Most of our problems revolve around the questions: What is our life? What am I? What must I do? Why am I here? Where I will be going? Some of us at some time or other in our lives reach the point where we feel: “I am living a useless life. What is all this for? I feel so insignificant—like a dry leaf which is wafted in the wind.” Then there arises inevitable despair and frustration. The response to this human despondency is the teaching contained in this scripture. The text itself clarifies for what kind of readers this work is meant. It tells us that he is the proper person to study this work who has become aware of his bondage and longs to be free; he who is no longer in utter ignorance, but has not yet attained wisdom. It means the philosophy of this work is meant for those on whom reflective consciousness has dawned and who are convinced that life, as it is lived, is characterized by bondage, evil and suffering. The author has depicted such a person’s psychology in the mentality of Rama, the pupil of Vasishtha.

…   more »