The entire human
lot can be broadly classified into two categories; one is Bubhukshu or those
with carnal mind and the others Mumukshu or those who are spiritual inclined. A
Bubhukshu is fond of worldly pleasure and like to enjoy the life to the maximum
extent. A Mumukshu is the one who is intensely yearning for liberation from the
cycles of birth and death.
Bubhukshtva
is a power that drives one to be Srujanatmaka (creative) and Rachnatmaka
(constructive). In the process a Bubhukshu who is more concerned of the affairs
of life will be obsessed with worldly things like money, status, possessions,
reputation which are to satisfy him. Hence to achieve them he can go to any
extent.
“Bubhukshitah kim na karoti papam” asks a
Sanskrit saying, which means “How can a carnal mind not commit sin?”
Mumukshutva
is a power that gives strength to develop Vairagya (dispassion) and Bhava Virakti (detachment). With these two traits an individual can resist
the temptations of the senses which could lead him to get engrossed in the
worldly pleasures which might affect his self discipline while he is threading
the path of self-realization.
The Vedanta
is essentially is basically to lead us to excel but occasionally it is
misinterpreted to suite our reasoning. Amazingly Vedanta does not say one has
to avoid societal values all together. There is nothing wrong in owning a home,
a car, having material possessions, having a successful career or raising a
family, loving them and providing for them. We need carnal things to survive
and enjoy. In fact Upanishads inspire both a Mumukshu as well as a Bubhukshu in
equal terms. That is the reason behind the emphasis of the four goals of human
life namely Dharma (Righteousness), Artha (Wealth), Kama
(Desire) & Moksha (Liberation). While wealth and desire are like river
flowing at a very high velocity the individual should see that the river does
not breach the banks which are righteousness and liberation.
Vedic tradition talked about “Ashrama” meaning stages of life where our duties are
performed as our age progress. There are four in all namely Brahmacharya (Student life), Grihastha (Householder
life), Vanaprastha (Hermit life) and finally Sannyasa (Reclusive life).
Though it is not possible to lead such a living in this modern lifestyle we can
adopt our mind to this. When an individual is in the first two stages the
carnal mind is required to support and live on but after entering the third stage
the carnal mind has to be totally subdued. The mind tries to evade and
procrastinate like a new bullock that is yoked to the plough for the first
time. But it will not get any support if the farmer (Awakened Being) behind the plough is bent upon taming it at all costs. Ultimately the mind will be left
with no alternative but to submissively assent to be yoked to the plough and
transcend from carnal tendency to spiritual thinking.
The prerequisite though is
that when the individual enjoyed the materialistic and carnal living he has to
manage it properly by not getting entangled with the desire of ownership…….
What say?????
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