Bondage And Freedom – In Gita Verse 4.12 Men in this world desire success in fruitive activities, and therefore they worship the demigods. Quickly, of course, men get results from fruitive work in this world.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna imparts profound wisdom to Arjuna, illustrating the complexities of human desires and spiritual pursuits. He highlights that individuals often seek success in their worldly endeavours by worshipping demigods, as these entities seemingly grant quick results. However, Krishna elucidates that there are two paths one can take in the present moment: the path directly towards Him, the ultimate source, and the alternative path of worshipping the gods, which also leads to auspiciousness.
Those who do not grasp the essence of the ultimate truth may still benefit from the auspicious powers of life. While God is the ultimate power, this power manifests in various smaller forms. Krishna explains to Arjuna that those who attain Him are liberated from the cycle of birth and death. Yet, even those who do not connect directly with Him can achieve auspiciousness by worshipping the gods and drawing near to them. This concept requires a deeper understanding of the nature of divine proximity.
Connecting with the ultimate power demands immense courage and a willingness to surrender one’s ego completely. It is akin to approaching the sun, where one risks being consumed by its intensity. A truly religious person possesses the courage to annihilate their ego in pursuit of the divine. However, many lack this courage. Yet, just as one can light a small earthen lamp in the absence of sunlight, one can also find illumination through the gods, who act as intermediaries to the supreme power.
The gods are akin to small lamps in the presence of the ultimate energy, representing souls that have transcended the cycle of immediate rebirth. Upon death, most souls are quickly reborn, but those who are exceptionally good or bad may linger without a new body. Such souls, known as deities, await their next incarnation. These waiting souls can be invoked and connected with through various spiritual practices.
Even those unable to connect directly with God can establish a relationship with these deities. Good souls, even without a body, yearn to perform good deeds, while bad souls seek to do harm. There exists a distinct science of connecting with these souls, often achieved through rituals and prayers. Yagyas, or sacrificial ceremonies, were psychological processes to connect with benevolent souls, while practices akin to black magic sought to engage with malevolent spirits.
Krishna assures us that even if one cannot directly reach Him, they can still achieve goodness by worshipping the gods and performing virtuous deeds. This path can lead to the ultimate truth. The pursuit of good deeds reflects one’s aspirations, and our actions serve as a testament to the desires of our souls. However, human weakness often makes it challenging to perform good deeds alone. Auspicious powers surround us, and when we engage in noble acts, we may feel the presence of a greater force supporting us.
In moments of wrongdoing, individuals may also sense an external influence. Criminals have often claimed in court that they were compelled by an unseen force to commit their crimes. While courts may dismiss these statements, those familiar with the science of spiritism understand that malevolent spirits can influence individuals during moments of weakness. Certain locations, haunted by dark histories, seem to perpetuate cycles of violence, driven by the lingering presence of such spirits.
Conversely, places of pilgrimage are imbued with positive energy, where the presence of benevolent souls inspires individuals to perform acts of kindness beyond their usual capacity. We are not alone in our actions; various forces surround us, influencing our choices. When we pursue virtuous deeds, positive forces bolster our efforts, while negative forces may align with our darker impulses.
Krishna’s teachings underscore the importance of living in the present moment. Many people are consumed by desires and goals, losing sight of the present. They engage in rituals and follow false gurus in their quest for success, mistaking these pursuits for true religion. However, true religion lies in responding to the present moment. The difference between those who chase goals and those who embrace the present is that the former are bound by their desires, while the latter are free.
Bondage arises from compulsion, from actions that go against one’s true self. Freedom, on the other hand, is the result of acting in harmony with one’s innermost desires. Paradoxically, seeking freedom obsessively can lead to bondage, while accepting one’s circumstances with grace can bring liberation. It is the attitude, not the situation, that determines one’s state of being.
To break free from bondage, one must learn to give selflessly. The Zen story of Dozo illustrates this point. A wealthy man offers a substantial donation to a temple, expecting gratitude in return. Dozo, the Zen monk, refuses to express thanks, asserting that true giving requires the giver to be thankful for the opportunity to share. When one gives without expectation, it reflects a state of freedom, an overflow of universal love.
Krishna’s message to Arjuna is clear: our bondage is evident in our words and actions. To respond to the present moment, we must act not from bondage but from freedom. In the same circumstances, we can choose to act from bondage or from freedom, and this choice defines our spiritual journey.
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