Emptiness Is Beautiful – In Gita Verse 18.51-53 Being purified by his intelligence and controlling the mind with determination, giving up the objects of sense gratification, being freed from attachment and hatred, one who lives in a secluded place, who eats little, who controls his body, mind and power of speech, who is always in trance and who is detached, free from false ego, false strength, false pride, lust, anger, and acceptance of material things, free from false proprietorship, and peaceful – such a person is certainly elevated to the position of self-realisation.
In Bhagavad Gita Verses 18.51-53, Krishna elucidates the characteristics of a person who has attained self-realisation. The emphasis is on purification of the intellect, control of the mind, and detachment from worldly desires and emotions. This discourse provides a blueprint for achieving a state of inner peace and unity with the divine.
Krishna highlights the importance of being free from jealousy and competition. As long as one harbours desires or engages in competition, they are still tethered to the material world. The scarcity of resources and the abundance of desires fuel conflicts. In the realm of the divine, however, there is no need for such struggles. God is not divided by the number of devotees, and divine love is infinite and unbounded.
The Upanishads echo this sentiment, stating that even if one takes from the complete, the complete remains. This underscores the inexhaustible nature of divine abundance. Therefore, one should not be anxious or fearful.
Krishna also speaks of the necessity of pure intelligence. An intellect clouded by thoughts is impure, akin to a flame surrounded by smoke. Pure intelligence is free from such obstructions, allowing for clear and untainted perception.
Solitude and a pure environment are also essential. When one relinquishes the sense of being a doer and abandons thoughts, inner solitude emerges. People often seek the company of others out of fear of being alone. However, true solitude is a precursor to being with God, as it is an integral part of one’s inner life and connection to the divine.
A person who enjoys solitude, maintains a pure lifestyle, and controls their mind, speech, and body is well on the path to renunciation. Strong renunciation is not about escaping from minor troubles but about fully experiencing life’s pains and sorrows, allowing one’s aspirations to diminish to zero. Only through this process does one become worthy of divine union.
Krishna emphasises the importance of continuous meditation and yoga. Every action, whether it is eating, walking, or speaking, should be infused with mindfulness. This constant state of meditation leads to supreme devotion and union with the divine essence of Sachchidanandaghan Brahma.
Attaining unity with the divine requires giving up ego, force, pride, lust, anger, and attachment. One must be calm and free from worldly attachments to achieve this state. The readiness to receive God is paramount. People often question how to find God, but the real question is how to become worthy of God. Worthiness leads to divine realisation.
Philosophers seek to discover whether God exists, while religious individuals focus on their own eligibility. This distinction is crucial. Philosophers may never find what they seek, but those who purify themselves and achieve inner virginity will naturally encounter the divine.
Krishna elucidates the concept of living in a state of emptiness, a notion frequently misconstrued. Emptiness, in its true essence, is a state of beauty. It should not be equated with laziness or inactivity; rather, it is characterised by the absence of mental clutter and desires. Genuine emptiness serves as a sacred workshop, not a breeding ground for negativity. It is within this space that one can attain profound joy and tranquillity.
To attain this state, one must have the courage to embrace emptiness and the joy it brings. This is what Krishna calls sannyas – not an escape but an engagement with the unclouded sky of consciousness. Over time, one realises that emptiness is not devoid of content but is full of peace, silence, and light.
In this state, dualities dissolve. Emptiness becomes fullness, and one transcends opposites such as happiness and misery. This is the state of buddhahood, the realisation Gautam Siddhartha achieved under the bodhi tree. A master guides one to this inner emptiness, the inner temple of silence.
Krishna categorises people into two types: those who try to fill their inner emptiness with material possessions and those who embrace it. The former remain frustrated and unfulfilled, while the latter find joy and divinity in their emptiness. Meditation is the practice of looking into one’s emptiness, welcoming it, and experiencing its divine beauty.
Krishna’s teachings in these verses provide a comprehensive guide to achieving self-realisation. By purifying the intellect, embracing solitude, practising continuous meditation, and relinquishing worldly attachments, one can attain unity with the divine and experience the fullness of inner emptiness.
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