Vijay Singal
Bhagavad Gita in shlokas from 2.54 to 2.72 has spelled out the distinctive attributes of an enlightened person, the one who has steady intellect and who is forever situated in divine consciousness. It has also been explained as to how can such a state of blessedness be obtained.
While describing the characteristics of an enlightened person, it has been stated that when one gives up all his selfish desires and when his soul is content in itself ; then he is called a man of steady intelligence (sthita-pragya). The one whose mind remains unperturbed in the midst of sorrow, who does not crave for pleasure ; and who is free from attachment, fear and anger – such a person is called a sage of steady wisdom (sthita-dhih). The one who remains unattached under all conditions and is neither delighted by good nor dejected by evil, he is firmly fixed in perfect knowledge (pragya-pratishthita). The one who having brought all his senses under full control fixes his consciousness upon the Supreme Lord, he is also known as pragya-pratishthita.
Sri Krishna in these shlokas has further explained as to what are the obstacles in achieving the steady wisdom and spiritual liberation, and how can these obstacles be overcome. Attachment towards objects of the senses gives rise to afflictions of the mind like desire, anger and greed etc. ; which, in turn, results in destruction of intelligence. The cravings of the senses are so strong that they can forcibly carry away the mind even of a wise man. Citing the example of a boat on water which is swept away by strong wind, it has been stated that even one of the senses, which is wandering on the objects and on which the mind is constantly fixed, can carry away a man’s intelligence. He whose senses are all withdrawn from their objects, certainly remains steady in intelligence (pragya-pratishithita). Therefore, the one who wants his wisdom to be stable has been advised to withdraw his senses from their objects in every respect, as a tortoise draws its limbs, on all sides, into its shell.
Sri Krishna in these shlokas has also talked about peace and joy. Just as sea remains motionless even while rivers are entering it, similarly only those who remain unmoved by desires can attain peace ; and not the slaves of desires. For the one who does not have a disciplined mind, there can neither be any stability in intelligence nor any power of concentration. There can be no peace or happiness for such a person.
