Atma Bodha - Post 9

Verse 3.

अविरोधितया कर्म नाविद्यां विनिवर्तयेत् ।

विद्याविद्यां निहन्त्येव तेजस्तिमिरसङ्घवत् ॥ ३॥

AVIRODHITAYAA KARMA NAA VIDYAAM VINIVARTAYET
VIDYAAVIDYAAM NIHANTYEVA TEJASTIMIRA SANGHAVAT

(Action cannot destroy ignorance, for it is not in conflict with or opposed to ignorance. Knowledge does verily destroy ignorance as light destroys deep darkness.)

In the previous sloka, we learnt that like the fire that can only cook food, the knowledge only can lead to liberation. In this sloka, Sankara is answering another doubt that may arise for a seeker as to why it is not possible for austerities and discipline to liberate one and why is it that only knowledge can lead to realization? 

Sri Sankaracharya must have given this question serious thought before arriving at his conclusion to the contrary. Even considering the startling achievements of action in the external world, the answer Sankaracharya comes up with is to still place knowledge above action. 

Avidya / Ignorance

Ignorance is what pervades our entire life. Because of it, though essentially born divine, created by divinity as divine, we still get identified with the body. 

We then perform actions to take care of this body. These become our central preoccupation. 

Kama Karma  

Very soon, we will include actions that arise purely from the desires arising through our body identification. Soon we are engulfed in activities, all of which may be astounding in themselves but which do not take us a single step forward towards God.

When our actions are not fulfilling, we become unhappy. Another series of actions are started to make us happy in the world. That does not succeed. 

All this is because actions are rooted in ignorance; they are conceived in ignorance, governed by ignorance, mothered and fathered by ignorance, supported by ignorance how can it oppose ignorance when ignorance is so rooted in it? And how can a handmaid of ignorance be the cause of destroying ignorance? Actions are not in opposition to ignorance and can, therefore, never overcome ignorance.

Knowledge

We need to turn to something that is the ‘enemy’ of ignorance. That is knowledge. Anything that we DO will only strengthen our ignorance.

Since actions have identification with the Upaadhis as their basis, they will only strengthen our ignorance. On the other hand, knowledge is in direct opposition to ignorance. It is the only thing that stands a chance to destroy ignorance. If ignorance is the root of our bondage, then knowledge must surely be the only means to liberate us

That is the essence of this verse.

Example of Light Destroying Darkness:

A strikingly appropriate analogy is given by Sri Sankaracharya. If one has entered a cave and there is pitch black darkness, the only way to get rid of it is bring in some light, and the darkness vanishes instantly.

If people in the cave decide to try other methods what would happen? They may decide to “sweep away” the darkness. They get a broom for the purpose, but it does nothing to get rid of the darkness. 

Another suggestion they try is to “wash out” the darkness with water. That, too, fails hopelessly. Only light overcomes darkness because it is in direct opposition to it.

This is why it is knowledge alone that would help ultimately to get rid of the darkness of ignorance.

Truth gained by knowledge is our essential State

The knowledge that is here being discussed of is not something that can be gained new, but it is verily inherent in us. 

In the Taittriya Upanishad, a verse says that Brahman, as Sathyam, Jnanam and Anantam is discovered in the cave of one's heart.

It does not say the knowledge of Brahman is invented / gained afresh but it says, the knowledge is DISCOVERED.

  

It is one’s own nature and hence this knowledge of Self which is ever present can never be got as a result of any action. 

Hence no actions in the sense of direct cause and effect can lead to knowledge of the self.

Love.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Inherent Divinity

Baba always insists that the Atma is immanent in everyone. It is the spark of divinity, which gives every man light, love and joy.

In a beautiful discourse on the 11th of May, 1971, Baba said,

“The Divine Principle is the very core of man. Becoming aware of this Truth is the goal of life; it is the source of strength which is unfailing and irresistible. Close your eyes; you feel there is no one else here though there are thousands. If you suffer from cataract or worse still, if you are blind, you cannot realize this truth. So too, the Divine is here; before you, behind you, inside you, outside you and with you, and through intelligence you can recognize it. But you are either blind or diseased with defective vision or worse still, willfully inclined to close your eyes.”

Ref: “Sathya Sai Speaks” – Vol. XI, Chapter-22

Since Divinity is inherent in all, Baba always says that all have an opportunity for God-realization irrespective of gender, age or status. 

He says,

“There may be differences among men in physical strength, financial status, intellectual acumen, but all are equal in the eyes of God; all have the right and the potentiality to achieve the goal of merging in him. Note that everyone from the beggar to the billionaire is prompted by the urge to achieve Ananda, supreme bliss, based on inner peace, that is unaffected by ups and downs. Every activity is directed towards this objective.”

Love.

Atma Bodha - Post 8

Verse - 2 

  

बोधोऽन्यसाधनेभ्यो हि साक्षान्मोक्षैकसाधनम् ।

पाकस्य वह्निवज्ज्ञानं विना मोक्षो न सिध्यति ॥ २॥

BODHO ANYASAADHANEBHYO HI SAAKSHAAN MOKSHAIKA SAADHANAM
PAAKASYA VAANHIVAJ GYAANAM VINAA MOKSHO NA SIDHYATI

(Just as the fire is the direct cause for cooking, so without Knowledge no emancipation can be had. Compared with all other forms of discipline, Knowledge of the Self is the one direct means for liberation).

In the previous post having explained so much about the need for practice of austerity and self control etc. one may misunderstand from it that discipline alone may lead one to the goal. 

To remove any such misunderstandings, Sankara in this sloka states that knowledge alone is the one direct means of liberation through a very simple example.

Just as fire alone is the direct cause of cooking, knowledge alone can lead to liberation from all miseries. In cooking, items such as vegetables, spices, water pots, pans etc. are all contributory causes and by themselves can never constitute food. 

Fire alone can accomplish the cooking and hence the food. These articles are necessary, but it is the fire that actually cooks a meal. i.e. fire is the direct cause.

Similarly, the performance of rituals, control of mind, the study of the scriptures, the use of discriminating intellect etc. are all, no doubt helpful factors which aid in the spiritual growth but they do not by themselves directly lead one to liberation. 

The purpose of practice of austerities, rituals, giving of gifts, charity etc. is only the purification of the mind. The Sadhana Chatushtaya only creates a favorable mental state that is conductive to knowledge and thus only prepares the seeker for the knowledge. 

Thus such spiritual disciplines only train the aspirant to concentration and hence create necessary condition. But it is the knowledge alone that is ever present that can liberate one from the illusory duality and hence from all the miseries. 

Just as the fire that is the direct cause of cooking, knowledge is the direct cause of liberation. 

All the sadhanas are only to gain this ever present knowledge and strengthen it.

Hence Sankara in this verse is instructing that it is only by the true knowledge of one’s existence is realized, that liberation is possible. 

Note

The author has explained the truth of this verse through his own spiritual sadhana experience in an earlier post.

Though Bhakti sadhana or Yoga or even Karma or the path of action are all very useful in their own capacity, it has to be noted that the misery of a human being starts only when he is ignorant of the truth is that he is created by divine as divine and in this ignorance, he starts believing in his existence with Body, mind and Intellect as real existence.

Like for each disease, only certain prescribed treatment is required to cure the disease, the misery in human life caused due to IGNORANCE or AVIDYA or LACK OF KNOWLEDGE can only be cured by the JNANA that he is verily divine.

Whether one actually goes through the path of Jnana and is actually in the path of Devotion only with utmost sincerity, the culmination of true devotion is Jnana where, the true Jnana is the transcending of the duality between the devotee and his Lord. Jnana's culmination is only the removal of one's ego and merger with divine / pure consciousness.

Love.