Yogi’s vision of equality

The eighteen chapters of the Gita are divided into three

groups of six chapters each. The first deals with the means

of attaining self-realisation through the paths of karma and

jnana, the second with the path of bhakti, and the last is a

recap of the earlier teachings with the focus on bhakti to be

practised with the aid of karma and jnana.

In the sixth chapter, it is explained that the ultimate

purpose of the yoga practice is to gain ‘atma sakshatkaram,’

an intuitive vision of the nature of the individual atma and

of the Supreme Brahman, pointed out Velukkudi Sri

Krishnan in a discourse.

In this state of yoga, when the mind is fixed in yoga, one

sees equality everywhere. A yogi’s vision is one of equality.

He understands that equality is the truth, though there is

so much diversity and disparity in the marvel of God’s

creation.

When diferences are obvious, when there is so much

diversity in creation, how is one to see equality? Krishna

explains that it is diicult to attain this vision of truth. But,

by stages, a yogi, who has practised karma and jnana, is

able to see the equality behind the diferences. That is, the

yogi understands that the atma in every being, in its

liberated state, is of the essence of jnana and ananda. That

is why he sees no diference between the nature of the

atma in him and in other beings.

He realises that this true nature of the atma is eclipsed in

all the jivatmas who exist in their present forms with

characteristic functions owing to the consequences of

their individual karma.

When the jivatma is rid of its karma in total and attains

liberation, the atma alone, which is of the essence of jnana

and ananda, remains eternally as such.