The ‘sukha’ sensed at the intelligence level is far superior
What is the difference between a Sanyasi and a common man? Why does a Sanyasi radiate charm, whereas a common man looks worried? This is because a Sanyasi enjoys superior sukha, whereas a common man is bereft of it.
Lord Krishna has spoken about this in several verses of the Geeta. We all are aware of the regular sukha. They are derived from sense objects. And through our minds on account of successes of various kinds. For example, I, a businessman, receive a large profitable order. I immediately call for celebrations with delicacies for all the employees and feel quite satisfied with life. I should have added at least for the time being. But I didn’t, because people don’t think ahead in such moments. Unfortunately, good and bad keep on happening depending upon our ‘prarabdha (fate)’. There is no permanence, and we are aware of this reality.
So, what is this superior sukha? Lord Krishna describes, “Beyond the senses, there is unlimited sukha, which can be experienced through the intelligence.”(6.21) As mentioned earlier, we are quite habituated to experience sukha through our senses and minds. Getting to the level of experiencing sukha through our intelligence is a superior habit. This is possible only after one, who follows dharma, has established a good connection with God, because only when we are linked with God, He will intervene on our behalf.
Once God begins doing it on a regular basis, it stands to
reason that He would do so in our tough times also. Why wouldn’t He? Doesn’t God promote dharma more than anything else? Why? Because dharma helps to promote general well-being. It is no
wonder that God mentions a yogi when He speaks about such superior sukha. Such a person must be a follower of dharma as well as connected with God.
Lord Krishna continues, “And having attained it, a person doesn’t consider another gain greater than this. Thus situated, a person is not disturbed even by a big suffering.” What is our experience? A genuine Sanyasi won’t return to mundane life, because he or she
wouldn’t be disturbed even by a big suffering. He or she would take it into stride and go on, just as Meeraji drank the poison given to her as punishment for being a completely committed devotee of Lord Krishna. She then proceeded to Dwarka. In her case neither the big suffering disturbed her nor affected her because God was in the picture. And what can God not do? We are limited; He is not.
Having understood the qualification for experiencing this superior sukha, let us now understand from Lord Krishna how this can be done on a regular basis. He guides, “Renouncing all desires caused by selfishness and regulating all the senses from all sides by the mind only.” (6.24) There are two important instructions in this verse. One is to renounce all desires caused by selfishness. Lord is being practical, He is only asking us to give up desires caused by selfishness; He is not asking us to give up all desires, because that is impossible.
The other is to regulate all the senses by the mind, as the mind is the leader of all senses. Lord Krishna continues, “By patient intelligence, become detached. Steadying consciousness in self, one should not think of anything else.” (6.25) Here again there are two important instructions. One is to be patient, because this is a slow process. The other is to think about God, how He is helping. Lord Krishna goes on to instruct further about mind control in the next two verses.
(The author is a spiritual teacher)