Miscellaneous - Religion   

Essence of bliss

CHENNAI: The Upanishads teach the truth of the Supreme Brahman who is described as the essence of Sat (Eternal) Chit (consciousness) and Ananda (Bliss). He is beyond Time and is the only presence who eternally exists, even before the universe was created and even after it is dissolved into Himself. He is the only Truth to be known and scriptures show through many examples the ephemeral nature of the world that nevertheless has the ability to deceive and delude many very easily. But at times when due to various reasons, faith in scriptures is low amongst people and there is decline in moral values and spiritual awareness, through the grace of the Lord spiritual leaders and preceptors are born to uplift humanity.

Adi Sankara’s role as a preceptor was to rekindle the spiritual pursuit among people through his in-depth commentaries on the scriptures and the various hymns that persuade mankind to turn away from the world of Samsara and seek the ultimate goal, liberation, said Sri Goda Venkateswara Sastrigal in a lecture. Joy and sorrow are caused through attachment to worldly objects. When an individual begins to hanker after a worldly object, the assumption is that this object is real and is capable of giving happiness. A dog chewing a dry bone and deriving a sense of enjoyment (falsely) when it is in reality tasting its own blood and hurting itself is an apt analogy to describe the state of the individual who fails to understand the truth that what he considers as joy is only an illusion.

The truth is that there is no happiness or joy in worldly objects, no matter how attractive they may appear to be. For one thing, everything is ephemeral and passing and there is nothing that will be lasting. The maximum happiness one can aim for in human life is a well lived life. Scriptures and sacred texts reiterate the truth that Avidya (ignorance) is caused by Maya and caution mankind not to be swayed by the attractions of the world and sense enjoyments.

The nature of the Supreme Brahman is the essence of everlasting bliss. It is full and complete and self contained. In comparison with the pleasures and the joys of the world, this Bliss is pure and unalloyed.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Cartoonscape
The Hindu Crossword 9370
Solution to Puzzle 9369
Essence of bliss
dated November 5, 1958: Geneva talks
dated November 5, 1958: Tapping new resources
dated November 5, 1958: Supreme Pontiff
Weather

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu