|
The most important conceptions in any philosophy are of God, man and the world. The dignity and high atmosphere of thinking in them depends upon the
clarity of these notions expressed by any philosopher. These are the fundamental concepts most important for the welfare of mankind. If these concepts are vague and obscure, the social atmosphere in any society
would be full of various superstitions; because such superstitions are nothing but unworthy views of God, man and the world, which lead to the moral and religious degradation. So these ought to be as clear and
rationally high as could be.
From this point of view, Jnanadeva's philosophy is worth studying carefully. Though born in Maharashtra, Jnanadeva was really the greatest citizen of
the world who regarded the whole world as his home and all the people as his brothers. He has written few works but they are of outstanding importance.
Jnaneshvari is the commentary on the Bhagavadgita, Anubhavamrta is an independent philosophical work. In it, he has clearly stated
his views on God or the Ultimate Reality, the Individual Self and the world.
God or Ultimate Reality
Jnanadeva does not divide God and Ultimate Reality which are regarded by some as distinct. They regard God as man's imagination of Reality. But
Jnanadeva thinks differently and regards God and Reality as identical. Some thinkers regard Ultimate Reality as merely 'Nirguna' or attributeless and God as 'Saguna' or with attributes. Jnanadeva himself regards attributes as manifestations of the Ultimate Reality itself or God himself 'Saguna' is a manifestation of 'Nirguna'.
God manifests infinite attributes from within. The highest attribute is Love. Love is God or the Ultimate Reality. Love is the highest value also.
Jiva or the individual Self
The individual Self is the form taken by God himself. In order to taste the sweetness of his Love, he himself assumes the form of individual Self. It
is the means by which God can taste the sweetness of his Love. A mother has milk in her breasts; but she cannot taste the sweetness of that milk. It is the child that can taste it. In a like manner, though God is
Love himself, he cannot taste the sweetness of that Love. It is the individual Self or Jiva that can taste it. So God has created so many selves out of his own being. In this way the real status of the individual
Self is different from what we usually think it to be, i. e., limited and insignificant. It is really a very high status as it enables the Almighty to enjoy his own sweetness.
The World
In the Anubhavamrta, Jnanadeva says that though the Ultimate Reality is one, it manifests itself into many in order to enjoy itself: "The
fragrance became the nose, the mirror evolves out of the eye, flowers became the bee to taste its own honey." In this way the one Reality appears as many to enjoy itself.
Thus the universe is not an illusion as some think; but it is the play divine or the Absolute.
In this way, Jnanadeva's view of the World is 'Chidvilasa'. it is the self-enjoyment of the Absolute. Such is the philosophical point of view of
Jnanadeva. It is a positive view to tell us that God is everywhere enjoying himself So he teaches not the gospel or mere renunciation to shut our eyes to the universe but to open our eyes to the sublime vision of
God or the Ultimate Reality in the form of the world. Such a vision is seminal to the moral and religious uplift of the entire humanity.
Jnanadeva's philosophy is the philosophy of Love par excellence. It is a boon to mankind where the highest summumbonum, sublime poetry and
divinity are inseparably intermingled in the Holy.
top
|
