Experience Of Real Bliss

Krishna Arjuna In Kurushetra War
Experience of real bliss
By Sri R.Krishnamurthy Sastrigal
Courtesy The Hindu
The Upanishads teach the eternal truth in many ways from varied perspectives. Realising this ultimate truth is the goal of human life that releases the Self from further birth. The Upanishads are hence also known as Vedanta, the primary meaning of the term being Tatva Jnana (knowledge of the eternal truth).
Gaining this knowledge (Apara Jnana higher learning as opposed to all other knowledge) leads to liberation and this Jnana itself is both the means and the goal to be attained . Central to the teachings of the Upanishads is the knowledge of the Self, and strangely enough, the knower and the knowledge are one and the same.
The Bhagavad Gita which is the Lord’s version of the Upanishadic Truth emphasises that gaining this knowledge is difficult because it is in the realm beyond the senses and the intellect. It is also easy in one sense, since the truth is the indwelling Self in all beings. In the first place, one who is steeped in worldly matters will be unable to understand this truth while one who is keen to rise above this to search for it will find it easy. It is through many births and through the sustained practice of karma, bhakti and Jnana yogas that a Jivatma becomes a realised soul.
The Upanishads point out the various kinds of happiness that are available and also indicate the shortcomings of these. From their teachings one understands that a realised soul enjoys real bliss that is far above the seeming glamour of all other transient pleasures. This bliss is unalloyed and permanent. But an individual who is ignorant of such transcendental bliss would only long for what is familiar, such as worldly attractions that are also within one’s reach.
The Mundaka Upanishad explains the truths about the consequences of our actions, both good and bad. Every deed is registered and rewarded accordingly. Our good actions give us a chance to live in the celestial regions, where life is described as pleasing, ever youthful and filled with all the possible joys of the senses. But none of these is permanent and so one in quest of eternal bliss has to learn to renounce attachment to such fleeting enjoyments.
Jnana is संस्कृत ज्ञान