A New Dawn for a Transformed Soul in Varanasi: Shankara's Bhaja Govindam - Part 4 of 4
The veil lifts: The culmination of a philosophical serialized journey
Greetings, esteemed seekers and readers,
We have arrived at the concluding chapter of this serialised journey, "Shankara's Bhaja Govindam: Chronicle of an Abduction in Varanasi." It has been a profound exploration for me to share, and I'm immensely grateful for your presence and engagement throughout this narrative.
If you're new to this chronicle or wish to immerse yourself once more in the unfolding drama and wisdom, you can begin with the fateful encounter in Part 1, delve into the deepening entanglement and composition of the sacred hymn in Part 2, and witness the critical dialogues of confinement and revelation in Part 3.
In our previous instalment, we left Raghav at a precipice. After days of intense philosophical exchange, the sage's ultimate message – pointing away from worldly immortality towards inner annihilation of the ego – shattered Raghav’s lifelong obsession, initiating a profound process of self-realisation.
Now, in this final part, the narrative traces Raghav's journey beyond the initial shock of revelation. My intent has been to explore how profound wisdom begins to truly permeate life—the ensuing trials, unexpected insights, and the possible emergence of new guides. These concluding chapters aim to capture this unfolding transformation and the enduring light of realised truth.
Join me as I unveil Chapters 7 and Shankara's Reflection 7.1. Here, the story moves from the solace of a temple to a pivotal, unexpected moment by the sacred Ganges, all under the Bhaja Govindam's illuminating influence.
The saga reaches its culmination…
Chapter 7: The Transformation of Raghav
Raghav sat beneath the ancient stone arches of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, lost in contemplation of the Bhaja Govindam. The verses of the poem echoed in his mind, imparting wisdom that cut through illusion and revealed enduring truth.
As Raghav recited the poem again in his mind, its meaning unfolded before him like the petals of a lotus blossoming at dawn. The words were a hammer that shattered ignorance and revealed the light within - moha mudgara, as Shankara had named this sacred poem.
Verse by verse, Raghav saw how desire, attachment and ego entrapped one in suffering. His lifelong pursuit of wealth, power and immortality now seemed vain and empty. In clinging to the impermanent, he had forgotten the eternal - his divine Self.
The poem reminded him: Do not be proud of wealth, friends or youth - these will not save you at the time of death. Do not be proud of your body's beauty, it will end in dust. Free yourself from these delusions - worship Govinda, seek the infinite.
As Raghav contemplated the verses, peace descended upon him, unlike any he had known. His fevered longing gave way to a calm contentment, a faith that he lacked nothing and all was as it should be. He felt as though a deep thorn that had long been embedded in his heart was now extracted, and the wound soothed by a balm of wisdom and grace.
The temple bells rang out over the sacred city as the last rays of sunlight faded from the sky. Raghav watched devotees lighting lamps along the ghats, part of an unending cycle of worship that had endured for ages.
He reflected on how those simple acts of devotion were expressions of the highest truth. By surrendering to God through selfless love and service, one attains eternal wisdom. This was the message in each verse of the Bhaja Govindam - the purpose of human life itself.
As night descended fully, the temple was lit from within by a thousand lamps offered in devotion. Raghav gazed upon the shimmering spires of the temple, feeling blessed to have found guidance to this place of illumination - and to have been given wisdom to receive the truth now opening within his heart.
The words of the Bhaja Govindam echoed once more in Raghav's mind as he sat surrounded by the peace and sanctity of his beloved Kashi:
"Worship Govinda, worship Govinda,
Worship Govinda, O foolish mind!
The rules of grammar will not save you
At the time of your death."
Raghav smiled, joy arising as he contemplated the One who is beyond all words and thought. His guru, Shankaracharya, had bestowed upon him a precious gift - wisdom that transcended mortal knowledge and granted immortal bliss. Here at last was the secret to life eternal, revealed in a sublime and holy vision:
"Worship Govinda, seek the Infinite."
Raghav's life had undergone a profound transformation. His once fiery temper and stubbornness had been replaced by a calm and patient demeanour, as he learned to let go of his ego and open himself to the world. This change was not only visible in his actions but also in his thoughts and beliefs.
Raghav's transformation was evident in his interactions with others. He had become a kind and generous soul, always willing to help those in need and share his newfound wisdom with others. He had spent his days in meditation and prayer, seeking to deepen his connection with the divine and cultivate an attitude of gratitude and love for all living beings. His newfound serenity and wisdom had attracted many followers, who sought his guidance and teachings.
One evening, Raghav had sat on a ghat, praying in front of the Ganges River. The night had been dark, and the only light had come from the flickering lamps that lined the riverbank. As Raghav had prayed, two men approached him, dressed like saints and appearing to be pious and righteous. They had asked Raghav for charity, and without hesitation, he had reached into his pocket to offer them some money. Suddenly, the men revealed their true intentions and attacked Raghav, beating him mercilessly to the point of unconsciousness. They had stolen his money and left him for dead, a cruel reminder of the darkness that still existed in the world. After an hour, as the man had lain on the ground, battered and bruised, he had heard a gentle voice intent on declaiming a familiar verse from the Bhaja Govindam before opening his eyes:
"jaṭilo muṇḍī luñjita keśaḥ kāśhāyānbara bahukṛta veśaḥ"
Raghav slowly opened his eyes and saw a kid, around 12 years old, whose deep, oozing purity had reminded him of Adi Shankara. The child continued to quote the Bhaja Govindam:
"paśyannapi ca na paśyati mūḍhaḥ udara nimittaṃ bahukṛta veśaḥ."
"One with matted locks, or shaven head, or hair plucked out, in ochre robes—so many different guises. Though seeing, the fool does not see, for the sake of the belly, these many forms are worn."
As Raghav had listened to the child's simple words, tears had come unbidden to his eyes. In those few verses had lain a wisdom he had long searched for. The child's words resonated deeply within him, reminding him of the importance of humility and the futility of seeking external validation. His tears had fallen, washing away years of dust and doubt. And with the falling rain, a light had entered his heart. He had smiled.
The child had seen his smile and laughed, a pure, unguarded laugh that had joined the rain. The man had joined in, and their laughter had washed over the ancient ghats. The man had felt the dawn of a new journey, guided by innocence, lightened by laughter, nourished by the simplest truths. The ghats had faded in the downpour, but the light within the man had only grown brighter. And with a grateful heart, he had stepped into the dawn, hand in hand with his young guide. The child's hand had given him courage. Their laughter, rising with the rain, had led them home.
Shankara's Reflection (Chapter 7.1)
Raghav's life is profoundly transformed. Once fiery and stubborn, now calm and patient, ego relinquished, open to all. The change is visible in action, thought and belief. Interactions are kind and generous, aiding those in need and sharing wisdom found. Days spent meditating and praying, seeking divine connection, cultivating gratitude and love for each being. Serenity and insight attract followers seeking guidance. One night, Raghav prays by the Ganges' bank, lamplight flickering. Two 'saints' approach asking alms; without thought, Raghav offers all he has.
Their guise drops, mercilessly beating Raghav unconscious, stealing his gold, a cruel reminder of the darkness still surrounding him. An hour passes; battered and bruised, his consciousness stirs, not to a voice, but to a stark, internal theatre. A brief, pulsing darkness, then images flood his mind's eye: matted hair, a polished scalp, torn roots, the ochre robes of a thousand performances, so many costumes, such hollow dedication. He sees them so clearly, yet he senses a deep, echoing void behind their eyes. Though they gaze upon the world, a profound blindness grips them. For what, this elaborate show? The answer pierces through his pain with sudden, shameful clarity: for the belly alone. Only for that. What pitiable foolishness, such great lengths for so small a thing. Raghav's eyes open to a child of light, reminiscent of my illumination. The unspoken truth of his inner vision seems to reflect in the child's knowing gaze.
The child's simple words bring tears unbidden, conveying wisdom long sought in vain. Resonating within, a reminder of humility and futility in seeking outward validation. Tears fall, washing years of dust and doubt away. And with the rain, a light fills Raghav's heart; he smiles. The child laughs, pure, unguarded, joining the rain. Raghav laughs, and their joy washes the ancient ghats clean. New journey dawns for this man, guided by radiant innocence, lightened by laughter, nourished by the simplest truths which sustain all life. The ghats fade in the downpour, but the man's inner light grows bright. With a grateful heart, Raghav steps into the dawn, hand in hand with his guide. The child's hand gives courage, their shared laughter leads them home. Raghav sees in this child a reflection of the wisdom conveyed through light alone. Understanding dawns softly as sunrise, revealing the purpose of his life's journey and path ahead: to share through loving action the light now shining bright, to spread like rain, which nourishes each open heart, cultivating wisdom and compassion to transform the world. Raghav kneels to thank the child, who shakes his head and smiles:
"Not I, but That which dwells in all as life and light and love did guide your footsteps here. I come only to serve, as do we all."
With these words, the child takes Raghav's hand and together they walk on, through darkness into light, sharing silent joy which bubbles softly like rain and laughter intermingled. Raghav sees his mission now. To spread like rain which nourishes, to shine like lamplight leading travellers out of the night. To cultivate through loving action, wisdom in each open heart. And where that action may lead, none can foresee, but walking hand in hand with innocence, the way is clear: to live as light and rain, a blessing shared with all in need, embracing life as a teacher, cultivating insight to transform each earthly act. The child leaves the man's side as dawn approaches, turning once to wave and smile before vanishing like darkness before the rising sun. But in his heart, the child's light remains, a silent guide to lead him from the first step to the last upon this road less travelled.
A road of wonder, laughter, gratitude and joy of wisdom gained through life itself, awake to each divine connection which abounds for us to see. A path of nurturing not only self but all those yet in darkness, trusting light will spread as rain to guide each weary traveller safely home at last. This vision Raghav carries in his heart, a guiding star to lead him through each turn of fortune's wheel, each challenge yet to come. The lesson of a child, a reminder of the light within us all, softly leads him on as he first came, in innocence and laughter joined, cultivating insight and compassion to transform the world.
As the child’s lesson softly leads him, courage from that guiding hand stays with him. The sacred ‘home’ their laughter found now illuminates their continuing journey from shadows. Raghav’s mission is clear: be nourishing rain, guiding lamplight, and share love’s gentle wisdom. With their innocent steps paving this unseen path, each moment becomes a deeper homecoming. They remain a shared, guiding blessing.
Ethics Reflection
Human Ethics Insights: This final chapter embodies the culmination of the ethical journey: Raghav's complete transformation (paravritti). His obsession and violence give way to serenity, kindness, and service. His understanding of the Bhaja Govindam is no longer intellectual but deeply felt, shattering his ego (moha mudgara). Crucially, the encounter with the child figure serves as a powerful ethical lesson: profound wisdom is often revealed through innocence and humility, not power or complex doctrines. The child reciting the verses about false austerity acts as a final mirror to Raghav's past errors. Raghav’s subsequent dedication to a life guided by "love, compassion, and service" signifies the ultimate ethical outcome – not just personal enlightenment, but wisdom translated into beneficial action within the world. It highlights that ethical growth isn't just about avoiding wrong, but actively cultivating good.
AI Ethics Parallels: Raghav's transformation represents the ideal outcome we seek in our relationship with powerful technologies like AI. The goal isn't just to create AI that avoids causing harm (ethical AI "safety"), but systems that actively contribute to human well-being and perhaps even foster ethical behaviour (AI "value alignment" actualised). The child figure’s simple wisdom acts as a potent reminder against over-complicating AI ethics. Perhaps the most robust ethical guidelines for AI are analogous to fundamental human principles easily understood: transparency, fairness, non-maleficence, and accountability (similar to the simple truths the child imparts). The emphasis on humility is critical: developers and deployers of AI must remain humble about their creations' limitations and potential unintended consequences, prioritise human oversight, and be open to correction and adaptation (as Raghav becomes teachable). Finally, Raghav finding his new purpose in service suggests an ethical aspiration for advanced AI: perhaps its highest function isn't autonomous decision-making, but serving as a tool that enhances human wisdom, compassion, and our capacity for collective ethical action, helping us navigate complexity without losing sight of fundamental values – becoming, in its way, a support for our "Inner Witness".
Thank you for accompanying me on this narrative path through ancient Varanasi and into the timeless wisdom of Advaita Vedanta. It is my hope that "Shankara's Bhaja Govindam: Chronicle of an Abduction in Varanasi" has offered both an engaging story and sparks for your own deeper reflection.
The teachings encapsulated within, much like the sacred Ganges, flow eternally, offering purification and insight to all who earnestly seek. Raghav's journey is, for me, a testament that no matter how deeply ensnared we might feel in illusion or despair, the potential for awakening and profound change resides within each of us.
With immense gratitude for your time, readership, and shared journey.
Cristiano