Aspects of Ignorance........Viveka Chudamani

ASPECTS OF IGNORANCE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BONDAGE OF THE WORLDLY LIFE.

It goes without saying that “Viveka Chudamni” is one of the masterly work on advaitic thought Sri. Adi Sankaracharya, and this deal with the subject matter. Viveka Chudamani deals with the nature of the bondage and analyses the ways and means to get rid of it for attainment of ultimate liberation.

The two powers of ignorance can be described as ‘avarana’ (veiling) and ‘vikshepa’ (projection). All problems of human life arise from identifying the non-self with the self, more the identification more the bondage leading to bindings, and man gets bound by his own deeds, just like the caterpillar by the threads of its cocoon. There can be and there is only one reality that is ‘self’. The entire world and its objects that we see are illusory appearances like a dream sequence and the mistaken identity, considering the worldly objects to be real is really a reel and is responsible for all bondage.

Illusory appearances have two fold powers.

1. They can veil the reality.

2. they can project one thing as the other and on account of these powers, ignorance covers up the true nature of the self as the sun is eclipsed by a minor luminary of the sky.

Being veiled by such ignorance, man forgets his own self as being of the form of supreme bliss and starts thinking that he is unhappy and searches for pleasure from outside sources which push him more and more deep into the quagmire of desire and bondage. He identifies himself with the body, which is non-self and rises to binding fetters of lust, anger and like things.

Here please remember what Lord Krishna in Bahagavad Gita had described “Lust and anger leads to infatuation, loss of intellect and ultimate destruction”.

The same idea is emphasized in Viveka Chudamani. The self is the real nature of every being and is therefore present in every being. But due to wrong identification with the body and the senses makes one feel that he is different from the self, and such a feeling of the difference is the root cause of lust, jelousey and anger. And these base instincts push and pull a man into the boundless ocean of samsar, that is, cycle of birth and death.

Doubt may arise, if the self is but one and if its real nature is of supreme joy, how can it ever be veiled by lesser things? The answer is that ignorance and egoism are unfortunately endowed with such a power of veiling even the supreme self, until true knowledge dawns.

The mind and the senses owe their existence to the self, but project themselves as the true nature of the self. A wise man who realizes this truth controls the mind and the senses and basks in glory of the self, while the ignorant man, enslaved by the mind and senses, lose track and get entangled in the miseries of the worldly life. You will notice that ultimately the two powers of ignorance (illusory world) i.e. veiling and projecting (avarana and vikshepa) are responsible for the bondage because of which man superimposes the perishable body on the eternal self and undergoes countless cycles of births and deaths not knowing the ways and means of liberation.

Ignorance may start in a small way like a seed of a tree. But if it is allowed to sprout up, will lead to superimposition of the body on the self. The small plant of ignorance sprouted out of the seed is watered by worldly desires, the vital airs are the branches, the sense organs are the tips of those branches, the sense objects are the flowers, the momentary joys and sorrows are the fruits. The bird that sits on the tree and enjoys the fruits of action is the individual soul (jiva) The tree of worldly life projects itself seemingly impregnable but likely to get uprooted at any time. If a man feels that he does not have peace, it is he himself who is responsible for such a state. He has brought upon himself miseries by his own deeds and desires. He cannot blame any one else for his bondage, which is caused by his own ignorance.

Now the question arises how can the endless chain of births, deaths, desires, longings and bondage can be destroyed- only by real knowledge in the form of discrimination between the non-self and self, is capable of destroying the chain. Following the traditions, the mere knowledge will lead, to pride and egoism as said by Adi Sankaracharya, but the knowledge of the self coupled with grace of the lord, under THE GUIDANCE OF A GENUINE MASTER, can mitigate the sufferings of the mind, and this cannot be attained overnight and needs proper training, perfect cleansing of mind and practice under the guidance of a MASTER, and to achieve this study of the scriptures and performance of the prescribed duties and practices are recommended.

The mind purified by the scriptural study, performance of rites and duties without attachment of the results of such duties becomes fit to receive the knowledge of the self (Atmagnana), which alone can free one from the bondage of worldly life.

If one cultivates endurance towards this, makes sincere efforts, and surrenders to the MASTER, can certainly achieve and get freed from the bondage to attain liberation.

J.K