210. Keys to HIS Abode


Krishna says, “Those freed from pride and delusion, evils of attachment conquered, ever established in the Self, desires having completely gone, well-liberated from pairs of opposites of pain and pleasure, such un-deluded reach My eternal Abode” (15.5). Essentially, these are the virtues of His Abode and once we attain even one of them, we are in His Abode. Another indication is that His Abode is not somewhere out there but is here and now waiting to be discovered.

Krishna outlined the qualities which can act as milestones to guide us on the journey to His Abode. These include being friendly and compassionate; being nir-mama (sans-I) and nir-ahankaar (sans -I am doer); not hating any being; balanced in pleasure and pain (sama-sukh-dukh) and forgiving (kshami); being ever content and free of agitation; being free from jealousy, fear and anxiety; being free from expectations and selfishness in all undertakings (12.13 to 12.16); being humble, forgiving; being dispassionate (vairagya) towards sense-objects; non-attachment and eternal equanimity towards desirable and undesirable circumstances (13.8-13.12).

Krishna further says, “Neither the Sun nor the Moon, nor fire can illuminate that Supreme Abode of Mine. Having gone there, one never returns” (15.6).

In one way or another, all of us are on the path to His Abode as we all seek that joy, fulfilment and freedom. Our general belief is that with His blessings we can fulfill our desires and maximize the pleasure through possessions, success, name and fame. However, every pleasure is invariably followed by pain, leading to a constant swing between the two. Krishna says liberation from polarities is the hallmark of His Abode. Reaching His Abode is nothing but dropping the desires and transcending the polarities of pleasure and pain which is a life of joy.


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