7. Nimitta-Maatra

 

The Bhagavad Gita was born on the battlefield. Similarly, the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic were no less intense than a battlefield in themselves.  One phrase in the Gita, nimitta-maatra (just being an instrument in the hands of the Almighty) sums up our role in such situations.

 Arjuna wanted to see the reality of Krishna as it is (yathaarth) and needed an extra sense to grasp the same, much like a blind man would need eyesight to see the elephant. The Lord granted him this divine vision to behold the Vishwaroop (cosmic form). Apart from showing reality in space, Krishna gives him access to the future where Arjuna sees that many warriors are entering the mouth of death.

The Lord confirms that these warriors would die soon and Arjuna is just an instrument in that process. Krishna clarifies that Arjuna is not the Karta (doer) but a nimitta-maatra. He further ensures that Arjuna would be free of ahankaar when he comes out as the victor, as victory is the greatest fuel for ahankaar.

At the same time, Krishna didn’t let Arjuna leave the battlefield. Nimitta-maatra is the internal realization and what flows out is bound to be pure as well as free of ahankaar. Nimitta-maatra is the most effective antidote to ahankaar, the sense of personal doership. In this state, Paramatma is recognised as the doer of all actions, while we see ourselves only as instruments through which they are performed.

During the COVID-19 period, we faced difficulties much like those experienced by Arjuna. With virtually no medical treatment, we got the glimpses of nimitta-maatra (inside) and did our best in the role assigned (outside). Such glimpses can be invaluable, as many of the teachings of the Gita are truly understood only when they are experienced amidst the challenges of life.

A lump of coal transforms into a diamond under extreme pressure and temperature. Gold is purified in the fire. Similarly, the testing times are breeding grounds to nurture the realization of nimitta-maatra. These have the potential to take us to the eternal state of our inner self through the path of surrender.


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