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THREE IDEALS OF LIFE
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Similarly knowledge means the realisation of the futility of everything the external. Happiness also means the absence of miseries resulting from the greed or desire.
The Bhagwadgita approaches the same ideal by proposing the threefold path that of knowledge, action and devotion. Action aims at the acquirement of power and devotion at that of happiness.
The Bhagwata proposes that the same absolute reality is named differently by the different aspirants. The philosophers or the seekers of truth or knowledge name it as Brahman, the actionists or the desirous of power name it as Parmatman and devotees or the desirous of happiness name it as Bhagwan. The first meditates upon it as an absolute being devoid of all qualities, the second worships it as almighty, creator, protector and destroyer of universe and the third praises it as the bestower of all boons. The first type of the aspirant is stated as ( सात्विक ) or a person of pure and peaceful heart, the second as (af) or the person of ambitions and the third as (af) or a person of undeveloped intellect and grossed in personal desires.
The combination of knowledge and power was thought to be essential for progress, and this combination was represented in the form of Ardhanarishwara (The deity with half man and half woman). Knowledge without power is impotant like a corps and power without knowledge is a blind force. This idea is beautifully presented in an image where Shiva is lying dead on the ground, her consort Durga is dancing
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