Vivekadhairyasrayah - Wisdom, Perseverance and Refuge
Wisdom, perseverance, and refuge are the three primary pillars of devotion, nurturing and sustaining an unwavering devotional spirit. Shri Vallabhacharya's teachings offer profound guidance on navigating worldly challenges, overcoming obstacles, and cultivating a fulfilling devotional life. This discourse subtly alludes to the elevated states of devotion that blossom between the Divine Beloved and His devotees.
Wisdom (विवेक): Discernment and understanding are crucial for recognizing the true nature of the Divine and distinguishing it from the illusory world.
Perseverance (धैर्य): Steadfastness and patience are essential for maintaining devotion amidst life's trials and tribulations.
Refuge (आश्रय): Complete surrender and taking refuge in the Divine provides solace, protection, and unwavering faith.
Shri Vallabhacharya's teachings illuminate the path to a life imbued with devotion, where wisdom guides, perseverance strengthens, and refuge in the Divine offers ultimate solace.
विवेकधैर्य्ये सततं रक्षणीये तथाश्रयः । विवेकस्तु हरिः सर्वं निजेच्छातः करिष्यति ।। १ ।।
vivekadhairye satataṁ rakṣaṇīye tathāśrayaḥ vivekastu hariḥ sarvaṁ nijecchātaḥ kariṣyati (1)
True wisdom (viveka), perseverance (dhairya), and refuge (ashraya) should always be carefully protected. True wisdom (viveka) lies in recognizing that Hari (the Divine) will accomplish everything according to His own will. (1)
प्रार्थिते वा ततः किं स्यात्स्वाम्यभिप्राय संशयात् । सर्वत्र तस्य सर्वं हि सर्वसामर्थ्यमेव च ।। २ ।।
prārthite vā tataḥ kiṁ syātsvāmyabhiprāya saṁśayāt sarvatra tasya sarvaṁ hi sarvasāmarthyameva ca (2)
What is the point of prayer when there is doubt about the intention of the Lord's perfect plan? Indeed, everything is His, everywhere He is, and He is all-powerful. (2)
अभिमानश्च संत्याज्यः स्वाम्यधीनत्वभावनात् । विशेषतश्चेदाज्ञा स्यादंतःकरण गोचरः ।। ३ ।।
abhimānaśca santyājyaḥ svāmyadhīnatvabhāvanāt viśeṣataścedājñā syādantaḥkaraṇa gocaraḥ (3)
Ego (abhimāna) should be completely abandoned through the feeling of being under the Lord's (svāmi) control. Especially when a special command (ājñā) arises, [know that] the Beloved enters the heart (antaḥkaraṇa). (3)
तदा विशेषगत्यादि भाव्यं भिन्नं तु दैहिकात् । आपद्गत्यादिकार्येषु हठस्त्याज्यश्च सर्वथा ।। ४ ।।
tadā viśeṣagatyādi bhāvyam bhinnam tu daihikāt āpadgatyādikāryeṣu haṭhastyājyaśca sarvathā (4)
At that time, the experience (bhāvyam) of the special state (viśeṣagati) is entirely different from the physical (daihika). In times of distress and other such situations, stubbornness (haṭha) should be completely abandoned. (4)
अनाग्रहश्च सर्वत्र धर्माधर्माग्रदर्शनम् । विवेकोऽयं समाख्यातो धैर्यं तु विनिरूप्यते ।। ५ ।।
anāgrahaśca sarvatra dharmādharmāgra darśanam viveko'yaṁ samākhyāto dhairyaṁ tu vinirūpyate (5)
Absence of insistence (anāgraha) in all matters, and a clear vision (darśanam) of what is dharma and what is adharma – this is described as discrimination (viveka). Now, perseverance (dhairya) will be explained.
त्रिदुःखसहनं धैर्यमामृतेः सर्वतः सदा । तक्रवद्देहवद्भाव्यं जडवत् गोपभार्यवत् ।। ६ ।।
triduḥkhasahanaṁ dhairyamāmṛteḥ sarvataḥ sadā takravaddehavadbhāvyaṁ jaḍavat gopabhāryavat (6)
Perseverance (dhairyam) is to endure the three types of suffering (triduḥkha) always, from all sides, until death. The body should be regarded like buttermilk (takra), the inert (jaḍa), and like the wives of the cowherds (gopabhāryavat). (6)
Triduḥkha (Three Types of Suffering): These typically refer to:
Ādhyātmika (Internal): Suffering arising from one's own body and mind (e.g., illness, mental anguish).
Ādhibhautika (External): Suffering caused by other living beings or external forces (e.g., accidents, natural disasters).
Ādhidaivika (Supernatural): Suffering caused by divine forces or natural phenomena beyond human control.
प्रतीकारो यदृच्छातः सिद्धश्चेन्नाग्रही भवेत् । भार्यादीनां तथान्येषामसतश्चाक्रमं सहेत् ।। ७ ।।
pratīkāro yadṛcchātaḥ siddhaścennāgrahī bhavet bhāryādīnāṁ tathānyēṣāmasataścākramaṁ sahet (7)
If relief (pratīkāraḥ) comes spontaneously (yadṛcchātaḥ) and is accomplished, one should not be insistent. One should endure unjust (asataḥ) attacks (ākramaṁ) from one's spouse (bhāryādīnām) and others. (7)
स्वयमिन्द्रियकार्याणि कायवाङ्मनसा त्यजेत् । अशूरेणापि कर्त्तव्यं स्वस्यासामर्थ्य भावनात् ।। ८ ।।
svayamindriyakāryāṇi kāyavāṅmanasā tyajet aśūreṇāpi karttavyaṁ svasyāsāmarthya bhāvanāt (8)
One should renounce (tyajet) sense activities (indriyakāryāṇi) with body, speech, and mind. Even a weak person (aśūreṇa) should do this, understanding their own incapacity (asāmarthya).
अशक्ये हरिरेवास्ति सर्वमाश्रयतो भवेत् । एतत्सहनमत्रोक्तमाश्रयोऽतो निरूप्यते ।। ९ ।।
aśakye harirevāsti sarvamāśrayato bhavet etatsahanamatroktamāśrayo'to nirūpyate (9)
In a helpless situation (aśakye), Hari alone exists; everything is attained through refuge (āśrayataḥ). This endurance (sahanaṁ) has been described; now refuge (āśrayaḥ) will be explained. (9)
ऐहिके पारलोके च सर्वथा शरणं हरिः । दुःखहानौ तथा पापे भये कामाद्यपूरणे ।। १० ।।
aihike pāraloke ca sarvathā śaraṇaṁ hariḥ duḥkhahānau tathā pāpe bhaye kāmādyapūraṇe (10)
In this world (aihike) and the next (pāraloke), in every way, Hari is the refuge (śaraṇaṁ). In the removal of suffering (duḥkhahānau), in sin (pāpe), in fear (bhaye), in the non-fulfillment of desires (kāmādyapūraṇe) — Hari is the refuge. (10)
भक्तद्रोहे भक्त्यभावे भक्तैश्चातिक्रमे कृते । अशक्ये वा सुशक्ये वा सर्वथा शरणं हरिः ।। ११ ।।
bhaktadrohe bhaktyabhāve bhaktaiścātikrame kṛte aśakye vā suśakye vā sarvathā śaraṇaṁ hariḥ (11)
In betrayal by devotees (bhaktadrohe), in the absence of devotion (bhaktyabhāve), in transgression by devotees (bhaktaiścātikrame kṛte), in helplessness (aśakye) or in capability (suśakye) — in every way, Hari is the refuge. (11)
अहंकारकृते चैव पोष्यपोषणरक्षणे । पोष्यातिक्रमणे चैव तथाऽन्तेवास्यतिक्रमे ।। १२ ।।
ahaṁkārakṛte caiva poṣyapoṣaṇarakṣaṇe poṣyātikramaṇe caiva tathāntevāsyatikrame (12)
In actions driven by ego (ahaṁkāra), in the protection and nourishment of dependents (poṣya), in transgressions by those being nourished, as well as in transgressions by disciples (antevāsi) — in every situation, take refuge in Hari. (12)
अलौकिक मनः सिद्धौ सर्वथा शरणं हरिः। एवं चित्ते सदा भाव्यं वाचा च परिकीर्तयेत् ।। १३ ।।
alaukika manaḥ siddhau sarvathā śaraṇaṁ hariḥ evaṁ citte sadā bhāvyaṁ vācā ca parikīrtayet (13)
In the attainment of a divine (alaukika) state of mind, always take refuge in Hari. This should always be contemplated in the mind and proclaimed with the voice. (13)
अन्यस्य भजनं तत्र स्वतोगमनमेव च। प्रार्थना कार्यमात्रेऽपि तथाऽन्यत्र विवर्जयेत् ।। १४ ।।
anyasya bhajanaṁ tatra svatogamanameva ca prārthanā kāryamātre'pi tathā'nyatra vivarjayet (14)
The worship (bhajanam) of another, going to another for help, or praying to another even for a task, should be completely avoided. (14)
अविश्वासो न कर्त्तव्यः सर्वथा बाधकस्तु सः। ब्रह्मास्त्रचातकौ भाव्यौ प्राप्तं सेवेत निर्ममः ।। १५ ।।
aviśvāso na karttavyaḥ sarvathā bādhakastu saḥ brahmāstracātakau bhāvyau prāptaṁ seveta nirmamaḥ (15)
Disbelief (aviśvāsaḥ) should never be done; it is an obstacle in every way. One should understand the stories of the Brahmastra and the Chataka bird. Whatever is obtained should be served (seveta) without possessiveness (nirmamaḥ). (15)
यथाकथंचित् कार्याणि कुर्यादुच्चावचान्यपि । किं वा प्रोक्तेन बहुना शरणं भावयेद्धरिम् ।। १६ ।।
yathākathañcit kāryāṇi kuryāduccāvacānyapi kiṁ vā proktena bahunā śaraṇaṁ bhāvayeddharim (16)
Whatever the tasks (kāryāṇi) may be, high or low (uccāvacāni), perform them as they come. Or, what more is there to say? Simply cultivate the feeling of taking refuge (śaraṇaṁ) in Hari. (16)
एवमाश्रयणं प्रोक्तं सर्वेषां सर्वदा हितम् । कलौ भक्त्यादिमार्गा हि दुःसाध्या इति मे मतिः ।। १७ ।।
evamāśrayaṇaṁ proktaṁ sarveṣāṁ sarvadā hitam kalau bhaktyādimārgā hi duḥsādhyā iti me matiḥ (17)
Thus, refuge (āśrayaṇaṁ) has been described, which is always beneficial (hitaṁ) for everyone. In my opinion (matiḥ), in this age of Kali (kalau), paths like bhakti are indeed difficult (duḥsādhyā); therefore, one should take to the path of refuge. (17)
।। इति श्रीवल्लभाचार्यविरचितं विवेकधैर्याश्रयनिरूपणं सम्पूर्णम् ।।
Thus ends the 'Vivekadhairyāśrayaḥ' composed by Shri Vallabhacharya.
Key Terminology
विवेक (viveka) - Discrimination, wisdom; धैर्य (dhairya) - Perseverance, steadfastness; आश्रय (āśraya) - Refuge, shelter; अभिमान (abhimāna) - Ego, pride; हठ (haṭha) - Stubbornness, insistence; धर्म (dharma) - Righteousness, duty; अधर्म (adharma) - Unrighteousness; त्रिदुःख (triduḥkha) - Three types of suffering; आपद् (āpad) - Distress, calamity; अनाग्रह (anāgraha) - Absence of insistence; प्रतीकार (pratīkāra) - Relief, remedy; अशक्य (aśakya) - Helpless, impossible; ऐहिक (aihika) - Worldly; पारलौकिक (pāralaukika) - Otherworldly; पाप (pāpa) - Sin, wrongdoing; भय (bhaya) - Fear, anxiety; काम (kāma) - Desire, longing; भक्ति (bhakti) - Devotion; अलौकिक (alaukika) - Divine, supernatural; अविश्वास (aviśvāsa) - Disbelief, lack of faith; बाधक (bādhaka) - Obstacle, hindrance; हित (hita) - Beneficial, good; मति (mati) - Opinion, understanding; कलि (kali) - The current age, characterized by spiritual decline; हरि (hari) - A name of Vishnu, the Divine; स्वामिन् (svāmin) - Lord, master; गोपभार्या (gopabhāryā) - Wives of the cowherds (referring to the Gopis); इन्द्रिय (indriya) - Sense organs; काय (kāya) - Body; वाक् (vāk) - Speech; मनस् (manas) - Mind; असुर (asura) - Weak person, demon; भक्त (bhakta) - Devotee; पोष्य (poṣya) - Dependent, one who is nourished; अन्तेवासिन् (antevāsin) - Disciple, student; ब्रह्मास्त्र (brahmāstra) - A powerful divine weapon; चातक (cātaka) - A mythical bird that only drinks rainwaterEssence of Vivekadhairyāśrayaḥ
This Granth, attributed to Shri Vallabhacharya, emphasizes the paramount importance of आश्रय (āśraya) - refuge in Hari (the Divine) as the core principle for navigating life's challenges and attaining spiritual progress.
The Granth underscores that complete surrender to Hari involves:
Abandoning ego (अभिमान - abhimāna): Recognizing that true fulfillment comes from aligning with the Divine will.
Accepting Divine will: Understanding that God's plan is perfect and surrendering to it.
Enduring difficulties: Facing challenges with patience and detachment, recognizing that the body (काय - kāya) is temporary and the true self is the soul.
Renouncing sense pleasures (इन्द्रिय - indriya): Letting go of attachments and distractions caused by the senses.
Maintaining unwavering faith (अविश्वास - aviśvāsa): Trusting in Hari's grace and protection, even in the face of adversity.
The teaching suggests that in the present age of Kali (कलि - kali), characterized by spiritual decline, the path of refuge (āśraya) is the most accessible and effective way to attain spiritual progress. It encourages devotees to cultivate a constant feeling of surrender to Hari, recognizing Him as the ultimate refuge in all situations, both worldly (ऐहिक - aihika) and otherworldly (पारलौकिक - pāralaukika).
In the present age, where distractions abound and faith is often challenged, the path of refuge offers a simple yet profound way to connect with the Divine and experience true inner peace. Shri Vallabhacharya's teachings remind us that amidst the storms of life, we can always find solace and strength in the unwavering embrace of the Divine.
In essence, this Granth provides a practical guide for living a life of devotion and surrender, emphasizing that true peace and fulfillment come from taking complete refuge in the Divine.