Saturday, March 29, 2008

Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 2 - Verse - 14

The senses show the difference
Matrasparshastu Kauntheya Sheetoshna Sukhaduhkhada
Aagamapayino Nithyaha Tamstitikshasva Bharata
*****
Krishna addresses Arjuna as Kaunteya, son of Kunti and Bharata, the jewel of the Bharata race and reminds himj of a philosophy of life that behoves a king. He says that when the five senses of touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing get into contact with external objects, there arise sensations such as heat and cold, pleasure and pain. Such changes are temporary and come and go, bear with them patiently, he tells Arjuna.
Krishna's words of advice to Arjuna is a much needed philosophy in the present day world where we come into contact with different sensations that sometimes please and at other times hurt. Situations sometimes please and at other times hurt. Situations and people may sometime be pleasant and sometimes unpleasant. They are however temporar and one has to cultivate the quality of forbearance.
- Swahilya Shambhavi.
(Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Vignana Bhairava Tantra, Tirumandiram, swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Chapter 2 - Verse 13

Body changes Soul remains

Dehinosmin Yatha Dehe Kaumaram Yauvanam Jara
Tatha Dehanthara Prapthihi Dheerastatra Na Muhyati

Even as the body goes through childhood, youth and old age, the soul, on the death of the body, takes another body if needed. The wise men are not deluded by death, says Krishna, assuaging the fears of Arjuna. This is an ancient philosophical truth of the rebirth of the soul upon death. But with the help of modern-day science it's explanation of the changing nature of matter, quantum physics, there is a rational explanation available for such truths.
A baby is born. It grows into a child. The birth of the child is the death of the baby. The birth of the youth is the death of the child. The birth of the old person with grey hair and a bent spine is the death of the smart and good looking youth. After the old person grows and passes away, an event we call death physically, is the birth of a new being in a different form, not seen by our eyes.
Though the physical body changes the essence it contains is unchanging and knows no destruction or transformation. Babyhood is like a cup that contains water. Youth is like a bigger mug that contains more of the same water and old age is like a barrel that contains larger quantity of water. The water is the soul. When the container disintegrates with age, the water still remains in the form of vapour and may fill up some container later on. The wise are not deluded by birth and death says Sri Krishna.
- Swahilya Shambhavi.
(Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Vignana Bhairava Tantra, Tirumandiram, swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 2: Verse 12


Unborn Undying Existing Forever
Natwevaham Jatu Nasham Nathwam Neme Janadhipaha
Nachaiva Na Bhavishyamaha Sarve Vayamatah Param
Sri Krishna steps up on a philosophical accelerator here to drive deep into the existence of being - consciousness and the impermanence of name and form. He tells Arjuna that there was no time when he did not exist. There was no time when Arjuna did not exist. There was no time when all the rulers lined up in the enemy camp did not exist. Not only in the past, but even from now onwards will none of them cease to exist.
Sri Krishna siezes the momentary lull in Arjuna's moaning to raise him to the highest level of consciousness in just this one verse by saying that the essence of himself, Arjuna and all the kings and others in the army is the one consciousness that had always existed and will continue to exist. So what Arjuna imagines he's going to kill in the battle, is the deathless Supreme Being. He simply had no reason to worry or feel sorry, but just do his duty in the present moment.
(A Gitopadesham painting in a Naperville home at Illinois. The picture of Krishna teaching the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna in the battlefield of Kurukshethra has inspired many a painter and sculptor to recreate the image.) - Swahilya Shambhavi.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 2 - Verse

False wisdom


Sri Bhagavan Uvacha
Ashochyananvashochyastwam Pragnyavadamscha Bhashase
Gatasoonagatasoomscha Nanushochanti Panditaha

Sri Krishna, from here on holds the reign of the dialogue with Arjuna and begins to assert his philosophy.
The master always gives the disciple a very long rope and in this case, Arjuna had done enough of pontification philosophising and crying to prove a point that he should not fight the war. Sri Krishna does not however budge. He derides Arjuna and says that he was moaning for those who should not be moaned for. He said that Arjuna seemed as though he was talking words of wisdom by saying he would not fight his masters, friends and relatives who have gathered against him ready for battle. But Krishna said, the truly wise person would cry neither for those who were dead or those who were living. - Swahilya Shambhavi.
(Maha Shivaratri, Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Vignana Bhairava Tantra, Tirumandiram, Satsangh in Chicago, Himalayas, swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)