Bauddh aur Sanatan: The Unity of Wisdom and Eternal Dharma

**Bauddh aur Sanatan: The Unity of Wisdom and Eternal Dharma**

https://youtu.be/Ie7QGzQscDM?si=e8qovkaXbsHqfqfb

The bhajan beautifully encapsulates the essence of Sanatan Dharma and the profound wisdom of Buddhi (intellect) as a path to liberation. The verses weave together teachings from Gautam Buddha, Goswami Tulsidas, and Swami Vivekananda, illustrating how true wisdom aligns with the eternal principles of Sanatan Dharma. Let’s explore the unity of Buddhi (intellect) and Sanatan (eternal dharma) through the lens of these timeless teachings.

**The Power of the Divine Name**

जब कोई साधन हरत न विपत्ति (दुख), प्रभु का नाम ही प्रभावकारी।

This line emphasizes that when all worldly efforts fail to alleviate suffering, the divine name of the Lord becomes the ultimate refuge. In Sanatan Dharma, chanting the name of God (Naam Japa) is a powerful practice that transcends material solutions, offering solace and strength. This aligns with the concept of Buddhi, where discernment leads one to surrender to the divine, recognizing its supreme efficacy in overcoming life’s challenges.

**Gautam Buddha: Understanding Suffering and Its Cause**

गौतम बुद्ध - संसार में दुख है और दुख का कारण है, माया मोह बंधन।

Gautam Buddha’s teachings highlight that suffering (dukh) is inherent in worldly existence, caused by attachment to illusion (maya) and desires (moh). This insight is not separate from Sanatan Dharma but rather a practical application of its principles. The wise intellect (Buddhi) recognizes that liberation lies in understanding and transcending these attachments, aligning with the eternal truth that the self is beyond fleeting pleasures and pains.

**Goswami Tulsidas: The Soul’s Divine Nature and Bondage**

गोस्वामी जी - 

ईश्वर अंश जीव अविनाशी, सत चेतन घन आनंद राशि,

सो माया बस भयऊ गोसाईं, बंधयो कीट मर्कट की नाई।

(धन दौलत ऐश्वर्य, ambition success के लोभ मोह में जग बोराना।)

Goswami Tulsidas, in his poetic wisdom, describes the soul (jeev) as an eternal fragment of the divine, yet trapped by the illusions of wealth, ambition, and success. Like an insect or monkey caught in a trap, the soul is bound by maya. This resonates with Buddha’s teachings on attachment and underscores the role of Buddhi in recognizing the soul’s divine nature. Sanatan Dharma teaches that true liberation comes from breaking free of these bonds through self-realization and devotion.

**Swami Vivekananda: Practical Vedanta and the Path of Selfless Action**

स्वामी विवेकानंद practical vedanta / geeta - सबकुछ उस परम माता पिता का समझकर जो निष्काम भाव से विचरता है (मित आहार विहार, balanced diet and exercise / परिश्रम) वो ही सही प्रभु की भक्ति / भजन / नाम कीर्तन) करता है, क्योंकि वो आत्म स्थित, स्थित प्रज्ञ (सुख दुख से परे उठकर) समर्पण भाव से अपना निर्धारित कर्म करता है, वो जीवन मुक्त अवस्था को प्राप्त हुआ unch neech छोटा बड़ा काम विचारे बिना (चमार रैदास और कबीर जुलाहा) लगा रहता है, सच्चा साधक, भक्त, योगी है।

Swami Vivekananda’s teachings on Practical Vedanta and the Bhagavad Gita offer a roadmap for living in alignment with Sanatan Dharma. He emphasizes selfless action (Nishkama Karma), where one dedicates all actions to the Supreme, maintaining balance in diet, exercise, and effort. Such a person, described as Sthitaprajna (one established in wisdom), transcends dualities of joy and sorrow, performing duties with surrender and devotion. This state of being is true bhakti, where distinctions of high and low, as exemplified by saints like Ravidas and Kabir, dissolve. A true devotee, yogi, or seeker lives liberated (Jivanmukta), embodying both Buddhi and the eternal essence of Sanatan Dharma.

**The Unity of Buddhi and Sanatan**

The bhajan reveals that Buddhi (intellect) and Sanatan (eternal dharma) are not separate but deeply interconnected. Buddhi is the discerning faculty that recognizes the impermanence of worldly attachments, as taught by Buddha, and the divine nature of the soul, as sung by Tulsidas. Sanatan Dharma provides the framework for living this wisdom through selfless action, devotion, and surrender, as elucidated by Swami Vivekananda. Together, they guide the seeker toward liberation, where the divine name becomes the ultimate refuge, and every action is an offering to the eternal.

Let us take inspiration from this bhajan to cultivate a wise intellect and live in harmony with the timeless principles of Sanatan Dharma, walking the path of devotion, selflessness, and liberation.

Posted on August 13, 2025 | Tags: Sanatan Dharma, Buddhi, Bhakti, Liberation