Bangalore Diaries

Srimad Bhagwad Gita has multiple recurring themes as captured in previous chapters. This spans equanimity, StithaPrajna, NIshkama Karma, Bhakti, Jnana, Karma and Yoga to name a few. However, one of the most intriguing and enlightening aspects of Srimad Bhagwad Gita is the elaborate and masterful discourse on the interplay of the three modes of material nature i.e. TriGunas viz., Sattva, Rajas and Tamas.  Starting from this chapter, we will observe a repeating pattern in Sri Krishna’s teachings (which is in fact a masterclass), where he stresses the importance of the these 3 characteristics and why one should alleviate themselves above them to attain the supreme Brahman. Who is this supreme Brahman? 
Sri Krishna answers this in the final verse of this chapter. Whenever I read this verse, I always felt its Sri Krishna’s proclamation, similar to him sounding the famous Panchajanya. ब्रह्मणो हि प्रतिष्ठाहममृतस्याव्ययस्य च । शाश्वतस्य च धर्मस्य सुखस्यैकान्तिकस्य च ॥ 14.27॥ I am the basi...

 In Srimad Bhagwad Gita, this is perhaps one of most advanced and metaphysical chapters. One could interpret this chapter verbatim and one could delve into the depths of the meanings, hidden and subtle ones as they are inclined to. In my limited experience, one could consider this at a universal level, at a societal, familial or individual level. Perhaps, I am more influenced by a similar treatment of Mahabharata by V. S. Sukhthankar in his seminal book, “On the meaning of Mahabharata”. Before I deep-dive into the verses, I would like to quote a verse on the importance of reading Srimad Bhagwad Gita. Adi Sankara in the famous Bhaja Govindam outlines the futilities of materialistic attachments. He also advises one to read Srimad Bhagwad Gita for it helps a soul to transcend over the cycle of births and deaths. भगवद्गीता किञ्चिदधीता गङ्गा जललव कणिका पीता | सकृदपि येन मुरारी समर्चा क्रियते तस्य यमेन न चर्चा ‖ 21 ‖ By whom the Bhagavad Gita has been studied even a little, by whom even ...

In all the preceding chapters, Sri Krishna’s advice to the mankind is to focus on self-improvement, to rid themselves of the attachments / bondages, performing nishkama karma and develop a one-minded devotion (Bhakti) towards him. This chapter is named after the last aspect of Sri Krishna’s advice i.e. Bhakti. During the course of the chapter, we will observe that the Bhakti transforms into a commentary on one of the core principles introduced in Sankhya Yoga i.e. equanimity . Arjuna just has recovered from the colossal, unfathomable form of the cosmic supreme consciousness. Sri Krishna advises him (and the human race in general) to indulge in one minded devotion towards him. श्रीभगवानुवाच ।
 मय्यावेश्य मनो ये मां नित्ययुक्ता उपासते ।
 श्रद्धया परयोपेतास्ते मे युक्ततमा मता: ॥ 12.2॥ The Lord said: Those who fix their minds on Me and always engage in My devotion with steadfast faith, I consider them to be the best yogis. In previous chapters, we have observed the debate about the form an...

From previous chapters, we have been witnessing the unfolding of the cosmic form of the eternal Parabrahman. We have seen his presence in every single creation in the universe (macro) and manifesting as our senses and indriya (micro). He pervades the entire universe or in other words, the universe is a small reflection of uncomprehensible form.  Arjuna, who has the best seat in the entire situation, pleads to Sri Krishna that he wishes to see the rare cosmic form of his. एवमेतद्यथात्थ त्वमात्मानं परमेश्वर । द्रष्टुमिच्छामि ते रूपमैश्वरं पुरुषोत्तम ॥ 11.3॥ O Supreme Lord, You are precisely what You declare yourself to be. Now I desire to see Your divine cosmic form, O Greatest of persons. The Vishwaroopa of Sri Krishna / Maha Vishnu is so rare that we focus on the same even at the onset of Vishnu Sahasranama : श्रीविश्वरूप इति ध्यानम् । Sri Krishna takes benevolence on his friend and starts to show his enormous form that comprises of various shapes, sizes, colours, 12 Adityas, 8 Vas...

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...