Deluded by Maya

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Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya !!

 

 

Deluded by Maya

An individual’s life is driven by one’s latent impressions and tendencies

(Vasanas) and because of this it is not easy to gain an insight into the true

nature of the Atma (Self). Moreover, though the Self is superior to the body,

this knowledge is not explicit and one readily identifies with the body.

Scriptures speak of two kinds of knowledge, the higher and the lower. All

information pertaining to worldly knowledge including the matter contained in

the scriptures — astronomy, astrology, sciences, code of rituals, grammar,

etymology, etc., — are subsumed in the lower category. Pursuit of this kind of

objective knowledge of the outside world, the arts, culture, etc., though vast

and necessary for all worldly purposes, is in no way helpful in gaining the

knowledge of the Self. Only the higher knowledge pertaining to the Absolute

Reality is the cause of the dawning of enlightenment and Adi Sankara reinforces

this in his hymn Bhaja Govindam, said Sri P. M. Vijayaraghava Sastrigal in a

lecture.

It is this knowledge that can show the way to liberation and relieve one from

the cycle of birth. Adi Sankara urges human beings to make use of their lifetime

to attain salvation and not waste time in worldly pursuits. The truth of the

infinite Brahman is realised when the delusion that considers the world as the

reality is shed. This is the idea conveyed by the statement that knowledge of

grammar, that is, mere worldly knowledge, will not save one from Samsara.

The truth that all Jivatmas are in reality a part of infinite Brahman has to be

clear in one’s perception. But this truth is hidden due to the deluding

effects of Maya. The Jivatma continues to think that its essence is the body

mind complex. This is the bondage that has to be transcended if one is to attain

liberation.

In spiritual parlance, scholarship or academic achievements do not qualify one

to be above delusion, if one does not realise the true nature of the Self. The

mind becomes the cause of delusion by creating the distinctions such as I and

Mine. One has to strive hard to overcome the effect of the Vasanas by directing

it towards the eternal truth. Even the idea of joy or sorrow is felt because the

mind attaches importance to worldly objects.

 

 

k.v. satish