Miscellaneous - Religion   

Essence of sacred truths

CHENNAI: The Upanishads and Veda Sastras are capable of being extensively debated and discussed at a theoretical level. The Kena Upanishad makes it clear that Brahman is that which causes the eyes, ears, etc. to function; yet Brahman remains beyond the grasp of these sense faculties. The Sankhya philosophy propounded by the Lord who incarnated as Kapila is noted for revealing the path of self realisation for those who desire to snap the bonds of the material world and attractions. The Lord is the sole cause of all creation and did not depend on any material for performing this task. He has no beginning and is transcendental in nature. His self effulgence maintains the entire creation.

But either to comprehend these sacred truths as practically viable or to realise them as authentic experiences, what better way than that offered by the Puranas and the Itihasas? Knowledge of the Supreme Brahman is attained only as an inner realisation and not through intellectual proficiency, pointed out Sri Neela Bala Sarma in a lecture. The Bhagavata Purana inspires devotion through its rich narratives of the infinite glory of the Supreme Being.

The Bhagavad Gita is another influential text that has brought philosophy closer to the common man. The Lord became the charioteer of Arjuna and instructed the immortal and undying nature of the Atma. He made it clear that the concept of killing, killer and the killed is not present when viewed from the philosophical angle. The Lord made Arjuna realise these higher truths and motivated him to get involved in the Dharma Yudha against the Kaurava army. He showed Arjuna His transcendental form in all its holistic effulgence as a manifestation of His Supreme Godhead.

He taught the paths of Karma, Jnana and Bhakti so that people could practise these and attain salvation. He showed clearly that human life is full of transient changes that have to be accepted as such and not worry for these. This material world is the cause of delusion and lust and greed lead to the false identification of the Self with the body that gives rise to the sense of I and Mine. But the Self is immortal and is the essence of consciousness truth and bliss.

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