Bangalore Diaries

In the previous chapters of Srimad Bhagwad Gita, we start to observe the unravelling of the magnificent cosmic form of Sri Krishna as the Parabrahma. In this chapter, we delve into many specific divine manifestations (Vibhuti) as narrated by Sri Krishna. As with previous chapters, he continues to re-emphasise that he is sharing all this knowledge because Arjuna is dear to him. The question that could arise in anyone’s mind is : How did the Parabrahma himself originate? What are his origins? Sri Krishna dispels these doubts and declares clearly without any doubt: न मे विदु: सुरगणा: प्रभवं न महर्षय: । अहमादिर्हि देवानां महर्षीणां च सर्वश: ॥ 10.2॥ Neither celestial gods nor the great sages know of My origin. I am the source from which the gods and great seers come. Sri Krishna further reiterates that Bhakti Yoga is the easiest way to attain him. In Kali Yuga, this is perhaps the easiest way to attain his abode. एतां विभूतिं योगं च मम यो वेत्ति तत्त्वत: । सोऽविकम्पेन योगेन युज्यते नात्र स...

In the previous chapters, Sri Krishna taught us about the nuances of atma, the tenets of Bhakti, Buddhi, Karma and Jnana yogas. In chapter 7 i.e. Jnana Vijnana yoga, Sri Krishna starts to unravel his magnificent cosmic form, by showcasing his existence in the universe around us. In this chapter, Sri Krishna continues to impart the divine knowledge to his creation through Arjuna. At the onset of the chapter, he explains the reasons for doing so: श्रीभगवानुवाच । इदं तु ते गुह्यतमं प्रवक्ष्याम्यनसूयवे । ज्ञानं विज्ञानसहितं यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात् ॥ 9.1॥ The Supreme Lord said: O Arjun, because you are not envious of Me, I shall now impart to you this very confidential knowledge and wisdom, upon knowing which you will be released from the miseries of material existence. The keyword is the one related to confidentiality and the infinite wisdom encapsulated in this knowledge. As observed from previous chapters of Srimad Bhagwad Gita, the focus is to elevate ourselves and escape from th...

  Before the book review, I feel there is a strong overlap between the concept of the book - A journey and my own book reading journey. In the recent past, my reading was heavily tilted towards English books / translations and I used to read the originals only when I had to refer something I may have read earlier. This is perhaps my first Kannada book in last couple of years that I have read cover to cover. Starting with a doubt if I will be able to transcend this peak of reading such wonderfully written book to actually enjoying the journey and completing this today, it has been a journey worth remembering. When I was nearing the end of the book, I realised the theme of the book landed up being reflected in my own case. Aparoksha translates to direct inference rather than indirect or perceived knowledge or experiences. To summarise this book into a sentence - This is a philosophical journey of a human who embarks on a journey to discover herself. What is so special about this sel...

In the previous chapter, we learnt about the omnipresent aspect of the Para Brahman and how Yoga is the way to reach him. Sri Krishna keeps re-emphasising on this aspect of practicing Yoga as the way to reach him. In this chapter, we focus on how to achieve him i.e. Parabrahman at the time of death. There are some concepts that are explained multiple times through out the chapter which is captured in essence below. The chapter opens in a beautiful way with Arjuna posing a barrage questions to Sri Krishna. In our Itihasas and Puranas, questions lead to discussion and discourse through which we get gems that are part of Nitya Anushtana. For example, Vishnu Sahasranama recited by Bheeshma is in essence the response to 6 existential questions posted by Yudhishtira. 
In similar fashion, Arjuna poses few simple, yet profoundly important questions.  अर्जुन उवाच । किं तद्ब्रह्म किमध्यात्मं किं कर्म पुरुषोत्तम । अधिभूतं च किं प्रोक्तमधिदैवं किमुच्यते ॥ 8.1॥ अधियज्ञ: कथं कोऽत्र देहेऽस्मिन...

The name of this chapter is very interesting - Jnana (Knowledge) and Vijnana (In a basic level, it can be considered as what we call as Science). This combination of words is quite special. For those who are familiar with Ganapati Atharvashirsha , we can recollect this phrase: त्वं ज्ञानमयो विज्ञानमयोऽसि ॥ You are of the nature of Gyana (Spiritual Knowledge) (Self-Manifesting within the Core of our Being as Bliss-Consciousness), and You are Vigyana (Giving the Spiritual Vision of the whole World from the standpoint of the Greater Consciousness). I particularly like this translation of Vijnana i.e. vision of the whole world from the standpoint of Greater consciousness. In this chapter, Sri Krishna’s teachings start to take us to a slightly higher dimensions compared to the previous chapters. Thus far, Sri Krishna has been advising Arjuna (and through him us mere mortals) about the importance of developing equanimity, performing Nishkama karma etc. However, in this chapter, Sri Krishna...

Thus far, we have learnt about Sankhya, Buddhi, Karma, Karma Sanyasa, Jnana Karma Sanyasa yogas where Sri Krishna’s core message is centred around the awareness of the immutability of atma (why this is important becomes quite apparent) and focus on Nishkama Karma. While the physical action of performing the action can be achieved, one needs to prepare and train the mind. This is the focus of the chapter which focusses on the aspects of Dhyana or Meditation. Before we get into an analysis of this chapter, I would like to share a couple of personal anecdotes. I feel this is perhaps one of the most powerful chapters of Srimad Bhagwad Gita and has influenced many works worldwide. When I read Rudyard Kipling ’s famous poem IF , I instantly felt that the same was very heavily influenced by this chapter of Gita. Dhyana or meditation is such a simple, yet perhaps the most difficult practice to master. We learn the various stages of dhyana, yoga, sanyasa and samadhi in this chapter and how they...