This chapter is the English translation of Gujarati Book
               Title   -  Sadhak and Sathi
               Author  -  Shri Atmanandji (Dr. Soneji)




                               CHAPTER  17

                            AWAKENNESS  OF  SOUL

                               (ATMA-JAGRUTI)


      BACKGROUND:

      Awakenness of Soul (Atma-Jagruti) means absolute awareness or
      alertness.  This virtue is known as Yatna, Savadhani, or
      Apramatta in Sanskrit.  The aim and conviction of purity of the
      self during the Sadhana (spiritual activity) as also at other
      times, is awakenness of soul.  In perfect Atma-Jagruti, there is
      intense carefulness about the work that has been undertaken.


      GENERAL NATURE OF ATMAJAGRUTI:

      The nature of Atmajagruti can be clarified by one example.  If
      we are attentive to the contents of a lecture that we are
      hearing, it is full awareness.  If one's memory is not sharp,
      one may fail to remember what is heard, but even in such cases,
      the general purport would definitely be grasped.  If we are not
      awake and alert, we would neither know what has been said, nor
      grasp its essence.  What is true of a lecture is also true of
      scriptural study, devotion, Satsanga, contemplation and singing
      eulogistic songs (Kirtana), which we may practice.

      Let us now consider another type of alertness, useful to the
      Sadhaka (aspirant).  In this type, one must be alert even at
      times other than those of Sadhana.  To illustrate, one should be
      alert not to hurt any insects or other small beings under the
      feet while walking.  We should keep to the same care and
      alertness in bathing, using water, sweeping, lighting a fire,
      arranging things, and so on.  If we are careful, alertness
      becomes a habit and a really high state of Sadhana will reveal
      itself in us, because we have come to live a life where
      alertness has become our second nature.


      SUPREME SPIRITUAL ATMAJAGRUTI:

      Let us now come to the life of the most successful Sadhaka, that
      is, a true saint.  Let us examine what Atmajagruti is, how, when
      and to what extent it is revealed, what reward it yields in
      life, and so on.

      When the Sadhaka comes to the status of a saint, through self-
      realization, his whole personality gets surcharged with a unique
      divinity.  The reason is that he has cut off the knots of
      infatuation (Moha) and as a result, constant Atmajagruti has
      become a part and parcel of all his activities.  Just as a
      retired person, not earning at present continues to earn
      interest on his money earned earlier, the saint of
      self-knowledge also experiences a peculiar awakenness due to the
      elimination of false knowledge (Avidya).

      When the knots of attachments are cut off by the saint the inner
      strength of his soul almost explodes.  As a result, he is
      capable of great spiritual accomplishments (Aradhana).  He
      becomes fearless, takes no notice of external disturbances, and
      thus makes great strides in the path of Sadhana.  However,
      outwardly, some saints take time in revealing their real
      personality, and there, even in the absence of external penance
      (Tyaga) the Atmajagruti is unique.

      COMPLETE ATMAJAGRUTI:

      The state of full or complete Atmajaqruti is the state of a true
      monk.  In this state, perfect vows of nonviolence, nonstealing,
      truth, celibacy, and nonpossession are observed all the time,
      but in addition one becomes free from all dependence to worldly
      objects.  He becomes free from all worries and engages himself
      in the constant effort of attaining to Samadhi (to be one with
      God or Self) through knowledge and meditation.

      Because of equanimity he has the conviction that "the whole
      world is filled with divinity".  The result is that he would not
      accept the restriction of any particular place for his Sadhana.
      In the next stage, all attachment is abandoned even from this
      body which has come as a result of earlier destiny.  Monks
      practice advanced equanimity and awaken godliness (Alakh) by the
      constant and condensed practice of Atmajagruti, so that the
      present life is filled up with delight and divine bliss of the
      self.  The atmosphere around also becomes surcharged with
      supreme peace, coolness and pious.  In the language of
      scriptures, the state of the true monk is known as "Abhikshna
      Jnana Upayoqa," "Apramatta Samyama," "the state of
      natural Samadhi," and "the state of steadfast intellect."

      GLORY OF ATMAJAGRUTI:

      1. Awake, O traveller!  It is morning, the night is gone, why do
         you sleep now?  The one who sleeps is a loser; the one who is
         awake, attains to the Truth.

      2. O! you unfortunate person!  you are in pain from several
         births!  Awake, O awake!  Be you colored by the spirit of
         uplift of the soul, let illusions leave the mind.  O person!
         attain by effort the spirit of devotion to God and a spirit
         of service to your revered preceptor.  Discard worldly fears
         and the conventions of the family outright and this will free
         you from bondage.

      3. "The souls that are asleep in the slumber of illusion are
         ordinary people of the world, while a monk remains awake by
         ceaseless pondering on soul (Atma).  Only the inattentive has
         fear; there is no fear for the alert and the attentive."
         These are the noble words of the Jina.  Liberation is not far
         from that person who, having attained to appropriate
         circumstances, experiences even momentary internal
         awakenness.

      4. Wealth, adventure, character, fortune, self-control,
         self-restraint, and the company of learned ones, comes
         to the Sadhaka who is ever awake.

      5. Constant vigilance and awakenness of the soul are necessary
         for keeping up appropriately the vows undertaken.  The same
         is also required to nourish the feeling of detachment and the
         state of introvert contemplation.

      6. The mother looks after the growth and health of the child
         with full tender care and alertness.  We look after our
         luggage during travelling with equal care.  The soldiers on
         duty on the border protects the territory of his country with
         all alertness.  As Sadhakas, if we will look after the
         various facets of internal and external Sadhana with this
         care and alertness, we will definitely attain to the higher
         state of awakenness of Atma, and with that, the true and
         ultimate reward of Sadhana.


      LIVING EXAMPLES OF ATMAJAGRUTI:

                                (1)

      The sermon of Lord Buddha was in progress.  The devoted
      listeners were bathing in the river of knowledge, flowing from
      the deep experience of life and powerful effulgence of
      knowledge.  The religious assembly was full with the presence of
      monarchs, kings and emperors, the wealthy, the learned and
      pundits, and the common masses.

      Suddenly Lord Buddha became silent.  The curiosity of the
      audience was enhanced because the topic of discourse was
      incomplete.  Yet, no one had the courage to inquire of the Lord
      Buddha why he had stopped his sermon when all looked at his face
      and the firm expression on it.  The assembly slowly dispersed.

      Next day, his disciples folded their hands and submitted,
      "Lord, nobody has understood the reason for the discontinuance
      of your sermon yesterday.  Kindly let us know what it was."

      Lord Buddha replied, "O, monks!  Your initiation commits you to
      receive the sermon with utmost attention so that you attain to
      the bliss of the soul.  The legs and fingers of two or three
      monks were moving constantly during the sermon.  This showed
      that they were inattentive.  For this reason I stopped the
      sermon."

      If monks do not receive the sermon with utmost attention and
      alertness, what of the common people?  All were struck by this
      subtle and awakened vision of Lord Buddha.  The monks resolved
      to resort to Sadhana with greater awakenness of Atma.



                                  (2)


      Socrates, the famed philosopher of Greece, was a great man of
      unique intellectual status.  He used to say, "Right from
      childhood, my constant companion is my true Self (Sad-atma).  My
      soul invariably advises me on what work I should undertake and
      to what time.  He also warns me in advance, about improper
      activities that I might be undertaking."

      One day the pupils asked, "Where is this Sadatma?"

      Immediately he replied, "It is the voice of my inner soul, which
      is known as discrimination (Viveka) or the power of intellect
      (Prajnashakti) in the scriptures.  Those Sadhakas who progress
      on the path of Sadhana with his best companion, are saved from
      all calamities and are led to the attainment of the desired
      goal."


                                (3)

      Some fifty years ago, Benaras Hindu University was in its
      infancy.  The University was established by Pundit Malaviyaji.
      The position of vice-chancellor was held by Acharya
      Narendradeva.  The position carried the free use of a house, a
      car, a servant and so on.

      Once it so happened that he was going by a rickshaw (small taxi)
      to meet some one.  A close friend of his happened to see him.
      The friend stopped the rickshaw and asked, "Why do you go by
      this rickshaw?  What happened to your car?"

      Narendradeva replied, "Well friend!  How can I use the car when
      I go for my personal work?  In rare cases, when I am compelled
      to use the car for personal use, I pay for the gasoline."

      With these words, Narendradeva left, leaving his friend full of
      admiration.