CHAPTER-14- THREE GUNAS

CHAPTER- XIV

THREE GUNAS


Krishna continued Hs exposition about the Supreme Wisdom.

My primordial Nature-known as the great Brhama is the womb of all creatures-in that womb; I place the seed of all life. The creation of all beings follows from that union of matter and spirit.

Of all embodied beings that appear in all the species of various kinds- Prakriti or Nature is the conceiving mother while I am the seed giver-the Father.

Sattva, Rajas and Tamas, the three gunas born of nature tie down the imperishable soul to the body.

Sattva being immaculate is illuminating and flawless. It binds through identification with joy and wisdom.

Rajas are of the nature of passion, as born of cupidity and attachment. It binds the soul through attachment to actions and their fruits.

Tamas is of the nature of deluder and binds the soul through error, sloth and sleep.

Sattva drives one to joy and rajas into action, while Tamas clouding wisdom incites one to error.

Over powering Rajas and Tamas Satva prevails. Overpowering Sattva and Tamas Rajas prevails. Overpowering Sattva and Rajas Tamas prevails.

Light and discernment dawn in this body, mind and senses, then one should know that Sattva is predominant.

With the predominance of Rajas greed, activity, undertaking actions with an interested motive, restlessness and thirst for enjoyment appears.

With the growth of Tamas, obtuseness of mind and senses, disinclination to perform one’s obligatory duties, frivolity and stupor- all these appear.

When a man of Sattva dies during the preponderance of Sattva, he goes to heaven.

In case of Rajas, he is born again and again among those attached to action.

In case of Tamas is reborn in the species of stupid creatures such as insects and beasts.

The reward for of a righteous act is Sattvika and faultless (Joy, wisdom and dispassion) sorrow for a Rajasika act and ignorance for Tamasika act.

Wisdom follows Sattva, greed from Rajas and error, stupor and ignorance from Tamas.

Those who abide Sattava go up, the Rajas in the middle and Tamas sink down.

Those who stand beyond the three gunas he enters My being.

Having transcended the above threegunas, which have caused the body and freed from birth, death and old age and all kinds of sorrow this soul attains supreme bliss.

Arjuna asked Krishna to enlighten him about the man who has risen above the three gunas.

Krishna said- He who hates not light born of sattva, activity born of Rajas and Stupor born out of Tamas when prevalent nor longs for them when they have ceased.

He who sitting like a witness is not disturbed by the gunas remains established in identity with God and never falls from that state.

He who takes joy and sorrows alike, regards clod of earth, stone and gold equal in value, is possessed of wisdom receives pleasant and unpleasant in the same spirit and views criticism and praise alike

He who is indifferent to honour and ignomy, is alike to friend and foe and renounced the sense of doer ship in all undertakings is said to have risen above the three gunas.

He who constantly worships Me through the Yoga of exclusive devotion crossing this gunas-he becomes eligible for attaining Brahma.

For- I am the ground of the imperishable Brahma, of immortality, of the eternal virtue and unending immutable bliss.

R.Jagannathan.

THE NATURE, THE ENJOYER and CONSCIOUSNESS

CHAPTER- 13.

THE NATURE, THE ENJOYER and CONSCIOUSNESS

Arjuna wanted to know from Krishna about the nature, the purusha and the field, knower of the field and knowledge and the object of knowledge.

Krishna explained- This body is called the field and the one who knows this body is called the knower of the field.

I am also the knower in all bodies. To understand this body and its knower is called knowledge and wisdom.

The knowledge of the field of activities and the knower of the activities is well described in various Vedic writings and well presented in Vedanta Sutra.

The field of activities consists of –false ego, intelligence, the unmanifested, the ten senses and the mind, the five senses-objects, desire, hatred, happiness, distress, the aggregate, the life symptoms and the convictions.

Humility, pridelessness, nonviolence, tolerance, simplicity, approaching bonafide spiritual Master, cleanliness, steadiness, self control, renunciation of the objects of sense gratification, absence of false ego, the perception of the evil of birth, death, old age, and disease, detachment, freedom from bondage with children, wife, home and the rest, even mindedness, constant devotion to the Lord, detachment from the general mass of people, accepting the importance of self-realization and the search for absolute truth- all these are the knowledge and the opposites are ignorance.

Now I shall explain about that which ought to be known and the one which one attains the supreme bliss. - The Brahman who is beginning less and endless.

It has hands and feet on all sides, eyes and head and mouth in all directions, and ears all round and pervading the entire universe.

Though perceiving all sense objects, it is really devoid of all senses; it is the sustainer of all-though unattached, it is the enjoyer of all qualities though attributes less.

It exists without and within all beings and constitutes the animate and inanimate creations. In addition, because of its subtlety-it is incomprehensible, nearby yet farther away.

Though integral like space, yet it appears divided in all animate and inanimate beings.

Some perceive the Super soul within themselves through meditation, some others through the cultivation of knowledge and still others through working without fruitlike desires.

One who sees the Super soul accompanying the individual is said to be the light of all lights and entirely beyond Maya. That God is knowledge itself, worth knowing, and worth attaining through real wisdom and is particularly seated in the heart of all.

Prakriti and Purusha both these as beginingless and know that all modifications such as likes etc and all objects constituted of the three Gunas as born of prakriti.

Prakriti is responsible for bringing forth the evolutes and the instruments, while the individual soul is declared the cause of experience of joys and sorrows.

The Spirit dwelling in this body is really the same as the Supreme. He has been spoken of as the Witness, the true guide, the Sustainer of all, the Experiencer, the Over Lord and the Absolute.

He, who thus knows the Purusha and the Prakriti together the Gunas-even though performing his duties in every way, is never born again.

Some realize Me through meditation, others realize me through the knowledge and others realize me through the discipline of action.

Some dull-headed persons try to follow which they have heard from others and worship-they too are able to cross the ocean of existence in the shape of death.

He alone sees who sees all actions being performed in every way by Prakriti alone and the Self as the non-doer.

The indestructible Supreme spirit though dwelling in the body in fact does nothing and not contaminated.

The Self is not affected by the attributes of the body due to its attribute less character.

As the Sun illuminates the entire universe, so one Atma illuminates the whole Kshetra (Field)

Those who perceive with the eye of wisdom the difference between the Kshetra and Kshetrajgna and the phenomenon of liberation from Prakriti with her evolutes, reach the Supreme eternal Spirit

R.Jagannathan.

YOGA OF DEVOTION.

CHAPTER- XII

YOGA OF DEVOTION.

Arjuna said that there are two types of devotees. Those with their minds constantly fixed on You and engaged in your devotional service and the other adore you as the Supreme Reality worship the impersonal Brahman, the unman fest. Which of these are closer to you- Krishna.

Lord answers: Those who fix their minds on Me are ever engaged in worshipping Me with great devotion-are considered perfect.

Regarding the second category-those who fully worship the unmanifested-, which lies beyond the perception of senses, all pervading, inconceivable, unchanging, the impersonal conception of Absolute Truth-by controlling the various senses, equally disposed to every one-such a devotee engaged with the welfare of all- also reaches Me.

Strain is greater for the second category of worshippers and advancement is trouble some. To make progress in that discipline is always difficult for those who are embodied.

But those who worship Me, giving up all their activities unto Me, and being devoted to Me with out deviation, engaged in devotional service and always mediating upon Me, having fixed their minds upon Me-for them I am the Swift deliverer and free them from the ocean of birth and death.

Therefore, fix your mind on Me and engage all your intelligence in Me alone. thereafter you will abide solely in Me without a doubt.

If you cannot fix your mind upon Me without deviation, then follow the second method-Bhakthi Yoga. In this way, develop a desire to attain in Me.

If you cannot practice the regulations of Bhakthi yoga, then just try to work in me by repeated practice-then you will come to the perfect stage.

If you are unable to work in this method, then try to act giving up all results of your work and try to be self-situated.

If you find this is difficult, and then engage yourself in the cultivation of knowledge, better than knowledge is meditation, better than meditation is renunciation of the fruits of action-by this, you will get perfect peace of mind.

One who is not envious, malice to none, friendly and compassionate free from ego,, tolerant, always satisfied, self controlled, and surrendered his mind and reason to Me- that devotee is dear to Me.

He for whom no one is put into difficulty not disturbed by any one, equipoise in happiness and sorrows, fear and worry-such devotee is dear to Me.

Those who is not dependent on the day to day activities, who is pure, without worry and pains and not working for selfish results- that devotee is dear to Me.

Those who neither rejoices not grieve, neither laments nor desires, renounces both auspicious and inauspicious things- such a devotee is dear to Me.

One who is equal to friends and enemies, equipoise in honor and dishonor, heat and cold, happiness and distress, fame and infamy, always silent and satisfied and totally engaged in devotional service- such a person is dear to Me.

R.Jagannathan.

ESSENCE OF BHAGAVAT GITHA-CHAPTER-XI

CHAPTER- XI

YOGA OF VISION OF UNIVERSAL FORM

Arjuna after the Lord’s exposition of His Divine Glories- requested to see His Divine form.



Bhagavan began to describe the multifarious divine forms, colors, and shapes.

In Him you can see-Twelve sons of Aditi, Eight Vasus, Eleven Rudras, two Aswinikumaras and 49 maruts ( wind Gods ).

In Me the entire creations both animate and inanimate beings reside.
However, you cannot see Me in these human eyes- I will give you the divine eyes.

Arjuna saw the Supreme Deity possessing many mouths, eyes, decked with divine armaments, wielding many divine weapons, wearing divine garlands and cloths-full of wonders, infinite faces on all sides.

If there were the appearance of thousand suns at a time that would hardly approach the splendor of the lord.

Arjuna saw at one place the whole universe with its manifold divisions.

Arjuna saw in His body all gods, Brahma sitting on His lotus seat, Siva and all risis.

He saw the Lord with numerous arms, bellies, mouths, eyes. He saw neither the beginning nor the end of the form.

He saw the Lord as the Supreme indestructible, ultimate refuge and Protector, eternal imperishable Being.

He saw the the Lord filling the entire space between earth and heaven and on all sides. Seeing the stupendous form all three worlds feel greatly alarmed.

Arjuna saw the hosts of gods entering in Him, multitude of maharishis and sadus chanting – Let there be peace, extolling You by your nama and excellent hymns.

Lord seeing Your form reaching heaven, effulgent multi colored, having its mouth wide open and possessing large flaming eyes, Arjuna was almost frightened and lost control.

Seeing your faces frightful because of their teeth and flaring like the fire at the time of universal destruction, Arjuna was bewildered.

Arjuna saw all the sons of Dhrutharashtra entering in Him, and all Guaravas entering in Him.

Lord Your terrible splendors are burning the entire universe filling it with radiance.

Arjuna said- You are the primal Deity, the most ancient person, ultimate resort of this universe, you are the knower of the knowable and the highest abode, it is You who pervade the universe, assuming endless forms.

You are Vijaya, Yama, Agni, and the moon-God, Brahma-Hail you a thousand times, salutations, repeated salutations to you.

You are of infinite prowess, my salutations to you from before and from behind.

You are the Father, nay the greatest teacher of this moving and unmoving creation, and worthy of adoration.

Having seen the wondrous form of Lord, Arjuna felt transported with joy, at the same time his mind tormented by fear. Arjuna requested the lord to assume His form of Vishnu with four arms and abode of the universe.

Lord said to Arjuna- in this mortal world I cannot be seen in this form by any one other than you.

Bhagavan said that the form of His is exceedingly difficult to perceive, neither by study of Vedas not by penance, nor rituals.

Through single minded devotion I am be seen in this form-he who performs all his duties for My sake, depends on Me, is devoted to Me, has no attachment and free from malice towards all beings reaches Me.

R.Jagannathan.

YOGA OF DIVINE GLORIES

CHAPTER- X

YOGA OF DIVINE GLORIES

No one- neither Gods nor great sages know the secret of my birth. For all of them I am the prime cause in all respects.

I am birth less and without beginning and standing as the Supreme Lord of the universe-un affected by changes, undeluluded among men.

Reason, right knowledge, unclouded understanding, forbearance, veracity, control over the senses and mind, joy and sorrow, evolution and dissolution, fear and fearlessness, ahimsa, fame and obloquy, equanimity, contentment, austerity, charity-all these diverse trends emanate from Me alone.

The seven great sages, their four elders, 14 manus were born of my will.

I am the source of all creation and everything in the world moves because of Me. Those who no this secret worship me constantly and finally reach me.

In order to shower my Grace on them, I, dwelling in their heart, dispel the darkness born out of ignorance.

I am the transcendent eternal, the supreme Abode, the greatest purifier, divine purusha, the primal deity, unborn and all pervading.

There is no limit to my magnitude.

I am the universal self-seated in the heart of all beings; I alone am the beginning and middle and the end of all beings.

I am the Vishnu- among 12 sons of Aditi and the sun among the luminaries; I am the glow of the Maruts and the moon among the stars.

I am the Samaveda, I am the Indira, I am the mind, and I am the consciousness in living beings.

I am Siva, I am the Kubera, I am the lord of Fire, and I am the Meru Mountain.

I am the chief Prajapati, I am Skanda-chief warrior, and I am the ocean.

I am Brigu, I am the syllable OM, I am the sacred Mantra and I am the Himalaya.

I am the Aswatha tree, I am among the celestial sages-Narada, among the celestial musicians- hitraratha and the great siddha sage Kapila.

I am the celestial horse Ucchaisrasva, the mighty elephant Airavatha and among the king, I am above all. I am the best weapon-the thunder bolt, I I am Kamadenu-the celestial cow, among the serpents- Vasuki, I am Anantha-the serpent God, I am Ary7ama and Yama, I am Time, I am lion, and I am the Garuda.

I am the beginning and end of all creations, of sciences, I am the science of soul or metaphysics, in disputants, and I am the right type of reasoning.


Among the sounds represented by the first letter I am A, of different kinds of compounds in grammar, I am the copulative compound, I am verily the endless Time, I am the sustainer of all-having my face on all sides.

I am the destroying death that snatches all and the origin of all that shall be born. Among the women, I am Kirti, Sri, Smriti, Medha, Dhrti, and Ksama.

I am the Srutis, I am the Brahatsama, I am the Gayathri, I am the month of Margasira and I am among the six seasons-Vasantham.

I am gambling among deceitful practices, I am the glory of all glorious, victory of the victorious, resolve of resolute, goodness of good.

I am Krishna among the Vrsnis, Vyasa among the sages and Sukracharya among the wise.

I am the subduing powers in rulers, righteousness who seek to conquer, custodian in the shape of reticence, wisdom of the wise.

I am the seed of all life, no limit to my divine manifestation. I stand holding the entire universe by a fraction of my Yogic power.

Thus, ends the tenth chapter entitled-The Yoga of Divine glories-The Science of Brahma, the scripture on yoga.

R.Jagannathan.

YOGA OF SOVEREIGN SCIENCE AND SECRET

YOGA OF SOVEREIGN SCIENCE AND SECRET

The knowledge of Nirguna and Saguna aspects of Divinity is a sovereign science, a sovereign secret, very holy, very easy to practice and ever lasting.

The entire universe is Jagan Mayam- permeated by Me and every thing rests in Me Yet I am not present in them.

I am apart from worldly things-standing aloof though all these things obey my order.

During the Kalgam at the end of kaliyuga all beings enter in Me and at the time of creation they are send by Me back.

Again and again I release all these things subject to their own nature.

Due to yoga maya, many ignorent and arrogant people with vain hopes, futile actions and fruitless knowledge have embraced fiendish, demonical and delusive nature.

But Great souls knowing Me very well as the prime source of all lives worship Me.

Constantly chanting my name and glories they with firm resolve united with Me through mediation, worship Me with single minded devotion.

I am the vedic ritual, i am the sacrifice, I am the offering to the departed, I am the herbs, medicines, food ,grains, sacret formula, I am the fire, the sustainer, ruler of the universe, purifier, OM, and the three vedas-ruk, yajur, sama.

i am the supreme goal, supporter, witness, abode, refuge, well-wisher, orgin and end, final resting place, store-house.

I radiate heat as sun, rain as indira, immortality as well as death, being and non-being.

Those who enjoyed the heaven like world return to this world as mortals once the punya exhausted.

Those devotees who worship Me with love and affection with single minded are united with me and never born again.

I am the enjoyer and lord of all sacrifices.

Those who are vowed to other Gods go to that god, those who vowed to the manes go to the manes and those who vowed with spirits reach the spirits and those who worship Me alone come to Me.

What ever you do, what ever you eat, what ever you offer as oblation to the sacret fire, whatever you besow as a gift all reach Me.

With your mind established in the yoga of renunciation, you will be freed from the bonds of karma and never born again.

I am equally present in all things-none close or farther from Me.

Those- women, vaisyas, labour class and people born in low caste all are equal to me and I accept their offerings and give them their Supreme Goal.

Fix your mind on Me, devoted to Me, worship Me and entirely depend on me-they will come to Me

Thus Lord Offers us a very simple method to reach Him. This chapter is the most practical approach for salvation and can be followed by all irrespective of caste, rich or poor, men or women.


R.Jagannathan

YOGA OF ATTAINTMENT OF SALVATION

CHAPTER- VIII
ESSENCE OF BHAGAVAT GITA

YOGA OF ATTAINTMENT OF SALVATION

Lord Krishna explains the yoga of the Indestructible BRAHMA. Revealing that one attains whatever one remembers at the end of one's life, The Lord explains the utmost importance of the very last thought at time of death. He gives information on the creation of the material worlds as well as establishing a distinction between them and the spiritual world. Here he explains the light and dark paths in regards to leaving this material existence, the destination to which they each lead to and the reward received by each.

Arjuna raises the question of Absolute, Spirit, Karma and matter and Devine intelligence and asks Krishna (Brahma, Adyatma, Karma, Adhibhuta and Adhidaiva)

Lord said: The supreme indestructible is Brahma, one’s own soul is adhyatma and the discharge of spirits, which brings forth the existence of beings, is called karma.

All perishable objects are Adhibhuta; the shining Purusha (Brahma) is Adhidaiva and in this body I Myself dwelling as the inner witness, I am Adhiyajna.

He who departs from the body, thinking of Me alone even at the time of death-attains Me.

At the time of death, if one thinks differently he will attain that.

Think of Me at all times and do your duty and you will surely reach me.

He who with his mind disciplined through meditation and thinking of me alone attains the Supreme divine bliss.

Having the power of yoga firmly held the life breath in the space between the two eyebrows even at the time of death and with steadfast mind full of devotion- such a man reaches that supreme divine purusha.

I shall tell now about the Supreme goal- God who is the embodiment of Truth, knowledge and bliss which the veda terms as indestructible, which striving recluses free from passion enter, and desiring the celibates practice Brahmascharya.

Having closed all the doors of the senses and firmly mediating on me chanting OM and dwelling on Me- he reaches the supreme goal.

Great souls who have attained the highest perfection, having come to me are no more subjected to rebirth.

All embodied beings emanate from the unmanifest at the cosmic day; at the cosmic nightfall, they merge into the same subtle body of Brahma.

Beyond this unmanifest there exists a Supreme Divine person who never perishes..

The eternal Supreme Purusha is attainable only through exclusive devotion.

At all times be steadfast in yoga in the form of equanimity, realizing this profound truth, doubtless transcends all the rewards prescribed in the Vedas as well as to the performance of sacrifices, austerities and charities and attain the Supreme state.

R.Jagannathan.