Gita reflection Ch 18 verses 11 & 12

30th November 2024

According to Hindu scriptures, every soul must face the consequences of actions performed over many lives, which is the basis of the rebirth theory. 

The circumstances of the current birth arise from actions that are now yielding results. Those who strongly identify with their physical bodies, due to a lack of Self-Knowledge, find it difficult to completely renounce actions. 

However, such individuals can still elevate themselves to the level of a 'Tyagi' by relinquishing the fruits of their actions in this life. This practice purifies their minds, freeing them from anxiety. 

There are three potential outcomes from actions: 1. favorable results, 2. unfavorable results, and 3. a combination of both. 

Those who do not fully give up actions will inevitably reap these results. In contrast, a person who has embraced renunciation will remain unaffected by these outcomes, as they abide by their true Self.

Gita reflection Ch 18 verses 9 & 10

29th November 2024

The Sattvic attitude towards daily actions involves sincere performance by considering them as one's duty. These actions are performed without attachment and by relinquishing the results accrued. 

This Sattvic Tyaga helps the seeker avoid anxiety while performing and also prevents the accumulation of vasanas by rising above the likes and dislikes related to the results.

 

No one can predict the course of everyday actions. We can plan, but it is not necessary that the day will unfold the way we plan. 

 

A person with a Sattvic attitude does not despise engaging in actions that may bring benefits like heaven, which he may not desire. Nor will he be attached to actions such as japa, upasana, meditation, etc., which directly result in purifying the mind. 

 

He remains free of doubts about remaining in constant identification with the Self, which will bestow him freedom here and now.

Gita reflection Ch 18 verses 7 & 8

28th November 2024

Lord Krishna begins to explain the concept of 'Tyaga' in detail. He elaborates on the attitude behind giving up the results of actions. 

Actions are broadly divided into daily and occasional engagements. Daily actions, known as 'Nitya Karma,' are to be performed without fail, relinquishing any selfish motives. 

Wrongly considering the abandonment of daily actions as 'Tyaga' and failing to perform them is considered a Tamasic Tyaga. 

Every action requires time, effort, and interest. If one feels that daily actions cause physical suffering or pain and fails to perform them, it is considered Rajasic Tyaga. This kind of abandonment does not yield any spiritual benefit.

Gita reflection Ch 18 verses 5 & 6

 27th November 2024

Why does Lord Krishna instruct not to abandon the performance of sacrifice, charity, and austerity? All these indeed accrue merits for a person desirous of heaven, but how do they help a seeker of liberation?

 

Knowledge liberates the soul from the hold of samsara or bondage. Realizing the illusion of the world that liberates the soul only happens once the mind is fully purified, devoid of all vasanas.

 

The performance of sacrifice as an offering to gods, charity to help other living beings, and austerity to overcome one's own impurities prepares the seeker's mind for Self-knowledge.

 

Lord Krishna insists that these three actions must be undertaken by renouncing attachment and hankering for results.

Gita reflection Ch 18 verses 3 & 4

26th November 2024

The term "Tyaga" (abandonment) is interpreted differently by different people. Some believe it means giving up all actions because they are all tainted by evil. However, others argue that not all actions should be given up. 

They believe that acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity, which were discussed in the previous chapter, should not be abandoned. Lord Krishna continues to explain the concept of "Tyaga" to Arjuna from his own perspective. 

It's important for a teacher to provide clear guidance to the student so that the student can engage in the world without doubts. In the Upanishads, a student would have already renounced worldly engagements before seeking a teacher. 

However, Arjuna is still on the battlefield. Therefore, Lord Krishna emphasizes, "Listen to my firm conclusion about this. There are three kinds of 'Tyaga'."

Gita reflection Ch 18 verses 1 & 2

25th November 2024

In the Bhagavad Gita, many technical terms are used that are derived from the Upanishads. Some terms, such as 'Moksha' and 'Nirvana', are used interchangeably.

Arjuna was confused by the terms 'Tyaga' and 'Samnyasa' as they both mean renunciation. He doubted whether they are the same or are used contextually to mean two different aspects of renunciation. 

The teachings by Lord Krishna were addressed to Arjuna, who was a warrior by birth and profession. Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda often reminded us that we are all like Arjuna. How? Because we are all working in our respective fields of action and we are not mendicants like Upanishad students. 

Therefore, Lord Krishna addressed Arjuna: 'The wise know sannyasa to be the giving up of actions done with a desire for reward, and by the word tyaga, they mean the abandonment of the results of all actions.'

Gita reflection Ch 17 verses 27 & 28

24th November 2024

In the previous verse, it was mentioned that the word 'Sat' refers to something good that results from a ritual. 

Sincere sacrifice, self-discipline, and giving to others are also considered 'sat'. This is especially true when these acts are dedicated to God, who is pure existence - Sat. 

Lord Krishna emphasizes the importance of faith through spiritual pursuits such as the paths of action, knowledge, and devotion. 

He tells Arjuna that any sacrifices, acts of charity, or self-discipline performed without faith are considered worthless, both in this life and in the afterlife.

Gita reflection Ch 17 verses 25 & 26

23rd November 2024

The word 'Om' is a single syllable that represents the Supreme Reality, Brahman. It is essential to remember Brahman in every ritual.

The word 'Tat' means 'That'. This statement of Truth declared in the Upanishads, clarifies that Brahman is the goal to be reached, even though it may seem distant to the seeker.

After uttering the word 'Tat', acts of sacrifice, austerity, and charity are performed without concern for results by those seeking Liberation. This is because offering everything to Brahman without selfish intent alone can purify the mind.

Since all sacrifices, charities, and austerities are intended for auspicious results, the word 'Sat' follows 'Tat'. The word 'Sat' is used to indicate something coming into being and someone becoming good.

Gita reflection Ch 17 verses 23 & 24

22nd November 2024

It is said that 'to err is human' and 'to forgive is divine!' No human being is free from making mistakes in life. The purpose of human existence is to correct these mistakes and overcome the habit of living without mindfulness.

In this context, Lord Krishna teaches Arjuna that even those who follow Vedic teachings while performing rituals are likely to make mistakes. The Vedas provide ways to mitigate these mistakes.

'Om-tat-sat' is considered the threefold designation of Brahman. The Brahmanas, Vedas, and sacrifices were ordained by that in ancient times.

The invocation of Brahman is done through the utterance of 'Om' at the beginning of all rituals by the priests. These rituals also include the charity and austerity prescribed by the scriptures.

Gita reflection Ch 17 verses 21 & 22

21st November 2024

Even when one gives to charity, the attachment to the act and the donated object remains in the mind. Often, the giver expects something in return from the recipient.

Lord Krishna explains that Rajasic charity is "given with the expectation of something in return, or with a desire for a specific result, and given grudgingly or unhappily as an obligation."

The nature of Tamas, being ignorant and delusive, leads to Tamasic charity, which is "given at an improper place and time, to undeserving persons, without proper treatment, and with disdain."

Failing to consider how the charity will benefit the recipient and not showing due respect to the act of charity does not even qualify as a noble act of giving!

Gita reflection Ch 17 verses 19 & 20

20th November 2024

Austerities undertaken by a person who is Tamasic with a foolish purpose and attitude cause only pain to oneself. 

Blind belief in religious austerities and superstitions can also cause harm to others. The Puranas have many stories illustrating such unintelligent practices and their consequences.

Moving on to the next topic related to the three-fold faiths, Lord Krishna instructs Arjuna about charity. 

The gift given with the idea that it must be given at the proper place, proper time, and to a proper person, without expecting anything in return is said to be Sattvic charity.

Gita reflection Ch 17 verses 17 & 18

19th November 2024

The austerities of the body, speech, and mind are influenced by an individual's faith. The purpose of such disciplines is indeed dictated by faith. 

If the austerities are supported by Sattva, the person will be self-controlled and not hankering after the results. 

Conversely, a person of Rajasic nature performing these austerities ostentatiously will be seeking to earn a name, be honored, and be worshipped. 

Such austerities, which are not for the purification of the mind, will be uncertain and transitory. They are only for achieving worldly objectives.

Gita reflection Ch 17 verses 15 & 16

18th November 2024

For a seeker of liberation who tries to uphold the Sattvic quality in his psyche, mastery over all senses, especially speech, is imperative. 

Apart from the thoughts in the mind, speech is a drain of energy. Lord Krishna advises, 'The austerity of speech is to speak moderately, in a way that causes no pain, is true, agreeable, and beneficial, as well as the practice of studying the scriptures.'

How about the mind? It is a continuous flow of thoughts, and regulating the flow and using it efficiently for the purpose of deep contemplation is advised. 

The austerity of the mind includes tranquillity, purity of heart, gentleness, and silence. It is also necessary to practice the withdrawal of the mind often.

Gita reflection Ch 17 verses 13 & 14

17th November 2024

Men of Sattvic and Rajasic nature engage in actions with different attitudes, but they follow the rituals' guidelines. 

On the other hand, those who are Tamasic perform rituals without faith, contrary to the guidelines, without the appropriate distribution of food, without recitation of mantras, and without respectfully giving offerings to the priests.

Lord Krishna explained the choice of food and the way rituals are performed by individuals of different qualities of nature. Additionally, he explains three important austerities prescribed in Hindu scriptures.

At the physical level, the austerities involve the worship of gods, Brahmanas, respectful elders, and the wise. The austerity of the body includes purity, straightforwardness, celibacy, and non-injury.

Gita reflection Ch 17 verses 11 & 12

16th November 2024

A person of the Sattvic faith performs religious rituals under the guidance of wise people to purify the mind. 

They follow the rituals without seeking selfish results and with the conviction that it is purely obligatory. 

Their mind remains peaceful without agitation or anxiety both during and after the rituals. 

On the other hand, a person of Rajasic faith is anxious about the results when planning and performing rituals, especially when seeking recognition, until the desired result is obtained.

Gita reflection Ch 17 verses 9 & 10

15th November 2024

The main quality of Rajas is an eagerness to act and accomplish, born out of an insatiable thirst for wealth and possessions, which is also expressed in their preference for food. 

All extreme flavors are favorable to them, such as bitter, sour, salty, very hot, pungent, dry, and burning foods, which produce pain, sorrow, and disease. 

In contrast, the nature of Tamas is inactivity and laziness born of ignorance and delusion, which is expressed in their choice of food. 

They tend to consume unhealthy and inedible food that is not properly cooked, lacking in essence, putrid, stale, and even ort, which is unfit for rituals and sacrifice.

It is also true that when one consumes food that is of one of the three qualities of nature, it will enhance that quality in the psyche of the person.

Gita reflection Ch 17 verses 7 & 8

 14th November 2024

The food we consume not only affects our bodies but also influences our minds. The gross aspect influences the gross body and the subtle aspect, the mind.

Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda often reminded us that food is not just what we eat but also what we perceive through our senses. 

According to Lord Krishna, food can be classified into three types: Sattvic, Rajasic, and Tamasic since all things in the world have these qualities that emanate from Maya, the power of God.

Those who follow a Sattvic diet prefer foods that promote life, mental clarity, physical strength, good health, happiness, and joy. They also seek foods that are juicy, nourishing, substantial, and suitable for the body.

Gita reflection Ch 17 verses 5 & 6

13th November 2024

Those who faithfully follow the guidance of the wise and elders, though not studying the scriptures themselves, follow the Sattvic ways of worship. 

Others possessing Rajasic and Tamasic tendencies, given to ostentation, pride, passion, attachment, and power, undertake severe austerities that are not sanctioned by the scriptures and also by the wise. 

Their austerities, which lack proper discrimination, include torturing their own body and also the soul that represents God's presence in the body. 

The best examples of these are Hiranyakashipu, Ravana, Kamsa, and others who demonstrated demoniacal convictions through their severe austerities.

Gita reflection Ch 17 verses 3 & 4

12th November 2024

Our minds typically focus on two main channels. One channel involves our desires and pleasures, while the other is related to our faith. Most people place their faith in either God or in wealth, power, position, fame, etc. 

Faith serves as the driving force behind our enthusiastic engagement in any endeavor, despite facing temporary failures and setbacks. As Lord Krishna asserts, 'A man is what his faith is!'

When our actions fail to produce the desired results, we turn to something higher than ourselves in which we have faith, for help. Those with Sattvic qualities will worship their personal gods, while those with Rajasic qualities will seek help from deities who protect wealth.

Individuals with Tamasic tendencies, such as laziness and sleep, will seek help from evil forces that can influence situations through negative means.

Gita reflection Ch 17 verses 1 & 2

11th November 2024

Most of those who faithfully follow religious rituals are those who follow the guidance of the elders of the family or the society. They are not those who have studied the scriptures by themselves.

Arjuna asks this question to Lord Krishna: "What is the state of those who, endowed with faith, perform sacrifices, distribute wealth, etc. in honor of gods and others by ignoring the injunctions of the scriptures?"

"Ignoring" does not mean "rejection" but "not having the understanding of". Therefore, he also adds, "Such performance of rituals can be determined as sattva, rajas, or tamas?"

Lord Krishna has maintained that "faith" is more important than "action". However, even the faith is of three types according to Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas nature of the person.

Gita reflection Ch 16 verses 23 & 24

10th November 2024

The scriptures are like sculptures that depict the beauty of life. When you visit ancient Hindu temples, you can see sculptures that were chiseled many thousands of years ago, portraying the beauty of the culture of the ancient past. 

Similarly, the scriptures written in the past depict the beauty of human life and provide guidance for achieving ultimate liberation. Ignoring the guidance of the scriptures and acting according to our own passions will not lead us to limitless happiness.

What is the guidance provided by the scriptures? Just as you use GPS to navigate to your destination, the scriptures guide us on what should be done and what should be avoided.

Lord Krishna instructs Arjuna: 'Therefore, understand the guidance of the scriptures and perform your duty to succeed in your endeavor!'

Gita reflection Ch 16 verses 21 & 22

9th November 2024

What is hell? Is it a place of suffering that a soul reaches after leaving this body? Most religious scriptures and the Puranas of Hinduism describe hell as another world of experience.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna makes a profound statement: "This door of hell, which is the destroyer of the soul, is of three kinds: passion, anger, and greed."

Desire or passion causes anger, and it is the same that creates greed. Every seeker of liberation should take care of these three. 

The one who is free of these alone will start to pay attention to the wellness of the soul. Eventually, he obtains the highest human goal - liberation!

Gita reflection Ch 16 verses 19 & 20

8th November 2024

No religious text is complete without stating the consequences of immoral, unethical, evil actions and behavior.  Very often such statements make the followers think twice before undertaking deceitful ways of accumulating wealth

Lord Krishna also reminds us that, 'all those hateful, cruel, evil-doers who are the vilest of human beings, will be destined to live among the most demoniacal classes in dark worlds.'

This is not just only in the immediate next birth, but for many lives, those fools suffer as demons or as species of the lowest nature.

In those births, they will have no scope for liberation or realization of God, and they spiral down further forever.

Gita reflection Ch 16 verses 17 & 18

7th November 2024

No true success is achieved by chance. Accomplishments are always by performing the actions diligently, and by following the proven methods. This is all the more important in Vedic rituals.

People of demoniac nature, deluded by their overpowering demand for pleasures do not follow the required procedures while performing rituals. They resort to ego, power, arrogance, passion and anger.

The ritualists of this kind disregard another important aspect of ritual. The result of a ritual is obtained not merely by following the procedure. The reverential attitude toward the Lord who bestows the results is also important.

When one disregards the presence of the Lord within oneself and in others, one grows envious and becomes fit only for hell despite performing the prescribed rituals!

Gita reflection Ch 16 verses 15 & 16

6th November 2024

In some religions, wealth is seen as evil, but in Sanatana Dharma, wealth is not portrayed this way. In fact, Goddess Lakshmi is portrayed as the bestower of wealth. 

Wealth is considered a blessing, but it is important to understand that it is meant to be shared with others.

Conversely, if someone becomes arrogant by hoarding wealth and does not help others, it is considered demoniac behavior. 

Due to a lack of proper discrimination, such people may engage in ostentatious rituals only to gain more wealth for personal pleasure.

Gurudev Swami Chinmayanandaji pointed out that filth and disease are unavoidable when water is stored for a long time. Water is life only when it constantly flows. 

Similarly, wealth only serves its purpose when used to help those in need. If wealth is accumulated without being shared, it becomes a source of mental delusion and ultimately leads one to hell and suffering.

Gita reflection Ch 16 verses 13 & 14

5th November 2024

The life of a person with a demonic nature is filled with anxiety and uncertainty. Their mind is solely occupied with acquiring and magnifying what they desire. 

Lord Krishna explains: "They only think about what they have gained and keep themselves busy with acquiring their desired objects. Seeking the support and security of wealth is their top priority." 

They perceive anyone who obstructs their goals as an enemy, and they do not hesitate to eliminate them. 

Full of self-conceit and pride, they believe they are the masters of every situation and are here solely to enjoy whatever they possess.

Gita reflection Ch 16 verses 11 & 12

4th November 2024

When we consider the qualities of a demoniac person, it seems like a large portion of the human population could fall into this category. 

Lord Krishna says: "They prioritize material possessions as the ultimate goal in life, and are burdened with countless worries that last until death."

When people don't recognize liberation as the highest aim in life, often due to a lack of exposure to spiritual knowledge from scriptures or a Guru, they tend to imitate those who pursue immediate pleasures and temporary happiness.

Lord Krishna further explains, "To enjoy these objects, they accumulate wealth through dishonesty and deceit. They are tied down by their desires and are easily swayed by passion and anger."

Gita reflection Ch 16 verses 9 & 10

3rd November 2024

The demoniac nature of such individuals not only ruins them but becomes a great danger to the world. 

Due to a lack of fear and respect for God and His laws, they will engage in harmful actions that will ruin the enviornment, nature, and fellow beings. This we vividly see in those who believe only in science and rationality.

They will surely lack self-control and discipline due to disbelief in the law of karma. They will be driven only by insatiable passion and lust.

They remain deluded by their narrow-minded selfish intentions in their actions, filled with vanity, pride, and arrogance.

Gita reflection Ch 16 verses 7 & 8

2nd November 2024

What sets apart a person of divine nature from one of demoniac nature? It is the clarity of understanding and discrimination.

It is said that Duryodhana, the Kaurva prince, once admitted: "I know what is right, but I cannot do it; I also know what is wrong, but I cannot stop doing it!"

Knowing what needs to be done is not enough; it should become natural and effortless. People of demoniac nature also lack purity, good conduct, and truthfulness.

The reason for their continued devilish behavior is attributed to their strong conviction that the world is without God and has no basis. Accordingly, they believe the world is a product of mutual attractions and passions.

Gita reflection Ch 16 verses 5 & 6

1st November 2024

Lord Krishna explains that divine nature leads to liberation, while demoniacal nature leads to inevitable bondage. 

True liberation is inherent and cannot be gained from anyone or at any specific point in time or space. Therefore, divine qualities should be cultivated to reveal the awareness of liberation. 

On the other hand, remaining in demoniacal nature deprives us of liberation, akin to locking ourselves in a room and throwing away the key, expecting someone else to release us. 

Lord Krishna encourages Arjuna by stating that he is destined to have a divine nature from birth. No one is created with an evil nature, but there are two kinds of beings in this world: the divine and the demoniacal.