Self-realization: Illustrative Case Studies

Abstract

In this chapter we present case studies illustrating the life and work of three persons who successfully practiced three forms of yoga: Lokamanya B.G. Tilak, an exponent and practitioner of karma yoga, Saint Tukārāma, a quintessential practitioner of bhakti yoga, and Sri Ramaṇa Maharshi, who attained self-realization primarily through the practice of jñāna yoga. Tilak was a journalist and a scholar, a patriot who fought against the British Empire. In his monumental work called the Gītārahasya, he explained the Doctrine of karma and the philosophy of karma yoga. In the Indian tradition philosophy is nothing if not practiced in real life. Accordingly, we examine the biographical accounts of his life history in terms of how and how far his behavior reflected the philosophy which he explained and advocated. Likewise, we examine the life history of Tukārāma in the light of the theory of bhakti as explained from the ancient text of the Bhāgavata Purāṇa as well as the late medieval interpretations by the Goswamis of the GauḍīyaVaiṣṇava school. While we note the words in his poems that indicate his attainment of self-realization, we also point out its positive result was demonstrated in the form of unlimited compassion in his behavior. In the last section of this chapter we discuss the teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi indicating how closely they follow the philosophy of jñāna yoga as expounded since the ancient times of the Upaniṣads through the works of Śaṅkara. Finally we point out that the three forms of yoga described in this chapter are not sequestered into separate compartments while pointing out the elements of other forms of yoga found in their lives.