By: Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
Sai Baba has stated, “Though ‘Avidya’ the ignorance, is beginningless, it is completely wiped out by the emergence of Vidya, the knowledge.”
Ignorance never goes away unless knowledge, its opposite, is born. The moment we learn what a pot is like, our unfamiliarity with it is over. Similarly, when we become aware of what a camera is like, our lack of knowledge of how it works is addressed.
‘Life of Sai Baba’ by Sri Narasimha Swamiji reveals that our sorrows, fears, anxieties, stress, and confusion are not because we do not know physics, math, or other subjects. They are because we do not know ourselves. Only knowledge of Self liberates us from sorrows leading us to fearlessness.Quoting Viveka Chudamani, Sai Baba states that all our sufferings are only due to a lack of awareness of our true nature. Just as a lack of understanding of physics can only be remedied by learning about physics, an absence of self-awareness can only be remedied by acquiring Self-knowledge.
Action cannot sublimate ignorance. Knowledge does verily destroy avidya just as light eradicates deep darkness. Trying to sweep darkness out of a dark room is futile. Even if an army of men carry the darkness in baskets and pour it out, the room will still be dark. Sweeping is not the right method of removing darkness. Only light can remove darkness, however thick it may be. Similarly, we can overcome ignorance by the pure light of Self-knowledge. Hence, an
‘;4ret4’5tttt action cannot sublimate ignorance; knowledge is its only antidote. By removing avidya, one uncovers the Self.
The Bhagavad Gita states that the Lord does not take the virtue or sin of any; knowledge is enveloped by ignorance, and thereby, beings are deluded (5.15). Our scriptures clearly say ignorance is the problem, and knowledge of the Self is the only solution.
When ‘Ajnana’, the unawareness, is removed, nothing remains to be understood. Everything is
clear, like daylight. Ignorance is like night; when it passes, you are in the daylight of enlightenment. Sometimes, we see thick mist enveloping a garden. If we try to grab it, nothing comes into our hands. It is not a wall; we can walk through it. Still, it obstructs our vision and hinders our progress. The mist continues till the bright sunlight emerges. After that, it evaporates. Similarly, this inexplicable ignorance causes troubles and endless sorrows in our consciousness. It can be dispelled only by the flash of Self-knowledge.
As a child, one looks, touches, tastes, smells, and listens to the sound, which is a word naming the object being perceived. In this way, ignorance is shed, and knowledge is gained, first of forms and names, then of color and other related attributes. Later, finer distinctions become apparent, including shades of color, various sizes, and shapes.
Ignorance is present in every individual; it is like a dark place where the light of knowledge is essential. It is a cause of bondage and will disappear, just as a solitary lamp dispels darkness in a dark room.
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