Latest news with #BhagwadGita
Time of India
4 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Wittgenstein, Kipling and Gita's Stithprajna
Authored by Ashok Vohra The Sanskrit term ' stithprajna' combines 'stitha' – steady, firm, and 'prajna' – wise, learned. So, stithprajna means a person of steady wisdom. He is the 'one whose mind remains undisturbed amidst misery, for whom sukha-duhkha, happiness and sorrow; labha-alabhau, gain or loss; jaya-ajaya, conquest and defeat are the same. A person, according to Gita, 2.55, attains the status of stithprajna when he 'discards all selfish desires and cravings of the senses that torment the mind, and becomes satisfied in realisation of the Self, such a person is said to be transcendentally situated.' A stithprajna turns his mind away from the material allurements and renounces lure of the senses. He is free from raag, attachment; dvesh, jealousy; bhay, fear; krodh, anger. He is indifferent to the uncertainties of life, its vulnerability to reversals and its resilience. He is indifferent to the temporary nature of the results of his actions, nor is he disappointed if he cannot achieve his chosen goals, complete the deeds undertaken by him, or even if his deeds do not yield desired fruits. The performance of actions with all sincerity is the end that gives him satisfaction. Kathopanishad, 2.3.14, goes to the extent of saying that one who has renounced desires becomes like God: 'When one eliminates all selfish desires from the heart, then the materially fettered jivatma (soul) attains freedom from birth and death, and becomes Godlike in virtue.' In the Bhagwad Gita, 2.54, Arjun asks Krishn about the characteristics of a stithprajna. He asks, 'How does the man of steady wisdom speak? How does he sit? How does he move about?' Krishn answers that a stithprajna 'practises self-control' and 'discards all selfish desires and cravings of the senses that torment the mind'. His life is both authentic and autonomous. If interpreted in Ludwig Wittgenstein's terms, stithprajna is 'the man…fulfilling the purpose of existence who no longer needs to have a purpose except to live. That is to say, who is content.' For him, the solution to problems of life lies in 'disappearance of the problem'. This frees him from hope and fear, 'for life in the present there is no death.' He knows that the lived world is 'beyond the control of human will, and therefore he is content with how the world is.' He lives in the world and accepts it without trying to change it. He contemplates the world as a limited whole as an impartial observer. He realises that he 'cannot steer the world's happenings according to (his) will,' and that he is 'entirely powerless'. He also realises that he 'can only make (himself) independent of the world – and so in a certain sense, master it – by renouncing any influence on happenings.' Krishn's description of stithprajna also reflects in Rudyard Kipling's poem If , it reads: 'If you can dream – and not make dreams your master/If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim/If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster/And treat those two impostors just the same…/If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you/If all men count with you, but none too much'. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Be audacious, you can rock the world
Written by: Jaya Row The Bhagwad Gita gives a window of opportunity for you to look beyond the mundane, boring existence to a life of purpose, vitality and excitement. It helps you move from mediocrity to excellence, from drudgery to revelry, and from misery to magic. You may have been born an ordinary person. But you were designed to take off into the realm of the extraordinary. MK Gandhi, the timid, unknown lawyer, was transformed into a mahatma. APJ Abdul Kalam rose from humble origins to become one of the best presidents India has had. So can you rise to heights of perfection. You were born with a unique gift, an exclusive talent – your svadharma . It's your personal magic. Oblivious of it you get distracted and chase after mirages. Instead, look within. Find your passion and invest in it. Identifying your svadharma is the game-changer in life. You can never excel in a field alien to your nature. Fix a higher goal in that field. Thought of self is the devil. It comes in the way of success. It makes you unhappy. And blocks your growth. The Gita helps you unlock your potential and become the best version of yourself. You then metamorphose from an ordinary mortal to the extraordinary Immortal. All it takes is a change in mindset. The Gita upgrades your inner personality. When your phone lags you recharge it. Similarly, when you get demotivated, you need to be revitalised. Then you take off into subtler realms. You glow with joy, confidence and enthusiasm. You drop the old selfish habits and switch to the miracle mindset. As you think, so you become is the law. You have been consistently thinking of just 'I, me, myself', and become a small, powerless person. Think of a higher cause, espouse a nobler mission. The highest goal is that of enlightenment. The higher the goal, the greater is your dynamism and power. Open up to others. Care, connect and show compassion. Develop genuine love. People respond. They support you in ways you never expected. And here's the cool part – you start feeling joy not just for your wins, but for others' too. Their success feels like your success. As you gain knowledge you gain inner strength. You tap into the more permanent aspects of life. The world's ups and downs don't throw you off. You stay calm, balanced, grounded. You're no longer reacting – you're acting. You become a clear thinker. The Gita doesn't ask you to change your wardrobe, vocation, or environment. What you do matters little. It is where your mind is that makes the difference. Keep thinking small, and you'll stay small. Think big, have audacious dreams, and you can rock the world. As you drop the baggage of ego and desire, your inner light shines through. The forces of nature bow down to you. Suddenly, life starts working for you. Prahlad, a young boy, stayed true to his faith. Hiranyakashyapu, his father and king of demons, tried to kill him. Fire couldn't burn him, elephants couldn't trample upon him, venom of snakes couldn't hurt him. Why? He followed his conscience and aligned with the Spirit. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Transport From Slavery To Salvation
"The bitterest thing in today's sorrow is the memory of yesterday's joy," wrote Kahlil Gibran, but to let go is easier said than done. It is one of the most challenging things to do. Material objects metamorphose into immaterial objects sooner or later. Ironically, it is physically nonexistent entities like emotions, sentiments and memories that turn into attachments from which it is painful to detach. Letting go does not necessarily mean getting rid of or throwing things out. The problem arises when possessions become obsessions. A stack of never-to-be-worn clothes, which, if given away, could help some; out-of-action gadgets, which feng shui will advise not to keep as they gather negative energies; chipped ceramic cups; never-to-be-read list can go on and on. Besides collecting dust and creating clutter, they remind us of days that never return. All because we have allowed ourselves to become victims of sentiments or emotions. Detachment does not hurt, but attachment does. Memories do not occupy any physical place, though they are often described as bittersweet. The past does not come back but can still impact the present and future. "The root of all suffering is attachment," said the Buddha . These attachments can be both material and mental. According to Buddhism , the key to overcoming suffering is letting go of desires, attachments and aversions. In the universe, which is transcendental, ever changing, when we 'hang on', we go against the law of nature, and suffer. Possession and past restrict, suffocate, confine, ensnare and entangle. According to the Bhagwad Gita , "Attachments interfere with a person's ability to think clearly or rationally. When the person is free from attachments, he becomes equal to attractions, aversions and intelligence." Vairagya, relinquishment, translates into freedom from bondages and bindings, a transport from slavery to salvation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo In Christianity, renunciation is the forsaking of worldly desires and possessions to follow the path of Jesus Christ and his teachings. Jesus once advised a rich ruler, "Sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven. Then come and follow me." Jainism speaks of aparigraha - attachment brings suffering and sorrow, which is why all worldly possessions and relations are to be given up. Islam says, "Detachment means nothing should own you." According to the Maitri Upanishad , "Control of thought is liberation." One must go beyond the elements, senses, object of senses, greed, envy, leisure, self-love, anger, and lust to be on the path of liberation and realising Brahmn. Renunciation does not mean being nonloving, indifferent or apathetic. It means surmounting obsession, weakness, addiction, ego or mania as these negative entities cast shadows on our thoughts, affect reason, relationships and realities. Imprisonment by materials and moments is the angst that prevents living and enjoying the present. Isha Upanishad says, "Whatever moves in this moving world is enveloped by God. Therefore, enjoy renunciation; do not covet what belongs to others." Longing for what is not ours can only bring about contempt and conflicts. The best lesson of attachment with detachment is the Sun. Without any demand, desire, or discrimination, the Sun, benevolent niskamkarmi, sakha, sustains life on earth and the earth itself with its light and warmth. Authored by: Soma Chakravertty Why Arjun Was Chosen: The Untold Secret of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 3
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Don't get in the way of a charging bull
It is our nature to compare, compete, and feel dejected, especially when we see others having more money, property, better relationships, or good health. We then try to find flaws in their lives, look for something wrong with them, and assert or deny what we want and who we are. This creates inner conflict, leading to pain. Nothing is discordant in nature. But most of us would say that life is not always fair. We hold grudges against people, events, occurrences, and circumstances. Life or existence is neither fair nor unfair. Swami Vivekanand says that not even an atom in this universe can be different from what it is now, for that would destroy the balance of the universe, and the entire system would collapse. We worry about drowning in a sea of challenges, problems and roadblocks. The Buddha refused to get drawn into conflict with a man on the street who had abused him. When his disciples asked him why he did not react, he said, 'He is free to say what he wants, but it is my choice to receive what he says or return it. I chose not to take it, so I was free'. In the Bhagwad Gita, Krishn says, 'Yaha sarvatra anabhis snehaha, (2.57)' – don't get attached to success or failure. When you are not connected to success or failure, you are at peace with whatever is to be – shubh ashubham , good or bad. Krishn says that we must increase our awareness, inner silence, and calmness. Once we learn to do this, we will be able to navigate through life's myriad challenges with ease and composure. When we begin to skilfully navigate the pathways that life creates for us smoothly, we will find that, just like practising driving through a rugged terrain, a certain skill will be enhanced. Within us, there are infinite energies to help resolve all kinds of conflicts – big or small. Life is like a river; it is constantly moving. Move with grace. Be flexible like ariver. A river goes ahead despite obstacles. At some point, we all enjoyed the music a river makes as it flows. The river makes music even as it lives with rocks and obstacles that hinder its path. The river passes them, caresses them continuously, and, in the process, smoothens their rough edges. It also makes music as it gurgles towards its destination. Once, a king walking along a narrow street had to give way to a charging bull. He could not tell the bull, 'Get out of the way, I am the king of this area.' Metaphorically speaking, all people who wish to clash with us are like that bull. Therefore, to avoid a clash, we must wisely get out of the way. Living in harmony with our surroundings and circumstances brings inward peace and poise. When we maintain poise, problems and challenges vanish like mist before the rising sun. In a symbolic sense, we must remember to get out of the way of a charging bull so that we can continue to lead a life of harmony and peace. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Become Anasuya: Rise above fault-finding
Authored by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar At different levels of consciousness, one experiences knowledge in a myriad of ways. When your consciousness reaches a certain stage, a beautiful quality emerges: Anasuya , one who does not dwell on faults. If a mirror is covered with dust, you must wipe it clean to see your reflection. But if there is a cataract in your eye, no matter how clean the mirror is, you will still not see clearly. In that case, it's your vision that needs healing. Once the cataract is removed, you'll find the mirror was clean all along. Some people have a mindset where they find faults even in the best of situations. You may offer them the finest comfort, the best companion, and yet they will pick at something. From a distance, even deep pits are invisible. But as you come closer, even the tiniest holes appear clearly. If your attention is only on the flaws, you will miss the vastness before you. Wisdom cannot blossom within you if you are not in a state of Anasuya. And in such a state, even giving knowledge to such a person becomes futile. If there is distortion in your vision, you will see distortion in everything. When a relationship breaks, we often remember only the negative qualities in them and say, 'They were never good to begin with.' But is that truly the case or has our perception, in that moment, become clouded – Asuya ? The moment we realise that the problem doesn't lie out there, but in our own perception, half the conflict disappears. Here's another example: imagine someone approaching your home, and the door draws shut because of a strong wind outside. They may assume you saw them coming and shut the door on purpose. That's distorted perception – Asuya. And unfortunately, most people live like this today. In society today, criticism and complaints have become so common that even praise often feels insincere. But if you truly want the light of knowledge to awaken within you, the first step is to purify your perception. Wisdom dawns in life only when the mind rises above faults. Seeing faults is easy. Seeing divinity is a spiritual discipline or sadhna. Even in the Bhagwad Gita, Krishn says to Arjun, 'Because you see no faults in Me, though I am so near to you, I will impart to you this most sacred knowledge. You are Anasuya and free of blame.' To be Anasuya is not just an act of giving others the benefit of doubt; it is a path to keeping your own soul untarnished. So, the next time you find yourself judging someone, pause and ask: Is this really their flaw? Or is it the dust on my lens? Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
