T Ram Sewak

ANTAR YA SAMAN

The dialogue between Kakabhushundiji and Garuda in Uttarkand (the seventh canto) brings out some of the most significant philosophical content of Shri Ramcharitmanas. After Garuda has listened to the katha of Shri Ram and his leelas from Kakabhushundiji, he declares that he is free from all sorrows and that all his doubts and delusions have vanished. However, he proceeds to ask a question in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7.115.

kahahin purana, nahin samana

gyanahi..antar keta, sakal niketa

"All saints and sages, Vedas and Puranas, declare that nothing is more difficult to attain than gyan (wisdom). Although the sages instructed you similarly, you did not show the same reverence for gyan as for bhakti (devotion). Please explain to me the difference (antar) between gyan and bhakti!"

In Gita 12.1, Arjun raises a similar question that leads to Shri Krishna's exposition of bhakti yoga.

Humanity has received the highest wisdom whenever an inquisitive seeker has asked a perplexing question. Delving into the profundity of gyan (that leads to the realisation of Nirakar Braham) and bhakti (that liberates through devotion to the Sakar Avatar), Garuda asks a question that bewilders many of us. Sometimes, the questions go further: which is better? Does gyan lead to bhakti or vice versa, or are the two paths independent? Further, can the whole (Nirgun Braham) be fully realised through the knowledge of the part (Sagun Avatar), or will the knowledge of the part obstruct our comprehension of the whole?

Earlier, Kakabhushundiji explains how he chose the path of bhakti over gyan, thus underlining two aspects: First, the choice of path is personal, and second, the path one is put on depends entirely upon His grace.

Gyan and Bhakti are like the two banks of the same river. They run parallel and meet when the river merges into the ocean. They are different yet the same - both leading to the same goal! / DAILY WORLD /

Namami Ramam Musings-82

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