== THE MEANING OF POINT #10 ==
Namaskar,
Each and every A'nanda Ma'rgii is aware that the point of Ista is one of
our Sixteen Points. Specifically it is point #10.
Baba says, "Observe non-compromising strictness and faith regarding the
sanctity of Ista." (Pt #10 of Sixteen Points)
So everyone is aware that this point of Is't'a is included within His
guidelines, but even then it may be exactly clear what it means.
STRAIGHT-FORWARD MEANING OF OTHER POINTS
In comparison, many of the other aspects of Sixteen Points are
comparatively much more straight forward. Such as point #1: "After
urination wash the urinary organ with water." This point does not need a
lot of explanation to understand the meaning. No one is confused or in
doubt about the meaning of this point.
And same can be said about so many of the aspects of Sixteen Points such
as:
THE POINT OF IS'T'A IS LIKE A SUTRA
However the point of Is't'a is less defined-- less specific. Naturally
one may wonder then what exactly does it mean.
To get the answer then one must treat this point #10 of Sixteen Points
like a sutra. To understand its full meaning it is necessary to take
help of Baba's other discourses. Because the point of Is't'a is itself
extremely dense and is not at all explanatory-- not descriptive. By the
wording itself, it is not evident what it means to be strict in Ista.
In that case point #10 of Sixteen Points must be treated like a sutra
since an explanation of this point has to be found in other places of
His vast body of teachings.
ONE VERY IMPORTANT EXPLANATION OF THE ISTA POINT
Certainly there are many ways and interpretations of this point of Ista,
such as in His discourse titled 'Ista & Adarsha' as well as in the
'Seven Secrets of Success' discourse where Baba elaborate on the point
of Shraddha'-- deep reverence for the Goal. These are all important
places to gain a deeper understanding about what it means to follow
point #10 of Sixteen Points: "Non-compromising strictness and faith
regarding the sanctity of Is't'a."
In addition here below Baba gives us deep insight as to what it means to
be established in Is't'a.
Baba says, "When people are established in devotion, they attain a state
called is't'a nis't'a--- devotion for one's goal. In that stage there is
but one dominant thought: 'Whatever I do, be it social, political or
socio-economic service, the motivating thought in my mind will be to
please Parama Purus'a'." (AV-8, p.101)
ANSWER IS IS'T'A NIS'T'A: DOING TO PLEASE HIM
By Baba's above teaching of Is't'a nis't'a, we can understand that one
is established in the point of Ista when one does each and every thing
in order to please Him. That is the key point and the defining factor.
So throughout the day all our activities and duties are to be done with
this singular aim in mind-- to please Him. This is the secret of Is't'a
nis't'a.
Thus whether we are bathing, taking food, doing sadhana, reading
svadhyaya, raising our family, engaging in business, or organising
social service projects, everything should be done with the sole motive
of pleasing Him. We are doing these things to make Him happy. This pure
intention must be the only guiding force in our engagement. Then alone
can it be termed as Is't'a nis't'a.
And Is't'a nis't'a-- doing to please Him-- is what it means to be
established in Ista, according to Baba's above teaching.
MOST DO FOR SELF-SATISFACTION
At the same time it has to be recognised that being truly established in
Is't'a nis't'a is not an ordinary affair.
Because in their general dealings and movements in life, people are
mostly if not always guided by their own selfish desires. That is the
overriding idea behind the bulk of their actions: selfish pleasure. Some
fall into this predicament to a greater degree than others. But it is a
fairly pervasive tendency.
For example one degraded person who visits a prostitute house is
obviously sunk in this principle of selfish pleasure. But not only him,
often people in our Marga perform social service work also with the idea
to gain some self-satisfaction, i.e. to get some lift and pump
themselves. By doing that service work they derive some ego
satisfaction. This also happens.
Here the point is not to lump anyone's service work in the same category
as visiting a prostitution shop. Only the point is that it is not the
activity in and of itself that dictates whether one is established in
Is't'a nis't'a or not. What qualifies whether one is established in ista
nista is the idea or motivating factor behind one's action. If one is
doing solely to please Him, then that is Ista nista, otherwise not.
ISTA NISTA IS OUR MEASURING ROD
By analysing the motive behind their actions, everyone can freely
determine how far they are established in the point of Ista. If one is
doing to please Him then they are marching ahead on this sacred pathway
and if one is doing for some other reason then they are not established
in Ista. Baba's definition is very clear cut about this.
So with full sincerity we should use this measuring rod of Ista nista to
gauge our intention behind our every action or work. By this way one can
understand how far they are strict in Ista or not.
And then with renewed efforts we can again take His name and ensconce
our minds in His thought and move ahead. So we should always try to
understand what is the motivating factor in our actions and
simultaneously infuse more and more devotional feeling in our lives by
sincerely doing our prescribed practices of bhakti yoga etc.
Through this dual approach one is sure to get more established in the
point of Ista. And the key point behind it all is to sincerely evaluate
one's own actions and not try to befool oneself. If one is honest with
themselves then they can surely progress on the path of ista nista.
SURE PATHWAY TO SUCCESS
May our each and every action begin with the sincere desire of pleasing
Him. With this pure intention in mind, success is sure. This is Baba's
blessing on us all.
Baba says, "You too should keep moving forward, and you will also attain
victory after victory - there is no doubt about it. Therefore continue
your efforts tirelessly, do your duty and you will surely be crowned
with success." (SS-18)
Namaskar,
Hitendra
Note: MORE ON THE POINT OF ISTA
Here Baba tells more about this all-important point of Ista.
Baba says, "There are many meanings of this word "Is´t´a." One is the
fulfillment of the goal. In other words, by ideating on Him, all sorrows
of the mind and bad thoughts go away. That is called "Is´t´a." Ideology
is an impersonal element. To go toward "Is´t´a," we need only love;
whereas to follow an ideology we need courage and efforts. If we have
love for our Lord, then we do not need anything else. We cannot get
devotion by going to pilgrimages. The minimum requirement for getting
devotion is the human mind. By simply exerting little efforts, you get
development. If you desire devotion, you will get it. If you have love
for the Supreme, you will get established in your "Is´t´a"." (23
November 1971 DMC, Purnea)
