Renounce The Passions – In Gita Verse 16.5 The transcendental qualities are conducive to liberation, whereas the demoniac qualities make for bondage. Do not worry, O son of Pāṇḍu, for you are born with the divine qualities.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna imparts profound wisdom to Arjuna, distinguishing the qualities that lead one towards liberation from those that bind the soul in chains. Amongst these teachings, as revealed in Verse 16.5, we uncover a significant assertion: the divine qualities inherent in us are the true path to liberation. Fear not, O son of Pandu, for these divine traits are your very nature.
In the realm of life’s mundane routines, three pillars stand firm to uphold the structure of spiritual evolution:
Renunciation of Passions: Ashtavakra’s dialogue with King Janak pierces the veil of ignorance with its simplicity. To seek liberation, one must view passions as poison. Indeed, our indulgences in desires and cravings continually lead us to cyclical suffering and death. Life, as most live it, is a testament to this enduring death – not the throbbing vitality it’s intended to be.
The Dichotomy of Bondage and Liberation: The intricate dance between being bound and being free is a conundrum that has confounded sages and seekers alike. Ashtavakra directs our gaze within, urging us to relinquish the venomous hold of anger, deceit, and cruelty. In their place, we should foster forgiveness, innocence, and compassion – the elixirs of eternal life.
The Quest for Wisdom: Janak’s inquiry, though seemingly simple, underscores a profound truth. Wisdom is not an accumulation of knowledge, but rather a state of being that unfurls when we witness the play of the elements without attachment. To be wise is to be the observing consciousness, untouched and pure.
Ashtavakra’s answer to Janak’s poignant questions on attaining wisdom, liberation, and non-attachment is distilled into a singular, potent remedy: Become the witness. In doing so, not only does one achieve wisdom and non-attachment, but liberation also naturally follows.
Imagine if Janak had chosen to seek wisdom through the mere accumulation of knowledge! He might have become an erudite scholar, but wisdom would have eluded him. Ashtavakra emphasises that wisdom blossoms through witnessing, non-attachment flowers, and liberation ensues.
So, embrace nectar-like qualities:
Forgiveness over anger,
Innocence over cunning,
Compassion over cruelty,
Contentment over restlessness, and
Truth over falsehood.
Understand that the material elements are not your identity. Realise that you are the illuminating consciousness, the observer of these elements, and in this realisation, liberation is instantaneous.
One does not need to traverse a long path to this truth; it is immediate; it is now. Rest in the consciousness that you are, beyond the constraints of body and mind. Relax into your divine essence, and here, in this restful awareness, happiness and peace are found – free from the bondage of worldly existence. For divinity is not a destination to reach; it is the core of your very being. Thus, Krishna reminds us – stop running, be still, and know that you are already what you seek.
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