Crossing The Ocean of Samsara
by Jnanadev Goswami

 
How it is possible for a spiritual aspirant to cross the flood of unreality. The stream of Maya issuing out of the mountain of Brahman first shapes itself in the form of the elements. Then on account of the heavy showers of the qualities, the stream experiences a flood and carries off the streamlets of unrestrained virtues. In the flood there are whirlpools of hate and circles of jealousy. In it, huge fishes in the shape of errors swim to and fro.

On the island of sexual enjoyment are thrown over waves of passion and there are many creatures appearing to have come together. There are scarcely any pathways through that great water; and it seems impossible that the flood may ever be crossed. Is it not wonderful, that every attempt that is made for crossing this flood becomes only a hindrance in the path of crossing it? Those, who are dependent upon their own intellects, try to swim over this flood and no trace of them remains.

Those who are given to over-self-consciousness, sink in the abyss of pride. Those, who try to cross this flood by means of the knowledge of the Vedas, hug to their heart huge pieces of stone, and go entirely into the mouth of the whale of arrogance. Those, who clasp the chest of sacrifice, go only into the recesses of heaven, where no boat of dispassion is available where no raft of discrimination is to be found, where whatever else may be done becomes a hindrance, If the young one of a deer were to gnaw at a snare, or an ant to cross over the Meru, only then would people cross this stream of Maya.