Re: define Self Realization and Moksha
Namaste Anirudh,
Originally Posted by
Anirudh
I am following BG English commentary by Jayadayal Goyandaka published by Gita Press.
In chapter 11, Shree Krishna offers yogic vision to his see cosmic body. Arjuna sees that.
This is not Self-realisation but having a vision of Lord Krishna as VirAt. This is grace of Lord Krishna which makes him aware what Krishna is. This is knowledge understood by mind. Self-realisation is beyond that. Self is from where mind arises.
Later in chapter 12, Shree Krishna explains the marks of devotees who have realized.
Yes, but that we get even by reading books like Bhagwad Gita but we don't become Self-realised. Self-realisation is not bookish knowledge, it has to be "experienced". The Self has to experience Itself as Itself.
In chapter 18, Shree Krishna explains the glory of self surrender. When Arjuna was still confused after hearing everything, in slokam 66, Shree Krishna ask Arjuna to take refuge in HIM. And HE shall absolve all of Arjuna's SIN.
In Slokam 73 Arjuna says he has understood everything and is prepared to do everything just like an instrument of Shree Krishna.
In Chapter 18, Arjuna does say : " My "moha" is destroyed and I have gained "smriti"". However, it is not exactly Self-realisation. Arjuna realises his folly by seeing the reason after being instructed by Lord Krishna and he says that he is ready to do what he is told to do.
Arjuna has seen HIS cosmic form. Arjuna has complete faith in Shree Krishna. He also understood that he is not the actual doer but just an instrument in the scheme of Shree Krishna. He has self surrended to Shree Krishna. Arjuna has his mind fixed on Shree Krishna.
After reading slokam 73 of chapter 18, how can we say Arjuna is
NOT self realized ?
As I have narrated above, these things do not make one Self-realised. If you remember, Yama (Death) clearly says regarding Self-realisation in Kathopanishad :
2-III-12. Not by speech, not by mind, not by the eye can It be attained. Except in the case of one who says, 'It exists', how can It be known to anyone else?
2-III-13. The Self should be apprehended as existing and also as It really is. Of these two (aspects), to him who knows It to exist, Its true nature is revealed.
2-III-14. When all longings that are in the heart vanish, then a mortal becomes immortal and attains Brahman here.
2-III-15. When all the knots of the heart are cut asunder here, then a mortal becomes immortal. Only this much is the instruction.
Let's assume that my teacher has taught me a lesson theoretically and also demonstrated it practically. Then he checks with me whether I understood the subject. To that if I say yes, but in reality haven't understood it, then I am telling lies.
I can neither assume that Arjuna lied nor Sreeman Naaraayan can be cheated like that.
Nobody has lied. Arjuna was instructed by Lord Krishna verbally and he was to understand it by his mind and he understood what was taught by Lord Krishna. So, Arjuna didn't lie. However, This is not Self-realisation as we understand from what Yama said.
OM
"Om Namo Bhagvate Vaasudevaye"
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