Unlearn to Learn!
By: Ravi Anantha Ramaiah
Tags: Life Hacking, Learning And Development, Corporate Culture, Self Improvement, Life Lessons

Exactly how Janaka of Mithila realize self in a state of suspended animation, getting down from his horse? The story is thus -

During the debate about to the path to enlightenment, some scholars in the court of Janaka of Mithila quoted from the scriptures that within the time required to place your feet in the two stirrups of a horse, Brahma Gnana or self-realization can be achieved. The king doubted that and said that if that cannot be proved, the Brahmins would either be imprisoned or that such a text should be removed from the scriptures. The Brahmins sought the help of the great sage Ashtavakra who told king Janaka that indeed in such a short period of time such as placing two feet in the stirrups one can attain Brahma Gnana or supreme knowledge of self-realization that would lead one to enlightenment. For that, the king had to follow Ashtavakra to the forest where he lived. Janaka agreed immediately as he craved for enlightenment.

When King Janaka followed the sage Ashtavakra to the forest, he was asked by Ashtavakra to dismount from his horse. When Janaka was about to dismount, the sage asked him to stop and asked him a question. The king, with one foot in the stirrup and one off it, stood in misery while the sage asked him the question if there was anything else in the scriptures other than the statement that the knowledge of the Brahman can be acquired in the time that’s required to put two feet in the stirrups of a horse. Janaka answered in the affirmative and the answer was that it was through a master or guru. Ashtavakra asked if he is willing to accept him as the Guru, to which Janaka agreed readily. Then the sage asked for his Gurudakshina (fee to be paid to the guru). Janaka said that from that moment, his mind, body, soul, wealth, kingdom and everything that was his was all that belonged to Ashtavakra as the Gurudakshina. Upon hearing that, the sage smiled and disappeared into the forest.

When the king’s entourage found the king in the forest, they saw a king who was totally different, with one foot in one stirrup and the other off it, still on the horse but motionless and speechless. When they asked him what had happened, he wouldn’t answer and would not want to do anything. Then the minister and servants helped carry the king back to the palace in the same state in which he lay for a number of days without food or water.

Then the sage Ashtavakra came to the palace to find the ministers, queens and others in the palace furious towards him. The sage had reduced their king to a vegetable!

Ashtavakra then sent away everyone and locked the room where the king was housed and asked him, “Why, oh King, you stay in this pose motionless and without accepting food or water?” To which Janaka responded, “My Holy Guru, from the moment I accepted you as my guru and surrendered everything that was mine to you as Gurudakshina, all things that were mine, including my own self, ceased to be mine. From that moment everything belongs to you and anything I do, will be purely by your command, my Holy Guru”. Ashtavakra was pleased and said that from that moment Janaka was Brahma Swarupi (of the nature of Brahman), a realized soul. However the king Janaka was in doubt as to how someone who has just become a disciple can attain Brahma Swarupa and asked the sage,

“Katham jnanam avapnothi, Katham muktir bhavishyathiVairagyamcha katham praptham, Etat bruhi mama prabho””Swami, please tell me how realization can be obtained, How liberation is secured and how non-attachment is gained.”

Then, Ashtavakra proceeded to impart Janaka the knowledge of self, renunciation, sacrifice and enlightenment. When the ministers and others came to see the king the next day, they saw him in absolute ecstasy and joy. Then Ashtavakra asked the king if he still had any doubts about obtaining knowledge within the short space of placing the other foot on the stirrup as mentioned in the scriptures to which the king Janaka said that he had absolutely no doubts. The story of Ashtavakra talks about attainment of Supreme state of Realization through a process of total surrender of body, mind and soul to a master and going in to a state of Samadhi. By surrendering oneself totally to the master (which could be God or a learned & enlightened teacher), one foregoes his own prejudices, half-knowledge, assumptions, doubts and fear. That is the first step which erases the slate of all the useless scribbling and clutter one has created in his mind, to make way for a beautiful rendering of the ultimate knowledge of self-realization.

In our careers, we always find times when we are lost. What is important is to find a good mentor or a guide who can not only provide you with the right advice, but also be of help to reach your goal. You can never do it alone — let that not be forgotten. Whatever your goals, to reach there you need a lot of help and a really good mentor. Seek out the right mentors, ask for help and surrender yourself to the master. Believe in them, follow their guidelines and be loyal to them. You’ll go a long way. Now, how do you know who’s the right mentor to you? It is quite easy. Look at your organization and see not only who has grown to a powerful position, but also who is respected by all as someone who’s just, wise, trustworthy and reliable. Seek their guidance and mentor-ship. Follow their advice, seek their guidance when you’re stuck or need answers. Don’t second guess or doubt them. Be loyal to them and you’ll see that you will not only grow and do well, but also be in a position to be a mentor to others in the future. Last piece of advice — if you can’t find such a mentor in your organization, you’re in the wrong company. It is time to change :-)

Unlearn to learn real knowledge. Find a master and follow him!