M. in Calcutta - Part5 - 2.5 mins
* V e n u *
Jai Sri Ram!
``Thakur used to say: `A sadhu, a sannyasi shall not even look
at the picture of a woman. He shall not live with householders.'
Sights and scenery provoke a desire for creature comfort in the
mind -- this is the reason. He who desires God, such a sadhu lives
alone, not with anybody.
``Sitting on the same bed with a house-holder, sleeping under
the same mosquito-net is not proper. This drags the mind down.
The sadhus of the western India do not let householders sit on
the same asana, lest as a result of their company, the mind should
get polluted; that's why. In this they are not at fault. This
rule is for the good of both.
``They who are beginners have to live with great discrimination.
One has to live through everything saying, `not this, not this.'
In the beginning total renunciation. After God has been realized,
one may enjoy. But at first complete renunciation. For beginners,
uncompromising renunciation. Nachiketa did not accept anything.
Yama said, `Have a kingdom.' -- `No, sir,' -- `wife, son, long
life?' Even to this the same reply, `No sir. I want nothing. Only
the knowledge of the Self, just this I want.'
``Shreya and preya are two things. Shreya alone is to be sought.
Shreya means God; preya, sense enjoyments. That is why Nachiketa
asked for shreya, not preya.