Page 131 - Journey to Infinity

or wheel of time.
Contentment and desireless-ness are almost one and the same condition. The fulfilment of desire can be called Bhog and desireless-ness (of desire) can be calledYoga. Yoga is Bhog as well. Tasting is Bhog; and Yoga is the name for the union of the essence. Knowledge and action both become one towards the end. Thousands of works (Karma) are produced from one work (Karma), and innumerable desires take birth from the womb of one desire in the beginning. Not know¬ing about these things is to dwell in darkness. When experience is gained in performing action (Karma) and removing desires, and when the mind is purified, the condition of knowledge opens. Then discriminate is awakened. One steps into the region of light, and the mind remains firm in desirelessness. Work (Karma) is the first stage and knowledge (Jnana), the last. Engaging in conversation without thinking and under¬standing is the first stage. It is called Mimamsa. Mimamsa are two: (a) The Purva Mimamsa or search for the first knowledge and (b) the Uttara Mimamsa or search for subsequent knowledge. The first is action or work (Karma), which is only related to the knowledge of the utilitarian status of the Veda? If this is the idea, then it is the first stage. And Uttara Mimamsa is knowledge; but only that knowledge which is related to the essential status of the Vedas. This is the subsequent (superior) stage. Those who under¬stand them as such are not deluded. But those who perform ordinary action keeping in view the fulfilment of some desire, raise action after action and desire after desire; and being caught in the web of this ‘cycle’ are thrown far away from the destination. Likewise those who, knowing the purpose of knowledge, restrict them¬selves to mere argumentation, proof and discussion are lost mid-way. They become verbal pedants and will be nowhere.
Action (Karma) is the practical or utilitarian side of the manifestation of existence, whereas knowledge is its essential aspect. These two aspects are conjoined with the middle link which is the human heart. This very heart sends its current in the grosser regions of existence; causes the action to be performed and practiced; and thus arranges for the expression of its existence. The same heart sends its currents (vibrations) in the subtler regions and, assuming the heirship of its knowledge, settles in the middle. So long as it lies in knowledge and action (Karma), it enjoys the bliss of both. But if it leans completely towards either of the two, it becomes either this or that, because it has the reflection and influence of both the subtle and gross regions.
If this heart is weaned away from both action and knowledge, and is taught to settle (stay) only on the subtler region, in that case the teaching is called Upasana. The result of this upasana is designated as bliss and peace, which is kept as the final goal. But there is the pleasure (happiness) of duality