Bhagavadgita 2.4- Saankya Yoga- Sensory perception

Even though we know that soul is eternal we still go through pain and pleasures. As we do not have the experience of self-realization, we cannot avoid the conflicts in life. How can we not suffer when we have pairs of opposites bothering us? How can we not suffer when we experience physical or mental pain? 

Bhagavan explains these issues in the coming verses.

Matrasparsastu kounteya seethoshna sukhadukhadah!

Aagamaapaayina anityah taan titikhswa Bharataa!!

O’ Kounteya! The contacts of senses with objects which cause pain and pleasure, heat & cold, have a beginning and an end. They are transient & impermanent; endure them bravely O descendent of Bharata.

Here “Matra” means Indriyas & mind. Mind consists of manas, budhhi, chitta and Ahamkara. Indriyas means our senses and organs of action. Matra also means a scale which can measure the “rupa” that is structure.

If we need to learn about the outward objects we need these senses. The eyes, nose, ears, tongue and skin are the 5 sensory organs. These organs relay any information to the mind that we perceive from outside. This could be either pain or pleasure. Then mind experiences these opposites depending on the situation. We do not even enjoy the pleasures in our life sometimes. Because we are afraid to lose them. These pairs of opposites cripple us at times. That’s why Bhagavan talks about “Seethoshna Sukha dukhadaah” and they are not permanent. They are present in one time and disappear other times.  This universe is also present now but it can disappear. That’s why it is called “MITHYA”. The Lord reassures us not to worry about this impermanent world.

Then he gives the solution to this ultimate problem that we all face every day.

Yam Hi na vyathayanti ete purusham Purushrshbha!

Samadukha sukham dheeram somrutatwaya kalpate!!

O chief among men, that firm man whom, surely, these afflict not, to whom pleasure and pain are same, is fit for releasing Immortality of the self.

We can experience either pain or pleasure from the outward forces (panchabhutas). It is difficult to tolerate too much heat or too much cold temperatures. We need ideal conditions. We are positive when we are with our loved ones and it is uncomfortable around people we do not like. These contacts are named as “Matra”. Whoever can stay balanced despite these circumstances is fit for Moksha (immortality).

Why we are not able tolerate these pairs of opposite?

Main reason is we ignore the truth and we cannot tease the reality of the situation. We have to learn to see what is real, permanent and which is not. The drawback is that we are not even trying to know this truth. All of us have the same ATMAN that is consciousness. If we want to experience this we have to leave certain things. Baba talked about surrendering 5 things namely Pranaas, Indriyas, Manas, Budhhi and Ahamkara.

The Pranaas will merge with Panchabhutas when we leave the body. They are not ours. Indriyas play as per the mind. This manas is the reason why we experience all kinds of problems and pleasures. This mind will depend upon the intellect (budhhi). But the mind won’t listen to intellect all the time. It wants to run after worldly things and gets in trouble. The last one Ego (Ahamkara) is ME & MINE feeling. This will drag into the illusion (Maya). That’s why Baba emphasized the importance of overcoming these 5 things to attain self-Realization. The person who ever overcomes these five is said to be called as Dheera in Bhagavadgita. That person is then eligible for salvation.

OM SRI SAMRDHA SADGURU SAINATHAYA NAMAH!