Ignorance is caused due the lack of knowledge or education. Hence you start to assume what you think is right and you tend to do the wrong thing. This in turn makes you to face unfavorable situations in life. This may lead to anger, frustration and depression.
Everybody has to go through Gnana Yoga to get liberation. Krishna starts with Gnana Yoga to Arjuna. Krishna wants to talk about the nature of ‘Atma’ which is the spiritual component of everyone. Material part of everybody is called ‘Anathma’. Physical body, mind and world come under the material part ‘Anathma’. Behind the body mind complex is the invisible component for everyone which is ‘Atma’. Gnana Yoga portion can be grasped well if we grasp the following:-
- Success in Life is not only part of communication skill but requires listening skill which is called Shravanam in Sanskrit.
- Thinking and clearing your doubts or reflection on what you listen is required. This is Mananam.
- Dropping the false notion / misconception is called Nithithyasanam. Most powerful misconception is I am this body.
In slokas 12 and 13 in the 2nd Chapter Krishna talks about “Atma” and “Anathma”. “Atma” is a changeless principle and is immortal. “Anathma” (Body mind complex) is a changing principle both at micro and macro level and is mortal. We can see things are changing continuously and they bring favourable and unfavourable experiences. They are uncontrollable. Success in life is not controlling the world. It is nothing but preparing the mind for the flow of favourable and unfavourable experiences. We should use our freewill to contribute and not control. Keep doing what you can do. Mentally be prepared for both types of experiences coming and going. Even when an unfavourable experience is coming the silver lining is that this will also pass away.
Once you face a helpless situation tell Bhagawan; O Lord give me the willingness to go through without any resistance. Give me the serenity to accept what cannot be changed. ‘Titiksha’ is accepting deliberately where action has to be done and accepting what can’t be changed and avoiding impulsive reaction/ responses. Our stand is that we want double standard with regard to life.
Light alone can remove darkness. We have to remove ignorance by the light of knowledge. Krishna tells Arjuna that wise people do not grieve towards any human being and in any situation. We are contributors and we are not controllers. Grief immobilizes any one and makes him more and more inefficient. The essence of “Gita” is that sorrow is caused by ignorance. Wisdom is the solution to the problem of sorrow. From being ignorant one has to seek and go towards the path of knowledge. From samsara to Moga. Darkness to light.
“Bhagavad Gita” tell us the path for the removal of ignorance. It is like doing a surgery with a special needle dipped in Gnanam. Preparation is done by doing Karma yoga. Surgery is done by Gnana yoga. By this way we can remove ignorance or Attachment in our life.
Be blissful.
S.Sekar
Contact; sekrajc@yahoo.com
