In previous chapters of Srimad Bhagwad Gita, Sri Krishna constantly encourages us to follow the path of Dharma, aiming for principles like Nishkama Karma, Stithaprajna, Equanimity, developing Bhakti, harnessing Jnana and performing our karma without any attachment to the end result. Naturally, the curious mind will enquire how to identify these attributes? And more importantly what are the attributes or practices that one should safe guard themselves against. What’s the benefit of developing these sadgunas? How to perform our actions in the right manner? Sri Krishna addresses this question towards the end of the chapter. This is my preferred verse for this chapter: तस्माच्छास्त्रं प्रमाणं ते कार्याकार्यव्यवस्थितौ । ज्ञात्वा शास्त्रविधानोक्तं कर्म कर्तुमिहार्हसि ॥ 24॥ Therefore, let the scriptures be your authority in determining what should be done and what should not be done. Understand the scriptural injunctions and teachings, and then perform your actions in this world accordingly....
Krishna .. Why do you subject us, the mere mortals to these trials? How does one decide to identify only one verse in a chapter whose every single verse is a gem on its own and merits lengthy deliberations for themselves. Purushottama Yoga is one such chapter of Srimad Bhagwad Gita where the reader is spoilt for choice for verses that can be considered as one of the best. It also needs to be highlighted that in some sampradhayas there is a practice of chanting the Purushottama yoga as part of daily anushtana. Amidst these challenging situation, I embark on this audacious attempt to identify one single verse that is representative of the chapter. In a nutshell, this chapter celebrates the magnificence and omnipresence of the Parabrahma . Purushottama yoga’s depiction is widely available on top of dharmic book covers i.e. inverted Ashwatta tree. While we go into the significance of these little later, let’s consider the name of the chapter i.e. Purushottama. It is not surprising that th...