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1,079 字数 · 4 分钟阅读 · Conversations and Dialogues

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中文

斯瓦米吉近来住在道场。身体欠佳,但早晚仍外出散步。弟子向斯瓦米吉顶礼之后,询问了他的健康状况。

斯瓦米吉:唉,这个身体已是如此可怜,而你们之中竟无一人挺身帮助我的工作!我一个人单打独斗,又能做什么?这次这个身体生于孟加拉的土地,哪里能承受繁重工作的重压?你们来这里的人,都是纯洁的灵魂;若你们不成为我工作的助手,我一个人又能做什么?

弟子:先生,这些甘于自我牺牲的梵行修士与出家僧都站在您身后,我认为他们每一位都能将自己的生命奉献于您的工作——为何您仍如此说?

斯瓦米吉:我想要的是一批孟加拉的热血青年——他们才是这个国家唯一的希望。我对未来的希望,寄托于那些品格高尚的年轻人——聪慧、能为服务他人而舍弃一切、服从领导——能够为贯彻我的理念而舍身献命,从而造福自己与国家。除此之外,普通青年正成群结队地涌来,还会有更多。他们脸上写满了暮气——心中缺乏活力,身体羸弱不堪重用,心志缺乏勇气。这样的人能做什么工作?若我能得到十个或十二个具有纳奇凯塔那样信心的少年,我便能将这个国家的思想与追求引入一个全新的方向。

弟子:先生,如此多的青年来到您身边,您在他们之中竟找不到一个这样品质的人吗?

斯瓦米吉:在那些在我看来颇有潜质的人中,有些已被婚姻所缚;有些已将自己出卖,换取世间的名利或财富;有些则身体孱弱。其余的人占了大多数,他们无力接受任何高远的理念。你无疑具备接受我高远理念的资质,但你却无力在实践的领域将其付诸实现。由于这些原因,有时内心升起一种痛苦,我想,抱着这个人身,我竟因命运的不济而无法做成多少事业。当然,我尚未完全放弃希望,因为凭借上帝的意志,或许正是从这些青年之中,终将涌现出行动与灵性上的伟大英雄,在未来实践我的理念。

弟子:我坚信,您那广博而宽容的理念,终有一天必然得到普世的接受。因为我看到,它们是全方位的,在思想与实践的每一个领域都注入了活力。这个国家的人们正在或明或暗地接受您的理念,并将其传授给民众。

斯瓦米吉:他们承认我的名字又有什么关系呢?只要他们接受我的理念,便已足够。百分之九十九的修行者,即便舍弃了贪欲与财富,最终也会被名闻利养的欲望所束缚。"名誉……高贵心灵最后的弱点"——你没有读过这句话吗?我们必须工作,将对结果的任何渴望统统放下。人们会说我们既好又坏。但我们必须像雄狮一样工作,将理想置于眼前,不管"智者赞扬还是责备我们"。

弟子:我们现在应当追随什么样的理想?

斯瓦米吉:你现在必须以大勇者哈努曼(Mahavira)的品格为理想。看他如何奉罗摩(Rama)之命,横渡大洋。他对生死毫不在意!他是感官的完美主宰,才智非凡。你现在必须依据这一伟大的个人服务理想来塑造自己的生命。通过这一理想,所有其他理想将在生命中逐渐彰显。无条件地服从上师,以及严格恪守梵行(Brahmacharya)——这就是成功的秘诀。哈努曼一方面代表服务的理想,另一方面也代表着令整个世界肃然起敬的雄狮般的勇气。他为罗摩的利益而献身,从无半点迟疑。对除了服务罗摩(Rama)以外的一切——包括获得梵天(Brahma)与湿婆(Shiva)这两位大神的地位——都保持一种至高的冷漠!唯有完成室利罗摩的至善愿望,才是他此生唯一的誓愿!这种全心全意的虔信(Bhakti)是最需要的。敲着科尔鼓与卡尔塔钹,在柯尔坦的狂热中载歌载舞,已将整个民族引向堕落。这个民族原本就消化不良——若再这般跳跃舞动,他们怎能承受得住?试图模仿那最高层次的修行,其首要资格恰恰是绝对的纯洁,而他们却因此陷入了可怕的惰性(Tamas)之中。走遍每一个城镇和乡村,你所听到的只有科尔鼓与卡尔塔钹的声音!这片土地上难道没有鼓吗?印度难道没有号角与战鼓吗?让孩子们听一听这些浑厚雄壮的音调吧。从童年起便聆听这些阴柔软弱的音乐,在柯尔坦中耳濡目染,这个国家已几乎变成了一个女人的国家。还有什么比这更令人悲哀的堕落?即便诗人的想象力也难以描绘这幅图景!现在必须敲响达玛鲁鼓与号角,击打鼓面发出深沉而雄壮的声响,口中高呼"大勇者,大勇者"(Mahavira),齐声喝道"哈拉,哈拉,毗阿姆,毗阿姆",令四方震响。那种只能唤起人内心柔弱情感的音乐,现在要暂时停止了。暂时停下克尔雅与塔帕等轻柔曲调,让人们习惯聆听庄重的杜鲁帕德音乐。通过吠陀圣歌的雷霆般轰鸣,为这个国家注入生命的活力。在一切方面都要重振英雄男儿的刚烈精神。遵循这样的理想,才是人民与国家之福。若你能按照这样的理想塑造你的品格,千千万万人将随之而来。但要注意,决不能从理想上偏离分毫。永不丧失信心。在饮食、穿着或起居之中,在歌唱或游乐之中,在欢乐或疾病之中,时刻彰显最高的道德勇气。唯有如此,你才能获得大神力(Mahashakti)——神圣母亲的恩典。

弟子:先生,有时我会莫名地被低落的情绪所压倒,不知为何。

斯瓦米吉:那就这样想:"我是谁的孩子?我与他相处,难道还会有这样的软弱与萎靡之态?"踩踏这种心志的软弱,挺身而起,说道:"我拥有英雄气概——我拥有坚定的智慧——我是梵的知者,是觉悟之人。"时刻铭记自己的尊严:"我是这样的人的弟子,他是室利罗摩克里希纳的终身伴侣,是征服贪欲与财富的人。"这将产生良好的效果。没有这种自尊感的人,内在的梵便尚未觉醒。你没有听过兰普拉萨德的歌吗?他常唱:"世界以神圣母亲为其统治者,我又何惧?"在心中始终保持这样的自尊。那时,软弱与低落将再无立足之地。永远不要让软弱侵入你的心灵。记住大勇者,记住神圣母亲!你会看到,所有的软弱、所有的怯懦,顷刻间便会消散无踪。

说完这些话,斯瓦米吉下楼,坐在庭院中的一张床上,这是他惯常之处。随后,他向在场的出家僧与梵行修士们说道:"这里是梵(Brahman)赤裸裸的临在。那些无视于此,却将心意转向其他事物的人,真是可叹!啊!这里的梵,就像掌心中的果实一样清晰可触。你们难道看不见吗?就在这里!"

这些话说得如此动人心魄,在场的每一个人都像画布上画出的图像般静静伫立,仿佛突然被拉入冥想的深处……片刻之后,那种凝紧的感受消散了,众人重新回到日常意识之中。

随后,在散步的过程中,斯瓦米吉对弟子说道:"你看,今天大家是如何专注的?这些都是室利罗摩克里希纳的孩子,一旦那些话语说出,他们便感受到了其中的真实。"

弟子:先生,且不说他们,就连我的心也充盈着一种不属于尘世的喜乐!但如今回想,却似梦境一般已然消逝。

斯瓦米吉:一切都会随着时间到来。现在,继续工作吧。去做一些为那些沉沦于无明与幻妄中的众人谋福利的工作。你会看到,这样的体验自然而然就会到来。

弟子:我感到惶恐,不敢踏入其中的迷宫——我也没有那样的力量。经典也说:"业力的道路深不可测。"

斯瓦米吉:那你打算做什么呢?

弟子:与您这样一位证悟了一切经典真理的人同住相处,通过聆听、思考与冥想真理,在今生证悟梵(Brahman)。我没有热情,也没有做其他事情的力量。

斯瓦米吉:若你喜欢这样,那就去做。将你对经典的思考与体悟分享给他人,这将对他们有益。只要有身体在,就不能不做些什么;因此应当做对他人有益的事。你对经典真理的证悟与体会,或许能惠益许多寻求真理的人。将它们诉诸文字,可以帮助许多其他的人。

弟子:等我先证悟真理,然后再写。室利罗摩克里希纳常说:"没有权威的印记,没有人会听你的。"

斯瓦米吉:世界上或许有许多人,正困在你所经历的那个灵修思考与推理的阶段,无法超越。你的经历与思维方式,若加以记录,至少对他们会有裨益。若你用平实的语言,将你与这个道场的修行者们所进行的讨论的要义记录下来,或许能帮助许多人。

弟子:既然您如此希望,我便尽力而为。

斯瓦米吉:那种对他人没有益处、不能促进那些沉沦于无明与幻妄中的人的福祉、不能帮助他们从贪欲与财富的束缚中解脱出来的灵修或证悟,又有什么意义呢?你以为,只要还有一个灵魂处于束缚之中,你就能得到解脱吗?只要他还没有得到解脱——这或许需要几辈子——你就必须再次降生来帮助他,帮助他证悟梵(Brahman)。每一个个体灵魂(Jiva)都是你自身的一部分——这便是一切为他人工作的根据。就如同你全心全意地祝愿你的妻儿幸福,知道他们是你的至亲,同样,当你心中对每一个个体灵魂都燃起同等的爱与牵挂时,我才会知道梵(Brahman)在你内心开始觉醒,在此之前绝不会。当你心中觉醒了这种不分种族肤色、对一切普遍祝愿的情感时,我才会知道你正在向那个理想迈进。

弟子:先生,这真是一个极为深刻的论断——若不是一切人都得到救度,个人就得不到救度!我从未听过如此奇异而深刻的命题。

斯瓦米吉:有一派吠檀多(Vedanta)学者持有这样的观点。他们认为,个人的解脱并非解脱的真实而完全的形态,而普遍的、集体性的解脱才是真正的解脱(Mukti)。当然,这一观点也有其功过优劣,都可以一一指出。

弟子:依照吠檀多的见解,个体化存在的状态本身就是束缚的根源,而无限的智性(Intelligence)通过欲望与业果的作用,似乎被束缚在这种限制性的条件之中。当通过辨别(Viveka)使这种限制性的条件消失,个体灵魂(Jiva)摆脱了一切束缚,那么对于本质是超越智性的真我(Atman)而言,又怎么可能有束缚呢?那些将个体灵魂与世界的观念视为持续真实的人,或许会认为没有一切人的解脱就没有自己的解脱。但当心意摆脱了一切限制性的条件,融入梵(Brahman)之中,对他而言,哪里还有任何差别存在呢?因此,对他的解脱(Mukti)而言,什么都不能构成障碍。

斯瓦米吉:是的,你说的是对的,大多数吠檀多学者也持有这一观点,这个观点本身也无可挑剔。在这一观点中,个人的解脱并不受阻。但试想一下,那种认为要将整个宇宙一同带入解脱的人,其胸怀是何等宏大!

弟子:先生,这或许表明了心志的宏阔,但经典并不支持这一观点。

斯瓦米吉陷入沉思,未曾留意那番话。片刻之后他说道:"昼夜思念梵(Brahman),以极度专一的心意冥想梵。在清醒于外在生命的时候,或者为他人做些有益的工作,或者在心中默念:'愿众生与世界得福!''愿一切人的心意流向梵(Brahman)的方向!'即便是这样持续的思想流,也会使世界受益。世间一切善——无论是行动还是思想——都不会落空。你的思想流或许会在美洲某处唤醒某人内心的宗教情感。"

弟子:先生,请赐福于我,愿我的心意能专注于真理之上。

斯瓦米吉:一定会的。若你有真切的渴望,必定能成。

English

Swamiji is much better under the Ayurvedic treatment. The disciple is at the Math. While attending on Swamiji, he asked, "The Atman is all - pervading, the very life of the life of all beings, and so very near. Still why is It not perceived?"

Swamiji: Do you see yourself that you have eyes?

When others speak of the eyes, then you are reminded that you have got eyes. Again when dust or sand enters into them and sets up an irritation, then you feel quite well that you have got eyes. Similarly the realisation of this universal Atman which is inner than the innermost is not easily attained. Reading from scriptures or hearing from the lips of the preceptor, one has some idea of It, but when the hard lashes of the bitter sorrow and pain of the world make the heart sore, when on the death of one's near and dear relatives, man thinks himself helpless, when the impenetrable and insurmountable darkness about the future life agitates his mind, then does the Jiva pant for a realisation of the Atman. Therefore is sorrow helpful to the knowledge of the Atman. But one should remember the bitter lesson of experience. Those who die, merely suffering the woes of life like cats and dogs, are they men? He is a man who even when agitated by the sharp interaction of pleasure and pain is discriminating, and knowing them to be of an evanescent nature, becomes passionately devoted to the Atman. This is all the difference between men and animals. That which is nearest is least observed. The Atman is the nearest of the near, therefore the careless and unsteady mind of man gets no clue to It. But the man who is alert, calm, self - restrained, and discriminating, ignores the external world and diving more and more into the inner world, realises the glory of the Atman and becomes great. Then only he attains to the knowledge of the Atman and realises the truth of such scriptural texts as, "I am the Atman", "Thou art That, O Shvetaketu," and so on. Do you understand?

Disciple: Yes, sir. But why this method of attaining Self - knowledge through the path of pain and suffering? Instead of all this, it would have been well if there had been no creation at all. We were all at one time identified with Brahman. Why then this desire for creation on the path of Brahman? Why again this going forth of the Jiva (who is no other than Brahman) along the path of birth and death, amidst the interaction of the dualities of life?

Swamiji: When a man is intoxicated, he sees many hallucinations; but when the intoxication goes off, he understands them as the imaginations of a heated brain. Whatever you see of this creation which is without a beginning, but has an end, is only an effect of your state of intoxication; when that passes off, such questions will not arise at all.

Disciple: Then is there no reality in the creation, and preservation, etc. of the Universe?

Swamiji: Why should not there be? So long as you identify yourself with the body and have the ego - consciousness, all these will remain. But when you are bereft of the body - consciousness and devoted to the Atman and live in the Atman, then with respect to you none of these will remain, and such questions as whether there is any creation or birth or death will have no room. Then you will have to say -- [Sanskrit]

--"Where is it gone, by whom is it taken, wherein is the world merged? It was just observed by me and is it non - existent now? What a wonder!" (Vivekachudamani 483).

Disciple: If there is no knowledge of the existence of the universe, how can it be said, "Wherein is the world merged?"

Swamiji: Because one has to express the idea in language, therefore that mode of expression has been used. The author has tried to express in thought and language about the state where thought or language cannot reach, and therefore he has stated the fact that the world is wholly unreal, in a relative mode like the above. The world has no absolute reality which only belongs to Brahman, which is beyond the reach of mind and speech. Say what more you have to ask. Today I will put an end to all your arguments.

The bell of the evening service in the worship - room rang at the time, and everybody made for it. But the disciple stayed in Swamiji's room, noticing which Swamiji said, "Won't you go to the worship - room?"

Disciple: I should like to stay here.

Swamiji: All right.

After some time the disciple looking outside of the room said, "It is the new - moon night and all the quarters are overspread with darkness. It is the night for the worship of Mother Kali."

Swamiji without saying anything gazed at the eastern sky for some time and said, "Do you see what a mysterious and solemn beauty there is in this darkness!" Saying this and continuing to look at the dense mass of darkness, he stood enwrapt. After some minutes had passed, Swamiji slowly began to sing a Bengali song, "O Mother, in deep darkness flashes Thy formless beauty", etc. After the song Swamiji entered his room and sat down with an occasional word like "Mother, Mother", or "Kali, Kali", on his lips.

Uneasy at Swamiji's profoundly abstracted mood, the disciple said, "Now, sir, please speak with me."

Swamiji smilingly said, "Can you fathom the beauty and profundity of the Atman whose external manifestation is so sweet and beautiful?" The disciple wished for a change of topic, noticing which, Swamiji began another song of Kali: "O Mother, Thou flowing stream of nectar, in how many forms and aspects dost Thou play in manifestation!" After the song he said, "This Kali is Brahman in manifestation. Haven't you heard Shri Ramakrishna's illustration of the `snake moving and the snake at rest' (representing the dynamic and static aspects of the same thing)?"

Disciple: Yes, sir.

Swamiji: This time, when I get well, I shall worship the Mother with my heart's blood, then only will She be pleased. Your Raghunandan also says like that. The Mother's child shall be a hero, a Mahavira. In unhappiness, sorrow, death, and desolation, the Mother's child shall always remain fearless.

## References


文本来自Wikisource公共领域。原版由阿德瓦伊塔修道院出版。