The Ultimate Revelation

The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad [Verse 2-4-5] says, “atmanastu kamaya sarvam priyam bhavati” meaning it is only for sake of the self alone that all is loved. The verse says verbatim that no husband, wife, father, mother, son, loves the other for the sake of that persons happiness. All love for their own happiness only. Only a Self-Realised or God-Realised person can love selflessly for the sake of the other’s happiness. Thus, we love the other only since we get some happiness from them – physically, emotionally, and materially. Our self-interest is getting fulfilled at some level. Ofcourse, we may not want to agree with this position as we feel that our love is unselfish and that we have done so much for our loved ones without expecting any return. If that be so, why do we feel let down or suffer when our loved ones betray us or forget what we have done for them? Because our selfless love did have an ounce of selfishness and self-interest. The above spiritual revelation is not for us to judge others (especially the people who wronged us), but it is to do some genuine self-introspection. When I did this test on myself, I realised that Upanishadic seers can never be wrong. It is so true. I never did anything totally for others happiness without some hidden self-interest which may not be apparent to the conscious mind. This self-analysis also helped me to understand others better, why they did what they did helplessly, and not to expect from them that which I too cannot give them myself. And we spend the entire life in the delusion that we are so selfless and it is the other who isn’t this highest philosophical/ spiritual revelation, though it seems to be negative and harsh, can be used beautifully to bring positivity in all our relations as the would then be devoid of expectations, and this understanding can accelerate our inner growth and maturity, and most importantly it will enhance our devotion to the only who is totally self-less – God and Guru. In fact, they are one only.