Fear is the survival mechanism created by Nature. All living creatures’ basic instinct is to survive, and the fear of death is the greatest of all fears. It is this fear of death, that keeps every organism find ways to survive.
For the one who does not identify oneself solely with the limitations of body as one’s existence, this fear does not exist. That is freedom. All types of fear are, therefore, defined by the limitations of thought. The fear of losing a job, failing in an examination, fear of authority, fear of non-acceptance etc all stems from limitations.
An enlightened is said to be fearless. “Abhayam vai Janaka praptosi” meaning “You have attained fearlessness, Janaka” is a statement made by the sage Yajnavalkya to King Janaka in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. This phrase signifies that Janaka has achieved a state of fearlessness, which is equated with Brahman, the ultimate reality.
