The Indian Dharma

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In the previous episode, we’ve had an extended discussion as to why we should always maintain a sense of detachment towards our “Samsara” and how we shouldn’t get carried away too much with it. Obviously we should perform all our duties towards our family and children, but that shouldn’t transform into excessive possessiveness and attachment. The more we get possessive towards someone or something, the more we get into all sorts of trouble. In these lines, we’ve witnessed in yesterday’s episode as to how King Dhirdiraashtra fell into this trap and how he couldn’t digest that fact that his son Duryodhana was a wicked person by nature. This is what we often refer to as “Putra Vaatsalya”. Even though Vidura had given a lengthy set of advice to King Dhirdiraashtra, which we’ve also seen as part of our”Vidura Neeti” project, King Dhirdiraashtra didn’t pick up even an iota of it to change himself and his stance towards Duryodhana. Ultimately this led to the destruction of the entire “Kaurava” clan and all of us know how it conspired. 

Thus, the important point that Sage Jada-Bharata is emphasizing here is that excessive attachment is going to bring us down, which ultimately is the biggest enemy for our spiritual progress. Instead, it would be fruitful if we show all our love and attachment towards Bhagawan, which ultimately would lead us to the highest “Moksha”. In due course of time, with excessive attachment towards unwanted worldly things, we’ve totally forgotten Bhagawan! We’ve to always understand one thing clearly here – We do not even know the exact reason for our very existence itself. So let us ask this question to ourself now – Who are we and why are we born to this particular set of parents? We wouldn’t be able to give a definitive answer to this, isn’t it? Of course, we can say that we’ve got these parents in this birth because of our “Karma”, however, many other people who have accumulated good “Karma” over their previous births might not have got the same good type of parents today isn’t it? We cannot assure that. 

Similarly, if we’ve to say that we’ve got a good job because we’ve qualified ourselves well with good education, etc., we should always think – Many people in this world have equal or even better qualifications than us, and they might not be in good jobs as we are, isn’t it? Thus, if we start thinking and reasoning in these lines, we wouldn’t even understand why we exist in this world. So we’re understanding from this argument that nobody in this world is responsible for what we are today, isn’t it? If nobody is responsible for us, we are still the way we are, isn’t it? If that is the case, who is making us sustain in this world in the way we are right now? It should be Bhagawan, isn’t it? Hence, isn’t it our duty to remember Bhagawan in our daily routine? Isn’t it our basic courtesy to thank Bhagawan for what He has given us? 

Every passing day we go to work, earn money, take care of our family, etc. and with this, almost the entire day goes for a toss. Even during weekends, we are busy cleaning our house, washing clothes, etc. and getting ready for our upcoming work-week. If this is going to be the same cycle that repeats every passing week and month, where is the time for us to think about Bhagawan and where is the time to thank Him for what He has given us? Thus, the point here is that, even though we might have a busy schedule right through the day, we should make sure that we allocate some time for Bhagawan, atleast to thank Him for what He has given us for our life. Of course I’m not saying that we should sacrifice our work for this, but it is our moral duty towards Bhagawan that we perform our “Nitya-Karma” everyday without fail. 

So for today, let us understand this point clearly and let us do our duties towards Bhagawan meticulously. I’m emphasizing this point repeatedly because this is extremely important for all of us to follow. We shall wait till the next episode to continue this point further. Stay tuned! 🙂

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We’re amidst an important discussion wherein Sage Jada-Bharata is emphasizing on a very contemporary point that it becomes dangerous if we shower excessive love and affection towards someone or somebody. If we do so, it becomes possessiveness and this possessiveness transforms into hatred and fights. This is where all problems come and in the present day, we’re witnessing many unfortunate incidents wherein families are getting split. Joint families are breaking off into nuclear families and even within a nuclear family, there is so much intolerance and ego between just the husband and the wife. All this is because, over a period of time, we’ve failed to adjust with another person who comes into our life, and we’re failing to give up certain small things for the welfare and peace of the family. Of course, as i had mentioned in the previous episode, I’m not saying here that we should be refraining from showering love and affection towards our family and children. We should definitely do it, but with a limit. When we say “limit”, it is a very thin line of difference between doing our duty towards our family and getting possessive. It is thus up to our individual self and capability to draw that thin line effectively in such a way that we neither compromise with our family duties, nor with our spiritual progress. 

To substantiate this point further, we’ve witnessed during our Ramayana project as to how King Dasharata wasn’t able to bear the separation from his dear son, Bhagawan Rama. Even when Rama was a child and when Sage Vishwamitra had asked for both Rama and Lakshmana to fight the Raakshasas, King Dasharata wasn’t ready to send the children with him. We’ve witnessed how King Dasharata had come up with a lengthy “theory and philosophy” for not sending the children with Sage Vishwamitra. However, when the sage got up and walked out in extreme anger, King Dasharata had to relent, with the intervention of Sage Vasishtacharya. This shows how excessive affection and possessiveness towards his son affected King Dasharata. The same thing happened when Kaikeyi proposed her boons to send Bhagawan Rama on exile to the forest. At this time, unable to bear the separation from his dear son, King Dasharata collapsed to death! 

Similarly in Mahabharata too, King Dhirdiraashtra got into the same situation. With blind love and affection towards his son Duryodhana, King Dhirdiriaashtra went to any extent to support all his evil activities, which ultimately led to the total destruction of the entire “Kaurava” clan. In spite of many people including Vidura, Sanjaya and Bhagawan Krishna Himself advising King Dhirdiraashtra to change his course and attitude, he failed to do so because of his excessive affection and possessiveness towards Duryodhana. Even when Draupati was insulted amidst the entire public courtroom by Duryodhana, King Dhirdiraashtra failed to speak even a word against his son for his gross misdeed towards another person’s wife. All these led to the downfall of an entire clan, isn’t it? In fact, the entire Mahabharata story revolves around the selfishness of this one man called King Dhirdiraashtra and how did this selfishness lead to a step-by-step destruction of his entire clan. 

Thus we can clearly see here that all these incidents that our Ramayana and Mahabharata texts highlight are great examples of how excessive attachment and possessiveness towards our children can bring about a great downfall to us in many ways, including spiritual progress. This is exactly what Sage Jada-Bharata is emphasizing to King Rahuguna, and for today, let us once again ponder over this important point and understand this “thin line of difference” that Sage Bharata is stressing upon. We shall wait till the next episode to continue with the next point that Sage Bharata is going to talk about! Stay tuned! 🙂 

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In the previous episode, we had been amidst a very important discussion about how we should show “detachment” towards our family, son and daughter. We’ve witnessed the significance of the shabdha called “Putra”, which means “son”. We’ve said that it is important to have a son in our life because he is the person who can prevent us from entering into the “Naraka Lokha” called “Puthu”. In due course, we’ve also seen how having a “Putra” can also backfire in today’s scenario very badly. We’re currently witnessing today how families are getting split because of issues pertaining to property, gold, money, etc. Fights between the son and parents, or between two brothers or sisters are becoming the order of the day in today’s context. If we start looking deep into all of these, as a parent we might even come to the conclusion that entering the “Puthu – Narana Lokha” is much better than being amidst all of these meaningless fights and emotional trauma every passing day! 

Moving on with this point further, it is very important for us as to why Sage Jada-Bharata is stressing upon this point so much to King Rahuguna. He clearly says that there is no point in showering too much love and affection towards children beyond an extent. We might wonder the reason why Sage Jada-Bharata is stressing upon this. We can see this in two ways – One is “experience sharing”! All of us know by now, how Sage Bharata himself was a victim of this point and failed to attain “Moksha”, even though he was a great sage in his previous birth. We’ve witnessed how he got carried away by the excessive love and affection he showered on the deer and how he lost his track on his spiritual pursuit. Thus, Sage Jada-Bharata is teaching King Rahuguna from his own experience as to what happens if we shower excessive love and affection on someone or something. This is one way of looking at it. 

Now, the second way of looking at this point is very important and is very pertinent to what is happening today. Coming to an important question here – Why are families falling apart so quickly today? Why are people not able to tolerate even small misunderstandings and misfortunes in today’s scenario? The biggest reason for this is our “ego”! We tend to stick to one notion of thought or someone and if something happens in such a way that hurts our ego, we tend to give up very easily. For instance, in those days in our Bharata Desha, we had the concept of a “Joint family”, wherein the entire set of relatives were living together – Right from the in-laws, sisters, brothers, their family members, etc. Even today in certain pockets of our country we have this practice. However, as years progressed, we have split ourselves into separate “islands” as the concept of a “nuclear family” has chipped in big time! Now it is important to understand why this nuclear family concept penetrated so much into our society. The primary reason behind this is gross “intolerance” and the ego that is associated with it. All of us today want “privacy” and we ensure that none of the others interfere into our “private personal matters”. Today we’ve come to a stage wherein the definition of a “joint family” has totally changed – Today we say that we’re a joint family even if the husband and wife are living together under the same roof! 🙂 We’ve come to such a stage today wherein married couples are not ready to adjust and live together! This is the pathetic stage to which we’ve pushed ourselves to, and the biggest problem in today’s so-called modern society is lack of adjustment and lack of concern for others. We’ve pushed ourselves into such a selfish mode that our mindset today has become so narrow-focused. 

This is exactly the reason why there are fights between parents and children or within brothers or sisters. As days, months and years have progressed, all of us have become selfish in terms of possessing money, property and luxuries, in such a way that we go to any extent to abduct the wealth of our own brothers or sisters for our own personal benefit. Can we go worse than this? Thus, the point here is that, if we’re overly possessive towards someone or something, all such problems arise. This is why Sage Jada Bharata (in this context) and Bhagawan Krishna in His Bhagawad Gita focus heavily on detachment. As a parent, it is important that we shower our love and affection towards our children. We should perform our duties towards them by giving them good education, setting them up in their lives, etc. However, this should not cross the limit wherein we become overly possessive on our children. The problem complicates when it comes to girls today – The girl gets married to her husband and since the girl has been showered with excessive love and affection by her parents, she is virtually unable to adjust with her husband and in-laws! Of course there would be differences in terms of certain practices and customary routines that are followed within different families, but because of lack of exposure and excessive attachment between the girl and her parents, she finds it extremely tough to accommodate and adjust herself to a change. This results in unnecessary clashes and quarrels between the newly married couple and also with the in-laws. This is what we need to avoid and this is where Sage Jada Bharata’s advice becomes very important. 

So from this narrative, we should clearly understand that there is a “threshold point” that we should know when it comes to showering love and affection towards our children. Of course it is important that we have children and we love and care for them, etc., but at the same time, this love and affection shouldn’t go to an extent that it would spoil their life as well as ours. So for today, let us understand this important point and let us wait till the next episode to move on further from here! Stay tuned! 🙂 

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In the previous episode, we had witnessed the significance of the “Atman” and how different it is from the “Deham”, which is nothing but the physical body. We’ve seen Sage Bharata continuing further to highlight upon which actually gives “Shreyas” or significance to the “Atman”. He explains the mentality of some people who repeatedly assert that having a son is the ultimate significance of taking birth in this world! Does having a son add to the significance of our “Atman”? Or, some people have this attitude that having a girl child (also referred to as “Seemantha Puthri” if a daughter is born as the first child) would bring enormous prosperity, etc. Thus, does having a daughter add to the significance of our “Atman”? We’ve concluded yesterday’s episode with these two important questions and we shall witness the answers for the same today. 

When we have a son (“Putra”) in our family, we immediately associate the son to that person who can carry forward all the property of the family, isn’t it? In fact, the shabdha called “Putra” has a very interesting split as follows: “Punnaamno narakaath traayatethi putraha”. It is believed that if a couple doesn’t have a “Putra”, there is a “Naraka Lokha” called “Puthu”, into which the couple would go. We’ve not witnessed this “Naraka Lokha” in our previous episodes wherein we had discussed a variety of “Naraka Lokhas”. Thus, if a couple give birth to a “Putra”, it is believed that he would prevent his parents from entering into the “Naraka Lokha” called “Puthu”. Immediately we would have a doubt here – If we have a daughter, or if some of us do not have children at all, would we reach this “Naraka Lokha” called “Puthu”? The answer to this is very simple – All these “Naraka Lokhas” is for ordinary people who do not even have a tinch of spiritual knowledge in them. These are not mentioned for spiritually advanced “Sharanagatas”. Thus, if we are “Sharanagatas”, we need not worry about all these narratives and philosophies of the “Naraka Lokhas”. This is the reason we emphasize and re-emphasize the point that we’ve to surrender to Bhagawan’s divine lotus feet and execute our “Karma” with utmost devotion towards Him. Once we do this, we needn’t worry about any of the above-mentioned “Naraka-Lokhas”. 

Thus moving on with Sage Jada-Bharata’s narrative, he clearly explains to King Rahuguna that having a “Putra” is not going to give any sort of “Shreyas” to the “Atman”. We would have a question as to why Sage Jada-Bharata is telling us this. Even if we see today’s scenario – Once we have a son at our home, we would shower all our affection towards him, put him into the best school, college, etc. and spend truckloads of money on his education for the next 15-20 years. Finally the son would come and tell us thus, “Oh! You’ve given me an outdated education and which is not as per my interest! I wanted to do some course, and you forced me into something else, which is not of my interest! You’ve spoilt my life completely!” At this time we would also think – “Oh! This is much worse than going into the “Putu” Naraka Lokha itself!” 🙂 Such is the case with the “Putra” today, and this is exactly what Sage Jada-Bharata is narrating here. He’s clearly emphasizing the point that how much ever we serve our son or daughter, nobody is going to be 100% satisfied, and we’re going to be blamed for every small thing here and there. Hence, the point here is that we shouldn’t get too attached towards our son or daughter beyond a point. 

Of course, I’m not saying that we should refrain from our duties towards our children. We should make sure that we give our best to our children. But the point here is to emphasize the thin line of difference between performing our duties and getting carried away with the welfare of our children. This is exactly what Bhagawan Krishna also emphasizes in His Bhagawad Gita too – He gives a detailed accord on “detachment” and how to lead a family life, yet be detached. This is an important lesson for all of us to learn in today’s scenario too. Hence for today, let us understand this point and let us wait till the next epiosde to continue with this point of discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂 

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In the previous episode, we had witnessed yet another important point from the “Jada-Bharata-Upaakyaanam”, wherein Sage Bharata repeatedly emphasizes how different is the “Atman” from the “Deham”. In these lines, we had witnessed yesterday as to how in various spheres of our responsibilities and roles that we take up during our lives ultimately pertain to the “Deham” and how the constant factor called “I” pertains to the “Atman”. For instance, if we’ve to say that I’m an elder brother to my younger brother, or I’m a father to my son, or I’m a son to my father, or I’m a husband to my wife, etc. all these variables called elder brother, father, son and husband pertain to the “Deham”, which is why we say that the “Deham” is ever-changing in nature. Whereas, there is a constant factor in all of these, isn’t it? It’s nothing but the factor called “I”, which is a constant in all cases here. We can see that this “I” never changes in any of these cases, and this is what pertains to the “Atman”. Thus, we can see here that the answer to the question “Who am I?” should ideally be “I am the ever-permanent entity called “Atman”!” This is what we’ve understood in yesterday’s episode, and from here, we shall try and move on further with what Sage Bharata had to say to King Rahuguna. Indeed, we’re at a very interesting phase of the entire Shri Vishnu Puraana text, and I’m sure our readers are gaining a lot of insights from this meaningful discussion that we’re having currently. 

As we’ve said that the “Atman” is the permanent entity and cannot have any sort of worldly significance that can be attached to it, there can however be one significance that we can attach to it. Sage Bharata himself explains it in the following way. Upon trying to answer a quick counter question from King Rahuguna with regards to this context that we’re trying to pen down, Sage Bharata explains thus, “Oh Rahuguna! You’ve to understand one thing here – If we say that the “Atman” can never be attached to any significance or uniqueness, I mentioned it in the context of worldly items only. However, the “Atman” has a unique significance, which is nothing but the significance of being Bhagawan’s “Sevaka” (Faithful servant)! This is the ultimate significance that every “Jeevatma” like you and me should realize from within. All of us need to be in constant service to Bhagawan in whatever way we can, and this would constantly keep adding to our “Atman’s” significance!” This is something that we should realize too, as we move towards our spiritual progress. We should slowly and steadily cultivate this thought within all of us that the very purpose of taking birth in this world is to serve Bhagawan in whatever way possible, and all our actions and thoughts should be rooted and channelized in this path only. The moment we start thinking thus, we would automatically start walking the path towards spiritual progress. This is the ultimate truth and reality that Sage Jada-Bharata beautifully explains to King Rahuguna. 

Moving on with the next important point thus, Sage Bharata continues further to highlight upon which actually gives “Shreyas” or significance to the “Atman”. He explains the mentality of some people who repeatedly assert that having a son is the ultimate significance of taking birth in this world! Does having a son add to the significance of our “Atman”? Or, some people have this attitude that having a girl child (also referred to as “Seemantha Puthri” if a daughter is born as the first child) would bring enormous prosperity, etc. Thus, does having a daughter add to the significance of our “Atman”? An interesting answer awaits us for both these questions in the next upcoming episode! Stay tuned! 🙂 

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In the previous episode, we had witnessed how Sage Jada-Bharata was starting to slowly make King Rahuguna understand a few important points that would clear off the doubts from his mind. In that way, he had reiterated his answer that he had given to King Rahuguna’s question as to why he didn’t carry the carriage properly. Here, Sage Bharata clearly explains how he cannot be held responsible for this, as Goddess Bhoomadevi was the one who was solely responsible. He gives a detailed accord as to how the “Atman” is totally different from the “Deham” and how everything in this world is interconnected to each other. Here Sage Bharata gives the example of how we boil rice in a kettle – He explains how the boiling of rice depends not only on the heat that is generated, but also on various other things like the nature of the firewood that is used, the match stick used to ignite the fire and finally Goddess Bhoomadevi, upon which all of these rest. Hence, it is wrong to blame just one entity for something which is not happening. Moreover, in the second point, Sage Bharata has clearly explained the context wherein the words “I” and “You” do not signify the “Deham”, but the “Atman”. For instance, when King Rahuguna made fun of Sage Bharata initially by saying that he was stout and well-built and yet, he couldn’t carry the coach properly, the reply was very clear – If we’ve to say that someone is well-built, it does signify only the “Deham” and not the “Atman” in anyway! Thus, Sage Bharata countered King Rahuguna that it is wrong to point at “him” and to say that “he” was well-built. In fact, it was his body that was well-built, but not Sage Bharata as an “Atman”. It might be a little confusing for few readers, but I urge here that if you feel confused, please read the above-explained point one more time for better understanding. 

Moving on thus, King Rahuguna slowly starts to open up his doubts to Sage Bharata. He now asks Sage Bharata thus:  

“Shruyataam sohamityetath vaktum bhoopana sakhyate!

Upa bhoga nimittham cha sarvatra aagamanah kriyaa!!”

Thus, King Rahuguna asks a very important question here – “Oh Sage Bharata! What is that which gives the “Shreyas” (Unique speciality or Significance) to both the “Atman” and the “Deham”?” As King Rahuguna poses this question thus, Sage Bharata quips in reply immediately, “Oh Rahuguna! As I had mentioned earlier, the “Atman” doesn’t have a form or a shape for itself. It is an invisible element that is present within the body. So, like you think, there is nothing called “Speciality” or “uniqueness” for an “Atman”. You might wonder why I’m making this unique point here. Just imagine, Rahuguna! If we’ve to say that money is something that makes the “Atman” more significant, we’re making a mistake here. Money can never add any sort of significance to the “Atman”, as it is beyond all sorts of “Bhoga” (Worldly pleasures). Or, if we’ve to say that parents add speciality and uniqueness to the “Atman”, that might also not hold any water. It is because we have one set of parents in this birth, but at the end of this birth, they are not going to be existing anymore! Moreover, when we take the next birth, some other individuals are going to be our parents, isn’t it? Hence, this is also not a permanent phenomenon for an “Atman”. Hence, parents can never add any significance to it. Thus, none of the worldly pleasures (Bhoga) or parents are going to add any value to the “Atman”, and it is only the “Gnyaana” (Knowledge about Bhagawan and how to walk the path of spirituality) that gives real deeper meaning to the “Atman”. This is why I repeatedly emphasize the point that nothing in this world can add any sorts of significance to the “Atman”!” 

Sage Bharata now adds one more funny point here to poke King Rahuguna sarcastically. He says thus, “Oh Rahuguna! Every time you’re boasting that you are a king isn’t it? You have all the pleasures, wealth and status of a king, isn’t it? But are all these going to last forever? Or, are you going to be alive in this world forever to enjoy all these pleasures and status? Neither of these are going to happen, isn’t it? For instance, you might be the king for this country. However, you might have different other roles to play in life isn’t it? For instance, you are a husband to your wife. Similarly, for your son or daughter, you are a father. In similar lines, for the enemy country, you are an enemy. Similarly, for your elder brother, you are a younger brother. Thus, can you see how many roles you play in your life, although you only signify one role of yours, which is a “king”?” 

This is an extremely important point here that Sage Bharata is explaining. If we deeply introspect the above narrative of Sage Bharata into our lives, we would start having a big doubt now, as to who we are! For instance, I might be a husband to my wife. I might also be a son to my father. At the same time I might also be a father to my son. So here, I’m both a father and a son! Similarly, I might be a friend to another friend. Or, I might be an enemy to another enemy. Thus we can see here that I might be both a friend and an enemy at the same time. If we now combine all these sentences together, all the “I” that we used in the above sentences would collectively indicate the “Atman”, and all the other variables like friend, enemy, son, father, husband, etc. would indicate the “Deham”. Thus, again we see here that the “Atman” is just a constant entity and the “Deham” is an ever-changing entity, isn’t it? This is exactly what Sage Bharata is trying to explain to King Rahuguna here. 

So for today, let us deeply think and try to understand this point clearly and let us try to differentiate between the “Atman” and the “Deham”. It might be a bit confusing, and I’m reiterating my point here – Please read this more than once to understand clearly. We shall first introspect within ourselves to find out the “reality” of who we are, and we shall wait till the next episode to continue this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂

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In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of Sage Jada-Bharata’s accord on the key characteristics of the “Atman” and how is the “Atman” different from the “Deham”, which is the physical body. In that way, we’ve witnessed four important characteristics of the “Atman” and in these lines, we had spoken about how the “Atman” is totally devoid of any kinds of “Doshas” in yesterday’s episode. We had witnessed a detailed accord in this regard, and the main underlying message for all of us from this is that, we should learn to face whatever problems that come through, with maturity and with the sense of feeling that nothing is going to affect our “Atman” ultimately. Instead of facing problems head-on thus, the main issue today with many of us is that, we immediately run to an astrologer if we confront any sort of problem in life. This is a wrong practice totally and we should understand here that everybody in this world have their own sets of problems to handle. We’ve to realize that nothing in this world comes easily to us, and we’ve to slog hard for success. Whereas, if we start running towards astrologers for all our problems, there is going to be no end for this. Ultimately, we would become cowards and there is no use in running away from the problems that we’ve to face. Hence, this is something important that we’ve to understand from this point that Sage Bharata is stressing upon. 

Moving on thus, Sage Bharata now answers the initial questions that King Rahuguna had asked. Sage Bharata now gives some expanded answers to the ones that he had given earlier. At that point in time, King Rahuguna was angry and frustrated when Sage Bharata was giving answers. But now, since King Rahuguna is more receptive to understand some important deeper meanings of what he had said, Sage Bharata is trying to give his previous answers a bit more sense, so that King Rahuguna, and in turn, all of us can understand clearly. Sage Bharata explains thus, “Oh Rahuguna! You had asked me as to who had lifted your carriage and why wasn’t it lifted properly, isn’t it? Now let me give you an analogy to explain my answer to you – For instance if we’ve to boil rice, what are the ingredients that are needed for it? We need rice grains, water for the rice to boil in, fire for boiling, firewood for the fire to catch and grow further, a match stick for igniting the fire, and finally Mother Earth (Goddess Bhoomadevi) for resting all the firewood and the pot of rice for boiling. Thus, for anything and everything to happen in this world, isn’t Goddess Bhoomadevi responsible? You might easily say that the rice is boiling in the kettle because of the heat, and finish it there. But I wouldn’t accept such an outward answer. I look at it in depth, to understand what is really responsible for the rice to boil!”

Sage Bharata continues thus, “Oh Rahuguna! Think about this as well – There are so many things which are responsible for the rice to boil, isn’t it? Ultimately, see how Mother Earth is responsible. If something goes wrong in this rice-boiling process, whom would you blame? Would you blame the cook? How can you blame that person, if so many things are responsible for it? Perhaps, the fire wouldn’t have burnt properly, or the rice might have been overcooked! Or, perhaps the kettle would have had some problem. Or, perhaps the firewood which was used to light the fire might have been wet with water, and the fire wouldn’t have generated enough heat to boil the rice! Or perhaps, the quality of water that was used to boil the rice in the kettle wasn’t very good and upto the mark! So if these many things are there in the middle, how do you just put the blame on the poor person and punish him / her? How fair that would be? Similarly in our case also, yes, outwardly it might seem that I was the one who carried your carriage in an undesirable way. But, if it was my shoulder which carried your carriage, or if my hips that were carrying my shoulder, or if my legs that were carrying my hips, or if Goddess Bhoomadevi who was carrying my legs were at fault, what would “I” as an individual do? How would I be solely responsible for this?” 

Sage Bharata continues to give detailed descriptions further thus, “Oh Rahuguna! Next what did you say? You said that I’m well built and tall! I had just explained what is the real meaning of the words “I” / “You” here, isn’t it? The word “I” or “You” signifies the “Atman” and I’ve explained to you that the “Atman” can never grow or decline in size or shape. If you’re saying “You are tall and well-built”, how can the “Atman” be tall and well-built? Isn’t it a wrong perception that you’re having about the “Atman”? This is what I’m trying to point out. Hence, from this, you should understand that the “Atman” doesn’t have the capability to be well-built or tall or well-nourished. All these are attributes of the physical body, which cannot be denoted by the words “I” or “You”. Hence, do not confuse yourself between the “Atman” and the “Deham”. If you’re denoting somebody as “I” or “You”, it only signifies the “Atman”, and never the “Deham”!” 

This is an extremely important narrative that all of us should understand in depth and very clearly. I’ve tried to explain this in simple language, however, I would urge readers to read this episode more than once, so that we would be able to grasp the real  meaning behind what Sage Jada-Bharata is explaining here. We shall go a bit slow in this point because, these are some deep concepts of “Vedanta”, wherein they require repeated introspection and repeated understanding. So for today, let us read and re-read the underlying message that Sage Bharata is trying to convey to King Rahuguna and all of us so that we could understand better! Let us wait till the next episode to continue further from this point! Stay tuned! 🙂 

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In the previous episode, we had witnessed a couple of important characteristics of the “Atman”, as part of our discussion on Sage Bharata’s conversation with King Rahuguna. We’ve seen that the “Atman” is an embodiment of endless peace and bliss (“Shantaha”), and any sort of external disturbances, both in terms of physical and verbal / mental injuries can affect the “Atman” in any way. In similar lines we had also witnessed that the “Atman” is referred to as “Aksharaha” wherein any sort of growth or decline is only for the “Deham” (Physical body) and not for the “Atman”. Of course, whenever we take birth time and again, we get a new “Deham” and this “Deham” keeps growing up to a point and then starts shrinking down, till the death / destruction takes place. However, irrespective of whatever happens to our “Deham”, our “Atman” never changes its form or size or shape. It is a constant entity and it would continue to do so, irrespective of how many births we take in this world, or even if we happen to attain “Moksha” and become “Nitya-Atmans” at Bhagawan’s Vaikunta! We’ve to remember and understand these points very clearly as we move ahead from here. 

 Moving on further thus, we’ve to witness the other characteristics of the “Atman” that Sage Jada-Bharata is talking about here. I’ve already quoted the two slokas through which Sage Jada-Bharata is driving home these points, and for our reference, we shall quote the slokas once again here. Sage Bharata explains thus: 

“Aham tvancha tathaanyecha bhootairuhiyaama paarthiva!

Gunah pravaaha pathithaha bhoota vargopi yaatrayam!!

Aatma shuddhaha aksharaha shraantaha nirgunaha prakrithehe paraaha!

Pravrithabhayo naasya chaikasya akhila janthushu!!”

Now Sage Bharata is going into the third important characteristic here, which is pointed out in the second sloka – “Nirgunaha”. The “Atman” never has any form of “Doshas” or ill-effects. Again, we’ve to understand that it is only the physical body that undergoes all sorts of “Doshas” and our “Atman” is never a victim here. In day-to-day scenarios, we often go in search of astrologers to weed off our “Doshas”, which are caused by our planetary positions, isn’t it? The astrologers would also suggest that we go to some specific temples, worship some specific deities and do some “Parihaaras” for the “Dosha” to come down in terms of intensity. However, Sage Bharata is explaining here that if we’re having confidence and unending faith on Bhagawan, none of these “Doshas” are going to affect us in any way possible. He drives home this point by going one step further here – Since these “Doshas” are just for the physical body and not for the “Atman” in any way, why worry about something that is affecting the destroyable? In any case, irrespective of whether there is a “Dosha” or not, our physical body is going to be subjected to destruction today or tomorrow! So why give so much of importance to something that is destroyable in nature? Why don’t we hold on to something that is permanent? 

It is through this analogy that Sage Bharata is driving home the point that we shouldn’t be too much scared and worried about any forms of “Doshas” that might arise out of our planetary positions. We shouldn’t first of all get jittery because of all these, as constant movements of planets are something that we cannot prevent. Moreover, these planetary problems that arise out, are predominantly due to the “Karma” that we’ve accumulated over the past and thus, there is literally no “short-cut” solution for all these, unless and until we burn them out ourselves. Hence, the entire concept of doing “Parihaaras” for “Doshas” is something which is debatable. Of course, if some astrologers read through this episode, they might come for a fight with me, as I might throw their profession off track here! 🙂 But that is not the point here – The main point here is that, as spiritual seekers, we’ve to develop the maturity to face any sort of problems head-on, rather than running to the astrologer for anything and everything. So, how would that maturity come? It would come only when we understand more and more about the “Atman” and how the “Atman” is more significant than the “Deham”. 

This is exactly why Sage Jada-Bharata is spending so much time describing the “Atman”. So for today, let us understand how the “Atman” can never be affected by any form of “Doshas” ever, and it is we who should gain that maturity to face problems as they come! We shall wait till the next episode to witness the continuation of this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂 

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In the previous episode, we had witnessed a very important point that Sage Jada-Bharata has been emphasizing to King Rahuguna that as spiritual seekers, the first step that all of us need to keep in mind is that, we should be able to see all the “Atmans” on the same plane. This implies that there is no real difference between all living beings in this world, as all of us have the same “Atman” dwelling inside! This is what we refer to in our Sanaatana Dharma as “Nishkrishta Vesham”. In due course of our previous episode, we had also witnessed another form of the “Atman”, which is called “Vishishta Vesham”, wherein we differentiate between living beings on the mere basis of our physical body and appearance. This is perhaps the lowest level to which a spiritual seeker can go, and as we move forward from here, we should raise our bars upwards from the “Vishishta Vesham” to the “Nishkrishta Vesham”. This is exactly what Sage Jada Bharata is talking about in his first point to King Rahuguna – The separation between the “Atman” and the “Deham”. 

Moving on further thus, we’ve to witness the other characteristics of the “Atman” that Sage Jada-Bharata is talking about here. I’ve already quoted the two slokas through which Sage Jada-Bharata is driving home these points, and for our reference, we shall quote the slokas once again here. Sage Bharata explains thus: 

“Aham tvancha tathaanyecha bhootairuhiyaama paarthiva!

Gunah pravaaha pathithaha bhoota vargopi yaatrayam!!

Aatma shuddhaha aksharaha shraantaha nirgunaha prakrithehe paraaha!

Pravrithabhayo naasya chaikasya akhila janthushu!!”

So till now, we’ve witnessed the key narratives of the “Atman” with regards to the first sloka, and now we’re moving on to the second one. Sage Bharata explains the next characteristic of the “Atman” as “Shuddhaha”. This means, the “Atman” is extremely pure and is never affected by the birth-death cycle that one undergoes. In fact, this is the same point which Bhagawan Krishna too emphasizes in His Bhagawad Gita – He says to Arjuna that the “Atman” never gets destroyed. It is a permanent entity, unlike the “Deham” which keeps getting destroyed at the end of every birth, only to take a new “Deham” at the beginning of every birth. However, the “Atman” inside all these physical bodies that we take birth after birth, is something that is permanent in nature and can never be subjected to any form of destruction. Even when we reach “Vaikunta” or the ultimate “Moksha”, our “Atman” would transform itself into “Nitya-Atmans”, which signifies that from that point onwards, we are never going to take births in this world anymore! Thus, we’ve to understand that even when we reach “Moksha”, our “Atman” is still going to exist, and we would get the ultimate opportunity to spend golden time with Bhagawan in our vicinity. Thus, the point here is that, the “Atman” is characterized as “Shuddhaha”, because it doesn’t get affected in terms of purity, unlike our physical body. 

Next in the list is “Aksharaha”. This means that our “Atman” never diminishes in size or form. It is  only our physical body that keeps growing, and then gradually shrinking in size and appearance as we progress with age. However, the “Atman” always remains “Young” and “beautiful”, and it doesn’t change it’s form, no matter what happens to our physical body. Even if we pass away and when our physical body gets destroyed, the “Atman” gets “transplanted” and “impinged” into another physical body (We take different physical forms owing to the Karma that we possess) in the same way, without any shrinkage, etc. 

Subsequently, Sage Bharata talks about the next characteristic – “Shaantaha”. The “Atman” is always calm, composed and beautiful. No external disturbance can really cause the “Atman” to worry or change its state from peace. All these external disturbances are only for our physical body, and not for the “Atman”. For instance, we talk with others, shout at them, vent out our frustration, laugh, feel happy, sad, etc. all through our lifespan isn’t it? Sage Bharata is clearly explaining that all these so-called “feelings” (happiness, anger, sorrow, frustration, etc.) are all for the physical body and not for the “Atman”. The “Atman” sits inside us without getting affected by all what is going on outside. Similarly, even if we get hurt physically or mentally by someone or something, this doesn’t affect our “Atman” in any way. This is why we say that if we’ve to control our anger or frustration over somebody, we should develop the thought process that after all this person is trying to insult our “Deham”, which is anyway subjected to destruction. Nobody can ever insult or scold the “Atman”, which is permanent. If such is the case, what is the point in paying heed to people who are abusing us in any way? Similarly, if we get physically injured also, we should understand that the injury is for the body and not for the “Atman”. If we develop such a thought, nothing can even cause any sort of a pain or discomfort to us! 

Of course, it is all easier said than done! 🙂 However, we need to put that meticulous effort to understand and implement these points if we’ve to progress spiritually upwards,, isn’t it? As I always keep saying time and again, putting the effort is very important here and we should strictly abide by this come what may! Of course, this is a slow process, but we should not give up. We should keep trying and trying. So for today, let us understand these important points that we’ve discussed and we shall wait till the next episode to continue this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂 

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In the previous episode, we had been amidst a very important conversation between King Rahuguna and Sage Jada-Bharata, wherein Sage Bharata was spot-on with his replies to all the questions of the king. He ultimately stressed and drove home the important point that all of us have a single-pointed agenda behind coming to this world, which is to wash off our Karma. We’ve all come from the same place, which is the womb of a mother. Similarly, we’re all the same Jeevatmas, which Bhagawan is creating every passing day. It is only Bhagawan who can be the “Paramatma” ultimately and none of us can attain that state ever. However, there is only one difference in all of us – The various ways that we take to wash off our Karma. In this case, Sage Jada-Bharata was washing off his Karma by carrying King Rahuguna’s carriage in his shoulders, whereas, King Rahuguna was washing off his Karma by sitting in the carriage! This process might differ from individual to individual, but the bottom-line remains the same – All of us are here to wash off our Karma in some way or the other. 

Upon hearing such a thought-provoking reply from Sage Jada-Bharata, King Rahuguna was chewed to bits! He was stunned beyond words! He immediately fell on the feet of Sage Jada-Bharata and replied thus, “Oh Sage! You’re perhaps the only person to whom I’m fearing now! I’ve never feared Bhagawan Vishnu’s “Chakra”. I’ve never feared Bhagawan Shiva’s “Trishoola. But today, I’m  standing in front of you with some sort of a fear within me. You’ve overpowered me with your words and thoughtful insights! In fact, knowledge is something that can defeat anybody at any point in time, irrespective of whatsoever weapons the enemy might be possessing!” 

King Rahuguna continues thus, “Oh great one! In fact, I was going in search of some great Sages to understand certain aspects of Vedanta in which I had doubts. However, upon seeing you today, I think all my questions are starting to get answers. After seeing you, I don’t need to continue my journey any further to meet any sage. You are my “Guru” and I would wish to learn many more things from you from now onwards!” As King Rahuguna surrenders himself thus, Sage Jada-Bharata begins to explain lot many important aspects of the “Atman”, “Deham”, how the “Atman” (Soul) and the “Deham” (Physical body) are different, how all the “Atmans” in this world are equal without any sort of difference between them! Sage Jada-Bharata explains thus: 

“Aham tvancha tathaanyecha bhootairuhiyaama paarthiva!

Gunah pravaaha pathithaha bhoota vargopi yaatrayam!!

Aatma shuddhaha aksharaha shraantaha nirgunaha prakrithehe paraaha!

Pravrithabhayo naasya chaikasya akhila janthushu!!”

Here, Sage Bharata beautifully explains the characteristics and the beauty of the “Atman”. He explains thus, “Oh Rahuguna! Please understand that there is no difference between the words “I”, “We”, “You”, “They”, etc. All of us are one. Because, even if we say “I”, it signifies the “Atman”. Similarly if we say “We”, that also signifies and indicates only the “Atman”. In the same lines, if we say “You”, this also indicates the “Atman” only. Hence, for all these words, the meaning is the same, which is nothing but the “Atman”. However, you might think that you are Rahuguna and I’m Jada-Bharata. But please understand here – These names of Rahuguna, Jada-Bharata, etc. are names given to our “Deham” (Physical body), and not for our “Atman”. Our “Atman” does not have any name or any kind of differentiation. All “Atmans” are the same. So, if you’ve to progress spiritually upwards, you need to identify the similarity in all living beings by looking at the “Atman” and not the “Deham”!” 

This phenomenon that Sage Bharata is talking about here, is often referred to in our Sanaatana Dharma literature as “Nishkrishta-Vesham”. In fact, the “Atman” has two different “Veshams”. The synonym of the word “Vesham” can be understood as “Form”. Thus, the “Atman” is considered to have two different forms – One is the “Vishishta Vesham” and the other is “Nishkrishta Vesham”. Now what is the difference between these two forms of the “Atman”? The first one – “Vishishta Vesham” is the form wherein the “Atman” is seen as being closely embedded with the “Deham”. This is where we start seeing all sorts of difference between various living beings in this world. Whereas, the “Nishkrishta Vesham” of the Atman signifies the separation between the “Atman” and the “Deham”. This is where we start seeing the similarity between all living beings in terms of the “Atman”. This philosophy is very important for all of us to understand here – As we progress in our spiritual growth, we should decrease our “Vishishta Vesham” and increase our “Nishkrishta Vesham” of our “Atman”. Only then we would be able to see all living beings on the same plane, without looking into any sort of differences between them. 

This is exactly what Sage Jada-Bharata is talking about here too. He explains to King Rahuguna how we should see all the “Atmans” equally. Thus, in this way, Sage Jada-Bharata is indirectly talking about how we should develop the “Nishkrishta Vesham” of our Atman. So for today, let us understand and experience this important point that Sage Bharata is stressing here. We shall wait till the next episode to witness the continuation of this discussion forward. Lot of such important points lie ahead of us, and let us witness them one by one! Stay tuned! 🙂