Bhagavadgita – Steady state of wisdom- 1

Equal and balanced state is called as Yoga. Gita says that this balanced state can lead to Moksha. Arjuna asked Bhagavaan in 54^th verse in Gita.

O Kesava! What is the description of a person who has steady wisdom and who is merged in in the Super- conscious state? How does one of steady wisdom speak, how does he sit, how does he walk?

Bhagavaan then described the state of steady wisdom from 55^th verse on wards until the end of the chapter. He also stated what happens if we are not in a balanced state of wisdom. These words of wisdom are a boon to mankind. There is nothing more important in our lives than following these principles if we really want to be happy and balanced in this world. Mahatma Gandhi and other great people recited these verses on a daily basis. 

Prajahaati yadaa kaamaan sarvaan Paartha manogataan !

Aatmanyevaatmanaa tushtah stithaprajnas tadochyate !!

The Blessed Lord said

O Parthaa! When a man completely casts off all the desires of the mind and is satisfied in the self by the self, then he is said to be one of steady wisdom. 

Is this even possible to be in this steady state of wisdom? The Lord already cleared this doubt before he spoke about steady state by talking about Karma Yoga. That means performing our actions with an indifference to the result of an action.  Lord explains the characters of a person of a steady wisdom. 

We might have desires but they can be binding or non-binding. Binding desires will lead to impressions (vaasana).  Some one feels that they deserve a promotion at their work place. If they get that promotion they are very happy and if they do not get it the reaction will be opposite. These kind of desires cause impressions and we experience these kind of desires in our life. We have to understand how much impact these desires will have on our mind. Once we analyze this fact, things will be clear and we can make some balanced decisions. We can taste the steady state of wisdom. 

There might be lot of reasons by which our mind will be off balance and they could be related to physical body, money, family, name and fame. The intense desire that everything should go our way will make us struggle at times. Here we have to realize our extent of involvement and prescribed duty in that role. Everyone wishes good health but do we take care of ourselves properly. To exercise or eating right, we need discipline but our mind might not like the discipline. We will look for excuses when it comes to the discipline. If we can make an effort to realize what is important in our life, then we will be happy and can walk towards the steady state of wisdom.

We become very melancholic when we face a difficulty in life. Irony is we are unhappy even in the mist of happiness also. This is so sad. Usually people will be very happy if good things happen to them. We are afraid of losing the happiness instead of enjoying the moment.

Duhkesva anudvigna manaah Sukeshu vigata-spruhah!

Vitaragabayakrodhah stitha-dhir munir uchyate!!

He whose mind is not shaken by adversity, who does not hanker after pleasures, who is free from attachment, fear and anger, is called a sage of steady of wisdom. 

Life is never going to be an easy ride and we have to teach the mind about the reality of pain and pleasures. Everything that happens in life is transient. We have to understand that there are two sides to a coin. One could be very happy that they won a lottery but they are also sad that they have to pay tax to the government. This is what defines our existence. Understanding this balance is what we call the steady state of wisdom. 

Everything happens for a reason based on our own past actions (Karma). If we get the best results for our actions, we might call it “Our greatness”.   In reality this is the result of our past actions. In a similar way no one else is responsible for our mishaps or pain. We are responsible for our own actions and we have to go through the consequences. We have to learn to face the odds in our life with a balanced state. Then only we can reach the balanced state of wisdom.

OM SRI SAI RAM!