Brahm-Gyani Or Brahm-Rishi - Part 2

Previously:
Lord Krishna replied:
“Prajahaati yadaa kaamaan sarvaan paratha manogtaan
Aatmany-aivaatmanaa tushthah sthitpragnastad-uchyatay”
                                                                                    (BG 2-55)

“When a person completely casts off all the desires of the mind O’ Paartha (Arjuna)
And is satisfied in the self by the Self, then he is said to be the one of steady Gyana (wisdom)”
                                                   ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~
Some people believe that Bhagavad Geeta teaches us to become completely desireless, and they might refer the above Shloka to support their belief. But if we read the first line of the above shloka carefully, the word ‘Manogtaan’ is of a great significance here. Until recently, the western sciences assumed the body and mind to be one. However, the eastern and Hindu philosophers always considered them to be separate. Since mind is not made of matter, it is not a part of the gross body - though it has a great control or influence over the body.
In the above shloka, Lord Krishna is saying “kaamaan sarvaan manogtaan” – meaning all the desires of the mind – not of the body. There is a difference between ‘needs of the body’ and ‘desires of the mind’. The needs of the body are limited but the desires of the mind are limitless. As Adi Shankraachaarya said:
                    "Angam galitam palitam mundam
                     Dashanviheenam jaatam tundam
                     Vridhoyaati griheetwa dandam
                    Tadapi na munchati Aasha pindam"
      “Even when the body has drained, hair turned white, 
       The mouth becomes toothless, 
       and the old man walks supporting himself on a stick, 
       yet the body of desire does not leave him”
There is no end to desire. 
However, Geeta does not tell us not to fulfill the requirements of the body. 
It does not tell us to starve the body or to torture it. 
It says to give up the ‘excessive’ desires of the mind – more than what we really need. 
We must strive to understand the real meaning of the scriptures. 
A Sthitpragna or Brahm-Gyani is one who has reached beyond the veil of ignorance – who can see everything clearly in the light of Gyana. He understands the difference between needs and unnecessary desires - and stays away from greed and wrong ways of acquiring what he needs. 
Adi Shankraachaarya further clarifies: 
                          “Yallabhsay nij karmopaatan  
                           Vittam taina vinodaya chittam”
Whatever you receive (earn) from your own labor - with honest efforts, 
Be content and happy in your mind with those earnings. 
Guru Nanak also emphasized the same:
                      “Ghaali khaaye kichhu hathahu deyi
                        Nanak raahu pachhaanahi seyi”
"One who works for what he eats, and gives some of what he has 
O’ Nanak, he knows the Path" (GGS 1245)

The fourth principle of the Nirankari mission also sets the same binding upon its followers: 
Work and live in household, earn living by honest means and do not become burden on the society - especially in the name of God or religion.
In short, in order to be qualified as a Brahm-Gyani, the first lesson is that we must strive to control the mind – 
and keep it away from greed and excessive or unnecessary wants and desires.  
    ~To be continued~
                                                      ‘Rajan Sachdeva’