T he Vedantic concept of the creation as Leela is quite unique in itself.This concept does not negate the existence of the world, but it treats it as the playful expression of the Divinity. Leela is the spontaneous expression of the Divinity where the action happens without any compulsion or necessity.The Brahma is complete, so it does notwant anything to be fulfilled.The creation manifests out of the Brahma as a joyous expression of its fullness. The Brahma Sutras of the sage Badrayana talk of this subject in detail.The Taittiriya Upanishad gives averylucid description of this concept.The analogy of a spider has been cited to highlight this concept of Leela.Asaspideremits its web from its mouth and again devours it ,similarly the creation manifests from the Brahma and again disappears into it.Maya is the unfolding power of the creation.Maya is not an illusion, but the cosmic powerofthe Divinity through which the creation appears. The above concept of the Vedant finds an insightful parallel with the modernday finding of astrophysics.

 

According to modern astrophysics,new creation of cosmic entities is constantly going on and the universe is expanding. The Vedanta propounds that the individual life is an inseparable part of this cosmic play. Every human being is an actor as per his Karmas.This Leela is not random, but structured as per the Law of Karmas aligned with the larger cosmic vision. Freedom is realised through the understanding that we are just players in the infinite web of the Brahma.Awareness of our roles leads to inner liberation.This concept of Leela is highly relevant from the psychological point of view as it frees from attachment and ego. It anchors us in mental resilienceand acceptance of life as aplay. The common misunderstanding with this Vedantic concept stems from the view that it trivialises suffering and encourages passivity. But thismisunderstanding is negated by the fact that the Vedanta askseveryone to participate fully in theplay of life with Dharma or the code of conduct.

 

The Vedantic concept of Leela is quite relevant for contemporary life. Today’s life is full of stress, anxiety, and egoisticattachments. This concept gives atransformative perspective to contemporarylife . Life is to be lived in aplayful manner without being over attached to it.Bondage is the result of overindulgence and engrossment. When one becomes an observer, life becomes playful and spontaneous.The theory of Nishkama Karma propounded by the Geeta is anatural corollary of this Vedantic theory of the creation as Leela.One cannot control the whole cosmic script, but fully participate in one’s life play. This way of thinking generates the clarity of thoughts and we behave in averyresponsive manner. Neuroscientifically, over attachment pushes the survival mode and keeps our mind in a state of constant turmoil and tumult.Thus, the Vedantic concept of Leela is not only a philosophical concept, but agreat blueprint for a playful and peaceful life.

 

 

(The writer is Former DG Police &CG, Homeguards, Maharashtra) ■