Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary Chapter 2 verse 46

Chapter 2 verse 46

“To the Brahmana who has known the Self, all the Vedas are of as much use as is a reservoir of water in a place where there is flood everywhere”

I want to dwell on 2 things in this sloka. Who is Brahmana? In my opinion, “Brahman Jaanathi ithi Brahmanaha”- He who knows the Self is a Brahmana. So is the 1^st stanza redundant saying a Brahmana who knows the Self? I don’t think so. It is like saying God is omnipresent. Omnipresence is God but how will you address a person who is Omnipresent? If Krishna had not said the 1^st stanza this way, he would have needed to use a longer sentence and say that “he who knows self would be Brahmana and that person who is a Brahmana does not need…”.

The 2^nd concept I wanted to address is the use of Vedas for someone who knows the Self. I understand what Krishna is saying about not needing Vedas for someone who knows the Self but who can drink the flood water, we all need the reservoir water which is purer compared to the flood water. Likewise, if Vedas were not documented, it would have got morphed like all the other recent documents of history in Bharat. So I think Krishna is pointing out that Vedas are not necessary for someone who already understands the Self but I am sure he extols the foundation of the Vedas as the “Pramana” or the authentic source of all knowledge!

Srimad Bhagavat Gita chapter 2 verse 45

Chapter 2 verse 45

“The Vedas deal with the 3 attributes; be you above these 3 attributes (gunas), O Arjuna, free yourself from the pairs of opposites, and ever remain in the sattva (goodness), freed from all thoughts of acquisition and preservation, and be established in the Self”

It is very interesting to note that as far back as Dwapara Yuga more than 5000 years ago, Lord Krishna had to direct Arjuna to the correct interpretation of Vedas. I haven’t read the Vedas myself but dabbled on English translations and commentaries of parts of the Upanishad and commentaries of Gurus and all of them talk about the 3 gunas- Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. I know that later chapters of the Gita will talk about them in detail. However Krishna is again asking Arjuna to not get mired in the process of acquisition or preservation of the mortal things in life and be a resident in all things good which is Sattva Guna and contemplate on the immortal Self. The discussion on the 3 Gunas confuses a lot of people but we will deal with that topic later!

Sabarimala trip in Feb 2019

In Feb 2019, about 15 of my office colleagues went to Sabarimala led by a fellow colleague Guruswami called Radhakrishnan Swami. He was just 36 years old from Nellikuppam!. He has been to Sabarimala 52 times in the last 22 years!

In my current state of acceptance of all sattvik thoughts as divine god sends, I decided to join this year along with 13 other colleagues. Unlike the traditional 45 day austerity period in the past, we were going to wear the mala on Thursday Feb 14^th around 5:30pm and get on a flight at 10pm from Bangalore to Cochin. The temple where a Guru swami gave my irumudi and mala was in sriramapura, Malleswaram, Bangalore. Nandhini and Medhansh contributed to the rice offering in the irumudi. There was very tasty dinner prepared by the mother of one of my dear friends and subordinate, Hariprasad.

We reached Cochin and got on a tempo traveler to erumali. From Erumali, we took a local KSRTC bus to Pamba. Pamba was under flood recently but the flood had long receded.  Sabarimala was open from Feb 12-17 and the crowd was not at its peak post Makara Sankranti and possibly due to the not so great press related to Sabarimala controversy.  You break a coconut at home when leaving for Sabarimalai and Irumudi, one coconut at the temple before leaving for journey, one coconut at the Pamba Ganapathy temple,  one at the foot of 18 steps.

I had heard stories of how tough the climb was before from relatives, but nothing would prepare me for what we were about to encounter. We just took the short path of about 5 km back and forth to the Sannidhanam. Phone stats was 13.5km, 54 floors and 20000 steps but it was my toughest climb and trek down ever. It is supposed to be 332m altitude climb of 4.3km through Pamba Ganapathy temple, Neelimalai, Appachimedu and then Sannidaanam. We started the climb after a holy dip in Pamba at around 6am.

We reached the 18 steps around 7:30am on Feb 15^th morning. We got Divya Darshanam around 8am. The Sannidaanam has inscribed on it the concept of “tat tam asi”. Tat Tvam Asi (That Thou Art): This is contained in the Chandogya Upanishad of Sama Veda. This is Upadesha Vakya uttered by the Guru to disciple. This is one of the 4 mahavakyas.

After the great darshan, we got all ghee laden coconut dumped in a big vessel and got the ghee for Nei Abhisekam (ghee offering) to the sanctum santorum. After the nei (ghee) was used for abhisekam, we got the nei prasadam for  all of us in the group. We then took darshan of Bhagavadi Amman and used another coconut for worship there. There are 6 coconuts and a ghee laden coconut involved. Once we got down the 18 steps, we broke another coconut before proceeding on the arduous trek back down to Pamba not before polishing off a very good breakfast.  By the time we climbed down, it was close to noon and the sun was very hard on the feet along with all the sharp stones. Lord Ayappa was testing our grit and I don’t know if I passed at all. We reached Pamba around 2pm and immediately got a bus to Erumeli. Standing room only!

Once at Erumeli, we took the long ride to Thiruvananthapuram (also called Trivandrum). We reached Trivandrum around 6pm and immediately went to Ananthapadmaswamy temple for darshan. Got darshan at 7pm. Divine darshan. Got our lunch/dinner at a nearby hotel and retired in a dormitory. Guruswami and I got up next morning at 2:45am and got the 3:30am Nirmala darshan at Ananthapadmanaba Swamy temple again. Others got their darshan later at 7am by which time, we caught up on our sleep. We had our very heavy breakfast at around 8am of Puttu etc., and got on the long road to Guruvayur…8 hours on the road. We reached Guruvayur at 6pm having skipped lunch. Someone mentioned that it was Bhishma Ekadashi and it was good to skip lunch. Life is divine J

I went to Ananthapadmanaba Swamy temple after 17 years. I went to Guruvayur after 19 years. Last time was just before my marriage to fulfill an undone Thulabaaram requested by my meena patti to help me recover from grave illness at the age of 3 years! Some things are worth the wait. The darshan at Guruvayur was heavenly.  My colleague had to catch a flight at 9:30pm to Chennai so we rushed to Cochin airport not before haggling for 10 rs to get a kg of Nendharanga chips…you cannot take the haggler from us desis!

Reached home at Bangalore at 1am. Broke the 6^th coconut if someone kept count, took a shower and unloaded my Mala at the Pooja room in our house. If God wills, will be on another trip in the near future. Until then…Tat Tvam Asi, Guruvayoor Appam Saranam, Swami Saranam, Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya!

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary chapter 2 verse 44

Chapter 2 verse 44

“For, those who cling to joy and lordship, whose minds are drawn away by such teaching, are neither determinate/resolute nor are they fit for steady meditation and samaadhi”

Krishna is clear that false interpretation and teaching of what is proscribed in the Vedas would render an individual in no man’s land. They will neither be able to perform actions to be best of one’s abilities since their desires for particular results would wean away critical energy from task at hand and render then with less grit, nor will they be able to get their mind steady of contemplative action in a meditative state. They may also not be able to perform meditation or reach a state of thoughtlessness which is samaadhi. Excellent instruction from Krishna!

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary Chapter 2 verse 43

Chapter 2 verse 43

“Full of desires, having heaven as their goal, they utter flowery words, which promise new birth as the reward of their actions, and prescribe various specific actions for the attainment of pleasure and lordship”

Krishna talks about both desire laden actions for attaining pleasure both when alive and after death in heaven. Human mind was for ages adrift with false goals where humans were going after momentary pleasure and desires. Misinterpretation of Vedas or scriptures to suit one’s agenda was happening even in dwapara yuga times. We can draw parallels to our current media which takes sides and usually not neutral. Adi Shankara pointed it out in Kali Yuga and Krishna is pointing it out in Dwapara Yuga. So our mental condition is not unique. Others before us have found themselves in this state of mind where we go after desire laden actions promising goodies at the end of the goal. In my personal experience, this concept of desire less actions is very difficult to comprehend and accomplish.

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary Chapter 2 verse 42

Chapter 2 verse 42

“Flowery speech is uttered by the unwise, taking pleasure in the eulogizing words of Vedas, O Partha, saying ‘there is nothing else.’”

I am not 100% sure of the interpretation of this sloka but If I understood it right, then Lord Krishna continues to ask Arjuna to focus on the job at hand and fight the battle. He opines that talks about the nice words in the Vedas and it’s recitation without following the construct of the Vedas and claiming that there is nothing else other than recitation or chanting of Vedas alone is not useful. Interesting that Krishna is telling Arjuna who is a Kshatriya about recitation or construct of Vedas. I wonder if during Krishna’s times in Dwapara Yuga, there was still confusion on what each varna was supposed to do. No wonder Krishna came down to correct the fallacies in that society- “Yadha Yadha hi dharmasya…”- whenever Dharma is shaken up, I will take birth and correct the inequity!

Thoughts and Vibrations

In 2012, my parents and I visited Mount Abu thinking we were visiting a hill station. However the highlight of the trip was a visit to Brahmakumari world headquarters. The recommendation to visit that ashram was from my uncle, raman chitappa. It exposed me to concept of yugas, reincarnation, paramatma and purusha. Now more than 7 years later, I am getting exposed to the same group again. Another important thing for me which happened  post that 2012 trip was the giving up of eating meat and drinking alcohol, a sankalpa I took on my return flight from India back to US.

Thoughts and Vibrations: A concept from Brahma Kumari leader called sister Shivani based out of Mount Abu India.

The way we see people is the way we think of them. The way we think of them is the way we treat them with our thoughts and behavior, the way we treat them is the way they become.

Our thoughts and feelings radiate as vibrations. These vibrations created for self changes self. When these vibrations created for others have the power to change other people

Keep imagining glowing with light. This is the way you become light. Everything is in the thought and intention. The world is made out of thoughts. It is only the power of thoughts. Believe something and you will slowly become that!

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary Chapter 2 verse 41

Chapter 2 verse 41

“Here, O Joy of the Kurus (Kurunandana) there is but a single pointed determination; many-branched and endless are the thoughts of the irresolute”

There are several reflections for me in this sloka. First point is on amount of love Krishna showers on Arjuna calling him the joy of Kurus. In this stressful situation in midst of the battlefield, that affectionate name would do wonders for Arjuna’s state of mind sending positive vibrations to him. Second point is Krishna having established that he means well for Arjuna reminds him again of the need to not disperse his energies in various thoughts since each thought branches to multiple other thoughts and that tree of thoughts is endless. His single point determination needs to be to fight this battle.

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary Chapter 2 verse 40

Chapter 2 verse 40

“In this, there is no loss of effort, nor is there any harm (production of contrary results). Even a little of this knowledge, even a little practice of this yoga, protects one from the great fear”

If mind is centered and actions are performed according to one’s svadharma, then Krishna says there is no loss of effort nor there is possibility of any harm from contradictory results. Being centered in the self, dropping doership, doing one’s assigned duty with utmost sincerity and living just in the present moment is the recipe of stress less living. Krishna calls this approach protector of fear. Where does fear arise from? Fear is a future event arising out of present expectations of a particular result of that event. If at the present moment one doesn’t think of the future and just acts with devotion to supreme and stress less actions, fear goes away. Fear also comes from attachment to our body, ego (body and mind). Drop the ego and fear goes away. This is what Krishna means when he says if we live in the present with no thoughts about future, one conquers fear. Wow!

2019 Thanksgiving cometh early!

This post was originally written enroute back to United States on Oct 4th 2019 at Doha Airport after spending more than 2 years in India. It was self reflection time after an intensive few years...re-posting incidentally after doing Tarpanam on Amavasya day-Jan 24th 2020 which I like as a great act of gratitude towards nature, ancestors and everyone who has helped us get where we are and also feeling of self love and gratification.

Thanksgiving:

My biggest thanks to Amma (mom) for ever being extremely patient and kind with me. She gives of her time, effort, love and blessing endlessly and takes a lot of crap from me without any resistance. I do not know how she managed taking care of Appa (dad) all those years when I was absent and even when I came back to India and was in Bangalore instead of Chennai! Her benevolence and understanding is what is also enabling me to head back to US in spite of this being so inconvenient for her personally. She has been the epitome of sacrifice and selfless living I need to emulate in future. 

I want to thank Nandhini and Medhansh (wife and son) for always being there for me. They didn't question the move to India and never complained a single day in India. Medhansh (son) figured out how to utilize opportunities coming his way in India. Nandhini (wife) and I leveraged ola, swiggy, goibibo, IRTDC etc to the hilt. Life in India is convenient for the haves for sure. 

My sisters have been through the pain of several losses in the family together in these 2 years. It has been tough and they have been there for me all along. 

Geetha, Sundar (my first cousins) have been especially a great shoulder to lean on almost everyday in case of Geetha. She was also responsible for me getting a spiritual Guru! 

All our cousins, relatives have been very helpful, enjoyable company and great support during some very tough times. My spiritual journey wouldn't have been possible without all that support.

A few key learning:

1. visited so many temples. There is divinity there if you went with right attitude...

2. There is no need for a car in India. Ola Zindabad ('Praise be to you' in Hindi/Urdu) but they have their issues as well which need to be surmounted. Had fun meeting 2 new drivers for over 700 days in India on a daily basis. Teaches you patience and listening skills. 

3. Didn't miss all you can eat buffets too much from US. In fact couldn't handle them at all in India.

4. Learnt more about most of my first cousins and in fact attended some functions in family after skipping so many marriages, funerals and et al. 

5. Still didn't get enough time with Amma...

6. Spiritual India is alive and kicking. India is still the country to be born and lived in. Touche right!!!

7. Happiness is in the moment and not in a place, object or person. Don't worry be happy

8. Typed all this up in Doha airport after a blissful business class ride to Doha from

Chennai on Qatar airways. World’s best business class seat...they got the award from someone else not me but I do agree.

9. Learnt some more about our ancestors and their life journeys and sacrifices. More indebted to them. Doing Tarpanam (ritual offering to ancestors per Sanatana Dharma tradition) is something I look forward to each month for loading up on gratitude.

10. Every moment in life teaches you a lesson. Enjoy it, learn it well and that way we do not need to repeat it.

LIFE is beautiful. LIVE it UP!!!

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary Chapter 2 verse 39

Chapter 2 verse 39

“This, which has been taught to thee, is wisdom concerning Sankhya. Now listen to the wisdom concerning Yoga, having known which, O Partha, you shall cast off the ‘bonds of action’”

This sloka stumps me totally. It is a setup for maybe what is to come in subsequent slokas in this chapter and/or future chapters. Krishna is switching from what he calls wisdom related to Sankhya which is knowledge to wisdom concerning Yoga. I don’t want to presuppose what he means by Yoga but he is upping the ante with Arjuna to say that even if all this wisdom or talk about knowledge didn’t work out for you, I will give you more on Yoga. Just to recap, Krishna talks about Sankhya where he says one doesn’t kill anyone-you are not the doer, one is the self and not just the body and mind, encourages one to endure the pair of opposites. He also threw light on duty of a Kshatriya or generally one’s duty. After giving Arjuna this knowledge, Krishna wants to talk about Yoga now. What is Yoga? What is Krishna going to say? We shall see?

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary Chapter 2 verse 38

Chapter 2 verse 38

“Having made pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat the same, engage in battle for the sake of battle; thus, you shall not incur sin”

Lord Krishna talks about the concept of “pair of opposites”. Sri Sri Ravishankar, present time Guru of Art of living encapsulates this concept as “Pair of opposites needs to be endured with equanimity”. Life is full of pair of opposites. Good health/Bad health, riches/poverty, gain/loss, victory/defeat and more broadly pleasure and pain. If our mind exhibits equanimity in these different circumstances and undertake the task at hand, no impressions remain due to our actions. When no impressions are created due to some action, there is neither punya nor paapa accrued and hence one cuts off the feeder for the cycle of birth and death. I am clearly getting ahead of myself here. Krishna actually is still appealing to the fear and societal shame associated with sin by telling him he wouldn’t commit a sin if he fights the battle with his equanimous mind.

Srirmad Bhagavat Gita commentary Chapter 2 verse 36-37

Chapter 2 verse 36-37

“And many unspeakable words will your enemies speak caviling about your powers. What can be more painful than this?

Slain, you will obtain heaven; victorious, you will enjoy the earth; therefore, stand up, O son of kunti, resolved to fight”

Krishna continues on the shame trajectory to goad Arjuna to fight. As well, he gives great logic of living a stress less life by doing your duty- in this case fighting the battle. Both outcomes-victory and death for a Kshatriya is honorable says Krishna. Doing what is preordained for oneself is the path of least resistance in life and doing those things with a sense of “non doership” lends well to the lessons to be learnt from this lifetime. Krishna will in future verses talk about these concepts as well. For now, he is just appealing to the fear, shame of the Kshatriya in Arjuna. It probably wouldn’t work just like it doesn’t work for most of us to be told to do our duty or else…how many parent, bosses etc resort to this and fail miserably?

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary Chapter 2 verse 35

Chapter 2 verse 35

“The great battalion commanders will think that you have withdrawn from the battle through fear; and you will be looked down upon by those who had thought much of you and your heroism in the past”

Krishna goes further on the shaming route to wake Arjuna up from his temporary stupor and encourage him to fight. Several of us in society is worried about what others will think of us and our actions. We live in anticipation of other’s beliefs and aspirations for us- starting from parents, relatives when you are a child to later teachers, bosses or customers when you are working for a living and then wife, kids when you get married and then at some point if you are lucky, when you get old, you give a damn to what people think about you. In fact you realize people are not thinking about you at all. There don’t have time from thinking about themselves to think about you! But this appears to be an age old problem Krishna is leveraging to encourage Arjuna to fight.

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary- Chapter 2 verse 34

Chapter 2 verse 34

“People too will recount your everlasting dishonor; and to one who has been honored, dishonor is more than death”

In our traditions or even other religions, there is always a call to the higher divine in you or the baser ego. Krishna started the chapter of prajnapanam (information) with appealing to the higher order in Arjuna by telling him about his own true Self and how killing others in the battlefield is not really killing but now he switches the appeal to the baser ego where in the previous sloka he was taking to fear tactics warning Arjuna about Punya and Paapa and we saw that this may appeal to fear tactics or even intellectual “I” if you think doing punya shortens your path to Moksha. In this sloka Krishna is resorting to shame. If all else fails, human beings could be shamed into doing things. This is adopted by lots of marketing agencies to get people to buy their exercise products, donate to “free services” such as libraries, public museums etc. In this case, Krishna is appealing to the warrior in Arjuna and says that all the accumulated honor from years of valor in battle or otherwise will be lost if he chooses not to fight in this battle. For years, I have wondered how does Gandhi or other famous people whose fame exists in the world centuries after they have passed away get the benefit or flak for the same. The law of karma probably is done when that avatar of theirs is over on earth. Technically they shouldn’t be affected by how their name is used after they are gone- fame or shame! Other than their deeds affecting their residual vasanas and pending karmas for the future, I don’t think there is any impact. However when alive, Shame works wonders to goad people to act in line with societal norms. If it doesn’t , that perhaps what they used to call “asuras”? Isn’t it? Point to ponder!

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary- Chapter 2 verse 33

Chapter 2 verse 33

“But, if you will not fight this righteous war, then having abandoned your own duty and fame, you shall incur sin”

I am just re-reading a book called “Your Soul’s Plan” by Rob Swartz about pre-birth planning which talks about your Soul plans lessons before your birth and the brave hearts which are all of us in human form execute the often times tough lesson plans in order for us to learn the beautiful lessons which are nothing but attributes of the Soul such as compassion, unconditional love, humility, companionship, fearlessness etc.,

Punya and Papa- Good deeds and Sins are words used in our sanatana dharma not as rewards or punishments but more of what keeps you on the path to the divine and what lengthens your path. Doing your ordained duty such as fighting a righteous war keeps Arjuna on the path of divine and righteousness. Running away from his own “lesson plan” is going to create “papa” which is energy taken away from the path of divine. Sanatana dharma is the path which doesn’t condemn you to eternal hell/heaven due to your actions or karma. It has this beautiful law of karma and your actions will have consequences just for you invariably lengthening your path to Moksha or shortening it. That’s all! Nothing more, nothing less!

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary Chapter 2 verse 32

Chapter 2 verse 32

“Happy indeed are the Kshatriyas, who are called to fight in such a battle that comes of itself as an open door to heaven”

There is something to be said about doing the work what your are passionate about and you were born to do. In this case, a Kshatriya’s ultimate crescendo is fighting a righteous war where they can feel doing something for a cause bigger than themselves. In our past history, our sages or uber human psychologists understand the importance of following one’s inbuilt strengths, passion and lineage. That was the crux of the varna system. Krishna talks about reaching heaven after having a battle like this. The heaven he is talking about is right here on earth- in our heads. There is another sloka which talks about this concept coming up in future so I will wait for that one to elaborate further on this topic. Bringing this concept back to corporate world, the average business person would love to be involved in a big project with lots of upside to show for their work. Is’nt it? Someone at work yesterday talked about the early 90s where a hugely popular video game came along which had a lot of violence and bravado built into it. He said the primary reason why it came was to fill a void for action in American psyche for a major entity to despise such as Russia, no major wars US was involved in at that time. Interesting perspective! Kshatriyas are happy to fight a war bcos it is the biggest goddamn war of that time even if they get killed at end of it!

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary Chapter 2 verse 31

Chapter 2 verse 31

“Further, looking at your own duty, you ought not to waver, for there is nothing higher for a Kshatriya than a righteous war”

Having understood that Arjuna may not have understood the “Soulful” talk, he is going to attempt other means to convince him to fight. What could be a greater way than to goad a warrior to fight by reminding him of his lineage and duty! A Kshatriya is a class in the society of yore in India which was the protector class-kings, kinsmen, chieftains etc., whose primary job in society was to protect the others from external attacks in their kingdom and rule the land. I have not read the quran but righteous war or holy war is probably what Jihad also means and I believe it meant the war one has with themselves to fight good thoughts over evil thoughts and win every day to be a better person. Krishna is qualifying here what is a righteous war. The 1^st sloka of Bhagavat Gita also called it the dharmasketra and Kurusketra  (place of battle) which is a place where Dharma prevails or needs to prevail. Krishna believes it is a righteous war to be fought since Pandavas have been denied what is their right and if they don’t fight this injustice, Dharma will not prevail in that land. Dharayathi ithi Dharma- that which holds or protects is Dharma! Hence Krishna is now asking Arjuna to do the right thing by a Kshatriya. Let’s see where this conversation goes next. I am curious and cannot wait!

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary Chapter 2 verse 26-30

Chapter 2 verse 26-30

“But, even if you think of him as being constantly born and constantly dying, even then, you shouldn’t grieve. Indeed, certain is death for the born, and certain is birth for the dead; therefore, over the inevitable, you shouldn’t grieve. Beings are unmanifest in the beginning, and unmanifest again in their end, seem to be manifest in the middle. What then, is there to grieve about? One sees this as a wonder; another speaks of this as a wonder; another hears of this as a wonder; yet, having heard, none understands this at all! This- the indweller in the body of everyone is ever indestructible and therefore, you should not grieve for any creature.”

Krishna concludes the concept of separating Body, Mind and Soul in verse 30 and that’s why I am combing 5 verses for an essence of his teaching. Lord Krishna recognizes that in the knowledge of the Self- it is not enough to see, hear or speak of the wonder of cycle of birth and death and concept of “no death” for the Soul. IT HAS TO BE EXPERIENCED and until then NONE UNDERSTANDS! Lord Krishna was/is the best psychologist there is/was. He created and understands the sentient and non-sentient and entire Universe. If he doesn’t understand, who would? Silent reflection on the nature of the Self is encouraged and all the great sages/Rishis have done just that!

Srirmad Bhagavat Gita commentary chapter 2 verse 25

Chapter 2 verse 25

“This Self is said to be unmanifest, unthinkable and unchangeable. Therefore knowing this to be such, you should not grieve”

All 3 qualities of the Soul described in this sloka are not comprehensible by the mind or anyone who associates themselves with body and mind. Who will “Know” that you are the soul? Body and mind? No, the source of the “I” has to know and that according to Ramana Maharishi is in the heart. Only 2 ways to drop the mind and reach the soul is to constantly drop the thought or surrender the thought to the Divine in you! Chitta Nivritha Suddhi…he says!

I read somewhere very recently that difference between a teacher and Guru is that Guru gives what is exactly the student needs and the teacher gives what they know in that subject. Here Krishna is behaving like a Gita Acharya not a Guru. Otherwise, he would have realized that Arjuna might not be ready to take this lesson. But maybe he is “leaning” forward and giving Arjuna something he can grow into. I would like to think it is the latter. All of us have to “believe” in the higher possibilities in life. Trust and Belief in the other person’s capabilities would unlock some much of world’s potential and help the world become a better place.

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary Chapter 2 verse 24

Chapter 2 verse 24

“This Self cannot be cut, nor burnt, nor moistened, nor dried up. It is eternal, all-pervading, stable, immovable and ancient”

Krishna now describes some attributes of the “Soul” it is not unlike a cloth or body or any other physical matter which can be cut, burnt, tweaked, moistened or dried. Soul is:

Eternal: Time comes and goes whether you believe it is linear or circular, but what remains unchanged is the Soul.

All-pervading: Soul or spirit is the same in everyone. It is in you, everyone else and everywhere.

Stable: Unlike the mind which wavers all the time and is considered to be man’s biggest enemy-“chanchalam hi manaha shareerasto maha ripuhu”, the soul is ever so still and stable!

Immovable: Again the best comparison of the pair of opposites for immobile Soul is the ever so galloping mind, it can traverse the entire Universe in a few seconds and get lost in thoughts!

Ancient: Our dharma is called sanatana dharma- Ancient way of life which is timeless and all other attributes described for the Soul above. One of the traits of a great Guru is the brevity and lucidity of words used which shows dexterity in energy expense. Krishna using the word “Ancient” takes care of all other definitions of the Soul.

If only we can pay attention to what he is saying!

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary Chapter 2 verse 23

Chapter 2 verse 23

“Weapons cleave it not, fire burns it not, water moistens it not, and wind dries it not”

Krishna describes the properties of the “Soul”. This reminded me of chemistry and chemical elements- Inert elements come to mind. The properties described are in a rarer club of an ultra inert element which is the ingredient of every being- Soul. None of nature’s effects can affect it. Words are not there to describe the beauty of the soul. The properties of the soul are better described by following: Love, bliss, truth, follows nature’s laws, impartial, non-violent etc.

Soul cannot be even described by these qualities or properties. It can only be felt. “Soulful music” they say is nectar to the ears! Our languages fall short sometimes. Definitely mine does!

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary Chapter 2 verse 22

Chapter 2 verse 22

“Just as a man casts off his worn out clothes and puts on new ones, so also the embodied self casts off it’s worn out bodies and enters new ones”

Every day there is an opportunity to begin fresh thinking that this is the first day of a new life. We are blessed with a body which is functioning (we did wake up didn’t we?), a mind which can actually think that it is a new day and we are still here. Doing this we are able to simulate in our mind the journey of life and death to some extent. This way just in a week, we will have 7 lives and in a month 30 lives. What if we learnt every day to be better and be a new person and the only baggage we carry from previous day is our tendencies which will get cleaner by the day? This is an amazing way to experience the cycle of life and death in a realistic way. Since a lot of us don’t pay attention to days, weeks, months and years of our life. This process might shed light on a more aware living. Krishna is throwing light on the impermanence of the body in this verse but I went somewhere with my thoughts. Going to just keep it there! You are in my mind, body and soul. You are asking us to lead an intentional life! Karishye Vachanam Tava..Will do your biding!

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary Chapter 2 verse 21

Chapter 2 verse 21

“Whosoever knows him to be indestructible, eternal, unborn and inexhaustible, how can that man slay O Arjuna, or cause others to be slain”

Krishna’s imploration reminds me of something profound ex CEO of Procter and Gamble said when we lectured at my business school almost 15 years ago. He said that even to his top 200 executives, he had to repeat his vision and action oriented messages about 7 times before it sank into those executives and “action” happened. I used to be working diligently on my oral and written communication skills during that time and this message hit me like a ton of bricks. If the CEO of one of the most admired companies on earth at that time had to explain a concept or message 7 times for it to sink in, I might have to do it 15 times or sharpen the message even better. Krishna being a very effective leader employs the same technique of messaging. Krishna is arriving at the same message from different angles in order to explain to Arjuna. It is very interesting to note that what I thought amusing 15 years ago about inability of top executives to get the message immediately is now understand as quite normal considering that you can only receive when one clears the mind and listens for understanding. No wonder the same technique of repetition of the message in multiple ways in employed in all our scriptures and history as well. Our ancestors were experts in human psychology thousands of years ago already. Very humbling thought isn’t it?

Srimad Bhagavat Gita Chapter 2 Verse 20

Chapter 2 verse 20

“He is not born, nor does He ever die; after having been, He again ceases not to be; unborn, eternal, changeless and ancient, He is not killed when the body is killed”

This verse reminds me of Brian Weiss’s “Many Lives; Many Masters” which talks about past life regression written by a scientist/doctor who is from a different belief structure. Truth doesn’t rest on beliefs. As earlier mentioned, whether you believe in multiple births of the soul or not, it happens. Lord Krishna couldn’t clarify this better. I am very intrigued by the word “ancient”. When my parents and I visited the Brahma Kumari ashram in Mount Abu a few years ago, their exhibit wondered about if you would have around when Ram was king of Ayodhya and if you were what your role was? Instead of focusing on all our previous lives, let’s focus on life at hand. There are numerous stories in our puranas and even Mahabharata and Ramayana explaining why a particular person goes through an experience due to their actions in previous lives.

Do we recognize why we have been put in a particular situation? Does it matter that we have to recognize why? Why cannot we just act? Our souls have been around for ages…ancient souls..Just acting would do us a lot of good to not be reborn again.

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary Chapter 2 verse 19

Chapter 2 verse 19

“He, who takes the self to be the slayer and he, who thinks he is slain, neither of them knows. He slays not, nor is he slain”

Krishna enumerates on “doership”.  The individual doesn’t do anything. We have this presumption or “mitya” that we are the orchestrators of the action and happenings around us. “Knowing or being aware” is the act of understanding that everything which happens is a result of lot of variables over which one person doesn’t have 100% control. If we operate thinking of the present moment alone and 100% of our energy focused on the present moment, we will have little stress. This is a concept and from my own experience it is so hard to do. Constant mindfulness and Grace of Divine and Guru are key to losing your mind! May all of us and the world be blessed with this bliss! Sahana Vavatu..May Divine protect both teacher and student or all students in this case!

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary Chapter 2 verse 18

Chapter 2 verse 18

“It is said that these bodies of the embodied self have an end. The self is eternal, indestructible, and incomprehensible. Therefore, fight, O Arjuna!”

Lord Krishna has talked about the indestructible self in the previous verse, points again to the body which has an end. The self for those who have a veil of ignorance in our hearts and mind is incomprehensible. Sometimes in life you get a sign from somewhere where you are least expecting it. This happens when you are “aware” and ready. For example, Adi Shankara’s interaction with a “chandala” who apparently came in his way and his disciples had asked him to move out of the way. Chandala had questioned what should be moved-his body which is no different in makeup compared to Adi Shankara or his soul which is the same as Adi Shankara. It is said that Adi Shankara understood the message, prostrated before the chandala and wrote the manisha Panchakam. It is claimed that the chandala was none other than Lord Shiva. That if it was Lord Shiva is not a matter of debate since the knowledge can come from anyone when a person is ready. Adi Shankara was ready. Krishna gives Arjuna the most important self knowledge and goads him to fight. However the question: Is Arjuna ready to take the knowledge?

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary by Anand Om Sankaran- Chapter 2 verse 17

Chapter 2 verse 17

“Know that to be indestructible by which all this is pervaded. None can cause the destruction of That- the imperishable”

There are several ways of understanding this verse from different views expressed by sages and great saints in past and present. Essence of everything they say is the same- The supreme is in all of us and that is indestructible. “Ekam Sat vipra bahuda vadanti”. The truth is one, wise men say it differently.

The famous sloka from Ishavasya Upanishad says:

“Om poornamadah poornamidam poornaat poornamudachyate, poornasya poornamaadaaya poornamevaavashihsyate”

“That is complete, this is complete, from completeness comes the completeness, If completeness is taken away from completeness, completeness remains”

My Guruji felt the universe millions of light years away when he pierced his sahasrara in kundalini yoga. In other words, he realized that everything in the Universe is in him and vice versa. This is a possibility for all of us theoretically. We just need to drop the veil. Easier said than done! Ask for divine and Guru's help and it shall be done!

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary by Anand Om Sankaran Chapter 2 verse 16

Chapter 2 verse 16

“The unreal has no existence; there is no non-existence of the Real; the truth about both these has been seen by the knowers of the Truth or seers of the Essence”

Any concept when introduced has to be repeated multiple times in order to ensure understanding by one and all. The concept of what is real and unreal amongst the world that exists around us has been dealt with in all scriptures (Sruti), Smriti, Puranas and Ithihasa. Krishna talks about it several times. We get a glimpse of the unreal when we watch a movie, feel the happenings are real, walk out of the theater or home theater and realize that it was all make believe. After the movie what still remains is our own body, mind and soul. However it is to be realized that after the “movie of life” is over and we are ready for the next journey, what remains still is the real which is the soul and the unreal- body and mind perishes with death.

Adi Shankara points to this in Bhaja Govindam saying even though we see death happening all around us all the time, we feel like we are going to be here forever. What craziness? Mind plays lots of tricks on us. Drop the mind!

Srimad Bhagavat Gita Commentary by Anand Om Sankaran Chapter 2 verse 11-15

Chapter 2 verse 11

Lord Krishna utters his first words after hearing Arjuna patiently for a while. He says Arjuna grieves for those who shouldn’t be grieved for and speaks words of wisdom and that the wise grieves neither for the living nor for the dead.

This chapter of Bhagavat Gita is called Sankhya yoga or yoga of knowledge. It should have been called “Pragnapanam or yoga of information”. We have divine presence in our lives giving us information which has potential to turn into knowledge or Sankhya. The key for that conversion is with the seer or doer which is all of us and in this case Arjuna. For years, I have gathered spirtitual information from various channels and could still be doing the same for all that matters. The key to converting “information” to “knowledge” is experience. Experience of the divine can be achieved by surrender to the divine through Bhakti. Maybe I am getting ahead of myself. Here Krishna gives Arjuna a hard hitting message or information which is there is no point clinging to the impermanent which is all sentient beings. Lesson from this sloka is that we all need to be aware of divine around us and it can penetrate us if we allow the unhindered flow. We shall see if Arjuna allows it or not!

Chapter 2 verse 12

Krishna says “It is not that at any time (in the past), indeed was I not, nor was you, nor these rulers of men. Nor will we ever cease to be hereafter!

From these verses, Krishna assumes that Arjuna is aware of the theory of reincarnation and reminds him of the same. If not, this treatment of giving information/knowledge is not the same style as in the Vedas or Upanishads where the argument or exposition is very structured. I have read over time commentaries or interpretations of Upanishads where answers are given for specific questions asked. Here the original question asked by Arjuna is that I don’t want to fight and that he was grieved about his current situation. Krishna is sharing a deep truth that several of the people who Arjuna was coexisting with-his relatives, Krishna himself, his family, friends and enemies as well have had previous births and will also have more births in future. Although this is not stated in this sloka, I wanted to share something I read somewhere else that there are soul families- souls travel together from one life to another teaching each other life lessons to be learnt. Their relationships may be very different to each other but they all are coexisting to enable great lessons which help us all with the final realization that “Love is bliss” and there is nothing but the immutable self everywhere.

Chapter 2 verse 13

Just as the embodied soul continuously passes from childhood to youth to old age, similarly, at the time of death, the soul passes into another body. The wise are not deluded by this.

There are laws by which Nature governs and it is applicable to all sentient beings irrespective of their belief systems. Just like laws of gravity applied before this generation or Yug of human beings rediscovered it, laws of karma and hence reincarnation applies even for people who don’t believe in it for this lifetime.

Change is the only constant. What is changing-body, mind (3 thoughts per second and around 60000 thoughts per day says Guruji). What is not changing is the atman (soul or spirit) and it doesn’t change even after death. When Krishna says the wise is not deluded by the change, he is referring to the change of the body and mind. 

I had recent conversations with someone who follows the catholic Christian path and doesn’t believe in reincarnation. I concluded the conversation that if he thinks that there is only this life to reach God, then it is even better for him since he will certainly do only good. There is always a positive way to look at things and be inclusive and accepting. That is the essence of Sanatana Dharma. 

Chapter 2 verse 14

“The contacts of senses with objects, which cause heat and cold, pleasure and pain, have a beginning and an end; they are impermanent. Endure them bravely, Arjuna!”

In Vedanta, all work towards purification of the self or path of self realization begins with addressing the body-5 senses and it’s activities. Krishna is addressing the pair of opposites experienced by all of us through these 5 senses. The most compelling definition of “impermanence” is that which has a beginning and end. Everything which has a finite beginning and end is not permanent or real. Lord Krishna is very compassionate. He is the greatest Guru. A great aspect of a Guru is the ability to know how a disciple can learn best, to teach a disciple from where their state of mind can receive the information. Lord Krishna implores Arjuna to endure the pair of opposites by being brave. This works for an accomplished kshatriya to be asked to be brave. If the listener had made progress in self realization path, Krishna would have probably asked him to employ his viveka-discrimination to separate the pair of opposites but Krishna is using a strong vasana which Arjuna and other great kshatriyas possess- Bravery to ask him to endure the effect of the senses. Lots of learn about how to read the audience and cater the message accordingly. Will he succeed in passing the message?

Chapter 2 verse 15

“That firm man whom surely these afflict not, O chief among men, to whom pleasure and pain are the same, is fit for realizing the immortality of the self”

Krishna’s objective is to provide enough information to Arjuna that goads him to fit the war. So he is trying to give this information straight up that self is immortal and doesn’t get affected by pair of opposites continuing from sloka 14. However the interesting part to note here is that he pleases Arjuna’s ego by calling him the “Chief of all men”. This should definitely please a warrior who has grown by being told he was the greatest warrior. Krishna wants to get to his objective by cajoling Arjuna to fight with direct information (for it to convert to knowledge, it depends upon Arjuna-the receiver as discussed earlier) and praise.

Why doesn’t direct knowledge work? The biggest factor for the receiver is readiness to receive. This fact cannot be stressed enough. I have been to so many Gita lectures a decade ago and there was no connection. It feels good and right but it was information which didn’t translate to experiential knowledge. Water only boils at 100c. You can accelerate the boiling by creating the right conditions for boiling such as closed container etc., but it is not going to boil before that temperature is reached. Likewise soul doesn’t get the knowledge until the mind is at least partially empty to receive it. Too much garbage in the mind doesn’t lend itself to knowledge. Sadhana to help clear mind chatter and get a body fit to align with the unwavering mind is key to receiving knowledge even if paramatma is giving it to you!

Srimad Bhagavat Gita Commentary by Anand Om Sankaran Chapter 2 Sloka 1-10

Chapter 2: Sloka 1-3

Lord Krishna’s words after having kept quiet for 48 slokas, is very direct and addresses Arjuna as disgraceful, heaven-excluding, impotent and weak of heart. Arjuna has still not asked Lord Krishna for help. So Krishna is now being only transactional just like a charioteer would be to their boss, a normal friend to another friend and so on. Vedhantha advises one not to impart knowledge until it is sought! So Krishna is trying to get his objectives met with minimal “gyan baatna”. He is attempting to just give Arjuna the shock treatment and get this war going. Let’s see when Arjuna will ask for help! He hasn’t done so yet! Surrender is the key to getting Purna Vidya. He is still resisting and so Krishna doesn’t give him anything more than a transactional imploration!

Chapter 2: Sloka 4-6

Arjuna wonders why he should fight Bhisma and Drona, who are fit to be worshiped by him. He is willing to beg and eat rather than slay his noble teachers. He also wonders if it is important that either the pandavas or kauravas conquer the world.

These are thoughts coming from the greatest warrior on earth at that time. For once, I wouldn't infer that Arjuna was afraid of battle but he is getting confused between what is "right thing to do-Dharma" and what feels right. Feelings would line up with "Dharma" if and only if you experience the union of body, mind and soul. Guruji has taught a technique to center your mind with body and soul which helps align body, mind and soul.

Arjuna is not exhibiting "clarity of thought". Arjuna trained his body and mind together for his craft but he hasnt trained his body, mind to align with his soul for a second. Don't we all struggle to do the same?

Chapter 2: Sloka 7

Arjuna say’s his heart is overpowered by pity, mind confused about duty and says he is Krishna’s disciple and he is asking for instruction and that he is taking refuge in Krishna

My Guruji talks about distinction between a teacher and Guru. Teacher would be sharing information and teaching a craft of some kind whereas a Guru owns the disciple and takes on his/her Karma, removes spiritual darkness and takes one’s hand and leads in the path of spiritual knowledge. Guru is an exalted relationship with a disciple and my experiential reality is that it is the most selfless human act from a realized master to impart Purna Vidya to a disciple. The only relationship which compares is that of a mother giving birth to a child-ranks highest among selfless human acts. I am using Swami Chinmayanandaji’s translation of the verse and his choice of words from Arjuna to Krishna is requesting Krishna to be disciple and instructor. Arjuna is not surrendering to Krishna. He is asking him to be his teacher and instructor. Krishna being “compassion” personified is going to still teach him the highest knowledge but as you will see, Arjuna is not ready for the knowledge. He will most likely process this teaching as “information”. My last 2 plus years in India exposed me a bit more to Indian education system and I realized that the teacher student relationship is just information sharing and not knowledge creation. Point to ponder! Most of us spend our entire lives gathering information and this new age when information is available at one’s fingertips are not helpful to experience deep knowledge of anything. Information when drilled into us with real life experience turns into knowledge. That’s why professional education looks to give “on the job training”. This purna vidya is completely futile without “on the job training”!

Chapter 2 verse 8-10

In verses 8-10 Arjuna says that victory in the war and thus winning the kingdom is not going to make him happy. Hence Arjuna refuses to fight.

This is a classic midlife crisis for Arjuna. We all are subject to this when we question the utility and futility of life and our pursuits. His primary identity in this life is that of a great warrior and his role in this war is to lead the Pandavas army to victory against the evil forces of Kauravas. Yet Arjuna is very confused. This is the mind playing tricks on him. We tend to freeze sometimes not knowing what to do. In these times, we either closeout near and dear from our lives and draw ourselves in a cocoon or cry out for help. At this point in time, if we get lucky, we get divine help like Arjuna is now about to get. However, another important factor is to recognize that you are getting divine help. It is key not to resist divine help. Arjuna due to the blessings from his ancestors, his own punya karma from this life and past lives, his Guru Bhakti (Drona in this case and not really Krishna-Krishna is just his friend and a teacher at best. He doesn’t consider him his Guru) has been given an opportunity to get divine help in his predicament. How does he leverage it remains to be seen? Are we all open to getting divine help even when it is offered? What are we resisting in our lives? Point to ponder?

Srimad Bhagavat Gita Commentary by Anand Om Sankaran-Chapter 1

Vagarthaviva Sampruthou Vagagartha Prathiparthaye

Jagata Pitharou Vande Parvathi Parameshvarou

(from Raghuvamsha prayer sloka)

Preface:

I will start penning my thoughts on Bhagavat Gita in order to document my spiritual journey thus far and near future. I am starting this with humble namaskarams to divine and my Guruji.

Chapter 1:

The chapter starts with Dhrtharastra asking Sanjaya to describe the situation in the war. Sanjana goes on to relate the people, place  and adds color commentary to each person. Then, he pays attention to what Duryodhana says to Bhisma and the chapter ends with a monologue from Arjuna to Krishna.

Vedantha and Vedas impart “purna vidya” to us. Purna vidya is complete knowledge. Purna vidya is knowledge that one is nothing but self. Any other understanding of our state is not “Purna vidya”. All the utterances from Dhrtharastra (physically and mentally blind), Sanjaya, Duryodhana or Arjuna is from a state of “ignorance”. Ignorance or lack of knowledge leads to delusion, depression and sadness. It is interesting to note that in sloka 20, the flag of Arjuna is described to have a monkey picture on it! Others have pointed out that it was Lord Hanuman himself. When one has ignorance, even divine’s arrival in our lives is not recognized!

The 1^st chapter is a great introduction or setup for majority of us who dwell in state of ignorance and hurt for a major part of our lives. It is very interesting that beginning to true knowledge happens usually after a life event which shakes one up! It almost feels like that event becomes a yagna (sacrifice) to get that knowledge. The yagna could be in the form of selfless seva, nishkamya karma or punya karma. I would submit that Arjuna had worked tirelessly on his valor/skills and in last 13 years had to endure lots of hardship even though he had capability to take on Duryodhana and his armies earlier. He did follow the rules of the dice game and went away to exile. Even accomplished men such as Arjuna haven’t been able to conquer their mind. This just gives us perspective of how difficult it is control the mind. Adi Shankara in Vivekachudamani, talks about one taking a billion lives to get out of this cycle of birth and death. So chill, this Vedanta game is not easy folks! Contemplating on these thoughts itself must have taken 1000s of lives for us to get to this position. We are already blessed!