Why Sing the Nāstika Song, Oh Mind? - vedānta pratipakṣa laukika yukti nirāsaṣṭakam

 

Why Sing the Nāstika Song, Oh Mind? - vedānta pratipakṣa laukika yukti nirāsaṣṭakam

An eight-stanza reflection centered on the pursuit of Truth for Truth’s sake, rejecting the worldly utilitarian reasoning that stands opposed to learning Vedānta

(1)
Born as you were into the tradition that sings the glory of Vedānta,
why do you doubt its veracity?
Just because something is doable, must it be called “practical”?
Is theft not “practical” to the thief, or falsehood to the liar?
Never sing the nāstika gītā, oh mind - learn instead to see the Truth of Vedanta

mā gāḥ nāstika-gītāṃ he manaḥ - paśya vedāntasatyam

 

(2)
It’s not your fault, oh dear mind, that you speak thus,
just as it’s not the mirror’s fault when veiled by dust obscuring clarity.
Learn the Truth from tradition; learn with love, and speak with love.
This love of Truth, oh mind, filled the hearts of ṛṣis - past, present, and future.
Never sing the nāstika gītā, oh mind - learn instead to see the Truth of Vedanta

mā gāḥ nāstika-gītāṃ he manaḥ - paśya vedāntasatyam।

 

(3)
After all, what does Vedānta say?
That Is-ness is the very nature of the Self - beyond limitation.
All limitation arises only in thought,
and all thoughts shine in the light of the Self - Satyam, Jñānam, Anantam.
Never sing the nāstika gītā, oh mind - learn instead to see the Truth of Vedanta

mā gāḥ nāstika-gītāṃ he manaḥ - paśya vedāntasatyam।

 

(4)
How can knowing that which is the core of Being - the very Self of the doer - be called impractical?
Do you not test the gold before buying it?
Why not seek the true svarūpa of the Self before engaging the world of anātma?
Is not Being-Awareness, your very Self, the light in which all thoughts dance?
Never sing the nāstika gītā, oh mind - learn instead to see the Truth of Vedanta

mā gāḥ nāstika-gītāṃ he manaḥ - paśya vedāntasatyam।

 

(5)
Nothing can be practical or otherwise in the absence of the Self.
As there is no painting without canvas, nor ornament without gold,
nor ocean nor wave without water, there is no experience without That.
Learn first who you are, then speak, for straying from Truth helps none.
Never sing the nāstika gītā, oh mind - learn instead to see the Truth of Vedanta

mā gāḥ nāstika-gītāṃ he manaḥ - paśya vedāntasatyam।

 

(6)
First learn, then reflect, then abide; seek the sampradāya-vit who reveals the Self.
The Guru’s feet are your true home, not what comes and goes with time.
Oh mind, seek that refuge which reveals to you your Self as Being-Awareness-Infinite.
There the knower of Vedānta illumines who you truly are - limitless and free.
Never sing the nāstika gītā, oh mind - learn instead to see the Truth of Vedanta

mā gāḥ nāstika-gītāṃ he manaḥ - paśya vedāntasatyam।

 

(7)
How long will you fill the God-shaped hollow in your heart
with anātma-pratyaya - mistaking outward attention for wisdom, and calling it “practical”?
Hear the clarion cry of the motherly Śruti —
Uttiṣṭhata, jāgrata, prāpya varān nibodhata - arise, awake, and seek the wise.
Thus, listening to the āstika gītā, O mind - having realized, see the Truth of Vedānta.

tataḥ śṛṇvan āstika-gītāṃ he manaḥ - jñātvā paśya vedānta-satyam।

 

(8)
The test of Truth is non-contradictability; do not mistake satisfaction for proof of truth.
Know the pramāṇas as taught in sampradāya, and nurture viveka for abiding peace.
Born into the tradition that sings the glory of Vedānta, burn all doubts in the fire of knowledge
kindled by the śrotriya-brahmaniṣṭha; proclaim with love to the world the timeless path of the ṛṣis - the song of Truth, the āstika gītā.

premṇā loke prakāśaya - ṛṣīṇāṃ sanātanaṃ mārgam, satya-gītām āstika-gītām ca।