Swa+Adhyaya is self-learning or being on the continual path of knowledge acquisition. When does it start? can be answered through the observational lens, which states that probably somewhere during the later part of formal education or after this phase. To the query of till what time swadhyaya continues, the answer is ‘till the point the reflection makes it clear to the swadhyayi that the condition of equanimity is reached’. The unperturbed, unasking, unchasing, undulating, unmasked existential condition is the proof point that ONE has reached the point that was to be reached. The journey now is ‘synched’, so the destination is reached. Swadhyaya beyond this point is for ‘setting an example’ purposes. This situation is akin to ‘purnamada purnamidam purnad purnamudichyate purnasya purnamadaya purnameva vashishyate’. Perfect is in perfect state. Shanti is the resultant state. This can only be experienced.
The swadhyaya condition in terms of process needs discipline. There are no accompanying benefits. No laurels are waiting. There may be no felt compulsions. No material gains are promised. If the true swadhyaya is performed, one is beyond the quest for all things. Being embedded in the material world, one may have to transact. One may not be smart regarding the material things, still, life has to go on. The mirror called the world exists, and the images keep moving in that. Shri Shankaracharya guides us in the Dakshinamurthy strotram ‘Vishwam Darpana Dhrushyamananagari’.
Swadhyaya needs to continue till the trio of the doer, doing, and done merge into ONE. This ONE is a perfectly balanced state. No craving of any sort exists beyond this point. One is in a witness mode. All earlier cravings disappear, so also regrets if they were harboured earlier. There is nothing to complain about, and there is none to complain against. Most importantly, the sense of equanimity, when reached, makes the duality disappear. There is no attraction about anything. There is something god-like about everything, and each has to be celebrated. Perpetual silent celebration makes one stay in a blissful existential condition. There is no ‘gap from the end-state’. The understanding is perfect. There is nothing to be gained and nothing to be lost. Actions are happening as they must as per karma. It is akin to breathing that is happening for us. Experiencing ONENESS is the aspirational state.
Dr. S. Ainavolu is a Mumbai-based teacher of Management and Tradition. Intent is NextGen’s learning and cultural education.
