The Bhagavad Gita is a prevalent text in the rich diversity of Hindu writings on revealed knowledge and new ways of communicating that knowledge through time and space.
Human beings are not born in original sin. Based on our karma (merits and demerits) and jnana (valid knowledge), we come into the cycle of birth and death in this world. The purpose of life is to live successfully in the material and spiritual worlds, transcend the cycle of birth and death and regain union with the Highest Reality (called by many names like AUM, Ishwara, and Brahman). Bhakti is a state of consciousness where one feels unity and love with all of creation and a sense of awe in the immanence of Divinity or the Highest Reality. It purifies and prepares the human being to reunite with the Highest Reality, also called Moksha or Liberation. One seeks to break out of the cycle of birth and death and the accompanying pain and suffering. The process for doing so is described variably in different time-honoured sampradayas (spiritual lineages or knowledge systems). Generally, one may say that the purpose of life is to live successfully, both materially and spiritually, in the here and now and beyond; to become established in divine wisdom; to advance in successive lives; and, eventually, to realise Moksha.
In Bhagavad Gita (BG 2:58-63), Yogiraj Krishna teaches the timeless knowledge to Arjuna the Warrior in the symbolic battle of life. According to the edited translation of Swami Muktananda (holy-bhagavad-gita.org), Yogiraj Krishna says:
BG 2.58: One who is able to withdraw the senses from their objects, just as a tortoise withdraws its limbs into its shell, is established in divine wisdom.
BG 2.59: Aspirants may restrain the senses from their objects of enjoyment, but the taste for the sense objects remains. However, even this taste ceases for those who realize the Supreme.
BG 2.60: The senses are so strong and turbulent, O son of Kunti, that they can forcibly carry away the mind even of a person endowed with discrimination who practices self-control.
BG 2.61: They are established in perfect knowledge, who subdue their senses and keep their minds ever absorbed in Me.
BG 2.62: While contemplating on the objects of the senses, one develops attachment to them. Attachment leads to desire, and from desire arises anger.
BG 2.63: Anger leads to clouding of judgment, which results in bewilderment of memory. When memory is bewildered, the intellect gets destroyed; and when the intellect is destroyed, one is ruined.
A lack of valid knowledge causes human pain and suffering. Most humans are selfish in pursuing success, happiness, and joy; they cause pain and suffering to other humans and other life forms. Many become engrossed in satisfying their physical senses, sinking deeper and deeper into attachment to such a lifestyle.
We know about diseases of the body, but Hindu Knowledge Systems also speak of “diseases of the mind”. Failure to treat a bodily disease results in decay and breakdown of the body wherein the jiva/atman/individual consciousness resides.
Failure to acknowledge and treat the diseases of the mind have an even more devastating effect. BG 2:62-62 identifies “Attachment” to the objects of senses as the first cause of our spiritual and material downfall. The material world pulls the five gross senses in all directions. We see and want more and more. We become attached to a false sense of happiness through these senses.
Yogiraj Krishna taught that we become attached to them when we focus too much on material objects. We need material wealth for successful living. But how much? Attachment leads to desire which, in turn, leads to anger.
When we no longer feel happiness or cannot fulfil our desires, we become angry. When in anger, one loses the ability to make balanced judgements, leading to confused memory.
In such a state of mind, the intellect gets destroyed – it loses its sharpness and brilliance. The intellect allows us to make decisions. So if the intellect tells us that we can gain wealth through unethical means and by causing pain and suffering to others, then that is what the mind will direct us to do. The intellect is superior to the mind. It directs us on how to use the mind or reason. It controls the mind.
Yogiraj Krishna teaches that when the intellect is destroyed, such a person falls into ruin.
The challenge before us as human beings living in a world of powerful material attractions is to condition our intellect with valid knowledge to direct the mind to make the right decisions. This will lead to successful material and spiritual life in the here, now, and hereafter.
Yogiraj Krishna advises the yoga of mind control.
BG 2.64: But one who controls the mind, and is free from attachment and aversion, even while using the objects of the senses, attains the prasadam [grace] of God.
Swami Vivekananda says, “Where you find the attraction for lust and wealth considerably diminished, to whatever creed he may belong, know that his inner spirit is awakening.
Maharishi Dayananda Saraswati says, “If all understand dharma as revealed in Vedas, then it’s definite that all would be benefited.” As taught in the primary source of Vedas, Dharma has been passed on to successive generations through secondary scriptures like the Gita (found in the Mahabharata), Ramayana, and a host of other scriptures.
By Pandita Dr Indrani Rampersad (Vedic/Hindu Pandita, Fellow in Advanced Studies, Hindu University of America, Journalist, and Women’s Activist. Email: [email protected])
