T Ram Sewak

NISHKAM

In Shri Ramcharitmanas 7.117, Kakabhushundiji continues his discourse to Garuda using the metaphor to enumerate the qualities we must inculcate within us for progress on the Gyan Marg (Path of Knowledge). He says,

param bhai avatey banayi

"Having thus drawn the milk in the shape of supreme righteousness (Param Dharam), one should boil it on the fire of desirelessness (Nishkam)."

Param Dharam is the milk received in the vessel of Vishwas from the cow of Sattvik Shraddha that has been nourished with Japa, Tapa, etc., controlled with Nivriti with Shuddh Antah Karan as the milker. But what is Param Dharam? One of the many interpretations is that 'Ahimsa is Param Dharam'because all righteousness (Dharam) is fulfilled in Ahimsa.

But, on the Gyan Marg, a sadhak must practice Ahimsa in mansa (thought), vacha (speech), and karmana (action). There should be no ill will against anyone in any form, only love and compassion. It is only then that the mind becomes pure and stable. Shri Krishna designates Ahimsa and compassion as the divine attributes a sadhak must cultivate in Gita 16.2.

Kakabhushundiji likens the next step of boiling the milk to strengthening this mind filled with Ahimsa through Nishkam, i.e., following a way of living filled with selflessness and detachment while fulfilling responsibilities. This leads to inner cleansing and purification, the sine qua non for spiritual awakening. It is the path to spiritual growth, promoting inner peace and freedom from the bondage of desires.

Shri Krishna explains in Gita 2.55 that when a sadhak casts off all desires, he becomes a man of steady wisdom (Sthita-Prajna). Essentially, the preparation is for having a pure, stable mind that is ready to receive the light of knowledge. Kakabhushundiji is thus preparing our mind for a neutral equilibrium amongst the flow and ebb of the tides of lifea state described by Shri Krishna in Gita 2.48 as Yoga! / DAILY WORLD /

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