Verse 54
With constant self-effort, relative peace in the
mind is to
One who has read well, reflected upon and
understood the theme of the Absolute Reality as discussed in the Scriptures, is
indicated here by the term "Brahma-Bhootah."
(This is stated by Chinmayananda, which
would be further taken up and explored ( the state of one who has understood and beyond that, also experienced ,later in this post )
To the extent an intellect realizes the
existence of the divine aspect in it, and so automatically withdraws its
all-out clinging to the matter-realm, to that extent it is not disturbed by the
objects of perception, feeling and thought. Thus it discovers a growing
tranquility (Prasannaatmaa) within itself.
Thereby he discovers in himself the courage to
stand apart, both from grief and desire. He grieves not (Na Shochati) because he feels no incompleteness in himself, as he
used to feel in the earlier days of his arrogant ego.
Naturally, such a person grieves not in life
desires not (Na Kaankshati) for the
possession of anything to make his happiness complete.
Swami Chinmayananda describes how such a being
exists as a true devotee, thus:-
“The previous verse indicated the methods of
detachment
and it was said that he who has accomplished
them in his inner composition is the only one who is capable of striving for
and succeeding in a true identification with the play of the Infinite in and
through the finite. The expansiveness of vision, the catholicity of love and
the release from sense preoccupation --- all these are necessary in order to
produce in the seeker, supreme love for the Lord. There is yet another stage in
one's pilgrimage to Truth.”
“Such a
devotee or aspirant attains supreme devotion to Me. The fourth or the highest
of the four kinds of devotion mentioned in verse 16 of chapter VII”
Swami explains 4
kinds of devotees referred above, in Gita
Vahini
Quote Swami
“The four Types of
Devotees
The
first type is one who prays to the Lord when he is in difficulty or undergoing
trials and tribulations. It is only at such times that he thinks of the Lord
and worships him.
The
second type is one who entreats the Lord for the blessings of wealth, position
and power. He prays to the Lord for progeny and long life and yearns to gain
houses, property, cattle, gold, jewels and such things to serve his fellow man.
The
third type of devotee is ever engaged in inquiry into truth. He constantly
seeks to know, 'Where is God? Who is God? How can I reach God? What is my
relationship to God? Who am I?'
Finally, when you have fully absorbed the teachings
within yourself, you leave this stage behind and become the fourth type of
devotee, the highest knower of truth, the one of abiding wisdom. This wisdom is
true spiritual knowledge, the transcendental knowledge. It refers to the
experience of unity, the experience of the One without a second.”
Unquote
(Source -
SAI BABA GITA)
Now, the author
would share glimpses on “Brahma bhootah,
Knower of Brahman, existing as Pure Devotee”, from his own, actual state of
There is nothing
like merely Knowing Brahman. Brahman cannot be known as we know all other
things in this world (Objects)
Knower of Brahman is
realizing Brahman within myself as my “SELF”
One would have been
devoted to God (Sai, in the case of author), prior to realizing Brahman, but
that devotion is duality, i.e., keeping Sai separate from me and being devoted
to Sai)
Upon realizing, the
duality ends in all aspects, including the jiva and Brahman, including Bhakta
and Bhagwan.
How is devotion, then??
He still worships,
he still remains at Lord’s lotus feet, he still sings Sai’s glory but what is
the difference now?
Prior to realizing
SELF, duality is there, so, God/SAI is perceived only in form.
Now, even in the form of SAI, what is experienced?
BRAHMAN, (FORMLESS, ATTRIBUTE LESS, ETERNAL EXISTENCE + AWARENESS
OF ETERNAL EXISTENCE, INFINITE, CHANGELESS, AS ETERNAL EXISTENCE CANNOT BE
SUBJECT TO CHANGE), is the state of experience and in that state,
how only Sai's form can be excluded???
What can be a higher
state of devotion, where, one actually experiences Bhagwan actually as Bhagwan
(without maya, without any form assumed by Bhagwan)?
Such a being, upon
realizing Brahman, may even shed tears on reading leelas of God, his voice may choke
while describing divine experience, but still, he is perfectly in terms
with the Absolute Reality of God as Pure Consciousness, beyond manifest and
un-manifest.
This is the Truth, This
is the Truth.
Love.
