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Geeta Chapter 2: Verses 62 to 64 - Additional Comments
Girisha comments:
> As long as we possess vasanas, it is imperative that we would be
> naturally attached to something or other. May be, we can educate
> ourselves such that we can refrain from sustaining sensuous thoughts
> continuously. Does being flexible help in this direction, as Ramji has
> suggested? Does it not add more vasanas if I were to court new objects
> everyday? Can someone please clarify this?
Srinivasji comments:
> Well, what I understood from Ramji's posting regarding "flexible" is
> the kind of attitude like that of the tree example he explained.
> But the process by which that end results occurs is because of instinct
> in trees, but because of established wisdom in the wise person.
> I agree with Girisha that as long as we possess vasanas, it is very
> natural to get attached to something or the other.
Let me clarify what I mean by "flexible." Flexibility means developing an
attitude to be happy with what we have and not to demand objects that we
don't have. Also we do need to develop skills and attitude to encounter
different environments. Let me give a recent experience. Few days back,
my son has filled up an application for a summer job. There are lot of
questions in the application form to evaluate the flexibility of the
applicant: The willingness to: (1) work part-time/full-time (2) work week
day/week end (4) work dayshift/nightshift (5) travel/no-travel etc (6) do
typing (7) take telephone calls (8) do computations (9) write and review
etc. The person who is flexible to do more tasks at varied work
environment is likely to be selected. Geeta only advises us to develop an
attitude of "readiness to face adverse situations without resentment." In
the present world, it is inevitable to learn new technologies (objects!)
and embrace varied work and living environments! In Geetha, Bhagwan
directed Arjun to destroy his attachment towards his relatives, friends
and teachers and reminded that they were no more allies but enemies!
The word, "vasana" is a complex word and requires careful scrutiny. It is
almost impossible to explain what it really means because it is highly
personal! Let me try to give a brief interpretation! The presence or
absence of an object is not a necessary cause for vasana. It is rather
THE ATTACHMENT TO AN OBJECT IS THE ROOT CAUSE. SRINIVASJI'S NARRATION OF
"castle of cards" is a good illustration: The object, "castle of cards"
was a "vasana" for the child but not for the father. The father when he
was a child also was obsessed with the same "vasana" but later developed
an attitude to forget and destroy the attachment. Our Hindu Trinity:
Brahma, Vishnu and Siva is a symbolic reminder of the endless cycle of
"vasana creation," "vasana perpetuation" and finally "vasana destruction."
To destroy "vasanas," we need to be flexible attitude to be "unaffected"
by the presence or absence of objects! We may like "french fries" but if
our doctor advises us to eat brocoli. If we are able to eat brocoli
without grumbling, we become flexible; but if we resent, we "create a
vasana for french fries as well as for brocoli!" Attachment is a twin
evil: It is "slavery to an object" or "hatred to an object."
Arjun's attachment to his relatives, friends and teachers has contributed
to his anger and the destruction of his "memory"!. Lakshman was angry
when he learnt that Bhagwan Ram was asked to leave Ayodhya for 14 years!
Due to attachment, Arjun did not want to kill his relatives, friends and
teachers and put down his bow and arrows. In contrast, Lakshman due to his
deep devotion to Shri Ram, wanted to kill everyone other than Shri Ram
with his bow and arrows!. In both cases, the Lord was able to help them
to regain their conscience. Lakshman's devotion to Shri Ram illustrates
"Bhakthi," or total surrender. With a total surrender, it was lot easier
Lakshman to put down his bow and gain wisdom. Arjun asserted "smrtir
labda" (Geeta: Cha:18, Verse 73) after learning "Karma," "Bhakthi," and
"Jnana" yogas from Lord Krishna.
So much treasure is available in Ramayana and Mahabharat for our guidance.
Two gems from this infinite treasury are:
Adopt the "Bhakthi Marg" of Lakshman and surrender totally to
Lord and understand the "Jnana" to perform the "Karma Yoga."
Choose the "Jnana Marg" of Arjun and acquire divine guidance
for complete surrender to Lord to practice the "Karma Yoga."
In my profession, I develop models and conduct regression analysis for
teaching and research. I found that I was always not able to explain
completely. It was also true that when the model was fully explained, it
was trivial and less useful for practical applications! Vedanta is a
complex model and has both simple and difficult components: It is easier
to explain the role and functions of body, mind and intellect. However,
it becomes difficult when we try to explain creation, role and functions
of "Vasanas". Gurudev's master piece model illustrates how important for
us to penetrate "Vasanas" which clouds "Brahman." Srinivasji is right that we
all know the consequences of "Vasanas" and still fall into the same trap
again, again, again, again, and again!
" Have a Good Day "
"Truth is a pathless land, and you cannot approach it by any path
whatsoever, by any religion, by any sect. Truth, being limitless,
unconditioned, unapproachable by any path whatsoever, cannot be
organized; nor should any organisation be formed to lead or to
coerce people along any particular path." J. Krishnamoorthy
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