Love Yourself – In Gita Verse 4.10 Being freed from attachment, fear and anger, being fully absorbed in Me and taking refuge in Me, many, many persons in the past became purified by knowledge of Me – and thus they all attained transcendental love for Me.
In the Bhagavad Gita Verse 4.10, Krishna imparts wisdom to Arjuna, highlighting the transformative power of detachment. He speaks of individuals who, liberated from attachment, fear, and anger, have found refuge in divine knowledge, attaining transcendental love. This profound concept invites us to explore the essence of detachment, not as mere renunciation but as a state beyond attachment and aversion.
Detachment is often misunderstood as a form of indifference or apathy. However, Krishna’s words illuminate a deeper meaning. It is not about rejecting the world or its offerings but transcending the duality of attachment and aversion. Consider a person obsessed with wealth, counting money day and night. Detachment does not mean running away from money; it means seeing it as neither desirable nor undesirable. It becomes as insignificant as dust. This is the essence of being ‘Vitarag’ – beyond attachment.
The story of Yajnavalkya and his wives, Katyayani and Maitreyi, illustrates this beautifully. When Yajnavalkya decides to renounce the world, Katyayani questions the value of wealth he leaves behind. If it is meaningless, why pass it on? This challenges Yajnavalkya to reconsider his understanding of detachment. True detachment is not about leaving something behind but recognising its insignificance.
Krishna’s teachings resonate with the story of a monk from Buddha’s time, who was invited to stay at a prostitute’s house during the rainy season. Unlike others who might shy away, this monk, confident in his detachment, sought Buddha’s permission. Buddha, recognising the monk’s inner strength, allowed him to stay. The prostitute, expecting to sway the monk, found herself transformed instead. The monk’s unwavering detachment, his ability to remain unaffected by his surroundings, ultimately led the prostitute to seek a spiritual path.
This story underscores the power of detachment. It is not about isolating oneself but maintaining equanimity amidst life’s challenges. A truly detached person is like the ocean, consistent in all circumstances, whether in a temple or a brothel. This inner confidence, free from fear and greed, is what Krishna encourages Arjuna to cultivate.
Krishna’s wisdom resonates with the Buddha’s profound sutra: “Love yourself and watch – today, tomorrow, always.” Love, akin to detachment, is vital for spiritual advancement. Just as food sustains the body, love enriches the soul. However, societal norms often deter self-love, mischaracterising it as selfishness. Yet, without self-love, genuine affection for others remains elusive.
Institutions, whether state or religious, rarely encourage the cultivation of strong souls. A person imbued with spiritual energy and self-awareness becomes inherently rebellious, challenging established norms and vested interests. Such individuals, empowered by self-love, possess the potential to question and transform societal structures. Thus, embracing self-love not only nurtures personal growth but also fosters a spirit of independence and resilience, essential for true spiritual enlightenment.
Love has the power to make you rebellious and transformative, granting you the wings to rise above. It sharpens your Insight, ensuring you are not deceived, exploited, or oppressed. Meanwhile, priests and politicians often thrive on exploitation, acting as parasites on society.
Self-love is not narcissism; it is the foundation of respect for oneself and others. A person who loves themselves becomes a source of love for the world. This love, like ripples in a pond, extends outward, embracing all of existence. When you love yourself, you create a loving energy around you, accepting yourself as you are without repression. This acceptance allows for true watchfulness, a key to spiritual awakening.
Krishna’s teachings encourage Arjuna to find love within himself, to embrace his own being. By doing so, he can transcend anxiety, attachment, and fear, allowing them to be absorbed into the divine. This journey of self-discovery leads to a union with the universe, where individual identity dissolves into the cosmic whole.
Krishna’s message is one of profound simplicity: start with yourself. Love yourself, and you will find refuge in the divine. This journey of self-love and detachment is not about withdrawal from the world but engaging with it from a place of inner strength and peace. As we cultivate this inner detachment, we align ourselves with the universe, experiencing the transcendental love that Krishna speaks of. Through this path, we discover that the boundaries between self and the universe dissolve, revealing the oneness of all existence.
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