Miscellaneous - Religion   

State of Stitaprajna

CHENNAI: Knowledge and modesty are inseparable in an enlightened soul. Enlightenment is attained when one identifies one's soul with the eternal reality and detaches oneself from worldly objects.

The oft-referred characteristics of the Stitaprajna (one possessing steadfast wisdom) described at great length by Lord Krishna to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita contain valuable guidelines for those desirous of practising meditation, said Sunanda in a lecture.

For the mind to become eligible to be engaged in unwavering meditation on the eternal truth, two essential conditions are necessary — a clear understanding of what is the higher aspect of life and getting involved in the act of meditation.

Sometimes when knowledge is attained, if the will to meditate is lacking, then there is no progress. A medical practitioner who remains a chain smoker in spite of knowing the harmful effects of smoking illustrates that self-discipline is not a matter of intelligence but a matter of will and emotions.

Meditation is like hitting the bull's eye. It is arduous and requires much preparation and concentration. Without concentration this cannot be achieved. One has to learn to concentrate. Then one qualifies to meditate.

Meditation leads to the grasp of the truth of the ultimate reality when one is able to overcome the delusions that affect mankind — partial understanding or misunderstanding of the scriptures arising from various schools of thought and interpretations, good and bad results, best and worst effects, etc.

A realised soul remains indifferent to all these and does not expect reward for all actions performed, at present or in future, accepting what comes his way and neither rejoices nor is sad. There is neither attachment nor repulsion, neither desire nor dislike. The individual feels bliss from the realisation of the Atma within.

One can turn away from objects of senses physically. Yet if the yearning continues within one's mind, the renunciation is false. One has to relinquish all yearnings for sense objects in the inner self and remain above temptations, selfish aims or personal hopes. Integrity of mind and self-discipline are the hallmarks of the Stitaprajna. In the Bhagavad Gita, the process of self-realisation is dramatised.

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