The Sankhya philosophy
Arjuna’s confusion was about death and destruction. In order to take his vision beyond birth and death, Krishna presented the concept of the Soul:
There was no time when I was not, or when you or these kings were not. Nor is it that in future we shall all cease to be.
Obviously, Krishna was not referring to the body. He was speaking about the immortality of the Soul. Hence, whatever he said is applicable to everyone in this world. In other words, it is relevant to each one of you. What do you mean by “Presence”? When I say something is present, it must continue to be present. “Existence” is continuous, ceaseless and unbroken.
This is Sankhya philosophy. Through concepts, reasoning and logic, intelligence explores the sphere of knowledge. So, let us re-evaluate our judgement about ourselves. We have a house. We live in it. But are we the house? We put on our dresses. But are we the dress? We have a body. But are we the body? Am I clear? Let us understand the difference between the Subject and object. To be born in a body does not mean to be the body. This is the difference between “I”, the Subject, and the body which is mine, the object.
Transcending birth and death
The question necessarily arises: Then, what is death? What is called birth? Krishna explains that birth and death are only transformations taking place in the bodily level. They can never affect the non-bodily Consciousness, cetana.
Knowing that you are beyond birth and death, you will be able to transcend grief. Krishna points out that to think of death and start grieving about it is disharmonious. Understand Nature, accept its complexities. It fulfills itself in many ways:
Sreemad Bhagavatam (11.22.38) defines death in such beautiful terms that you will easily overcome all fear about it. It says: mrtyuh atyanta vismrtih – death is unbroken forgetfulness. It is like sleep from which you do not get up. When you understand death to be so, what should be your attitude towards it? There is no need to fear it, nor should you ever crave for it.
Neither death, which is sure to take place (now or later), nor life which always is uncertain, should ever be rejoiced over.
This is how you can transcend thoughts on both death and life. Have no fear of death; and while living, live beautifully, freely and harmoniously. Can you raise your mind to this transcendence? This is spiritual transformation.
Going beyond the pairs of opposites is the crux of transformation. My dear souls, it is within the reach of every one of you. Drop the preferences, drop the prejudices, drop your desires and drop your hatred. Each one of this is loading your mind. Tell me, is it good or bad to have a greedy mind? (Audience: “Bad”.) Then why not drop it? Make the mind light. Get rid of every unwelcome note.
When I first read this sloka in Sreemad Bhagavatam years back, it was an eye-opener for me. In fact, it has remained with me as a treasure. I wondered: “Is this the attitude that one must cultivate in life? Is this true spirituality? Is this how enlightenment dawns?” I found it very beautiful, relatable, functional, wholesome and exhilarating.
Listening to Krishna, Arjuna nodded his head. He agreed: “I will never think of death at all. I have understood about death. But, my problem is about life, Krishna. What about the complexities of life? How am I to interact with life’s intricacies and entanglements?”
(Taken from Vicharasethu Nov 2011 Issue)