The Self, Source of Infinite Bliss

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The Self, Source of Infinite Bliss (An Article from the Religious Section

of The Hindu taken with permission: "Copyrights 2000 The Hindu & Tribeca

Internet Initiatives Inc.")

 

Man finds himself at the crossroads often in life because there is some

decision or the other which has to be taken even in day-to-day matters. One

cannot escape from exercising one's choice in such situations. Animals and

birds do not have this problem and they follow their natural instincts, but,

man being endowed with the freedom of choice, he has to exercise his option,

but this involves moral responsibility. So, there is a dilemma even in trivial

matters because the decision one has to take may not be always palatable,

which naturally gives rise to mental conflicts. Arjun faced this kind of

moral dilemma at the beginning of the Mahabhaarat war. He was in a fix whether

to engage in the war or not.

 

The answer to his predicament was not a simple ``yes or no''. It entailed the

teaching of the Gita by Lord Krshn who had to expound the subtlest of all

subjects -- Adhyatma vidya (knowledge of the Self) -- to resolve his

dilemma. Though the teaching of the Lord in the Gita in an intrinsic whole,

every chapter conveys a profound teaching and thus is important. When a

chapter is treated as important it is from a particular standpoint from which

one is studying the text. The third chapter, for instance, is an excellent

guide on management.

 

In his introductory lecture on the Bhagavad Gita, Swami Tejomayananda said

that the 14th chapter of this text gave a clear understanding of the human

mind about which unfortunately humans know precious little. The problems of

the mind can be solved only by rising above the level of the mind. If a

person thinks that he can tackle them by circumvention, he is mistaken because

it is not possible. This chapter teaches how a person can insulate himself

from the afflictions of the world even while actively engaged in worldly life.

This can be likened to using an umbrella when it is raining; one cannot do

anything about the rain, but, can certainly prevent oneself from getting

drenched. Lord Krshn in the 13th chapter expounds the association between

the insentient matter and the sentient beings (Prakrti-Purush) which is the

basis of creation, though He does not expound it in great detail here. So the

subject is once again taken up for discussion in the next chapter. The

sentient Self by association with the insentient body identifies itself with

it and in the process forgets its true blissful nature. But those who

understand the nature of Prakrti remain unafflicted by it and become one with

the Supreme, who is bliss incarnate. This leads to fulfilment as there is

realisation of one's blissful nature. They no longer seek happiness from

material things.