IGNORANCE
AND ITS TRAMMELS
n A P ANAND
Ignorance, desire and egoistic
actions—these three are the links in the chain of ‘Samsara’. Dispel ignorance
by right insight; overcome desire by dispassion; transcend attachment by
dedication. This is the way of emancipation…………Shree Rama Devi.
The above paragraph is
laced with golden lines and culminates truly about emancipation comprising
removal of ignorance as one of the traits. Before proceeding further let us,
first, attempt to know as to what “ignorance” means. As per dictionary, it
means lack of knowledge, information and awareness. An ignorant person is not a
complete one and is deviated from the right path of life. He is naïve. He will
be like standing at cliff edge of life and thus likely to tumble down any
moment. Ignorance is an opaque trait and not a transparent one. It should,
therefore, be nipped in the bud at incipient stage to avoid horrible results,
including wrath of someone. A concerted effort with exercise of sufficient
restraint is desired. Ignorance is a curse and folly. It is a stumbling block
on the path to know our Creator and fellow men. It is only human beings who
have been bestowed with free will (except destiny) to act as they like
according to their intellect and foresight otherwise they will become thralldom
of someone. If one is raised in a decent family or environment one can efface
draw-backs, if any. It is very necessary to be non-ignorant for fighting the
ups and downs and many vagaries of life. On the contrary, the opponents may
make capital out of one’s ignorance. In fact we are ourselves responsible for
creating maze of ignorance around us or sucked in its vortex, never to
extricate out of it. Frankly speaking, our life itself is a vast field to learn
many things. Some people of wisdom have rightly said: (1) Ignorance is a
voluntary misfortune and is not being tolerant. It is also not bliss. (2)
Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects. (3) It is oblivion (unaware
of happenings around). In parlance of spirituality, ignorance means lacking knowledge
and awareness about God, self and virtues.
The performances of the ignorant will
not be perfect and wise but be abysmal. His inferences may be wild and
baseless, not intellectual ones. He is like a blind person who cannot see
reality but only darkness. He may act unwisely at the spur of a moment. He
supplies fillip to his waning figure and contributes to his own discomfiture.
He cannot participate nicely in the meetings/ discussions/ debates of erudite.
If he does, he will spoil or vitiate the atmosphere in arguments. His senses
will dissent any useful decision. He may, thus, receive cold treatment from the
upper echelon of society. It is also possible that someone else may usurp his
innocent/
(2)
ignorant role .Even his case/
statement of merit may cause chagrin (disappointment) when people turn deaf ear
towards him. Besides, if he remains silent, it may invite someone’s out
bursting. If he is not tactful, he may invite arguments and strain relations
and be alienated from civilized society. Thus people will berate/ degrade him.
His life will turn topsy-turvy and some may turn Nelson’s eye towards him.
Sometimes, due to unwise statements he may entangle himself in legal matters.
He hardly takes trustworthy and wise advice or shares his difficulties with
others due to fear/ doubt/ shame/ disgrace. He will always carry a simmering
load of discontent and apprehensions in mind which will sully his image.
Apart from what is said above, the
ignorant will live in his own realm of gloom. Desperation and uncertainty will
writ large on his face. He may become a laughing stock at every hand he tries
for help and may run from pillar to post. People may, often, pursue myopic
attitude towards him. Being ignorant his truth may be muzzled and reality
camouflaged. Even if he is having clinching evidence, the tricky may circumvent
the truth/ law. An ignorant is full of kinks/ pleats and devoid of discerning
intellect. He will, thus, not steer clear of controversies. Being a person of
low feelings, he will be indecisive, impulsive and will not take balanced
decisions.
If the ignorant is lucky enough and
comes in contact with a True Master, he may bounce back and reverberate in
life. All along he was in deep slumber and required an “alarm clock” for
shaking up/ awakening. It is only Guru (Preceptor) who can knead his earlier
traits, exhort, goad and bring him to a disciplined godly path. An ignorant’s
relations had
nose-dived and the mentor can chasten and bail him out of his problems with
morals, ethics by churning mind and recharging body. Guru/ mentor will reset
his moral compass and turn the tide of an ignorant’s life in his favour. Now he
(ignorant) will not be dim-witted and have blind faith. Removal of ignorance is
like a beacon light showing clear and right path. They say, “Happiness is a way
of travel and not destination.” This is true with wisdom but not ignorance.
When the True Master unveils the truth by imparting knowledge, he is doing a
job of extreme piety and bliss. Guru never discriminates between a higher and
lower caste. One’s fate resurrects/ reignites with Guru’s touch/ help. Guru
always acts as a shield to protect his devotees. His marvels are wonderful,
exciting and praise-worthy to ferry us across the rocky ocean of life. Due to
Guru’s help our stature grows higher in handling day-to-day’s affairs in a
mature way. Our feelings will start moving and flowing in a better way and will
not remain stationary.
(3)
Hereupon the mystiques of life will
unfold which were earlier as difficult as searching a needle in the hay-stack.
By now the ignorant has burnt enough oil on many nights to know the truth and
improve upon him. It is, ultimately, truth and awareness that triumphs. Also
many negative instincts have vanquished by themselves as knowledge purges our
inner dross by delving deeper. This way one can reach the commanding and
exalted position. Wisdom is refuge for us and ignorance a great drawback. Now
the ignorant is refined and will start his divine mission.
Spirituality is not only a refuge for
positivity but also triggers inner awakening and intellect which is necessary
to remove ignorance etc. If one does not care to imbibe virtues and stem the
rot, the tares and vices will become grafts on the tree of his life. Even if
one is having many sterling qualities but ignorance of truth may, always, come
on his way and create fissures in life.
Such a person will remain ungrateful to God and not recognize Him. Those
who take the life of innocent persons/ creatures for the fun of it are also
ignorant and do not care for the law of nature i.e. “Live and let live.” They
are also insensitive about the feelings and affection of others. They are rude
and cruel. It is a slur on humanity if we do not impart justice to an ignorant.
Our life should have a dash of spirituality. We should be firm and resolute in
accepting God as our refuge because we exist in the world due to Him. Also one
should merge in His ways to gain liberation and eternal bliss.
It is an established fact that only the
fittest survives. So, don’t remain ignorant. To avoid ignorance, we should
value time and opportunity. When God is with us, who can go against us?
Remember! God saved Mira Bai when she drank a cup full of poison sent by her
husband for her decimation. Lord Supreme is the perfect Rower of our life’s
boat.
