My understanding of the phrase "Nischala tatwe Jeevan mukthi" ("నిశ్చల తత్వే జీవన్ముక్తి "). "From Unwavering nature to Liberation of life"

For those who are not familiar with the phrase, it is a line from Adi Shankaracharya's most famous composition Bhaja Govindam where he tries to tell people to have devotion. I am not the person who accepts the 'truth by authority'. I however do not disregard any statement made by an authority. I rather carefully examine the element of truth by logically reasoning them against its possibilities and impossibilities.

Considering the way "the great Adhi Shankaracharya" was introduced to me, as a great saint, philosopher and above all a well-established Yogi, it could be easy for me to accept his authority and believe that "Nischala tatwam" (Unwavering nature) leads to "Jeevan Mukthi" (Liberation). Also, I personally didn't feel capable enough to test it. Although I pretend to accept that statement, I had no means to verify it. My thinking mind could not accept that statement without proper reasoning. It, as usual, demands the logical steps that led to this conclusion which unfortunately was not mentioned in his exemplary work " Bhaja Govindam" (or is it me who miserably failed to recognise it?!).

Perhaps, our brains are designed to assist our thought despite anything. I felt so because my brain had successfully decoded (at least I think it so) that statement for me and revealed it to me when I was least thinking about it.

I thought it is best to share my understanding to those who are yet in their decoding phase and so came up with this post. Before sharing it, I would like to build a basis for it and then proceed to explain the statement.

What could have Shankaracharya meant by "Mukthi" (Freedom)...

Think of some habit you always wanted to get rid of. If you do not have any, you have already achieved it. Congrats! but, most of us aren't free from such unwanted habits. For example, most of us wanted to get rid of Procrastination but always fail to. We may think to never eat something or never do something but fail to restrain ourselves from doing the same thing. We come back again to that same thing in cycles and cycles. This, I understand to be bondage (No Freedom). So, getting free from it or obtaining freedom from it can be understood as Mukthi. Freedom does not mean not being able to do that thing anymore. It does not mean, for example, making you incapable of procrastinating something. But, it means that you are no longer bonded to it. you are now free in your will to exercise it or not. it does not compel you anymore.

So, what might "Nischala tatwam" mean according to Shankaracharya?

Nischalam means lack of any Movement and tatwam means nature. So, Nischala tatwam could mean nature of No Movement. To logically link Nischala tatwam and Mukthi is the centre point of this blog. Consider this: You have, in a state of remorse, decided to give up video games thinking that playing video games caused you to fail in a test. So, now you have made a decision to stop playing video games. But, how unmoving are you in your decision is important. You might get back to video games after a week of taking the decision being unable to control the urge. You may reason it with anything else. You may think "It is okay to play for limited time" or "playing video games for relaxation is actually good" or any other comfortable and logical reason. But, if you stand on your decision unmoving (Nischalam) no matter what happens, you could ultimately get liberated from it. No backing from decision no matter what is what I understood from the word Nischala tatwam.

But, logically thinking, it is not practical at all. You cannot live with a silly decision for the rest of your life. Decisions can be taken in weaker moments of joy, anger or resentment. Living up to them throughout the life is not only impractical but sometimes impossible. It does not imply that the statement itself is impractical. The problem is with silly decisions only and not with a profound and committed ones. It is really important to consider everything before taking a decision and with a clear mind. Every possible and impossible situation that one can think of has to considered before making a decision. Something beyond our thought can also happen. Standing Still even against that which is unexpected or is life threatening is what I understood from Nischala Tatwam. In order to be able to do so, one need to be very clear about their decision and enormous will to take it forward.

In the video game example, he could have decided to gradually get rid of the habit considering his capability rather than completely banning it all of a sudden. He should be really conscious thereafter to remove his urge of playing video games at the expense of his career. Yes, it requires some work. One must be willing to pay the price to get things in life. Only then should one decide to achieve something.

In a crisp, being able to stand on your decision no matter what happens leads one to mukthi. I can substantiate this with some examples that I heard of since childhood. Most revered figures like "Lord Rama" and "Lord Krishna" were said to have attained mukthi through their Unwavering commitment to "Dharma". Devotion, as I perceive it, is another kind of Nischala tatwam. A devotee is completely dedicated to the God he believes in. He devotes himself to his God with an unmoving commitment. Devotees like Annamayya, Ramadasu were also told to attain jeevan mukthi through their unwavering devotion towards their God.

But, how can one be so clear to take a decision and have so much strength to take it forward? Interestingly, Shankaracharya himself tried to suggest the method in the same composition, Bhaja Govindam. One can refer online for the entire meaning of the composition to know more about it. Here, I present you with those lines which I felt are most relevant to my argument.

Satsangatve nissangatvam

Nissangatve nirmohatvam

Nirmohatve nishchalatattvam

Nishchalatattve jeevanmukti

I loosely translate these verses into crude English. Each verse might mean much more than what it seems to be.

From Good company to No company

From No company to No Desire

From No Desire to No movement

From No Movement to Liberation.

This is the path Shankaracharya prescribed in his Bhaja Govindam. I wish I could realise it not by its meaning but by its experience.

I am in no capacity to prove this point of view but I take support of aforesaid examples to reasonably accept it.

I understand that I could be wrong in understanding the essence of it. I am willing to listen from you any contradictions on this through your comments.