Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary chapter 5 verse 26

Chapter 5 verse 26

“Absolute or eternal freedom exists on all sides for those self controlled ascetics, who are free from desires and anger, who have controlled the thoughts and who have realized the Self”

The seed of all desires is attachment to the body, mind, and intellect complex. Those who are able to control their senses and control their thoughts are able to gain control over desires and therefore anger doesn’t show its ugly head. When this happens, Self is realized and they become jivan mukta- realized beings right here on earth.

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary chapter 5 verse 25

Chapter 5 verse 25

“Those sages obtain absolute freedom or moksa whose sins are destroyed, whose dualities are torn asunder, who are self-controlled and intent on the welfare of all beings”

What are the criteria for eternal bliss? The person does not get swayed by the pair of opposites- there is no separation from divine and themselves. They have complete control of their senses and draw them inward away from the external stimuli and they look out always for the welfare of entire universe. This person then doesn’t grieve and finds eternal bliss.

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary chapter 5 verse 24

Chapter 5 verse 24

“He, who is happy within, who rejoices within, who is illuminated within, that yogi attains absolute freedom or moksa, himself becoming Brahman”

There is a beautiful insight captured in this verse. It says ‘yo anthaha ramaha bavati thatha sukham prapnoti- he who attains rama (eternal bliss-also referring to the avatara of Lord Rama) in his heart, gets eternal bliss’. I am taking this as another indication from the Lord to seat the divine in our hearts! The verse itself is self explanatory.

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary chapter 5 verse 23

Chapter 5 verse 23

“He who is able, while still here in this world to withstand, before the liberation from the body or death, the impulse born out of desire and anger, is a yogi, he is a happy man”

Desire is the root cause of all unhappiness. Anger arises from non-fulfillment of those desires. Desires originate from the attachment to ego. Hence if the person drops his “I” ness, they are able to feel eternal bliss even before leaving this impermanent world. They become yogis- Karma, Bhakti, Raja and Jnana yogis. The ultimate result of all these different paths enumerated in our scriptures is dropping of the ego and surrendering to the divine or your immutable Self.

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary chapter 5 verse 22

Chapter 5 verse 22

“The enjoyments that are born of contacts are only generators of pain, for they have a beginning and an end, the wise do not rejoice in them”

How does one distinguish between what is changing and changeless, what is permanent and impermanent, what causes eternal bliss and what gives momentary bliss? Anything which has a beginning and end is impermanent, changing and temporary irrespective how long it lasts! The process of negation of the impermanent is an approach Vedanta takes to realize the permanent immutable Self. All temporary enjoyments are borne of the contacts of the 5 organs of action and perception, mind and the intellect. Lord says that the real wise men do not attach themselves to these pleasures.

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary chapter 5 verse 21

Chapter 5 verse 21

“With the self unattached to external contacts, he finds happiness in the Self; with the self engaged in the meditation of Brahman, he attains endless happiness”

There are 2 methods to attain eternal happiness- first is to drop the ego and egoistic desires arising from the desire driven contact of the senses with the external world. This requires lot of self less work in the field of action without doer ship. The second approach is to meditate on the changeless and changing aspects of the universe and understand what is real and what is unreal. These 2 methods would reveal the true immutable Self to the individual and take them on the path of eternal bliss.

Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary chapter 5 verse 19-20

Chapter 5 verse 19-20

“Even here in this world, everything including birth and rebirth is overcome by those whose minds rest in equality; Brahman is spotless indeed and equal; therefore they are established in Brahman. Resting in Brahman, with steady intellect and un-deluded, the knower of Brahman, neither rejoices on obtaining what is pleasant, nor grieves on obtaining what is unpleasant”

The state of Brahman or immutable Self makes the person equipoise in all situations and doesn’t have to go through birth death cycle again. Further the Lord declares that the pair of opposites do not affect the person who has realized Self and attained Brahman- pleasure/pain, fame/shame, praise/scorn, heat/cold, respect/disrespect and so on. The person becomes steadfast in the centered Self.