BEFORE THE SUN SETS, KNOW WHO YOU ARE

[Guest guest]

Namaste, all

 

I have come across an article that appeared in the Speaking Tree section of

the Times of India, on the Bauls of Bengal, which I thought I must share with

all. What a philosophy and culture they have! Neither do they know Sanskrit nor

the Vedas, Upanishads, Gita, etc.

I knew about them while in Kolkata and also heard/seen some of their

songs/dances, but I never thought their expressions conveyed such great

Knowledge about God.

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BEFORE THE SUN SETS, KNOW WHO YOU ARE By Amitava Basu

 

Though restless and battered by complex problems, disillusioned and

dissatisfied, many of us continue to remain engrossed with the exterior. Whereas

undeterred by social pressures, the Bauls, saffron-clad folk singers of rural

Bengal sing on “Why do you run after mirages? Look within yourself to attain

happiness and tranquility. Peace does not come from outside. You cannot discover

peace by owning the world.”

 

The Bauls travel from village to village singing with their ektara, which is a

simple one-stringed instrument, and drum called dubki. The Baul songs of joy,

love and longing for union with the Divine, deliver the message that God lives

within every human being. The songs imply the importance of human soul or the

“maner manush” which the Bauls perceive as the true God within every one of us.

Hence the Bauls find no difference between people. Universal brotherhood is a

fundamental of Baul ideology. They find no reason not to be at peace with all of

mankind regardless of how people perceive the Supreme Being or the manner in

which they practice a faith.

 

The Bauls reject the rigid rituals and the social mores of mainstream society.

On account of the unconventional approach, the Bauls derived their name from the

Sanskrit word “Batul” which means “afflicted with wind” or “mad”. It is this

madness and their acceptance of the Oneness of all life that sets the Baul apart

from most.

 

The Bauls believe that authentic worship of God takes place only deep within

each person where God is enshrined. Individual enquiry is stressed, emphasizing

the importance of person’s physical body as that which enshrines the Supreme.

 

The essence of the Baul belief is that God is hidden inside each one of us and

neither priests nor rituals can help us to find God there. For the Bauls,

searching within for God, the true soulmate, is a lifetime journey. They

meditate through their songs searching for answers from within. The philosophy

of their living path is intertwined with their songs. Their search for God is a

personal one and they believe it to be something that each individual should

carry out for himself.

 

The Bauls believe that God must first be perceived before being experienced

and realized through the pursuit of inner enlightenment. Within this goal in

mind, the songs they sing and the accompanying dances are meaningful meditation

focused on the soul.

 

The Bauls believe that the body is a microcosm of the universe in which the

Supreme Being resides and the essence of innermost being or “self” makes human

nature divine. The Bauls profess that when you search for God, you are

searching for “self” within. Though God assumes various forms to reveal

Himself, God is actually within every human heart. If you desire to attain the

knowledge and realization of the Supreme Being, then you should focus on the

inner being.

 

God is present in every moment and closeness with God is possible to

experience during one’s lifetime through surrender to him. Understanding that

thought, emotion, feelings and self-image are not only gifts form God but

manifestations of God. So, the Bauls sing, “Harvest before the sun sets. Know

thyself before you sail for the unknown.

 

Warm regards and Hari Om

Mani

 

 

R. S. Mani

 

 

 

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