Sadhana Panchakam, Instruction 17

Translation and Commentary by Jayaram V

3.1 Reflect upon the vakyas or statements taught by the guru

It is not necessary that a guru will teach the knowledge of the scriptures only. He may also impart the knowledge which he gained from his experience and observation or from his analysis and reflection of the knowledge he already has. It is, therefore, necessary that the student shall pay attention to the statements which are found in the scriptures as well as to the teachings of his guru and reflect upon them. If he finds any contradictions, he has to seek clarifications. It will further cement his understanding of the knowledge which is essential to improve his sadhana and achieve liberation.

Reflection (mananam) is an important part of learning and improving. Your mind is shaped by what you think and the thoughts to which you are attracted. It is the fertile ground where the seeds of liberation are sown. The best way to transform it and elevate it is by reflecting upon knowledge which you learned from your teacher or from the standard texts such as the Vedas where you will find the standard knowledge of Brahman, Atman and liberation. Reflection (mananam) serves an important purpose in sadhana. It improves your learning, comprehension and assimilation, and reinforces your faith, purpose and resolve, which in turn helps you overcome any inner resistance or reluctance that you may experience on the path.

This verse does not specifically state that you have to contemplate upon the statements found in the Upanishads. However, the implication becomes clearer if you read it in conjunction with the next instruction. Whether you learn it from the Vedas or from your teacher, the instructions which you learn must be correct and in line with what is traditionally approved and accepted as the standard practice. The Upanishads, especially the oldest ones, contain profound truths of Brahman and Atman (self). They contain short and effective statements known as mahavakyas (great statements) which are very useful in reflection and contemplation.

The reason the Upanishads are not specifically mentioned here is probably because, not all Upanishads are the same. Many were composed long after the Vedic era, some as late as the sixteenth or seventeenth century CE. Since they are mostly derivative works, you cannot strictly consider them shruti. Even with regard to the older ones, which are about 12 or so, they require scrutiny because their chronological dates are uncertain, and the texts seem to be remnants or fragmentary copies of the original texts which were lost. They may be revelatory only in parts and cannot blindly be accepted as authentic, while their spiritual value is beyond question.

Therefore, in today’s context it is not necessary that one has to focus upon the statements from the Upanishads or the remaining parts of the Vedas only. We have numerous other texts, such as the Tantras, the epics, the Shastras and the Sutras, which contain profound knowledge and great statements about God and soul. You can reflect upon them too. In short, you can reflect upon any statement, which appeals to you, which your guru teaches or which you believe agrees with the original knowledge of the Vedas and has the potential to open your mind to its hidden truths.

Reflection upon the statements which are found in the sacred texts is a transformative practice which improves your sadhana. It is a foundational practice which reinforces your faith, strengthening your resolve and commitment with increased knowledge. The knowledge which you learn from your study or your teacher is intellectual knowledge. It lacks the light of wisdom and experience (anubhava) which arises from persistent practice. Through reflection and practice you scrutinize it in the light of your own experience and observation and arrive at your own opinions and conclusions, which you can then put to further test through continued reflection. By that, you can integrate the learned knowledge into your consciousness and sharpen your thinking and intelligence.

Spiritual sahdhana requires right knowledge to cultivate right discernment and avoid mistakes and failures. The practice of reflection helps in that process. The statements (mahavakyas) from the scriptures serve as the trigger points to draw your mind and into yourself and see things in their purity without the interference your chaotic mind. In the end, you will know what to expect from your practice and what conditions lead to enlightenment.

Through reflection upon selected statements, you may also succeed in discovering the hidden knowledge of the Vedas, which is not immediately discernible to ordinary minds. The ancient texts such as the Vedas were composed in such a manner that true knowledge is often concealed by esoteric terms and ritual symbolism. Students of the Vedas know that your understanding of them increases in proportion to your study, openness and willingness to learn. Further, the practice will lead to the flowering of divine qualities and increased sattva as it strengthens your faith and devotion and draws you further into yourself.

Self-study (svadhyaya) is important even when one is receiving instructions from a teacher. Reflecting (mananam) upon the truths of standard texts such as the Vedas reinforces the knowledge which you learn from others through listening (sravanam). It also helps you know whether the knowledge you heard from others is in harmony with what the Vedas convey. Your teacher may also find you worthy of further instruction as he observes that you are not blindly following him but making an extra effort to improve your knowledge and understanding. It will also give you an edge in scholarly disputations and debates as you present your opinions and observations with convincing logic and arguments.

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