The last entry that was posted is a bit incomprehensible and difficult for some people but is a subject worth discussing and spending time on. Its concept, understanding and crystallization asks more of our attention and time. Therefore, I decided to explain the idea of this baffling theme in some more detail in this post.
In Upanishadas, the rishis have often given a metaphor to explain the dilemma that humans face when they spend their lifetime here on this earth. As we are prone to get enticed and deluded by the illusion of happiness created by greed, passion and lust inside us, we fall in a trap of bondage of our own karmas. They explain that in a desert there is a mirage created by physical phenomenon. The thirsty deer sees the shiny false water and tries to quench his thirst by it. He runs for a short distance to drink water till a point the water disappears. The mirage shifts ahead. He further runs after it aiming at the shimmering glaze which creates an illusion of water. He now runs until this point to again find the water vanishing. This goes on till a stage arrives where the deer falls down tired, more thirsty, parched and disappointed.
Humans face a similar situation. We run after position, status, money, people, things and so many other ephemeral things without ever understanding that our whole life can be spent chasing things which can never satisfy our lust, passion and greed. Hindus call this trishna, a desire that can never be fulfilled. Mrig means deer, hence the word used is mrig trishna which means illusion. Bhagwan Buddha stressed that trishna or desire is the root cause of our suffering and the cause of many incarnations.
So what is mirage?
That which is not; that which does not have its own existence; that which looks real but is nonexistence; to believe such a thing to be real; to be charmed by such an unreal entity and phenomenon and most of all to run after such a false impression is mirage or illusion.
This sansara is fleeting, brief and transitory and is in constant movement. There is a continuous change occurring in prakriti, nature. When prakriti is undergoing changes it goes unnoticed by our eyes. After the process of transformation is completed, it is visible to our eyes.
The gyani or knower discriminates and distinguishes, after that separates the two following things:-
- Perishable World or Inconstant Reality called Prakriti
- Immortal World or Constant Reality called Purush
The Perishable World consists of the tangible five elements as seen in the prakriti, nature or the physical world. We can see it, touch it, taste it, feel and smell it. We can comprehend it by the mind and intellect. However, such things have a limited time span or duration. The gyani or knower knowing that this alluring worldly charm or maya and its attraction is like a shadow and not worth chasing it. He therefore wishes to acquire something that is not short lived, does not give grief or sorrow and above all, does not compel him to attach or bind him in a compulsive way. He goes for freedom and lasting happiness instead of bondage and suffering.
The knower has realized through his life experiences and spiritual knowledge that the external world will never remain in its original state and shall constantly transform its content, shape and form. Therefore, he does not fall prey to the false glitter and charm of the physical world. Neither is the gyani sorrowful at the loss or death of the unreal things of the physical world since his mind is not captured by outside illusory attractions. He knows that whatever is born must one day perish.
The explanation of this philosophy as well as it application will be elaborated later in the following post.
Immortal World – That which is immortal, never changing, everlasting, incorruptible and intangible; that which resides in us as pure light is constant and never changing. It does not die or reborn. There is no change or transformation and that light gives us unadulterated joy, enthusiasm, energy, creativity, knowledge, tranquility and pure happiness.
Those who desire the ultimate and lasting peace of mind go after it. And at the end of many, many reincarnations, the Soul is able to discover and acquire that immutable, permanent source of hidden power, joy and calmness. The search and quest of man’s lasting happiness and peace in the outside world ends here. Understanding and realization dawns on the seeker that the source and origin of sorrow, anguish, conflict, grief and disappointment is because of wandering aimlessly in this transient world and the real source of perpetual bliss is found within oneself. Immense Joy is found is pursuing and eventually discovering that Divine Light and Divine Wisdom within and never in chasing trifle things.
How should one get disinterest or detached from the illusory maya or the transitory world?
By having the right view; by seeing the actual state of things as they are.
How?
By shifting the focus and mind’s attention from temporary to everlasting element.
By awareness- By being aware throughout the day. What do we think all the day? What goes on behind our current thoughts is our sansara. That is the subconscious mind, our world. Try to eliminate and exterminate those recurring thoughts by various spiritual and yogic activities and in their place gradually sow seeds of divine thoughts by reflection, introspection and contemplation on God. The old thoughts of sansara will dissolve and perish with regular practices. At the end of many lives or incarnations, our efforts bear fruit and we eventually experience God as Light, peace, knowledge and Ananda. Patience is the key word!!
The restless and wandering mind at last stops and comes to a final rest. It does not stir unnecessary and is immersed in seeking and remembrance of God. Once it is completely dissolved, the seeker loves to drink the nectar from the sweet waters of Holy Springs within!! In Bhagwat Geeta, this unrivaled joy is termed as ‘Ati Indriya Ananda’ which means joy and happiness which is derived without the use of senses. All the scriptures confirm that this state of being is our real nature. It has love, joy and indescribable peace and periods of thoughtlessness and silence.
The purpose of human life is achieved when we bring to an end our sorrows and sufferings with our own diligent efforts. If we discover God and Light of Wisdom within our selves, the fear of death, unhappiness, grief, sorrow and disease is eradicated forever. The scriptures call this state of being as ‘ Muktidham, Paramdham or Mokshadham.
Aunty, when you write that-“The purpose of human life is achieved when we bring to an end our sorrows and sufferings with our own diligent efforts. If we discover God and Light of Wisdom within our selves, the fear of death, unhappiness, grief, sorrow and disease is eradicated forever”. Can it be understood in a way that if we get to face unbearable difficulties ,unhappiness and sorrow in a shorter span of time,it could be a test for our spiritual abilities??
Garima, read all your comments seriously. My only answer is that when you have submitted yourself completely at the holy feet of your Guru, is it wise to take some actions on your own and then regretting because those actions were born out of lack of clarity of thought and hardness of mind?
The seeker can never cross his or own Maya alone, always remember this. Guidance, spiritual guidance is required at every step especially in tardy, uncontrollable situations. If you take your own actions without much consultation, then the reactions are yours.
The seeker cannot go in the thick waters of rough water out of stubborness and then cry for help!!! Why go in the middle of deep flowing water and then drown?????Think!!
This Maya is like the high tide of the sea, you should take the help of an expert swimmer. The rest is to be assumed and understood my dear child.
Love always
Sarika Aunty
ohm namo bhagavade vasudevaya..
pranam ma..
understood the post about the prakriti and purush.
still i have question remaining,
▲What is the reason lord choose the souls initially ( in the creation time-) to get in to the body as human even he knows the people can fall in to the very strong maya through his senses and as result he will be in ignorance ?
▲ When the soul comes to a new body in a new life (rebirth), as a small child he or she cannot rememebr their past and the karmas(Prarabdh) they have, then why the children get murdered, getting birth as blind, deaf..etc and so so on..
▲ While i am doing karma, which act or result good to one man and equally bad for another man, how it will affect me ma ? ( will both good and bad karma be added in to the karma pool ?)
if you feel the questions are relavant please clear me, pls clear me if i am wrong too..
i doesnt mean to question the law of lord or gurus, but to make it clear to myself as well as to others too.
thanks a lot.
with love,
Midhun Pk
These paras are worth pondering upon:
” Understanding and realization dawns on the seeker that the source and origin of sorrow, anguish, conflict, grief and disappointment is because of wandering aimlessly in this transient world and the real source of perpetual bliss is found within oneself. Immense Joy is found is pursuing and eventually discovering that Divine Light and Divine Wisdom within and never in chasing trifle things. ”
” How should one get disinterest or detached from the illusory maya or the transitory world?
By awareness- By being aware throughout the day. What do we think all the day? What goes on behind our current thoughts is our sansara. That is the subconscious mind, our world. Try to eleminate and exterminate those recurring thoughts by various spiritual and yogic activities and in their place gradually sow seeds of divine thoughts by reflection, introspection and contemplation on God. The old thoughts of sansara will dissolve and perish with regular practices.
At the end of many lives or incarnations, our efforts bear fruit and we eventually experience God as Light, peace, knowledge and Ananda. Patience is the key word !! ”
May all eligible readers/those who are ripe enough,experience ‘Ati Indriya Ananda’ .
Om Shanti, shanti, shanti <3
Shahid, practice this-
How should one get disinterest or detached from the illusory maya or the transitory world?
By awareness- By being aware throughout the day. What do we think all the day? What goes on behind our current thoughts is our sansara. That is the subconscious mind, our world. Try to eleminate and exterminate those recurring thoughts by various spiritual and yogic activities and in their place gradually sow seeds of divine thoughts by reflection, introspection and contemplation on God. The old thoughts of sansara will dissolve and perish with regular practices.
There are 3 things according to Patanjali Maharishi in Ashtangyoga- Dhyana, Dharana, Samadhi.
When we are in deep concentration of a thought, image or idea for a very long duration, that becomes our dharana, our belief. Dhyana become dharana. Dharana also means to accept or imbibe something. By constant remembrance of God over a very long period of time, it become our belief, our consciousness. Hence, practice remembrance all the time until you realize God in your whole being.
Mom
Thank you dear mom, shall practice this.
Thanks for explaining ” mrig trishna ” and ” Ati indriya ananda ” with most suitable expamples. Pranam to all guru’s. ✿