The previous blogs have given some idea about the Jivatman, the Paramatman and the manifest forms of jivas. The Lord says, "I manifest in many diverse forms and what all you see is myself". The Gita explicitly states,"The first manifestation of Spirit (chit-shakti) is Cosmic Light as 'vivasvat'- "one who shines forth or diffuses light". The first Purusha manu (Mind) Vivasvan is one such Rishi, God, the omniscient, omnipresent cosmic Energy, Light, and a micron of the energy particle of that (tyat) exists in all of us (microcosmic sun of the spiritual eye, akshipurusha). it is visible during meditation at the ajnya chakra, between eye brows (bhrumadhye). It is also the third eye that opens up inward. Yoga helps to open up this and see the light. The Vibhuti yoga (Ch. X) is all about manifestations of the Lord.
The inverted Ashvatha tree holds all the jivas starting from the invisible viruses and germs at the lowest to the Trinity- Brhama, Vishnu, Maheshvara at the highest levels and the entire tree is the Veda (vid meaning 'jnyan'), and the leaves are the Rks (mantra as creative forces). The Kshetra-Kshetrajnya vibhaga explains the field and the knower of the field. Further, Bhagavan Shree Krishna says, cut this tree (material world) with the sharp axe of Knowledge and get yourself redeemed from all bondages. It is mukti and moksha for the embodied soul that suffers dualities and eternal chain of rebirths. It is also said that there is no liberation until you gain this highest knowledge, para vidya the Atmajnyan (knowledge of who you are. The Lord has made amply clear that "there is nothing superior to this Knowledge"- Atma jnyan- nahin jnyanena sadrusham | This jnyan should be supported by pure devotion (bhakti); Bhakti along with japa, dhyana (bhaja Govindam) is necessary without which even this jnyan is a burden or waste, there will be no realization (sakshatkar) and transformation of the jiva without bhakti and jnyan and adhyatma sadhana. Thus, karma, bhakti, and jnyan with bhaja Govindam is advocated as said in Brahmasamhita. The jiva should strive to attain its perfect union with paramatman taking recourse to pure devotion and single-minded spiritual practice. But, this is not possible since the jiva has forgotten yoga.
The sansar, the bhavasagar is a vast ocean of misery (duhkha sagar) and all the jivas are sailing in a ship that is leaky and battered in the stormy sea. (vaayurnavamivaambhasi). Further, the jiva is unaware of the situation in which it is since it is covered by maya, avidya. The Upanishads describe this awful state in an episode. A person chased by a tiger gets down an abandoned dilapidated well and hangs on to a small plant scarcely balancing himself, about to fall any time! Suddenly he looks down where a crocodile is sitting its mouth wide open. When he looks side ward, he sees a cobra hissing at him. and, of course, the tiger is eagerly looking for him to come out! Worst of all these is that the plant he is holding on to is giving way and he may fall down any time? Despite all these grave dangers the jiva is wants to lick the drops of honey that is dripping from a honey comb nearby!
Where is salvation?
There is absolutely no way out for the jiva from the entanglements in this material world. Each one is running after the golden deer, trying to reach the flower bloom in the sky (gagan kusuma), and being thirsty, looking for water in the desert ( a mirage)! Today, the powerful grip of maya is such that every step of our journey is full of danger due to terrorism, political turmoil and what they call limited scale wars across borders, and worst of all, greed for money (wealth), power, position, and the lawlessness and adharma writ large everywhere!
The salvation lies in Meditation, contemplation, yoga, not mere asana and pranayama. The spiritual development is the key. Those who attain to samadhi and gain access to higher consciousness, samvit, unity consciousness only will get redeemed! Rather, these attained souls will be the seed for the next Manvantara- Kritayuga of Rishis, saints, gods and goddesses and enlightened souls. If at all Shree Krishna says, "I shall descend to earth whenever dharma is annihilated (sambhavaami yugeyuge..), it only means that one of us should rise to the occasion and redeem this world! No Krishna will ever come from outside!! Are we prepared?
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