Every year, we celebrate Independence Day - a day when we salute our National flag, sing our National Anthem, rekindle our patriotic ardour to commemorate freedom from slavery, freedom from being ruled by another State or Nation, freedom from physical labour and bondage.
On this occasion, we need to question ourselves, what is the deeper significance of the word 'Independence'? How should we practically imply this word so that it can factually transform our lives and we start experiencing actual freedom from quarrel and hypocrisy which is still eminently ingrained in the minds of conditioned souls?
Quest for Independence
We live in highly unstable times, where internal and external enemies can rip apart the fabric of our very existence without a moment’s notice. Today we continue to be exploited, not by foreign subjugation or another soveriegn State but by our own stubborn mind, false ego and ignorant belief systems. We seek to exhibit independence or pleasures in wrong places. We have lotteries and casinos feeding off the hope of financial stimulation. We have jobs which never give us what we deserve. We have clubs, movies and other places of entertainment for people wanting to express their independence.
All these avenues are available but still the quest for independence remains. Actually we find that the very means people use to gain independence causes them to become dependent.
Illusion
Today, due to lack of prudent guidance and exposure to spiritual knowledge, we are completely misemploying the minute independence gifted to us by our Creator. The revered sacred scripture - Kaṭha Upaniṣad 2.2.13 declares that the Lord is one Supreme Creator and controller of all that exists. He is completely masterminding this entire creation and all living beings are entirely dependent on His control. That is devotion - to acknowledge this and to surrender. In the Bhagavad Gita As It Is, we witness how Arjuna wanted to act independently and what was the result. With all of his good qualities he was miserable and utterly frustrated. By Divine Providence, he eventually simply admitted that Krishna, You are my Lord, You are my Master, You are the creator, You are the maintainer, You are the destroyer, I surrender to You. What is Your will? Let me please You. Let me serve You.
In total dependence on God or Krishna, on total dependence on the words of our bonafide spiritual masters, in disciplic succession, we are completely independent of the illusions and frustration of this world. To the extent we are not surrendered, to that extent we must suffer the illusions of this world.
The Reversals of Independence
Just like when a child misuses the freedom given to him, all facilities given to him are immediately revoked by his parents. Similarly, when the conditioned soul begins to identify himself with the material body and misuses his independence by indulging in sinful acts that are against the Shastric injunctions and against the Laws of Nature, our eternal Father instantly withdraws the material opulences that He showered on us. Such reversals manifest in the form of violence, corruption, natural disasters. political, financial, physiological, social, psychological distress etc. more aptly comprehended as Karmic reactions. Hence, we must be extremely careful to not exploit this freedom of choice bestowed on us by God - who is our eternal guardian.
Deeper Meaning
Complete independence means cognizance of being situated in one's original constitutional position. Real independence of a living entity, who is part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is to remain always dependent on the Supreme Lord, just like a child who plays in complete independence, guided by his parents, who watch over him. The independence of the conditioned soul does not mean to fight with the obstacles offered by maya, but to surrender to Krishna. In the material world, everyone is trying to become completely independent simply by fighting against the obstacles offered by maya. This is called the struggle for existence. Real independence is to be reinstated in the service of the Lord. Just contrary to this is material overlordship, which we wrongly take to be independence.
Being all-merciful, owing to our rebellious attitude, God patiently and attentively waits in the core of our hearts for us to desire and love Him. When we use our independence to serve God or His devotees, then the Lord, who is absolutely independent, takes a more active role in guiding us. However He can only guide as much we allow Him, in order to honor our minute independence.
The Essence
Many great political leaders have tried to establish independence, but due to such so-called independence the people's dependence has only increased. Those very politicians have all succumbed to the repetition of birth and death. They have all attained what every materialist must attain – birth, old age, disease and death. So, what sort of independence have we achieved? Real independence comes when we declare from the core of our hearts that we are utterly and completely dependent on Krishna, dependent on God. The greatest illusion, an obstacle for real happiness and joy in this entire existence is that we are independent. Therefore every day devotees celebrate by joyfully engaging in devotion. We celebrate that we are 100%, twenty four hours a day, dependent on the mercy of Krishna. We celebrate pious actions without material expectations, by surrendering the fruits on Him. And in that dependence, we recognize that dependence and glorify who we are depending on, in everything we do and everything we say and potentially in everything we think.
Conclusion
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.18.22 proclaims that real independence means complete faith in the mercy of the Lord without dependence on the conditions of matter. Since we are spiritual beings in material machines, no material relationship can give the satisfaction or independence we seek. All these relationships are actually mirages of our real relationship with the Supreme Lord Krishna, which is the oasis of pure pleasure. In this eternal relationship, we do voluntarily depend on Krishna and His bona fide representatives, but we find an ever increasing satisfaction in this surrender, which is perfect. It is utterly free from all exploitation and there is no limit to its sweetness, because Krishna, our eternal Father, Himself becomes dependent on His devotee too. This is indeed what we spirit souls are actually yearning for and is the best use of our independence.
The Lord states in Bhagavad Gita As It Is 18.66, "Thus I have explained to you knowledge still more confidential. Deliberate on this fully, and then do what you wish to do ". Thus, God does not interfere with the little independence of the living entity. In the sacred Gita, He explains in all respects how one can elevate his living condition. The ultimate advice imparted to Arjuna is to surrender unto the Supersoul seated within his heart. Such instruction comes also through the spiritual master, the bona fide representative of Krsna. By right discrimination, one should agree to act according to the order of the Supersoul. That will help one become situated constantly in Krishna consciousness, the highest perfectional stage of human life.
The true test of independence is when we utilize our freedom in an exemplary manner, fruitfully, by becoming free from the negative influences of lust, anger, greed, pride, hatred, jealousy; when we dovetail our mind, intelligence and senses for the pleasure of the Supreme Lord by chanting His Holy Name, remembering His unlimited qualities and divine pastimes and engaging in unalloyed devotional service.
By sincerely doing so, the veil of ignorance is uncovered and the darkness of illusion is dispelled from our hearts. Therefore, through spiritual association, taking shelter of authorized bonafide Vedic texts, by constantly meditating on the Lord in every deed we perform, we can celebrate real independence; and blissfully raise the flag of our pure love and devotion to the spiritual sky!
Wish you very Happy Independence Day!
Article by:
Meghna Choudhury
(H.G. Mathura Vasi Devi Dasi)
Life Coach | Spiritual Counselor | Author
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Nice article 😊🙏 thank you!
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