Journey Towards Spiritual Enlightenment: Insights from the Bhagavad Gita

Recently, enlightenment, Brahma-gyana, and spiritual advancement have gained significant popularity. A growing segment of society is increasingly recognising the necessity of spiritual growth. One major driving factor behind this trend is the intensity of desires. As individuals navigate through phases of success and failure in their attempts to fulfil these desires, they often face setbacks that leave them disappointed and disheartened. Over time, this disappointment prompts a deeper reflection on the transient nature of worldly pursuits. They begin to understand that everything in this world is temporary and that they will eventually depart from it. This realisation leads them to see the futility of chasing ephemeral desires. Many turn to religious texts or attend spiritual gatherings, searching for something eternal that will always be with them. However, the pursuit of the infinite is not accessible to everyone; one must be prepared and worthy of receiving divine grace. Through persistent efforts and sincere seeking, individuals may receive God's grace, which leads them to their Guru and initiates their spiritual journey. The duration of this journey varies depending on the evolution of the individual's soul; some may attain God in this very life, while for others, it may take several lifetimes.

On further progress along the spiritual path, the first indication is the realisation that we are not the body but the soul. In other words, the identity one has acquired in this lifetime is solely associated with the physical form. The true essence is that of pure consciousness distinct from the body. In the Bhagavad Gita, in Chapter 2, Verse 13, Lord Krishna states:

 देहिनोSस्मिन्यथा देहे कौमारं यौवनं जरा |

      तथा देहान्तरप्राप्तिर्धीरस्तत्र न मुह्यति || १३ ||

The embodied soul continually passes through this body from boyhood to youth and then to old age, and it passes into another body at the time of death. A wise person is quick to understand such a transition. A person with complete knowledge of consciousness and material and spiritual nature is called wise (Gyani). They know that they have no actual connection with this body.

The second sign of spiritual advancement is that the individual begins to perceive the soul and the Supreme Soul as the same. In other words, they start to see the complete form of the Supreme Being and become free from the feeling of duality, firmly establishing themselves in non-duality. This understanding reveals to them that the soul is a part of God or, more precisely, that both are fundamentally one. In Chapter 7, Verse 7 of the Bhagavad Gita, the Lord says-

मत्तः परतरं नान्यत्किञ्चिदस्ति धनञ्जय |

मयि सर्वमिदं प्रोतं सूत्रे मणिगणा इव || ७ ||

O Dhananjaya, there is no truth superior to mine. Everything rests upon me, like pearls strung on a thread."

The Shvetāsvatara Upanishad says (3.10) – ततो यदुत्तरतरं तदरूपमनामयं | य एतद्विदुरमृतास्ते भवन्त्यथेतरे दुःखमेवापियन्ति – Brahma, the primal being of the universe, is regarded as the greatest among demigods, humans, and other creatures. However, beyond Brahma exists a transcendental Brahman, which has no material form and is free from all material contamination. The person who knows this supreme Brahman attains divinity, while those who remain ignorant of Him suffer and experience sorrow. 

The third characteristic is that he now wants to be free from this impermanence; that is, he starts talking about salvation. He wants to escape this trap or illusion of Maya, which takes him away from that soul element. In chapter 4, verse 9 of the Gita, Lord Krishna says,

जन्म कर्म च मे दिव्यमेवं यो वेत्ति तत्त्वतः |

त्यक्त्वा देहं पुनर्जन्म नैति मामेति सोSर्जुन || ९ ||

O Arjuna! Upon leaving this body, one who understands the transcendental nature of my emergence and actions does not return to the cycle of rebirth in the material world. Instead, they attain my eternal abode. The Shvetashvatara Upanishad says: ’तमेव विदित्वाति मृत्युमेति नान्यः पन्था विद्यतेSय नाय।' -3.8

A man attains complete liberation from birth and death by simply knowing God. This knowledge is the ultimate truth; there is no alternative to it.

The fourth indication of spiritual advancement is the gradual purification of the individual, evident in both their thoughts and actions. This purification process ensures they are consistently filled with truth, non-violence, and devotion. As their inner transformation deepens, these virtues become a constant presence, guiding their behaviour and interactions. The divine qualities are elaborated upon in Chapter 16, verses 1–3 of the Bhagavad Gita:

अभयं सत्त्वसंश्रुद्धिर्ज्ञानयोगव्यवस्थितिः |

दानं दमश्र्च यज्ञश्र्च स्वाध्यायस्तप आर्जवम् || 1 ||

अहिंसा सत्यमक्रोधस्त्यागः शान्तिरपैश्रुनम् |

दया भूतेष्वलोलुप्त्वं मार्दवं ह्रीरचापलम् || 2 ||

तेजः क्षमा धृतिः शौचमद्रोहो नातिमानिता |

भवन्ति सम्पदं दैवीमभिजातस्य भारत || 3 ||

"Fearlessness, purity of heart, steadfastness in knowledge and yoga, charity, self-control, sacrifice, study of the scriptures, austerity, simplicity, non-violence, truthfulness, absence of anger, renunciation, peace, absence of fault-finding, compassion towards all beings, absence of greed, gentleness, humility, absence of fickleness, brilliance, forgiveness, patience, purity, absence of ill-will, and modesty—these divine qualities are present in godly individuals endowed with a divine nature."

That means godly individuals endowed with a divine nature possess many divine qualities. These include fearlessness, purity of heart, steadfastness in knowledge and yoga, charity, self-control, sacrifice, etc. These qualities collectively reflect the elevated spiritual state of those who embody them, forming the essence of their divine nature.

The Yajurveda 36.18: states, ”अहिंसा परमो धर्मः।" Nonviolence is the highest dharma.

The Rigveda 10.191.2: emphasises “संगच्छध्वं सं वदध्वं सं वो मनांसि जानताम्।” unity and harmony, urging individuals to "come together, speak together, let your minds be of one accord." 

The Taittireeya Upanishad 1.11.1: "सत्यं वद धर्मं चर।" advocates truthfulness and righteousness, echoing the Gita's emphasis on truth and proper conduct. 

The Chandogya Upanishad 8.7.1: says, "न हि ज्ञानेन सदृशं पवित्रमिह विद्यते।"  . This Upanishad says nothing is more sacred than knowledge in this world. It highlights the supremacy of knowledge, aligning with the Gita's teachings on Gyan yoga and spiritual purification.

In the Mahabharata's Shanti Parva 262.12: "दानं धर्मं तपः शौचं सत्यं धीः क्षमा दमः।”  , virtues such as charity, righteousness, purity, truth, forgiveness, and self-control are extolled, resembling the divine qualities mentioned in the Gita. 

The Manu Smriti 6.92: "सत्यं ब्रह्म तपो ब्रह्म ब्रह्मेदं सर्वमित्युच्यते।" underscores the significance of truth and penance as forms of Brahma, reinforcing their importance as emphasised in the Gita

The fifth characteristic of spiritual advancement is to surrender completely to God. A person who embodies this trait sees God's grace in everything and does not feel the pain of losing or gaining anything. This complete surrender allowed me to remain unaffected by worldly ups and downs, fully trusting in the divine will and finding peace in the spiritual knowledge that everything is part of God's plan. In chapter 18, verse 66 of the Gita, Lord Krishna says,

सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज |

                अहं त्वां सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः || 66 ||

Lord Krishna's counsel to Arjuna becomes profoundly relevant. Krishna advises Arjuna to relinquish his sense of doership and recognise that all actions, tasks, and even the body belong to Krishna. He teaches that divine inspiration guides all actions. Thus, Krishna urges Arjuna to abandon all actions, turn away from ego, and simply surrender to Him. By doing so, Krishna promises to destroy Arjuna's sins, free him from the bondage of karma, and grant him salvation. Krishna's assurance leaves no room for doubt, emphasising the transformative power of surrender and divine grace. 

Ultimately, they transcend all worldly attachments and relationships forever. They understand that these bonds are only the shackles of the physical body and that spirituality exists independently of earthly matters. In chapter 2, verse 71 of the Gita, God says,

     विहाय कामान्यः सर्वान्पुमांश्र्चरति निःस्पृहः |

      निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः स शान्तिमधिगच्छति || ७१ ||

Only a person who has renounced all desires for sense gratification, who is free from desires, who has renounced all attachment, and who is devoid of ego, can attain real peace.

ऋग्वेद 10.53.6: "ऋतेन ऋतं पिपर्ति सत्येन सत्यमाश्रवत्।" Truth and justice are achieved by following the path of truth and justice.

यजुर्वेद 40.1: "ईशावास्यमिदं सर्वं यत्किञ्च जगत्यां जगत्।" It implies that God is in charge of everything. The person who knows this truth becomes free from attachment and ego.

A person devoid of material desires understands that everything belongs to Krishna (Isavasyam Idam Sarvam), and therefore, they do not assert ownership. This profound understanding is rooted in self-realisation, wherein every living entity is recognised as a manifestation of Krishna, possessing eternal existence. The material world neither equals nor surpasses Krishna's realm in significance. Thus, this awareness of Krishna's consciousness is the foundational principle for attaining genuine peace.

बृहदारण्यक उपनिषद 4.4.6: "यः सर्वेषु भूतेषु तिष्ठन्नुपध्राव्याणि।" The person who sees God in all beings attains self-realization and becomes free from attachment, ego and desires.

कठोपनिषद 2.3.14: "यदा सर्वे प्रमुच्यन्ते कामा येऽस्य हृदि श्रिताः।" When all the desires that reside in a person's heart are destroyed, he attains immortality. This represents the Gita's concept of renunciation of desires.

The need of a Guru: The guidance of a Guru is essential for proper knowledge. In chapter 4, verse 34 of the Gita, Lord Krishna says:

तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया |

                उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः || ३४ ||

Serve that knowledge by surrendering humbly to your Guru and asking him the right questions. He will indeed teach you enlightenment. Here, Pranipaat signifies surrendering oneself at the feet of the Guru with humility and reverence. This act underscores the importance of humility and the abandonment of ego in the pursuit of knowledge. By relinquishing ego, a student can aptly absorb the teachings imparted by the Guru. Pariprashna refers to the act of asking relevant and meaningful questions. It embodies a sense of curiosity and a genuine desire to comprehend. Knowledge can only be acquired when one poses the proper inquiries. In this context, Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to cultivate curiosity and pose pertinent questions to dispel his doubts. These questions shouldn't merely serve intellectual amusement or follow logical reasoning; instead, they should aim at spiritual liberation, transcending egoistic pursuits.

Seva refers to serving the Guru. This act of service reflects respect and devotion to the Guru. Through serving the Guru, one receives blessings and affection, which are instrumental in acquiring knowledge. The verse "गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः, गुरुः साक्षात्‌ परब्रह्म तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः।" emphasises the profound significance of the Guru in one's life, acknowledging the Guru as the embodiment of the divine.

Tulsidas is saying, "Jahan Ram tah kaam (people desires) nahi, Jahan kaam nahi Ram. Tulsi kabahu hot nahi, Ravi rajni ek thaam," conveys that where there is devotion to Lord Ram (i.e., remembrance and devotion of God), worldly desires or cravings cannot exist. Conversely, where there are worldly desires, there cannot be devotion to Lord Ram. This verse shows that remembering God and worldly desires cannot exist together. A person entangled in pursuing wealth, familial ties, and material prosperity cannot aspire to attain Brahma Gyan without relinquishing these attachments. Attachment and craving are the root causes of sorrow and suffering. God enlightens the seeker about the true nature of reality and liberates them from the world's illusions. Self-knowledge, monism, purification, and devotion to God are indispensable. By adhering to the teachings elucidated in the Bhagavad Gita, individuals can attain Brahma Gyan and progress towards salvation.