Spiritual realisation: Impertinent Query, Profound Answer  

By M V Mehta

Spiritual realisation: Impertinent Query, Profound Answer  

" That is the essence of science: Ask an impertinent question and you are on the way to the pertinent answe r", wrote Dr J Bronowski in Ascent of Man.

This statement is probably equally - or perhaps more - valid in our spiritual quests. The Kathopanishad starts with Nachiketa posing a question to his father Vajasravasa, who was giving away gifts after a Yagna .

An upset Nachiketa asks, "Father, will you give me away too? To whom?" Annoyed, his father said, "I will give you to Yama, God of Death". This question-answer session unfolds a wealth of knowledge on the nature of old age and death, the blissful state of those who have transcended both these and ultimately of that sacred fire which is the means of attaining the infinite worlds, and which is also their foundation, and which is hidden in the sacred space of the heart.

Nachiketa also obtains from Yama the knowledge to realise this indwelling light, leading to the attainment of immortality, the space free from dualities and the state beyond the three states of waking, dreaming and deep sleep - known as the Turiyavastha, the fourth state, the symbol of which Shiva holds in his hand as the Khatwanga .

In the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Yajnavalkya one day told his wife Maitreyi that he wanted to retire to a life of meditation. He, therefore, wanted to settle his possessions between Maitreyi and Katyayani, his wives.

Maitreyi asked: "If entire Earth, full of riches, belonged to me, would I attain life eternal?" This prompted Yajnavalkya to reveal the source of love for spouse, children, riches, religion ( Dharma ), power, heaven, Gods and creatures. It was the soul, the spirit, the Self, that must be seen and heard - then, all that is, becomes known.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna answers all of Arjuna's worldly and argumentative questions. Krishna imparts to him the real essence of the sublimest height attained by human thought about life, action therein, non-attachment and the journey to attain supreme bliss - which is achieving unity with that which is.

In the Ramayana, Shiva's wife Sati, Daksh's daughter, was perplexed at Shiva's deep devotion to Rama. She asked him, "You are Mahadeva . The fourth state is always yours and though you are yourself an ascetic, all Gods desire your blessings and propitiate you. Why are you so devoted to Rama who is the son of a Kshatriya king?"

Shiva took Sati to Rishi Agatsya who explained to her the true nature of Rama. While returning to Kailash, Sati saw a man with bow and arrow, overcome with grief, asking forest creatures if they'd seen Sita, his wife. Shiva saw him and he bowed his head in reverence.

Surprised, Sati mockingly asked why Shiva was bowing to an ordinary and weak human. Shiva told her that he was Rama. Sati refused to believe him. She decided to test the man. Shiva smiled. Assuming the form of Sita, Sati sat on the path which Rama was approaching.

When Rama saw her, he asked, " Mataji, why are you alone in this forest and where is Shiva?" A crest- fallen Sati returned to Shiva. Approaching Mount Kailash, Shiva told her that since she had assumed his Ishtadevta 's wife's form, he (Shiva) could not look upon her as Sati, his wife, any more.

Upon which Sati immolated herself in the Yagna fire at her father Daksh's place. In her reincarnation as Parvati, daughter of Himalaya, she performed a rigorous penance, pleased Shiva and married him. Shiva gave her the Rama Mantra, which was equal to the recitation of the thousand names of Vishnu.

These instances show that active curiosity, when accompanied by a deep urge for spiritual realisation, brings forth a question, which might sound impertinent, but the answers reveal eternal truths to enlighten the path to spiritual attainment.

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More from same author see: M V Mehta

See also: Spiritual realisation, Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)