Page 1 - december-2025

Awaken: From

Räkñasa to Mahätmä

SWAMI CHINMAYANANDA

ife often confronts us with moments when our efforts seem
Lto collapse despite tireless investment. The knowledge we
once relied upon appears empty (moghajïäna), leaving the mind
unsettled and adrift – vicetasaù. At such times, when self-confidence
weakens, the natural question arises: How do we respond?
moghäçä moghakarmäëo moghajïänä vicetasaù,
räkñaséà äsuréà caiva prakåtià mohinéà çritäù. 1

Frustration and disillusionment (moghäçä moghakarmäëaù) often
turn outwards, manifesting as anger – directed at society, the
world, or even life itself. In this state of disorientation, the higher
vision is lost, and everything appears chaotic and devoid of
meaning.

The Twist in Säkñara
The terms räkñasa and asura reflect this struggle. Sura symbolizes
the shining beings of higher realms, the devas or angels. Asuras,
by contrast, fall short of that light. We, too, aspire to live a
moral, ethical, joyous life, yet so often find ourselves forced to
compromise. This is the terrain we must examine and understand.
Akñara means alphabet. Säkñara – one who is educated, who
knows the alphabet and can read and write: säkñara. But if you read

1 Bhagavad Gita, 9.12

This talk has been transcribed and edited from a rare series of discourses on
Chapter 9 of the Bhagavad Gita given by Pujya Gurudev at Sidhbari, India, in
1986. This can be viewed on Chinmaya Channel, YouTube. https://youtu.be/
D18BQc5cFeM?si=Tej-aKGWXSpR8r4f

Tapovan Prasad 14 December 2025