So glorious is the result of Self-realisation that Lord Krishna explodes in enthusiasm and cries: “VERILY THERE EXISTS NOTHING IN THIS WORLD MORE NOBLE AND SACRED THAN SELF-KNOWLEDGE.” Just as to a drowning man there is nothing more precious than a life-belt, so too, to the deluded ego there cannot be a greater possession and a nobler endeavour than the acquisition of ‘Knowledge’ of its own Real Nature.
The Knowledge of the Self can be attained in one’s own bosom when one has gained in oneself a full “MASTERY IN Yoga” — when one has sincerely and diligently practised the above-mentioned twelve Yajnas and gained a complete self-mastery through them. This mastery of the Self over the flesh is not given by any teacher. The traditional story of a teacher spiritualising a student by his touch is a myth; it is impossible. Had it been so, in the presence of such a perfect Prophet like Krishna, Arjuna could have attained — especially when the Lord felt such a great friendliness and love towards him — in a wink, all the spirituality needed to become a God-man.
Many devotees have, from time to time, wasted their chances and brought dishonour to their noble teachers, because they expected their Gurus to impart their acquired Wisdom to them, their Chelas (disciples), for the physical services rendered or the intellectual support given. Many of the existing seekers are, today, thoughtlessly squandering away their noble opportunities by vainly waiting for this cheap and ready method of purchasing God-hood! Let them be warned that, in spite of such glorifications of some Gurus available in the market and sold at some Ashramas in this country, it has no scriptural support. Here, Krishna, in all love, plainly tells the truth to Arjuna that he has to purify himself (Swayam) and then he himself will realise the Truth “in good time” (Kalena).
No definite time schedule is promised for Perfection to manifest. It is only said that he who is practising sincerely and devotedly, all the twelve different subjective-Yajnas that are described earlier, will attain the necessary growth within, and will “IN GOOD TIME” come to experience the Self, the Beatitude-of-Perfection, the State of God-hood.
IN GOOD TIME (Kalena) — This does not mean either immediately, nor does it promise us the Supreme only after trillions of impossible years. The same idea has been more beautifully described in the following stanza by a more self-explanatory term “ere long” (Achirena). It gives a direct suggestion of hope and guidance to all seekers of all times that they need not become impatient and that, in fact, it would be far better for them constantly to apply themselves on the right path in the full confidence that they shall “ere long” reach their goal.
THE SUREST MEANS OF ACQUIRING WISDOM IS DECLARED AS FOLLOWS:
