Acharya Vaani
shrImadAnandatIrthArya mukhanissR^itaM
kR^itvAtha kurvannapi vA nididhyAsanamAcaret || anuvyAkhyAna 3.3.1.3
Purport:
When we say meditation can be taken up after completing the process of shravaNa and manana or it can be practiced in parallel to shravaNa and manana, it does not mean that every one has the liberty to freely choose either of the two options. An all knowing guru, who knows the true nature and adhikAra(eligibilty) of the disciple, will instruct one of the these two paths seeing the eligibility of the disciple. One needs to follow any one path as per the instructions of the guru. So the practice of either of the two paths depends on the adhikAra and not on one’s free will.
