VERSE 51:
BAAHYA-ANITYA-SUKHAA-SAKTIM
HITVA-AATMA-SUKHA-NIRVRITAH
GHATA-STHA-DEEPA-VAT SHASHVAT
ANTAH EVA PRAKAASHATE
(Attachment for the fleeting joys of the outer world – after having
renounced these, and contented with the bliss derived from the Self, as a lamp
placed inside a jar, forever shines
inwardly alone within himself.)
All joy is experienced within, not
in the objects. However, because the joys are triggered by various tempting
objects in the world, they are referred to as “fleeting joys of the world”.
In truth, even that which we
experience as sensual pleasure comes only from the Self but it is reflected via
the body’s mental equipment.
Giving up the external objects,
the Yogi finds his joy directly in the Self, the spring of all joy.
“Ghatastha Deepavat” Lamp in a Jar Simile
The most important part of this
simile is that the light is placed inside an opaque pot and hence cannot be
seen from outside. This is supposed to teach us that the state of joy of the liberated sage is not something
that others can know. It is deep in his heart and will always remain there.
Externally, the sage may appear to
be a very busy person, if his Prarabdha Karma is to be such, but inwardly he is
always centred in his Self.
That gives him the poise and equanimity, which are
described in the Geeta as the essential qualities of a Sthitaprajna, the sage
of steady wisdom.
Only the sage knows
how much he is enjoying the state of inner bliss. It cannot be fathomed from
outside. This is the special message given by this simile.
Does another Jivanmukta know that
state? There is a Tamil saying, “The route taken by a snake is known only to
another snake!” This suggests that, yes, another Jivanmukta will appreciate the
state of a Jivanmukta.
If both of them are actually conscious of everything
else as their own Self, then surely this is not difficult to accept. There are,
nevertheless, many clues by which a Jivanmukta’s inner state may be deduced.
Earlier, we studied how a light placed in a pot illuminates things
around, but this verse goes deeper. It is not about illuminating outside but it’s
about illumination. In our self-development it is just “being”. For one who is
enlightened, there is only light.
The lamp referred in this verse, the Bliss of SELF or Pure existence or
Atman, is lit within ever. It is the light which shines without the need of a vessel ( our body), oil ( our karma) and wick ( our mind).
It is only that when our ego manifest, it brings attachment/hatred,
Raaga/Dvesha in our mind, and this attachment/hatred then cloud our SELF, make
us ignore/forget that we are verily the light that shines within.
Once a sadhaka, through untiring sadhana, transcends these Raaga/Dvesha,
he experiences the illumined SELF within his heart!!
His detachment, his reactions, his calmness, and his absence of any sense cravings, etc, all speak without words of his majestic inner state as Emperor of his inner kingdom.
Love
