Relationships, such as father, mother, son or relative in the home atmosphere, or master, servant or colleague in the workplace, form the basis of an individual’s experience. But just as a dream sequence is lost on waking, these are cut off when one gains Gyan (Enlightenment) .
“Who is the wife? Who is the son?” Such probing alone can dispel Avidya ( misunderstandings ) and make one see all relationships as illusory and non-existent. But statements or sentiments that nullify human relationships uttered by individuals in anger or intense feelings are not to be confused with that of a Gyan.
In the Ramayana ( Indian Epic Poem-Which narrates the struggle of the divine prince Rama to rescue his wife Sita from a demon king ), Sumantra (The chief counsellor Of King Dasaratha ( Father of Lord Rama) ) is entrusted with the task of driving Rama, Sita and Lakshmana ( Younger brother of Rama) out of Ayodhya ( A City in Uttar Pradesh- The Then Kingdom of Dasaratha) to the banks of the Ganga River, from whence they would begin their period of exile. With great anguish, Sumantra parts with them and carries their messages back to sorrow-stricken Dasaratha. Lakshmana’s message in this context is of an unkind nature to the king.
Lakshmana does not mince words to express his anger and disappointment towards Dasaratha. He claims that Dasaratha is no longer his father and that this relationship is null and void. It is obvious that Lakshmana is not speaking from the state of a Gyani or a Jivanmukta( liberated with an inner sense of freedom while living ) at this point. The mind is the link between the states of gyan and ignorance. Like a drop of water on a lotus leaf, a Gyani remains detached from this world. He is said to be a realised soul.
