BHAGAVAD GITA Meditation Anandamayi Dasi
MEDITATION
MEDITATION“BHAGAVAD-GITA Meditation 18”
13.07.2018 Krsna in this last intense, broad Chapter continues with gradations of Three Gunas, up to Sannyasa vision,... and at the end concludes wonderfully the whole Bhagavad-gita.
CHAPTER 18
Arjuna said: I wish to understand the purpose of Renunciation (tyaga) and of the Renounced Order of life (Sannyasa).
Krsna said: “The Giving Up of Activities that are Based on Material Desires” is what the great learned men call the “RENOUNCED ORDER OF LIFE”: – 'SANNYASA' – (explained in three stages/orders – as disengaging Three Gunas: starting with Kuticaka, then Bahudaka & Parivrajakacarya,... and finally above, to the Purely Transcendental Perfect Fourth Paramahamsa Platform). And “Giving Up the Results of all Activities” is what the wise call Renunciation (tyaga).
Some learned men declare that all kinds of Fruitive Activities should be given up as Faulty, yet other Sages maintain that Acts of Sacrifice, Charity and Penance should never be abandoned /given up, they must be performed. Indeed they 'Purify even a Great Souls'.
* Now hear My judgement about RENUNCIATION, which is declared in the Scriptures to be of three kinds. All this Sacrifices should be performed without 'Attachment' or any 'Expectations of Result'. They should be performed as 'A Matter of Duty'. That is My final opinion. PRESCRIBED DUTIES should 'Never' be Renounced. If one gives up Prescribed Duties because of 'Illusion', such Renunciation is said to be in the Mode of Ignorance. Anyone who gives up Prescribed Duties as 'Troublesome' or out of 'Fear of the Bodily Discomfort' is said to have Renounced in the Mode of Passion. Such action Never leads to the Elevation of Renunciation. When one performs his Prescribed Duty because it “Ought to be Done”, and “Renounces All Material Association' and 'All Attachment to the Fruits”, his Renunciation is said to be in the Mode of Goodness, that Intelligent Renouncer, neither 'Hateful of Inauspicious Work' nor 'Attached to Auspicious Work', has 'No Doubts about Work'. It is indeed impossible for an embodied being to give up all activities. But he who “RENOUNCES the FRUITS of ACTION” (any good/bad Results from any Action) is called one who has 'TRULY RENOUNCED'.
For one who is not Renounced, the threefold Fruits of Action – Desirable, Undesirable and Mixed – accrue after death. But those who are in the Renounced Order of Life have no such result to suffer or enjoy.
According to the Vedanta there are Five Causes for the 'Accomplishment of All Action', Factors of Action: the PLACE of Action (the BODY), the PERFORMER (the SOUL), the various SENSES, the many different kinds of ENDEAVOUR, and ultimately the SUPERSOUL. Whatever right or wrong Action a man performs by Body, Mind or Speech is caused by these Five Factors. Therefore one who thinks himself the 'ONLY Doer', not considering the Five Factors, is certainly 'Not Very Intelligent' and 'Cannot See Things As They Are'.
One who is 'Not Motivated by False Ego', whose 'Intelligence is Not Entangled', though he kills men in this world, does not kill. 'Nor Is He Bound By His Actions'.
Knowledge, the Objects of Knowledge, and the Knower are the 'Three Factors that Motivate Actions'; the Senses, the Work and the Doer are the 'Three Constituents of Action'. According to the three different Modes of Material Nature, there are three Kinds of Knowledge, Action and Performer of Action (worker).
* That KNOWLEDGE by which “One Undivided Spiritual Nature” is seen in All Living Entities (vision of Oneness, Brahman/Paramatma/Bhagavan planes), though they are Divided (reflected) into Innumerable Forms (simultaneous vision of non-difference and difference, acintyabhedabheda), you should understand to be in the Mode of Goodness . That Knowledge by which one Sees that in 'Every Different Body there is a Different Type of Living Entity' you should understand to be in the Mode of Passion. And that Knowledge by which one is 'Attached to One Kind of Work as the All in All', 'Without Knowledge of the Truth', and which is 'Very Meager' (poor), is said to be in the Mode of Darkness.
* That ACTION which is 'Regulated' (steady) and which is 'Performed Without Attachment', 'Without Love or Hatred', and 'Without Desire for Fruitive Results' is said to be in the Mode of Goodness. But Action performed with 'Great Effort' by one 'Seeking to Gratify his Desires', and 'Enacted from a sense of False Ego' ('I' & 'Mine'), is called action in the Mode of Passion. That Action performed in 'Illusion', in 'Disregard of Scriptural Injunctions', and 'Without Concern for Future Bondage or for Violence or Distress Caused to Others' is said to be in the Mode of Ignorance.
* One who performs his Duty 'Without association with the Modes of Material Nature', 'Without False Ego', with 'Great Determination and Enthusiasm', and 'Without Wavering in Success or Failure' is said to be a WORKER in the Mode of Goodness. The Worker who is 'Attached to Work and the Fruits of Work', 'Desiring to Enjoy those fruits', and who is 'Greedy', always 'Envious', 'Impure', and 'Moved by Joy and Sorrow', is said to be in the Mode of Passion. The Worker who is always engaged in work 'Against the Injunctions of the Scriptures', who is 'Materialistic', 'Obstinate', 'Cheating' and 'Expert in Insulting Others', and who is 'Lazy', always 'Morose' and 'Procrastinating' is said to be a Worker in the Mode of Ignorance.
* Now please listen as I tell you in detail of the different kinds of Understanding and Determination, according to the three Modes of Material Nature. That UNDERSTANDING by which one Knows 'What Ought To Be Done and What Ought Not To Be Done', 'What Is To Be Feared and What Is Not To Be Feared', 'What Is Binding and What Is Liberating', is in the Mode of Goodness. That Understanding which 'Cannot Distinguish Between Religion and Irreligion', 'Between Action that Should Be Done and Action That Should Not Be Done', is in the Mode of Passion. That Understanding which 'Considers Irreligion to be Religion and Religion to be Irreligion', under the 'Spell of Illusion and Darkness', and Strives in the 'Wrong Direction', is in the Mode of Ignorance.
* That DETERMINATION which is 'Unbreakable', which is 'Sustained with Steadfastness by Yoga Practice' (necessary), and which thus 'Controls the Activities of the Mind, Life and Senses' is Determination in the Mode of Goodness. But that Determination by which one 'Holds Fast to Fruitive Results in Religion, Economic Development and Sense Gratification' is of the Nature of Passion. And that Determination which 'Cannot Go Beyond Dreaming, Fearfulness, Lamentation, Moroseness and Illusion' – such Unintelligent Determination, is in the Mode of Darkness.
* Now please hear from Me about the three kinds of HAPPINESS by which the conditioned soul Enjoys, and by which he sometimes comes to the End of All Distress. That which 'In The Beginning May Be Just Like Poison but At The End Is Just Like Nectar' and which 'Awakens One To Self-Realization' (inspire), is said to be Happiness in the Mode of Goodness. That Happiness which is Derived from 'Contact of the Senses with their Objects' and which 'Appears Like Nectar At First but Poison At The End' is said to be of the Nature of Passion. And that Happiness which is 'Blind to Self-Realization', which is 'Delusion From Beginning to The End' and which 'Arises from Sleep, Laziness and Illusion' is said to be of the Nature of Ignorance.
There is no being existing, either here or among the Demigods in the Higher Planetary Systems, which is freed from these Three Modes born of Material Nature. Brahmanas, Ksatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras are distinguished by the 'Qualities Born of Their Own Natures' in accordance with the Material Modes ('natural selection'). Peacefulness, Self-control, Austerity, Purity, Tolerance, Honesty, Knowledge, Wisdom and Religiousness – these are the 'Natural Qualities' by which the Brahmanas Work (goodness). Heroism, Power, Determination, Resourcefulness, Courage in Battle, Generosity and Leadership are the natural qualities of work for the Ksatriyas (passion mixed). Farming, Cow Protection and Business are the natural Work for the Vaisyas (passion mixed), and for the Sudras there is Labour and Service to the Others (ignorance). By following his 'Qualities of Work' (elevating), every men can become Perfect. Now please hear from Me how this can be done. By “WORSHIPING of the LORD”, who is the “Source” of all beings and who is “All-pervading”, a man can attain 'Perfection' through performing his 'Own Work'.
It is better to engage in 'One's OWN Occupation', even though one may perform it 'Imperfectly', than to accept another's occupation and perform it 'Perfectly'. DUTIES prescribed according to One's Nature are 'Never' Affected by Sinful Reactions. Every Endeavour is Covered by some Fault, just as fire is covered by smoke. Therefore' One Should Not Give Up The Work Born of His Own Nature', even if such work is full of Fault. One who is 'Self-controlled' and 'Unattached' and who 'Disregards all Material Enjoyments' can obtain, by practice of RENUNCIATION, the HIGEST Perfect Stage of 'FREEDOM FROM RE-ACTION'.
Learn from Me how one who 'Has Achieved This Perfection' can attain (more) to the 'SUPREME Perfectional Stage' (above the Three Modes of Nature, rise/cover them), BRAHMAN: the 'STAGE OF THE HIGHEST KNOWLEDGE' (Sannyasa, the Catur Vyuha Second Level),... by acting in the way I shall now summarize. Being 'PURIFIED by His Intelligence' and 'Controlling the Mind with Determination', 'Giving Up the Objects of Sense Gratification', being 'Freed from Attachment and Hatred', one who 'Lives in a Secluded Place', who 'Eats Little', who 'CONTROLS his Body, Mind and Power of Speech', who is 'Always in TRANCE' and who is 'Detached', FREE from 'False Ego', 'False Strength', 'False Pride', 'Lust', 'Anger' and 'Acceptance of Material Things', 'Free from False Proprietorship', and 'PEACEFUL' – such a person is certainly “ELEVATED to the Position of SELF-REALIZATION”. One who is thus 'Transcendentally Situated' at once realizes the Supreme Brahman and becomes fully joyful. He 'Never Laments or Desires to Have anything'. He is 'Equally Disposed toward Every Living Entity'. In that stage he attains 'PURE Devotional Service unto Me'. One can Understand ME as “I AM”, as The Supreme Personality of Godhead ONLY by Devotional Service (which is also in ignorance, passion, goodness, and pure transcendental devotion). And when one is “IN – 'FULL' – CONSCIOUSNESS OF ME” by such Devotion, he can 'ENTER Into the (Radha Krsna) Kingdom of God'. Though engaged in all kinds of activities, MY PURE DEVOTEE, under MY PROTECTION, Reaches the Eternal and Imperishable Abode 'BY MY GRACE'.
In All Activities just 'DEPEND Upon ME' and 'Work Under MY Protection'. In such Devotional Service, be FULLY Conscious of Me. If you become conscious of Me, you will 'Pass Over all the Obstacles of Conditioned Life by My Grace'. If however, you 'Do Not Work in Such Consciousness' but 'Act Through False Ego', 'NOT HEARING ME', you will be 'Lost'. If you 'Do Not Act According to My Direction' and do not fight, then you will be 'Falsely Directed'. By your Nature, you will 'Have to Be Engaged in Warfare' (or you will Act Consciously – with God's support/association, or you will be forced to Do the same but Unconsciously – without God's support/association). Under Illusion you are now declining to Act according to My direction. But, 'Compelled by the Work Born of Your Own Nature, You Will Act All The Same'. The Supreme Lord is situated in everyone's Heart, and is 'Directing the Wanderings of All Living Entities' (therefore you have no choice anyway), who are 'Seated As On a MACHINE, Made Of Material Energy' .
'SURRENDER unto HIM' Utterly. By His Grace you will attain 'TRANSCENDENTAL PEACE' (Bliss) and the 'Supreme and Eternal Abode'. Thus I have explained to you knowledge Still More Confidential. Deliberate on this fully, and then... 'Do what you wish to do...'. Because you are My dear friend, I am speaking to you 'My Supreme Instruction', the 'Most Confidential Knowledge Of All'. 'HERE THIS' (KEY Words of Spiritual Success) from ME, for it is for your benefit:
“Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto”... “ALWAYS 'THINK OF ME', 'BECOME MY DEVOTEE', 'WORSHIP ME' AND 'OFFER YOUR HOMAGE' UNTO ME. THUS YOU – 'WILL COME TO ME' – WITHOUT FAILL.” I Promise you this because you are My dear friend.
“Sarva-dharman parityajya”... “'ABANDON ALL VARIETIES OF RELIGION' AND
JUST – 'SURRENDER' – UNTO ME. 'I SHALL DELIVER YOU FROM ALL SINFULL REACTIONS'... 'DO NOT FEAR'.”
This Confidential Knowledge 'May Never be Explained' to those who are Not Austere, or Devoted, or Engaged in Devotional Service, nor to one who is Envious of Me. For one who Explains this “Supreme Secret” to the devotees, 'Pure Devotional Service is Guaranteed', and 'At The End He Will Come Back to Me'. There is no servant in this world 'More Dear to Me than he', nor will there ever be one more dear. And I declare that he who studies this secret conversation of ours 'Worships Me by His Intelligence'. And one who 'Listens with Faith and without Envy' becomes 'Free from sinful reactions' and 'Attains to the auspicious planets where the Pious Dwell'.
… Have you Heard this with an Attentive Mind? And are your 'Ignorance' and 'Illusion' now Dispelled?
Arjuna said: My dear Krsna, 'O Infallible One', my Illusion is Now Gone. I have Regained my Memory (flashback) by Your Mercy. I am now 'FIRM' an 'FREE from DOUBT' and 'I am PREPARED... to ACT ACCORDING to YOUR INSTRUCTIONS'...
Sanjaya said: Thus have I heard the conversation of two great souls, Krsna and Arjuna. And so wonderful is that MESSAGE that my hair is standing on end. By the mercy of Vyasa, I have heard these Most Confidential Talks 'Directly from Krsna', who was speaking personally to Arjuna. O King as I repeatedly recall this wondrous and Holy dialogue between Krsna and Arjuna, I take pleasure, being thrilled at every moment. O King, as I remember the ...“Wonderful Form of Lord Krsna”..., I am 'Struck With Wonder' more and more, and I rejoice again and again. ...Wherever is Krsna, the Master of All Mystics, and wherever is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be Opulence, Victory, Extraordinary Power and Morality... That is my opinion.
With this Conclusion we are ending that Meditation on “Bhagavad-gita, As it is”. Thank you.
Hare Krsna.
“BHAGAVAD-GITA Meditation 17”
10.07.2018 In this Chapter Krsna explains the importance of Charity, Sacrifice and Austerity, through the Faith gradations.
CHAPTER 17
Arjuna inquired: O Krsna, what is the situation of those who do not follow the principles of Scripture but worship according to their own imagination? Are they in Goodness, in Passion or in Ignorance?
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: According to the Modes of Nature acquired by the embodied soul, one's FAITH can be of three kinds – in Goodness, in Passion or in Ignorance. Now hear about this. According to one's existence under the various Modes of Nature, one evolves a particular kind of Faith. The living being is said to be of a particular Faith according to the Modes he has acquired.
Men in the Mode of Goodness worship the Demigods; those in the Mode of Passion worship the Demons; and those in the Mode of Ignorance worship Ghosts and Spirits.
Those who undergo severe Austerities and Penances not recommended in the scriptures, perform them out of Pride and Egoism, who are 'Impelled by Lust and Attachment', who are 'Foolish' and who 'Torture the Material Elements of the Body as well as the Supersoul dwelling within', are to be known as Demons.
Even the Food each person prefers is of three kinds, according to the Three Modes of Material Nature. The same is true of Sacrifices, Austerities and Charity. Now hear of the distinction between them. FOODS dear to those in the Mode of Goodness 'Increases the Duration of Life', 'Purify One's Existence' and 'Give Strength, Health, Happiness and Satisfaction'. Such Foods are 'Juicy', 'Wholesome', and 'Pleasing to the Heart'. Foods that are 'Too Bitter, too Sour, Salty, Hot, Pungent, Dry and Burning' are dear to those in the Mode of Passion. Such Foods cause 'Distress', 'Misery' and 'Disease'. Food prepared 'More than Three hours before being eaten', 'Food that is Tasteless, Decomposed and Putrid', and 'Food Consisting of Remnants and Untouchable Things' is dear to those in the Mode of Darkness.
Of Sacrifices, the SACRIFICE performed 'According to the Directions of Scriptures', as 'A Matter of Duty', by 'Those who Desire No Reword' is of the Nature of Goodness. But the Sacrifice performed 'For some Material Benefit', or 'For the sake of Pride', you should know to be in the Mode of Passion. Any Sacrifice performed 'Without Regard for the Directions of Scripture', 'Without Distribution of Prasadam (Spiritual Food)', 'Without Chanting of the Vedic Hymns' and 'Remunerations to the Prists', and 'Without Faith' is considered to be in the Mode of Ignorance.
AUSTERITY of the BODY consists in 'Worship of the Supreme Lord, the Brahmanas, the Spiritual Master, and Superiors like the father and the mother', and 'Cleanliness, Simplicity, Celibacy and Nonviolence'. Austerity of SPEACH consists in 'Speaking Words that are Truthful, Pleasing, Beneficial, and Not Agitating Others', and also in 'Regularly Reciting Vedic literature'. And 'Satisfaction, Simplicity, Gravity, Self-control and Purification of one's Existence' are the Austerities of the MIND. This threefold Austerity, performed with Transcendental Faith, by men Not Expecting Material Benefits but Engaged only for the sake of the Supreme, is called Austerity in Goodness. Penance performed out of Pride and for the sake of Gaining Respect, Honour and Worship is said to be in the Mode of Passion. It is neither Stable nor Permanent. Penance performed out of Foolishness, with Self-torture or to Destroy or Injure Others, is said to be in the Mode of Ignorance.
CHARITY given 'Out of Duty', 'Without Expectation of Return', 'At the Proper Time and Place', and 'To a Worthy Person' is considered to be in the Mode of Goodness. But Charity performed 'With the Expectation of some Return', or 'With the Desire for Fruitive Results', or in a 'Grudging Mood', is said to be Charity in the Mode of Passion. And Charity performed at an 'Impure Place', 'At an Improper Time', to the 'Unworthy Person', or 'Without Proper Attention and Respect' is said to be in the Mode of Ignorance.
From the beginning of creation, the three words “OM TAT SAT” were used to indicate the Supreme Absolute Truth. These three symbolic representations were used by Brahmanas while chanting the hymns of the Vedas and during Sacrifices for the satisfaction of the Supreme. Therefore, Transcendentalists undertaking performances of Sacrifice, Charity and Penance in accordance with scriptural regulations begin always with 'OM' to attain the Supreme. Without desiring fruitive results, one should perform various kinds of Sacrifice, Penance and Charity with the word 'TAT'. The purpose of such transcendental activities is to 'Get Free From Material Entanglement'. The Absolute Truth is the objective of Devotional Service, and it is indicated by the word 'SAT'. The performer of such sacrifice is also called 'Sat', as are all works of Sacrifice, Penance and Charity which, 'True to the Absolute Nature', are performed to please the Supreme Person.
Anything done as Sacrifice, Charity or Penance without Faith in the Supreme, is Impermanent. It is called 'Asat' and is Useless both in this life and the next.
Krsna is ending Bhagavad- gita with the next, last 18th Chapter: “Conclusion – The Perfection of Renunciation.”
“BHAGAVAD-GITA Meditation 16”
07.07.2018 Here Lord Krsna lists the ' Transcendental Qualities of Godly Men' (our goal), and elaborates broadly (on not easy attributes/qualities – 'Black Side' – notions, which we want to completely purify/eliminate from our live, trying to struggle to find our true identity...,) ...on 'Heavy' Demoniac Natures – in a clear yet intense bluntly way, spreading the reality in which we operate on a daily basis, facing/dealing with it constantly.
CHAPTER 16
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: *Fearlessness (trusting God); *Purification of one's Existence (external/internal refinement); *Cultivation of Spiritual Knowledge (sastra caksu/improvement/optymize/perfect); *Charity (beneficence/generosity/magnanimity); *Self-control (constant self-command/self-restraint/selftest/moderation); *Performance of Sacrifice ('giving back'/offering to the Lord/dedication/sankirtana yajna); *Study of the Vedas (search/understanding/looking for God, also in all religious/bonafide scriptures); *Austerity (rawness for oneself); Simplicity (lucidity/straightforwardness); *Nonviolence (pacifism/'nonbrute'/'nonyahoo'); *Truthfulness (actuality as intrinsic/virtual); *Freedom from Anger (from irritation); *Renunciation (abjuration/self-abnegation/self-denial); *Tranquillity (peace/composure/coolness/equanimity); *Aversion to Faultfinding ('positivefinding'); *Compassion for All Living Entities (sympathy/pity/kindness); *Freedom from Covetousness (from attraction); *Gentleness (natural niceness/subtlety); *Modesty (lowliness); *Steady Determination (consequence/perseverance); *Vigour (authority/potency); *Forgiveness (pardon/mercy); *Fortitude (strength); *Cleanliness (clarity/luminosity/fairness); and *Freedom from Envy (from jealousy/from 'green-eyed monster'/civility) and from the Passion for Honour (for accolade/pleasure) – ' THIS TRANSCENDENTAL QUALITIES' belong to (very few) Godly Men endowed with Divine Nature...
*Pride (haughtiness/impertinence), *Arrogance (tupet/presumption), *Conceit (self-love/cocksureness), *Anger (wrath/crossness), *Harshness (cruelty/tyranny/brutality) and *Ignorance (benightedness/unconsciousness)– these qualities belong to those of Demoniac Nature...
The Transcendental Qualities are conducive to LIBERATION, whereas the Demoniac Qualities make for BONDAGE. Do not worry,... for you are born with the divine qualities (...Arjuna).
In this world there are two kinds of created beings. One is called Divine and the other Demoniac. I have already explained to at length the Divine Qualities. Now hear from Me of the Demoniac.
Those who are Demoniac DO NOT KNOW: ...'WHAT IS TO BE DONE' and ...'WHAT IS NOT TO BE DONE'”.
Neither 'CLEANLINESS' nor 'PROPER BEHAVIOUR' nor 'TRUTH' is found in them.
They say that this world is Unreal, with no Foundation, no God in control, produced of sex desire and has no cause other than Lust. Following such conclusions, the Demoniac, who are “LOST TO THEMSELVES” and who have 'NO INTELLIGENCE', engage in Unbeneficial, Horrible Works meant to ... 'DESTROY The WORLD'.
'Taking Shelter of Insatiable Lust' and absorbed in the 'Conceit of Pride and False Prestige', the Demoniac, thus 'ILLUSIONED', are always sworn to 'Unclean Work', attracted by the 'Impermanent' (attracted by deceptive matter – instead, by permanent spirit).
They believe that to 'Gratify the Senses' is the Prime Necessity of human civilization. Thus until the end of life their 'Anxiety is Immeasurable'. Bound by a 'Network' of hundred and thousands of 'DESIRES' and 'Absorbed in Lust and Anger', they secure money by illegal means for Sense Gratification.
The Demoniac person thinks: “So much wealth do... “I” ...have today, and I will gain more according to my Schemes. So much is... “MINE” ...now, and it will increase in the feature, more and more. He is my ENEMY, and I have killed him (destroyed...), and my other enemies will also be killed. 'I am the lord of everything' (I am 'god' of the situation). I am the Enjoyer. I am Perfect ('I Am the Best'), Powerful and Happy. I am the Richest man, surrounded by aristocratic relatives. There is none so powerful and happy as I am. I shall perform Sacrifices (to show a good impression), I shall give some Charity, and thus I shall rejoice.” In this way, such persons are 'DELUDED BY IGNORANCE'.
Self-complacent and always Impudent, deluded by Wealth and False Prestige, they sometimes proudly perform Sacrifices in name only, without following any Rules or Regulations.
Bewildered by False Ego, Strength, Pride, Lust and Anger, the Demons become … 'ENVIOUS of the Supreme Personality of Godhead',... who is situated in their own bodies (hearts) and in the bodies of others, and “Blaspheme against the REAL RELIGION”.
… THOSE who are ENVIOUS and MISCHIEVOUS (many/countless),... who are the 'LOVEST AMONG MEN',... “I Personally Cast Into The Ocean Of Material Existence”,... into various Demoniac species of life. Attaining 'Repeated Birth' amongst the species of Demoniac life, such persons can NEVER approach (come to know/meet) Me... Gradually they 'SINK DOWN' to the most abominable type of existence...
… There are THREE GATES leading to this “HELL”... – 'LUST'..., 'ANGER'... and 'GREED'... Every Sane men should 'Give These Up', for they 'Lead' to the 'DEGRADATION Of The SOUL'.
The man who has “ESCAPED” these Three Gates of Hell, performs acts 'Conducive to Self-Realization', and thus 'Gradually Attains the Supreme Destination'.
He who 'Discards Spiritual Injunctions' and acts according to his 'Own WHIMS' attains neither Perfection, nor Happiness, nor the Supreme Destination.
One should therefore “UNDERSTAND What is DUTY and what is NOT DUTY” by the Regulations of the Scriptures. Knowing such Rules and Regulations one should 'ACT' so that he may 'GRADUALLY BE ELEVATED'.
The next Chapter 17th is saying about “The Divisions of Faith”.
“BHAGAVAD-GITA Meditation 15”
30.06.2018 Here we can Meditate about the Material World as a reflection of the Spiritual World, as a specific analogy of the up side down subtle 'Bannyan Tree', made from 'ATTACHMENT To Matter' and its 'Components created from DESIRE to Enjoy'. Those who Distinguish/Know this Tree and the Lord can come back to the Supreme Abode (become 'a resident' of the Spiritual World, Vraja), where the Supreme Personality of Godhead, 'One in Two' – Divine Couple Sri Sri Radha Krsna reside.
CHAPTER 15
Krsna said: It is said that there is an imperishable Bannyan Tree (an unseen reticular/pernicious 'Form' of a net/ropes/gunas sticking/attaching us, our all Existence to the external reality, ...through even slight Attention/Interest on 'externality') that has its 'Roots Upward' and its 'Branches Down' and whose 'Leaves' are the VEDIC HYMNS (as a guidance). One who knows this Three is the knower of the Vedas. The branches of this Tree extend downward and upward (they are everywhere). The 'Twigs' are the OBJECTS OF THE SENSES (everything what we perceive/experience). The Tree also has 'Roots' (lians) going down, and these are bound to the FRUITIVE ACTIONS (all common karma/actions) of Human Society. The 'Real Form' of this Tree cannot be perceived in this world (seen through the medium of the heart, as it is subtle/intricate/elusive, situated inside/mental). No one can understand where it ends, where it begins, or where its foundation is (in nature Bannyan Tree can be very large, can extend to twenty kilometers..., 'no ending';... the large branches stick to the ground through hanging lianas – aerial prop roots – that mature into tick, woody trunks, which can become indistinguishable from the primary trunk, spreading/creating a net of trees – although it is One Tree)... But with 'DETERMINATION' one Must CUT DOWN this Strongly Rooted Tree with the 'Weapon' of “DETACHMENT”. Thereafter, one must Seek that 'PLACE' (a Point/Platform/Topmost Realization from where one can leave the Mateiral World) from which heaving gone, one 'NEVER RETURNS', and there “SURRENDER” ( 'prapadye') to 'THAT' ('adyam' – original, the only One in Two Source) Supreme Personality of Godhead from whom everything began and from whom everything has extended since time immemorial.
Those who are '”FREE” from False Prestige, Illusion and False Association', who 'Understand the Eternal', who are 'Done with Material Lust', who are 'Freed from the Dualities of Happiness and Distress', and who 'Unbewildered, KNOW How to Surrender unto the Supreme Person', ATTAIN to that “ETERNAL KINGDOM”. That Supreme Abode of Mine is not illuminated by the Sun or Moon, nor by fire or electricity. Those who reach it 'Never Return to this Material World'.
The Living Entities in “This Conditioned World” are My eternal fragmental parts. Due to conditioned life, they are Struggling 'VERY HEART' with the Six Senses, which include the Mind. The Living Entity in the material world 'Carries His Different Conceptions of Life' (mental concoctions) from one body to another, as the Air carries aromas. Thus he takes one kind of Body and again quits it to take another, thus taking another Gross Body, obtains a certain type of Ear, Eye, Tongue, Nose and sense of Touch, which are grouped about the Mind. He thus Enjoys a particular Set of Sense Objects.
The foolish 'Cannot Understand' how a Living Entity can quit this Body, nor can they understand what sort of Body he enjoys under the 'SPELL of the Modes of Nature'. But one whose “EYES” are 'Trained in Knowledge' can “SEE” all this. The 'Endeavouring Transcendentalists', who are 'SITUATED IN SELF-REALIZATION', – Can See – all this clearly. But those whose 'MINDS ARE NOT DEVELOPED' (are not yet on the platform of Manomaya) and who are 'Not Situated in Self-Realization' – Cannot See – what is taking place, though they may try.
(… Now Krsna 'like a poet', is unveiling to us His ubiquity/omnipresence, His own Topmost position:) The splendour of the Sun, which dissipates the darkness of this whole world, comes from Me. And the splendour of the Moon and the splendour of the Fire are also from Me. I enter into each planet, and by My energy they stay in orbit. I become the Moon and thereby supply the juice of life to all Vegetables. I am the Fire of Digestion in the bodies of all living entities, I join with the air of life, outgoing and incoming, to digest the four kinds of foodstuff.
I am seated in Everyone's HEART, and from ME come Remembrance..., Knowledge... and Forgetfulness... By all the Vedas, I am to be Known. Indeed I am the 'Compiler of the Vedanta', and I am the 'Knower of the Vedas'.
There are two classes of beings, the Fallible and the Infallible. In the Material World every living entity is Fallible, and in the Spiritual World every living entity is called Infallible.
Besides those two, there is “THE GREATEST LIVING PERSONALITY”, the 'SUPREME SOUL', the Imperishable LORD Himself, who has entered the Three Words and is Maintaining them.
Because “I AM TRANSCENDENTAL” ('Transcendence'), beyond both the Fallible and the Infallible, and because I am the 'Greatest', I am celebrated both in the World and in the Vedas as the 'SUPREME PERSON'.
Whoever 'KNOWS ME' as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, 'WITHOUT DOUBTING'..., is the 'KNOWER of EVERYTHING'. He therefore engages himself in 'FULL Devotional Service to Me'.
This is 'The MOST CONFIDENTIAL Part of the Vedic Scriptures', O sinless one, and it is disclosed now by Me. Whoever Understands this 'Will Become WISE', and 'His Endeavours (as a Pure Spiritual Desires) will Know PERFECTION (he become Perfectly Spiritual).
In the next, 16th Chapter Krsna explains the “Divine And Demoniac Natures”.
“BHAGAVAD-GITA Meditation 14”
16.06.2018 This Meditation creates some picture... Three colours Yellow-bright-goodness, Red-passion and Blue-dark-ignorance are the painting of one's life. As everything in this Material (Subtle) World, the 'Aura/Nature' of each individual is tinged in a certain way, is a mixture of this external colourful 'Coverings/'Gunas'/Limitations of the Soul'. It is constantly (slightly) changing, and can fade, and one can go beyond/above any colour (anyabhilasita sunyam...). Being spiritually purified/transparent (medium), one attains the crystal pure Unalloyed Goodness in the transcendental service/association of the Supremely Crystal-Pure God.
CHAPTER 14
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Again I can declare to you the 'Supreme Wisdom', the 'Best of all Knowledge', knowing which all the Sages have attained the SUPREME PERFECTION.
By becoming 'FIXED in this Knowledge', one can attain to the 'Transcendental Nature' like My own. Thus 'Established' one is not born at the time of creation or disturbed at the time of dissolution.
The 'Total Material Substance' ('mahat' – the total material existence), called Brahman, is the 'Source of Birth', and it is that Brahman that I impregnate, making possible the births of all Living Beings (also known as Brahman). It should be understood that all Species of life are made possible by birth in this Material Nature, and that I am the seed giving father.
Material Nature consists of Three Modes – Goodness, Passion and Ignorance (with their presiding deities respectively: Visnu, Brahma and Siva). When the Eternal Living Entity 'Comes in Contact with Nature', he becomes 'Conditioned by Three Modes'.
The Mode of Goodness being purer than the others, is ILLUMINATING, it 'FREES One From All Sinful Reactions'. From the Mode of Goodness, 'Real Knowledge' develops, the manifestation of this mode can be experienced when all the Gates of the Body are 'Illuminated by Knowledge'. Those situated in that Mode of Goodness 'Become Conditioned by the Sense of Happiness and Knowledge'.
The Mode of Passion is born of the 'Unlimited DESIRES and LONGINGS', and because of this the embodied Living Entity is bound, conditioned to material 'Fruitive Actions'. When there is increase in the Mode of Passion, the symptoms of Great Attachment, Intense Endeavour, Uncontrollable Desire, Hankering, and Greed develop.
Know that the Mode of Darkness, born of IGNORANCE is the 'DELUSION of all Embodied Living Entities'. The results of this mode are 'Madness, Ignorance, Illusion, Inertia and Sleep', which bind the conditioned soul, covering one's knowledge.
The result of 'Pious Action' is pure and is said to be in the Mode of Goodness. But Action done in the Mode of Passion results in Misery, and Action performed in the Mode of Ignorance results in Foolishness.
Those situated in the Mode of Goodness gradually go upward to the 'Higher Planets'; those in the Mode of Passion live on the 'Earthly Planets' ('madhye' – in the middle); and those in the abominable Mode of Ignorance go down to the 'Hellish Worlds'.
When one dies in the Mode of Goodness, he attains to the pure higher planets of the great sages; when one dies in the Mode of Passion, he takes birth among those engaged in fruitive activities; and when one dies in the Mode of Ignorance, he takes birth in the animal kingdom.
Sometimes the Mode of Goodness becomes prominent, defeating the modes of passion and ignorance. Sometimes the Mode of Passion defeats goodness and ignorance, and at other times Ignorance defeats goodness and passion. In this way there is always competition for supremacy.
When one 'PROPERLY SEES' that in all activities no other performer is at work than these Modes of Nature (one who sees this, is always only playing/trying to adjust/to be coloured like a chameleon, externally suite/dovtail to the outside material arrangements), and he knows the Supreme Lord, who is transcendental to all these Modes, he attains 'My Spiritual Nature'.
When the Embodied Being is able to TRANSCEND these 'Three Modes Associated with the Material Body', he can become Free from Birth, Death, Old Age and their Distress, and can 'Enjoy Nectar' even in this life.
Arjuna inquired: My dear Lord, by which symptoms is one known who is transcendental to these Three Modes? What is his behaviour? And how does he transcend the Modes of Nature?
Krsna said: He who does 'Not Hate Illumination, Attachment and Delusion' (tolerates) when they are present, or 'Long for them' when they disappear; who is 'Unwavering and Not Disturbed' through all these reactions of the material qualities, remaining 'Neutral and Transcendental', knowing that (only) the 'Modes alone are Active'; who is 'Situated in the Self' (inside) and 'Regards alike Happiness and Distress'; who looks upon a lamp of earth, a stone, and a peace of gold with an 'Equal Eyes'; who is 'Equal toward the Desirable and the Undesirable'; who is 'Steady', situated 'Equally Well in Praise and Blame, Honour and Dishonour'; who 'Treats alike both Friend and Enemy'; and who has 'Renounced all Material Activities' – such a Person is said to have 'TRANSCEND THE MODES OF NATURE'.
One who 'Engages in – FULL – Devotional Service', 'Unfailing in All Circumstances', 'AT ONCE Transcends the Modes of Material Nature' and thus 'Comes to the LEVEL OF BRAHMAN' (so elevated and valuable as transcendental platform, attained in devotional service).
And 'I AM the BASIS' of the Brahmajyoti Brahman, which is Immortal, Imperishable and Eternal, and is the 'Constitutional (inherent) Position of ULTIMATE HAPPINESS', ('sukhasya', for all Brahman-Souls).
The next 15th Meditation is touching the special subject of 'The Yoga of the Supreme Person'.
“BHAGAVAD-GITA Meditation13”
09.06.2018 In this Meditation the complex philosophical aspects of the Nature, the Enjoyer, Field, Knowledge and the Knower are presented in some codes, where the Spirit of Brahman/Supersoul is the basic/foundation, and Consciousness of it is the basic/goal to attain God.
CHAPTER 13
Arjuna said: O my dear Krsna, I wish to know about Prakrti [Nature], Purusa [the Enjoyer], and the Field and the Knower of the Field, and of Knowledge and the Object of Knowledge.
Krsna said: This BODY, is called the 'Field', and one who knows this Body is called the KNOWER of the Field (of the Seven Coverings of the Soul – 'kosas', 5 Gross Elements-Coverings and 2 Subtle-Coverings plus Ego as False-Contaminated/Real-Pure). You should understand that 'I AM the Knower in All Bodies' (as Paramatma/Supersoul), and 'To Understand this Body and its Knower is called KNOWLEDGE' (knowledge as/or realization-vijnana). This is My opinion.
That Knowledge of the Field of Activities and of the Knower of Activities is described by various sages in various Vedic writings, especially in Vedanta-sutra with all reasoning as to cause and effect.
The Five Great Elements (Earth, Water,..), False Ego, Intelligence, the Unmanifested (state of three gunas), the Ten Senses (Eyes, Ears,.. and Voice, Hands,...), and the Mind (11th Sense Within), the Five Sense Objects (Smell, Taste,...), Desire, Hatred, Happiness, Distress, the Aggregate (of this 24 elements), the Life Symptoms ('cetana', Consciousness), and Conviction– all these are considered, in summary, to be the FIELD OF ACTIVITIES and its Interactions.
(Respectively as Knowledge are listed also all together exclusively:...) Humility; Pridelessness, Nonviolence, Tolerance, Simplicity, Approaching a bona fide Spiritual Master; Cleanliness; Steadiness, Self Control, Renunciation of the Objects of Sense Gratification; Absence of False Ego ('I' & 'Mine'); the Perception of the 'Evil' of Birth, Death, Old Age and Disease; Detachment, Freedom from entanglement with children, wife, home and the rest; Even-mindedness amid pleasant and unpleasant events (Peace); Constant and Unalloyed Devotion to Me; Aspiring to live in a solitary place; 'Detachment' from the general mass of people; Accepting the 'Importance' of Self-realization; and Philosophical 'Search' for the Absolute Truth – 'All these I Declare to be the KNOWLEDGE', and 'Besides this Whatever There May Be is IGNORANCE'.
I shall now explain the 'KNOWABLE', knowing which you will 'Taste the Eternal'. BRAHMAN, the Spirit, beginningless and subordinate to Me, lies beyond the cause and effect of this Material World. Everywhere are His hands and legs, His eyes, heads and faces, and He has ears everywhere. In this way the SUPERSOUL exists, 'Pervading Everything' (here the Supersoul is explained in connection to/as Brahman realization).
The Supersoul is the 'Original SOURCE of all Senses', yet 'He is without senses' He is beyond the power of the material senses to see or to know. He is unattached, although He is the maintainer of all living beings. He transcends the Modes of Nature (Fourth Dimension), and at the same time He is the Master of all the Modes of Material Nature. The ('Subtle') Supreme Truth exists 'Outside' (Brahman, far far away) and (Paramatma, near to all) 'Inside' of all living beings, the moving and nonmoving. Although the Supersoul appears to be divided among all beings, 'HE is NEVER DIVIDED'. He is Situated as 'ONE' (therefore He is a Well Wisher to everyBody, considering all as One in cooperation/coexistence; suffering of anyone is a suffering of everyone/conscious/ sensible). Although He is the maintainer of every Living Entity, it is to be understood that He devours and develops all. He is the Source of light in all luminous objects, He is beyond the darkness of Matter and is unmanifested (always/eternally existing). 'HE is KNOWLEDGE', 'He is the Object of Knowledge', and 'He is the Goal of Knowledge'. He is situated in Everyone's Heart (as One).
Thus the Field of Activities [the Body], Knowledge and the Knowable have been summarily described by Me. Only My devotees can understand this thoroughly and thus attain to 'My Nature'.
Material Nature (Prakrti) and the Living Entities should be understood to be beginningless (also always/existing). Their transformations and the Modes of Matter are products of Material Nature. Nature is said to be the cause of all material causes and effects, whereas the Living Entity is the cause of the various 'Sufferings and Enjoyments' in this world (not balanced). The Living Entity in Material Nature thus follows the ways of life, 'Enjoying' the Three Modes of Nature. This is due to his 'ASSOCIATION' with that Material Nature (which separates from Spirit). Thus he meets with good and evil (migrating) among various species.
Yet in this Body there is another, a 'TRANSCENDENTAL ENJOYER' (Purusa), who is the Lord, the Supreme Proprietor, who exists as the Overseer and Permitter, and who is known as the SUPERSOUL (here, as the 'Enjoyer-Supersoul' the Lord allows/manifests All Pastimes – Second level of playing with God-Govinda/Gopinath).
One who understands this philosophy concerning Material Nature, the Living Entity and the interaction of the Modes of Nature is sure to attain Liberation. He will not take birth here again, regardless of his present position.
Some perceive the Supersoul (here the Supersoul is explained as the God-Associate) within themselves through Meditation, others through the cultivation of Knowledge, and still others through Working without fruitive desires, or by Hearing about Him from others, transcending the path of birth and death. Know that whatever you See in existence, both the moving and the nonmoving, is only a combination of the Field of Activities (Body) and the Knower of the field (Supersoul). One who 'SEES' that all activities are performed by the Body (in Illusion), which is created of Material Nature, and 'Sees that the SELF Does Nothing' (although covered, the Soul is ALWAYS separated from Matter), who understands, that neither the (individual) Soul nor the Supersoul within the destructible body is ever destroyed, and who Sees (is Conscious of) the Supersoul accompanying the individual Soul in 'ALL BODIES', 'Actually Sees', and does 'Not Degrade Himself by the Mind'. Thus he approaches the 'Transcendental Destination'.
When a Sensible Man ceases to see 'Different Identities Due to Different Material Bodies' and he sees how 'Beings are Expanded Everywhere', he attains to the Brahman conception (the first, unavoidable level of Consciousness in Self-realization to pass through). Those with the Vision of Eternity can See that the imperishable SOUL is Transcendental, Eternal, and beyond the Modes of Nature. Despite contact with the Material Body, O Arjuna, the Soul neither does anything nor is entangled: 'The sky, due to its subtle nature, does not mix with anything, although it is all-pervading. Similarly the Soul situated in 'Brahman Vision' does not mix with the Body, though situated in that Body (is always in spiritual atmosphere). As the sun alone illuminates all this universe, so does the Living Entity (Spirit Soul), one within the Body, illuminate the entire Body by ('Sunny') Consciousness.
Those who See with 'Eyes of Knowledge' the difference between the Body and the Knower of the Body (Knower-Paramatma; and those who Know, who are on the Second Level of Consciousness, as the next-unavoidable level to pass through in Self-realization), and can also understand the (gradual) process of Liberation from bondage in Material Nature, attain to the 'Supreme GOAL' (the last, Third Level of Consciousness in Self-realization, Bhagavan 'Complete/Unseparable-God': Sri Sri Radha Krsna, as the final Goal to attain, fulfilment).
In the next Meditation, 14th Chapter, Krsna presents 'The Three Modes of Material Nature'
“BHAGAVAD-GITA Meditation 12”
26.05.2018 In this Meditation Arjuna is weighing the impersonality and devotion. And Krsna is convincing him that Devotion (Complete Absorption/'Lost'/Dwell in Personal God) is the best. Yet for those who are not able to at once 'Fully Submerge/Condense/Concentrate' on/into the Supreme Person without any deviation (disturbance/interruption/inattention), He recommends the gradual effective step by step progress...
CHAPTER 12
Arjuna inquired: Which are considered to be more perfect, those who are always properly engaged in Your Devotional Service or those who worship the impersonal Brahman, the unmanifested?
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Those who Fix their Minds on MY PERSONAL FORM and are 'ALWAYS' engaged in worshiping Me with Great and Transcendental FAITH are considered by Me to be 'Most Perfect'.
But those who fully worship the unmanifested, that which lies beyond the perception of the senses, the all pervading, inconceivable, unchanging, fixed and immovable – the impersonal conception of the Absolute Truth – by controlling the various senses and being equally disposed to everyone, such persons, engaged in the welfare of all, at least achieve Me (being situated on the path to self-realization they can finally achieve the higher level of consciousness). For those whose minds are attracted to the unmanifested, impersonal feature of the Supreme, advancement is 'Very' troublesome (when they are too much 'Attached' to that impersonal aspect of the Lord). To make progress in that discipline is always difficult, for those who are embodied (because their goal/focus is on Emptiness/'Unmanifested-Space-Brahman'/'Pradhana'/Effulgence God also is, which means the 'Deeper Help/Consciousness/Shelter' coming from the Person God is not/cannot yet be activated, no capacity/openness).
But those (who already surpassed this impersonal level, and are 'Always Personal in Life and in Spirit') who worship Me and being Devoted to Me, 'WITHOUT DEVIATION', engaged in Devotional Service and ALWAYS Meditating upon Me, heaving 'Fixed their Minds upon Me' – for them I am the 'Swift Deliver' from the ocean of birth and death.
(1.) Just ''FIX' YOUR MIND UPON ME', the Supreme Personality of Godhead (on this list of gradual progress here First is 'Meditation' on the Lord as 'The Best' intelligent engagement), and 'ENGAGE ALL YOUR INTELLIGENCE IN ME'. Thus 'You Will Live in Me Always', without no doubt.
(2.) If you Cannot Fix Your Mind upon Me 'WITHOUT DEVIATION', then 'FOLLOW THE 'REGULATIVE' PRINCIPLES OF – 'BHAKTI-YOGA' – ' (Bhakti-yoga as the Second possibility on this list). In this way 'Develop a DESIRE to Attain Me'.
(3.) If you cannot practice the 'Regulations of Bhakti-yoga', then just 'TRY TO – 'WORK' – FOR ME' (work, karma-yoga, as the Third possibility), because by working for Me you will come to the 'Perfect Stage'.
(4.) If however, you are unable to 'Work in This Consciousness of Me', then try to accept giving up all results of your work and 'TRY TO BE – 'SELF-SITUATED' – ' (yoga, as the Fourth possibility on this list).
(5.) If you cannot take to this practice, then 'ENGAGE YOURSELF IN THE – 'CULTIVATION OF KNOWLEDGE' – ' (Fifth, jnana-yoga eventuality).
Better than Knowledge, however, is Meditation, and better than Meditation is 'RENUNCIATION of the Fruits of Action' (of everything), for by such Renunciation one can attain 'Peace of Mind'.
One who is 'NOT ENVIOUS' but is a 'KIND FRIEND to All Living Entities' (All... means every single 'living body'), who 'Does NOT Think Himself A PROPRIETOR' and is 'FREE from FALSE EGO' (knowing/ being established in one's real Ego/identity), who is 'EQUAL in both HAPPINNESS and DISTRESS', who is 'TOLERANT', 'Always SATISFIED with anything', 'SELF-CONTROLLED', and 'ENGAGED in DEVOTIONAL SERVICE with DETERMINATION', his ' MIND and INTELLIGENCE FIXED on ME' – such a devotee of Mine is very dear to Me.
He 'For whom NO ONE is Put into Difficulty' (as he is always acting from above, rightly) and who is 'NOT DISTURBED by Anyone' (as he is always 'good-internally' situated, distanced), who is 'EQUIPOSED in HAPPINESS and DISTRESS, FEAR and ANXIETY', is very dear to Me.
MY devotee who is 'NOT DEPENDENT on the Ordinary Course of Activities', who is 'PURE', 'EXPERT', 'WITHOUT CARES', 'FREE from All PAINS', and 'NOT STRIVING for Some Result', is very dear to Me.
One who 'NEITHER REJOICES nor GRIVES', who 'NEITHER LAMENTS, nor DESIRES', and who 'RENOUNCES both AUSPICIOUS and INAUSPICIOUS THINGS' ('Good & Bad'/balanced) – such a devotee is very dear to Me.
One who is 'EQUAL to FRIENDS and ENEMIES', who is 'EQUIPOSED in HONOUR and DISHONOUR, HEAT and COLD, FAME and INFAMY', who is 'ALWAYS FREE from CONTAMINATING ASSOCIATION' (situated in one's own assurance), 'Always SILENT' and 'DOESN'T CARE for Any RESIDENCE', who is 'FIXED in KNOWLEDGE' (realized) and who is 'ENGAGED IN DEVOTIONAL SERVICE' (as the best occupation)– such a person is very dear to Me.
Those who follow this 'Imperishable PATH of Devotional Service' and who 'COMPLETELY Engage Themselves with Faith, making ME the SUPREME GOAL', are... very,... very dear to Me.
The next Chapter to Meditate on is the 'Nature, the Enjoyer and Consciousness'
“BHAGAVAD-GITA Meditation 11”
19.05.2018 Now we are entering the 'Mysterious Exhibition', where Arjuna sees the Universal Form of the Lord ('One God divided into Many'). Do we want to be the observer of this 'spectacle'?... Focusing on this detailed description we can 'See it' in some sense – expanding our imagination...
CHAPTER 11
Arjuna said: By my hearing the instructions You have kindly given me about these most confidential spiritual subjects, my illusion has now been dispelled, O 'Lotus-Eyed One', I have realized Your Inexhaustible Glories. O 'Greatest of All Personalities', O 'Supreme Form', though I have seen You here before me in Your actual position, as You have described Yourself. I wish to see how You have entered into this cosmic manifestation. If You think that I am able to behold 'Your Cosmic Form', then kindly show me that 'Unlimited Universal Self'.
Krsna said: My dear Arjuna, see now My opulences, hundred of thousands of varied divine and multicoloured forms of Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, Asvini-kumaras and all the other demigods. Behold the many wonderful things which no one has ever seen or heard of before. Whatever you wish to see, behold AT ONCE in 'This Body of Mine!' This Universal Form can show you whatever you now desire to see and whatever you may want to see in the future. EVERYTHING – moving and nonmoving – IS HERE 'COMPLETELY', IN 'ONE' PLACE.
BUT... you cannot see Me with your present Eyes, therefore I give you 'DIVINE EYES'. Behold MY MYSTIC OPULENCE!
Heaving spoken thus, the Supreme Lord of all mystic power, the Personality of Godhead, displayed His Universal Form to Arjuna. Arjuna saw in this Universal Form unlimited: mouths, eyes, wonderful visions. The form was decorated with many celestial ornaments and bore many divine upraised weapons. He wore celestial garlands and garments, and many divine scents were smeared over His body. All was Wondrous, Brilliant, Unlimited, All Expanding. If hundred of thousands of Suns were to rise at Once into the sky, their radiance might resemble the Effulgence of the Supreme Person in that Universal Form. Arjuna could see the 'Unlimited Expansions of the Universe' (many Universes) situated in one place although divided into many, Many Thousands.
Then... bewildered and astonished, his hair standing on end, Arjuna bowed his head to offer obeisances and with folded hands began to pray to the Supreme Lord: My dear Lord Krsna, I see assembled in Your Body all the demigods and various other living entities. I see Brahma sitting on the lotus flower, as well as Lord Siva and all the Sages and divine serpents. I see in Your Body many, many arms, bellies, mouths and eyes, expanded everywhere, without limit. I see in You no End, no Middle and no Beginning. Your form is difficult to see because of its glaring effulgence. Yet I see this glowing form everywhere, adorned with various crowns, clubs and discs. You are the 'Supreme Primal Objective'. You are the 'Ultimate Resting Place of All this Universe', 'You are the Oldest' ('Highly Respected'/'Source'). You are the 'Maintainer of the Eternal Religion' (Sanatana Dharma), the 'Personality of Godhead'. This is my opinion.
Your glory is unlimited. The sun and moon are Your eyes (… then Arjuna faced the more horrible picture)... 'I SEE YOU...' with blazing fire coming forth from Your mouth, burning this entire universe by Your own radiance. Although You are ONE, You Spread throughout the sky and the planets and all space between. O 'Great One', seeing this wondrous and terrible form, all the planetary systems are perturbed. All the hosts of demigods are surrendering before You and 'Entering unto You'. Some of them, very much afraid, are offering prayers with folded hands. Hosts of great sages and perfected beings, crying “ALL PEACE!” are praying to You by singing the Vedic Hymns. All the planets with their demigods disturbed at seeing Your great form, and as they are disturbed, so I am (the mood is spreading). O 'All-Pervading Visnu' (Form, but coming from Krsna...), I can no longer maintain my steadiness or equilibrium of Mind, perturbed by fear. O refuge of the worlds, please be gracious to me. I cannot keep my balance seeing thus Your Blazing Deathlike Faces and awful teeth in all directions, and I am bewildered.
… All the sons of Dhrtarastra, along with their allied kings, and Bhisma, Dhrona, Karna – and our chef soldiers also – are rushing into Your fearful mouth. And some I see trapped with heads smashed between Your teeth. As the many waves of the rivers flow into the ocean, so do all those great worriers (rushing full speed) enter blazing into Your mouths, as moths dash no destruction in the blazing fire. O Visnu..., I see You devouring all people from all sides with your flaming mouths. Covering all the universe with Your effulgence, You are manifest with terrible, scorching rays.
O Lord of lords, so fierce of form (Arjuna, now deeply horrified asks...) please tell me “WHO YOU ARE”. I offer my obeisances unto You. Please be gracious to me. You are the primal Lord. I want to know about You, for I do not know 'WHAT YOUR MISSION IS'.
The Lord said: “'T I M E' I AM”, 'The Great Destroyer of the Worlds', and 'I Have Come Here To Destroy All People'. With the exception of you – Pandavas (true devotees), all the soldiers here on both sides will be slain. Therefore 'GET UP'. Prepare to fight and 'WIN GLORY'. Conquer your enemies and enjoy a flourishing kingdom. They are ALREADY PUT TO DEATH by MY ARRANGEMENT, and you can be but 'AN INSTRUMENT' in the fight. Dhrona, Bhisma, Jayadratha, Karna and the other great warriors have already been destroyed by Me. Therefore kill them and 'Do Not Be Disturbed'. Simply fight, and you will vanish your enemies in battle.
Arjuna offered obeisances with folded hands again and again. He fearfully spoke to Lord Krsna in a faltering voice as follows: O 'Master of the Senses', the world becomes joyful upon hearing your NAME, and thus everyone becomes 'Attached to You'. Although the perfected beings offer You their respectful homage, the demons are afraid, and they flee here and there. All this is rightly done. O 'Great One', greater even than Brahma, YOU ARE the 'ORIGINAL CREATOR'. Why then should they not offer their respectful obeisances unto You? O God of gods! You are the invincible 'SOURCE', the 'CAUSE OF ALL CAUSES', transcendental to this material manifestation. You are the 'Original Personality of Godhead', the ultimate SANCTUARY of this manifested cosmic world. You are the 'Knower of Everything', and 'YOU ARE ALL THAT IS KNOWABLE'. You are above the material modes. O LIMITLESS FORM. You are Air and you are the Supreme Controller! You are Fire, You are Water and You are the Moon! You are the great-grandfather. Obeisances to You again and again, from the Front, from Behind and from All Sides! O 'Unbounded Power', You are the 'Master of Limitless Might!' You are 'All-Pervading', and thus – 'You are Everything'. Thinking of You as my friend, I have rashly addressed You “O Krsna”, “O Yadava”, “O my friend”, NOT knowing Your glories. Please forgive whatever I may have done in madness or in love. I have dishonoured You many times, jesting as we relaxed, lay on the same bed, or sat or ate together, sometimes alone and sometimes in front of many friends. O infallible one, please excuse me for all those offences (now, after seeing the Lord's Universal Form, Arjuna is completely convinced of the Unveiled 'Distanced/Reserved' Supremacy of Krsna as 'GOD'...).
You are the 'Father' of this 'Complete Cosmic Manifestation', of the moving and nonmoving. You are its 'Worshipable Chef', the 'Supreme Spiritual Master'. No one is equal to You, nor can anyone be 'One' with You. How then could there be anyone greater than You within the three worlds. O 'Lord of Immeasurable Power'? You are the Supreme Lord, to be worshipped by EVERY leaving being. Thus I fall down to offer You my respectful obeisances and I ask Your mercy. As a father tolerates the impudence of his son, a friend the impertinence of a friend, or a wife the familiarity of her partner, please tolerate the wrongs I may have done You.
After seeing this Universal Form I am gladdened, but at the same time my mind is disturbed with fear. Therefore please bestow Your grace upon me and reveal again Your form as the Personality of Godhead, O 'Abode of the Universe', O 'Thousand Armed Lord', I wish to see You in Your Four armed form, with helmeted head and with club, wheel, conch, and lotus flower in Your hands.
Krsna said: My dear Arjuna, ...happily have I shown you, by My internal potency, this 'SUPREME Universal Form' within the material world. No one before you have ever seen this 'PRIMAL FORM OF MINE', unlimited and full of glaring effulgence, for neither by study the Vedas, nor by performing sacrifices, nor by charity, nor by pious activities, nor by severe penances can I be seen in this form in the material world. You have been perturbed and bewildered by seeing this horrible feature of Mine. Now let it be finished. 'My devotee' be free again from all disturbances. With a peaceful mind you can now see the form you desire.
The Lord, heaving spoken thus to Arjuna, displayed His real Four-armed form and at last showed His Two-armed form, thus encouraging the fearful Arjuna. When Arjuna thus saw Krsna in His 'ORIGINAL FORM', he said: Seeing this humanlike form, so Very Beautiful (lackey Arjuna), I am now composed in mind, and I am restored to my original nature.
Krsna said: My dear Arjuna, this form of Mine you are now seeing is VERY difficult to behold. Even the demigods are ever seeking the opportunity to see this form, which is 'So Dear'. The form you are seeing with your 'TRANSCENDENTAL EYES' cannot be understood simply by 'Studying the Vedas', nor by 'Undergoing Serious Penances', nor by 'Charity', nor by 'Worship'... It is NOT by these means that one 'CAN SEE ME AS I AM'. My dear Arjuna, … ONLY... by – 'UNDIVIDED' – (fully focused/completely absorbed) DEVOTIONAL SERVICE CAN I BE UNDERSTOOD... 'AS I AM'..., standing before you, and can thus be seen DIRECTLY. Only in this way CAN YOU ENTER INTO THE 'MYSTERY OF MY UNDERSTANDING'. My dear Arjuna, he who engages in My 'PURE' Devotional Service, free from the contaminations of fruitive activities, and mental speculation, he who works for Me, who makes Me the SUPREME 'GOAL' OF HIS LIFE, and who IS 'FRIENDLY – TO EVERY LIVING BEING' – he certainly 'Comes to Me'.
In the next Chapter 12 Krsna is presenting Devotional Service.
“BHAGAVAD-GITA Meditation 10”
12.05.2018 In this Meditation – 'peculiar' friendly conversation, Krsna is revealing more 'Mystic Secrets' about Himself. Arjuna is praising Krsna, counting His Transcendental Divine Qualities as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. And he really wants to recognize/remember Him, so the Lord is kindly listing His own 'Opulence of the Absolute' He actually is,.
CHAPTER 10
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Listen again, O mighty-armed Arjuna. Because you are 'My Dear Friend', for your benefit I shall speak to you further, giving KNOWLEDGE that is BETTER than what I have already explained.
Neither the hosts of demigods nor great Sages KNOW MY ORIGIN or OPULENCES, for in every respect, I AM THE – 'SOURCE' – of demigods and the sages. He who Knows Me as the Unborn, as the Beginningless, as the Supreme Lord of all the Worlds – he only undeluded among men, is freed from all sins ('pure').
Intelligence, Knowledge, Freedom from Doubts and Delusion, Forgiveness, Control of the Senses, Control of the Mind, Happiness and Distress, Birth, Death, Fear, Fearlessness, Nonviolence, Equality, Satisfaction, Austerity, Charity, Fame and Infamy – all these 'Various Qualities of Living Beings' are created by Me alone. The Seven Great Sages and before them other great Sages and Manus [progenitors of mankind] come from Me, – 'Born from My Mind' (the Sages' abode), and all the living beings populating the various planets descend from them.
One who is 'FACTUALLY CONVINCED' of this Opulence and Mystic Power of Mine engages in 'UNALLOYED Devotional Service', of this there is no doubt. I am the 'Source of All Spiritual and Material Worlds'. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts.
… The THOUGHTS of My devotees dwell (reside) in Me..., their Lives are Fully devoted to My service..., and they 'Derive Great Satisfaction and Bliss' from ALWAYS enlightening one another and conversing about Me.
… To those who are 'Constantly Devoted to Serving Me with Love', I give the UNDERSTANDING by which 'They Can Come to Me'... To show them 'SPECIAL MERCY' I, dwelling in their hearts (sited as Paramatma – the 'Knowledge Personified God'), DESTROY with the 'Shinning Lamp of Knowledge' the DARKNESS born of Ignorance.
Arjuna said: You are the Supreme Personality of 'GOD-head', the 'ULTIMATE ABODE', the 'PUREST', the 'ABSOLUTE TRUTH'. You are the 'ETERNAL – TRANSCENDENTAL – ORIGINAL – UNBORN – the GREATEST PERSON'. All the great sages such as Narada, Asita, Devala and Vyasa 'Confirm this Truth about You' (the confirmation/prove particularly for those who need it), and now You Yourself are declaring it to Me. I totally accept as truth all that you have told Me. Neither the demigods, nor the demons, O Lord can understand Your Personality. Indeed, (only) You alone know Yourself by Your own 'Internal Potency'. O 'SUPREME PERSON'..., 'ORIGIN OF ALL'..., 'LORD OF ALL BEINGS'... 'GOD OF GODS',... 'LORD OF THE UNIVERSE!' Please tell me in detail of Your Divine Opulences by which You pervade all these worlds.
O Krsna, O Supreme Mystic..., HOW SHALL I CONSTANTLY THINK OF YOU..., and HOW SHALL I KNOW YOU?... In what various Forms are You to be REMEMBERED, O Supreme Personality of Godhead? O Janardana, again please describe in detail the 'Mystic Power of Your Opulence'... I am NEVER satisfied in hearing about You,... for the 'More I Hear the More I Want to TASTE the (delicious) Nectar of Your Words'...
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Yes,... I will tell you of My splendorous manifestations, but only of those which are prominent, for... 'My Opulence is Limitless'... I am the SUPERSOUL, seated in the hearts of all leaving entities. I am the 'BEGINNING, the MIDDLE and the END of All Beings' (and Creations)...
(Behold!...) ...Of the Aditias, I am VISNU... (as God He is/should be especially noticed/respected in all/within all – what is 'The Best' among everything He created), of Lights I am radiant Sun, of the Maruts I am Marici, and among the Stars I am the Moon. Of the Vedas I am the Sama Veda; of the Demigods I am Indra, the king of heaven; of the Senses I am the MIND; and 'In leaving beings I am the 'Leaving Force ('Prana') – CONSCIOUSNESS'... Of all the Rudras I am Lord Siva, of the Yaksas and Raksasas I am the Lord of wealth [Kuvera], of the Vasus I am Fire [Agni], and of the Mountains I am Meru. Of Priests, know Me to be the chef, Brhaspati. Of Generals I am Kartikeya, and of Bodies of Water I am the Ocean. Of the Great Sages I am Bhrgu; of Vibrations I am transcendental 'OM'. Of SACRIFICES – I am the 'CHANTING OF THE HOLY NAMES – JAPA', and of Immovable things I am the Himalayas. Of all Trees I am the Banyan Tree, and of the Sages among the demigods, I am Narada. Of the Gandharvas I am Chitraratha, and among 'Perfected Beings' I am the sage Kapila. Of Horses know Me to be Uccaihsrava, produced during the churning of the ocean of nectar. Of Lordly Elephants I am Airavata, and among Men I am the Monarch, Of Weapons I am the THUNDERBOLT; among Cows I am the Surabhi. Of causes for procreation I am Kandarpa, the god of love, and of Serpents I am Vasuki. Of the many-hooded Nagas, I am Ananta, and among the Aquatics I am the demigod Varuna. Of departed ancestors I am Aryama, and among the Dispenses of Law I am Yama, the Lord of Death. Among the Daitya demons I am the devoted Prahlada, among Subduers I am Inexhaustible TIME, among Beasts I am the Lion, and among Birds I am Garuda. Of Purifiers I am the Wind, of the Wielders of weapons I am RAMA (listed just among all others as 'if' equal), of the Fishes I am the Shark, and of flowing Rivers I am the Ganges. Of all Sciences I am the 'SPIRITUAL Science of the SELF', and among Logicians I am the 'CONCLUSIVE TRUTH'. Of Letters I am the letter 'A', and among compound words I am the 'Dual Compound', of Creators I am Brahma. I am all devouring Death, and I am the 'GENERATING PRINCIPLE' of all that is yet to be. Among Women (God who is both Male and Female principle in His/Her RadhaKrsna Origin as One Supreme Person) I am: Fame, Fortune, Fine Speech, Memory, Intelligence, Steadfastness and Patience. Of the Hymns in the Sama Veda I am the Brhat-sama, and of Poetry I am the Gayatri. Of Months I am Margasirsa [November-December], and of the Seasons I am flower-bearing Spring (now). I am also the gambling of cheats, and of the splendid I am the Splendour. I am Victory, I am Adventure, and I am the Strength of the strong. Of the descendants of Vrsni I am Vasudeva, and of the Pandavas I am Arjuna (Arjuna is listening this directly...). Of the Sages I am Vyasa, and among great Thinkers I am Usana. Among all means of suppressing lawlessness I am Punishment, and of those who seek Victory I am Morality (morality as triumph/win). Of Secrets I am Silence, and of the Wise I am the Wisdom.
Furthermore, O Arjuna I am the 'Generating Seed of All Existences'. There is NO being – moving or nonmoving – that can exist without ME. There is NO END of 'My Divine Manifestations'. What I have spoken to you is but a mere indication of 'My Infinite Opulences'. Know that ALL OPULENT, BEAUTIFUL, GLORIOUS Creations spring from but a Spark of 'My Splendour'.
But what need is there, Arjuna for all this detailed knowledge? WITH A SINGLE FRAGMENT OF MYSELF I PERVADE AND SUPPORT THIS ENTIRE UNIVERSE...
In the next Chapter 11 we will Meditate about Krsna who is showing Arjuna His Universal Form.
“BHAGAVAD-GITA Meditation 9"
05.05.2018 With this Meditation we are coming to the middle of Bg. Krsna used to present/repeat in each Chapter the main points about His Supreme position and His Creation, here in this Chapter He again summarises all concluding with the topmost position of Himself as Bhagavan and the unique position of His devotees, as the secret of all secrets. This is the initiation/BASIC/introduction to Bhakti-Yoga which opens the door to the spiritual climbing on the 'elite', precipituous altitude/upland of the whole 'Bhakti Evolution' (Radharani's Zone).
CHAPTER 9
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Arjuna, because you are NEVER ENVIOUS OF ME (and therefore able to open your heart to listen/hear), I shall impart to you this MOST KONFIDENTIAL KNOWLEDGE and REALIZATION (knowledge and realization together as an inseparable/compact transfer from guru to the qualified disciple), knowing which you shall be relieved of the miseries of material existence.
This knowledge is the KING OF EDUCATION (Raja-Vidhyam), THE MOST SECRET OF ALL SECRETS (Raja-Guhyam – the King of confidential knowledge), and because it gives 'Direct Perception of the SELF by REALIZATION' (pavitram-purest uttamam-transcendental pratyaksa-by Direct Experience), it is the 'Perfection of Religion' (this knowledge/realization as a perfect Dharma-religion). It is Everlasting and is joyfully performed.
Those who are 'NOT – 'FAITHFUL' – IN THIS DEVOTIONAL SERVICE CANNOT ATTAIN ME'. Therefore they return to the path of birth and death in this material world...
By Me (as a Person), in My Unmanifested Form (Brahman/spirit/'substance'), the entire universe is pervaded (God-Everywhere 'exactly'). All beings are in Me (in Divine Energy/Effulgence) but I am not in them. And yet everything that is created does 'Not Rest in Me'. BEHOLD MY MYSTIC OPULENCE!
Although I am the maintainer of all leaving entities and although I am everywhere, I am NOT a part of this cosmic manifestation, for MY SELF IS THE VERY – 'SOURCE' – OF CREATION. Understand that as the mighty WIND, blowing everywhere, rests always in the Sky. All created beings rest in Me (as pearls on a string).
At the end of the millennium all material, manifestations enter into My nature, and at the beginning of another millennium, by My potency, I create them again (as Mahavisnu's Dream and Brahmas' creative impact). THE WHOLE COSMIC ORDER IS UNDER ME – Under MY WILL (God's Will as a 'Divine Law/Reality' for everyone). All this work cannot bind Me. I am ever detached from all these material activities seated as though NEUTRAL.
FOOLS DERIDE ME WHEN (… whenever) I DESCEND IN THE HUMAN FORM. They do not know My Trancendental Nature as the Supreme Lord of All that be (Bhagavan). Those who are thus bewildered are attracted by demonic and atheistic views. In that deluded condition, their hopes for liberation, their fruitive activities, and their 'Culture of Knowledge' are all defeated.
Those who are not deluded, the Great Souls (Mahatma), are UNDER THE PROTECTION OF DIVINE NEATURE. They are 'FULLY Engaged in Devotional Service' because they know Me as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Original and Inexhaustible .
'ALWAYS CHANTING MY GLORIES...', 'Endeavouring with Great Determination', 'Bowing Down Before Me', those great souls 'Perpetually Worship Me with Devotion'.
Others,... who engage in service by the cultivation of (preliminary jnana) knowledge, worship the Supreme Lord as one without a second (Brahman), as diverse in many (Paramatma), and in the universal form.
But it is I who am the ritual, I the sacrifice, the offering to the ancestors, the healing herb, the 'Transcendental Chant'. I am the butter and the fire and the offering. I am the father of this universe, the mother, the support and the grandsire. I am the object of knowledge, the purifier and the syllable OM. I am also the Rg, the Sama and the Yajur Veda. I am the GOAL (ultimate Goal to attain... the Supreme Person, Bhagavan), the sustainer, the master, the witness, the abode, the refuge and the most dear friend. I am the creation and the annihilation, the basis of everything, the resting place and the eternal seed. I give heat and I withhold and send forth the rain. I am immortality and I am also death personified. Both 'SPIRIT and MATTER ('Model') are IN ME'.
Those who seek sense enjoyment by adhering to the principles of the three Vedas (study) achieve only repeated birth and death. Those who are devotees of other gods actually worship Only Me, but they do so in a wrong way. I am the ONLY enjoyer and master of all sacrifices. Therefore, those who DO NOT RECOGNIZE MY TRUE TRANSCENDENTAL NATURE fall down.
Those who worship the demigods will take birth among the demigods (temporarily on the higher planets); those who worship the ancestors go to the ancestors, those who worship ghosts and spirits will take birth among such beings; and 'THOSE WHO WORSHIP ME WILL LIVE WITH ME'.
Those who always worship Me with 'EXCLUSIVE' Devotion – 'MEDITATING' – ON MY TRANSCENDENTAL FORM, to them I carry what they lack, and preserve what they have
If one offers Me with LOVE and DEVOTION a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water, I will accept it... 'WHATEVER YOU DO, WHATEVER YOU EAT, WHATEVER YOU OFFER OR GIVE AWAY, AND WHATEVER AUSTERITES YOU PERFORM – DO THAT AS AN OFFERING TO ME...' In this way you will be 'Freed from Bondage to Work' and its 'Auspicious and Inauspicious Results'. With your MIND FIXED ON ME IN THIS – 'PRINCIPLE OF RENUNCJATION' – (the Renunciation/sannyasa as love/devotion to the Lord, actual meaning), you will be liberated and come to Me.
I envy no one, nor I am partial to anyone. I am 'Equal' to all. But WHOEVER (is established in devotion) RENDERS SERVICE TO ME IN DEVOTION IS – 'A FRIEND' – IS 'IN ME', AND I AM ALSO A FRIEND TO HIM.
Even if one (a devotee) commits the most abominable action (caused only by purification from past karma), if he is engaged in devotional service he is to be considered SAINTLY because HE IS PROPERLY SITUATED IN 'DETERMINATION'. He quickly became righteous and attains 'Lasting PEACE'. O son of Kunti DECLARE IT BOLDLY... THAT 'MY DEVOTEE NEVER PERISH'.
Those who 'Take SHELTER in Me', though they be of the lowest birth – women, vaisyas (merchanta) and sudras (workers) – 'Can Attain the Supreme Destination'... How much more this is so of the righteous... (he/she) brahmanas, the (he/she) devotees and the saintly kings (/queens, Kunti).
Therefore, heaving come to this temporary material world,... ENGAGE IN LOVING SERVICE UNTO ME:
- 'ENGAGE YOUR MIND - 'ALWAYS' - THINKING OF ME'
- 'BECOME MY DEVOTEE' (full devotion, indeed 24 hours a day)
- 'OFFER OBEISANCES UNTO ME' (constant respect)
- 'BEING – 'C O M P L E T E L Y ABSORBED IN ME' – (attain it)
... 'SURELY YOU WILL COME TO ME' ...
“BHAGAVAD-GITA Meditation 8”
Laudable-Valuable 'Break Time' ...Please try to sit comfortable, relax, concentrate your thoughts on the Lord, and peacefully enter this Retreat, do not study, just meditate:
27.04.2018 The previous 7th Meditation was about 'Confidential Knowledge' (of God in Brahman realization: the all pervading Lord in the 'Latent Basic Substance of Unity' of all jivas-souls and matter), now we are coming step further to the 'More Confidential Knowledge' (of God as Paramatma realization: the localized, all pervading 'Lord of Sacrifice', situated in the heart of each single jiva – hidden inseparable oneness in diversity), and next Krsna presents the 'Most Confidential Knowledge'...
CHAPTER 8
Now Arjuna is asking Lord Krsna about (the structure of His incredible creation): Brahman, the Self, the fruitive activities, the material manifestation, the demigods, the Lord of Sacrifice, and how does He live in the body?
And how can those engaged in Devotional Service know God at the time of Death?
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: The INDESTRUCTIBLE 'LIVING ENTITY' IS CALLED BRAHMAN, and HIS ETERNAL NATURE is called – ADHYATMA – the SELF. ACTION pertaining to the development of the material bodies of the living entities (directed to enjoy in material bodies) is called KARMA, or Fruitive Activities.
The 'PHYSICAL NATURE', which is constantly changing is called – ADHIBHUTA – the Material Manifestation. The UNIVERSAL FORM of the Lord, which includes all the Demigods is called – ADHIDAIVA – . And I THE SUPREME LORD, represented as the 'SUPERSOUL IN THE HEART' of every embodied being am called – ADHI-JAJNA – the 'Lord of the Sacrifice' (the ascribed Sacrifice for that Lord in this Age of Kali is 'Nama-jajna' – the chanting of His Holy Names: Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare).
Whoever at the end of his life, Quits his body 'REMEMBERING ME ALONE' (only...) at Once 'ATTAINS MY NATURE', of this there is no doubt. (But) whatever 'State of Being' one remembers (focuses on something/someone) when he quits his body that State he will attain without fall (according to Vedic opinion there are two ways of passing from this world – one in light and one in darkness. When one passes in light, he does not come back; but when passes in darkness, he returns. Although the devotees know those two parts, they are never bewildered, therefore be always fixed in devotion).
Arjuna you should 'ALWAYS THINK OF ME' in the form of Krsna and at the same time CARRY OUT YOUR PRESCRIBED DUTY of fighting (or whatever prescribed duty the individual has). With your 'Activities Dedicated to Me', and your 'Mind and Intelligence FIXED on Me', 'Undeviated from the Path' you will 'Attain Me' without doubts.
'ALWAYS MEDITATE ON ME', the Supreme Person as the 'One who KNOWS Everything', as 'He who is the Oldest', who is 'the CONTROLER', who is 'Smaller than the Smallest', who is 'the Maintainer of Everything', who is 'Beyond All material conception', who is 'Inconceivable', and who is 'ALWAYS A PERSON', is 'Luminous Like the Sun', and is 'TRANSCENDENTAL', beyond this material nature.
One who 'At the Time of Death' fixes his Life Air between the eyebrows (meaning to attain Absolute Peace – as the last step to the Spiritual Nature), and by the Strength of YOGA, with an undeviating Mind, engages himself in 'REMEMBERING THE SUPREME LORD IN FULL DEVOTION', will certainly Attain to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Persons who are learned in the Vedas, who utter Omkara and who are great sages in renounced order enter into Brahman (1). The Yogic situation is that of DETACHMENT from all Sensual Engagements. 'Closing all the Doors of the Senses' and 'Fixing the Mind on the Heart' (the Lord) and the 'Life Air at the top of the head', one 'Establishes himself in Yoga' (2). After being situated in this Yoga practice and vibrating the secret syllable Om , the supreme combination of letters (or chanting Hare Krsna Maha Mantra), if one things of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and quits his body, he will certainly reach the spiritual planets (3).
For one who 'Always Remembers Me without Deviation' (all the time absorbed), I am easy to obtain, because of his 'Constant' engagement in Devotional Service. After attaining Me, the great souls,who are 'YOGIS IN DEVOTION', never return to this material world, which is full of miseries, because they have attained the Highest Perfection. From the highest planet in the material world down to the lowest, all are places of misery, wherein the repeated birth and death take place, but ONE WHO ATTAINS TO MY ABODE, NEVER TAKES BIRTH AGAIN.
By human calculation, a thousand ages taken together form the duration of Brahma's one day. And such also is the duration of his night. At the beginning of Brahma's day, all living entities become manifested from the unmanifested state, and thereafter, when the night falls, they merged into the unmanifest, again and again helplessly annihilated. Yet there is another unmanifest nature, which is ETERNAL and is transcendental to this manifested and unmanifested matter. It is Supreme and is never annihilated. That which the Vedantists describe as unmanifest and infallible, that which is known as the 'SUPREME DESTINATION', that place from which heaving attained it, one Never Returns – that is 'My Supreme Abode.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead who is 'Greater than All', is attainable by UNALLOYED (crystal pure) DEVOTION. Although He is Present in His Abode, He is (simultaneously) ALL PERVADING and 'Everything Is Situated Within Him'.
A person who 'Accepts the Path of Devotional Service' is NOT Bereft of the Results derived from Studying the Vedas, performing Austere Sacrifices, Giving Charity or pursuing Philosophical and Fruitive Activities. Simply by performing DEVOTIONAL SERVICE, he attains all these, and at 'The End' he 'Reaches the Supreme Eternal Abode'.
In the following 9th Chapter Krsna is presenting the Most Confidential Knowledge to Arjuna, to us.
“BHAGAVAD-GITA Meditation 7”
21.04.2018 In this Meditation we can enter the penetration of the infinite-preternatural, miraculous 'World of God', here Krsna is further unveiling His own true identity, the mystery of His sublime-topmost position as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as the possessor of all Energies, beginning with Brahman – all pervading 'transcendental soup-substance' where the marginal-spiritual energy of all living beings dwell, and as well all material elements.
CHAPTER 7
Now Krsna is explaining to Arjuna, how by practising Yoga in full consciousness of Him, with Mind attached to Him, one can know Him in full knowledge, both phenomenal and numinous, free from doubt. This being known, nothing further shall remain to know.
Krsna continues: Out of many thousands among men, one may 'Endeavour for Perfection', and of those who have 'Achieved Perfection', hardly 'ONE knows Me in Truth' (completely acquainted).
Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Ether, Mind, Intelligence and False Ego – all together these eight constitute My separated (external) Material Energies. Besides these, there is another, separate energy of Mine, which comprises the Living Entities (marginal energy) who are exploiting the resources of this material, inferior nature. All created beings have their source in these two natures (containing in themselves both spiritual – the Soul and mentioned above Eight material constitutes – coverings of the Soul). Of all that is Material and all that is Spiritual in this world, know for certain that I am both the ORIGIN and the Dissolution, 'THERE IS NO TRUTH SUPERIOR TO ME'. Everything rests upon Me, as pearls are strung on a thread.
(Just imagine-realize: ...), I am the Taste of water, the Light of the sun and the moon, the Syllable OM (“One without a second”) in the Vedic Mantras, I am the Sound in the ether and Ability in man. I am the Original Fragrance of the earth, and I am the Heat in fire. I am the Life of all that lives, and I am the Penance of all ascetics. Know, that I am the Original Seed of all existences, the Intelligence of intelligent, and the Power of all powerful men. I am the Strength of the strong, devoid of passion and desire... I AM in one sense, 'EVERYTHING', but 'I AM INDEPENDENT'.
Know that all states of being (three general levels of consciousness) – be they of (1) Goodness, (2) Passion or (3) Ignorance – are manifested by My Energy. Deluded by the three modes (goodness, passion and ignorance), the whole world does not know (fully Prime God as a Person) Me (through any methods-religions), who am Above the modes (they are within Me) and inexhaustible.
This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have SURRENDERED to Me can easily cross beyond it. Those miscreants, who are 'Grossly fullish', who are 'Lowest among mankind', whose 'Knowledge is stolen by illusion', and who partake of the 'A t h e i s t i c N a t u r e of D e m o n s' do Not Surrender unto Me. Unintelligent men, who do 'Not Know Me Perfectly' (partially), think that I, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, was impersonal before and have now assumed this personality. Due to their 'Small Knowledge', they do not know 'MY HIGHER NATURE', which is imperishable and Supreme. I am NEVER manifested (as who God REALLY is) to the fullish and unintelligent. For them I am COVERED by My Internal Potency, and therefore they do not know that I am unborn and infallible.
Four kinds of PIOUS men begin to render Devotional Service unto Me – the DISTRESSED, the DESIRER OF WEALTH, the INQUISITIVE, and he who is SEARCHING FOR KNOWLEDGE of the Absolute. Of these, the one who is in Full Knowledge and who is always engaged in – 'P u r e' (unmotivated) – Devotional Service is the best. For I am very dear to him, and he is dear to Me. All these devotees are undoubtedly magnanimous souls, but 'HE WHO IS SITUATED IN KNOWLEDGE OF ME I CONSIDER TO BE LIKE MY OWN SELF' – ('Krsna-viddhi') . After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge Surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the 'CAUSE OF ALL CAUSES' and all that is (the divine purpose behind 'Everything' in life). Such a great soul is very rare. Being engaged in My 'Transcendental Service' (constantly, non-stop in contact with God), he is sure to attain Me, the 'Highest and Most Perfect Goal'.
All living entities are 'Born into Delusion', bewildered by Dualities arisen from 'DESIRE' and 'HATE' (mental 'I want'/'I repel'). Those whose intelligence has been stolen by 'Material Desires' surrender unto demigods (or worship-beg God for material profit...). I am in everyone's heart as the Supersoul – as soon as one 'D e s i r e s' to worship some demigod, I make his faith steady so that he can devote himself to that particular deity, and obtains his wishes. But in actuality these benefits are bestowed by ME alone. Men of small intelligence worship the demigods, and their fruits are limited and temporary. Those who worship the demigods go to the planets of the demigods, but My devotees ultimately reach 'My Supreme Planet' (Eternal Gift).
Intelligent persons who are endeavouring for liberation from old age and death (moksa – release) take refuge in Me in devotional service with determination. They are actually 'BRAHMAN' (realized) because they 'Entirely Know Everything about Transcendental Activities'.
Those in full consciousness of Me, who know Me, the Supreme Lord, to be the governing principle of the material manifestation, of the demigods, and of all methods of sacrifice, can 'Understand and Know Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead', even at the time of death.
O Arjuna, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, I know everything that has happened in the past, all that is happening in the present, and all things that are yet to come. also 'I Know All Living Entities'; but 'ME NO ONE KNOWS'.
The next 7th Chapter focuses on “Attaining the Supreme”...
“BHAGAVAD-GITA Meditation 6”
14.04.2018 In this Meditation Krsna is continuing with gradual walking up of the dormant consciousness, via the Supersoul platform, where the Mind is conquered (and where 'the Lord is willingly conquered'), through unavoidable steps (in it's deeper sense) of the 'Secret' Mystical YOGA – connection with God.
CHAPTER 6
Now Krsna is explaining (the higher levels of a sannyasa) Renunciation as REAL Yoga: One who is Unattached to the fruits of his work and who works as he is obliged, is in the RENOUNCED ORDER of life, and he is the true Mystic, not he who lights no fire and performs no duty. What is called RENUNCIATION you should know to be the SAME as YOGA, or 'LINKING ONESELF WITH THE SUPREME', since ONE CAN NEVER BECOME A YOGI UNLESS HE RENOUNCES THE – “DESIRE” (all Desires) – FOR SENSE GRATIFICATION.
For one who is NEOPHYTE (kanistha) in the Eightfold Yoga System, work (karma-yoga) is said to be the means (first step of progress), and for one who is already elevated in Yoga (Madhyama), cessation of all material activities (in internal sense) is said to be the means (further progress).
There is no possibility of one's become a Yogi, if one eats too much or eats too little, sleeps too much or does not sleep enough. He who is regulated in his habits of eating, sleeping, recreation and work can mitigate all material pains by practising the Yoga system.
One should engage oneself in the practice of Yoga with (great) DETERMINATION and FAITH and NOT be DEVIATED from the PATH. One should control all the Senses ON ALL SIDES (everywhere, all around) by the Mind, free from feelings of POSSESSIVENESS, always engage his Body, Mind and Self in relationship with the Supreme. He should live ALONE in a secluded place, sit firmly and PRACTICE YOGA (all varieties of spiritual Meditations-absorptions, as much as he can, specially the japa Meditation, chanting of the HARE KRSNA Maha Mantra), to PURIFY THE HEART. Thus, with an unagitated, subdued, fixed Mind, devoid of Fear, completely free from sex life, one should Meditate upon Me within the heart and make Me the ultimate goal of life, thus he attains to the kingdom of God (or the abode of Krsna) by cessation of material existence.
One must DELIVER himself with the help of his MIND, and not degrade himself. Conquered Mind is the best friend of the conditioned soul (rising up the Self), but for one who has failed to do so, his Mind will remain the greatest enemy (dragging down). For one who has conquered the Mind (Self-Controlled), the Supersoul is already reached, for he has attained TRANQUILITY. To such a man happiness and distress, heat and cold, honour or dishonour are all the same. He sees everything – whether it be stones or gold – as the same, situated in transcendence.
From wherever the Mind wanders due to its flickering and unsteady nature, one must certainly WITHDRAW it and BRING IT BACK under the control of the Self (Soul).
As a lam in a windless place does not waver, so the transcendentalist whose Mind is controlled, remains always in his Meditation on the Transcendental Self. In the stage of PERFECTION called TRANCE, or SAMADHI (unavoidable-desirable in realization of the Lord), one's Mind is Completely Restrained from material mental activities. This perfection is characterized by one's ability to see the Self by the PURE MIND and to relish and rejoice in the Self. In that joyous state, one is situated in boundless transcendental happiness, realized by TRANSCENDENTAL SENSES. Established thus, one never departs from the TRUTH, be established in self-realization and is called a Yogi (or Mystic) when he is fully satisfied by virtue of acquired knowledge (jnana) and realization (vijnana), and is never shaken even in the midst of greatest difficulty, this is freedom, beyond the mode of Passion.
A true Yogi OBSERVES ME in All beings (friends, neutral, enemies, animals, etc.) and also SEES EVERY BEING IN ME. Indeed, the self-realized person, Sees Me, 'THE SAME LORD'... EVERYWHERE. For one who sees Me everywhere and sees everything in Me, I AM NEVER LOST, NOR HE IS EVER LOST TO ME. Such a Yogi who engages in the Worshipful service of the Supersoul, knowing that 'I AND THE SUPERSOUL ARE ONE', remains Always in Me in All Circumstances.
He realizes his 'QUALITATIVE IDENTITY WITH THE SUPREME', achieves the highest stage of perfect happiness in 'Transcendental Loving Service to the Lord', and thus he is freed from all reactions to past deeds.
Here Arjuna however has a doubt, if it is possible to subdue Very Strong Mind – wind. But Krsna said to him that although it is undoubtedly very difficult task, it is possible by Suitable PRACTICE (abhysa-yoga) and by DETACHMENT – Renunciation (vairagya). For one whose Mind is unbridled, self-realization is difficult work. But he whose Mind is controlled and who strives by appropriate means is ASSURED of Success.
Arjuna then asked: What is the destination of the unsuccessful transcendentalist, who does not attain perfection in mysticism?
The Supreme Lord said: A transcendentalist engaged in auspicious activities does not meet with destruction either in this world or in the spiritual world; one who does good, is never overcome by evil. The unsuccessful yogi, after many years of enjoyment on the planets of the pious living entities, is born ('special child') into a family of righteous people, or rich aristocracy, or in a family of transcendentalists who are surely great in wisdom. Certainly such a birth is rare in this world.
He REVIVES the divine consciousness of his previous life, automatically attracted to the yogic principles, and again tries to make further progress in order to achieve COMPLETE Success. Such an inquisitive transcendentalist stands always ABOVE the ritualistic principles of the scriptures. Being washed of all contaminations, ultimately achieving perfection after many, many births of practice, he attains the supreme goal. A Yogi is greater than the ascetic, greater than the empiricist and greater than the fruitive worker. Therefore, O Arjuna, IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, BE A YOGI.
And of all yogis, the one with 'Great Faith' who 'Always Abides in Me, 'Thinks of Me' within himself, and 'Renders Transcendental Loving Service to Me' – he is the 'Most Intimately United with Me in Yoga' and is the 'Highest of All'. THAT IS MY OPINION.
In the next 7th Chapter of Bhagavad-gita Krsna presents the Knowledge of the Absolute.
“BHAGAVAD-GITA Meditation 5”
07.04.2018 In this section Work with Devotion, Karma-yoga is Meditated, with a Liberation (transformation) from material entanglement – 'Attaining the SUPREME (Brahman)', the First sublime level, and the beginning. The next step and the Second more sublime teacher level – aspiration, Meditated here is an EQUAL Vision of Madhyamas, 'Paramatmis', Svamis or Go-Svamis – masters of the Go-Senses, who are already above the Entanglement of the Senses-Work (on it) and are established in the Supreme, in Liberation. And who are aiming on the Third final Uttama-purity level.
CHAPTER 5
Arjuna is now saying to Krsna: First of all You ask me to Renounce Work, and then again You recommend Work with Devotion. Now will You kindly tell me definitely which of the two is more beneficial?
The Personality of Godhead replied: The renunciation of work and work in devotion are both good for LIBERATION. But of the two, work in devotional service is better than (artificial) renunciation of work. One who neither Hates nor Desires the fruits of his Activities is known to be ALWAYS RENOUNCED. Such a person, free from all Dualities, easily overcomes material bondage and is completely LIBERATED.
Only the Ignorant speaks of devotional service (karma-yoga) as being different from the analytical
study of the material world (Sankhya) – study to renounce it. Those who are actually Learned say that he who applies himself well to one of these paths achieves the results of both. One who knows that the position reached by means of analytical study (detachment and jnana-yoga) can also be attained by devotional service (attachment to Krsna, karma-yoga), and who therefore sees analytical study and devotional service to be on the same level (as achieving the same result of Brahman realization platform in the Supreme), see things as they are.
When the embodied living being Controls his Nature and Mentally Renounces all actions, he resides happily in the city of the Nine Gates (the material body), neither working nor causing work to be done. The embodied spirit, master of the city of his body, does not create actions, nor does he induce people to act, nor does he create the fruits of action. All this is enacted (by strings moving the 'body – puppet') by the modes of material nature (caused by reactions to previous actions-karma, and finally vanished by such mastery).
Merely renouncing all activities yet not engaging in the devotional service of the Lord can make one happy. But a thoughtful person engaged in devotional service can Achieve the Supreme WITHOUT DELAY. One who works in devotion, who is PURE SOUL, and who Controls his Mind and Senses is DEAR to Everyone, and Everyone is DEAR to him. A person is in the DIVINE CONSCIOUSNESS, although engaged in seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, eating, moving about, sleeping and breathing, always knows within himself that he actually DOES NOTHING at all (as distanced), always knows that only the Material Senses are engaged with their Objects and that he is ALOOF from them.
One who performs his duty without ATTACHMENT – SURRENDERING the Results unto ME, the Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sinful action, as the Lotus leaf is untouched by water. That steadily devoted soul attains unadulterated PEACE, whereas a person who is not in Union with the Divine, who is Greedy for the fruits of his labour, becomes entangled (such pleasure has the beginning and end).
The Yogi abandoning Attachment, act with Body, Mind, Intelligence and even with his Senses (as the covering bodies - koshas), ONLY for the purpose of (their) PURIFICATION.
Nor does the Supreme Lord assumes (adsorbs, accepts) anyone's sinful or pious activities. Embodied beings, however, are Bewildered because of the Ignorance which COVERS their real KNOWLEDGE. When however, one is enlightened with the Knowledge by which nescience is destroyed, then his knowledge reveals everything as the sun lights up everything in the daytime.
When one's intelligence, mind, faith and refuge (shelter, sanctuary) are all FIXED in the Supreme, then one becomes fully cleansed of misgivings through COMPLETE Knowledge and thus proceeds straight on the path of LIBERATION:
The humble Sages ('vidya-vinaya-sampanne'), by the virtue of true Knowledge (panditah), see with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a caw, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater, outcaste (as the next effort, which is completely realized on the position of Paramatma – full Knowledge – unbewildered, who knows the science of God). Those whose Minds are ESTABLISHED in Sameness (oneness in well-wishing to all living beings) and Equanimity , have already conquered the conditions of birth and death, . They are flawless (faultless) like Brahman (like the Supreme), and thus they are ALREADY SITUATED... in Brahman (in the Supreme, liberated) ...IN TRANSCENDENCE. Such a LIBERATED person is always IN TRANCE, 'Enjoying the Pleasure Within'. In this way the Self-realized person enjoys unlimited HAPPINESS, for he Concentrates on the Supreme.
One whose Happiness is Within, who is Active and Rejoices Within, and whose AIM is INWARD is actually the 'Perfect MYSTIC'. He is LIBERATED in the Supreme, and... ultimately he Attains the Supreme (the last third level). Those who are beyond the Dualities that arise from Doubts, who are free from Anger and all material Desires, who are Self-realized, Self-disciplined and constantly endeavouring for the perfection, whose minds are engaged Within, who are Always busy WORKING FOR THE WELFARE OF ALL LIVING BEINGS, and who are free from all Sins achieve Liberation in the Supreme in the very near future.
A person in Full Consciousness of Me, knowing Me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and WELL WISHER of all living beings, attains PEACE (LIBERATION) from the (repeated) pangs of material miseries.
In the next 6th Chapter Krsna is presenting Dhyana-yoga.
“BHAGAVAD-GTA Meditation 4”
31.03.2018 In this section we will pass through the realization of Brahman, come closer to the TRANSCENDENTAL KNOWLEDGE – as the essential and so important revelation and Paramatma realization, to aim on Bhagavan realization (which is above all efforts, in the Spiritual World).
CHAPTER 4
Lord Krsna now describes the structure of receiving the Transcendental Knowledge – through disciplic succession (ONLY guru-disciple chine), as He instructed this imperishable Science of Yoga (relationship with the Supreme) to the sun-god, Vivasvan, and Vivasvan instructed it to Manu..., but in course of time the succession was broken. Now Krsna is again presenting it to Arjuna because he is His Devotee and as well as His Friend and can therefore understand the transcendental mystery of this science.
Arjuna asked: The sun god Vivasvan is senior by birth to You, how am I to understand that in the beginning You instructed this science to him?
Krsna said: Many, many births both you and I have passed. I can remember all of them, but you cannot. Although I am unborn and My transcendental body never deteriorates, and although I am the Lord of all living entities, I still appear every millennium in My original transcendental form ('prakrim' – in the transcendental form, 'svam' – of Myself, 'adhisthaya' – being so situated, 'sambhavami' – I do incarnate, 'atma-mayaya' – by My internal energy).
Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice and a predominant rise of irreligion at that time I descend Myself, to deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion.
One who KNOWS the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world but attains My eternal abode. Being freed from attachment, fear and anger, being fully absorbed in Me and taking refuge in Me, many persons in the past became PURIFIED BY KNOWLEDGE OF ME – and thus they all attained TRANSCENDENTAL LOVE FOR ME. As all Surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly. Everyone follows MY PATH (which is ONE) in all respects (as gradations of religions).
According too the three modes of nature , and the Work associated with them, the four divisions of human society (Varna-Asrama) are created by Me. And although I am the creator of this system , you should know that I am nondoer, being unchangeable.
The intricacies of ACTION (work-karma) are very hard to understand, even the intelligent are bewildered in determining it. One should know properly what Action is, what Forbidden Action is and what Inaction is. One who sees inaction in action (external – karma is actually inaction in spiritual progress) and action in inaction (internal – linking yoga, which is inactive but actually is action in a context of spiritual progress), is in the transcendental position, although engaged in all sorts of activities. One is understood to be in Full Knowledge, whose every endeavour is Devoid of DESIRE for Sense gratification. Abandoning all ATTACHMENT to the Results of his Activities, Ever Satisfied and INDEPENDENT, he performs NO fruitive action, although engaged in all kinds of undertaking. Such a man with Mind and Intelligence Perfectly CONTROLLED, gives up all sense of proprietorships, and acts only for the bare necessities of life. He is Satisfied with gain which comes of its own accord, free from Duality and does NOT ENVY, Steady in both success and failure, never Entangled, although performing actions.
A person who is fully absorbed (by complete absorption and freedom– Kaivalyam) in ('brahma' - spiritual nature) Krsna consciousness is sure to attain the spiritual kingdom because of his full Contribution to spiritual activities, in which the 'Consummation is Absolute' and 'That which is offered' is of the same spiritual nature.
Some yogis perfectly worship the demigods by offering different sacrifices to them, and some offer Sacrifices in the Fire of the Supreme Brahman. Others who are interested in achieving Self-realization through control of the mind and senses, offer the function of all the senses into the fire of the controlled mind. Others, curtailing the eating process, offer the breath into itself as a sacrifice. Heaving accepted strict vows, some become enlightened by sacrificing their possessions, and others by performing severe austerities, by practising the yoga of eightfold mysticism, or by studying the Vedas to advance in transcendental knowledge.
All this performers who know the meaning of Sacrifice become cleansed of sinful reactions, they advance toward the supreme eternal atmosphere. Without sacrifice one cannot live happily on this planet or in their life: what then in the next? All this different types of sacrifice are approved by the Vedas and all of them are born of different types of Work, knowing them as such you will become liberated. All sacrifices of Work culminate in Transcendental Knowledge.
“Tad VIDDHI pranipatena, pariprasnena sevaya...' Just try to LEARN the Truth by approaching a Spiritual Master (in an authorised guru-disciple succession). Inquire from him submissively and render Service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart Knowledge unto you because they have SEEN the Truth. Heaving obtained real Knowledge from the self-realized soul, you will never fail again into such (peculiar, or your own) illusion, for by this Knowledge (Knowledge as the aspect of the higher Intelligence, Vijnana – PARAMATMA realization) you will see that all Living Beings are but PARTS of the Supreme (waking up 'Compassion-Emphaty-Joy' in full broad version), or in other words that they (all living beings) are MINE.
When you are situated in the 'Boat of Transcendental Knowledge' you will be able to cross the Ocean of miseries.
As a blazing fire turns firewood to ashes, so does the 'Fire of Knowledge' burn to ashes all Reactions to material activities.
IN THIS WORLD THERE IS NOTHING SO SUBLIME AND PURE AS 'TRANSCENDENTAL KNOWLEDGE'.
Such Knowledge is the 'Mature Fruit of All MYSTICISM'. And one who has become ACCOMPLISHED in the Practice of Devotional Service enjoys this Knowledge within himself in due course of time. But ignorant and faithless persons who doubt the Revealed Scriptures do not attain GOD consciousness, they fall down.
The doubts which have arisen in your heart out of ignorance should be slashed by the (firmly established) 'WEAPON OF KNOWLEDGE'. Armed with Yoga, stand and fight (defeat any Illusion – Maya).
In the next 5th chapter Krsna is opening the details of work in God consciousness, Karma-yoga.
“BHAGAVAD-GITA Meditation 3”
24.03.2018 After the description of the whole spiritual path in general, Krsna gave to Arjuna in the 2nd Chapter, we are coming to the step by step progress through the levels of consciousness, from more 'on the earth' beginning, but so significant through the whole process.
CHAPTER 3
Arjuna is asking now Krsna: why do You want to engage me in this battle if you think that Intelligence is better than Fruitive Work. He feels his intelligence is bewildered so he asks Krsna to give His DECISIVE Answer what will be most beneficial for him.
The Supreme Lord reminds him that there are two classes ('nistha' - faith) of men (yogis) who try to realize the self, Those who try to understand it by empirical ('sankhyanam', related to the sensory experience, by linking process of jnana-yoga) philosophical speculation, and others by (linking process of karma-yoga) devotional service.
WORK: Nor by merely abstaining from work one can achieve freedom from reaction, nor by renunciation can one attain perfection. Everyone is forced to act helplessly according to the qualifications he has acquired from the modes of material nature, therefore no one can refrain from doing something, not even for a moment. A sincere person tries to control the active Senses by the Mind and begins Karma-yoga (in Krsna consciousness) without attachment.
Work done as the sacrifice for Visnu has to be performed; otherwise work causes bondage in this material world, therefore perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will remain free from bondage.
YAJNA: In the beginning of creation the Lord of all creatures sent forth generations of men and demigods, along with sacrifices for Visnu, and blessed them by saying: 'Be thou happy by this Yajna (sacrifice) because its performance will bestow upon you everything desirable for leaving happily and achieving liberation. The demigods, being pleased by sacrifices will also please you, and thus, by cooperation between men and demigods, prosperity will reign for all (this Hindu system is practised broadly, but for this age of Kali Sankirtana Yajna-sacrifice is recommended of chanting the Holy Names of God: Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare).
The devotees of the Lord are released from all kinds of sin because they eat food which is offered first for SACRIFICE (called then Praseada – the mercy of the Lord), others who prepare food for personal sense enjoyment, verily eat only sin.
Regulated sacrifices are prescribed (and so stressed) in the Vedas manifested directly from the Supreme Brahman – the Supreme Lord. Consequently the all-pervading Transcendence ('brahma') is eternally situated (in every offering to the Lord) in acts of sacrifice. (This basic position of Brahman realization – understood as the realization of the all pervading effulgence of the Lord – is a characteristic of karma-yoga, and jnana-yoga respectively, as the inherent adequate elements of this level of consciousness).
DUTY: But for one who takes pleasure in the Self whose human life is one of self-realization, and who is satisfied in the self ('atmani') only, fully satisfied - for him there is no Duty.
A self-realized man has no purpose to fulfil in the discharge of his prescribed duties, nor has he any reason not to perform such work. Nor has he any need to depend on any other living being.
Therefore without being attached to the fruits of activities, one should act as a matter of duty for by working without attachment, one attains the Supreme. And therefore just for the sake of EDUCATING the people in general you should perform your work-duty (Arjuna is here designated by Krsna as a 'Model' devotee who is teaching by example, an Acarya, as Krsna who takes on the Earth this position). Whatever action a great man performs, common men follow and whatever standard he sets by exemplary act, all the world pursues.
There is no work prescribed for Me within all the three planetary systems. Nor am I in want of anything, nor have I a need to obtain anything – and yet I am engaged in prescribed duties. For if I ever failed to engage in carefully performing duties, certainly all men would follow My path.
Those persons who execute their duties according to My injunctions, and who follow this teaching faithfully, without envy, become free from the bondage of fruitive actions. But those who out of envy disregard this teachings, and do not follow them are to be considered bereft of knowledge, befooled, and ruined in their endeavours for perfection.
Even a man of knowledge act according to his own nature, for everyone follows the nature he has acquired from the three modes (varnasrama). What can repression accomplish?
It is far better to discharge one's prescribed duties, even though faultily, than another's duty perfectly, for to follow another path is dangerous.
ATTACHMENT: As the ignorant perform their duties with attachment to results, the learned may similarly act, but without attachment for the sake of leading people on the right path. So as not to disrupt their minds a learned man should not induce them to stop work. Rather by working in the spirit of devotion, he should engage them in all sorts of activities (for gradual development of Krsna consciousness).
There are principles to regulate Attachment and Aversion pertaining to the senses and their objects. One should not come under the control of such attachment and aversion, because they are stumbling blocks on the path of self-realization.
KNOWLEDGE: The spirit soul bewildered by the influence of false ego thinks himself the doer of all activities that are in actuality carried out by the three modes of material nature.
One in Knowledge does not engage in fruitive activities; ignorant, bewildered by the three modes of nature fully engage themselves in material activities and become attached. But the wise should not unsettle them, although these duties are inferior due to the performers' lack of knowledge.
Therefore, O Arjuna surrender all works unto Me, with full Knowledge of Me, without desires for profit, with no claims to proprietorship, and free from LETHARGY, fight.
ENEMY: Arjuna said: by what is one impelled to sinful acts, even Unwillingly, as if engaged by Force?
Krsna said: “It is LAST which is born of contact with the material mode of passion and later transformed into Wrath, and which is the all-devouring sinful enemy of this world.
As fire is covered by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, or as the embryo is covered by womb, the living entity is similarly covered by different Degrees of lust (in layers of many different bodies-sheaths: Physical, Pranic, Emotional, Psychic, Mental, Intellectual, Ego). Thus the wise living entity's Pure Consciousness becomes covered by his eternal enemy. The Senses, the Mind and the Intelligence are the sitting place of this lust. Through them lust covers the knowledge of the living entity and bewilders him. Therefore, in the Very BEGINNING crush this great symbol of Sin (Smiling face of Maya-Illusion) by regulating the senses, and sly this destroyer of knowledge and self-realization.
The working senses are superior to dull matter, mind is higher than the senses, intelligence is still higher than the mind, and he (the soul) is even higher than intelligence. Thus knowing oneself to be Transcendental to the material senses, mind and intelligence, one should steady the mind by deliberate Spiritual Intelligence (Krsna consciousness), and thus – by spiritual strength – conquer this insatiable enemy.
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In the next 4th Chapter Krsna is saying about the benefit of the Transcendental Knowledge.
“BHAGAVAD-GITA Meditation 2”
17.03.2018 In this Meditation we are coming to the next very intense, important Chapter of Bgagavad-gita, as a compendious vision-vidya of the whole self-realization process,... which is, so to say a difficult high philosophy 'of perfection' and a long term challenge to adjust in practice.
CHAPTER 2
Lord Krsna seeing Arjuna depressed in the midst of Kuruksetra armies, calls his mood 'kasmalam' – dirtiness, impurities; 'klaibhyam' – infirmity, impotence; 'hrdaya-daurbalyam' – weakness of the heart. “It does not become you”.
Arjuna however confused about his duty, gives other arguments to not kill his teachers, superiors, who are instead worth of worship.
In this condition Arjuna is saying: “Govinda I shall not fight”.
Now he is asking Krsna to tell him what is the best for him. Dedicating himself as Krsna's disciple and surrendered soul. (Instructing Krsna is here a symbol of Guru-tattva, as all Gurus, for all).
Krsna smiling, said that he is lamenting for leaving or death, what is not worth of grief, pointing out the eternity of the Soul and it's transmigration-reincarnation (of putting a new garment – new body, and giving up old one – old useless body; changes through growth, up to another body). This significant statement is the basic foundations of the highest knowledge: a sober person is not 'Bewildered' by such a change, he knows the art of tolerating the continuous changes of the inflective 'sukha-duhkha' – happiness and pain.
Through the study, 'the SEERS of the truth' concluded the impermanence, 'non existence' of the BODY (which is sure to come to an end), and the non endurance, eternity of the imperishable, unborn, indestructible, Primeval SOUL, everlasting, invisible, inconceivable, PRESENT E V E R Y W H E R E, Eternally the Same – dwelling within the body Amazing Soul (known to some and unknown to the others),
Therefore: knowing this you should 'Fight, for the sake of faithing' out of religious principles without hesitation, out of your duty, by doing this there will be no sin on you. (Dharma duty)
So far Krsna is explaining the philosophy through analytical study, now He will explain how to
ACT WITH THE 'KNOWLEDGE' in terms of working without fruitive results, which can free from the bondage of works. In such (effective) endeavour there is no lost, and a little advancement on this path can free from most dangerous type of Fear (negative feeling of fear leading to degradation). One who is RESOLUTE in purpose has ONE GOAL, other's Intelligence who are Irresolute is many-branched (those who are attached to the Veda's – or other prescribed religious duties in three modes of material nature, to achieve heavenly planets or good birth and opulent life, who want material benefit of sense gratification, do not seek devotional service for the Supreme Lord).
'BE TRANSCENDENTAL' to the three modes of nature, BE FREE from all D U T I E S (external, bounding), from all anxieties for Gain, Safety.
BE ESTABLISHED IN THE S E L F, knowing the purpose behind them, you will serve the purpose of the Vedas.
Never consider yourself the C A U S E of the results of your activities (God is), and never be attached to not doing your Duty (internal, leading to freedom)).
Perform your duty Equipoised, abandoning all attachment to success or failure (purification from both).
Such EQUANIMITY is called 'Y O G A'
Keep all Abominable (material) activities far distant by Devotional Service (dedication to the Lord), and in that consciousness 'S U R R E N D E R' unto the Lord.
A man engaged in Devotional Service RIDS himself from both Good and Bad actions even in this life. Therefore strive for YOGA, which is the ART OF ALL WORKS (in this way great Sages free themselves from the results of work, and from the cycle of birth and death, beyond all miseries – coming back to Godhead).
When your MIND is no longer disturbed by the flowery language of the Vedas ('clear' from the stages of Dharma, three gunas),... and when it (the Mind) remains FIXED in the T R A N C E of SELF-REALIZATION,
then you have attained the 'D I V I N E C O N S C I O U S N E S S'.
Arjuna now is asking what are the symptoms of that 'saintly' person.
Krsna said: ...When a man GIVES UP all varieties of 'DESIRES' for sense gratification, which arises from material concoction, and when his M I N D, thus purified, finds SATISFACTION in the SELF ALONE (in the state of the Soul), then he is said to be in pure transcendental consciousness.
One who is not disturbed in Mind even amidst the threefold miseries or elated when there is happiness, and who is free from Attachment, Fear, and Anger is called a Sage of 'STEADY MIND' and is Firmly Fixed in 'PERFECT KNOWLEDGE'.
One who is able to withdraw his S E N S E S from SENSE OBJECTS (Smell, Taste, Form, Touch, Sound), as the tortoise draws its limbs within the shell, is firmly fixed in perfect consciousness (the embodied soul may be restricted from sense enjoyment, though the taste for sense objects remains, but ceasing such engagements by experiencing a Higher Taste – realizations, he is fixed in consciousness).
The Senses are so strong and impetuous that they forcibly carry away the Mind of a man of determination who is endeavouring to control them. As a strong wind sweeps away a boat on the water, even one of the roaming Senses on which the Mind focuses can carry away a man's Intelligence.
One who RESTREIN his Senses, keeping them under full control and Fixes His Consciousness Upon ME, is known as a man of 'STEADY INTELLIGENCE'.
When your Intelligence has passed out of the dense forest of Illusion, you should become indifferent to all that has been heard and all that is to be heard (being inside).
What is night for all beings, is the time of awakenig for the self controlled, and the time of awakening for all beings is night for the introspective Sage (up side down converting mystical process).
A person free from all Attachment and Aversion and able to control his Senses through regulative principles of Freedom can obtain the 'C O M P L E T E' MERCY OF THE LORD'.
A person who is NOT DISTURBED by the incessant flow of 'DESIRES' – that enter like rivers into the ocean, which is ever being filled but is always STILL – can alone achieve Peace (calm inside to see). A person who has given up all Desires for sense gratification, who lives free from desires, who has given up all sense of Proprietorship and is devoid of False Ego – he alone can attain real 'PEACE'.
That is the way of the spiritual and godly life, after attaining which a man is
NOT 'B E W I L D E R E D' ( 'Victorious').
If one is thus situated even at the hour of death, one can enter into the kingdom of God...
That 'vista' of many topics-codes from this 2nd Chapter are further elaborated by Krsna, in the next Chapters.
'BHAGAVAD-GITA Meditation 1'
09.03.2018 This is the next series of articles, the Meditation on each Chapter of the Bhagavad-gita, as a general image of a whole.
CHAPTER 1
Imagine, if you will, ...you are observing the situation which is going one 5 000 years ago, the fascinating picture of the ancient times, the armies with huge elephants, horses, chariots and shinning with royal attributes and ornaments great warriors of an excellent old Military Arts. On a large land of Kuruksetra the battle soon begins...
The terrific 'sabdha'... sound..., 'simha-nadam – roaring sound like that of a lion, vibrating very loudly conchshells piercing the space and the hearts of the opponents...
The sons of two brothers Pandhu and Dhrtarastra, fight against each other for kingdom. On one side a pride (pride as an indication of a certain spiritual blindness) hundred princes lead by Duryodhana, on the other side devoted to God personalities, five Pandavas. They are followed by others whose choices (choices as the important alternatives – what to do, bringing some irreversible results) situated them on both sides, a friends, teachers - brahmanas, the members of one family. Tension so actual all the time up to our times and after our times no doubt. Why this is happening? Why people who supposed to love each other are the opponents on both sides? Why there is a 'war' and sides, sometimes many sides among people instead of 'santi' peace, cooperation. The answers are here in Ghagavad-gita, which is giving a whole spectrum of reasons and gradations of the consciousness of each individual and a points of view they have out of temporary positions they occupy - identify, which is the cause of limited visions and many such problems.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krsna, not involved personally in this war, as He is always above everything, above any conflict, drives a chariot of one Pandava, a friend Arjuna, in a midst of the armies. Seeing his relatives on the opposite side Arjuna overwhelmed with compassion (compassion as the result of view through material goodness), unable to fight with them said: How to kill them? Better they kill me... The Dharma rules he was leaving was disposing him, guiding him, dictating him his own choices. The dilemma he have had caused great grief within his heart.
Dharma – religiosity, the rules and regulations, the attachment to causes and effects of every single action... The Most important harmony on this planet and this material world is always framed by a strict ('dharmick' or Manu) law to abide...
But God is above any law, above any boundaries (however never whimsical), and to come back to Him, to the Spiritual World one must cross over that boundaries, developing – identifying with God's spiritual qualities, to become finally spiritually perfect, transcendental.
This is the First Chapter, introduction to the teachings, the presentation of the absolute reality God, Krsna is explaining to His friend Arjuna on this Kuruksetra land (quite specific, purposeful place and time for the transfer of that absolute knowledge, ...just before the 'mass massacre'), rising gradually his consciousness above all designations of this Material World, above all conflicts, tensions, differences, divisions, relationships and so one.
And everyone can take advantage from this lessons, truly actual at any times, for his own spiritual benefit.
PS. Once, many years ago I was there, on Kuruksetra auspicious holly place with some sadhus. Among them was HH Jayapataka Svami, he was telling then about some prediction-plans of Kuruksetra University there...