The Hindu : Liberation, goal of human life

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 15, 2003

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Liberation, goal of human life

CHENNAI APRIL 15 . Among the innumerable saints of the Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) tradition, Adi Sankara has the distinction of being hailed as a world teacher. This is not just an honorific status given to him for his singular contribution to this tradition but gives insight into the nature of his teachings. He was a child prodigy whose spiritual stature was evident even in his childhood and he accomplished his life's mission within a very brief span of time. The philosophy he advocated is not merely a conceptual system as it is intended for the spiritual seeker to follow it in his life and realise the goal of liberation, which is the objective to be attained.

This presupposes the very purpose of human life in the world. It is more than sheer existence as everyone seeks happiness and peace in life. Further are questions about God and one's true nature. When man's spiritual nature becomes evident he embarks on the spiritual quest and strives to realise the Self. Everyone has to arrive on the spiritual path sometime. Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa used to say that liberation from bondage was a certainty for every individual; so it is a question of when that is different in each case. Having been blessed with human birth man should not fritter away this opportunity in only worldly pursuits.

In his discourse, Sri T.G.Narayanaswamy said Sankara had stressed the importance of progressing to the spiritual path without any delay, true to his role as a preceptor. The preceptor is the one who shows the spiritual path when one is engrossed in worldly pursuits. The Chandogya Upanishad illustrates the preceptor's role through the analogy about thieves looting a person's home. They blindfolded and tied him up, and finally abandoned him in a forest. Someone passing by took pity on him and untied the knots and gave him directions to his home.

Human beings likewise are bound to the world due to their desires, greed and attachments. The preceptor out of compassion helps them to overcome these tendencies and shows him the spiritual path so that they can realise God.

In his famous hymn, the Bhaja Govindam, Sankara emphasises devotion to God by repeatedly stressing on the Divine name, Govinda, thrice right at the outset, which is the refrain for all the verses of the hymn.

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