Sadhana Karu Pyare is a unique philosophical compilation set in 54 lines arranged in the form of couplets. In these lines, Shree Maharajji has summarized the entire philosophy of the knowledge of God and Guru.

Swamiji explained the complete set of 54 lines, which we will explain in this series. 

साधना करु साधना करु साधना करु प्यारे,
साधना करु साधना करु साधना करु प्यारे ।

sādhanā karu sādhanā karu sādhanā karu pyāre
sādhanā karu sādhanā karu sādhanā karu pyāre

O Dear Soul! Please do sadhana (devotional practice)
O Dear Soul! Please do sadhana (devotional practice)

In this verse, Shree Maharajji says ‘”Pyare” or “Dear One”! Now who is the dear one? Is it the animals or the birds or is it the celestial Gods? Here, “Dear” means, “Dear humans”, “Dear devotees”. He is advising us strongly to do spiritual practice. We have received this human life only to do devotion. Just observe that all other living forms have horizontal or inclined spinal columns. Only human beings have vertical spinal columns. This is symbolic of the fact that we humans have the opportunity to elevate ourselves upwards, through the power of knowledge. Hence, Shree Maharajji says, an individual has got this rare opportunity to uplift oneself spiritually by practicing devotion.  

The scriptures say:

दुर्लभं मानुषं जन्म प्रार्थ्यते तृदशैरपी

durlabham mānuṣham janm prārthyate tridaśhairapi

There are 8.4 million species on earth and the human form of life is the rarest amongst them. It is so rare that even celestial Gods long to attain the human form. So do not waste this life in fulfilling the desires of these material senses. We have been doing this since eternity as we transmigrated in the 8.4 million forms.

आहार निद्रा भय मैथुनं च सामान्यमेतत् पशुभिर्नराणाम् ।

āhār nidrā bhay maithunañch sāmānyametatpaśhubhirnarāṇām

Even animals pursue the pleasures of eating, sleeping, defending and procreation. We have got this rarest of opportunities of having acquired a human body, and we must attempt to rise above the level of these four basic activities, by using our intellect. If we know the importance of this form of life, then we will not waste even a single moment of it.

kṣhaṇārdhamapi vyarthe naneyam

Chanakya Pandit said: The biggest mistake and act of ignorance in our lives is that moment when we forgot to remember Shree Krishna. We lose that moment, and it never comes back. So, we must speedily progress towards attaining the goal of human life. This is our golden opportunity, and we can make full use of it by utilizing every moment in remembering God.  One day, we will have to leave this human body and go, whether we like it or not. This body will never remain with us.

Shree Maharajji says:

अवसर बित्यो जात, अरे मन !

avasar bītyo jāt are man 

We are asleep in an illusionary trance created by our own mind. We are approaching death every day and yet we cheerfully celebrate our birthday. We do not realize that each day which is passing by, is not a joyful moment, but a matter of regret, that so much time has passed away and very little remains. So, without further delay and realizing that this body is temporary, we should start doing sadhana from this moment.

Some people say “Swamiji! You are right, we should surrender ourselves to God, but we will do it tomorrow.” Those who says like this can never surrender to God. Their tomorrow never comes. We have only today, not even today but “now”. The present is in our hands.  

जो कल करना सो आज कर, जो आज करना है सो अब
पल में परलय होयगी, फेरी करेगा कब

jo kal karanā hai so āj kar, jo āj karanā hai so ab
pal mein paralay hoyagī, pherī karegā kab

This present moment is the only gateway to reach God. The past has gone; the future has not yet arrived, so we must do devotion in this present time. In the olden days, people use to go for pilgrimage on foot. About 500 years ago, Shree Chaitainaya Mahaprabhu did padayatra (walked on foot) through the whole of south India and proceeded to Dwarika (Gujarat) before coming back to Puri. It took him two years to complete his journey. But these days, we get everything so easily. The austere practices people do today are nothing compared to the olden days. Yet, we do not attempt to do sadhana because of the inconveniences it brings to us. Sadhana is the pursuit of beating the mind and its fantasies. We must overcome the difficulties and discomfort faced during Sadhana by fighting the mind. We have spent countless lifetimes thinking about ways to attain happiness. Our mind does not like any discomfort.

Shree Krishna said in Bhagavad Gita:

मात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय शीतोष्णसुखदु: खदा: |
आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तितिक्षस्व भारत || 2: 14||

mātrā-sparśhās tu kaunteya śhītoṣhṇa-sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ
āgamāpāyino ’nityās tans-titikṣhasva bhārata. 2:14

A true sadhak is one who continues spiritual practice even in adverse situations.

Shree Krishna says, “O Arjun!” Cold, heat, happiness, and sorrow – we experience these sensations because our material senses come in contact with the external world. But the one who remains undisturbed and calm in his mind always realizes the fact that he is not a mortal body but a Soul. He always keeps increasing his tolerance.  In our daily life, we use many luxurious and convenient objects to make our lives comfortable. We have been enjoying these material comforts and will continue to enjoy.  Real sadhana is when you stop complaining about external interferences, pain and discomforts and continue to remember God under all conditions.