The Spiritual Import of the Mahabharata and the Bhagavadgita : Ch-12-7.

Chapter 12: The Entry of the Soul into the Supreme Being

Part-7.


It is very clear to every finite human being that God is unreachable for all practical purposes, because of the transcendentalness which is implied in His existence.
He is far above the whole of creation.

The arms of man cannot touch His Being.

But, if this is the circumstance in which the finite individual is placed, it is really a matter of concern for everyone.

So the eighth chapter retains the transcendentalness of God, but does not discourage us with any kind of negative philosophy or theology, as if we are damned forever.

There is a hope for even the finite individual.

God can be reached after the shedding of this body by deep concentration, and the last thought is supposed to be the force that decides the nature of the experiences of the soul in the hereafter.



Now, the passage of the soul after the disassociation of itself from this body is the subject of various branches in philosophy.

“One who is wholly absorbed in the thought of God reaches God,” says the eighth chapter.

Anta-kale ca mam eva smaran muktva kalevaram, yah prayati sa mad-bhavam yati nasty atra samsayah.

Om ity ekaksaram brahma-vyaharan mam anusmaran, yah prayati tyajan deham sa yati paramam gatim.

The supreme stage is reached by that individual or soul who is enabled to entertain the thought of the Supreme Being.

Swami Krishnananda
To be continued  ....