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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com)

 

Liberation, objective of human life

 

CHENNAI, OCT. 10. The scriptural texts like the Upanishads

describe the nature of the Self (Atman) so that human beings can

get an insight into their real nature. The Self's essential

nature is consciousness and bliss, and it is eternal, untouched

by the changes that afflict the body. The embodied soul takes

birth again and again to work out the Karma (result of its

actions) accrued our several lives and in the process also

accumulates fresh Karma which becomes the cause of future births.

 

The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad employs the analogy of a person

shifting his residence, packing up all his belongings and

transporting them to his new dwelling, to the process of

transmigration of the soul. The actions performed by a person

during his lifetime in the form of Karma (both good and bad)

accompany the transmigrating soul like baggage. The goal of human

life is to attain liberation from this unremitting process by

realising the true nature of the Self.

 

In his discourse, Sri Goda Venketeswara Sastri said it was

essential to understand that Karma was the determinant factor for

all that a person enjoyed during this birth. He cannot alter the

working of this Karma which has started giving result and the

joys and sorrows he experiences come on their own accord. Where

then is the scope for man to alleviate his condition? Human

beings are endowed with free will but the limiting factor is

Karma. Man can by exercising his choice wisely strive for

liberation and also lead a moral life so that he can evolve

spiritually even if his Karma entails more births.

 

Just as a mango retains its connection to the tree because of the

stem, the body is bound to the soul by ignorance. This simile can

be extended further to understand the enigma of human birth and

death. It is common knowledge that the mango falls down on its

own accord at the right time when it is ripe. So also, the human

body will drop according to the depletion of the Karma which was

responsible for its birth.

 

One may wonder why the Upanishads which deal with the subject of

man's liberation from bondage, touch upon the existential facts

of human life like birth and death which are common knowledge.

Ignorance blinds man and hence the scriptures by constant

reiteration reminds him of his mortality so that he will aspire

for liberation and develop detachment to worldly pursuits and

relationships. Every moment of one's life is precious and must be

utilised to evolve towards the goal of liberation by engaging in

devotional activities.

 

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