97 - Realizing That the World is Transitory | Swami Tattwamayananda

Bhagavad Gita | The Essence of Vedanta

9th chapter: verse 30, 31, 32, 33
30th and 31st verse: When we take a real decision to turn to God with complete surrender, we have boarded the bus and are bound to reach the destination. We are then endowed with a new sense of inner fulfillment and contentment. Lord Krishna promises that such a spiritual devotee will not come to harm anywhere, anytime. Therefore, we should make the right decision.
Such a sincere decision brings positive changes to our mental system. It purifies our vrittis, vasanas and samskaras. All psychological obstacles are gone. On the spot, one becomes a dharmatma.
When we try to make such a decision, there are two voices within the mind. One voice blocks. The other encourages. Every failed attempt to make the right decision weakens the mental block and strengthens our ability to make the decision.
How do we know that we have made the right decision? We feel inner tranquility and contentment. We feel – “I have done what I ought to have done and I have attained what I ought to have attained.” Such a decision is good for the person and for others.
32nd verse: “Anyone can attain this supreme, spiritual goal. There is no discrimination based on caste or gender.”
Gita was written at a time when there were some inequalities in the social structure. Certain classes of society were not allowed to participate in vedic rituals. Lord Krishna says that the highest goal is within the reach of everyone, even people with sinful deeds.
Regarding feminine gender, in the 34th verse of the 10th chapter, Lord Krishna says: “I take the form of the exquisite, refined, feminine qualities such as speech, memory, intelligence, steadfastness and peace.”
33rd verse: “If everyone can attain the supreme spiritual goal, what to speak about holy sages and rajarshis (philosopher kings). They will naturally attain the highest goal. Having come to this anityam-asukham-lokam (transient, joyless, world), you worship Me.”
This verse makes two important points. First, the highest goal is open to everyone. It is the freedom of the soul. Second, the highest goal is worthy of attainment. It should be the goal of all human endeavors.
Rajarshi is a person who has the dual qualities of a king (Rajatvam) and a saint (Rishitvam). As a king, he has great prosperity, dynamism and efficiency. As a saint, he has a calm attitude, can see far into things, and understands the limitations and impermanence of his wealth and powers.
When we understand the subtle truth of secular prosperity – that it is not eternal (anityam), that it is within time, space and causation, that it only provides transitory happiness (asukham) – then we take to higher thinking and become a philosopher while doing our secular activities. Anityam does not mean non-existent. It exists, but it does not exist eternally.
Lord Krishna says to Arjuna that this world is transient and can only provide transitory happiness. You should realize this truth and then think of Me (the highest truth). Then your life, which is a blessing from God, will become complete.
In the Vivekachudamani, Shankaracharya describes the three rare gifts from God. First gift is to be born as a human being. After being born as a human being, the second gift is to have mumukshutvam (desire for spiritual enlightenment). After being endowed with the first two gifts, the third gift is to have the association of an illumined teacher.
Intellectually, we know that the world is transient, but we are not able to translate this intellectual awareness to emotional awareness. We attribute permanence to things that are inherently impermanent. When we realize the transitory nature of the world, we develop higher common sense and get peace of mind.
Behind every worry, there is an undue expectation. This life becomes a blessing when we realize that this world is anityam-asukham-lokam.