Self-Wisdom – In Gita Verse 4.37 As a blazing fire turns firewood to ashes, O Arjuna, so does the fire of knowledge burn to ashes all reactions to material activities.
In the Bhagavad Gita Verse 4.37, Krishna explains to Arjuna that just as a blazing fire reduces fuel to ashes, the fire of knowledge burns away all reactions to material activities. This verse highlights the importance of self-realisation and wisdom in guiding actions.
In order to truly understand the accumulation and eradication of karmas within consciousness, one must first grasp the essence of karma itself. Karma is not a physical entity, but rather a construct of emotions and thoughts that stem from ignorance. Knowledge is the key to unlocking the chains of karma, not by directly destroying it, but by dispelling ignorance. Just as light dispels darkness, knowledge eradicates the foundation on which karmas thrive, leading to the dissolution of karmic bondage.
By eliminating ignorance, the root cause of karmic entanglement is severed, allowing individuals to break free from the cycle of karma. Understanding the nature of karma and the role of knowledge in dismantling ignorance is crucial in achieving liberation from karmic bondages.
Ignorance leads us to believe that we are the doers of actions, when in reality, all actions belong to a higher power. With the removal of ignorance, the illusion of being the doer fades away, leading to the dissolution of karmas. Knowledge acts as a light that dispels darkness, allowing us to see through the illusion of the ego.
A wise person, free from the feeling of being the doer, experiences karma like lines drawn on water – impermanent and easily washed away. In contrast, an ignorant person holds onto karmas like lines drawn on stone, creating deep wounds. By transcending the ego and realising the truth of non-doership, one can break free from the cycle of karmic bondage.
The mind of an ignorant person is likened to a photographic plate, capturing and holding onto everything it encounters. This deep attachment stems from a lack of knowledge, causing a firm grasp on past, present, and future experiences. However, with the light of knowledge, the grip loosens, transforming the mind into a reflective mirror that does not retain any images.
In the presence of wisdom, individuals can break the cycle of karma by transcending the need to cling onto past actions. Understanding that it is the doer who accumulates karmas allows individuals to free themselves from unnecessary attachments. Just like a line of majestic herons gracefully soaring over a glistening lake at dawn, their snowy white wings glinting in the warm sunlight, casting fleeting reflections upon the tranquil waters below. Unbeknownst to the elegant birds, their mirrored image lingers momentarily within the rippling surface, a breathtaking scene unnoticed by both the herons and the serene lake.
These fleeting moments of beauty often go unseen, echoing the intricate dance of nature’s wonders unfolding around us. True wisdom lies in letting go of past experiences and embracing the present moment with a clear and empty mind.
Krishna’s emphasis on focusing on the doer rather than actions underscores the importance of self-realisation and wisdom. By acting from a place of self-awareness and inner knowing, one can burn away all reactions to material activities in the fire of self-realisation.
Wisdom, rooted in personal experience and realisation, transcends mere knowledge. While knowledge can be influenced or challenged, wisdom remains unshakable. Like a tree with deep roots, wisdom sustains itself and is not dependent on external sources.
The ultimate knowledge lies within oneself. By connecting with the inner master and acting from a place of wisdom, one can overcome the illusions of the ego and karmic bondages. Krishna’s guidance to Arjuna serves as a reminder to act from a place of inner knowing, allowing the fire of knowledge to burn away all reactions to material activities.
The Bhagavad Gita Verse 4.37 highlights the transformative power of self-realisation and wisdom in freeing oneself from the cycle of karmic bondages. By acting from a place of inner knowing and transcending the ego, one can burn away all reactions to material activities in the fire of self-realisation.
Tags: Self-Wisdom
