How To Reach Equanimity?

Sage Vasishtha

By such enquiry, Suraghu attained to the Supreme state of consciousness. Never again did he grieve; but from that time onwards he performed his work ever remaining in a balanced state of mind. Compassionate, yet not uncontemptuous; not avoiding the pairs of opposites and not jealous; neither intelligent nor non-intelligent; neither motivated nor non-motivated - he lived with equal vision and inner calmness. He had realized that 'All this is but the diverse manifestation of consciousness': he was therefore peaceful in both pain and pleasure, having attained to the fullness of understanding.

Thus he ruled in this world for a considerable time, and then of his own accord discarded the body. He attained oneness with the infinite consciousness. O Rama, live and rule the world thus with an enlightened mind.

Rama asked: But, O Lord, the mind is so unsteady. How can one reach the state of perfect equanimity?

Vasishtha continued:

O Rama, a dialougue which is relevant to this problem took place between that very king Suraghu and the sage Parigha. Listen to it.

There was a king in Persia named Parigha who was a close friend of king Suraghu. Once, there was a great famine in the kingdom of Parigha. Sorely distressed at heart at the very sight of his people's suffering and seeing that all his attempts at bringing relief to them proved fruitless. Parigha went away to the forest to perform austerities. He lived on dried leaves and earned the name Parnada. After a thousand years of penance and contemplation, he attained self-knowledge. Thereafter he roamed the three worlds freely.

One day, he met the king Suraghu whom he had known before. The two enlightened kings duly worshipped each other. 

After that PARIGHA asked:

"Even as you attained self-knowledge through the instructions of Sage Mandavya, I reached it through the grace of the Lord earned by penance. Pray tell me: is your mind at perfect rest not? Are your subjects living in peace and prosperity? Are you firmly established in dispassion?"

SURAGHU replied:

"Who can truly understand the course of the divine will? You and I had been separated by a great distance so far; but now we have been brought together. What is impossible for the divine? We have been truly blessed by your holy visit. By your very presence in our midst, we have all been rid of all sins and defects and I feel that all prosperity stands in front of us in your form. Company of good and holy men is indeed equal to the supreme state of liberation."

PARIGHA said:

"O King, all actions that are performed by one who is firmly established in equanimity are productive of joy, not those done by others. Are you established in that state of Supreme peace in which no thoughts or notions arise in your mind, and which is known as samadhi?"

(To be continued)