Sunday, December 29, 2013

Srimad Bhagavad Gita – III 3-4



Different types of people

 Sri Bhagavan Uvacha
Lokesmin Dwividha Nishta Pura Proktha Mayanagha|
Jnana yogena Sankhyanam Karma Yogena Yoginam||

Nakarmanam Anarambhath Naishkarmyam Purushoshnute|
Na cha Sanyasanad Eva  Siddhim Samadhigacchati||

O Arjuna who knows no sins! I have said even earlier that there are two types of people in this world. One is Jnana Yogins called Sankhyas who follow the path of knowledge of knowing reality and the other is that of the Yogis who follow the path of performing actions.

By simply not doing any action at all, one cannot hope to get Naishkarmya Siddhi or an actionless liberating state of existence.  Also, just by outwardly taking up the garbs of a renunciate also one does not get closer to this achievement of liberated existence without any actions. SS


Srimad Bhagavad Gita – III – 1 and 2


Work and giving up its results

Arjuna Uvacha

Jyayasi Cheth Karmanaste Mata Buddhir Janardhana|
Tatkim Karmani Ghore Mam Niyojayasi Keshava|| 
Vyamishreneva Vakyena Buddhim Mohayaseeva Me|
Tadekam Vada Nischithya Yena Shreyohamapnuyam||

Arjuna, after hearing Sri Krishna talk about the importance of right knowledge over action, says, “When you say knowledge is more important than action, then why do you push me into such gory action, O Keshava?
With a friendly nudge Arjuna criticises Krishna of confusing and deluding his intellect with conflicting statements and ideas, “So please tell me one thing clearly by which I may attain the best welfare in life, “ he pleads. – SS

Friday, October 18, 2013

Bhagavad Gita – II 72

This is the ultimate state

Esha Brahmi Sthithih Partha Nainam Prapya Vimuhyati|
Sthithwasyam Antakalepi Brahma Nirvanam Mrichchati||


Having explained thestate of mind of a Sthitha Prajna, Sri Krishna concludes that this is the state of the Brahman. He tells Partha, “If a person reaches this state of mind, he is no more deluded. Even at the end of one’s life, if a person is able to be in this state of mind, he attains to that motionless state called Brahman, which is real freedom. When the mind is in constant movement with desires, thoughts, ideas and worries, it is in bondage. When it is still and motionless, it is completely in the state of Brahman and that  is true nirvana or emancipation. With this verse concludes the second chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, a text on Yoga, an Upanishad and a dialogue between sri Krishna and Arjuna called Sankhya Yoga or the Yoga of Knowledge. - SS

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Bhagavad Gita – II – 70


The rivers and the ocean

Apuryamanam Achalapratishtam Samudram Apaha Pravishanti Yadvat|
Tadvat Kama Yam Pravishanti Sarve Sashantim Apnoti Na Kama Kami||


Just as the ocean remains steady even after all te waters merge into it, like a steady mountain, in the same way, the man in whom all objects of desires merge, remains steady. The one who runs after all objects of desire, does not experience any peace whatsoever. – SS.

Bhagavad Gita – II – 69



What is day for us is night for them

Ya Nisha Sarva Bhutanam Tasyam Jagarti Samyami|
Yasyam Jagrati Bhutani Sa Nisha Pashyato Munehe||

When the beings of the world are awake to the pleasures of the senses they are in darkness of the night towards the self. The one who is completely aware is wide awake to the reality that is present at all times. However, when the whole world is asleep to the reality, the wise one is awake. – SS.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Bhagavad Gita - II - 68

Senses drawn inward


Tasmad Yasya Mahabaho Nigrihitani Sarvashaha|
Indriyanindriyarthebhyaha Tasya Prajna Pratishtitha||

Having mentioned in the earlier verse about how the mind goes to where the senses go, Sri Krishna says that he is a man who has his intellect firmly rooted in the truth, who has all his senses drawn and is in full charge of them. - SS.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Bhagavad Gita - II - 67

As if pushed by the winds

Indriyanam Hi Charatam Yanmanonuvidheeyate|
Tadasya Harati Prajnam Vayurnavam Ivambhasi||

When the senses - eyes. ears. nose, taste and touch go in search of objects that they are attracted to - ears towards sounds that it likes to hear, taste towards objects of one's like, eyes to where it wants to see, nose to smells that please and touch to objects that are soft, hard or cozy, the mind helplessly follows in that direction as the winds push the ship around in an ocean. - SS

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

The Bhagavad Gita - II - 66

नास्ति बुद्धिरयुक्तस्य नाचायुक्तस्य भावना।
नचाभावयत: शंति: अशान्तस्य कुतः सुखं।।

 Where is joy when the intellect is unconnected


For the one who is not rooted in the truth, the Buddhi or intellect is non-functional. When the Buddhi does not function, there is no possibility of having a firm picture of the divine self, whether in a form or without it. The Buddhi is the one that gives a definite picture. In the place of the Buddhi, the mind rules. The mind as you know is never steady. It is always wavering with its innumerable thoughts. It means, such a person knows no peace. When there is no peace of mind, where can one expect to experience bliss?
The equation goes like this - an unconnected intellect cannot have a divine glimpse of the truth. It is replaced by the wavering mind. The mind is unsteady and hence knows no peace. When there is no peace, there is no experience of bliss too!
 - SS

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Bhagavad Gita - II - 65

Prasade Sarva Duhkhanam Hanirasyopa Jayate|
Prasanna Chetaso hyashu Buddhih Paryavatishthate||

In that state of divine blessedness, all sorrow is destroyed. In its place, there is a a cheerful and enthusiastic state of mind that surrounds the intellect and heart. Enthusiasm is the greatest religion. It is an offshoot of intense Shraddha and faith. Without enthusiasm, the intellect loses its fuel that makes it stand straight. When all the impurities of the mind that keep the intellect on shaky ground is gone, there is nothing else left for the mind to be steady and this steady mind is the state of a Sthitha Prajna.

- Swahilya Shambhavi.