Part-1 can be read from: http://anudinam.org/2012/05/04/nine-steps-to-supreme-abode/
4. Bheeti: This fourth step implies fear. If we have climbed this step, the rest becomes easy. This is the last of the difficult steps. Let us find out what we have to fear. Now, we have been born as human beings with superior intellect. But we have passed through innumerable births as insects, reptiles and animals such as donkey, dog, bear, lion and monkey and have gone through many difficulties. Due to some good deed or action in our earlier births, we are born as humans. This might well be the last but one noble birth among all creations. Therefore, the thought that we will be reborn in this world in any form should only instil fear in us, because any future birth is a corollary of sins and misdeeds. Man has been continuously committing one transgression after another, while his account of good deeds more or less is empty. So, it is quite probable that we will be born only as lesser creatures like animals or insects in keeping with the balance of bad deeds. Even if we are born again as humans, we will be gripped by hunger, famine, old age and other Untold miseries.When a wise thus, he will start to fear further births and will have climbed the fourth step towards liberation
Therefore, in accordance with Lord Krishna’s declaration in the Bhagavad Gita, where He assures us of liberation when we take refuge at His Feet, we should perform surrender to Him and make a vow that, hereafter, we will do only those acts that will please Him and desist from committing any transgression. While doing so,we should make a fervent prayer to Him asking for His pardon with the plea that, even though we have been the worst of sinners, we have now grasped His Feet and so we believe that He will forgive even the gravest offences committed by us. We are now truly repentant and surrendering to Him.
We have now understood that the soul and this body belong to Him and that He is our only refuge. We now realise our inability to perform any other means to attain Him (such as bhakti-yoga). When we pray to Him seeking not to be reborn in the world, we state our realisation that our goal is to serve Him and Him only and enjoy such unending service to Him. Further, it has to be understood that the act of surrender itself is through His will only. He is the means to liberation and the object of our prayers. By offering the act itself and its fruits to Him and by the chanting of the dvaya mantra, we would have climbed the fifth step. This is the central and most important step in the whole process and requires the guidance of an acharya or gum. The person who has so surrendered has become a prapanna.
8. Suddasattva-aadesa-praapti: In this eighth step, the soul reaches the outside of the primordial realm called prakriti mandala, which is outside the material universe. The Viraja river separates this material universe from the transcendental plane, Srivaikuntha,where Sriman Narayana rests in all His glory Srivaikuntha or Paramapada or nityavibhuti, as it is variously called, is made up of purest positive matter (suddhasattvasvarupa). The journey through this phase is called ‘padaadhirohana’, with Vidyut Purusha escorting the soul beyond the cosmic path and across the Viraja river. Here, in the river, the soul sheds its subtle form and, by sheer will alone, crosses the river. (It should be noted here that in Srivaikuntha, all actions are achieved by mere will alone
The soul then assumes an auspicious, radiant form. Then, the divine beauties in the Srivaikuntha bedeck him in befitting ornaments. Amidst the playing of several musical instruments, he is taken past thousands of forts and towers. Enroute, he is entertained by other souls who are already there in the service of the Lord. To the accompaniments of joyful and welcoming songs and music, he beholds the sight of the supreme Being and is ushered into His presence. The soul has now climbed the eighth and penultimate step, in the flight of nine steps, to everlasting happiness.
when a Person has gained this knowledge, he would have achieved the purpose of life. He will make earnest attempts to reach his rightful and eternal abode at the earliest.
Conclusion
Thus, Svami Desika has constructed this edifice of nine steps, in order to assist all the drifting souls and guide them properly. Blessed are the wise who have known this, acquired more knowledge and have attained liberation. A person who is unable to pass through these steps should at least strive to know about the fifth step, i.e., surrender (saranagathi). This is the central step around which all the others are constructed. He should then follow it with total conviction, and meditate on the other steps through which so many great scholars and sages have climbed before him, and which is accessible to people of all sects. All the souls in this universe are rightfully entitled to be in the service of the Lord, Sriman Narayana. Let us not be misguided by the so-called charms and wealth of this material world. With the help of scholars and able teachers, let us learn about these nine steps and attain the fruits of eternal bliss by ensuring that this is our last birth on earth and by reaching the supreme Abode.
This article is extracted from Nrushimapriya, Written by – Shalini Narayanan, Based on an article by His Holiness Srimad Mukkur Azhagiyasingar, the 44th Pontiff of Sri Ahobila Math
Thanks!