Krishna Loves You: Add to your list of divine qualities

Hare Krishna!

Energy that is normally wasted through relentless contact with sense objects is conserved when we control our sense organs.

|| जय श्री कृष्ण ||
॥ श्रीमद्‍भगवद्‍गीता ॥ 16.3॥


_तेजः क्षमा धृतिः शौचमद्रोहोनातिमानिता ।_
_भवन्ति सम्पदं दैवीमभिजातस्य भारत॥_


भावार्थ :


ईश्वरीय तेज का होना, अपराधों के लिये माफ कर देने का भाव (क्षमा), किसी भी परिस्थिति में विचलित न होने का भाव (धैर्य), मन और शरीर से शुद्ध रहने का भाव (पवित्रता), किसी से भी ईर्ष्या न करने का भाव और सम्मान न पाने का भाव यह सभी तो दैवीय स्वभाव (गुण) को लेकर उत्पन्न होने वाले मनुष्य के लक्षण हैं। (३)

Meaning:



Radiance, forgiveness, fortitude, purity, lack of enmity, lack of arrogance, these are found in one who has obtained divine qualities, O Bhaarata.

Explanation:

Shri Krishna adds more entries into the list of divine qualities. Tejaha refers to brilliance that comes to dedicated seekers. Energy that is normally wasted through relentless contact with sense objects is conserved when we control our sense organs. Tapaha, conservation of energy, results in tejaha. Even if we control our food cravings for a short period of time, we will feel an influx of additional energy that will radiate out of our body.



A long term vow of never to get angry in the first place is termed kshamaa, which means forgiveness. If we feel someone has hurt us in any way, we want to punish him in the future. But when we forgive someone on the spot, we do not leave room for grudges to accumulate in our mind, cutting the very root of this attitude of punishment. The way to do this is to not expect any joy or sorrow from anyone or anything.



Next, we come across dhritihi which means fortitude. There will be situations in our life when our mind, body and senses will reach their breaking point. We will begin to say - I cannot take it anymore. The ability to keep holding on to our goal in the face of such fatigue is called dhritihi. It can only come out of training our mind to follow the direction of the intellect. This topic is covered in great detail in the eighteenth chapter.



Shaucham refers purity and cleanliness. External cleanliness, which means keeping our body, our surrounding and our environment clean is a given. But shaucham also refers to internal purity, which refers to keeping our mind and intellect free of likes, dislikes and attachments. Getting rid of the most stubborn dirt of the mind, ignorance of our true nature, is the highest act of cleaning we can perform.



The next quality Shri Krishna mentions is that of adroha. Here, we do not have any notion of hatred or enmity towards anyone. Droha actually means betrayal. It is the feeling of revenge we harbour against someone who we believe has wronged us, has betrayed us. Adroha means not to harbour such feelings. When one’s goal is the supreme, they will never stoop to harbour feelings of revenge against anyone.



Maanitaa refers to the notion of always demanding respect from our peers. Atimaanitaa refers to extreme arrogance, of always demanding respect from our superiors. It comes from an inflated sense of self worth, by giving emphasis to our individuality. Naatimaanita is the opposite of atimaanitaa. As our sense of individuality merges into Ishvara through constant spiritual practice, qualities that are associated with an exaggerated ego or self worth automatically correct themselves.



Shri Krishna concludes the list of divine qualities in this shloka. Very few people are born with all these qualities. So even if we focus on cultivating a handful of these qualities within ourselves, we would have made a good start.

Chant the mantra you have faith in

HARE KRISHNA

Krishna Loves You: Truth should also be communicated thoughtfully

HARE KRISHNA!

अग्रणी व्यवहार शोधकर्ताओं ने हमें बताया है कि जितना हम सोचते हैं उसका सत्तर प्रतिशत हिस्सा नकारात्मक, काउंटर उत्पादक और हमारे खिलाफ काम करता है। हरे कृष्ण जप से मदद मिलती है। कृपया इसे आजमाएँ

 

|| जय श्री कृष्ण ||

॥ श्रीमद्‍भगवद्‍गीता ॥ 16.2॥

_अहिंसा सत्यमक्रोधस्त्यागः शान्तिरपैशुनम्‌ ।_
_दया भूतेष्वलोलुप्त्वं मार्दवं ह्रीरचापलम् ॥_

भावार्थ :

किसी को भी कष्ट नहीं पहुँचाने का भाव (अहिंसा), मन और वाणी से एक होने का भाव (सत्यता), गुस्सा रोकने का भाव (क्रोधविहीनता), कर्तापन का अभाव (त्याग), मन की चंचलता को रोकने का भाव (शान्ति), किसी की भी निन्दा न करने का भाव (छिद्रान्वेषण), समस्त प्राणीयों के प्रति करुणा का भाव (दया), लोभ से मुक्त रहने का भाव (लोभविहीनता), इन्द्रियों का विषयों के साथ संयोग होने पर भी उनमें आसक्त न होने का भाव (अनासक्ति), मद का अभाव (कोमलता), गलत कार्य हो जाने पर लज्जा का भाव और असफलता पर विचलित न होने का भाव (दृड़-संकल्प)। (२)

Meaning:

Non-violence, truthfulness, absence of anger, renunciation, tranquility, absence of slander, compassion towards all beings, lack of covetousness, gentleness, modesty, lack of fickleness.

Explanation:

Twelve additional divine qualities are listed in this shloka. Ahimsaa refers to non-violence, harmlessness, to not injure anyone intentionally or unintentionally. Harm to others need not be caused by weapons all the time. Most likely, we cause the most harm to others through action and speech. Any time we harbour dvesha or resentment towards someone else, we not only cause harm to our mind but also create a barrier to access Ishvara within.

Next comes satyam or truthfulness. The Mundaka Upanishad says “satyam eva jayati”, truth alone prevails, which is also found on the seal of the Indian government. Speaking the truth is considered the highest dharma. But truth should also be communicated thoughtfully. It should be priyam or dear, not a harsh sounding truth. It should be hitam, which means it should benefit the other person. It should also be nitam, brief, short and sweet.

Akrodhaha refers to absence of anger or rage in particularly challenging situations. If someone instigates us, for example honking a horn at the traffic signal, it is difficult not to get upset. We have to learn how to keep an anger in check, especially when we know that it is our natural tendency to get upset whenever a tough situation comes up. This does not meet that we remain meek. It means that we can keep our cool while demonstrating our anger to get a certain objective done, just like a snake can hiss without actually biting anyone.

Tyaagaha refers to renunciation, it means to give up. In daanam or charity, we donate our possessions to someone else. In tyaaga, we just give up our possessions. For instance, food can be given up to someone, this is daanam. But the notion that I won’t eat food, this is tyaaga. At the highest level, we need to renounce our sense of I, our individuality. This is because all possessions, everything that we term as mine, are nothing but upaadhis or conditionings. The fewer conditionings that we identify with, the lesser will be our individuality. So we give up the sense of mine in daanam, but we give up our sense of I in tyaaga.

The next divine quality is that of shaantihi which means tranquility or calmness. This refers to the quietening of our antahakarana, of the mind, body and intellect. Even a tiny little thought of like and dislike can agitate our antahakarana, just like a speck of dust can agitate our eyes. So just as we are careful to not let anything enter our eyes, we should train ourselves to keep our antahakarana calm. Without calmness, progress on the spiritual path is not possible.

Apaishunam refers to the absence of slander, to not find faults in others, to not gossip about others. A simple policy to follow is to not agitate others, and to not be agitated by others. Unfortunately, many of us can agitate others without even knowing it. A seemingly harmless statement that we make about someone can balloon out of proportion and cause extreme distress to that person. It is usually best to not indulge in gossip.

Next we come across dayaa bhuteshu, which means compassion for all beings. It is the ability to relate to others when they are suffering. By being compassionate towards others, we acknowledge the unity of our self, of our I with someone else’s I. It does not mean we have to shed tears each time we encounter someone with sorrow. It means that we can put ourselves in someone else’s shoes and see their point of view.

Aloluptvam is the ability to check our sense organs when they are near their favourite objects. Damaha, the ability to control our sense organs, is directly related to this quality. Let’s say we have decided not to each chocolates today. This vow will be tested if someone leaves a giant box of chocolates on our desk. The power of the sense organs is so strong that we will realize that we have consumed chocolates only after the fact. So the ability to prevent triggers from breaking our self control is called aloluptvam.

Maardavam means mridutaa or gentleness. It is the opposite of harshness. It is a measure of how soft, how tender one’s heart it. This is why children approach their mothers for requests rather than their fathers. Hreehi refers to modesty, the ability to discern between acceptable versus unacceptable behavior, between what is right and what is wrong. Finally, achapalataa is absence of fickleness. Many of us lack the ability to sit still. Our hands and legs are always moving or twitching. Or, we tend to speak when not needed, or let our eyes wander all over. All these are signs that we are not in control of our actions

Chant the mantra you have faith in
Hare Krishna!

Shri Krishna Speaks: The first divine quality is abhayam or fearlessness

Hare Krishna!
This chapter is one of the more practical chapters in the Gita, and picks up on a statement made in the ninth chapter where three types of people - divine, devilish and evil.

|| जय श्री कृष्ण ||
॥ श्रीमद्‍भगवद्‍गीता ॥ 16.1॥

_श्रीभगवानुवाच_
_अभयं सत्त्वसंशुद्धिर्ज्ञानयोगव्यवस्थितिः ।_
_दानं दमश्च यज्ञश्च स्वाध्यायस्तप आर्जवम् ॥_

भावार्थ :
श्री भगवान ने कहा - हे भरतवंशी अर्जुन! परमात्मा पर पूर्ण विश्वास करने का भाव (निर्भयता), अन्त:करण की शुद्धता का भाव (आत्मशुद्धि), परमात्मा की प्राप्ति के ज्ञान में दृड़ स्थित भाव (ज्ञान-योग), समर्पण का भाव (दान), इन्द्रियों को संयमित रखने का भाव (आत्म-संयम), नियत-कर्म करने का भाव (यज्ञ-परायणता), स्वयं को जानने का भाव (स्वाध्याय), परमात्मा प्राप्ति का भाव (तपस्या) और सत्य को न छिपाने का भाव (सरलता)। (१)

Meaning:Shree Bhagavaan said:Fearlessness, purity of mind, steadfastness in the yoga of knowledge, charity, self control, worship, self study, penance and straightforwardness.

Explanation:

Some commentators believe that the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth chapters of the Gita are used to clarify points that were hinted at in the prior chapters, almost like an appendix. This chapter is one of the more practical chapters in the Gita, and picks up on a statement made in the ninth chapter where three types of people - divine, devilish and evil. It describes two sets of qualities, divine and devilish, so that we can do an assessment of where we stand, to understand which qualities to tone down and which qualities to emphasize.

Shri Krishna says that the first divine quality is abhayam or fearlessness. Once we realize that the universe is a play of Ishvara’s Prakriti, and our role in it is to exhaust or desires, we automatically develop fearlessness. We are even able to be fearless of death, the greatest fear, because we have understood that death applies to the body, not to the self. Another source of fear is loss or harm caused to our property and our relationships. If we remove the label of mine from everything, and recognize that everything is Ishvara’s, fear automatically goes away.

The next quality is sattva samshuddhi, purity of mind. Sattva here refers to the antahakarana, the mind and the senses, because they are created from the sattva aspect of Prakriti. The foremost indication of a pure mind is the absence of any thought of cheating someone else, or cheating oneself. Even if we know that someone has done something wrong, we should tactfully deal with the situation, without putting them on the spot, or by making fun of them.

Let’s now look at what is meant by jnyaanam or knowledge. True knowledge is knowledge of our own self, the answer to the question who am I. This knowledge is passed on from teacher to student through detailed study and analysis of the scriptures. Also, yoga refers to any process that connect us to something higher. So then, the third quality of jnyaana yoga avasthithi refers to the process of internalizing this knowledge by withdrawing the sense organs and mind from the play of the world, and constantly abiding in this knowledge.

We have seen how the notion that something is mine or something is my property can become a hinderance in the spiritual journey. An easy way to counter this notion of mine-ness is to engage in daanam or charity, the fourth quality. Whenever we feel that our pride in our possessions is increasing, we should examine where it is coming from, and weed out the source of our pride though charity. However, charity cannot be performed haphazardly. We have to put a lot of thought into what we are giving, how we are giving, when we are giving and so on. This is covered in great detail in the seventeenth chapter.

Another obstacle in the spiritual journey is the importance we give to our sense organs. They are kept in check by the fifth quality which is damaha or sense control. The natural tendency of the sense organs is to demand objects that are pleasant to them, but probably not beneficial to our personality as a whole. The tongue wants unhealthy foods, for instance. But it is important to note that like anything else, moderation is prescribed rather than complete denial, which has its own problems.

The sixth divine quality is that of yajnya, a topic that was covered elaborately in the fourth chapter. Essentially, it means that our dealings with the world should be performed thoughtfully. We owe our daily existence to our teachers, our deities, our environment, our ancestors, our fellow human beings and to nature. The payoff of these debts gave rise to the five types of yajnyas that are prescribed in the scriptures. The culmination of the spirit of yajnya is the giving up of our sense of I, our identity, to Ishvara.

For most children, and even for adults, studying is a boring and dreadful exercise, something to be dispensed off quickly. But Shri Krishna says that studying of the Gita, the Vedas, the Puraanas, any spiritual text, is an essential quality of the seeker. The emphasis is on the word self, which has two implications. We should be forced to study by someone else. The inspiration should come from within. Also, we should perform introspection, and not use the teaching to analyze and improve other people.

Tapaha or penance and austerity is the eighth divine quality. Austerity is not to be taken literally where one retires into the jungle and shuns all worldly duties. It refers to the fulfilling of one’s duties while staying firm in the face of any obstacles, and by not wasting time and energy at the level of body, mind or intellect. Doing so requires patience and tact, but the payoff is the buildup of a reservoir of energy that can be channelized for spiritual pursuits. Further details on the various types of tapaha are found in the seventeenth chapter.

The ninth divine quality is aarjavam or straightforwardness. It refers to those who mean what they say and say what they mean. Their actions, speech and thought are aligned. There is no hint of crookedness or deceit in their dealings. It should be construed as being overly simple in a negative sense. Whenever we notice that we have strayed from this quality, it usually means that selfishness has entered into our system, and we need to correct it.

Chant the mantra you have faith in 

Hare Krishna!

Shri Krishna Speaks: The relationship between me, the world and God

Hare Krishna
The only way to rid ourselves of this endless cycle of desire and action is to cut the tree using the weapon of dispassion

|| जय श्री कृष्ण ||

॥ श्रीमद्‍भगवद्‍गीता ॥ अध्याय: १५ सारांश॥



_ॐ तत्सदिति श्रीमद्भगवद्गीतासूपनिषत्सु ब्रह्मविद्यायां योगशास्त्रे श्रीकृष्णार्जुन संवादे पुरुषोत्तमयोगो नाम पञ्चदशोऽध्यायः॥_

भावार्थ :
इस प्रकार उपनिषद, ब्रह्मविद्या तथा योगशास्त्र रूप श्रीमद् भगवद् गीता के श्रीकृष्ण-अर्जुन संवाद में पुरुषोत्तम-योग नाम का पंद्रहवाँ अध्याय संपूर्ण हुआ ॥

॥ हरि: ॐ तत् सत् ॥

Summary of Bhagvad Gita Chapter 15:

The fifteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is unique in several respects. It is the shortest, with only twenty shlokas. On the other hand, it summarizes the entire essence of not just the Gita but also all the Vedas in those twenty shlokas. Specifically, it covers four topics that are at the essence of any spiritual scripture: what is the world, who am I, what is God or what transcends the world and me, and what is the relationship between me, the world and God.


The chapter first addresses the nature of the world. Our existence in this world is illustrated using an upside down tree, similar to a family tree. The root of this tree is Ishvara wielding the power of Prakriti, the saguna brahman, the eternal essence with attributes. Samsaara, our existence on this world, is the outward growth of this tree. This growth is fueled by sense objects which are in the form of sprouts or buds. Each sense object generates desires, which generates actions, which bind us to the branches of the tree.


The only way to rid ourselves of this endless cycle of desire and action is to cut the tree using the weapon of dispassion. The best way to cultivate dispassion is to go straight to the source of the tree, to take refuge in Ishvara. A seeker who wants to do so needs a list of qualifications such as freedom from pride and delusion. Only then will the seeker reach the abode of Ishvara, which is the state of self realization and liberation.


Next, the chapter addresses the state of the jeeva, the individual soul, the “I”. From an absolute standpoint, there is one eternal essence, one consciousness, one self, one "I". But just like space seems like it is divided into many through walls, this eternal essence is as though divided into multiple "I"’s through apparent limitations or upaadhis.


By attaching itself to upaadhis of the mind and the sense organs, an illusory self is created that imagines itself to be the jeeva, the individual soul. It takes up a new human body to exhaust the desires in its mind, but unfortunately picks up new desires and takes up yet another human body once the old one ceases to function. Only those individuals who have the eye of wisdom, who have assimilated the teaching of the scriptures after purifying themselves with karma and bhakti yoga, recognize the non-divided nature of the self. All others are living in delusion.


The third topic, the nature of God or Ishvara, is taken up next. We learn that Ishvara is not some remote figure, but pervades every aspect of the universe. Ishvara provides awareness or the faculty to know. He provides energy through the sun, the moon and fire. This energy is circulated throughout the universe in the form of Soma or nectar, and also used for medicinal purposes. Metabolism, the faculty to extract energy from this food in the form of Soma, is manifested through Ishvara as the Vaishvaanara fire. Ultimately, all memory and knowledge is possible through Ishvara who is resides in the hearts (intellect) of everyone.


The fourth topic deals with relationship between the individual, the world, and God. If we trace the energy source of a tiny mango sapling, and of a 100 megawatt solar power plant, we reach the same source - the sun. Similarly, if we mentally remove the apparent limitations, the upaadhis, the names and forms behind the individual, the world and of Ishvara, we find the foremost person, the Purushottama, the pure unadulterated eternal essence. It is beyond the perishable visible world and the imperishable seed of the visible world which is Prakriti.


In other words, we learn that the "I" in us is the "I" in everyone, the self of all.

Hare Krishna
Chant the mantra you have faith in

Shri Krishna Speaks: Arundhati Nyaaya

Here the teacher first points to a tree, then to one of its branches, then to one of its leaves, and then to the star that is right next to the tree.

जय श्री कृष्ण
श्रीमद्‍भगवद्‍गीता - 15. 20

_इति गुह्यतमं शास्त्रमिदमुक्तं मयानघ ।_
_एतद्‍बुद्ध्वा बुद्धिमान्स्यात्कृतकृत्यश्च भारत॥_

भावार्थ:
हे निष्पाप अर्जुन! इस प्रकार यह शास्त्रों का अति गोपनीय रहस्य मेरे द्वारा कहा गया है, हे भरतवंशी जो मनुष्य इस परम-ज्ञान को इसी प्रकार से समझता है वह बुद्धिमान हो जाता है और उसके सभी प्रयत्न पूर्ण हो जाते हैं। (२०)

Meaning:
Thus, this foremost secret has been taught to you by me, O sinless one. Having known this, one becomes wise and accomplishes all his duties, O Bhaarata.

Explanation:

When you ask the question - can you stop working right now and retire, you get a couple of answers. Some people say that they have still so many desires, so many plans to fulfill, that’s why they cannot retire. Other people say that they still have so much to learn from the world, so much knowledge to acquire. Shri Krishna concludes this chapter by asserting that one who has truly understood the teaching of this chapter has accomplished whatever anyone can accomplish in this world, plus he has also known whatever can be known in this world.


Why does he say that whatever has to be known has been covered in this chapter? The highest knowledge to be known in this world is the understanding of three topics. What is the nature of the individual soul (who am I), what is this world and where did it come from, and what is beyond this world (is there a God). Any text that conclusively answers these three questions is termed a shaastra, a science. The fifteenth chapter of the Gita does so, and hence it is worthy of being termed a shaastra.

The method used to reveal Purushottama, the pure eternal essence, is to gradually move from the tangible to the intangible, from the visible to the subtle, from the visible universe to the invisible Prakriti to Purushottama who is beyond both. This method is known as Arundhati nyaaya, the technique of revealing the location of the star known as Arundhati. Here the teacher first points to a tree, then to one of its branches, then to one of its leaves, and then to the star that is right next to the tree. Without doing this step by step revelation, it would not have been possible to reveal the position of the star.


So then, the teaching of this chapter is called the foremost secret. It is secret because such knowledge is not accessible to any of these sense organs. It has to be revealed through a teacher who has had direct experience of the eternal essence. Furthermore, it has to be taught to a student who is straightforward and without sin like Arjuna. Shri Shankaraachaarya goes so far as to say that this chapter summarizes the teachings of all of the Vedic scriptures.

Chant The mantra you have faith in

Shri Krishna Speaks: The grand message of the Bhagavad Gita

So then, no matter the viewpoint, whatever angle, whatever pursuit he will undertake after this knowledge, it will be in worship of this Purushottama. This is the grand message of the Bhagavad Gita

जय श्री कृष्ण

श्रीमद्‍भगवद्‍गीता - 15.19

_यो मामेवमसम्मूढो जानाति पुरुषोत्तमम्‌ ।_

_स सर्वविद्भजति मां सर्वभावेन भारत_

भावार्थ : 

हे भरतवंशी अर्जुन! जो मनुष्य इस प्रकार मुझको संशय-रहित होकर भगवान रूप से जानता है, वह मनुष्य मुझे ही सब कुछ जानकर सभी प्रकार से मेरी ही भक्ति करता है। (१९)

Meaning:

One who knows me in this manner, without delusion, knows me as the foremost person, he, knowing all, worships me from all viewpoints, O Bhaarata.

Explanation:

It is said that once a traveling circus came to a village with a most unique attraction known as the tent of mirrors. Anyone who entered it would see a whole army of their own selves due to the mirrors reflecting back and forth indefinitely. A dog entered this tent, saw an infinite number of dogs that looked like him, was afraid, and started barking in fear. A passerby went in to see what was going on. Now when he saw himself in those infinite reflections, he thought to himself - I see myself everywhere, how nice this is!

Shri Krishna says that when we see our "I" as no different from anyone or anything else when we do not pay attention to the name and form but to the self or aatmaa that is the basis of all name and form, that is the correct way of knowing Purushottama, the foremost person. Any other way of conceptualizing Purushottama or the eternal essence will involve some degree of delusion, some trace of name and form involvement. Worship of Ishvara as a deity with name and form is an essential step in the direction of realizing the Purushottama who is beyond all name and form.

When one reaches this conclusion of one’s spiritual journey, there is nothing else left to be known in this world. Such a person becomes sarvavit, all-knowing. He will develop sarvaatma bhaava, he will see himself in everything and everyone. So then, no matter the viewpoint, whatever angle, whatever pursuit he will undertake after this knowledge, it will be in worship of this Purushottama. This is the grand message of the Bhagavad Gita.

Chant The mantra you have faith in

Shri Krishna Speaks: I am well known as the foremost person

जय श्री कृष्ण

श्रीमद्‍भगवद्‍गीता - 15.18

  

Some schools of thought assert that the Purushottama is only the intelligent cause and not the material cause

_यस्मात्क्षरमतीतोऽहमक्षरादपि चोत्तमः ।_

_अतोऽस्मि लोके वेदे च प्रथितः पुरुषोत्तमः ॥_

भावार्थ : 

क्योंकि मैं ही क्षर और अक्षर दोनों से परे स्थित सर्वोत्तम हूँ, इसलिये इसलिए संसार में तथा वेदों में पुरुषोत्तम रूप में विख्यात हूँ। (१८)

Meaning:

For, I transcend the perishable and also am superior to the imperishable. Therefore, in the world and in the Vedas, I am well known as the foremost person.

Explanation:

Now, Shri Krishna reveals his true identity as Purushottama, the uttama Purusha, the foremost person, which is a poetic means of referring to the eternal essence, the pure brahman without any limitations. The root of the sanskrit word "uttama" is "ut" or high. This means that there is nothing higher than Purushottama. The imperishable, also known as Prakriti or Maaya, could be considered superior to the perishable world, because Prakriti is the cause and the world is its effect. Any cause is superior than its effect, just like the parents are superior to their children. Since Prakriti exists only as an adhyaasa, a projection on Purushottama, he is greater than anything else.

Let us also look at the significance of Purushottama by going deeper into what is meant by cause and effect. According to Vedanta, there are two types of causes. The material cause is the substance which makes the effect. A clay pot is made of clay, so its material cause, its upaadaana kaarana, is clay. But the pot did not make itself. There was an intelligence in the form of a potter that created the clay pot. This is the second type of cause is the nimitta kaarana, known as the intelligent or efficient cause.

Some schools of thought assert that the Purushottama is only the intelligent cause and not the material cause. He is like the potter who is distinct and separate than his creation. But in the Advaita school, the Purushottama is not only considered the intelligence behind creation, he is also the raw material behind the creation. The Mundaka Upanishad compares Purushottama to the spider who weaves the web from within himself, and eventually, pulls back the web into himself.

We should again not forget that this uttama Purusha, this foremost person, is nothing but our own self, our "I". In fact, uttama Purusha in Sanskrit grammatically means the first person, the "I". He is beyond the perishable tree of samsaara, and also beyond the seed of this tree in the form of Prakriti. What is the result of knowing this uttama Purusha? We will see in the next shloka.

Chant the mantra you have faith in

Shri Krishna Speaks: Eternal Essence

|| जय श्री कृष्ण ||

॥ श्रीमद्‍भगवद्‍गीता ॥ 15.17॥

_उत्तमः पुरुषस्त्वन्यः परमात्मेत्युदाहृतः ।_

_यो लोकत्रयमाविश्य बिभर्त्यव्यय ईश्वरः ॥_

भावार्थ: 

परन्तु इन दोनों के अतिरिक्त एक श्रेष्ठ पुरुष है जिसे परमात्मा कहा जाता है, वह अविनाशी भगवान तीनों लोकों में प्रवेश करके सभी प्राणीयों का भरण-पोषण करता है। (१७)

Meaning:

But distinct is that foremost person, spoken of as the supreme self, the imperishable lord, who enters and sustains the three worlds.

Explanation:

As we saw earlier, a single video game program can create an infinite variety of complex worlds in the computer. Let us now pose the question - what is the core, what is the essence of these complex worlds? What is the purest state of these worlds? We need to peel the layers of an onion, as it were. The worlds are not real, they are created by a computer program. A computer program is not real, it is a series of instructions in a computer’s memory. The instructions are not real, they are modifications of electricity. Ultimately, it is electricity that is creating and sustaining all of the worlds we see in a computer game.

 

Now, what if we pose the question - what is at the core of this world? If we get rid of all the limitations, what the purest state of this world? What is the purest state of our existence? The visible world is not real, because it is created by a play of the gunaas of Prakriti, and is perishable. Prakriti or Maaya is not real, though it is relatively imperishable, because it can be destroyed upon removal of our ignorance. What remains, is the eternal essence on which Maaya projects all its limitations or upaadhis.

 

Similarly, if we mentally remove our upaadhis or limitations, it will go something like this. Our body is a play of the gunaas, it is not real. Beyond the body are the senses and the mind, and they are comprised of gunaas and therefore not real. Beyond the senses and mind lies the eternal essence, untainted by Prakriti, which is the purest form of our “I”. In other words, when we remove all of our upaadhis or limitations, we come to the same eternal essence that is reached when we remove the upaadhis of the visible world.

 

We had seen the identity of our “I” with the eternal essence, of aatman with brahman, in the thirteenth chapter as well. That very same eternal essence, the purest brahman or shuddha brahman is referred to as the imperishable lord in this shloka by Shri Krishna. The three worlds here refer to either heaven, earth and hell, or even our waking, dreaming and sleeping states. The eternal essence enters and sustains all of them, but it is not some remote entity. It is the supreme self, the “I” residing within everyone.

Chant The mantra you have faith in 

Shri Krishna Speaks: I digest the four types of food

समस्त देशवासियों को74 वें स्वतंत्रता दिवस कीबहुत-बहुत बधाई एवं शुभकामनाएं

Residing in the bodies of all beings, I become Vaishvaanara. In conjunction with Praana and Apaana, I digest the four types of food.

जय श्री कृष्ण

॥ श्रीमद्‍भगवद्‍गीता ॥ 15.14॥

_अहं वैश्वानरो भूत्वा प्राणिनां देहमाश्रितः ।_
_प्राणापानसमायुक्तः पचाम्यन्नं चतुर्विधम्॥_

भावार्थ :

मैं ही पाचन-अग्नि के रूप में समस्त जीवों के शरीर में स्थित रहता हूँ, मैं ही प्राण वायु और अपान वायु को संतुलित रखते हुए चार प्रकार के (चबाने वाले, पीने वाले, चाटने वाले और चूसने वाले) अन्नों को पचाता हूँ। (१४)

Meaning:

Residing in the bodies of all beings, I become Vaishvaanara. In conjunction with Praana and Apaana, I digest the four types of food.

Explanation:

Previously, we saw how Ishvara sustained and nourished all beings on this earth by providing them with nutrition in the form of plant life and vegetation. The energy stored in this food has to be absorbed and assimilated into all living beings. How does that happen? Shri Krishna says that Ishvara manifests himself as Vaishvaanara, the fire inside all living beings which represents the process of metabolism.

It is a wonder that we are able to eat such a large variety of food, and yet derive enough energy to keep our bodies running throughout our lives, all due to the functioning of the Vaishvaanara fire. It is supported by two vayus or forces known as the Praana and the Apaana vayus. The Praana vayu brings food towards the digestive organs. Vaishvaanara is the process of digestion and metabolism. The Apaana vayu pushes non-essential portions of the food out into the world.

We also come across the four types of food that are referenced in scriptures. These are : food that can be chewed such as rice, food that can be sucked such as mango nectar, food that can be drunk such as fruit juices, and food that can be licked such as pickles. The Vaishvaanara fire can convert all these types of food into energy for the body.

So we see that production, distribution and ultimate consumption of energy that happens in us, and happens in any other living being, is nothing but Ishvara. Ishvara is the producer, distributor and consumer. Remembering this topic is a great way to reduce our ego and see our oneness with the world. Many people in India, in fact, chant the 15th chapter before their meals in order to pray for good digestion.

Chant The mantra you have faith in

Shri Krishna Speaks: Connection With The World Around Us

Shri Krishna Speaks: Connection 

With The World Around Us

That splendour which resides in the sun and illumines the entire world, that which is in the moon and in the fire, know that splendour to be mine

|| जय श्री कृष्ण ||

॥ श्रीमद्‍भगवद्‍गीता ॥ 15.12॥

_यदादित्यगतं तेजो जगद्भासयतेऽखिलम्‌ ।_
_यच्चन्द्रमसि यच्चाग्नौ तत्तेजो विद्धि मामकम्॥_

भावार्थ :

हे अर्जुन! जो प्रकाश सूर्य में स्थित है जिससे समस्त संसार प्रकाशित होता है, जो प्रकाश चन्द्रमा में स्थित है और जो प्रकाश अग्नि में स्थित है, उस प्रकाश को तू मुझसे ही उत्पन्न समझ। (१२)

Meaning:

That splendour which resides in the sun and illumines the entire world, that which is in the moon and in fire, know that splendour to be mine.

Explanation:

So far we learned about the nature of the individual soul, the jeeva. But if that is all we focus on, we will have incomplete knowledge about our true nature. When we look around us, we see the world in all its beautiful yet complex glory. We need to investigate into the true nature of the world, and realize our identity and connection with that as well. With this view in mind, Shri Krishna now begins to explain his connection with the world around us.

He starts this topic by asserting that the splendour of the sun, the moon, and of fire is possible only because of Ishvara's splendour. We have tremendous awe for the sun's energy, without which life on this earth will not be possible. Shri Krishna says that the sun’s splendour is not its own. It comes from the splendour of Ishvara. Symbolically, the sun represents the organs of perception such as the eyes, ears, nose and so on. Therefore, whenever any sentient being in this world, from a single celled amoeba to a human being becomes aware of something, that awareness, that consciousness, is the power of Ishvara at work.

So whenever we see awareness manifest itself in any organism, we should remind ourselves that the one Ishvara giving awareness to us is the same Ishvara giving awareness to the organisms in the world. In this manner, we can realize the identity of our nature with the world through the common link of awareness.

Furthermore, both the moon and fire derive their energy and splendour from the sun. The moon reflects the light of the sun. Fire also is the manifestation of the sun's energy on a much smaller scale. Therefore, energy in any form, whether it is dazzling like the sun, cooling like the moon, or warm like fire, is nothing but Ishvara’s energy. How does this energy manifest itself in the world? Shri Krishna explains that in the next shloka.

Chant| The mantra you have faith in ||

Shri Krishna Speaks: Purifying the mind

Shri Krishna Speaks: Purifying the mind  

|| जय श्री कृष्ण ||

॥ श्रीमद्‍भगवद्‍गीता ॥ 15.11॥

_यतन्तो योगिनश्चैनं पश्यन्त्यात्मन्यवस्थितम्‌ ।_
_यतन्तोऽप्यकृतात्मानो नैनं पश्यन्त्यचेतसः॥_

भावार्थ :

योग के अभ्यास में प्रयत्नशील मनुष्य ही अपने हृदय में स्थित इस आत्मा को देख सकते हैं, किन्तु जो मनुष्य योग के अभ्यास में नहीं लगे हैं ऐसे अज्ञानी प्रयत्न करते रहने पर भी इस आत्मा को नहीं देख पाते हैं। (११)

Meaning:

Those striving yogis realize this as residing within the self. But those with an unprepared mind, though striving, do not see this, devoid of knowledge.

Explanation:

In any difficult endeavour, there are three kinds of people. There are the vast majority who are not interested the least bit in striving for the goal, and blissfully accept their state as a given. There are a small number of people who are putting in great effort or dedication, but not obtaining the desired outcome. A select few, however, are able to channelize their efforts in the right direction and get what they want.

Shri Krishna called the vast majority of people, the first category, stuck in the cycle of Prakriti "deluded" in the last shloka. Here, he says that it is the preparation of mind that determines whether or not the efforts taken by yogis - those who are striving for liberation - have a chance of success. One without a prepared mind is termed as "akritaatmaanaha" in this shloka. So then, those of us who are aiming for liberation would not like our striving to be in vain. What should we do?

We need to understand what Shri Krishna means by purifying our mind. There are two aspects to this. The first aspect is the degree of selfish desires. Unless we have followed the path of karma yoga and bhakti yoga as laid out in the earlier portions of the Gita, our mind will not be able to properly absorb any scriptural teaching whatsoever. The second aspect is the type of knowledge we are trying to absorb and the method of doing so. A systematic understanding of the scriptures under the guidance of a teacher is the only way. One who does not follow a systematic process of imbibing knowledge is termed "achetasaha", devoid of wisdom.

The topic of the jeeva is concluded in this shloka. with the message that only those with a pure mind and systematic study will truly understand the nature of the jeeva as the eternal essence as though limited by its upaadhis or conditionings.


ChantThe mantra you have faith in

Hare Krishna

 

 

Shri Krishna Speaks: The eye of wisdom

Shri Krishna Speaks: The eye if wisdom

*|| जय श्री कृष्ण ||*🌷🙏*

*॥ श्रीमद्‍भगवद्‍गीता ॥ 15.10॥*

_उत्क्रामन्तं स्थितं वापि भुञ्जानं वा गुणान्वितम्‌ ।_

_विमूढा नानुपश्यन्ति पश्यन्ति ज्ञानचक्षुषः॥_

*भावार्थ :* 

जीवात्मा शरीर का किस प्रकार त्याग कर सकती है, किस प्रकार शरीर में स्थित रहती है और किस प्रकार प्रकृति के गुणों के अधीन होकर विषयों का भोग करती है, मूर्ख मनुष्य कभी भी इस प्रक्रिया को नहीं देख पाते हैं केवल वही मनुष्य देख पाते हैं जिनकी आँखें ज्ञान के प्रकाश से प्रकाशित हो गयी हैं। (१०)

*Meaning*:

That which leaves, stays and experiences, that which is endowed with gunaas, is not recognized by the deluded. It is seen by those with the eye of wisdom.

*Explanation*:

Let's recap our analysis of the previous shloka. We saw how a false "I" called the ego is created, by usurping the awareness or sentiency of the eternal essence. All this is possible through the illusory identification of the jeeva with the ego. Shri Krishna now wants to summarize and conclude the topic of the fall of the jeeva by distinguishing between those individuals who recognize, who know the lifecycle jeeva versus those who do not. He says that only those with the eye of wisdom can truly understand the notion of the jeeva as separate and distinct from the physical body, as well as the reason for its existence. Others cannot.

 

Most of us tend to think that the brain is sentient and self-aware, when it is inert and borrows awareness from the jeeva. Most of us think that what we our senses tell us is real, when it is actually nothing but the play of the three gunaas. Most of us derive enjoyment from the world, when our real nature is that of joy. Most of us think that the "I" is our ego, our ahankaara when it is actually the eternal essence. These incorrect beliefs are collectively termed as ajnyaana or ignorance.

 

The jnyaana chakshu, the eye of wisdom, refers to those people who have removed all of these incorrect notions. They do not hesitate to challenge any thought, idea, concept or emotion since all of this is in the plane of the three gunaas. On the other hand, most of us will not challenge the long held beliefs about the world that we are programmed with. Since we do not lost our fascination for the world even after being told several times by our scriptures, Shri Krishna addressed us as "vimoodha", completely deluded. How then, do those select few people gain the eye of wisdom? We will see in the next shloka.

*Chant*| *The mantra you have faith in ||*🌹

Shri Krishna Speaks: Mind and the Five Senses

Shri Krishna Speaks: Mind and the Five Senses

*|| जय श्री कृष्ण ||*🌷🙏*

*॥ श्रीमद्‍भगवद्‍गीता ॥ 15.7॥*

_श्रीभगवानुवाच_

_ममैवांशो जीवलोके जीवभूतः सनातनः ।_

_मनः षष्ठानीन्द्रियाणि प्रकृतिस्थानि कर्षति॥_

*भावार्थ :* 

हे अर्जुन! संसार में प्रत्येक शरीर में स्थित जीवात्मा मेरा ही सनातन अंश है, जो कि मन सहित छहों इन्द्रियों के द्वारा प्रकृति के अधीन होकर कार्य करता है। (७)

*Meaning*:

My eternal fragment, in this world of souls, becomes the individual soul. It draws itself to the mind and five senses, established in Prakriti.

*Explanation*:

So far, we saw the state of the select few individuals who strive for liberation. Now Shri Krishna summarizes the state of the jeevas, the individual souls who are stuck in the cycle of samsaara, of birth and death. The jeeva, ignorant of its true nature which is infinite, harbours selfish desires with the aim of removing its finitude. In order to do so, it needs to be able to contact and transact with Prakriti. The equipment needed to transact with Prakriti comprises the mind and the five senses. Therefore, the jeeva attracts or pulls these six aspects of Prakriti unto itself.

 

Before we proceed, we need to clarify one point here. The word fragment implies that the eternal essence, speaking as Ishvara, can be broken or divided into pieces. Yet, we know that the eternal essence is indivisible. To solve this confusion, we need to remind ourselves of the examples provided in the thirteenth chapter. We can try to divide space using walls, but space is indivisible. Also, we can lose the sun's reflection when we break a pot filled with water, but nothing happens to the sun. There is no coming or going of space or of the sun. The limitations, the upaadhis such as walls and pots "as though" try to divide, but cannot do so in essence.

 

The Jnyaaneshwari provides yet another example. It describes an ascetic monk who has taken up a contemplative and solitary life in the jungle. One night he dreams that he is a householder with a wife and kids. In order to provide for his family, he has to work hard at his job to make ends meet. His job causes a great deal of stress to him. But when he wakes up from his dream, he remains the same monk, unaffected by the apparent ties of family life. The dream world is yet another upaadhi or limitation caused by ignorance of his real nature.

 

So then, the jeeva draws a mind and five senses in order to exhaust its desires. However, it still needs a physical body to transact with Prakriti. How does all this happen? We see this in the next shloka.

*Continuously Chant The mantra you have faith in ||*🌹

Shri Krishna Speaks: I and Mine

Shri Krishna Speaks: I and Mine

*|| जय श्री कृष्ण ||*🌷🙏*

*॥ श्रीमद्‍भगवद्‍गीता ॥ 15.5॥*

_निर्मानमोहा जितसङ्गदोषाअध्यात्मनित्या विनिवृत्तकामाः ।_

_द्वन्द्वैर्विमुक्ताः सुखदुःखसञ्ज्ञैर्गच्छन्त्यमूढाः पदमव्ययं तत्‌॥_

*भावार्थ :* 

जो मनुष्य मान-प्रतिष्ठा और मोह से मुक्त है तथा जिसने सांसारिक विषयों में लिप्त मनुष्यों की संगति को त्याग दिया है, जो निरन्तर परमात्म स्वरूप में स्थित रहता है, जिसकी सांसारिक कामनाएँ पूर्ण रूप से समाप्त हो चुकी है और जिसका सुख-दुःख नाम का भेद समाप्त हो गया है ऎसा मोह से मुक्त हुआ मनुष्य उस अविनाशी परम-पद (परम-धाम) को प्राप्त करता हैं। (५)

*Meaning*:

Free from pride and delusion, with the defect of attachment conquered, always dwelling in the self, liberated from the pairs of opposites known as joy and sorrow, ignorance-free individuals attain that imperishable goal.

*Explanation*:

If one has to seek refuge in Ishvara, per the previous shloka, what should be the qualifications of such a seeker? This complex and elaborate topic has been very nicely packed into one shloka by Shri Krishna. The first qualification of a seeker is the absence, or at least, reduction of the sense of I and mine. Candidates who are interviewing for a new position frequently pass off an entire team’s effort as their own. It is very easy to spot the inflated sense of pride in them. And even if they spent a few minutes contributing to a project, they still have the notion that it is their project, nobody else's. Shri Krishna says that this I and mine notion, this pride and delusion has to go away in a seeker.

 

Once the I and mine notion has diminished to some extent, the seeker has to focus on where is he stuck, where is his attachment in this world. Some may be attached to their profession, some may be attached to their family, some may be perversely attached to their enemies also. But, if we slowly unwind the attachments towards their source, we will find that the seeker is attached to his body. The attachment to the body, and the consequent fear of death, is the toughest attachment for the seeker to tackle. A certain level of dispassion towards the body, accomplished through control of the mind and senses, is a prerequisite to worship of Ishvara. When this happens, desires that are a by product of attachment, also diminish.

 

So, two qualifications are covered so far: absence of I and mine notion, and conquering one’s attachments. Only then will we be able to focus on the main goal, which is daily absorption in the self, adhyaatma nitya. But how do we remain in this state constantly? By being vigilant of labelling the two pairs of opposites - likes and dislikes, joy and sorrow, praise and censure and so on and so forth. Even a whiff of wind on either side of a tightrope walker is sufficient to bring him down. Likes and dislikes have the ability to distract us from our goal. We should not pay too much attention to them, just observe them silently as they come and go. This is forbearance or titkshaa. This will enable us to completely remove ignorance of the true nature of our self, and to reach the abode of Ishvara, described in the next shloka.

*Continuously Chant The mantra you have faith in ||*🌹

Join WhatsApp group

https://chat.whatsapp.com/FG2XkCJgL2A169wZv99Fdb

Krishna Speaks: Come straight to Me

Krishna Speaks: Come straight to Me

*|| जय श्री कृष्ण ||*🌷🙏*

*॥ श्रीमद्‍भगवद्‍गीता ॥ 15.4॥*

_ततः पदं तत्परिमार्गितव्यं यस्मिन्गता न निवर्तन्ति भूयः ।_

_तमेव चाद्यं पुरुषं प्रपद्ये यतः प्रवृत्तिः प्रसृता पुराणी॥_

*भावार्थ :* 

वैराग्य रूपी हथियार से काटने के बाद मनुष्य को उस परम-लक्ष्य (परमात्मा) के मार्ग की खोज करनी चाहिये, जिस मार्ग पर पहुँचा हुआ मनुष्य इस संसार में फिर कभी वापस नही लौटता है, फिर मनुष्य को उस परमात्मा के शरणागत हो जाना चाहिये, जिस परमात्मा से इस आदि-रहित संसार रूपी वृक्ष की उत्पत्ति और विस्तार होता है। (४)

*Meaning*:

Then that goal should be sought, having attained which, none return again. I seek refuge in that original Purusha from which has sprung this ancient sprout.

*Explanation*:

A family of tourists is driving around in a new city without the help of a map or a GPS device. A left turn here, a right turn there, and they are utterly lost. The wife asks the husband to stop the car and ask a shopkeeper for directions. The husband says no, and continues driving in circles for an hour. The wife yells at the husband who finally agrees to ask a shopkeeper for directions. This is an all too common occurrence. Unless the ego is surrendered, even material knowledge is far from reach.

 

Shri Krishna says : All of you are thoroughly lost in the cycle of action and reaction, the tree of samsaara. So take refuge in me. I am the original Purusha, the root from which this tree of samsaara has sprung up. I have created this universe like a magician creates his illusion. Don’t get lost in the branches of the tree which are fueled by the three gunas of Prakriti. Come straight to the source, which is me. I am giving you a hand to save you from drowning in samsaara. Hold it tightly and do not let it go. This is the meaning of the word prapatti, which had also come up in the seventh chapter.

 

This prapatti, this seeking of refuge in Ishvara will help us cultivate dispassion towards samsaara. But this dispassion will not come overnight, it will come gradually. First, karma yoga has to be practised as prescribed by Shri Krishna. We should reduce selfish actions, increase selfless actions, then drop our attitude of doership. We cannot have it both ways - we cannot love Ishvara and love the material world at the same time. If we cannot control our mind and senses, we have yet to cultivate real devotion for Ishvara. Devotion, coupled with dispassion towards the world, will result in our liberation, the goal from which we will not have to return back to the material world.

*Continuously Chant The mantra you have faith in ||*🌹

Join our WhatsApp group

https://chat.whatsapp.com/FG2XkCJgL2A169wZv99Fdb

Shri Krishna Speaks: Sense Objects

Shri Krishna Speaks: Sense Objects

*|| जय श्री कृष्ण ||*🌷🙏*

*॥ श्रीमद्‍भगवद्‍गीता ॥ 15.2॥*

_अधश्चोर्ध्वं प्रसृतास्तस्य शाखा गुणप्रवृद्धा विषयप्रवालाः ।_

_अधश्च मूलान्यनुसन्ततानि कर्मानुबन्धीनि मनुष्यलोके॥_

*भावार्थ :* 

इस संसार रूपी वृक्ष की समस्त योनियाँ रूपी शाखाएँ नीचे और ऊपर सभी ओर फ़ैली हुई हैं, इस वृक्ष की शाखाएँ प्रकृति के तीनों गुणों द्वारा विकसित होती है, इस वृक्ष की इन्द्रिय-विषय रूपी कोंपलें है, इस वृक्ष की जड़ों का विस्तार नीचे की ओर भी होता है जो कि सकाम-कर्म रूप से मनुष्यों के लिये फल रूपी बन्धन उत्पन्न करती हैं। (२)

*Meaning*:

Its branches are spread below and above, nourished by the gunas. Sense objects are its sprouts, and, below in the human realm, stretch its roots that bind through actions.

*Explanation*:

Shri Krishna began describing an upside-down tree as a metaphor for the material world in the prior shloka. Here, he continues to describe it in more detail. When its buds or sprouts grown into branches and touch the ground, they turn into roots that embed firmly into the ground, and then grow into several additional trunks around the main tree. Such gigantic tree structures are common in the Banyan tree family. Over a period of time, a small tree with one trunk becomes a mini forest in itself.

 

Our lives are no different. For many people, the American dream comprises owning a large house, two cars, good schools for children, a big screen TV and so on. First, the newly married family takes out a big loan to buy a house. The house is empty, so it needs furniture and appliances. The garage is empty, so two cars need to be purchased. The living room is empty, so a large screen TV is needed. The TV requires a cable connection, a DVD player, a Playstation and so on endlessly. The one purchase of a house led to other purchases, which led to other purchases and so on. This is nothing but the upside down tree of samsaara playing out in our lives.

 

So this tree of samsaara, made up of the three gunas of Prakriti, grows and expands through repetitive chasing of sense objects. Each sense object generates desires, desires generate actions to get those sense objects, and attainment of sense objects creates further desires. Actions bind us by making us giving importance to the branches of the tree, by making us run away from Ishvara, who is at the root of the tree. How do we tackle this problem? Shri Krishna gives the solution in the next shloka.

*Continuously Chant The mantra you have faith in ||*🌹