Friday, December 12, 2014

The Path of Jnana or Knowledge

Salvation cannot come simply because one is  born in a particular  caste or community. By sacrificing one's ego, attachment and surrendering to god one can get emancipation. The laws and practices of one community do not apply or fit into those of the other. Through ignorance we think that the atma is at work while in truth the physical and subtle bodies are at work. It is similar to aperson thinking that objects are  moving very fast on both the sides while traveling on a boat or train. This is because of loss of perspective. To recognize this is " akarma" in " karma. To think that I am not involved in " Karma"  is in itself "Karma."
        &nbs p;     Sri Ramanuja says that the Individual Soul or the Jivatma has two states- purity and impurity. Association with 'jada'  objects makes the pure atma impure. It is thus affected with responsibility for action. Karma in ' akarma'  means that there is Jnana in Nivrutti Marga. It also means that one should perform Karma though he is a Jnani or an enlightened person. According to Madhwacharya all actions are because of Lord Mahavishnu, not because of  individual's personal strength. Man is only an instrument, a toy in the hands of God. " Realize that God is working even when you are asleep  This is karma in akarma" the Lord tells and continues, " Arjuna, don't ask for any fruit or benefit. God will give it without your asking." Like the mango seed,growing into a tree gives leaves, shade,and fruits, God grants benefits according to our capacity. We should be contented with what we get. We should not covet other's property. Let all the credit be to Him- God!
         &n bsp;      "The whole world is a Yagna in itself", Krishna continued, " Realize divinity in the subject, object  and the thing offered. for liberation. Nivrutti Karmas are the following: 1 Worship of Agni or fire 2 Meditation 3 Homas done through the inner senses 4 Control of the sense organs for ascetics 5 Pranayama 6 Dravya yagna or charity 7 Tapo yagna 8 Swadhyaya-study of scriptures 9 Jnana Yagna and 10 Diet Regulation. These Nivrutti Karmas lead to jnana that annihilates all acts of Karma-good and bad.
         &n bsp;         Mortal man is bound by three types of Karma.namely Sanchit, Prarabdha,and Agami. Sanchita is of our previous births and acts in the present. Prarabdha has begun to bear its result while Agami is karma done now bearing fruit in the next birth. Jnana can destroy both Sanchita and Agami karmas. Prarabdha Karma has to be experienced whether you like it or not". Sri Ramana Maharshi and Sri Ramakrishna had tosuffer due to Prarabdha karma!
                       " One who has Faith or Sraddha in the words of his Guru, Scriptures,and Vedanta is eligible for Jnana"  The Lord advises Arjuna at the end and says, " Cut your doubts created by ignorance with the knife of Jnana. Performing karma  is the Knife. Arise, Dhananjaya, perform your swadharma, that is war and erase all your doubts!
 

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