SrI: SrImathE SatakOpAya nama: SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImath varavaramunayE nama:
sadṛśaṁ ceṣṭate svasyāḥ
prakṛter jñānavān api
prakṛtiṁ yānti bhūtāni
nigrahaḥ kiṁ kariṣyati
‘Even the jñāni follows the bent of his nature[1. Nature here means the sum of tendencies, dispositions, tastes, inclinations, etc., which are seen to evoke in each individual, -the man thus apparently unaccountably differing from another,- varieties so exhibited being accounted for by the habits formed in previous births, which eventuate in the present birth, (Read my Articles on ‘Predestination and Free-will.’ In the Theosophist, 1896-97).]; all creatures follow nature[2. Nature here means the sum of tendencies, dispositions, tastes, inclinations, etc., which are seen to evoke in each individual, -the man thus apparently unaccountably differing from another,- varieties so exhibited being accounted for by the habits formed in previous births, which eventuate in the present birth, (Read my Articles on ‘Predestination and Free-will.’ In the Theosophist, 1896-97).]; what can (Śāstra)-restriction avail?’
The jñāni, —the man of wisdom— is well acquainted with the Śāstra-declarations as regards the distinctive nature of ātmā from matter (prakṛiti), and knows also full well that ātmā should form the sole object of his contemplation. And yet the force of old habits (in connection with matter) is such that he is carried along in the current of old nature’s tendencies, and he finds occupation with material objects. The reason is that creatures become confirmed in whatever habits they form with nature, —whatever habits they create from their association with the inert companion achit=(matter); and in those habits they persist.
In the face of these inured habits, what availeth Śāstra, which would impose restraint (on these habits)?![3. Cf. the Mahābhārata verse: ‘Janmāntara sahasreshu yā buddhir bhāvitā nriṇām, tām eva bhajate jantur upadeśo nirarthakaḥ.]
How one (slavishly) follows (material) nature is now explained :—
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