न हि ज्ञानेन सदृशं पवित्रमिह विद्यते |
तत्स्वयं योगसंसिद्ध: कालेनात्मनि विन्दति || 38||
na hi jñānena sadṛiśhaṁ pavitramiha vidyate
tatsvayaṁ yogasansiddhaḥ kālenātmani vindati
na—not; hi—certainly; jñānena—with divine knowledge; sadṛiśham—like; pavitram—pure; iha—in this world; vidyate—exists; tat—that; svayam—oneself; yoga—practice of yog; sansiddhaḥ—he who has attained perfection; kālena—in course of time; ātmani—wihtin the heart; vindati—finds
Translation:
Indeed there is nothing so pure as Knowledge in this world. He who is perfected in Nishkama Karma finds that wisdom by himself in Atma in due season.
Commentary:
There are many things pure in this world. Of them all, knowledge is the purest and the most perfect. Nothing can purify man except Knowledge. The impurity caused by ignorance is only cleansed by Knowledge. The physical body needs cleansing with water and soap every day. The subtle body also needs purification. And the purifying agents are Nishkama Karma, meditation, worship of God, and such other practices. Of them all, Knowledge is the best and greatest purifier.
By oneself: Each individual has to find that Knowledge by himself. One should eat by himself to satisfy his hunger. One should take medicine by himself to cure his own disease. The Master provides all the help needed for the spiritual quest, but finally, each one should realise the Truth himself. There can be no proxy in Jnana. It is a direct personal experience.
Perfected in Yoga: The man perfected in yoga obtains Knowledge. Nishkama Karma Yoga should become automatic, spontaneous, and natural. Then yoga is said to be perfect. The mind is purified of the taint of Selfishness and attachment to the gross material world. Then the man finds Knowledge.
In Self: Where is this Knowledge? Is it in the sky or beyond the clouds? Is it in the other world? Or is it in the centre of the earth? – Where is this Knowledge? It is in the Self. All the time it has been there. Not knowing it man has been seeking it in the outside world, in temples, in rivers and mountains, and so on. After all this long search, man comes back to his own Self, and there he discovers that Knowledge which liberates him from sorrow and delusion. All knowledge, all perfection is already in the Self.
In due season: The Lord answers the question when this Knowledge becomes manifest. In due season, this Knowledge which is already in the Self reveals itself, and then the endless wanderings of the mind stop forever. There is no time limit for this supreme revelation. When the mind becomes pure, Knowledge comes of its own accord. Sooner or later this Knowledge should manifest itself, the time taken depending on the ripeness of the individual. No one needs to be discouraged that he has not got it immediately. As he continues the spiritual Sadhana, the mind gradually drops off its taints and blemishes and Truth is seen and known. The plant of spirituality should be watered and taken care of in every way. Sincerity and earnestness are essential. By God’s grace Knowledge is revealed to the aspirant.
Swami Vivekananda Says —
It has been said that adversity is the touchstone of true knowledge, and this may be said a hundred times with regard to the truth: “Thou art That.” This truly diagnoses the vairagya (dispassion) disease. Blessed is the life of one who has developed this symptom. In spite of your dislike I repeat the old saying: “Wait for a short time.” You are tired with rowing; rest on your oars. The momentum will take the boat to the other side. This has been said in the Gita, “In good time, having reached perfection in yoga, one realizes That in one’s own heart.”[Source]
Disciple: It is a matter of deep regret that even hearing this from you almost every day, I have not been able to realize it.
Swamiji: Renunciation must come, but in the fullness of time. “In the fullness of time one attains to knowledge within himself.” When the few samskaras (tendencies) of the previous life are spent, then renunciation sprouts up in the heart.[Source]
A LIVING MASTER
Someone told Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi, “I want Self-Realisation, and for that, I want a living Master.”
M: Where did you get the message that you have to get Realisation?
D: The Bhagavad Gita. M: Then why don’t you hold on to Krishna?
D: Krishna is no more.
M: Oh, is that what you understood from the Gita? A living Master will also have the same fate. He too will disappear. The Master is your own Self.
THE SELF IS NOT ATTAINED BY THE MIND, NOT BY THE BODY, AND NOT BY A PERSON. IT IS NOT SOMETHING YOU GET FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE SELF IS ATTAINED BY THE SELF.
When jñāna becomes firm, you recognise that you are always with the Master; you are never separated from the Master. It becomes a saving knowledge. It is like the charcoal which lies deep underground and slowly, with time, transforms into a diamond. So too, with the jñāna received from the Guru. Gradually, through time, It ripens as the diamond of pure experience. Hold on to it, absorb it, reflect, contemplate and meditate on it; ultimately, the diamond will shine forth in you. You will find that this is the greatest treasure that you have got. As Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi says, ‘tiru-aruḷ-nidhi—the sacred treasure of Grace.’
That waiting and contemplation is yoga. The perfection of yoga is yoga-saṃsiddhi. When yoga ripens fully and blossoms within, then jñāna is yours. yoga-saṃsiddhi also means you become sufficiently pure through karma-yoga. Seeking something in the world has lost its significance for you. Jñāna will bless only a person who is not desire-oriented, who knows how to sit within, that the greatest treasure is within. He knows how to wait and keep quiet. He is a yoga-saṃsiddhaḥ. (Source: Srimad Bhagavad Gita – Elixir of Eternal Wisdom | Vol 1)
Question: What is the purest thing in the world?
Answer: Knowledge of Atma.
Question: How, when, and where is it found?
Answer: By the man perfected in Karma Yoga, the Knowledge is found in the Self in due time.