The Rebel – In Gita Verse 18.32 That understanding which considers irreligion to be religion and religion to be irreligion, under the spell of illusion and darkness, and strives always in the wrong direction, O Pārtha, is in the mode of ignorance.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Verse 18.32, Krishna addresses Arjuna, emphasising the nature of intellect that is shrouded in ignorance. This Tamasic intellect, under the influence of illusion and darkness, misinterprets unrighteousness as righteousness and vice versa. Such an intellect is characterised by its persistent misdirection and inability to discern the correct path.
The Tamasic mind, dominated by ignorance, perceives unrighteousness as religion. A person overwhelmed by Tamas exhibits a distorted understanding of reality. They mistake darkness for light and light for darkness, life for death, and death for life. Their perception is entirely inverted, akin to performing a headstand where everything appears upside down. This inversion is a manifestation of intense ego, which thrives on contradiction and opposition.
Tamas is essentially an intellect that opposes what is necessary and embraces what is detrimental. When dealing with individuals under the influence of Tamas, it is crucial to exercise considerable understanding and patience. Efforts to rectify their behaviour often risk exacerbating the situation due to their inherent resistance to proper guidance.
Ego, driven by a Tamasic nature, is primarily concerned with victory rather than happiness, peace, or liberation. This egoistic drive leads to futile conflicts, such as those between spouses, where both parties are more focused on winning than achieving mutual understanding or harmony. Such conflicts could have been opportunities for growth and salvation, but instead, they only amplify misery.
Changing a person of Tamasic nature is an arduous task. One must be cautious and deliberate when interacting with them, avoiding direct confrontation about their duties or responsibilities. Arjuna, as addressed by Krishna, serves as an archetype of the disciple who must navigate these challenges with wisdom.
The Tamasic intellect loses its capacity for sound judgement and logical reasoning, leading to a state of ignorance. Ignorance, in this context, is not merely a lack of knowledge but an absence of awareness. It is a state akin to sleepwalking, where actions are performed without conscious awareness. This darkness of ignorance is the root cause of delusions and false perceptions.
Krishna teaches that true remedy lies not in accumulating knowledge but in awakening one’s consciousness. Knowledge alone can become an addiction, adding layers of information without transforming the individual’s being. The solution to ignorance and suffering is an awakened, powerful, and aware state of being. Without this awakening, one remains lost, whether in ignorance or in the illusion of knowledge.
For Krishna, the absence of awareness is akin to darkness. True rebellion, in his view, requires a balance of awareness, alertness, and compassion. This rebellion is not a reaction against society but an action for the creation of something new. It is a conscious, deliberate act that stems from one’s inner light and intelligence.
The distinction between a nonconformist and a rebel is significant. A nonconformist reacts out of anger, ego, and violence, often opposing society without a clear purpose. In contrast, a rebel acts with balance and awareness, creating new paths rather than simply opposing the old. The rebel’s life is dangerous and challenging, but it is a life of true freedom and authenticity.
The rebel rejects the past’s constraints, living each moment with fresh consciousness. This continuous process of rebellion involves dying to the past to embrace the present fully. Unlike the revolutionary, who is conditioned by past ideologies and merely shifts from one form of conformity to another, the rebel remains unconditioned and free.
To Krishna, being a rebel is the essence of true religiosity. It is a life lived according to one’s own light, learning from mistakes and growing wiser with each experience. This path of rebellion is the only authentic way to live religiously, as it fosters genuine understanding and humaneness.
Krishna’s teaching emphasises that there is no higher authority than one’s own awakened consciousness. This inner light is the true guide, and living in accordance with it is the path to true freedom and fulfilment.
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