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Srimad Bhagwad Gita - Chapter 07 - Jnana Vijnana Yoga

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...
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Srimad Bhagwad Gita - Chapter 06 - Dhyana Yoga

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...

Srimad Bhagwad Gita - Chapter 05 - Karma Sanyasa Yoga

In the previous chapter, Sri Krishna explains the finer tenets of Jnana and Karma yoga where the path recommended was to perform all our actions as a Yajna to the supreme. The natural question that arises is one of confusion: Should I renounce the actions (karma sanyas) or work (karma). At the onset of the chapter, when Arjuna poses this question, Sri Krishna clearly clarifies this aspect: श्रीभगवानुवाच । संन्यास: कर्मयोगश्च नि:श्रेयसकरावुभौ । तयोस्तु कर्मसंन्यासात्कर्मयोगो विशिष्यते ॥ 5.2॥ The Supreme Lord said: Both the path of karm sanyās (renunciation of actions) and karm yog (working in devotion) lead to the supreme goal. But karm yog is superior to karm sanyās. Both the paths lead to the same goal. Through out Srimad Bhagwad Gita, Sri Krishna provides many options to the asaktas to pursue their sadhana, all leading to the ultimate divine reality. This is exactly proclaimed by Paramatma himself. साङ्ख्ययोगौ पृथग्बाला: प्रवदन्ति न पण्डिता: । एकमप्यास्थित: सम्यगुभयोर्विन्दते फलम् ॥...

Srimad Bhagwad Gita - Chapter 04 - Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga

In the previous chapters, Sri Krishna emphasised on Buddhi (knowledge) and Karma (action). Even though the dialogue has been between a torn warrior (Arjuna) and his closest confidante (Sri Krishna), I find that the same is a metaphor. In other words, Arjuna is representing the wider civilisation who need a lesson or two and the same is being imparted by the Parama Purusha himself. The question does arise: Why is he imparting these lessons now? Why didn’t he do so earlier? Sri Krishna answered that these lessons are immortal like him, but been lost in the waves of time.  स एवायं मया तेऽद्य योग: प्रोक्त: पुरातन: ।
 भक्तोऽसि मे सखा चेति रहस्यं ह्येतदुत्तमम् ॥ 4.3॥ The same ancient knowledge of Yog, which is the supreme secret, I am today revealing unto you, because you are My friend as well as My devotee, who can understand this transcendental wisdom. The key aspect of this shloka is भक्तोऽसि i.e. you are my devotee along with being सखा (friend). Though this is addressed to Partha, I...

Srimad Bhagwad Gita - Chapter 03 - Karma Yoga

In the previous Sankhya Yoga, Sri Krishna described the nature of the soul, the interplay of the trigunas and how knowledge / buddhi can help one elevate themselves from the clutches of the indriyas (senses). The natural question that can spring in our minds was exactly the conundrum faced by Arjuna who asks Sri Krishna a very poignant question to start off with. अर्जुन उवाच ।
 ज्यायसी चेत्कर्मणस्ते मता बुद्धिर्जनार्दन ।
 तत्किं कर्मणि घोरे मां नियोजयसि केशव ॥ 3.1॥
 व्यामिश्रेणेव वाक्येन बुद्धिं मोहयसीव मे ।
 तदेकं वद निश्चित्य येन श्रेयोऽहमाप्नुयाम् ॥ 3.2॥ Arjun said: O Janardan, if You consider knowledge superior to action, then why do You ask me to wage this terrible war? My intellect is bewildered by Your ambiguous advice. Please tell me decisively the one path by which I may attain the highest good. The answer to these questions forms the crux of Karma Yoga , the most intriguing and important part of Srimad Bhagwad Gita. In this chapter, Sri Krishna talks about the Yoga of Action ...

Srimad Bhagwad Gita - Chapter 02 - Sankhya Yoga

Krishna, what challenges do you pose for us mere mortals? One of the most complex chapters with multitudes of concepts, each one better than the other and amidst this myriad of these concepts, I have my own constraint: Find that One Verse that defines this chapter. This perhaps will be the most challenging task of mine and could potentially draw a lot of comments. The chapter has 72 verses which in itself is such a huge collection that it becomes a very challenging proposition. In order to arrive at what could be a representative verse as compared to the other famous ones, let’s first understand what is Sankhya Yoga . This chapter is actually a dual yoga chapter i.e. Sankhya Yoga and Buddhi Yoga . If we consider Sri Krishna’s words, एषा तेऽभिहिता साङ्ख्ये बुद्धिर्योगे त्विमां शृणु । बुद्ध्या युक्तो यया पार्थ कर्मबन्धं प्रहास्यसि ॥ 2.39॥ Hitherto, I have explained to you Sānkhya Yog, or analytic knowledge regarding the nature of the soul. Now listen, O Parth, as I reveal Buddhi Yog, or...

Srimad Bhagwad Gita - Chapter 01 - Arjuna Vishada Yoga

When I had posted about Nitya Geeta Sudha, a kind soul requested me to identify one verse that signifies or rather captures the entire essence of that chapter. This is a very challenging task as Srimad Bhagwad Gita speaks to individual in different ways at different times and to different individuals differently. It’s not an understatement to say that this indeed is an Herculean task.  Embarking on this journey, I first beg for forgiveness for the lapses and gaps in my understanding and invoke Sri Krishna to guide me on this arduous journey. In this series, I aim to identify and quantify exactly one SINGLE shloka / verse (not a compound verse i.e. 2 back-to-back verses) that I feel exactly captures the essence of the chapter. Along with this I aim to identify some notable mentions and some interesting aspects of other verses. This is just my attempt to put down my understanding of Sri Krishna’s words and I am quite certain that this in itself will be a learning and humbling experie...