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THE BRAHMANICAL DOCTRINE OF LIBERATION
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Who sees Me in all and all in Me, for him I am not lost, and he is not lost for Me."54 “There is nothing else that is higher than I (beyond, outside of Me) ; on Me this all is strung
like necklace of pearls on a string."55 This doctrine of God has an important bearing on the scheme of liberation as envisaged in the Bhagavadgitä. Two other theological doctrines found in this text deserve mention; first there is the doctrine of avatāra or reincarnation, second the doctrine of māyā. God takes birth and lives on earth in human form for establishing dharma and destroying wickedness.56
A most important concept in the teachings of the Gitā is that of māyā. The word occurs already in the Rgveda where we are told that Indra assumes many forms through māyā. Here the word means magical power of god Indra. The same meaning is found in the Gità also. Māyā is a magical or mysterious energy or power of Lord Kșşņa. Thus although God is unborn, He appears to be born through His māyā, The text says:
“Though I am urborn, though My ātman is eternal, though I am the lord of beings, yet establishing Myself in My own nature (prakrti), I come into being by My own power (māyā). "57
In some passages māyā is treated as divine illusion composed of three strands (guņa), of goodness (sattva), passion (rajas) and darkness (tamas). In order to attain liberation, the seeker has to go beyond this cosmic illusion.
A word of frequent occurrence and considerable significance found in the Gītā is yoga. It has been used in a variety of meanings. It means not only meditation (dhyāna), but also 'discipline' and ‘union. This word is also used in the sense of path (märga) as in jñāna-yoga or the way of knowledge, karmayoga or the way of action, bhaktiyoga, or the way of devotion. A yogin is described as a man who subdues passions, who maintains equipoise or balance in cold and heat, in joy and sorrow, in honour and dishonour.58 A yogin is also called a man of 'fixed understanding' or of 'steady mind' (sthitaprajña). He is a kind of person liberated in this life (jīvanmukta).
54. 55. 56. 57. 58.
Bhagavadgita, VI. 30. Tr. by F.Edgerton. Ibid., VII. 7. Tr. F. Edgerton, Ibid., IV. 7-8 . Ibid,, IV. 6. Tr. by F, Edgerton. Ibil., VI. 7-8.
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