Most of us do not know why we have taken this birth, why we are leading these lives, what happens after death and what the ultimate goal of our lives is. We are all ordinary people without knowledge of the very fundamentals of human life. But a spiritual person knows answers for all these questions. We are all descended from a huge reservoir of energy, called ‘Paramaathma’ or the ‘Supreme soul’. The Supreme soul has divided itself into small quantities of energy and that individual speck of energy is called ‘Jeevaathma’ or ‘Bodily soul’. This Jeevaathma creates a physical body and starts doing some karma (actions) and these actions will bring it different experiences which finally expand its level of consciousness. When Jeevaathma realizes that there is nothing to know more, it will reach to higher consciousness where it identifies itself with the Supreme soul. This is called ‘Moksha’ or ‘Salvation’. We are all now in the form of Jeevaathma and our mission in this world is to attain salvation. For a normal person, it takes more than 1,00,000 births to reach this state. A yogi or a spiritual person reaches this state in 3 years by doing meditation for 8 hours a day.
In Bhagavad Gita, the Jeevaathma is represented by Arjuna which resides in the physical body which is depicted by a chariot. This chariot is driven by horses which represent the senses. The Paramaathma is Lord Krishna who guides Arjuna to realize that he is Jeevaathma and his goal is to reach Paramaathma. Krishna holds the reins which are nothing but the activities of mind. The battle is between Kauravaas (demonic nature) and Pandavaas (divine nature) – these two are the two sides of the mind. Winning the battle is possible only by controlling the senses and purifying the mind through yoga. Then only Jeevaathma can attain the state of Paramaathma. Such a person who is in the path of becoming Paramaathma is called ‘Spiritually enlightened person’.
Prayaatnaad yatamanastu yogi samsuddha kilbishah
Aneka janma samsiddha sthato yaati pararaam gatim |
Tapasvibhyodhiko yogi jnaanibhyopi mathodhikah
Karmibhyaschaadhiko yogi tasmaad yogi bhavaarjuna | - Bhagavad Gita.
A spiritually enlightened person, who practices yoga diligently will be relieved from the worldly attachments, attains perfection of several lifetimes and finally attains the ultimate goal (Moksha).
Such a person is superior to the persons who practice penance and lead austere life. He is superior to the Vedic scholars. He is also superior to the persons who perform Vedic ceremonies for gaining worldly comforts. Therefore, O Arjuna, become a spiritually enlightened person!
A spiritual person knows that he is not the physical body, but the Jeevaathma. This Jeevaathma does not need any bodily pleasures and hence he is not interested in doing the worldly duties. He concentrates on the purification of mind and soul. For this purpose, he needs a ‘Guru’ (divine guide). A Guru is a person who already attained the ultimate goal of becoming the Supreme soul. Guru prescribes certain procedures like reciting mantras, doing yoga and meditation, etc. Finally, the person’s consciousness increases to find out that he is the Supreme soul, the only one thing pervading the entire Universe.
Most of us do not know why we have taken this birth, why we are leading these lives, what happens after death and what the ultimate goal of our lives is.
