1. STRESS
AND
STHITAPRAJNA
DR.
SHRINIWAS
KASHALIKAR

2. The saints have often exemplified their capacity to
remain undeterred in a variety of disturbing situations;
the STRESS. This state of a STHITAPRAJNA; or
unconditioned happiness and equanimity amidst
STRESS is held in high esteem in Bhagavad Gita.
In the past; I failed to appreciate and admire and aspire
for such a state of mind as it appeared akin to
endogenous depression, total surrender to situation
and/or indifference; and hence despicable to me.
I was wrong. It is the state where one has risen above the
deceptive/disturbing influences of one’s perceptions
resulting from general and special senses, endocrine and
neuroendocrine systems, autonomic nervous system, and
limbic system. This is called VIDEHI AVASTHAA
(trans-physical, trans-physiological and trans-
psychological) state of consciousness.
This state is a state when the individual appears to be
unaffected and hence unresponsive in every possible way.
The smile on his/her face never fades!
But even as it is true that he/she does not get affected; he/
she being beyond all subjectivity; interacts with a

3. situation in a trans-physical, trans-physiological and
trans-psychological way. But because the vehicle or the
medium through which it gets manifested is human body,
this interaction can be in the form of articulation e.g.
Gita or physical (DHARMA-YUDDHA).
In any case and in any form it is the cosmic wisdom that
manifests through him or her!
In many instances the actions are not at all apparent in
any form and hence called mystical.
No wonder; that a vast majority of even otherwise kind
hearted and/or brilliant people; can not experience or
appreciate this state of existence and hence ridicule even
a reference made to it.
The point I learned and wish to share, here; is
unconditioned bliss of cosmic consciousness, its
personification (realizable through NAMASMARAN);
and their manifestations are infinite and subtle; and
many times beyond our capacity; (during different
developmental stages); to appreciate, admire or aspire
for! Unconditioned happiness is not a sign of
obliviousness or ignorance!