The Nature is very curious. It brings the opposites together, and as we know, opposites cannot exist together; say, for example Fire and Water are the two elements that exist together, but separately. vastu shastra stipulates the fire corner (Ishanya / the agni corner) should be away from the water sources, like the sump, water tank, bathroom and the like. Purusha ('pum'. /male) is fire principle (agni tattva), whereas, stree (female) is jala tattva. Both these come together for a short time under the influence of maya, magical power, and remain separate forever. The battle of the sexes, Adam and Eve is a story of over 2 Millennium!
Thus, it is natural that the prakruti /Nature has its own way of operation in this make-believe world. Ajnyani, aviveki, people who are not wise enough will fall pray to the trick! Consciousness, awareness, itself is a con (trick) played by 'sci' (knowledge) on us, Hence it is Con sci o us ness! If our consciousness or understanding and awareness fails due to the maya, magical powers of Nature, what can the ordinary mortals do? The answer lies in yoga.
Contrary to the general belief, the yoga is a science of union of Atman (Soul) with paramatman (Higher Soul). Yoga is described as 'brahma-laya' in kurma purana. "The manas is the cause of bondage and emancipation."
Atma-prayatna- sapeksha vishishtaya manogatih|
tasya brahmani samyogo yoga ityabhidhiyate|| (naradiya purana, 47.7)
Bondage means association (of the mind) with sense objects;and, emancipation means dissociation (laya) from them. When the mind withdraws its senses from outward movement and turn them inward, the yoga begins and unites the jiva with its Master, Bhagavan, paramatman. Thus, for a man of discretion, the temptations do not bother. He does not go after possessions. Rather, he tries to cast off what all he/she has acquired and becomes free. Thus possession is the major pollutant of the jiva. Whatever it possesses, including the body, the mind, the intellect, the buddhi, the prajnya (consciousness of the world, 'the other') and all these are pollutants and shall be discarded by a yogi. Here, the word discard means drop them by chakra dhyana, mantra japa, samadhi yoga when the jiva is turned inward towards the atman and brahman, Then whatever happens happens and the yogin is not bothered. After all, all these appendages are bound to be discarded at the end! this is the proper understanding.
Even in the day-to-day life, as one ages, there is a decline in the power of the body and senses and there is a gradual withdrawal symptom. Digestion becomes weak, metabolism becomes slower and finally, the person will be bed-ridden. But a jnyani will not waste his time. The moment he/she is retired from active public life, he/she takes to satsang, svadhyaya, nidhidhyasana, study of scriptures and spends much time alone in japa, dhyana and chants of Lord's name. This is the sattva marga. Others do what they like, and it is not our concern. It is definitely not in our hands to change other people's attitude, behavior and mental make-up. Whether it is family members or close friends, it is better to leave them to their own ways until they become ripen, mature enough, and seek God's help. There is also a danger in believing that, "Whatever happens, happens; why worry?" This is the most dangerous one. There is yet another danger saying that " I know everything", "I am free", or "I have attained the highest!" This is a trick what the vijnyanmaya kosha and the anandamaya kosha does to the jiva. The person fools himself and gets stuck.
Some people also argue that,"What is there to attain?" These scriptural writings are all not final. Yes, nothing is final, unless one knows who he/she is and what for is one here? The vijnayanamaya kosha offers many obstacles, so also the anandamaya kosha for emancipation. One has to pass all these koshas, that are the pollutants, like the three gunas. So Shree Krishna says, "nistraigunyo bhavaarjunaa| Give up everything and surrender to Me, the Higher Self, paramatman. I shall take care (yogakshemam vahamyaham).
Thus, he/she becomes established in his/her Self. This is emancipation, mukti.
Atma-prayatna- sapeksha vishishtaya manogatih|
tasya brahmani samyogo yoga ityabhidhiyate|| (naradiya purana, 47.7)
Bondage means association (of the mind) with sense objects;and, emancipation means dissociation (laya) from them. When the mind withdraws its senses from outward movement and turn them inward, the yoga begins and unites the jiva with its Master, Bhagavan, paramatman. Thus, for a man of discretion, the temptations do not bother. He does not go after possessions. Rather, he tries to cast off what all he/she has acquired and becomes free. Thus possession is the major pollutant of the jiva. Whatever it possesses, including the body, the mind, the intellect, the buddhi, the prajnya (consciousness of the world, 'the other') and all these are pollutants and shall be discarded by a yogi. Here, the word discard means drop them by chakra dhyana, mantra japa, samadhi yoga when the jiva is turned inward towards the atman and brahman, Then whatever happens happens and the yogin is not bothered. After all, all these appendages are bound to be discarded at the end! this is the proper understanding.
Even in the day-to-day life, as one ages, there is a decline in the power of the body and senses and there is a gradual withdrawal symptom. Digestion becomes weak, metabolism becomes slower and finally, the person will be bed-ridden. But a jnyani will not waste his time. The moment he/she is retired from active public life, he/she takes to satsang, svadhyaya, nidhidhyasana, study of scriptures and spends much time alone in japa, dhyana and chants of Lord's name. This is the sattva marga. Others do what they like, and it is not our concern. It is definitely not in our hands to change other people's attitude, behavior and mental make-up. Whether it is family members or close friends, it is better to leave them to their own ways until they become ripen, mature enough, and seek God's help. There is also a danger in believing that, "Whatever happens, happens; why worry?" This is the most dangerous one. There is yet another danger saying that " I know everything", "I am free", or "I have attained the highest!" This is a trick what the vijnyanmaya kosha and the anandamaya kosha does to the jiva. The person fools himself and gets stuck.
Some people also argue that,"What is there to attain?" These scriptural writings are all not final. Yes, nothing is final, unless one knows who he/she is and what for is one here? The vijnayanamaya kosha offers many obstacles, so also the anandamaya kosha for emancipation. One has to pass all these koshas, that are the pollutants, like the three gunas. So Shree Krishna says, "nistraigunyo bhavaarjunaa| Give up everything and surrender to Me, the Higher Self, paramatman. I shall take care (yogakshemam vahamyaham).
Thus, he/she becomes established in his/her Self. This is emancipation, mukti.
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