Brahmanubhuti Talk 52
(Characteristics of Sthitaprajna – Worldly Life)
How does a Sthithaprajna walk? This was the question Arjuna asked.
“Raga dvesha vimukthaisthu vishayaan indriyaishcharan, atmavasyair vidheyatma prasadam adhigacchati”.
Arjuna had asked a question, “How does an Enlightened one move around?” The Enlightened one can be in a state of Samadhi, contemplating and meditating; or he wakes up from Samadhi and interacts in the world of sense objects. How does he interact? ‘Raga dvesha vimukthaisthu’ – because of meditation, and contemplation – Shravana, Manana, and Nidhidhyasa – his latent impressions have gone down – they are erased. He is free from likes and dislikes, attractions and repulsions. Even though he moves around in the world of sense objects, he is in a state of tranquility, peace. The sense objects don’t disturb him.
There is one story. Shukha Maharaja, the great sage, goes to the palace of Janaka Raja. Janaka Raja is an Enlightened king. He has a lot of opulence and wealth. His palace is full of ornaments, women, servants, soldiers – a lot of power you can see. Shukha Maharaja was wondering, a person, a Jnani like Janaka Raja, how he can sit in a palace. Shukha Maharaja is a monk. He keeps wandering. Then, he asks the question to Janaka Maharaj “Janaka Maharaja, how can you be amidst opulence, amidst wealth?” Janaka Raja says, “I will answer your question tomorrow”. Next day, he calls Shukha Maharaja. Then, he keeps one pot full of oil on Shukha Maharaja’s head and says, “Shukha Maharaja, you have to go with this
oil all around the city and come back. Even if one drop of oil from this falls on the ground, your head will be cut”.
Shukha Maharaja goes round the city and comes back. He is very careful not to spill the oil. Because, if oil is spilled his head will be cut off. He comes back to Janaka Maharaja, and says, “Yes,I have gone through the city.” Janaka says, “How was my city, was it nice, was it wonderful?” Shukha Maharaja says, “I will see the city again Maharaja. I was not able to see, because my concentration was always on the oil. If one drop of it spills, you will cut my neck. That is why I was not able to focus on the city, I was able to focus only on the oil. Then Janaka Maharaja laughs, and says, “See, I am the king. I have a lot of power and wealth. But, my mind is always clear about the temporary nature of all this. I am always focused on eternal nature. I know that death can come at any time. That is why I am not attracted to any of these. Like that, a Jnani, even though he walks around in the world, he is not attracted to anything. No trapping will happen. Neither attraction nor repulsion can bind him.
Pranams