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इच्छाओं में ही हताशा और मुक्ति के बीज होते हैं || आचार्य प्रशांत, भगवद् गीता पर (2020)
शास्त्रज्ञान
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2 years ago
Srimad Bhagavad Gita
Shri Krishna
Nishkam Karma Yoga
Deities
Desire
Faith
Maya
Liberation
Description

Acharya Prashant explains that deities in the scriptures represent various worldly objects and natural forces. Humans created these personified forms, such as Varun Dev for water or Agni Dev for fire, to establish a relatable relationship with abstract or powerful natural elements. Since one cannot negotiate with clouds or flames, giving them a human-like personality allows for communication, worship, and the seeking of favors. Each deity represents a specific human desire, such as Saraswati for knowledge or Lakshmi for wealth. Therefore, worshipping a deity is essentially the pursuit of a worldly desire through a specific representative form. He further elaborates on Shri Krishna's statement in the Bhagavad Gita, where Shri Krishna says He strengthens the faith of a devotee in whichever deity they choose to worship. Acharya Prashant clarifies that this is a divine strategy. The human mind is constantly running after worldly objects, driven by desires. Most people pursue these desires half-heartedly, maintaining a false hope that they would find peace if they only achieved their goals. By intensifying a person's devotion and desire, Shri Krishna ensures they reach their goal faster. Once the desire is fulfilled and the person realizes it does not bring lasting peace, their heart breaks, and they finally become ready for the ultimate Truth. Finally, the discourse highlights the difference between pursuing worldly objects and turning towards the Supreme. Pursuing worldly things leads to an endless cycle where one achievement necessitates five more, keeping the individual trapped in constant movement. In contrast, turning directly toward the Supreme Truth, represented by Shri Krishna, ends this wandering. Acharya Prashant concludes that liberation from the cycle of birth and death means reaching a state where one no longer needs to go anywhere else, as the search for fulfillment finally ends in the Truth.