Why do you fear to transcend the outside reality?

Sankhya Yoga

Chapter 2, Verse 21

 

vedāvināśinaṁ nityaṁ 

ya enam ajam avyayam 

kathaṁ sa puruṣaḥ pārtha 

kaṁ ghātayati hanti kam

 

Who knows it as immortal, eternal, imperishable, spiritual existence, how  

can that man slay, O Paartha, or cause to be slain?

 

In this verse, Bhagavan Sri Krishna brings to Arjuna’s attention that the one who has the true knowledge of the soul, can never think of harming anyone, or cause anyone to be killed. The thought of harming another person will never arise in the mind of one who has realised Brahma Jyaan or Atma Jyaan – because he is aware. If one has the knowledge that one is not the body, mind or intellect, rather the soul, one will never identify oneself with what one sees on the outside, and believe that one can kill. Krishna is saying that there is only one Consciousness that remains – the existence of the Spirit only, everywhere. And this Spirit can neither die nor harm anyone or anything. Krishna is reminding Arjuna again and again: look, if you come to the Realisation of the Self; if you come to the Realisation that there is only one Divine Spirit, then who is killing who? If you are ignorant of the Atma, the soul, of course then you will see everything from the point of view of the outside world. But if you have the knowledge of the Self, and if you realise the Self, then you rise above this. Krishna says, “Knowing this truth, why are you grieving? Why are you crying? Why are you going into this weakness?” Remember that Krishna is talking to a soldier on the battlefield. Know that Krishna is also talking to each spiritual seeker. Why do you fear to let go? Why do you fear to transcend the outside reality? Devote yourself completely to your sadhana! Embrace life and let the Divine reveal Himself to you.

Bhagavad Gita