The notion of immortality is described in the Bhagavad Gita in many instances in simple and clear terms. Different words are used to describe it in detail, such as brahmabhuta (V.24, VI.27), brahma nirvana (V.24-25, II.72), para gati (XVI 22, 23), avyayapada (XVIII.56) and sasvata sthana (XVII.62). All these words are used in the Bhagavad Gita to refer to immortality. How that state could be realized is also described is also described in different contexts in the Bhagavad Gita. The essence of those descriptions can be summarized in the form of two shlokas (verses) that follow –
In life, each one of us goes through experiences of opposites
like hot and cold, pleasure and pain, and so on. These dvandvas (pair opposites)
are the result of contact of objects and the sense organs (matra sparsha). Essentially
these contacts and the experiences of dvandvas are impermanent and transient. They
always come and go. So, oh Arjuna, tolerate them, learn to bear them; be
unaffected by them (II.14) and the one who does not get afflicted by these opposites,
and looks equally upon pleasure and pain (sukha and duhkha), attains
immortality (amrittatva) (II.15).
In life, each one of us goes through experiences of opposites like hot and cold, pleasure and pain, and so on. These dvandvas (pair opposites) are the result of contact of objects and the sense organs (matra sparsha). Essentially these contacts and the experiences of dvandvas are impermanent and transient. They always come and go.
The tapestry of human existence is woven with threads of opposing experiences, akin to the ebb and flow of a dynamic river. Life unfolds in a series of contrasts—moments oscillating between the scorching heat of passion and the cool embrace of detachment, the ecstasy of pleasure and the sting of pain. This intricate dance of opposites is choreographed by the interplay between external stimuli and the delicate instruments of our sense organs.
Consider the interconnection between the external world and our sensory perception as a fleeting encounter, a momentary rendezvous between the tangible and the perceiver. It is in these junctures that the seeds of contrasting experiences are sown. The heat of a touch, the melody of a note, or the vivid burst of color—all are catalysts for a myriad of sensations.
Yet, crucially, these experiences are transient, much like ripples on the surface of water. The scalding touch of heat or the soothing coolness of a breeze—they emerge and fade away. Pleasure, with its intoxicating allure, is followed by the inevitable shadow of pain. This impermanence becomes the rhythm of our existence, a constant flux where joy and sorrow take turns in their eternal dance.
Recognizing the impermanence of these experiences invites a profound perspective on the nature of life. It encourages a mindful embrace of the present moment, understanding that both the peaks and valleys are ephemeral. Just as day turns into night, and seasons change, the cycle of opposites perpetuates.
In navigating this intricate web of experiences, one may find solace in the understanding that, like passing clouds, the intensity of sensations will wane. The impermanence of these dualities becomes a canvas upon which we paint the narrative of our lives—a mosaic of fleeting moments, each contributing to the rich tapestry of our unique journey. Thus, in the midst of opposites, we discover the art of living—a continual dance between the transient and the eternal.