"Understanding Material Nature"

Skandham-3.2

Chapter-27.

Slokam- 1 to 30.
 
Understanding Material Nature :--------------------------------------------


(1) The Supreme Lord [as Kapila] said: 'Not being of change, not claiming proprietorship, is the living entity, although residing in a material body, not affected by the modes of material nature; just like the sun, who stays unaffected from being reflected in water. (2) When this very living entity is absorbed by false ego in the modes of material nature, is the individual soul bewildered, thus thinking: 'I am the doer'. (3) Because of faulty actions, following his association with material nature, he from this helplessly undergoes the path of repeated birth and death in discontent, being born from different wombs [or species], living a good or a bad life or a mixture of these. (4) Although he actually does not exist but from the real cause, does it - the contemplating of the objective of the material existence of the living entity - not cease to be and thus, like with a dream, he ends up in disappointment. (5) Therefore must the mind of attachment to material enjoyment gradually be brought under control by devotional service on the path of stringent detachment. (6) Beginning with yama [meaning the great yoga-vow of nonviolence, truth, non-stealing, celibacy and non-possessiveness in the practice of detachment], he will be steadfast by the yogasystem, having great faith in unalloyed service unto Me and listening to the stories. (7) Seeing all living beings equally without enmity, not entertaining intimate relations living celibate and in silence, he offers the results of his labor. (8) Satisfied with what comes without effort, eating little and living thoughtfully in a secluded place, he is peaceful, kind, compassionate and selfrealized. (9) Not following the physical concept of life in relating to others and in the dealings with his own body does he, through spiritual knowledge, see the factual truth of the material and the personal. (10) With the intelligence on material things in peace keeping other conceptions of life afar, he realizes the soul within as if he has his eyes on the sun itself. (11) He realizes the being bound to the truth, the eye for the illusory of matter, as being transcendental, manifest as a reflection in the untrue and as having entered into everything as one without a second. (12) It is like the sun above the water and in the sky, that is seen as a reflection on the water or on the wall. (13) Thus is by the reflections of the true in the threefold of the materially identified ego consisting of mind, body and senses, the truth of the self discovered. (14) The elements of matter, the objects of enjoyment, the material senses, the mind, intelligence and so on, that here as in one's sleep are merged in the untrue are there in the awakening freed from the egotism. (15) Although he is not lost, he in falsehood then thinks himself as lost, because as a witness, he is, like someone who lost his fortune, distressed of losing his self-consciousness. (16) Coming to understand this, realizes that person himself as one who manifests his own individuality and does he see what he of the situation under the false of ego accepted.'


(17) Devahûti said: 'Dear brahmin, isn't is so that material nature never releases the soul as the two are eternally attracted to one another, o best one? (18) As we have no separate existence of the aroma and the earth or water and taste, so also it is with the intelligence and consciousness. (19) How then of this can the freedom from material nature of the soul be, that as a non-doer is bound to the karma caused by the association therewith, while those modes are existing? (20) The great fear in a certain case avoided by reflecting upon the reality, reappears, since the cause did not cease to be.'


(21) The Supreme Lord said: '[The freedom will be realized,] when with a pure mind serious unto Me and hearing a long time about Me, one in devotional service executes one's duties without desiring the fruits thereof. (22) In spiritual knowledge with the vision of the Absolute of the Truth, detached and strongly connected in penance is one through yoga firmly fixed in being absorbed in the soul. (23) Of the material of nature is a living entity day and night consumed, disappearing gradually like wooden sticks with the appearance of fire do. (24) Giving up on the pleasure he tasted, he sees the wrong of having it always and the harm it does in depending thereon and so he stands in his own glory. (25) As indeed with one who is asleep with a dream bringing many bad things, can that very dream though certainly not bewilder one who is awake. (26) Thus can one who knows the Absolute Truth of the material of nature fixing his mind on Me, as one who always rejoices in the soul, not be harmed. (27) When thus for many years and many births he is engaged in selfrealization, he becomes in every respect, up to the highest spiritual position [of sathya-loka], detached and a thoughtful person. (28 -29) My devotee, under My protection realizes by My unlimited mercy, for the good of the intelligence, the ultimate goal of what is called kaivalya [enlightenment, emancipation], attaining in this life a truly steady selfknowledge and freedom from doubt. Having left for that abode the yogî never returns after taking leave from the subtle and gross bodies. (30) When the attention of the perfected yogî is not drawn towards yogîc powers, my dear mother, then, having no other cause, will his progress towards Me become perpetual, as therein he will not find the power of death.'