Only those who take the shelter of God are able to transcend the worldly maya, writes AJIT KUMAR BISHNOI
Lord Krishna states in the Gita that this world appears upside down to a casual onlooker. (15.1-4) What it means is that this world is illusury, that is what attracts us is not good for us, and what repels is beneficial for us. A few examples will clarify. Let us take food items. To what are we attracted? The answer is: what is tasty, which may not necessarily be nutritious. And we stuff ourselves with such food articles and even become obese. What do we wish to see? What titillates and even scares us. Such programmes have the highest viewership. Even children are guilty of indulging in such pleasures. What do we wish to hear and talk about most? Gossip is the most common pastime for many. I can go on but the message is quite clear. We suffer from illusion in a big way.
Obviously, we are forever making mistakes, big ones, and suffer greatly as a result. What will you say to a person glorifying drinking, even producing so-called scientific evidence to support what he indulges in without restraint. This lusty behaviour is not limited to only drinking but extends to eating harmful foods, watching consciousness lowering programmers, engaging in illicit affairs, etc. It is no wonder that Lord Krishna has repeatedly warned us in the Gita about this very dangerous enemy — lust. In the verse no. 16.21, He specifically mentions that lust is a door to hell; it causes ruination of the soul.
Anger is a close second. In the verses 2.62 and 63, the Lord states, “Due to non-fulfillment of lust, anger results; from anger foolishness (closed mind) results; from foolishness bewilderment (inability to take right discussion based upon experience) results; from bewilderment loss of intelligence occurs; and by the loss of intelligence a person is doomed. In spite of such clear warning, we get angry and do not even try to restrain ourselves. The third door to hell is greed. This enemy in limitless. Even very wealthy persons fall prey to this weakness and even end up in jail. Haven’t we been told that need is limited only but greed has no limits.
What are we seeing these days in a highly developed Western country? The country is divided in two due to hate being fanned for political reasons. And what does such hate do? The hatemongers may end up in demonic species. (16.19) Yes, it is easier to unite the masses by hate than by love, but why don’t we see the consequences of such attempts. All these by themselves are horrible, but when we are smitten by ahamkar (ego) we leave ourselves no chances of redemption. On top of it, we, small souls, consider ourselves big. What can explain endless thinking on any matter? Why don’t we seek help, which is available. Others don’t see our problems the same way as we do; they are likely to be more objective about them.
But the real solution is in taking shelter of God. Because this illusion (maya) of seeing the world upside down is very difficult to overcome. (7.14) But it is not impossible to protect ourselves from being hopelessly illusioned. God can help. Those who take His shelter are able to transcend this maya. (7.12) Wise persons, therefore, take shelter of God, and are able to transcend this maya.
Bishnoi is a spiritual writer and can be reached at spiritual@ajitbishnoi.com
