15/H.O.M.E

THE YOGA OF THE SUPREME PERSON

In the final chapters of the Bhagavad-Gita, one of Krishna’s prime objectives is to engender a sense of detachment within Arjuna and the reader. In Chapter Fifteen, He compares the material world to the reflection of a banyan tree in water. In Sanskrit, the banyan tree is known as asvattha which etymologically means “that which will not be here tomorrow.” Though discussing the temporality of the world and everything within it may sound depressing, it’s actually incredibly empowering. By awakening this sense of detachment we recalibrate our vision and begin to focus on the enduring spiritual reality. As spiritual beings we’re not residents of London, Lagos or Los Angeles, but rather residents of the spiritual world.

H

Just as a banyan tree has its reflection in the water, the spiritual world also has its reflection - the material world. While they may look similar from a distance, the spiritual world is where reality, substance and true satisfaction is found. The reflected tree of the material world, however, confuses and frustrates, appearing upside-down and the wrong-way-round in all respects, with nothing substantial to offer us. Bird-like living entities frantically search for juicy fruits on the reflected tree, but the substance which they yearn for remains ever elusive. Krishna urges the reader to cut down this illusory tree with the weapon of detachment and end the futile endeavours for permanent fulfilment in the temporary phantasmagoria.

O

Krishna gives a glimpse of the spiritual world, showing how its nature is perfect, complete and fully satisfying to all. Once having re-entered it, one never returns to this world. Here in the material realm, an individual hops from tree to tree, acquiring various material bodies based on the worldly desires they cultivate throughout their life. At the time of death, through the subtle laws of reincarnation, one receives a body which is tailor-made to facilitate their deep-rooted desires. Man proposes, God disposes, and the embodied soul enters a new chapter of existence in the search for happiness.

M

One who is entangled within the reflected tree of material existence can develop his spiritual consciousness by appreciating Krishna as the maintainer on all levels. Krishna maintains our gross physical body by arranging fundamental necessities that provide the energy of life. He also maintains our subtle capacities by facilitating knowledge, remembrance and forgetfulness. Finally, and most importantly, Krishna maintains our spirituality by offering ways and means to achieve self-realisation and escape the dangerous cycle of repeated birth and death.

E

Previously Krishna summarised the Bhagavad-gita in four verses, and now He again summarises the teachings in three verses. Fallible living entities (ksara) have fallen into the tree of material existence due to an independent desire to enjoy. Distinguished from them are the infallible living entities (aksara) who never leave the spiritual realm due to their uncompromised desire to be with Krishna. Beyond both entities is the Supreme Lord. Thus, in yet another passage, Krishna reinforces that the living entity never becomes God, since even liberated souls have their separate identity in the spiritual world.

“WE ARE ALL VISITORS TO THIS TIME, THIS PLACE. WE ARE JUST PASSING THROUGH. OUR PURPOSE HERE IS TO OBSERVE, TO LEARN, TO GROW, TO LOVE... AND THEN WE RETURN HOME.” ~ ABORIGINAL PROVERB