December 1, 2013
In my last post, I discussed Śrī Kṛṣṇa's masterful marketing technique as seen in the Bhagavad Geeta. Now we will continue to see how He expertly seeks to keep us on "the path of virtue, courage and wisdom".
Śrī Kṛṣṇa is never shy as He waxes lyrical about the nature of the knowledge He is set to reveal in chapter 9. In 9-2, he describes the knowledge as a “Royal secret, the King of all Knowledge, supremely purifying” (राजविद्या राजगुह्यं पवित्रमिदमुत्तमम् - raajavidyaa raajaguhyaM pavitramidamuttamam.h). He says it can be “known by direct intuition” (प्रत्यक्षावगमं - pratyakShaavagamaM) and “easy to practice” (सुसुखं - susukhaM).।
There is reason to believe Śrī Kṛṣṇa because in 18-73, Arjuna declares unequivocally “my delusion is destroyed” (नष्टो मोहः - nashhTo mohaH). The delusion that inspired Arjuna to accept Śrī Kṛṣṇa as his teacher is gone and in keeping with Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s assurance, having gained this knowledge, Arjuna knows there is nothing higher to gain.
It is fascinating to see Arjuna grow in his understanding. Let's see Arjuna’s question on the subtleties of this knowledge. Having heard the assurance in 6-22 (see above), Arjuna follows up to ask:
अयतिः श्रद्धयोपेतो योगाच्चलितमानसः |
अप्राप्य योगसंसिद्धिं कां गतिं कृष्ण गच्छति ||६-३७||
ayatiH shraddhayopeto yogaachchalitamaanasaH .
apraapya yogasa.nsiddhi.n kaa.n gati.n kR^ishhNa gachchhati .. 6-37..
He who, though having faith, is unable to control himself, whose mind wanders away from Yoga, to what end does he, having failed to attain perfection in Yoga go, O Krishna?
Arjuna’s question is a natural extension of 2-40 (see previous post - link above). Yes, I have started practicing the control of the mind and turning it to the Higher truths. Yes, I am starting to experience increased sense of inner peace and maybe even a glimpse of the divine in me and in the world. However, tell me this. What if I die before I succeed in my quest?
Śrī Kṛṣṇa scotches that doubt immediately and definitively.
न हि कल्याणकृत्कश्चिद् दुर्गतिं तात गच्छति ||६-४०||
The one striving to do (or be) good never comes to misfortune. (emphasis mine)
In verses 6-41 and 42, Śrī Kṛṣṇa says that one who dies without having completed the quest, is reborn in the family of the “wise and wealthy” (शुचीनां श्रीमतां गेहे - shuchiinaa.n shriimataa.n gehe), “in the family of wise Yogis” (योगिनामेव कुले भवति धीमताम् - yoginaameva kule bhavati dhiimataam.h). In short, this diligent seeker will be born in circumstances that are conducive to the seekers’ spiritual progress. Param Pujya Swami Chinmayanandaji says in his commentary:
Hari Om and Namaskaar until the next post
PS: The leather pupper image of Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna on the chariot is sourced from http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/puppets.htm, with links to pages on the art of puppetry that used to be common in different parts of India.
In my last post, I discussed Śrī Kṛṣṇa's masterful marketing technique as seen in the Bhagavad Geeta. Now we will continue to see how He expertly seeks to keep us on "the path of virtue, courage and wisdom".
Śrī Kṛṣṇa is never shy as He waxes lyrical about the nature of the knowledge He is set to reveal in chapter 9. In 9-2, he describes the knowledge as a “Royal secret, the King of all Knowledge, supremely purifying” (राजविद्या राजगुह्यं पवित्रमिदमुत्तमम् - raajavidyaa raajaguhyaM pavitramidamuttamam.h). He says it can be “known by direct intuition” (प्रत्यक्षावगमं - pratyakShaavagamaM) and “easy to practice” (सुसुखं - susukhaM).।
There is reason to believe Śrī Kṛṣṇa because in 18-73, Arjuna declares unequivocally “my delusion is destroyed” (नष्टो मोहः - nashhTo mohaH). The delusion that inspired Arjuna to accept Śrī Kṛṣṇa as his teacher is gone and in keeping with Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s assurance, having gained this knowledge, Arjuna knows there is nothing higher to gain.
It is fascinating to see Arjuna grow in his understanding. Let's see Arjuna’s question on the subtleties of this knowledge. Having heard the assurance in 6-22 (see above), Arjuna follows up to ask:
अयतिः श्रद्धयोपेतो योगाच्चलितमानसः |
अप्राप्य योगसंसिद्धिं कां गतिं कृष्ण गच्छति ||६-३७||
ayatiH shraddhayopeto yogaachchalitamaanasaH .
apraapya yogasa.nsiddhi.n kaa.n gati.n kR^ishhNa gachchhati .. 6-37..
He who, though having faith, is unable to control himself, whose mind wanders away from Yoga, to what end does he, having failed to attain perfection in Yoga go, O Krishna?
Arjuna’s question is a natural extension of 2-40 (see previous post - link above). Yes, I have started practicing the control of the mind and turning it to the Higher truths. Yes, I am starting to experience increased sense of inner peace and maybe even a glimpse of the divine in me and in the world. However, tell me this. What if I die before I succeed in my quest?
Śrī Kṛṣṇa scotches that doubt immediately and definitively.
न हि कल्याणकृत्कश्चिद् दुर्गतिं तात गच्छति ||६-४०||
The one striving to do (or be) good never comes to misfortune. (emphasis mine)
In verses 6-41 and 42, Śrī Kṛṣṇa says that one who dies without having completed the quest, is reborn in the family of the “wise and wealthy” (शुचीनां श्रीमतां गेहे - shuchiinaa.n shriimataa.n gehe), “in the family of wise Yogis” (योगिनामेव कुले भवति धीमताम् - yoginaameva kule bhavati dhiimataam.h). In short, this diligent seeker will be born in circumstances that are conducive to the seekers’ spiritual progress. Param Pujya Swami Chinmayanandaji says in his commentary:
Such a jīva, as soon as it leaves one embodiment, immediately comes to manifest itself in a conducive atmosphere, where it can continue its pilgrimage without any obstruction…Not only does he discover in himself the knowledge that he had acquired in the past, but he easily finds in himself the required enthusiasm and energy for a consistent self-application and vigorous pursuit…when he is reborn in the right atmosphere, regains all knowledge easily.
Hari Om and Namaskaar until the next post
PS: The leather pupper image of Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna on the chariot is sourced from http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/puppets.htm, with links to pages on the art of puppetry that used to be common in different parts of India.
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