Uttar Kaanda

215 - Delineation of Gnosis and Devotion; a description of the Lamp of wisdom and the surpassing glory of Devotion

Chaupais

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Description

The constant awareness that "I am the same (Brahma)" represents the most dazzling flame of the lamp. In this way when the bliss of Self-Realization sheds its bright lustre, the error of duality, the root of worldly existence, is dispersed and the infinite darkness of infatuation etc.- which forms the family of Avidya (Nescience)-disappears. Having thus procured a light, the Buddhi referred to above sits in the chamber of the heart to untie the ligature (that binds the Spirit with Matter). The soul can hope to attain its object only in the event of Buddhi succeeding in untying it. But when Maya, O king of the birds, finds her attempting to untie the knot, she creates many difficulties. She sends forth, brother, a number of §Rddhis and Siddhis (riches and supernatural powers in their embodied forms), that try to excite her cupidity. By artifice, force or fraud they approach her and put off the light by fanning it with the end of their garment. If the Buddhi happens to be most sagacious, she refuses even to look at them considering them to be her enemies. If these impediments fail to distract her, the gods next proceed to create trouble. The various appertures of the body that locate the five senses are so many windows in the chamber of the heart, each of which is presided over by a god. Even as they find the gust of sensuality entering the chamber the gods wantonly throw the shutters of these appertures wide open. As soon as the blast penetrates the chamber of the heart the light of immediate knowledge gets extinguished. In this way while the ligature binding the Spirit with Matter remains untied, the light (of Self-Realization) also disappears and the understanding gets bewildered when buffetted by the blast of sensuality. Gnosis is welcome neither to the senses nor the gods presiding over them, who are ever fond of sensuous enjoyments. And the Buddhi too having been distracted by the blast of sensuality, who can light the lamp again as before?