Those who know a little about Buddhism, obviously know about 4 Noble Truths.
But what if I say you today, that there’s seperate 4 Noble Truths of the Hindus?
Yes , in the Introduction of Commentary on Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Acharya Shankar answered 4 questions about Material World.
First Question, What is Material World or Samsara?
Ans — Grief ( Shoka ) and Infatuation or Strong Attachment ( Moha ) are Material World or Samsara. Shoka ( Grief ) is Anguish of Mind and Moha ( Infatuation ) is the lac of discrimination between Real and Unreal or Viveka. That is , when we are strongly attached to any perishable object ( person, animal , thing etc ) , it is Moha and when we lament for the loss of Favourite objects, it is Shoka.
Second Question , What is the cause of Infatuation and Grief?
Ans — Ignorance of our true self is the Cause. When we are not aware of , that we are Brahman or vast, we limit ourselves within body, mind , emotions , objects etc. So, ignorance or Ajnana is the cause of Infatuation and Grief.
Third Question, How to go beyond these two?
Ans — By knowing one’s true Self, by Self Realisation or Atmajnana.
Fourth Question, How to attain Self Realisation?
Ans, There are two ways to Realise oneself.
1. Sankhya Yoga &
2. Karma Yoga
Sankhya Yoga means knowing one’s true Self in the path of Non Dualism ( Advaita ). The same can be achieved through Jnana Nistha or Respect for the Scriptural Statements or Teachings of One’s Spiritual Master like Aham Brahmasmi ( I am Brahman ), Tattwam Asi ( That thou art or You are that ) and trying to understand them properly.
Proper Respect comes from true Eagerness for Self Realisation.
But in Sankhya Yog , dispassion for the World is required. One must have Very Strong Will Power to cut the Bondages, right?
Does Everyone can be like that? No. That’s why the Second Way is
Karma Yoga.
After doing a lot of Worldly Works, when our wild run to the World gets reduced, we should do Works as Just Responsibility without any trace of Self Interest ( Worldly Interest ). After executing works like this, Dispassion for the Material World (Samsara) or Vairagya comes naturally. Then all the works are simply dropped off. Then the duty is just Shrabana ( listening to the advices of Spiritual Master ) , Manana ( Thinking on It ) and Nididhyasana ( Meditating on the Conclusions of Intellectual Understanding of the Spiritual Master’s Teachings ) . In this way , Finally One Realises Self.
All Glories to Shri Krishna, Shrimati Radharani
All Glories to Acharya Shankar Bhagavad pada
(Swami Samarpanananda Gita Class Notes)
Divinify Me 