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GEETA AND NAMASMARAN: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

There are many interpretations of the 5th and 6th shlokas in 6th chapter of Geeta.

More often than not these shlokas are “used” to emphasize and prove “individual supremacy” and refute the subtler insights, perceptions and experiences; of true self (guru, god, almighty, absolute truth, super consciousness, cosmic consciousness).

This fact appears innocuous.

But such hype of individual supremacy unleashes the barbaric elements within us; and leads to self aggrandizement and megalomaniac behavior that disrupts and destroys the unity and the harmony inside us and also in the society.

As a result of this understanding; I used to think that the shlokas imply presence of higher self and lower self. Higher self being friend and lower being foe.

But the next question would arise if higher self is friend; then whose friend is it; itself, lower self, or both? If lower self is foe; then whose foe is it; itself, higher self or both?
Dnyaneshvari seems to explain this is with perfect clarity and pragmatism.

The state of remembering oneself is friendly (benevolent to one and all) and the state of forgetfulness is inimical (disruptive and destructive to all). The state of self remembrance; is friendly (embodies individual and universal blossoming, holistic renaissance, unity and harmony and profundity and prosperity) and the state of self forgetfulness; is fiercely inimical (embodies individual and universal degeneration, disease, decay and death, holistic retrogression, disunity, disharmony, pettiness and poverty).

If and as we “see” this subtle reality; we would “see” the universal benevolence of NAMASMARAN (the state of self remembrance) and rise from our slumber, lethargy, indolence, irresponsibility on the one hand and meanness, insecurity, agitation and petty selfish obsessions (the state of NAMAVISMARAN i.e. self forgetfulness). We would then; not only practice NAMASMARAN with topmost priority; but try to share its holistic benevolence with maximum people.

DESIRE, CONFUSION AND NAMASMARAN: DR SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

Once upon a time a man who traveled in jungle. On the way he met with some people expert in magic.

They captured his wife and shunned him. Through magic they changed her appearance and made her look like the other ladies in their group.

The person stayed outside the boundary of their locality and everyday kept on urging them to free his wife. Ultimately they had mercy and said; they would release her immediately; but the only if he could identify her!

He thanked them profusely; as that seemed quite easy!

But to his surprise; when he called her loudly with her name there were hundreds of ladies looking exactly like his wife and he was unable to identify her. Each time he thought he identified her; she would turn out to be someone else! He would be proved wrong and be miserable.

This went on for years!

At the end he consulted a wise man.

The wise man asked him to pretend to kill his son in front of the ladies looking like his wife; who would gather and confuse him!

When he did so suddenly his wife rushed to prevent him; thus was instantly identified and was immediately freed.

Our innate desire of self realization; is lost amongst the petty desires and cannot be easily isolated! Hence we are perennially lost in the petty desires and remain confused and unsatisfied.

The saints ask us to practice NAMASMARAN, which begins the process of identification of our own innate desire and its fulfillment; which is like the “our reunion with our most beloved wife”!

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