This human body is made of material elements which can be broadly classified as constituted of the gross elements: earth, water, fire, air, and space and the subtle elements: mind, intellect and ego. This is the manifested eight-fold ‘Prakrithi’ of the universal conscious energy. The subjective conscious awareness of the human brain (gross substrate for the subtle elements) finds its field of expression through these matter envelopments [7.04].

On a universal level also this fact hold scientifically true since it is a fact that Energy act upon matter, to produce the Universe we know. Matter has been known to exist in states which more or less parallel the philosophical thought processes of the Gita proponent.  Modern science concludes that the physical states of matter are Solid, Liquid, Gas and Plasma. And then we have Space.  Hence we could categorise these as the five gross elements as mentioned in the stanza. The mind, Intellect and the Ego are the most developed in human beings. Just as the physical states of matter are transformation of ‘states’ by the application of ‘energy’ in the form of heat or pressure etc.,  the subtler elements of mind, intellect and ego can also be considered as grosser translations of ‘Consciousness’. Mind is that which is responsible for one's thoughts and feelings. It is a state of the faculties of thinking, willing, choosing, and the like psychical activity or state as in giving an opinion, making a choice or showing courage. It is also that which gives the power of memory or remembrances and recollections. Intellect is the power that conceives, judges, or reasons and is the part or faculty of the human being  by which it knows, as distinguished from the power to feel and to will; sometimes, the capacity for higher forms of knowledge, as distinguished from the power to perceive objects in their relations; the power to judge and comprehend; the thinking faculty; the understanding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A conceptual hierarchy of matter is described. First there is the grossest of them all - earth and then progressively it gets rarefied to the form of space and then the more and more subtle concepts of mind, intellect and ego. These are termed the lower ‘Prakrithi’ as these are the manifested forms of the supreme conscious energy principle that sustains the whole world of experiences.  At the subtlest level, the omnipresent and perennial energy source is available as pure energy source. This source of pure energy is the ‘Purusha’ (distinct from the lower nature) which provides the ‘conscious awareness’ in all living beings making us all act in this world through the power of the ‘Ego’, expressing the ideas and feelings of the Intellect and the Mind through the actions performed by the physical body [7.05].

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As life germinates it is in a state of ‘unconscious’ and is individualized – the individual unconscious. This Individual Unconsciousness is a part of the collective Universal Unconsciousness. This is what modern psychology says. From the unconscious state bouts of ego-consciousness develops (uroboric state) and then gradually this consciousness strengthens with the aid of EGO (making it Ego-Consciousness). This strengthening happens because of a tussle between the unconscious and the ego-conscious. The ego develops from the depths of the unconscious which is a state of perennial bliss and a source of unlimited energy. It is this ego-consciousness that identifies ‘self’ with the physical body, mind and intelligence.

The analysis of modern psychology clearly shows that (according to me) what the Gita proponent might have intuitively envisioned was that supreme source of energy is nothing but what modern science calls as the collective unconscious! [See figure 2]

Since the ‘Purusha’ and the ‘Praktiti’ combine to produce the material world, the ‘manifested’ emerges from the ‘un-manifested’, it is clear that the un-manifested supreme energy is the source and dissolution of all that is material. This is the macroscopic view (Samashti) [7.06].

Clearly Modern Science also postulates that ‘Energy act upon matter, to produce the Universe we know’. It is also well known that Energy and matter are interconvertible and that, what perennially exists is the energy form. The duality of Energy/Matter is the most fundamental of dualities. Matter always tends to aggregate creating vacuums and Energy always tends to flow away from areas of high level to areas of low level thus filling up vacuums. The Energy/Matter Duality is really a Unity, in the sense that Energy and Matter are two aspects of the same Reality, able to convert to one another.

From the point of view of the individual ‘being’ (Vyashti) also this can be explained, which provides us the microscopic view.  The physical body that is composed of the elements is aware of its ‘being’ through the ego-consciousness that pervades it. The physical, mental and intellectual faculties work because of the consciousness that energises it. The ‘jagat’ – world of action, emotions and ideas – is created because of an alert ego-centric mind and intellect. Everything merges into stillness if there is no consciousness! Everything springs into action when consciousness pervades them!!

Both in the universal and the individual it is perceivably clear that it is the universal conscious principle that strings together the apparent multitude of beings just as a string keeps the beads in a necklace intact [7.07].

After expounding the nature of the existence of this universe in its totality, the Gita proponent further goes on to specifically define the nature of manifestation of the omnipresent and omnipotent energy principle [7.08-7.11]. The very basis of ‘Dharma’ rests on this ubiquitous and perennial energy.  Dharma is that which makes a thing, ‘the thing’. That way it is this same energy that is the sapidity in water, radiance in the sun and the moon, the primal sound syllables in sound, manhood in men, heat in fire, the life in all living beings, the austerity in the ascetics, the intelligence in the intelligent and the brilliance in the brilliant. It is also the strength, devoid of any lust and greed, in the strong and all the righteousness in the world of beings. All things that are right, morally acceptable and ideal and perfect are sparks of the supreme energy.

Consciousness energises all actions, emotions and ideas. These actions, emotions and ideas are influenced by three predominant types of qualities – purity, passion and ignorance.  Even these qualities exist as a result of the energizing power of consciousness. It is thus clear that it is not consciousness that exist in these qualities but the qualities exist because of consciousness [7.13]. The nature of influence of these three qualities being such, it is difficult to truly comprehend the true nature of consciousness [7.14]. But if one is able to understand the true significance of the filtering process inside the mind then the true nature of consciousness can be comprehended.

Figure 3 depicts the architecture of human mind with reference to the way consciousness plays the energizing role. It depicts the flow of control as to how physical realities get projected on consciousness giving the illusion of subjective reality (Maya). I believe that the concept of Maya thus enunciates how man sees the physical world as a result of his own deep-seated impressions and prejudices. The subjective filtering by the sub-conscious mind makes it impossible to most human beings to see physical world and incidents in its true perspective. Man reacts to the apparent impressions created on his consciousness and thinks that what he perceives is right. The ego-filled consciousness forces him to think that reality is what he perceives. The true nature of consciousness as that which is above all this subjectivism is lost on his psyche. Thus those people who are enslaved to the predominant qualities of subjectivism are deluded into thinking that consciousness is endowed with these qualities and are misled into actions that are not always true to conscience [7.15].

There are basically four types of individuals – the aartha (the distressed), artharthi (the seeker of wealth), Jijnasu (the seeker of knowledge) and jnani (the wise) – who exist in this world of conscious beings [7.16]. These four types of people use their inherent will power in different ways to propel themselves into conscious living.

Obviously the wise among these are the best of mankind because they live by their conscience, fishing out the best of values and potentials from deep down their consciousness. Such people are conscientious and the inexhaustible potential of the universal conscious energy would thus flow through them for the benefit of society at large [7.17]. Being uninfluenced by ego-centric predicament and subjectivism, they are not carried away by non-virtuous deeds and fleeting pleasures thereof.  These are truly universal beings [7.18].

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Those others who are seekers happiness, wealth or knowledge, due to their subjective needs as dictated by egoism, will be rewarded with these. Those who strive for something consciously would reap the corresponding benefits. As you sow so you reap. This is the universal law. The sub-conscious layers of the mind get strengthened by the increase of reaction potentials and the individual is thus tuned to make his efforts to fit his needs. This permeates his ‘being’ as well as his environments. It is again the conscious energy that pervades all the animate actions. The only difference is that it is guided by ego-centric influences rather than altruism [7.19-7.23]

Consciousness ‘willed’ out from the universal un-conscious is strengthened by ego as explained earlier and hence the universal identity is ‘veiled’. Each individual ego gets carried away by ‘self-consciousness’ [7.24]. This wrong notion, that every individual is an isolated ‘conscious island’ is created in the individual psyche because of the three types of subjective influences - purity, passion and ignorance (Yoga-Maaya) - that contaminate the consciousness. The ignorant and the deluded identify themselves with the ‘self-consciousness’ and does not understand that it is the universal consciousness that sparks their own consciousness and that the universal conscious energy is an infinite source of energy and is un-decaying. Irrespective of whether a mind is pure, passionate or steeped in ignorance, it is the consciousness within that makes everyone live. The conscious energy is not affected by the subjective influences just as a magician is not affected by the ‘magic’ he creates and knows fully well the tricks he employ to manifest the make-believe world of magic! [7.25].

Form the very nature of manifestation of consciousness like Intuition and Creativity, it can be seen that the realisation of absolute consciousness is nothing but a process of ‘discovery’. This unequivocally proves that the past, the present and the future are all lying dormant in the ‘un-conscious’. Only the very diligent understand this ultimate truth and only those who consciously strive for it with dedication and concentration achieves it [7.26].

The concepts formed in the human mind and rationalized by the intellect are basically dipolar in character. There are always two extreme ends. Heat and cold, pain and pleasure, likes and dislikes are all such dichotomies. Intentionality of human behaviour is guided by these dipolar concepts. The consciousness within help to express the intentions depending on the impressions within, and depending on the swing of the mood towards either of the extreme ends of the dipolar concept gathered through experiences. These dichotomies start influencing the consciousness right from birth of an individual. This is because the EGO starts exerting itself, strengthening the ego-consciousness. This delusion prevents individuals from recognizing the true nature of consciousness [7.27].

Those who are able to recognize this phenomenon are able to understand the mechanisms of manifestation of the universal conscious principle. These individuals would behave in altruistic manner, would be steeped in all good qualities and devoid of EGO in all their endeavors. The realisation of the barrier that EGO creates in the understanding of Truth is sufficient to break the veil of ignorance. Such people would be highly conscientious [7.28].

These conscientious individuals, because they want to get away from the despairs of the swings of action and inaction and the subjective way of looking at truth, and being interested in an unbiased view of truth, would understand the true nature of the indwelling power of the unblemished consciousness. They truly understand the nature of all their actions and the reactions thereof [7.29]. Because these individuals understand the nature of consciousness in all its three levels – the material manifestation, the subconscious manifestation and the universal one – comprehend clearly that their consciousness is nothing but a seamless manifestation of the universal consciousness (which modern science prefers to call the ‘Collective Unconscious’). Hence such individuals would realise that the loss of consciousness (death) as just the merging of the consciousness into the universal consciousness! [7.30]

Wisdom is eternal. It is a necessary capability required to direct conscientious behavior from within—to get beyond raw (animal) 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). These immortal values get deeply entrenched into the psyche of the collective consciousness through a process of evolution that takes ages. Human beings are the most biologically evolved species on earth as a result of the process of evolution. Even among human it takes many evolutionary transitions before perfect wisdom can dawn on the collective consciousness. Then and then only will mankind be eternally wise!

For the process of eternal purification to take place it is required that fissiparous tendencies are completely exhausted. Such exhaustion will stamp firm impressions on the individual unconscious layers of the human mind which will then become cultural tendencies for the whole of mankind.

References:
 

Bhagavad Gita: Interpretations of-

1. Adi Shankara
2. Swami Vivekananda (The complete works)
3. Swami Janananda Saraswathy (in Malayalam)
4. Swami Chinmayananda
5. Sri Prabhupada (B.GITA As it is)
6. Swami Swaroopananda
7. Swami Sivananda.
8. Bhagavad Gita: International Gita Society.
9. John R. Searle, The Problem of Consciousness, The Rediscovery of the Mind, MIT Press, 1992.
10. David M. Harrison, About Mass Energy Equivalence, University of Toronto, 2002.
11. AN. Leontyev, Activity and Consciousness, Philosophy in the USSR, Problems of Dialectical Materialism, 1977.
12. John K. Harms, Brain as a matter wave system, 2001. http://www.johnkharms.com.
13. David B. Stevenson, Freud's Division of the Mind, Brown University, 1996.
14. Mind-Brain.com, Expansion of Consciousness.
15. Eric Neumann, The Origins and History of Consciousness, Princeton University Press, 1970.
16. Patric Quanten, Consciousness – the tip of the iceberg, Active Health, 2003.
17. David M. Rosenthal, Consciousness and the Mind, The Jerusalem Philosophicval Quaterly 51, July 2002, pp. 227-251.
18. M Monier-Williams, Sanskrit English Dictionary, Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers, 2002.
19. Peter Carruthers, Higher Order Theories of Consciousness, Stansford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2001.
20. Louis De Broglie, Radiation – Waves and Quanta, Notes of Louis De Broglie, Presented by Jean Perrin – Translation from Comtes rendus, Vol 177, 1923, pp. 507-510.