Chapter XV
Purushothama Yoga
the technique of attaining perfection

The information that is gathered through the interaction of the various sense organs with the environment, are passed through the Mind and Intellect, where they are conditioned by feelings, thoughts and ideas (emotions and knowledge). The transformation of these input stimuli to physical action is possible because of the inbuilt consciousness or awareness. When higher levels of Consciousness (Wisdom) guide this information transformation, what results is the emergence of a perfect individual or ‘Purshothama’.

[15.1] The all-pervading conscious energy that gives life to the ‘living’ has its root at the very top – in the human brain. It manifests itself through the complex web of nerves that grow down from the root and spread to all parts of the material body. The nerve endings, at the various sense organs, serve to collect stimuli from the external world. The external input stimuli thus received, helps the Body-Mind-Intellect mechanism to perceive. These perceptions, if guided by a righteous way of life, serves as a protective covering, regulating human behaviour. He who thus understands the nature of this eternal truth and lives accordingly is considered as one who possesses true knowledge.

 

Neurons are the oldest and longest cells in the body! We have most of the same neurons for the whole life. The other cells die and are replaced, whereas the neurons are not. Hence the neuronal tree can be subjectively called eternal in relation to other cells of the body.

 

[15.2] Having thus explained the overall nature of the nervous system, this stanza goes one more level deep into the component structure of the neural tree. The neurons that make up the tree spread below and above. The dendrites grow in all directions from the cell body (soma) and serve as the input medium for the neuron with the sense organs providing the tools to sense (‘nourishing it with the satwa-rajas-thamo gunas as it were’). The sense organs that provide the sense pleasures and pains for the body are termed the sprouts of the branches of dendrites. The branch by name the ‘axon’ provides the output medium for the cell which help to transmit signals through the pre-synaptic axon terminals on to the next cell and so on. Each cell has a spark of consciousness built into it, and is considered as a sub-roots of the tree and such sub roots extend all over the body. Thus the human body is sensitive all around and thus reacts to all kinds of external stimuli through various sense organs. The sense perceptions from the body are turned into emotions in the mind and thoughts & desires in the intellect. This results in actions in the material world of living beings.

 

[15.3] After explaining the general architecture of the complex system of neural networks, sense perceptions and the resulting actions that we perform in this world, Sri Krishna goes on to explain how we can reform ourselves from the bondage of selfish actions. It is indeed true that we are unaware of the play of consciousness in our whole system. We carry out our tasks without actually perceiving the full nature of the complex interactions as enumerated in the previous stanzas.  But at the same time we get entwined by the play of the senses and are more often than not guided by the emotions of the mind. Many a times we go against our conscience. The concentration required for the acquisition of perfect knowledge also suffers at the hand of the same play of senses upon the mind and intellect.  The deep rooted and well developed human neural system need to be cut off from the vagaries of the sense perceptions if we are to ever achieve a perfect state of contemplation from which creativity can sparkle. The same goes to achieve a perfect sense of synchronization with our conscience. The Bhagavad Gita says that this can be only achieved through the weapon of a strong sense of detached engagement to duties through a repeated practice of discrimination.

 

[15.4] The process is further enumerated. Having thus cut off sensory distractions, through discrimination, we should attempt to remain in that state and not be brought back to the lower nature. For this we should first realise that the conscience that exists within us and within all the living beings is the spark of the same primordial source of energy that existed from the very beginning. The chemical and electrical mechanisms that make up the process of neuron reactions that are triggered by sensory perceptions are not different in different individuals. The complexity of reactions and the structure of the neurons are the highest evolved in human beings. The perceptive reactions are more or less controlled by this interaction with the sensory world of material phenomena – tuned and abetted by the Body-Mind-Intellect triad.

 

[15.5] Having enumerated what is to be done, Sri Krishna goes on to elaborate on who can achieve the exalted state.  He who is free from pride (ego) and non-discrimination and who has conquered his mind from associating with selfishness and other evils and who is always wedded to his conscience; he who has completely washed off all selfish desires and are not swayed by the dichotomy of the human mind (free from extremes of behaviour); he is the wise one who will reach such a supreme state of the perfect human being.

 

[15.6] The supreme knowledge that we gain by being wedded to the all-pervading conscience is the ultimate knowledge that we can obtain and there will be no need to come down (back) with the vicissitudes of uncertainty and ignorance. The light of knowledge that is accrued through hard labour of the body (agni), or the knowledge accrued through the contemplation of the mind (moon) or the rational knowledge that is accrued through the process of intellectual assimilation (sun) stands no comparison with the light of conscience-driven knowledge that we gather.

 

[15.7] It is a part of the Universal Consciousness (me) that becomes the Individual Consciousness within every living being and draws for itself the six senses (which are the five senses of perception and the mind), which abide in nature (in the corresponding physical organs of perception).

 

[15.8] The Individual Consciousness (that is resident within every living being, and which is a portion of the Universal Consciousness), when it draws for itself the sense organs, including the mind, to express itself, identifies itself with the current state of the physical body. When the state changes it again identifies itself with the new state of the physical body after withdrawing the faculties of perception from the previous state (just as the wind takes the aroma of the flower around).

 

In all the three states of consciousness – Jagrat (waking), Swapna (dreaming) and Sushupti (deep sleep) – the Jiva (Individual Consciousness) appropriates for itself the organs of sense perception in varying degrees.

 

[15.9] The Individual Consciousness, presiding over the organs of perception namely the ears, eyes, skin, tongue and the nose and the sixth one, the Mind, enjoys the sensory perceptions. Stanza [15.2] describes how this happens.

 

[15.10] In the three stages (processes) in which the Individual Consciousness is (i) retracting from the senses, (ii) engaged in the senses, or (iii) totally experiencing the senses associated with their qualities, the deluded person fails to see the presence of the play of the conscious energy. But those who have the knowledge of this see it clearly.

 

[15.11] Those who contemplate on this diligently with no trace of ego and such other fissiparous tendencies, they see the play of the universal consciousness in their own self.  But those others who may also be diligent and striving for it, but without the needed disciplined approach, they fail to see this, being enslaved to the non-discriminating influences of the play of the senses.

 

[15.12] The conscious energy that illumines the Intellect (sun), the Mind (moon) and the whole sense organs spread across the material body (fire) - (Individual Consciousness) - is one and the same as the universal conscious energy that is all pervading.

 

[15.13] Entering the each physical body as the Individual Conscious Energy, the spark of the Universal Consciousness (me), sustain all the living beings. This Universal Consciousness (me) is the sap that nourishes each and every neuron, as the Soma, wherein is the seat of all metabolic activities, that gives life to the physical body (of all living beings – be it plant, animal or human).

 

The Soma (Latin, som / a: body) or cell body of a neuron contains the nucleus and other structures common to living cells. These structures support the chemical processing of the neuron; the most important of which is the production of neurotransmitters.

 

soma contains other cellular organelles floating in Cytoplasm -- Organelles include ribosomes (site of protein production), mitochondria (site of energy production), endoplasmic reticulum (a network of tubes used to transport proteins throughout the cell), lysosomes (containing enzymes that breakdown cellular substances for recycled use), and Golgi complex (a network of vesicles or sacs that prepare hormones for secretion). The soma is, therefore, the site of major metabolic activity in the neuron.

 

[15.14] Again going on to illustrate the manifestation of the energy in living beings, it is explained that it is the same energy that is also the digestive power which, with the help of vital pranas help to digest the four types of food that we eat – eaten by masticating, swallowing, sucking and licking.  This clearly indicates the external sources of energy that is drawn upon to sustain the inner energy, thus again proving that the energy that is within is the spark of the universal energy that is everywhere.

 

[15.15] The source of energy that sustains the neurons in the neural network which forms the seat of memory, knowledge and the lack of knowledge is the same Consciousness (me) and therefore to be understood or known – and which therefore is the source of all knowledge.

 

[15.16] In the world of living beings (body) the ‘Purusha’ (consciousness) exists in two forms – as the mutable and the immutable. The mutable form is seen in all parts of the body – as the conscious principle that exists in all living cells of the body which keep mutating (splitting up). It is ever changing. In the whole life span the old cells die and the new ones take over many times, carrying on the continuity of life.

Relative to the ephemeral nature of the biological cells that undergoes mutation is the (relatively) eternal immutable neurons that make up the central and peripheral nervous system – giving the sense of ‘awareness’ to the whole body and which provides the continuity of life despite the ever changing mutable cells. It is the conscious principle (Akshara Purusha) that sustains the neurons and gives rise to memory and knowledge. The relative (as compared to mutating biological cells) imperishable neuron system is like the anvil of a smith against which the smaller pieces of iron are hammered and made into various shapes (KOODASTHAH).

 

[15.17] The memory and knowledge exhibited by the Consciousness that exists in the neuronal network is conditioned by imperfections since it resides in the physical body. Only a higher level of consciousness like generalised principles of higher nature – as given by lofty ideals of Truth, Righteousness, Love, Peace and Non-Violence - which are irrefutable and indestructible provide for another substratum against which all else becomes transient and fleeting in nature.

[15.18] Thus, distinct from the mutable and immutable consciousness within every living being, there is the most highest or Supreme level of Consciousness which is ‘Universal’ and which does not suffer any change and is immortal, which is termed the “PERFECT PURUSHA” or the most perfect state of consciousness that can be aimed for. This supreme state, which pervades all the three states of existence and beyond, and sustains them, is declared as ISHWARA – GOD.

 

As this state is more perfect and permanent than the perishable and the imperishable conscious principles (existing in all living beings) this state is well known as the PURUSHOTHAMA state in the world and in the scriptures.

 

[15.19] He who thus understands the underlying eternal and Supreme Conscious Principle, without getting deluded by indiscrimination and emotional entanglements in the ever changing world of ephemeral phenomena, will be able to comprehend the eternal and omnipresent Universal Consciousness and also be able to ‘identify’ with the state of the Highest Supreme State, thus himself becoming PURUSHOTHAMA.

 

[15.20] Thus, this is the subtlest science that is taught to you by me. On following the dictates of Conscience and raising oneself to a higher order consciousness, a man becomes wise and he performs righteously all his duties, thereby getting contentment and happiness.

As rightly pointed out by Sri Krishna (through Veda Vyasa) the realisation of a higher level of consciousness is indeed the subtlest of all sciences. This can revolutionise the very manner in which man looks at the world of changing phenomena and raise his own level of personality attaining perfection in whatever he does. Throughout the conceptual level of ethics and principles guiding the intellectual and mental faculties of man through the use of higher consciousness within, one can find the import of this deep exposition of metaphysical and psychoanalytical treatment of The Gita.

Consider for example the concept of Data/Information, Knowledge and Wisdom. Information and Knowledge can be considered as that existing in the perishable and the imperishable spectrum of things whereas Wisdom is the highest level that remains eternal. 

Knowledge is distributed within the ever-changing world of Data and Information.  Specific data and information items may keep changing, but the structures and relations that combine them to form knowledge chunks are relatively eternal.  Knowledge is gleaned from the generalisation of concepts from numerous pieces of data and information entities. Human brain has the capacity to infer or perceive things at a higher level based on observation and generalisation. Knowledge is more permanent than the information items from which it is gathered. Between people and ages (across times) it may still change.  But, Wisdom occupies a more exalted position. Higher-order consciousness is perhaps a distinctly human condition that allows building on primary consciousness—going beyond it to recognize own personal actions and values. This emphasis on value systems is what leverages Wisdom. Wisdom is eternal. It is a necessary capability in order to direct conscious behavior from within—to get beyond pure stimulus/response behavior. Laws of ethical behaviour and value systems can become cultural memories that can last beyond a single lifetime and be immortal (eternal).

 

Satish Kumar Menon
09-11-2003