Seek true knowledge
We humans have an insatiable thirst for knowledge. And we spend our entire life trying to acquire it through some way or the other. Knowledge may be acquired by sensory perception, through logical reasoning and inference or through second-hand reports such as newspapers, magazines etc. The sense organs are the means through which we experience sound, touch, form, colour, taste and smell. Based on these perceptions we arrive at conclusions and we describe these conclusions as “knowledge”. This knowledge can be divided into objective knowledge, which is intermediate information, and the ultimate “knowledge”, which is an immediate awakening.
The mind is constantly occupied in a high pitch of excitement, directed outward towards the world of objects and prevents us from introspection. For example, television programmes present a constant barrage of worldly issues and objects of desire. These sources of knowledge provide sensationalism to prevent people from getting bored and to fill the emptiness of their hearts. The emptiness is so vast that they seek to fill it with sensational happenings and acquisition of material things. Without noise and bustle people feel lost and empty within. Sensational knowledge, however, creates agitation and excitement, anger, passion, desire, enmity, jealousy and the like. The moment we hear of someone winning a lottery, we feel jealous. This type of knowledge never fills an individual with peace and calm; as a result, we constantly live in tension, wondering what has gone wrong with our lives. True knowledge, however, is that which quietens the senses and leads us to abide in our own true nature. Quietening the senses does not mean “not seeing”, “not hearing”, or “not touching” — an impractical situation equivalent to not living in this world. The senses are said to be quietened when our lives are controlled and independent of the sensation of happiness and when the mind is not constantly running away from itself.
By merely brooding upon sense objects, the ignorant man creates attachments, desire, frustration and anger; and finally he perishes. The wise man, on the other hand, being free from likes and dislikes, lives in this world, enjoys everything and still remains calm. Lord Krishna says that such a wise yogi ever abides in the Lord, whatever maybe his station in life. He may rule a kingdom or sit under a tree. He may have to beg for food, he may act like a mad person or be a very great scholar, but he always abides in the Lord. That is true knowledge. And it is this very knowledge that is represented by Goddess Saraswati whom we worship on Basant Panchami. On this auspicious day, seek the blessings of the Goddess, so that you may have an enriching life, endowed with happiness and prosperity.
Swami Tejomayananda, head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide, is an orator, poet, singer, composer and storyteller. To find out more about Chinmaya Mission and Swamiji, visit ww.chinmayamission.com.
© Central Chinmaya Mission Trust
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