Miscellaneous - Religion   

Removal of ignorance

CHENNAI: In spiritual parlance, the term knowledge (Jnana) carries a profound connotation as it signifies becoming aware of the ultimate truth of the cosmic self that remains hidden because of the veil of ignorance. This realisation bestows spiritual freedom to the self. The entire universe is limited when compared with the infinitude of the Absolute Truth. All the human faculties including the senses, mind, intellect, etc., are subject to limited functioning within the confines of the world. Even the scriptures are inadequate in their range and use and fall short when attempting to describe its transcendental nature. The Svetasvatara Upanishad states that this reality is all encompassing, complete and also the embodiment of bliss and can be discovered only by penetrating the veil of ignorance enveloping it. Once this is known all bondages fall off.

In a lecture, Swami Atmashraddhananda pointed out that the main cause of all bondage is the sense of agency that attaches itself to an individual’s actions and experiences. The thoughts that “I am the doer” or “I am the experiencer” are the basic bonds limiting the individual and leading to further bondage. The mind is responsible for this restricted view of life.

A Jivatma obtains human birth for fulfilment of desires and when desires increase, the bondage of several births continues. When thus the Jivatma gets entrenched in worldly concerns with a sense of possessiveness, it forgets its moorings. It subjects itself to likes and dislikes towards objects and people that motivate one’s actions and the consequences of actions have to be met in due course. It is not easy to renounce these wrong notions and misconceptions that tie us down to worldly life.

The self has to understand that there is no bondage at all if the sense of possessiveness of the self to worldly objects is shed. The Upanishads say that what one should cling on to is one’s self alone. Valour lies in the ability to emphasise one’s spiritual goal. If one’s spiritual leanings are more defined in the present birth, it is likely that one is born in better circumstances and gets the opportunity to become a realised soul in gradual stages.

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