कागद केरी नाव री, पाणि केरी संग I कहै कबीर कैसे तिरुँ, पंच कुसंगी संग II
To overcome the spell of Maya is the greatest challenge for an individual caught in the whirlwind of worldly life. Though God offers to liberate people from this cycle, and incarnates time and again to reassure them in this regard, people fail to discriminate between the permanent and the fleeting and chase sense objects with great fervour. Just as a person inside the kitchen cannot hope to be free of grime and heat, one finds it difficult to ignore worldly ties and attachment that are hurdles to spiritual development.
Krishna and Balarama, though well-versed in knowledge and possessed of all wisdom, submitted to instruction under Sandipani as his disciples. It is said that within 64 days they learnt the elements of military science and the directions for mystic incantations. The preceptor was astonished at their proficiency that exceeded human faculties. Before taking leave, Krishna wished to offer Guru Dakshina to his preceptor. Sandipani then requested them to give his dead son who had drowned in the sea of Prabhasa. Though a far-fetched request, the young boys plunged into the sea, fought with Panchajana and recovered the boy. Is it not a pity that this great preceptor desired a worldly gain when the Supreme Lord could have easily liberated him? His wish exemplifies the individual's worldly involvement that blinds one from the ultimate pursuit. Despite his extraordinary prowess as a warrior, king, and a sage of austere penance, Vishwamitra fell for the charms of Menaka. The power of Maya enveloping this world continues to baffle people.
The compelling force of the illusory and deceptive effects of the Maya are subtle and enticing. It cannot be easily overcome especially for those who have not conquered the lure of their senses. 'Bhav Sagar’ (Bhav – Maya, world, material existence Sagar - ocean) is Ocean of Maya, material desires. It is the ocean of ignorance. In short whatever we see with our physical eyes is Bhav Sagar. This Bhav Sagar is very treacherous; and very few realize this! We mortals are lost in Bhav Sagar because it is the pursuit of sensory pleasures, which pulls us into the vortex of birth and death, because the mortal becomes blinded by worldly joys that are fleeting at best. As a result, we "renounce Truth and embrace falsehood". If you anoint or bathe a donkey with the sandalwood paste, he will immediately roll over in the dirt; for he is in love with the mud. We may attend a "Satsang" or spiritual activity here and there, but as soon as we leave that place, we are immediately back to square one; for we mortals are in love with the falsehood. Our condition can also be compared with a donkey loaded with gold, sandalwood, or scriptures — whether it is a load of gold, sandalwood, scriptures or dirt, to a donkey it is all the same. What good is a lamp in one's hand, if, in spite of having a lamp in the hand, he falls into the well?
"Kabir says, life in Bhav Sagar is as fragile as that of a paper boat caught in the middle of a vast expanse of water. With mind in the firm grip of the five evils lust-desires, anger, greed, attachment, and pride, its no wonder that we let our uncontrolled minds swayed away by the lure of the defiled senses thus making it impossible to cross the Bhav Sagar, the biggest hindrance on our way to Liberation."
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