Gita reflection Ch 13 verses 24 & 25

30th September 2024

What is the benefit or realizing the soul as the Self, the presence of God in our hearts? Does it change our view of the world? Relationships? 

Lord Krishna answers: 'He who knows the Self and the matter along with the qualities will not be born again, in whatever way he may live.' Yes. Such a person's view of life and relationship will undergo a dramatic change, though externally the actions will continue to be as  before.

How to realize the Self? Can everyone qualified to know the Self? 

In any field of knowledge, the students are broadly classified as smart, mediocre and slow learner. Here too, Lord Krishna mentions three paths for three different categories of seekers.

The smart and well-qualified seekers will realize the Self through meditation, supported by the clarified knowledge. The mediocre will have continue the journey through constant study and contemplation until all the doubts are cleared and become ready for meditation. Those who are slow-learners should continue to purify the mind through selfless actions and subsequently enter the field of knowledge and meditation.

Gita reflection Ch 13 verses 22 & 23

29th September 2024

Clearly seeing the distinction between the matter and soul is discrimination. To enable a student to have the clarity, Lord Krishna Himself speaks about how the soul relates with the matter.

'Since the soul is seated in matter, it experiences the qualities born of matter. Such a contact with the qualities is the cause of its births in good and evil wombs.'

While answering Arjuna's question about Prakriti, the matter and Purusha, the individual soul, Lord Krishna accepts the apparent reality of the matter that is experienced by the soul in the transactional world.

However, the Vedanta philosophy establishes that matter has no independent reality other than that which is projected by soul that has mistaken itself to be conditioned and limited.

In reality, the soul is the Witness, the Permitter, the Sustainer, the Experiencer, the great Lord, and who is also spoken of as the transcendental Self is the supreme Person in this body.

Gita reflection Ch 13 verses 20 & 21

28th September 2024

Arjuna was curious about 'Prakriti' and 'Purusha', terms used by Sankhyan philosophers to categorize the world and attribute objects as creations of Prakriti or Nature. 

Purusha, according to them, is the individual soul and the experiencer of Prakriti, both beginningless. Lord Krishna explained to Arjuna that both Nature and the individual soul are without beginning, and that the modifications and abilities are born of Nature.

Since an object cannot experience itself, it is considered non-living. Therefore, the individual soul gives reality to objects by contacting them through the body and the senses. 

Lord Krishna further explained that Nature is the cause of the body and organs, while the soul is the cause of experiencing happiness and sorrow.

Gita reflection Ch 13 verses 18 & 19

27th September 2024

Lord Krishna sheds light on the 'Knowable' by praising it as the illuminator of everything, including darkness. He describes it as the Light of all lights, existing within all hearts. 

Adi Shankaracharya composed a single verse to explain the nature of the Self as a conversation between a Guru and a disciple. The Guru asked the disciple what light was for him, to which he replied that it was the Sun during the day and a lamp at night. 

The Guru then asked the disciple with what light he saw the Sun, to which the disciple responded with his eyes. The conversation continued, with the Guru asking how he knows if the eyes are open or closed, to which the disciple answered with his mind.

Finally, the Guru asked how he knows the mind, to which the disciple answered with Awareness. Guru ended the conversation, concluding that the Self or the Awareness is the light of all lights. 

Lord Krishna also concludes the topic of 'knowledge' and the 'knowable' by indicating that the virtues, starting from humility, support the knowledge of the Self. He emphasizes that the Self alone is knowable and that this Self-knowledge will set one free from all bondages.

Gita reflection Ch 13 verses 16 & 17

 26th September 2024

Is the space inside the room where you are sitting, or outside of it? Is the air that you breathe inside of you, or outside of you? The answer is 'It is both!'

Similarly, the Self, experienced as 'I am' by us at all times, is said to be inside as well as outside. Lord Krishna says, "Existing outside and inside all beings; moving as well as non-moving, It is incomprehensible due to subtleness. It is far away, and yet near."

These statements reflect the teachings of the Upanishads. It is far for those who do not know its existence and it is closer than anything else for those who 'know.'

If I ask you to bring 3 cups of water, you will go to the tap and fill up 3 cups. Though divided, the water is the same, perhaps more or less in quantity per the size of each cup. So too, the Self appears to be divided according to the characteristics of the living being through which the Self expresses.

Lord Krishna says, "The Knowable, though undivided, appears to exist as divided in all beings; It is the sustainer of all beings as well as the devourer and originator (when you know It as God)."

Gita reflection Ch 13 verses 14 & 15

25th September 2024

The distinction between the inner Self and God only becomes relevant when we perceive the world as real through our senses. It's akin to a movie hero being a hero only within the movie, not in reality.

The Self is unique and without a second. However, while explaining the nature of the Self that needs to be understood, Lord Krishna says, "That which is to be known has hands, feet, eyes, heads, mouths, and ears everywhere; it exists in all creatures by pervading them all."

That which needs to be understood cannot be perceived as an object of the senses. Yet, it can be realized as an unseen presence behind everything, similar to understanding the force of gravity by observing how all objects on Earth are pulled toward its center.

Lord Krishna explains the incomprehensibility of the Self that needs to be understood using seemingly contradictory terms: "Shining through the functions of all the organs, yet devoid of all the organs; unattached and without its own qualities, but as the perceiver of qualities and as the supporter of all."

Gita reflection Ch 13 verses 12 & 13

24th September 2024

A vessel with many holes cannot retain the water poured into it. Similarly, the knowledge of the Self cannot be sustained when there are impurities and disturbances in the mind. 

Being the most subtle, this knowledge is comprehended only with a calm mind and an alert intellect. Lord Krishna finally adds, "Steadfastness in the knowledge of the Self, and contemplation on the Goal of the knowledge of Reality is spoken of as Knowledge. Ignorance is that which is other than this." Ignorance is not a lack of knowledge; it is a lack of constant abidance in the knowledge. 

Arjuna earlier asked, "What is to be known?" We always seek to know about those which add happiness to us, not sorrow! Ultimately, that which gives us eternal happiness, known as immortality, is the one which is worth knowing. 

Lord Krishna answers, "I will now speak of that which is to be known, by realizing which one attains Immortality." What is it? "It is the supreme Brahman, which is without any beginning. That is called neither being nor non-being."

Gita reflection Ch 13 verses 10 & 11

23rd September 2024

Detachment is important for making progress towards liberation. Dependence and possessiveness tie us to the world of beings and objects. 

Lord Krishna also emphasizes spiritual values such as non-attachment and not being overly fond of sons, wives, homes, etc. He explains that having a constant equanimity of mind towards the desirable and the undesirable is important. 

Detaching from worldly concerns becomes easy when we are attached to higher and exalted things, such as unwavering devotion to Him. 

Lord Krishna also mentions the significance of single-minded concentration, an inclination to seek out clean places, and not finding delight in being in a crowd of people.

Gita reflection Ch 13 verses 8 & 9

22nd September 2024

Our actions are a reflection of our values. We cannot pretend to be good while having evil tendencies. Ravana maintained his disguise as a mendicant only until he took Sita away. 

Lord Krishna enumerates twenty values that are essential for spiritual progress. The first set of values includes humility, unpretentiousness, non-injury, forbearance, sincerity, service of the teacher, cleanliness, steadiness, and control of the body and organs. 

These values may not bring us material wealth, but they make our lives valuable. Focusing on the goal of liberation, a seeker should consciously cultivate and improve on each of these values gradually by practicing them in every situation.

Lord Krishna further adds that non-attachment to objects of the senses and the absence of egotism are important, as well as seeing the evil in birth, death, old age, diseases, and miseries.

Gita reflection Ch 13 verses 6 & 7

21st September 2024

The concept of the 'field' is universal. However, our inner tendencies (vasanas) influence our actions and reactions. The vasanas that make me act as human will not be the same in another species. For example, would a dog desire a rasgolla for dessert? 

Lord Krishna explains the nature of the 'field' as encompassing the five great elements, egoism, intellect, the Unmanifest (prakriti), the ten organs and the five objects of the senses. 

Additionally, Lord Krishna includes the mind, which is a collection of thoughts influenced by vasanas, as part of the field. It is this mind that continuously acts and reacts in the world.

He further mentions that the mind consists of desires, repulsion, happiness, and sorrow. In addition, the body and organs, consciousness, fortitude, and all their variations, are also part of the field.

Gita reflection Ch 13 verses 4 & 5

20th September 2024

Agricultural land is also referred to as a field or "kshetram," for it is where a farmer works every day to get his yield. Though the body has been with us since birth, we never observed it as a field which is the field of actions and for receiving the results of our past actions.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna, answering the questions of Arjuna, says, "I will briefly speak about the field, its changes, as well as what causes what effect. I will also speak about the 'knower' of the field and His powers."

The topic under discussion is of great significance. Ancient seers have spoken about it, and there are Vedic texts on them. 

The famous Brahma-sutra statements also logically and convincingly describe both the field and the knower, which lead to the attainment of Brahman, the Absolute Reality.

Gita reflection Ch 13 verses 2 & 3

19th September 2024

Every soul's birth has a purpose. It is defined by the vasanas accumulated over many lives, which need to be experienced and exhausted in the field of the world through the field of the body.

Lord Krishna explains this to Arjuna: 'This body is the field. The one who is conscious of this field is the 'knower' of the field.' For the inert body cannot function without the one who is 'conscious' of it, referred to here as the 'knower'.

The 'knower' is distinct from the body - 'field', and it has no attributes of anything related to or connected to the body, such as the mind, intellect, vasanas, and so on.

This attributeless 'knower', which is pure Consciousness, is the same in all. Knowing this universal presence of Consciousness and the field through which it expresses, is true knowledge!

Gita reflection Ch 13 Introduction & verse 1

18th September 2024

The Bhagavad Gita is traditionally seen as an explanation of the Mahavakya, 'tat-tvam-asi'. 

The first six chapters explain 'tvam', which describes the current predicament of the individual soul and the initial practices for spiritual evolution. Chapters 7 to 12 explain 'tat', indicating the nature of Ishwara and why He is the ultimate life goal for the soul.

The last six chapters focus on 'asi', emphasizing that with the knowledge of Advaita, the individual can realize the oneness of oneself and Ishwara.

It's worth noting that verse 1 of this chapter is not found in many versions that have a total of 700 verses in the Bhagavad Gita. This extra verse is in the form of questions posed by Arjuna to Lord Krishna. 

Arjuna asks, 'I would like to know what are Purusha and prakriti along with kshetram and kshetrajna. Also, what is knowledge, and what should be known?'

Gita reflection Ch 12 verses 19 & 20

17th September 2024

The equanimity that a devotee has is akin to the nature of the Lord. Although it is hard to maintain in the world of transactions, the devotee can practice it out of love for God and for personal liberation from all entanglements. 

Lord Krishna praises such a devotee by saying, "That devotee is dear to me, to whom praise and insult are the same, who is also silent, content, homeless, and steady-minded." 

While concluding the discussion on the virtues of a true devotee, Lord Krishna highlights the importance of developing these virtues as a spiritual practice, irrespective of whether the worship is about the formful or the formless. 

He clarifies, "Those devotees are most dear to Me who accept Me as the supreme goal of life and with utmost faith seek the nectar of all virtues enumerated earlier."

Gita reflection Ch 12 verses 17 & 18

16th September 2024

A person who is devoted to God achieves inner and outer balance by constantly loving God. From his perspective, everything in the world is a manifestation of God.

Because of this inner stability, the devotees do not rejoice, worry, lament, or crave; they accept both good and bad without any regrets. 

Even when interacting with others, they maintain a sense of equanimity, treating friends and foes alike. 

Because they have completely surrendered to God's will, they have no attachments or ego and therefore remain the same in the face of honor and dishonor, cold and heat, as well as in times of happiness and sorrow.

Gita reflection Ch 12 verses 15 & 16

15th September 2024

A true devotee consciously emulates the qualities of the Lord. Pujya Gurudev said: 'Love is sustained in constant identification with the beloved!'

As the Lord is the very embodiment of compassion, so too is His devotee who remains undisturbed by the world and also does not disturb the world by actions and words. His devotee is free from joy, impatience, fear, and anxiety.

How does the devotee remain undisturbed? Desires and actions disturb the mind which causes all selfish engagements in the world.

When a devotee finds his fulfillment in the remembrance and worship of the Lord, he remains free of desires, all undertakings, and fear. He also becomes impartial, dexterous, and pure-hearted.

Gita reflection Ch 12 verses 13 & 14

14th September 2024

Many people consider themselves devotees of God because of their regular visits to places of worship, performing rituals, celebrating religious festivals, and practicing certain austerities.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna asked a related question at the beginning of a chapter: 'Who is your devotee?' Lord Krishna begins to answer by saying, 'He who does not hate any creature, who is friendly, compassionate, equanimous, forgiving, and in whom there is an absence of ego and possessiveness.'

This answer may surprise many believers as it does not mention any rituals, worship, or religious tenets. 

Lord continues His answer: 'He is my dear devotee who is a yogi, content, self-disciplined, and who has firm conviction with his mind and intellect dedicated to Me.'

Gita reflection Ch 12 verses 11 & 12

13th September 2024

Even engaging in actions related to God is not easy for many. For most people, worldly duties and responsibilities take top priority, making it hard for them to engage exclusively in worship. 

But the compassionate Lord understands this predicament. He said: "If you are unable to perform actions for Me, continue to engage in your worldly duties but give up the results for Me while keeping your mind centered on Me."

As mentioned earlier, mindless practice does not lead to the purification of the mind or perfect attunement of the intellect. The Lord reiterated, "Knowledge is superior to practice indeed!"

However, knowledge should not stay as mere intellectual understanding. Meditation is superior to knowledge. Even the practice of meditation is fruitless if one has not renounced the results of action. Therefore, renunciation, which is superior to even meditation alone, can lead one to true peace.

Gita reflection Ch 12 verses 9 & 10

12th September 2024

The path to liberation or God-realization is unique for each person. Each soul's thoughts, feelings, experiences, and knowledge are distinctive. 

Lord Krishna acknowledges the difficulty in focusing the mind on God and suggests practicing conscious repetition of thoughts about God as a way to establish a steady focus. 

He emphasizes that spiritual practice should not be done mindlessly or mechanically and that the main purpose of all rituals is to keep the mind steadily focused on God.

Additionally, he suggests that if one is unable to practice repetition of thoughts on God, then performing actions related to God such as worship and puja can also lead to perfection.

Gita reflection Ch 12 verses 7 & 8

11th September 2024

"Where is my mind now? We should often ask ourselves this question. We might be surprised to discover that our mind is either wandering or lost and buried in worries and anxieties.

Lord Krishna assures Arjuna, 'Those who give their minds to Me, I quickly deliver them from the ocean of the world, with all its uncertainties and death.'

The mind is the seat of emotions and intellect is the seat of decisions. When emotions overpower us, our decisions become partial; when we make decisions without any feelings, we become rigid and inflexible.

The intelligent union of the mind and the intellect is possible when we offer both to the Lord. With the Lord in our hearts, we can invoke emotional intelligence. Lord Krishna states that such a person will remain with Him forever without any doubt."

Gita reflection Ch 12 verses 5 & 6

10th September 2024

Ever since we were born, we have strongly and unquestionably identified with our bodies. Interestingly, no one has ever explicitly told us that we are the body!

After studying the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta, when we decide to explore and experience the unmanifest nature of Brahman, we come up against a formidable obstacle: the ego, which has kept us bound to the body.

The journey will be very challenging if we have not loosened the grip of the ego. However, if we follow the simple instructions given by Lord Krishna, we can weaken the ego. 

He instructed Arjuna, "Dedicate all your actions to me. Accept me as the Supreme, and meditate upon me with one-pointed attention."

Gita reflection Ch 12 verses 3 & 4

9th September 2024

The faith required is the same, but those who worship the attributeless nature of God, known as Brahman in the Upanishads, need additional qualifications. 

This is because the mind is fickle and it's hard to maintain steady attention on the unmanifest, all-pervading, incomprehensible, changeless, constant, and immovable nature of Reality. 

Aspirants should have complete control over all the sense organs and equanimity of mind. 

Those who are thus qualified will attain the Lord while continuously engaged in the service of the entire creation.

Gita reflection Ch 12 verses 1 & 2

8th September 2024

There has long been a divide between philosophers and believers regarding the nature of reality. Philosophers view God as a formless or universal presence, while believers see God as having a form.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna, having witnessed the cosmic form of Lord Krishna, asks a crucial question: 'There are those who worship you as one with attributes and others as immutable and unmanifest. Who is best among the two?'

Both groups ultimately seek to realize the same divine essence. The key qualification for this is faith.

Lord Krishna responds: 'Those who meditate on Me by fixing their minds on Me with steadfast devotion and possessing supreme faith – they are considered to be the most perfect yogis according to Me.'

Gita reflection Ch 11 verses 54 & 55

7th September 2024

 

Is it possible for anyone to experience the vision of God's all-pervading presence? Yes. The main requirement is to have unwavering devotion to God.

 

Lord Krishna assures us that a devoted person can 'Know,' 'See,' and 'Enter' into Him. 'Knowing' comes from listening to the spiritual teacher and understanding the presence of God in one's own heart. 

'Seeing' is achieved through the practice of meditation, where one consistently attempts to dwell in the Self. 'Entering' is the ultimate merging into the Self in the state of 'Samadhi' - total absorption.

 

At the end of this chapter, Lord Krishna reminds Arjuna to continue his spiritual practice by working for God and accepting Him as the goal of life. Through devotion and detachment, one can develop all-encompassing compassion for all living beings, which will help him reach God.

Gita reflection Ch 11 verses 52 & 53

6th September 2024

When we see a pot, we don't know who made it. Why? Because the maker of the pot is not part of the pot! Similarly, all things in this world are separate from their creators.

However, in the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna demonstrated through the Cosmic form that He and His creation are inseparable.

This cannot be visualized by the gods living in the denizens! Lord Krishna informs Arjuna that he is blessed to have seen this Oneness of the creation and the creator!

This vision is impossible by studying Vedas and practicing austerity, charity, and sacrifice. These are meant only to purify the mind, which can eventually develop true devotion and ardent love for God.

Gita reflection Ch 11 verses 50 & 51

5th September 2024

Through Self-knowledge one can see Reality as is. Thus subjective knowledge would reveal one's own Real Self without any change. यथा रूपं सत्यं तथा सदृशं ज्ञानम् 

Conversely, when a devotee approaches the Lord to have His vision, the Lord would reveal according to the wish of the devotee यथा भक्तस्य भावः तथा भगवदाकारः 

Lord Krishna out of compassion for Arjuna showed him His form which Arjuna knows Him as before. Seeing that form Arjuna felt relieved.

He said, 'Seeing You in your human form and having regained my nature, my mind has become calm and collected.'

Gita reflection Ch 11 verses 48 & 49

4th September 2024

Why is it difficult for anyone to see the Lord's cosmic form? Although He is the Self of all beings and always available, He remains hidden. 

He can only be known through His grace when an individual turns their attention towards the Self and away from external distractions. 

The Lord cannot be perceived in the human world through the study of Vedas, sacrifices, gifts, rituals, or severe austerities. 

Lord Krishna consoled Arjuna and freed him from fear and bewilderment after showing His terrible form. He then transformed Himself back to His earlier, familiar form that Arjuna had known since birth.

Gita reflection Ch 11 verses 46 & 47

3rd September 2024

Arjuna expressed his desire to see the human form of Krishna after witnessing the Cosmic form of the Lord. He felt that he could not connect with the Cosmic form as easily as with the human form of Krishna. 

Arjuna specifically requested to see the Lord's four-handed form with a crown, mace, and disc. 

The Lord explained that His Cosmic form had never been seen by anyone else before and manifested through His yogic power. 

Krishna's ability to change His form at will is due to His illusory power called Maya, and only those who completely surrender to Him can understand this power of illusion.

Gita reflection Ch 11 verses 44 & 45

2nd September 2024

Who will forgive the other for their mistakes? Not a stranger but parents out of love and attachment will forgive their children. So too a friend or a true lover.

Arjuna pleads to the Lord to forgive for his thoughtless behavior by treating him as a child, friend, or beloved one. He salutes Him by fully bowing down.

Though Arjuna had requested the Lord to show the cosmic form, upon seeing Him he is stricken with fear. For, he had never expected to see the unpleasant end of the Universe demonstrated by the Lord.

Just as the child of a police officer would like to see the father without his commanding attire while at home, Arjuna submits to the Lord to show the usual form that he is familiar with by discarding the cosmic form.

Gita reflection Ch 11 verses 42 & 43

1st September 2024

Arjuna took the Lord for granted and had a friendly relationship with Him, without realizing He was the Lord of the Universe. 

Now, he regrets his oversight and asks for the Lord's forgiveness for not acknowledging Him properly while walking, eating, and in both private and public settings. 

After witnessing the Lord's cosmic form, which is indescribable, Arjuna recognizes Him as the Father of the Universe and the Guru of all gurus, deserving of worship.

Arjuna praises Him as unmatched, possessing the unparalleled power to create, sustain, and destroy the entire creation.