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Nature of the self

CHENNAI: The truth of existence lies beyond the knowledge gained from books or learnt from scholars and is only realised in the consciousness. This realisation leads to bliss. The liberated soul who is aware of the Truth has the mind and desires under control.

The Yoga Vasishta, a philosophical text in the form of a dialogue between Sage Vasishta and Lord Rama when the young prince began to feel a surge of Vairagya at a tender age, stresses the importance of Atma Vichara (enquiry into the nature of the self), said Sri Mani Dravida Sastrigal in a lecture.

The more one surfs the depths of one's soul, the more one feels endless joy and permanent bliss arising from the knowledge of the immortality of the self. This offsets the impermanence of all worldly objects, causing the self to dissociate itself from the world. Attainment of Moksha (liberation/bliss of Brahman) is possible through the knowledge of the self. Peace of mind (Shanti), contentment (Santosha), association with the wise (Satsang) and quest for self (Vichara) are the four sentinels who guard the gates of Moksha, and entry is possible if one befriends at least one of them.

Probing the nature of the self throws the spotlight on the essence of all philosophical debates and enables one to see things in darkness or brave blinding brightness — both of which are ineffective to the divine eyes. When righteousness and integrity gain significance, the actual ratings for worldly perceptions stand discounted. The awareness of the Absolute not only gives freedom from the cycle of births but also helps to maintain an equanimity of mind at all times.

The value of contentment is extolled as great wealth by itself. It is a state of mind when one is not attracted to anything since one finds joy within. No sorrows pertaining to the world can affect in any way. Contentment is that state of mind where there is no desire for anything that one does not get, and one is happy with what is obtained. One is free from greed and danger of any kind because one does not claim any ownership over anything or person. The mind enjoys a unique inner peace.

Association with the wise is profitable to those in search of liberation, for one gets the necessary initiative and motivation to pursue this path in spite of its arduousness.

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