LIBERTATION (Mukti) IS NOTHNG BUT EMANCIPATION OF EGO

"Mukti or liberation" is considered as a science of 'theology’. 

For most of us, life is a struggle. It is a kind of balancing, trying to find equations for so many things during one's passage of life. Therefore life is more do with the equation of 'I' with 'you or others.' In a practice Mukti is a science of  managing ‘Ego'’. 

If one could manage to deal with Ego one can attain peace and finally attain liberation.

First of all, let us understand the fundamental aspect of ‘Ego’. We know for sure it is more do with our 'internal world' but then it is also very much connected to the 'external world' because one is not living in isolation.

 'Ego' is nothing but a connection with the ‘I’.  As we all know ‘Ego’ is all about my- image, my-value, my-worth etc.  

'Ego' could also be defined as 'desire' because it is an attachment towards our own domain called 'I'. 

We look to others for giving importance to us, but the real truth is  'I the Ego' does not have any significance if there are no people surrounding us!  We will come to that latter.

As we know 'Ego' is an important aspect of one's life and therefore let us analyze whether ‘Ego’ really serve us or is it the other way around?

As ‘Ego’ is very subtle, one may not easily admit but the fact remains ‘Ego’ is an age-old companion that dwells within each one of us since birth.

Since birth, we keep it handy especially for those moments of insecurity or discomfort and when 'I' does not feel confident and therefore there is a need for that little 'EGO boost'.

Sometimes we do feel perplexed with some peoples behavior but at the same time we also, often  and on, dislike our own behavior. Many a times we also realize our own behavior is not to others liking.

There are times we also understand our ego is causing strain in our relationships and causing unwanted pain, but the fact is that 'EGO the foe in the guise of a friend' does not let go of our age-old company!

Externally ‘Ego’ usually will exhibit itself in the form arrogance, being hostile as well as bossy and is akin to 'coconut' that is extremely hard from outside and also does not project a good external appearance. 

As we all know Coconut is very difficult to break and so is the case with ‘EGO’.

But we also know once we break open the coconut shell, the kernel is very soft and also sweet !! 

Similar is the case when a person is able to shed his or her ego, which of course is easier said than done, our heart softens and we feel the bliss. 

Let us now go on to the theological science called ‘religion’ and all of us know that this is nothing but ‘man-made’. 

One could consider 'humanity' and its 'religion' to be very similar to 'water' because water has a different taste depending on whether it is fetched from the ocean, river, pond, underground soil or water that pours from the sky due to cloudburst.  

Therefore like water, all the religions are basically the same, explaining about ‘God’ and fundamentally it was created to bring about peace because of the need to quell some of the beastly nature of humans which has been prevalent in our genes for eons. 

As ‘India’ has the reputation of being called the land of spirituality because it has given birth to several religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism etc., we will give Hindu religion the advantage based on first come first basis.

Most of us know that the religion called ‘Hinduism’ has not originated from any single individual but is a conglomerate of diverse beliefs and traditions that have had existed for several thousands of years. Therefore certain principles were ingrained in people in this land for several millennia.

Hence Hindu religion is deep-rooted because it is not only diverse but is the only religion where people have the freedom to interpret it in their own way.

Thus the evolution of this 'Hindu religion' for the past several thousands of years, be it be constructive or destructive, has the pros and cons like nature because everything on this universe has its advantage as well as disadvantages !! 

No wonder lot of complexity is involved in Hindu religion and hence it is the most difficult religion to understand!!  Same is the case with our Universe we are still unable to figure it out.

Therefore, in reality, no singular 'Hinduism' exists because it lacks any unified system and belief or ideas because it is so diversified. 

In the real sense ‘Hinduism’ is in fact without any ‘ism’ because the word ‘Hindu’ is not found anywhere in the written Vedic scriptures which existed even before this religion came into existence.

As a matter fact the term ‘Hindu’ was introduced by the visitors from other countries who referred the people living across the river Indus or Sindhu in north India as 'Hindoos'. 

As the Indian Vedic Science, the key to life's complexity and the most prominent lines written in the ancient Hindu scriptures are just a few and very simple.

1.        Dharma (ethics and duties)

2.        Samsara (the cycle of birth, youth, adult life, old age, disease, and death)

3.        Karma (our actions)

4.        Moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth & death)

One more interesting aspect of Hindu culture is the belief in a multitude of gods and as well as belief in animal species because millions of people in India worship Cows and there are several others who worship Snakes and Rodents. 

This could be one of the primary reasons for the huge population of India beings 'Vegetarians' because this is one of the inherent aspects of the Hindu culture that has been in existence for several thousands of years!

Most of the Indians also consider mountains, hills, and rivers as very sacred and show reverence to all these inanimate matters. The above could be attributed to the fact that 'water' is considered the 'nectar of life'.

Similarly 'Sun' that provides the heat and energy for all is considered the visible god. The most famous being "SURYANAMASKAR" which is one of the beginnings of the Indian yogic system both in terms of paying tribute to Sun as well as the physical aspect of the action undertaken from the health perspective.

As per ancient India and even to this day it is believed that learned people or sages and saints left their homes, freeing themselves from all mundane activities, and resided on mountain tops or forests or river banks to mediate in order to free themselves from the so-called civilized world. 

It could be construed that the above-mentioned sages definitely shed most of their ‘Ego’, if not in totality, by resigning from their civil status and getting away from rest of the population to a secluded place. 

Such exalted and spiritual oriented people looked upon humans and all other species equally and were not afraid to dwell in thick forests or high mountains because they exhibited no fear and considered death as either natural and if death comes through any other unforeseen accident as normal phenomena. 

Such saintly people preached, counseled and performed duties that were virtuous but have had no expectations or reward for their actions.

The above-learned people mostly ate fruits, vegetables and drank a large quantity of water which is what today’s modern medical science prescribes to us for healthy living!!

Therefore such exalted saintly people are the learned ones who left the civilized world to go and settle in the forests or mountains which we could term as 'reverse migration' because it is the nomadic uncivilized humans,  thousands of years ago, who had come to settle down as social groups to be called themselves as the 'civilization' or the people of the civilized world as per today’s definition.

Another important aspect of Hindu religion, that has been since long valued, which is one of the oldest ancient Indian scripture called  ‘Bhagawad Gita’. 

The literal meaning of ‘Gita’ means 'song' and has been described as the performance given by Sri Krishna, the Bhagawan (Incarnation of God).

As per the principle of ‘Gita’, one of the most widely circulated Hindu philosophy preached by Lord Sri Krishna, it is stated that ‘Action alone is one's province and never the fruits thereof; let there not be any motive for the fruit of action nor should you desire to avoid action (due to its unpleasant fruits).

Therefore a person is supposed to act without attachment with even-mindedness both in success and failure. 

Professor Jeaneane Fowler, in her commentary on the Gita, explains that since it is impossible for living beings to avoid action altogether, the Bhagavad Gita, therefore, offers a practical approach to liberation in the form of “karma yoga”.

As the path of karma yoga upholds the necessity of action, Lord Sri Krishna prescribes that action has to be undertaken without any attachment to the work or desire for results. Bhagavad Gita defines this as “inaction in action and action in inaction”.

‘Gita’ thus states that we must do the task which is required to be done without thinking of our own personal benefits or losses. Most of us know what the right actions are and we also expect every other person to do the right action so that society becomes happier, prosperous and peaceful. 

Who does not want that our politicians should be honest and sincere, our government officers do their world efficiently and honestly, our businessmen provide their goods and services without undue profits. We all know what is to be done.

However, when it comes to our own actions, we instead of choosing what is right, will choose what is good for us. So we perform the actions which are pleasant or beneficial to us and avoid all actions which are painful or loss-making. As a result, everyone develops double standard: one for the world and one for the self. This results in conflict and distrust.

"Many people have misunderstood “Gita” thinking how can a person do some work and not desire a reward or the fruit for the action".

However what ‘Gita’ has meant is one should NOT CHOOSE ACTION purely because of its benefits to self. If your motive is “selfless”, it is perfectly in accordance with Gita. That is why the Gita is also called “The Gospel of Selfless Action”.

If the motive for the action is not selfish, you will have equanimity in action as there is no way, you can lose. Let me explain this-Suppose you are playing a game, for example, a tennis match with a person who is a stranger or someone you dislike. You will have a tendency to become depressed if you lose while you are elated when you win. 

However, when you are playing the game with your loved one (like your son or daughter), even when you lose you are not disturbed because one who won the game is loved by you. 

Therefore, in this case, you consider the victory of your (loved) opponent as good as yours. 

Hence, if you really love all the creatures that you see in this world you shall equally love everything in this world and therefore lose or winning the game is immaterial to you. This is the teaching of ‘Gita’ which needs to be understood in totality. Therefore it is not possible to be selfless unless you love God and you have the right knowledge of Him and his creations. 

Mohandas Karamchand(Mahatma) Gandhi writes, "The object of the Gita appears to me to be that of showing the most excellent way to attain self-realization", and this can be achieved by selfless action, "By desire-less action; by renouncing fruits of action; by dedicating all activities to God, i.e., by surrendering oneself to the supreme, body and soul."

Therefore if one has to achieve true liberation, it is important to control all mental desires and tendencies to enjoy sense pleasures.

Following verses illustrate the above statement of Mahatma Gandhi ( a quote Bhagwad Gita):

When a person dwells in his mind on the object attracted to his senses, attachment to them will take place. From this attachment springs desire and from the desire comes anger. From anger arises bewilderment(confusion) and confusion give rise to loss of memory;  from loss of memory the destruction of intelligence and due to the destruction of intelligence he or she finally perishes.



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