakti is used in a narrative where Shiva says: "Of all the ways to attain salvation, bhakti is the greatest". So without bhakti, we cannot attain self-knowledge.

To acquire self-knowledge, intense sadhana and sincerity are essential. By moving towards the Supreme One, leaving all other entities behind, and surrendering oneself wholeheartedly to the infinite sweetness of Paramashiva one can attain supreme benevolence -and then only can one attain self-knowledge.

But who can achieve this kind of self-knowledge? Shiva is above considerations of caste, community or colour. So how did he determine a person's eligibility? Shiva declared that when people attain human status as a result of their noble virtues, then they are considered eligible to attain self-knowledge.

But due to natural processes, many creatures eventually evolve into humans. So what really is meant by saying that attaining human life is the result of past lives? The fact is that all living beings advance in the flow of pratisaincara, along a systematic path. Human beings are believed to be the most evolved form of life.

Yet, even among us, we find that while some of us are inclined towards achieving liberation, some others are not. However, one can always cultivate the art of seeking knowledge that will help us tread the path of realisation and liberation. Those who have little spiritual awareness need to develop their propensity to seek out answers to eternal questions.

Others, because of their evolved state and having acquired merit over their lives, attain a high degree of spirituality right from their youth. Shiva has rightly said: "One whose existence is truly blessed with virtues acquired through noble deeds, is entitled to self-knowledge. And to attain self-knowledge means to attain salvation, because, with the attainment of self-knowledge, human beings attain permanent liberation from bondage. This liberation is moksha.

"One who looks for the Supreme Entity in the external world, ignoring the Shiva of the internal world, is like one who throws away the food that is in one's hand and wanders from door to door in search of one's livelihood.

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See also: Peace of Mind, Peace on Earth, Life and Beyond, Love and Happiness, Body Mind and Soul

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