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Source: The Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/04/17/stories/2003041701280900.htm)

 

Miscellaneous

-

Religion

  

 

The Self, blissful in nature

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI

APRIL 17

 

.. Scriptures reiterate that eternal joy must be found within as the Self is of

the nature of absolute bliss. Like the musk deer, which roams all over the

forest in search of the fragrance emanating from its own body without knowing

it, man also looks for happiness in the world, which is ephemeral, without

realising that lasting joy has to be found within himself. But a doubt will

arise as to how one is supposed to know that joy must be discovered within?

 

In the process of finding the source of bliss within it becomes necessary to

gain knowledge of the Self (Atman) because the Self is the source of unalloyed

bliss.

 

As Self-knowledge is beyond the purview of the human senses and the intellect

man has to take recourse to the scriptures. The method of logic, which is useful

to gain empirical knowledge, cannot be used alone to establish spiritual

knowledge. One can see for oneself that when a particular discipline advances

what has been established earlier becomes obsolete but in the case of

Self-knowledge it is absolute. Further, the Self has to be experienced. Hence

the scripture, logic and experience must be utilised together to realise the

truth, said Sri K.Srinivasan in his discourse.

 

Generally the majority of people revere the scriptural texts as sacred but do

not make an attempt to imbibe its teachings. It requires implicit faith to

meticulously follow the teachings and persist in the quest till the goal is

realised. The example that readily comes to mind is Nachiketas who figures in

the Katha Upanishad.

 

When the young boy observed his father making preparations to donate an infirm

cow during the religious sacrifice he was performing, what struck him was that

his father would incur sin instead of merit by doing so as he was defeating the

very purpose of following the scriptural injunction. So Nachiketa offered

himself, which made his father irate and curse him to go to the abode of Yama.

But this did not deter the boy and he went there and persisted till he learnt

the truth. Such determination of mind to realise the Self is another

prerequisite of spiritual life. One must also refrain from actions, which are

detrimental to spiritual progress. By performing the ordained duties one can

develop steadfastness of mind.

 

 

 

 

 

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