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Path to self-realisation

CHENNAI : A proper understanding of the paths of Karma, Jnana and Bhakti yogas expounded in the Bhagavad Gita is the key that opens the path to liberation. Arjuna's confusion over Lord Krishna's endorsement of what appears to be contradictory — renunciation of deeds and their unselfish performance — is one that echoes in all individuals, said Sri Ramana Chaitanya in a lecture.

Lord Krishna says that the two are not contradictory and while both lead to the soul's salvation, the latter is better for its practicability to a great majority of people. The former (Sanyasa) requires spiritual enlightenment and this is a quality of the mind gained through self-realisation. This is possible only for realised souls and difficult for those who do not have a pure frame of mind. But the path of Karma Yoga purifies the mind, and aids contemplation and meditation. In this path, one has to perform actions in the right attitude and this leads to purification in the heart. The advice is to engage in action without any personal sense of responsibility (without the sense that the ego is acting), dedicating all actions to God. Even when one acts, the belief should be that someone else is acting on one's behalf. This attitude is sure to lead one towards self-realisation.

But any impediments in this path? Tendencies in individuals (Vasanas) cause confusion regarding the agency of action, drawing one to the world. The mind is the seat of emotions and when it is constantly seeking something there is no progress. When one acts with expectations there is confusion, turmoil and restlessness. The idea of success makes one happy and the fear of failure doubtful. The mind plays an important role in subduing the senses. So it has to be trained with proper education. The intellect helps to discriminate between what is proper and otherwise; but the mind has to be held in check to be able to act according to the dictates of the purified intellect. If one acts sincerely and honestly and is able to say all actions are for the sake of God, the results are less severe. Tremendous effort is required to act without identifying with the ego.

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