In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna listing out some important characteristics of a “Raakshasa”, which is part of the sixteenth “Adhyaaya” of the Bhagawad Gita. This forms part of a bigger narrative being set by Bhagawan Krishna that those who are able to realize Him and those who have the passion and desire to act as per the “Vedas” and the “Shaastras” are equivalent of the “Devas” and on the contrary, those who try and grossly disobey the “Vedas” and “Shaastras” and those who think that they are more superior than Bhagawan are considered to be “Raakshasas”. Bhagawan Krishna also poses a small question to Arjuna as to which category he thinks he belongs to! As Arjuna gives a neutral answer, Bhagawan Krishna lists out the key characteristics of a “Raakshasa” and cautions Arjuna thereby not to fall into this trap at any point of time.
As Bhagawan Krishna says thus, Arjuna absorbs everything, but during the course of the war within the next few days itself, there are going to be instances wherein Arjuna is going to show off his “Ahambhaava” towards none other than Bhagaawan Krishna Himself! We shall reserve this comment for now and when the context comes in the later episodes while we discuss the Kurukshetra battle in great detail, we shall get back to this phase of discussion once again. But for now, as part of the sixteenth “Adhyaaya”, Bhagawan Krishna is giving out a subtle warning to Arjuna not to get carried away by the “I” attitude in whatever he does. Bhagawan Krishna says further thus,
”Ahankaaram balam dharbam kaamam krodham cha samshrutaaha!
Nibhadhnanti mahabaaho dehe dehi namavyayam!!”
Now moving further thus, Bhagawan Krishna lists out several other characteristics of a “Raakshasa”. Bhagawan Krishna explains thus, “Oh Mahaabaaho! (Arjuna, the great warrior) These “Raakshasas” are embodiment of “Ahankaaram”, which is nothing but the “I” attitude! They will never acknowledge anybody for their success. Rather, they will take full credit for whatever they achieve, even if their accomplishment is very minimal in the pursuit. Moreover, “Raakshasas” think that they are extremely powerful! They equate their power and strength to me, without realizing the fact that I’m powerful and all-pervasive than them in every way possible! Moreover, “Raakshasas” are trapped into “Kaamam” (Desire) and “Krodham” (Anger). This is because these people have this “I” attitude, which leads them towards the desire of achieving more and more to obtain name and fame. Even if they obtain the name and fame, do you think they’re happy with it? Do you think they’re satisfied with it? Not at all! They continuously keep going after their desires one by one and ensure that they are achieving something or the other at all times. Even if once or twice they encounter failure, their anger and frustration start dominating them! Oh Arjuna! You should be able to view things with a balance, and if you’re not able to do so, you’ll enter into the trap of becoming a “Raakshasa”!”
Bhagawan Krishna continues further thus, “Oh Arjuna! Those who are “Raakshasas”, would give more importance to their “Deham”, rather than their “Atman”. All that is important to them are physical and worldly pleasures. Unless and until they keep obtaining these pleasures, they are happy. At a time when they fail to attain them, they become frustrated and it comes out through their anger and the intentions to destroy!”
As Bhagawan explains all these characteristics of a “Raakshasa”, I’m sure there might be some alarm bells ringing within ourselves too! 🙂 All whatever Bhagawan is listing out is not just applicable for harcore “Raakshasas” like Kamsa, Ravana, Hiranya Kashibu, etc, but are also applicable to people like us as well in some way or the other! Of course, as per the “Shaastras”, these people like Ravana, Kamsa, etc. were categorised and picturized as “Raakshasas”, but we should realize the fact that there is a “Raakshasa” within all of us as well! For instance, we too run behind money, name, fame, property, luxuries, etc., don’t we? In the process, do we remember Bhagawan? Do we have the time to dedicate for Bhagawan and to think about how Bhagawan has gifted all that we have today? For instance, if we have our own luxurious house to live in, and if we’re comfortably getting three meals a day, and if we’re having a good job with a stable income, do we thank Bhagawan for all these, or, do we think that it is only because of our own effort that we’ve earned all these things? We may easily point out the Ravanas and Hiranyaakshas and escape by saying that we’re not of that type! But the reality remains that even though we might not be called “Raakshasas” as portrayed by the “Shaastras”, but we do possess several characteristics of “Raakshasas” in us!
This is where Bhagawan Krishna is cautioning all of us – To get rid of the “Raakshasa” characteristics that we’ve accumulated knowingly or unknowingly so far. For doing so, we’ve to follow whatever Bhagawan Krishna has said till now in the fifteenth “Adhyaaya”, especially the fourth and the fifteenth! We’ve seen that in the fourth “Adhyaaya”, Bhagawan talks about His “Avatara Rahasya” and in the fifteenth, He talks about His own “Rahasya”. Hence, the more we realize who Bhagawan is, the less we will be trapped into these “Raakshasa” characteristics. This is why, realization of Bhagawan is extremely important and this is why Bhagawan Krishna too has spent around fifteen “Adhyaayas” in explaining about Himself! 🙂 So for today, let us expedite our understanding about Bhagawan’s significance and let us consciously try and focus on Bhagawan more and more as we move on with our life. This is perhaps the only way through which we can get rid of our “Raakshasa” characteristics that we’ve accumulated till date. We shall wait till the next episode to continue this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 