Miscellaneous - Religion   

Knowledge and devotion

CHENNAI: Scriptures extol the Supreme Bring as the one and only highest truth that appears as many and different in form and nature when it is manifested. Those who have realised this Truth are known as Brahma Jnanis. Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that this realisation can be attained through constant practice of yoga when the mind is steeped in thoughts of the Lord and seeks Him as the only refuge. Such a realisation leaves nothing more to be known.

In a lecture, Sri C. L. Ramakrishnan pointed out that the Lord also indicates the difficulties in this path and states that among thousands of men scarcely one strives for perfection, and of those who strive and succeed scarcely one knows Him truly. For all practical purposes Jnana is not easily attainable to all. Only those who are spiritually advanced are blessed with the intuitive perception of the Supreme Truth. Prahlada, for instance, though a mere child, was endowed with this Jnana to such an extent that it remained an unshakable truth within him.

This is because of the illusory power of Maya manifesting as the three Gunas, Satva, Rajas and Tamas and one has to rise above these to realise the truth. Further the six enemies, desire, anger, greed, pride, sense of ego and delusion prevent the Jivatma from pursuing the truth of the Supreme Being.

Lord Krishna says that four types of people seek Him. They are those in distress (Aartha), those in search of knowledge (Jijnasa), those desirous of wealth and the realised souls (Jnanis). Enlightenment is a fusion of knowledge and devotion since these are not separate entities. Theoretical knowledge of truth is not enough; it has to be experientially realised.

When a devotee practises worship without any expectation or reward except that of God realisation, he attains the state of a Jnani. He who keeps chanting the name of the Lord always has the form of the Lord in his mental eye, and does not need anything other than the Lord.

The wise are attracted only by God’s qualities and look upon the world as a mere dream that is insubstantial. They are not deluded by appearances that cause one to mistake a rope for a serpent.

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