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!