Become the Svarat or Self-king

Become the Svarat or Self-king

by Swami Sivananda

Salutations to Sadguru who is of the nature of Sat-chidananda, who is the silent witness of all the attributes or Vrittis of the mind, who is the essence of Vedanta, who is of the nature of Brahman, who is one with Brahman, and who has merged himself in the ocean of eternal bliss.

Para Brahman is Eternal, pure, all-wise, free, all-full, non-dual, partless, all-pervading, Infinite.

In this city of nine gates dwells the Jiva or the individual soul. He has forgotten his essential divine nature on account of Avidya or ignorance. He is not able to behold the Supreme Self on account of the veil which separates him from Brahman. Vikshepa Sakti causes tossing of the mind. So he is not able to concentrate on the Self.

Ahamkara is his minister. The twenty-four Tattvas are the members of his family. Pramatra, Pramana and Prameya are his three sons. Vitteshana, Dareshana and Putreshana and the Shad-Ripus or six enemies, viz., anger, lust, greed etc., have robbed him of the wealth of Atma Jnana. He has become a prey to all attachments. He is burnt by the three fires. He is led astray by the wind of hopefulness. He is enveloped by the fog of attachment to the body. He is deluded by the thoughts I am the doer (Karta). I am the enjoyer (Bhokta). He is attacked by the fevers of Pancha Koshas (five sheaths). He is fallen in the state of deep sleep of sensual enjoyments.

O man! I shall show you now the way to get rid of these afflictions and attain the supreme goal of eternal bliss. Hearken attentively. Do Japa regularly. Do selfless service without expectation of fruits. Abandon the idea of doership. Consecrate all your works to the Lord. Cultivate Bhakti. Take shelter at the lotus feet of Sadguru who is ever in Nirvikalpa Samadhi under the banian tree of Nididhyasana, in the Siddhasana of Sravana and Manana on the banks of the great river, the grace of the Lord. Make prostrations unto Him wet with Bhakti. He will elevate you. He will inspire you and remove all your doubts and snares in the path and help you to attain the kingdom of Atma Svarajya. He will make you free.

O Beloved Ram! You have forgotten your real Svarupa on account of egoism and desires. Thou art pure immortal, Eternal Soul. Thou art That. Tat Tvam Asi. Rise above Moha or delusion. Give up the identification with this impure, perishable body. Take bath in the Ganga of devotion to the lotus feet of Sadguru.

Kill the thieves, lust, anger, etc. Abandon the ideas, I am the doer. I am the enjoyer. Be established in the idea of the unreality of the world. This is the practice of Pranayama for you. Make friendship with Mudita, Karuna, Upeksha, Sama, Dama. Fix the arrow of Manonasa on the bow of Vasana Kshaya. Burn the forest of Pratibandhatraya, the three obstacles. Have Vairagya as the shield, discrimination as helmet, Uparati as the necklace, Samadhana or one- pointedness of mind as your brave companion, Brahmanu-sandhana as armour, Satsanga as your minister, Jivanmukti as partner in life. Ascend the throne of Self-Samrajya or Nirvikalpa Samadhi. Become the Svarat or Self-King. Drink the nectar of Immortality or eternal bliss of Brahman. Being crowned with the knowledge of Brahman know that thou art the eternal, pure, all-pervading Atman. There is nothing else besides you. Thou art That.

Become the Svarat or Self-king – Self-Mastery, Inner Sovereignty, and Spiritual Freedom

Become the Svarat or Self-king means become the ruler of your own inner kingdom. The word Svarat suggests one who is self-ruling, independent, and established in inner mastery. In spiritual life, a true king is not the one who controls lands, wealth, people, or power. A true Self-king is one who has conquered the mind, controlled the senses, purified the heart, and realized the true self.

Most people live under the rule of the mind. Desires command them, anger pushes them, fear weakens them, jealousy disturbs them, and ego misleads them. Though they may appear free outwardly, inwardly they are often bound by thoughts and reactions. To become the Svarat or Self-king is to reverse this condition. The seeker must no longer be a servant of the lower nature.

The first step toward becoming the Self-king is self-awareness. A person must observe the mind honestly. What controls me? What desire repeatedly pulls me down? What fear limits my growth? What habit weakens my will? What attachment steals my peace? Without such observation, spiritual life remains vague. Awareness reveals the condition of the inner kingdom.

Become the Svarat or Self-king also requires control of the senses. The senses naturally run toward forms, sounds, tastes, touches, and pleasures. If they are uncontrolled, the mind becomes restless and weak. Sense-control does not mean hatred of the senses. It means wise regulation. The seeker uses the senses as instruments, not as masters.

The mind is the main field of conquest. A restless mind creates sorrow even in comfortable conditions. A disciplined mind creates peace even in difficulty. Therefore, the seeker must practice calmness, concentration, discrimination, prayer, meditation, and self-control. The mind should become a loyal minister, not a rebellious ruler.

A Self-king is free from slavery to desire. Desire promises happiness but often brings anxiety, dependence, and frustration. Before fulfillment, there is restlessness. During enjoyment, there is fear of loss. After enjoyment, there is craving for repetition. By understanding this cycle, the seeker develops Vairagya, or detachment. Detachment gives royal strength to the soul.

Become the Svarat or Self-king does not mean becoming proud or dominating others. It means conquering oneself. Outer domination may come from ego, but inner sovereignty comes from wisdom. A true Self-king is humble, compassionate, balanced, and peaceful. They do not need to prove superiority because they are inwardly established.

Discrimination is the crown of the Self-king. The seeker must distinguish between the permanent and the temporary, the real and the unreal, the self and the non-self. The body changes, the mind changes, possessions change, relationships change, and social status changes. The witnessing consciousness alone remains unchanged. To live rooted in this understanding is true royalty.

Self-mastery also requires purity of conduct. A person cannot become inwardly sovereign while living in falsehood, cruelty, greed, and selfishness. Truthfulness, kindness, humility, forgiveness, moderation, and selfless service purify the heart. A pure heart is stronger than a heart filled with ambition and pride.

Become the Svarat or Self-king through Karma Yoga also means performing action without bondage. Work sincerely, but do not become a slave of results. Serve others, but do not seek praise. Perform duty, but do not inflate the ego. Offer actions to the Divine and accept results with balance. This attitude makes life free from inner tension.

Meditation is the royal path to inner sovereignty. When the seeker sits quietly and watches thoughts, emotions, and desires, they begin to see that these are passing movements. The true self is the witness. Thoughts may arise, but they are not the ruler. Emotions may move, but they are not the self. This witnessing awareness gives freedom from mental slavery.

A Self-king is also master of speech. Words can heal or hurt, uplift or disturb, reveal wisdom or expose ignorance. The seeker should speak truthfully, gently, and usefully. Control of speech is a great sign of inner discipline. One who cannot control speech cannot easily control the mind.

The ego is the most subtle enemy of self-rule. It says, “I am the doer,” “I am superior,” “I deserve recognition,” and “Everything should happen according to my wish.” This ego creates bondage even in spiritual life. To become the Svarat or Self-king, the seeker must see the ego as a false claimant and surrender it through knowledge, devotion, and humility.

Inner sovereignty also brings fearlessness. Fear arises when one depends completely on changing things. The more attached a person is, the more afraid they become. When the seeker rests in the self, fear begins to weaken. The true self is not born, does not die, and is not damaged by outer change. This knowledge gives deep courage.

The Self-king lives in the world but is not conquered by the world. Praise does not intoxicate them. Blame does not break them. Gain does not make them greedy. Loss does not destroy their peace. They act, serve, love, and fulfill duties, but remain inwardly free. This is the dignity of spiritual mastery.

Daily practice is necessary. Watch the mind, control one desire, reduce one weakness, speak less harshly, meditate regularly, serve without selfishness, and reflect on the self. Small victories over anger, greed, fear, and ego slowly build the throne of inner freedom.

In the end, become the Svarat or Self-king means become established in self-mastery and self-knowledge. Rule the senses, purify the mind, conquer ego, practice detachment, serve selflessly, meditate deeply, and realize the witnessing consciousness. Such a person is truly royal, not because they possess the world, but because they are no longer possessed by it. Inner sovereignty is the real kingdom, and liberation is its highest glory.

Renunciation is a Glorious Thing