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Yoga Bhrashta

 

Week 12, chapter 3 shlokas 35-43 and chapter 4 shlokas 1-5

Arjuna asks something that is probably everyone’s query especially those walking on the path of their deeper calling.

Why is it so, that people who already know about the path of destruction (led by indulging in sensory pleasures) still get involved in such acts despite having the discretion of right and wrong. These yogis, who dislike and refrain from indulgences, but it looks like something is forcing them to get into such pleasures…what is it?

Answers Krishna—

Just like a treasure hidden deep in the forest is guarded by poisonous snakes and beasts, the treasure of self-knowledge is guarded by anger and lust—these are the monsters who lead a righteous seeker towards committing a sin. These enemies of a seeker practice no mercy when it comes to the destruction of the sense of righteousness. They play with the mind of a seeker by creating illusions and are satisfied by avidya- the false knowledge. They originate from rajogunas (intellectual, action-oriented, dominating, and materialistic tendencies) but are cherished by tamogunis (emotion, desire, laziness, and depressive tendencies). They are enemies of the living, thus are adorned among the dead. They create illusions and slowly captures the innocence of seekers and are capable of destroying the three worlds. These monsters (lust and anger) are respected in the abode of worldly attachments and are friends with pride and ego. Capable of destroying the contentment and patience of a being, they sit among the knowledgeable and bet on the righteousness of a seeker in order to suppress him.

Just like a serpent is embraced to a fragrant tree—pure knowledge cannot be found without the shield of lust and anger. When a seeker wins over lust and anger, he attains pure knowledge.

One may think that these monsters are invincible, but Krishna gives a samadhan (a solution) that these monsters are rooted in the senses. And when a seeker wins over his senses, he can overcome them. Thus, as the force of lust and anger weakens, the intellect is liberated and so, the troop (coalition of lust, anger, pride, ego, etc) gets broken, thus the realm of these enemies ends. Just like without the sun, mirage cannot be seen, without these monsters, one gets access to the treasure of self- realization and thus attains brahmanand.

 

--end of chapter 3. In my next article, shall I be covering chapter 4, shlokas 1-5.

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