Monday, May 05, 2008
GITA 108 DAYS - Day 82
82. Characteristics of those who transcended the material nature
“Gunatheethan” is the one who has transcended characteristics of the material nature. While in contact with it, he doesn’t have anything against knowledge, action or even ignorance. Many people live life cursing and self-hating lamenting about their past deeds. Qualities are ephemeral, so there is no point in getting angry at their appearance and disappearance. Do not long for the material qualities that are not with us. Also, do not carry on the memory of pleasures experienced in the past and dwell in those thoughts. A man of wisdom does not waste his present time dwelling in the memories of the past or in the anxieties of the future. A ‘gunatheethan’ is always engaged in the ‘now’.
He is not affected by gunas (modifications and qualities). He is not partial to any activities to the point of being uninterested in them. His mind is unwavering knowing that the gunas express their innate characteristics as their dharma. He will cry aloud if he feels like it; he will laugh when he feels like laughing. He doesn’t identify with them or internalize them. We should be our own masters.
He is calm, unaffected by the dualities of pleasure & pain; likes & dislikes and honour & dishonour. He understands the essence of a piece of gold and stone equally well. This doesn’t mean that he ‘sees’ gold for stone or vice versa. He sees them both, in their totality. He doesn’t blame anyone nor do they feel compelled to justify all their deeds. He is a man of courage who takes praise and insult with the same attitude. He is equal towards friends and enemies. He is devoid of “I the doer attitude” in all his endeavours. A gunatheetha is very careful and he is well aware of what happens in him –be it sadness, anger or happiness. Through unwavering devotion, he serves the Lord and transcends all material nature. He is beyond all modifications realizing that ‘I’ am the abode of Brahman, the imperishable nectar of bliss and the eternal dharma.
“Gunatheethan” is the one who has transcended characteristics of the material nature. While in contact with it, he doesn’t have anything against knowledge, action or even ignorance. Many people live life cursing and self-hating lamenting about their past deeds. Qualities are ephemeral, so there is no point in getting angry at their appearance and disappearance. Do not long for the material qualities that are not with us. Also, do not carry on the memory of pleasures experienced in the past and dwell in those thoughts. A man of wisdom does not waste his present time dwelling in the memories of the past or in the anxieties of the future. A ‘gunatheethan’ is always engaged in the ‘now’.
He is not affected by gunas (modifications and qualities). He is not partial to any activities to the point of being uninterested in them. His mind is unwavering knowing that the gunas express their innate characteristics as their dharma. He will cry aloud if he feels like it; he will laugh when he feels like laughing. He doesn’t identify with them or internalize them. We should be our own masters.
He is calm, unaffected by the dualities of pleasure & pain; likes & dislikes and honour & dishonour. He understands the essence of a piece of gold and stone equally well. This doesn’t mean that he ‘sees’ gold for stone or vice versa. He sees them both, in their totality. He doesn’t blame anyone nor do they feel compelled to justify all their deeds. He is a man of courage who takes praise and insult with the same attitude. He is equal towards friends and enemies. He is devoid of “I the doer attitude” in all his endeavours. A gunatheetha is very careful and he is well aware of what happens in him –be it sadness, anger or happiness. Through unwavering devotion, he serves the Lord and transcends all material nature. He is beyond all modifications realizing that ‘I’ am the abode of Brahman, the imperishable nectar of bliss and the eternal dharma.
# posted by Sukumar Canada @ 8:54 PM 
