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'An impractical solution'

 

Week 9, chapter 2/3 shlokas 66- 7

Speaking more about the sthita-pragnya state, Krishna tells that- like the whole world ignores the thought of attaining yoga and keeps indulging in sensory pleasures that result in all kinds of miseries. While the one (who might be) ignorant of practical/ worldly dealings of the world but is aware of the atma-tattwa, is extremely peaceful, beyond all kinds of pleasures and pains…is contented as his spirit is the source of his contentment—is free from the influence of ego…and is a real yogi.

Arjuna is confused and asks Krishna to give him a practical solution to his woes and to not confuse him with strange and ‘impractical’ solutions.

On which Krishna again tells him that this is the most practical solution if Arjuna can understand with a little deeper thinking. Just like to cross a flooded river, one needs to take the help of a boat, and this understanding of how to perform karmas with the right attitude is only going to help him. Just like giving up on karmas is not going to make Arjuna attain control of his senses…in a way, he will still remain under the influence of his senses, and in a way, he will be influenced by maya. And many such people who claim to have given up their karmas, cannot detach themselves from the thought of it and thus remain indulged to their senses mentally.

However, a real yogi would live and look like any common human being, is never scared of pleasures (vishaya), performs his righteous duties, does not stop his senses from performing their functions (since he is naturally driven by the sadbuddhi- that is the desire to attain the moksha) and at the same time doesn’t become a slave to his senses. is not attracted to the pleasures and remains free from attachments. Just like a lotus remains in water but the water cannot penetrate its surface. He performs his worldly duties just like any other being but is always remains in a state of detachment.

 

p.s. As per my understanding, when Krishna talks about not getting involved in sensory pleasures while at the same time letting the senses perform their functions—that one must strive to attain mental chastity along with physical chastity/ material chastity (howsoever one can put it). By being genuine and performing 'swa-dharma'. Detachment while performing worldly duties—keeping the attention free from indulgences.

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