T Ram Sewak

KAIVALYA

After metaphorically explaining the Gyan Marg (the path of knowledge) in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7.119, Kakabhushundiji now elaborates on its ultimate goalKaivalya (liberation). He states:

ati durlabh pada, sant..bada.

ram .. gosayin, anicchit ..bariayin.

"The saints and scriptures declare that the supreme state (Param-Pada) of liberation (Kaivalya) is rare and extremely difficult to attain (Ati-Durlabh). However, this Mukti (Kaivalya) comes unsolicited and inescapably to those who possess devotion (Bhakti) for Shri Ram."

Kaivalya is absolute liberation, where the self (Purusha) is completely free from the bindings of matter (Prakriti). It is the state where the sadhak realises "Aham Brahmasmi" (I am Brahm). This is the Brahmic state that Shri Krishna describes in Gita 2.72 and refers to it in Gita 8.15 as the state where one is liberated from the cycle of birth and death.

Kaivalya is Ati-Durlabh because it is attained through Gyan, which is challenging to explain, hard to comprehend, difficult to achieve, and akin to walking on a double-edged sword.

Kaivalya is Param-Pada, as it is achieved in the realm of Tripad Vibhuti (the transcendental three-fourths of Divine glory), representing the supreme, eternal, and spiritual existence of the Divine. The remaining one-fourth is called Ekapad Vibhuti, which encompasses the material realm of illusion (Maya).

Kakabhushundiji highlights that the path to liberation is much easier for Shri Ram's devotees. For them, Mukti comes undesired and overwhelmingly because a bhakt completely surrenders himself to Him and receives His grace, which brings Mukti along with it.

The process involves a bhakt's intense yearning to reach his Aaradhya (Divine), which ignites the 'flame of separation (Viraha-Agni)' for Him. This incinerates all impurities like the bhakt's desires and other vices. Subsequently, when the bhakt's love for his Aaradhya wells up from remembering His beautiful name, form, compassion, and other virtues, the soul becomes pure and naturally realises its true self (Atam-Swaroop), inherently leading to liberation. This is what is meant by - coming unsolicited! / DAILY WORLD /

The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas. He can be occasionally reached at ramam.namami@gmail.com