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Analysis of desire

CHENNAI: Everything is a manifestation of Iswara according to the Vedic vision. What is Iswara? Iswara is the Absolute Being whom we call by different names, who can be looked upon even as a particular deity (Devata). Through a Devata one is actually invoking an aspect of Iswara.

This can be understood with the example of the waves and the ocean. When a person touches a wave he is actually touching the ocean though his intention is only to touch the wave. The wave is not different from the ocean. One can invoke Iswara as Vigneswara, the remover of obstacles. In the process one is invoking the totality in Vigneswara.

In his discourse, Swami Dayananda Saraswati said desire was an aspect of Iswara. In the Bhagavad Gita Lord Krishna has said, “…in beings I am desire not contrary to virtue (Dharma).” As Dharma is Iswara, desire which the Lord Himself has said is His aspect then cannot be in conflict with Dharma at all. It is necessary to understand the cause of human desire. Desires arise in the mind naturally, mostly from the subconscious mind and also from the unconscious rarely, because of conditioning. Certain desires may not be in keeping with Dharma though one may not consciously have any truck with those desires. They are fancies that come and go.

It is not wrong to entertain the wish to fulfil one’s desires because desire is also in the order of Iswara. But it is the cause of a desire that has to be validated as one’s desire should not contradict Dharma.

The cause of a desire depends on how a person absorbs ideas. No one can advise another about what to do in every situation. Lord Krishna has clarified again in the Gita that “Your right is to work only, but never to the fruit thereof.”

Man has choice over his action and its result is taken care of. He has the freedom right at the time of doing an action but not over the result. But, the Gita does not say “Do not expect the result of action”, for this is not the Vedic vision. It is a dynamic view wherein the Lord has said that He is in the form of desires in all. So while fulfilling them one has to make sure that one’s actions and efforts conform to Dharma.

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