Friday, April 10, 2020

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary chapter 4 verse 12


Chapter 4 verse 12

“They, who long for satisfaction from actions in this world, make sacrifices to the gods, because satisfaction is quickly obtained from actions in the world of objects”

Swami Chinmayananda talks about 3 types of men- animal men- who don’t raise above animal tendencies in life, man-men- who are above animal tendencies but just are happy and satisfied with actions to get immediate results and enjoy the sensual pleasures that the body and senses afford being in contact with the external world. The third type is the God-men who realize the essence of the purpose of the human being in reaching divine. Lord is talking in this verse about the man-men who even pray to God and make offerings and sacrifice only on a transactional basis to obtain material things for return. There are 2 paths to take- easy path and the right path. The easy path usually doesn’t lead to long term gains in the journey to Self and keeps us in this cycle of birth and death. The right path is longer, tougher and enables us to be God-men. Lord here acknowledges that it is very easy for men to slip into the easy path. What a quagmire to wriggle out of?

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