Bhagavad Geeta 04|Ch13 V2 Bhashya; V7| Cause of Samsara; Cultivating Unpretentiousness (Adambhitvam)
Verse 2 Bhashya:
What is the cause of Samsara?
The root cause of Samsara is Avidhya (Ignorance). When there is ignorance, duality is given reality.
Righteous and unrighteous actions create dharma and adharma, pushing to births and deaths.
Mistaken Identity is Samsara. Recognizing this marks the true beginning of understanding Vedanta.
With Knowledge: Duality is not taken away. Reality given to duality is taken away - This is the Gyani’s standpoint. If everything is an appearance, what is the point of developing Raga, Dvesha towards anything or anyone, World is not worthy of getting attached to nor developed any hatred to.
To explain this, Bhagavan Shankaracharya, in the Bhashya of V2 gives the example of superimposition of a man on a post/column in the dark. However, with this superimposition, the attributes of either don't get transferred to each other. Similarly in the case of Pure consciousness and mind, their attributes don’t transfer.
The student (poorva pakshi) then raises an objection citing that the example Bhagavan gives is not apt as it involves superimposition of 2 known objects (objects of knowledge) whereas what is being pointed out is superimposition between knower and known, and so Jeeva cannot be Ishwara.
Bhagavan then clarifies that if the student is saying that the attributes can get transferred, then Consciousness/Ishwara must become perishable which is not the case. One cannot transfer some attributes and skip others. Consciousness is eternal and does not get affected by the superimposed, which is an appearance.
Verse 7:
Adambhitvam: Unpretentiousness.
Adambhitvam (humility & unpretentiousness) is the absence of showiness or the need to flaunt what we possess.
What is the problem with showing off? The moment we speak of our good qualities, what we possess, spiritual practices, etc., their efficacy and the joy derived from them diminishes. The more quietly these spiritual practices are undertaken, the greater their power. A key quality for spiritual growth is Adambhitvam
How can we cultivate Adambhitvam?
An effective way is to set up an internal ‘alarm system’ in the mind. As soon as the ego starts to rise, become fully aware of it. The key is awareness-Dambhitvam thrives because we are often unaware of it.
Keep Satsang and good company.
by
Br. Soham Chaitanya,
Resident spiritual teacher, Chinmaya Sandeepany San Jose
18 окт 2024
