Gita reflection Ch 5 Verses 6 & 7

30th April 2024

• Renunciation without dispassion for the results of action will be hypocrisy, according to Lord Krishna (BG 3.6). 
• Often, we make resolutions on New Year's Day to follow certain disciplines or practices in life, but we tend to give up within a few days or weeks. The reason behind this is that we lack conviction, or our habits are too strong to break. 
• Renunciation is a lifelong practice of dispassion, which is enhanced by Self-knowledge. 
• Karma Yoga, by itself, does not provide knowledge but prepares one for it. The purity gained through Karma Yoga helps one to gain mastery over the mind and senses, and through knowledge, one can achieve the vision of Oneness. 
• A person with Self-knowledge remains unaffected even when working in the world like any other person.

Gita reflection Ch 5 Verses 4 & 5

 29th April 2024

• A ladder has several steps, and the first step is lower than the fourth or fifth step. Regardless of whether someone starts from the first or the fourth step, they will eventually end up at the same final destination.
• Similarly, Karma Yoga, also known as the Yoga of Action, is the first step, and Sankhya Yoga, also known as the Yoga of Knowledge, is a higher step. However, the ultimate goal of both paths is liberation.
• Karma Yoga involves giving up attachment to the fruits of one's actions, while Sankhya Yoga involves renouncing the sense of being the doer itself, which requires detachment from the results of action.
• Karma Yoga and Sankhya Yoga complement each other and do not compete. The practice of Karma Yoga finds fulfillment in Sankhya Yoga, and both together lead to moksha, liberation..

Gita reflection Ch 5 verses 2 & 3

28th April 2024

• There are two types of renunciation or monkhood. The first type is when someone embraces monkhood after realizing their true self. The second type is when someone decides to engage exclusively in study and reflection to realize the Self.
• However, the first type is very rare. Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayanandaji observed that embracing sannyasa, or monkhood, does not give someone a license to remain a parasite in society. 
• Selfless action is necessary to strengthen detachment, which mere solitude cannot provide.
• Lord Krishna also points out that both those who embrace monkhood of this kind and the non-monks who work selflessly in the world can obtain a higher degree of spiritual maturity. 
• Indeed, the true monk is someone who neither hates nor desires anything in the world. He who has gone beyond the pairs of opposites such as joy and sorrow, success and failure is free, even while working in the world.

Gita reflection Ch 5 Introduction & Verse 1

 27th April 2024

• Swami Chinmayananda explains that there are three stages of self-development - the first is characterized by selfish actions, the second by selfless actions, and the third by meditation. 
• Most people remain in the first stage, and only a few progress to the second with the guidance of a wise teacher or with an inner urge to free themselves from worldly bonds.
• Even Arjuna, the famous character from the Mahabharata, did not seek liberation initially. He was only looking for guidance to help him make a decision. However, Lord Krishna guided him towards the ultimate goal of human life - liberation.
• Like Arjuna, many of us may wonder which path to follow - engaging in worldly actions or renouncing them in favour of meditation. Is it possible to fully renounce all actions and remain in meditation for an extended period of time without any urges to act?

Gita reflection Ch 4 verses 41 & 42

26th April 2024

• Detachment is the state of being free from emotional attachment to a person, object, or experience. 
• Being detached does not mean that we do not care. Instead, it means that we can approach situations objectively without letting our emotions cloud our judgment.
• When we act with the pure intention of doing our best, we are acting objectively. On the other hand, when we are anxious about the results, we become subjectively involved and may not make the best decisions.
• Having self-knowledge helps us to practice objective behavior. It destroys the ignorance that provokes subjective and possessive behavior, allowing us to approach situations with clarity and wisdom.

Gita reflection Ch 4 verses 39 & 40

25th April 2024

• The Bhagavad Gita provides a three-step process for achieving peace and liberation that is relatively quick to complete. 
• The first step is to have total faith in the scriptures and the Guru. This faith is not a blind belief, but rather a process of diligently inquiring into the truth of the scriptural knowledge under the guidance of the Guru. 
• The second step is to constantly remain focused on the ultimate goal of liberation. The third and final step is to train the senses and the mind to break free from their habitual behaviors through vigilant self-discipline. 
• It is important to note that a lack of faith can prevent one from remaining focused on anything. Doubt can kill enthusiasm in any endeavor and lead to a joyless existence in this world, with nothing beyond death.

Gita reflection Ch 4 verses 37 & 38

24th April 2024

• One spark is enough to burn an entire log of dry wood to ashes because the fire is hidden within the wood itself. 
• Similarly, Self-Awareness is present within everyone, although it is hidden and unmanifest. 
• Self-knowledge is like a spark that brings forth the hidden Self-Awareness, and through this realization, all actions born of desires will burn to ashes. 
• Refining one's personality through Self-knowledge is an irreversible process. One will burn the bridge behind oneself through this knowledge. 
• Gurudev Swami Chinmayanandaji wisely said, "Take one step at a time. You may not even see the next step until you are ready. But when you are, in due course of time, the next one will appear, and the previous one will disappear!"

Gita reflection Ch 4 verses 35 & 36

23rd April 2024

• Even a well-known scholar forgets his knowledge when he is fully drunk. Only when he becomes sober, he can recollect his erudition. 
• Similarly, we are currently intoxicated with passion, lust, greed, jealousy, hatred, and other delusions that have been caused by ignorance.
• Self-knowledge brings back the sober condition and frees us from the delusion of seeing ourselves as separate from others, which causes constant conflict with the world around us. 
• Self-knowledge allows us to see everyone as part of ourselves or as part of God. This knowledge is not limited only to scholars and intelligent seekers.
• Even if one is a sinner or a criminal, having this divine understanding can serve as a means to overcome the ocean of sins.

Gita reflection Ch 4 verses 33 & 34

 22nd April 2024

• All the sacrifices that are prescribed in the Vedas are aimed at fulfilling an individual's desires and ambitions. 
• Although these sacrifices are considered holy and religious, they are not intended to relinquish the ego.
• The knowledge sacrifice, also known as Jnaana yagna, is a process in which the false identification of the performer is destroyed in the dawn of the awareness of the Self. 
• The primary objective of the knowledge sacrifice is to eliminate the ego and ensure that all actions end in knowledge.
• A wise teacher who has realized his Self will bestow Self-knowledge when one performs sincere service along with surrender and ardent inquiry.

Gita reflection Ch 4 verses 31 & 32

 21st April 2024

• In the Sanatana Dharma culture, food offered to God is called prasad. When food is touched with divinity, it becomes holy. 
• Similarly, a song becomes a bhajan, water becomes teertham, a place becomes a pilgrimage, and an action becomes seva when touched by the divine.
• If one mindlessly indulges in passion without recognizing the divinity in all, even this world or life is incomplete for them, and there is no hope of a higher world for them.
• All religious sacrifices are actions that, though performed with reverence, will bring only limited results. Anything caused by something is subject to end. 
• Only by knowing the limitation of action and results, one gains true dispassion in all worldly pursuits.

Gita reflection Ch 4 verses 29 & 30

 20th April 2024

• Our body is like a balloon, where the vital energy from the world around us flows in and out, just like the air in the balloon. 
• This energy is offered to the outgoing and incoming energy, like any other sacrifice, by some practitioners to calm their minds.
• When we observe this continuous activity happening inside our body, we become more tranquil, peaceful, and free of any disturbances. This state of mind then helps us to meditate more effectively.
• Hunger is created by the vital energy movements in the body. Therefore, some people practice a regular diet that offers only what is suitable for their body without indulging in food. 
• All these methods help to prepare the body, mind, and intellect for higher flights in meditation. 

Gita reflection Ch 4 verses 27 & 28

 19th April 2024

• According to ancient masters, every human possesses two branches that stem from the same root - the power of action (kriya shakti) and the power of thinking (jnana shakti). 
• Both of these powers are controlled by the practice of contemplation, which is the foundation. 
• Contemplation involves redirecting the mind's attention, and it is different from concentration, which requires an external object. 
• In addition to contemplation, there are several other practices that are considered to be sacrifices for self-growth. These include offering to gods or distributing to the needy, practicing austerity, engaging in yoga, studying scriptures, and remaining steadfast in knowledge.

Gita reflection Ch 4 verses 25 & 26

 18th April 2024

• It was stated that being human comes with the privilege of being able to sacrifice for others. Each act of sacrifice is like a brick that helps to build a strong foundation of kindness and generosity. 
• Sacrifice must be voluntary and not just a customary practice. When we willingly give up something for our own betterment, we begin to free ourselves from the worldliness that can hold us back.
• In Hinduism, sacrifices are traditionally offered to fire, symbolizing that what is given cannot be taken back. 
• Some people offer sacrifices to their favorite gods as a way of expressing gratitude for what they have already received. This is a common practice in many religions.
• Others offer their thoughts to the fire of Brahman, while some exercise self-control by restraining their senses. 
• Some people even offer the objects of their senses to the fire of the senses, demonstrating their willingness to let go of attachment to material things.

Gita reflection Ch 4 verses 23 & 24

17th April 2024

• Detachment or dispassion, when not supported by knowledge, will only be a temporary trait. It will be like fasting on religious occasions; it will not have a lasting effect on the mind or body. 
• Once one realizes the ever-present blissful Self, the interest in worldly gains and pleasures gradually fades away. It's like not having to sing a lullaby to a child who is already fast asleep! 
• However, a person who keeps their mind on Brahman, the Self in all actions and objects, will tirelessly engage and will not accumulate any bondage. 
• The famous verse from the Bhagavad-Gita is chanted by Sadhakas just before eating food: "Brahman is the ladle, oblation, fire, and the sacrificer as well. One whose mind is in Brahman while in action, will reach only Brahman!"

Gita reflection Ch 4 verses 21 & 22

16th April 2024

• The concept of karma is unique to Hinduism. Other Asian religions have also adopted this belief in the rebirth of the soul. 
• Karma is categorized into three types: Sanchita, which refers to the karma accumulated over many lives lived by the soul in different bodies; Prarabdha, which refers to the karma currently active that sustains the present body; and Aagaami, which refers to the karma accumulated in the present life that will have results either in this life or future births.
• Those who are not striving for liberation will go through endless births and deaths due to the accumulated karma of the past and present. However, one who has realized the false nature of the ego can bring an end to all karmas. 
• He may continue to live until the death of the present body, facing all situations and experiences caused by Prarabdha with a smile, seeking nothing from the world, and yet continuing to act in the world without accumulating any further karmas. 
• This state of being is known as Jeevanmukti, where a person is completely free and endlessly happy while living.

Gita reflection Ch 4 verses 19 & 20

 15th April 2024

It seems that the definition of meditation as "a state of no actions and no thoughts" falls short of a true understanding of the practice. 

According to Krishna, the key to no action is to let go of selfish actions and even selfless ones should be consumed by the fire of knowledge. But what knowledge is he referring to? It is the knowledge that the Self is a non-actor. 

Therefore, a wise person who is fully satisfied with the bliss of the Self has no intention of gaining anything from the world and doesn't really do anything, even though they may act tirelessly in the world. 

This is similar to an actor on stage, who is fully aware that he is only pretending to be the character that he plays perfectly, without being really affected by the situations in the play.

Gita reflection Ch 4 verses 17 & 18

 14th April 2024

Responsibilities are commitments that we consciously choose to take on in order to progress. When actions are forced upon us, they become a burden.

Daily responsibilities can be categorized into two types. The first type is family responsibilities that we have committed to fulfill due to our ongoing relationships with people close to us. The second type is related to personal beliefs that are important for the spiritual development of our soul.

Social commitments are occasional and are necessary to maintain cordial relationships within society. However, actions that are done solely for personal gratification are not considered responsibilities or duties, but are instead optional.

A wise person recognizes that the Self is only a constant and inactive witness during all activities of the body, mind, and ego. When someone sits quietly to practice meditation, avoiding all bodily activities, they are aware of the presence of the active ego.

In essence, there is inaction of the Self at all times, and action of the ego, even in the seat of meditation when it is practiced without abiding in the Self.

Gita reflection Ch 4 verses 15 & 16

 13th April 2024

Karma Yoga is a practice that involves letting go of anxiety for results, which can result in peace and purity of the mind. 

The next step that Lord Krishna suggests is to release the notion that we are the "doers" of our actions.

Upon closer observation, we notice that over 95% of what happens within our body and the world around us is not decided by us. Additionally, we have no control over the behavior and actions of those around us. 

What defines action? Is it what we do consciously or what occurs even when we are not directly responsible? 

And what is inaction? Is it merely a state of laziness or is it being an alert witness without getting involved?

Gita reflection Ch 4 verses 13 & 14

 12th April 2024

• Hindu society is often criticized for its caste system, a person's social status and occupation are determined by their birth. However, this is not the correct way to divide people in society. 
• The division should be based on the quality of thought and action, just as in any business organization.
• Every soul has its unique inborn traits, known as vasana-s, which are expressed through the chosen field, irrespective of the family in which it is born. 
• Lord Krishna emphasizes that the division of labor is created for the benefit of the souls, as it helps them evolve through the exhaustion of the vasana-s.
• Lord Krishna Himself was not born to exhaust the vasana-s, reminding us that the final destination for all souls is His own being, which is free of vasana-s.

Gita reflection Ch 4 verses 11 & 12

 11th April 2024

• If we were to ask a twenty-year-old person about their life goals, it would surely be different after ten more years of life experience. 
• Similarly, there is no single purpose for worshipping God. Depending on the challenges one faces in life and their level of spiritual maturity, the purpose of worship will undergo constant changes.
• Those who seek liberation or moksha will require nothing from God. Others may seek the maximum blessings through their prayers, including the pleasures of heaven. 
• Only through the guidance of the scriptures and a Guru, can we recognize the impermanence of worldly gains. Thereafter, our prayers will be expressions of immense gratitude and praise to God!

Gita reflection Ch 4 verses 9 & 10

 10th April 2024

How can knowing Krishna as the incarnation of God benefit us? Most religious practices involve adoration of God, but does this impact our lives and how? 

Firstly, having reverence for God can strengthen our faith and help us face life's unexpected challenges. 

Secondly, recognizing Him as our own Self can free us from the cycle of birth and death. 

The former is a key aspect of religion while the latter is a feature of philosophy. Together, they enhance the maturity of the mind and intellect. 

Achieving liberation from this cycle results in merging with Reality, or Brahman.

Gita reflection Ch 4 verses 7 & 8

 9th April 2024

• Arjuna knows both karma and dharma. He believes that action is karma and the social and religious traditions that follow it are dharma.
• However, Lord Krishna has a different perspective on dharma. He believes that dharma is not just a religious act, but an action that can protect all beings and encourage the practice of universal values without fear.
• Lord Krishna asserts that whenever universal values decline among humans, He will incarnate again and again to uphold them. 
• A deeper understanding of dharma reveals that it acts as a means to purify the mind for liberation (moksha). 
• To protect this aspect of dharma and inspire those who aspire to it, the Lord incarnates as divine saints and philosophers time and again.

Gita reflection Ch 4 verses 5 & 6

 8th April 2024

• How much of my own childhood do I remember? I only know about the pranks I played from my parents and elders who witnessed my growth. 
• Additionally, who knows what I did in my past lives that resulted in who I am today in this human life? Only God knows! 
• In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna tells Arjuna that he has passed through many lives, just like everyone else. However, while He knows all of his past lives, Arjuna does not. 
• Our present is the result of our past karma. Krishna, however, was not born due to karma. He chose to descend using His power called maya! While we are mostly dictated by our past, we do have some choices that can change our behavior and actions. 
• On the other hand, Krishna had complete choice at every moment of His life, despite being seen as human by everyone around Him. He always expressed His Godhood at all times! 
• We, too, can discover the same by taking His guidance and grace to make intelligent choices in our lives.

Gita reflection Ch 4 verses 3 & 4

 7th April 2024

• Knowledge is eternal and is revealed only when we use our intellect to explore it. The laws of the universe have not changed since creation, but they are revealed only to those who are qualified seekers.
• Krishna revealed knowledge to Arjuna out of love and affection, just as every guru imparts knowledge to the deserving disciples. 
• A genuine student will ask questions when the understanding is incomplete. This is not a lack of faith or a sign of disrespect to the teacher.
• Arjuna is unable to comprehend how his dear friend Krishna could have been present before creation. However, just as knowledge is eternal, so too is the teacher. 
• The eternal knowledge flows through a physical person to maintain its relevance to the times.

Gita reflection Ch 4 verses 1 & 2

 6th April 2024

• Buying vegetables from the market and cutting them to the required sizes does not, by itself, create a sumptuous lunch. The skill required to cook is entirely different from the preparation.
• Similarly, converting the action karma into the Yoga of action, Karmayoga, does not end the bondage; it only prepares the mind for freedom.
• The ancient knowledge imparted to Arjuna by Lord Krishna is most authentic since it came from the Lord Himself, and He admits that He was present even before creation!
• The eternal Self-knowledge was always imparted to the men of action, who were also the inspiring leaders of society.
• Self-knowledge loses its value when it is passed on by one who has not practiced it. Experience speaks volumes more than expertise.

Gita reflection Ch 3 verses 42 & 43

 5th April 2024

• Can we experience the world without our sensory organs? If we lose even one of our senses, we would lose a vital field of experience, making our senses superior to the world of objects. 
• However, when the mind is preoccupied or agitated, even our available senses fail to engage with their usual fields of experience. This makes the mind superior to our senses.
• The well-informed intellect has the ability to reject irrelevant thoughts and engage in other useful thinking. This makes the intellect superior to the mind.
• But what is greater than the intellect? It is Consciousness or the Self and is not a thought, feeling, or sensory activity.
• The practice of meditation involves withdrawing from the usual activities of the senses, mind, and intellect to remain as the Self or Consciousness. This is the ultimate goal to be sought by a Karma Yogi.

Gita reflection Ch 3 verses 40 & 41

 4th April 2024

"Where does desire hide?" - It hides within the senses, mind, and intellect. 

When it resides in the intellect, it can overpower the knowledge gained through observations and experiences even of a thinking person with a demand for self-importance and respect. 

When it exists in the mind, it can create emotions and feelings for temporary joy and to escape from unpleasant experiences. And when it sits in the senses, it continuously drives an individual to indulge in sensuous enjoyment. 

A well-known saying is that "the start of a journey begins with the first step forward." Therefore, the solutions to a problem should not be too far away from the cause of the problem. 

The senses are the first victims of desires, so the first step forward toward personal spiritual growth is to master the senses. Mastery is not about forceful control, but intelligently disciplining them for productive engagement.

Gita reflection Ch 3 verses 38 & 39

 3rd April 2024

• All individuals possess divinity at their core. However, this divine nature is often obscured by various desires that must be overcome. 
• Generally, human beings are prone to animalistic tendencies, such as sensual indulgences and lust, which can be difficult to overcome. These desires are akin to a covering on a developing fetus, requiring acceptance and patience to overcome.
• Other desires, such as greed, the pursuit of fame and power, etc., can be likened to dust that covers a mirror. They can be overcome through regular religious practices, such as japa and upasana.
• Even subtle desires, such as the desire to study many scriptures or visit holy places instead of engaging in self-reflection and regular meditation, can obscure the divine nature within. These desires can be overcome by following the guidance of a Guru and regularly attending satsangs.
• Only those who possess wisdom understand desires as enemies, while others consider desires as friends on the path to achieving success in the world.

Gita reflection Ch 3 verses 36 & 37

 2nd April 2024

• To speak untruth, one must know the truth in the first place. Such is the split within a person, between the one who knows the truth and the one who speaks the opposite.
• The same goes for sin, where there is a dichotomy between the person who knows it and the one who commits it. What is the cause of this split? 

• According to Lord Krishna, it is the evil that comes from within and is born out of a lack of Self-knowledge. 
• This evil expresses itself as desire, which in turn becomes anger when the desired object is denied. 
• Our worst enemy is within us, and until we conquer our inner evil called desire, we will continue to be consumed by it, life after life.

Gita reflection Ch 3 verses 34 & 35

 1st April 2024

• The world, filled with objects and beings, is God's creation for each soul to experience the results of their actions. However, not everything is meant for everyone. 
• 
  When we interact with the world, we should avoid getting attached to or hating any object or being. Both of these attitudes will only bind us to the world. 
• Take some time to examine your life situations where you engaged in certain actions without anyone compelling you to do so, but which made you feel content and fulfilled. 
• Only through such close self-observations can you detect the vasana-s that urge you to engage in certain activities. Redirect or convert them to selfless actions.
• Remember, actions that do not align with your vasana-s, even if you perform them with utmost dexterity, will result in undesirable outcomes such as dissatisfaction and rebirth.