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Search for truth

CHENNAI: The essential nature of the Supreme Being remains hidden from one’s perception. This mystification is due to its being veiled by the material nature of Maya. To transcend this veil one has to resign oneself to the His grace. Mere knowledge (Jnana) of these truths guarantees intellectual conviction alone. But when the Jivatma realises that this Jnana is an internalised experience, it is said to have attained the highest knowledge (Vijnana), said Sri N. Veezhinathan in a lecture. Attaining this spiritual discernment is the ultimate goal of human existence.

But when caught in the world of Samsara, it is difficult to pursue this goal and hence not many even strive towards it. Lord Krishna says that one in many thousands may attempt it and even among those who sincerely pursue it, perhaps a single Jivatma may come close to knowing the nature of the Supreme Being in total.

The Lord explains in concrete terms the subtle and elusive nature of the Absolute Reality. By His Prakriti, the eightfold composition of earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intellect and ego, He is cause of the entire universe, and it is His power that sustains all the manifold aspects of it and finally dissolves it within Himself. Yet He remains distinct from it and is not bound by the characteristics of the Prakriti. The Lord is the life giving essence in all beings. He is present as taste in water, the brightness in the sun and the moon, etc., and holds all the worlds intact just as a gold thread holds the pearls strung on it. He who is aware of this truth is a Kshetrajna.

The Lord makes it clear that one’s past deeds (good or bad) prompt every Jivatma to seek or turn away from this quest. Those who seek Him fall under four categories — those in distress (Draupadi, Prahlada, Gajendra, etc.) those who desire wealth (Indra, Vibhishana, Dhruva, etc.), those seeking spiritual discrimination (Janaka, Uddhava, etc.), and those who seek knowledge of the Absolute Reality (Sage Suka). In course of time, these seekers, whatever be their ends, reach a stage when they realise the emptiness of material desires and yearn for spiritual improvement and ultimately become pure devotees.

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