Enlightenment – In Gita Verse 4.19 One is understood to be in full knowledge whose every endeavor is devoid of desire for sense gratification. He is said by sages to be a worker for whom the reactions of work have been burned up by the fire of perfect knowledge.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Verse 4.19, it is said that a person truly in knowledge is one whose every action is devoid of the desire for sense gratification. Such a person, the sages declare, has burned the reactions of work in the fire of perfect knowledge. This profound insight challenges us to reconsider our understanding of wisdom and action.
In our world, many are quick to label someone a Pandit simply because they possess a wealth of information or can quote scriptures proficiently. However, the wise reserve this title for those who have transcended the desires and resolutions that typically drive human behaviour. True wisdom, they argue, arises not from accumulated knowledge but from a direct and unmediated experience of truth. It is a state where desires have diminished, and one is fully content with what is, rather than what could be.
Desire, in its essence, is a longing for something that is not present. It is the relentless pursuit of an ever-elusive happiness believed to be elsewhere. The wise understand that genuine contentment comes not from chasing after what is absent but from embracing and finding fulfillment in what is already present. This realisation marks freedom from desire, a state where one no longer feels compelled to seek happiness outside of oneself.
Krishna further complicates this understanding by introducing the concept of resolution, or willpower. While many thinkers, like Carlyle, might argue that resolution is the essence of life, Krishna suggests that true liberation comes from relinquishing even this. In a world driven by goals and ambitions, this might seem counterintuitive. Yet, Krishna posits that once desires have vanished, the need for resolution dissipates as well. Without desires to fulfil, willpower becomes redundant and burdensome.
The absence of desire and resolution leads to a state of being that is akin to a calm lake, perfectly still and reflective. In this state, one becomes a mirror for the divine, capable of reflecting the vastness of existence within the small confines of the human heart. It is a state of pure consciousness, where one is fully present and open to the infinite.
The Taoist philosophy offers a parallel perspective, advocating for a life of letting go. Tao teaches that true wisdom lies in flowing with the natural course of life, without imposing one’s will upon it. It is a call to embrace the present moment, to find contentment in the here and now, rather than striving for some distant goal. This approach, much like Krishna’s teachings, emphasises the futility of desire and the peace that comes from surrendering to the present.
In both teachings, the key to enlightenment is action without desire. It is the ability to engage with life fully, without being driven by the need to achieve or acquire. This state of desireless action is not passive but deeply engaged and present. It is an active participation in life, free from the constraints of ego and ambition.
Whether one follows the path of Krishna or the Tao, the journey is deeply personal and requires an understanding of one’s own nature. For some, the path of Tantra, with its emphasis on transcending action into inaction, might resonate more. For others, the Taoist approach of effortless action might be more appealing. Ultimately, the goal is to act from a place of inner peace and contentment, free from the desires and resolutions that typically drive human behaviour.
The teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and Tao offer profound insights into the nature of wisdom and action. They challenge us to reconsider our understanding of what it means to be wise and to act without desire. By embracing these teachings, we can find a path to true contentment and enlightenment, where our actions are not driven by the need to achieve or acquire but by a deep connection to the present moment.
Tags: Enlightenment
