Purushartha, The Self-Effort
Svadyaya page for February 16,2013
Purushartha is a word that is used in two senses in
Indian Philosophy. In one sense, it means certain values and goals to be
striven for as our aims in life. In another sense, it means the dynamic effort
and endeavour that enable one to achieve worthwhile goals, as well as the
supreme values that are to be kept before our vision.
The word Purushartha ultimately brings
home one truth: ‘Ends are obtained by endeavour.’ Worthwhile attainments and
goals are the fruits – note that I am not using the work ‘result’ – of endeavour.
They are the fruits of efforts, Gurudev said; “Do real sadhana.” Doing sadhana
means action, dynamism. It means well-directed intelligence, purposeful rajas
that does not direct you, but is directed by you.
All the eighteen Puranans contain stories of
sustained effort. The whole narrative is filled with action, action, action,
every type of efforts and repeated efforts, which ultimately grant the desired
fruit, victory. No matter how much knowledge you may have, unless it is backed
up by effort, it will only be a liability, not an asset. It will make your
problem more complex, rather than simplifying it or bringing a solution. To
know is perhaps better than not to know. But to know is not at all sufficient
unless it is applied and actively translated into dynamic, sustained and
systematic effort in order to reach the great Goal. Then only the journey is
completed, the destination is reached.
Isavasya Upanishad says, “That one who
follows avidya (lack of learning) goes into darkness and bondage. Then immediately
it says that one who follows vidya (knowledge) goes into greater darkness and
bondage.” [Isa. Up. 9] At first sight, it seems to be paradoxical and
confusing. Here, vidya means knowledge of the scriptures and all that is
studied, learned and stored. If it is not followed by the requisite effort, it
becomes only a burden, a liability, sterile. Perhaps it complicates the issue
by making one more egoistic. It can enmesh you more than you were enmeshed
before. Shabari had no schooling. Kabir was not a university man. Janabai was a
maidservant. But all of them did great effort. Therefore, Purushartha is
the key to Realisation. You may know only a little but put it into practice.
More important than tons of knowledge is an ounce of practice, action, Purushartha.
Being and doing have precedence over knowing. Be engaged in right endeavour.
God Bless You!
Swami
Chidananda
