Few pearls of wisdom

Hare Krishna Friends,

The following pearls of wisdom have been picked from the site www.jagadgurus.org.

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Ego: an impediment to Bhakti

The greatest impediment to Bhakti is the ego which repeatedly asserts itself and prevents self-surrender. Thus, a man can truly surrender himself to Ishwara only if he annihilates his ego. Repeatedly thinking of Ishwara and practicing spiritual discipline precisely in the manner indicated by the Guru go a long way in effacing the ego and engendering devotion.

Great Souls always shower grace

The light of a lamp falls on its surroundings. One may study the shastras in that light while another may, paying no attention to it, spend the time sleeping.
Similarly, great souls are always showering their grace. Each one can derive benefit depending on one's mentality. If one takes a big vessel to a pond, one can bring a large quantity of water. Just because a small vessel can hold only a small amount of water, it does not mean that the vessel itself is the limit of the pond.

No Analogue for a Guru

While a piece of iron is transformed by the sparsha gem into a piece of gold, if that piece of gold were to be brought into contact with a piece of iron, both the iron and the gold would remain as they are.

But a Guru not only transforms his disciple into a knower but also confers on the disciple the power to convert another into a knower. Thus, the sparsha gem hardly serves as an analogue. Actually, there is simply no analogue for the Guru

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With this email, we will conclude with the teachings of Sri Abhinava Vidyateertha Mahasvami. We can always take up and learn more again later. Most of the contents presented are from the following books:

1.
Book Name: Yoga, Enlightenment & Perfection of his Highness Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamigal
Language: English
Author/Compiler: Sri R.M. Umesh
Should be Available at…Sankar Mutt, Bangalore

2.
Book Name: Exalting Elucidations
Language: English
Author/Compiler: Collection by various devotees
Should be Available at…Sankar Mutt, Bangalore


3.
Book Name: Jagadguru Abhinava Vidyateertha – na kandante
Language:Kannada
Author/Compiler: Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Shastry
Should be Available at…Sankar Mutt, Bangalore

There are many other books about Mahasvami in Tamil, English and other languages.

The following websites have some useful information.

http://www.sringerisharadapeetham.org
http://www.jagadgurus.org
http://www.srisharada.com

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Regards,
Neelakantan