The Glories of Srimad Bhagavad-gita (Part 2)
The Matter of Transcendental Knowledge
The yoga system instructed in this chapter is called sanatana-yoga, or eternal activities performed by the living entity. This yoga has two divisions of sacrificial actions: one is called sacrifice of one's material possessions, and the other is called knowledge of the self, which is pure spiritual activity. If sacrifice of one's material possessions is not directed towards spiritual realization, then such sacrifice becomes simply material. But one who performs such sacrifices with a purely spiritual objective, or in devotional service, makes a perfect sacrifice. One who works for the satisfaction of Krishna without having a desire to enjoy the fruit of activities become free from the reactions, although one may be engage in all kind of prescribed duties. Such works are true sacrifice. When we perform to spiritual activities, we find that these are also divided into two: namely, understanding of one's own self (or one's constitutional position), and the truth regarding the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
One who follows the path of Bhagavad-gita as it is can very easily understand these two important divisions of spiritual knowledge. For him there is no difficulty in obtaining perfect knowledge of the self as part and parcel of the Lord. And such understanding is beneficial, for such a person, can easily understand the transcendental activities of the Lord. In the beginning of this chapter, the transcendental activities of the Lord is discussed by the Supreme Lord Himself. The Lord periodically incarnates in to the world to deliver the pious & annihilate the miscreants. Being absolute, The Lord remembers all his incarnations. However we the limited souls, don't remember our earlier births. Those who are in knowledge of the supreme, after leaving this body, achieve Lord's abode and never comeback to this temporary world of miseries. Although the Lord has created the four divisions of human society, he does not belong to either.
The Lord emphasizes on following the footstep of great liberated souls, instead of trying to mentally speculate our own path for liberation. One who does not follow the instructions of the Gita is to be considered faithless, and to be misusing the fragmental independence awarded to him by the Lord. In spite of such instructions, one who does not understand the real nature of the Lord as the eternal, blissful, all-knowing Personality of Godhead is certainly a fool. Ignorance can be removed by gradual acceptance of the principles of Krishna consciousness. Krishna consciousness is awakened by different types of sacrifices to the demigods, sacrifice to Brahman, sacrifice in celibacy, in household life, in controlling the senses, in practicing mystic yoga, in penance, in forgoing material possessions, in studying the Vedas, and in partaking of the social institution called varnasrama-dharma. All of these are known as sacrifice, and all of them are based on regulated action. But within all these activities, the important factor is self-realization. One who seeks that objective is the real student of Bhagavad-gita, but one who doubts the authority of Krishna falls back. One is therefore advised to study Bhagavad-gita, or any other scriptures, under a bona fide spiritual master, with service and surrender. A bona fide spiritual master is in the disciplic succession from time eternal, and he does not deviate at all from the instructions of the Supreme Lord as they were imparted millions of years ago to the sun-god, from whom the instructions of Bhagavad-gita have come down to the earthly kingdom. One should, therefore, follow the path of Bhagavad-gita as it is expressed in the Gita itself and beware of self-interested people after personal aggrandizement who deviate others from the actual path. The Lord is definitely the supreme person, and His activities are transcendental. One who understands this is a liberated person from the very beginning of his study of Bhagavad-gita. Transcendental knowledge; spiritual knowledge of the soul, of God, and of their relationship- is both purifying and liberating. Such is the fruit of selfless devotional action.
Chapter Five
One who follows the path of Bhagavad-gita as it is can very easily understand these two important divisions of spiritual knowledge. For him there is no difficulty in obtaining perfect knowledge of the self as part and parcel of the Lord. And such understanding is beneficial, for such a person, can easily understand the transcendental activities of the Lord. In the beginning of this chapter, the transcendental activities of the Lord is discussed by the Supreme Lord Himself. The Lord periodically incarnates in to the world to deliver the pious & annihilate the miscreants. Being absolute, The Lord remembers all his incarnations. However we the limited souls, don't remember our earlier births. Those who are in knowledge of the supreme, after leaving this body, achieve Lord's abode and never comeback to this temporary world of miseries. Although the Lord has created the four divisions of human society, he does not belong to either.
The Lord emphasizes on following the footstep of great liberated souls, instead of trying to mentally speculate our own path for liberation. One who does not follow the instructions of the Gita is to be considered faithless, and to be misusing the fragmental independence awarded to him by the Lord. In spite of such instructions, one who does not understand the real nature of the Lord as the eternal, blissful, all-knowing Personality of Godhead is certainly a fool. Ignorance can be removed by gradual acceptance of the principles of Krishna consciousness. Krishna consciousness is awakened by different types of sacrifices to the demigods, sacrifice to Brahman, sacrifice in celibacy, in household life, in controlling the senses, in practicing mystic yoga, in penance, in forgoing material possessions, in studying the Vedas, and in partaking of the social institution called varnasrama-dharma. All of these are known as sacrifice, and all of them are based on regulated action. But within all these activities, the important factor is self-realization. One who seeks that objective is the real student of Bhagavad-gita, but one who doubts the authority of Krishna falls back. One is therefore advised to study Bhagavad-gita, or any other scriptures, under a bona fide spiritual master, with service and surrender. A bona fide spiritual master is in the disciplic succession from time eternal, and he does not deviate at all from the instructions of the Supreme Lord as they were imparted millions of years ago to the sun-god, from whom the instructions of Bhagavad-gita have come down to the earthly kingdom. One should, therefore, follow the path of Bhagavad-gita as it is expressed in the Gita itself and beware of self-interested people after personal aggrandizement who deviate others from the actual path. The Lord is definitely the supreme person, and His activities are transcendental. One who understands this is a liberated person from the very beginning of his study of Bhagavad-gita. Transcendental knowledge; spiritual knowledge of the soul, of God, and of their relationship- is both purifying and liberating. Such is the fruit of selfless devotional action.
Chapter Five
Karmayoga-Action in Krishna Consciousness
In the 4th Chapter, by simultaneously stressing the importance of both work in devotion and inaction in knowledge, Krishna has perplexed Arjuna. This Fifth Chapter is a practical explanation of Krishna consciousness, generally known as karma-yoga. The question of mental speculation as to how karma-yoga can give liberation is answered herewith. To work in Krishna consciousness is to work with the complete knowledge of the Lord as the predominator. Such work is not different from transcendental knowledge. Direct Krishna consciousness is bhakti-yoga, and jnana-yoga is a path leading to bhakti-yoga. Krishna consciousness means to work in full knowledge of one's relationship with the Supreme Absolute, and the perfection of this consciousness is full knowledge of Krishna, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead. A pure soul is the eternal servant of God as His fragmental part and parcel. He comes into contact with maya (illusion) due to the desire to lord, exploit & enjoy the material realm, and that is the cause of his many sufferings. As long as he is in contact with matter, he has to execute work in terms of material necessities. Krishna consciousness, however, brings one into spiritual life even while one is within the jurisdiction of matter, for it is an arousing of spiritual existence by practice in the material world. One who neither hates nor desires the fruits of his activities is known to be always renounced. One who works in devotion, though he is always working, is a man who is never entangled.While the one who is greedy for fruits, become entangled. One who act with knowledge that material senses are acting, performs his duty without attachment & surrenders the results to Krishna. Thus, outwardly performing all actions but inwardly renouncing their fruits, wise men, purified by the fire of transcendental knowledge, attain peace, detachment, forbearance, spiritual vision & bliss.
And one who stands fast in Krishna consciousness, who is self intelligent and unbewildered neither laments nor rejoices upon achieving something unpleasant or pleasant and remains factually in the transcendental stage, or brahma-nirvana in this world itself. A person in knowledge sees everybody as a part and parcel of Krishna. A person who knows Krishna as supreme, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries. One who works for helping others in reviving their lost Krishna consciousness, will attain Krishna in near future. The Lord is not partial toward anyone. Everything depends on one's practical performance of duties in Krishna consciousness, which helps one control the senses in every respect and to conquer the influence of desire and anger. The eightfold yoga mysticism is automatically practiced in Krishna consciousness because the ultimate purpose is served. From a bonafide spiritual master one can gets the pure knowledge and then steadily proceeds in the path of liberation. There is a gradual process of elevation in the practice of yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi. But these only preface perfection by devotional service, which alone can award peace to the human being. It is the highest perfection of life.
Chapter Six
And one who stands fast in Krishna consciousness, who is self intelligent and unbewildered neither laments nor rejoices upon achieving something unpleasant or pleasant and remains factually in the transcendental stage, or brahma-nirvana in this world itself. A person in knowledge sees everybody as a part and parcel of Krishna. A person who knows Krishna as supreme, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries. One who works for helping others in reviving their lost Krishna consciousness, will attain Krishna in near future. The Lord is not partial toward anyone. Everything depends on one's practical performance of duties in Krishna consciousness, which helps one control the senses in every respect and to conquer the influence of desire and anger. The eightfold yoga mysticism is automatically practiced in Krishna consciousness because the ultimate purpose is served. From a bonafide spiritual master one can gets the pure knowledge and then steadily proceeds in the path of liberation. There is a gradual process of elevation in the practice of yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi. But these only preface perfection by devotional service, which alone can award peace to the human being. It is the highest perfection of life.
Chapter Six
Dhyana Yoga or Astanga Yoga
When Karma-Yoga increases in knowledge and renunciation, the stage is called Jnana yoga, when Jnana-yoga increases in meditation on the supersoul by different physical processes, and the mind is fix on the supreme, it is called astanga yoga or dhyana yoga. In the yoga practice, with firm faith & determination, one should abandon all material desires (desire for sense enjoyment), without thinking anything else one should engage his body, mind & soul in the service of Lord. The mind is most difficult to control and one has to conquer it otherwise lust,anger, avarice, illusion etc always deviate him. A conqueror of mind automatically follows the dictation of Supersoul. (Paramatma, the form of Lord in the heart).
In order to execute the process of astanga yoga one has to live in a secluded place, and sitting on a sacred place, he has to meditate on the Paramatama(Supersoul). One should hold one's body, neck and head erect and stare steadily at the tip of nose with an unagitated and subdued mind. One should regulate the habits of eating, sleeping, recreation and workr, to free oneself from material desires. Like a lamp in the windless place, one has to steadily meditate on the Supersoul with a controlled mind. If the mind wanders, one should bring it back under the control of the self. This continuous practice culminates into smadhi, the stage of full consciousness of Supreme. The perfection is characterized by one's ability to see the self by the pure mind and relish and rejoice in the self. The natural boundless transcendental pleasure is the highest perfection or ultimate goal of Yoga. Even if one abandons this process after practicing or fails. He is never in loss, he again gets a chance in a future life to start from the point where he left the process.
Arjuna knowing the restless, unsteady, strong nature of his mind, expresses his inability to practice this system of yoga. The goal of astanga yoga can also be achieved in Bhaki Yoga by engaging mind, body, soul, senses in the service of Krishna. A perfect yogi sees Vishu or Krishna as the same as Supersoul(Paramatma). Of all yogis, one who always remembers Krishna & renders devotional service to Him, is the best. Today's so called yoga practices which involves various sense pleasures, is contradictory to Krishna's explanation of this process.
Chapter Seven
In order to execute the process of astanga yoga one has to live in a secluded place, and sitting on a sacred place, he has to meditate on the Paramatama(Supersoul). One should hold one's body, neck and head erect and stare steadily at the tip of nose with an unagitated and subdued mind. One should regulate the habits of eating, sleeping, recreation and workr, to free oneself from material desires. Like a lamp in the windless place, one has to steadily meditate on the Supersoul with a controlled mind. If the mind wanders, one should bring it back under the control of the self. This continuous practice culminates into smadhi, the stage of full consciousness of Supreme. The perfection is characterized by one's ability to see the self by the pure mind and relish and rejoice in the self. The natural boundless transcendental pleasure is the highest perfection or ultimate goal of Yoga. Even if one abandons this process after practicing or fails. He is never in loss, he again gets a chance in a future life to start from the point where he left the process.
Arjuna knowing the restless, unsteady, strong nature of his mind, expresses his inability to practice this system of yoga. The goal of astanga yoga can also be achieved in Bhaki Yoga by engaging mind, body, soul, senses in the service of Krishna. A perfect yogi sees Vishu or Krishna as the same as Supersoul(Paramatma). Of all yogis, one who always remembers Krishna & renders devotional service to Him, is the best. Today's so called yoga practices which involves various sense pleasures, is contradictory to Krishna's explanation of this process.
Chapter Seven
Knowledge of the Absolute
In the first six chapters of Gita, the living entity has been described as non material spirit soul capable of elevating himself to self realization by different types of yoga's. In this chapter Krishna explains that how by practicing Yoga in full consciousness of Krishna, with the mind attached on Krishna, one can know the ultimate knowledge of Krishna.
It is very rare among men to endeavor for achieving perfection. It is more rare to know Krishna in truth. Earth, water, air, fire, ether, mind, intelligence constitutes the material energy and the living entity belongs to another superior energy. Krishna is the source of all these energies.
The Lord further explains his all pervasiveness in his diverse material and spiritual energies. The Taste of Water, light of the sun & the moon, the sound, Aum, the ability in man, the fragrances of the earth, heat in fire, the strength of the strong(devoid of passion & desire) all represent Krishna. Krishna is also the sex life which is not contrary to religious principles. Although everything represent Krishna, as Krishna is the original seed for everything, yet He is independent. Only by surrendering unto Krishna, one can overcome the three modes of material nature.
"Those miscreants who are grossly foolish, who are lowest among mankind, whose knowledge is stolen by illusion, and who partake the atheistic nature of demons, do not surrender unto Krishna. " However, the distressed, the desirer of material gains, the inquisitive, and he who is searching for knowledge of the absolute, render devotional service to the Lord. The one who render devotional service to the Lord in knowledge and who is free from material desire is the best.
Those who are hankering for material desires, worship demigods according to their nature. Actually these desires are being bestowed by Krishna only through the agencies of these demigods. So direct worship of Krishna is recommended for wise person. Sometime people with small knowledge take God as impersonal ultimately. However expert such nondevotees may be in discussing Vedanta and the Upanishads and other Vedic literatures, it is not possible for them to understand the personality of Godhead.
Krishna is unborn, infallible, knower of past, present & future. All living being are born into delusion, bewildered by dualities arisen from desires and hate. Only those pious souls who have passed their lives on practicing the rules and regulation of religion can take to devotional service. In the Krishna Consciousness one can understand how the Supreme Lord is the governing principle of the material manifestation and even of the demigods. Naturally a Krishna Conscious person can never forget Krishna at the time of death and thus he attains the abode of Lord.
It is very rare among men to endeavor for achieving perfection. It is more rare to know Krishna in truth. Earth, water, air, fire, ether, mind, intelligence constitutes the material energy and the living entity belongs to another superior energy. Krishna is the source of all these energies.
The Lord further explains his all pervasiveness in his diverse material and spiritual energies. The Taste of Water, light of the sun & the moon, the sound, Aum, the ability in man, the fragrances of the earth, heat in fire, the strength of the strong(devoid of passion & desire) all represent Krishna. Krishna is also the sex life which is not contrary to religious principles. Although everything represent Krishna, as Krishna is the original seed for everything, yet He is independent. Only by surrendering unto Krishna, one can overcome the three modes of material nature.
"Those miscreants who are grossly foolish, who are lowest among mankind, whose knowledge is stolen by illusion, and who partake the atheistic nature of demons, do not surrender unto Krishna. " However, the distressed, the desirer of material gains, the inquisitive, and he who is searching for knowledge of the absolute, render devotional service to the Lord. The one who render devotional service to the Lord in knowledge and who is free from material desire is the best.
Those who are hankering for material desires, worship demigods according to their nature. Actually these desires are being bestowed by Krishna only through the agencies of these demigods. So direct worship of Krishna is recommended for wise person. Sometime people with small knowledge take God as impersonal ultimately. However expert such nondevotees may be in discussing Vedanta and the Upanishads and other Vedic literatures, it is not possible for them to understand the personality of Godhead.
Krishna is unborn, infallible, knower of past, present & future. All living being are born into delusion, bewildered by dualities arisen from desires and hate. Only those pious souls who have passed their lives on practicing the rules and regulation of religion can take to devotional service. In the Krishna Consciousness one can understand how the Supreme Lord is the governing principle of the material manifestation and even of the demigods. Naturally a Krishna Conscious person can never forget Krishna at the time of death and thus he attains the abode of Lord.
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