Life Is Mystery – In Gita Verse 4.38 In this world, there is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge. Such knowledge is the mature fruit of all mysticism. And one who has become accomplished in the practice of devotional service enjoys this knowledge within himself in due course of time.
In Bhagavad Gita Verse 4.38, the emphasis is on the purity and transformative power of transcendental knowledge. It highlights the significance of knowledge in purifying the mind and leading to liberation. Knowledge is described as the highest form of purity and the ultimate fruit of mysticism. It is through the practice of devotional service that one can truly experience this profound knowledge within oneself over time.
There is nothing superior to knowledge. No source can purify as knowledge does. Knowledge is liberation and nectar. Krishna speaks of the purifying and transformative power of knowledge. He emphasises three key points: knowledge is unrivalled, purifying, and leads one to the soul. Let us explore these points individually.
What is impurity? It is a desire. As soon as desire arises, impurity enters the mind. Desire fills the mind with filth, fever, and unrest. Desires lead to comparisons, jealousy, and violence. Desires bring conflict, animosity, anger, and hatred. Even if desires are fulfilled, or not, they lead to sorrow.
Knowledge has the power to cleanse impurities. As knowledge descends, desires disappear. Existence replaces desires, and one becomes existential. Instead of desiring, one becomes accepting and grateful for what they have. Knowledge frees one from the burden of comparison, competition, and jealousy. It brings contentment, satisfaction, and a clean mind.
By living in the moment, one transcends desires and embraces what is. Tears of happiness and tears of sorrow both come from the same source, but the mind’s state changes their nature. Knowledge cleanses us from desires and leads to a sense of satisfaction and contentment.
It is crucial to comprehend the significance of the final point. It delves into the depths of the soul, merging one’s being with it, discovering the doorway within, transforming into the soul itself – the knower. Are we not all souls? This truth is echoed in various scriptures. Krishna himself proclaims the eternal existence of the soul within every being. If we are all souls, what more knowledge do we require?
Krishna emphasises that only those who possess knowledge can truly understand the soul. Knowledge is the essence of the soul. What then is the meaning of ignorance regarding the existence of the soul? Can mere hearsay hold any value?
While we may acknowledge the presence of a soul within us, the distinction between us and the enlightened lies in the awareness of this truth. Ignorance equates to non-existence, highlighting the vast disparity between knowing and not knowing. Until we acquire knowledge, the assertion of having a soul remains a fallacy, deceiving none other than ourselves.
In this land, the teachings of Krishna, Buddha, Mahavira, Patanjali, Shankar, and many other wise sages have been heard. This should have been a blessing, yet it has turned into a curse. Merely echoing their words without true understanding leads to a false sense of enlightenment. Let us strive to attain genuine knowledge and grasp the essence of our souls.
Life is a mystery to be lived, not a problem to be solved. Allow me to illustrate this with a tale: In a kingdom, a great prime minister died, leaving a void that needed to be filled. Three candidates were chosen to compete for the position: a scientist, a philosopher, and a religious man. The emperor set up a mathematical puzzle with no key, challenging them to find the solution.
The scientist immediately started working on experiments, the philosopher tried to solve the puzzle using logic, while the religious man remained calm and prayed. Surprisingly, the religious man left the room first, as he realised the door was never locked. He understood that life is not a problem to be solved, but an experience to be lived.
The story highlights the different approaches to life – the scientist representing experimentation, the philosopher representing logic, and the religious man representing faith. In the end, it was faith that led to the solution, showing that sometimes the answers we seek are simpler than we think. Life is not a puzzle to be solved, but a journey to be embraced with trust and openness.
Krishna teaches that only through transcending knowledge and experiencing the present moment can one understand the mystery of life. Life is not a riddle to be solved but a mystery to be lived. Trust, faith, and awareness of the present moment are key to transcending knowledge and finding true wisdom.
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