GITA REVIEWS yb

03021 Greatmen - Ordinary men

2012-01-14T17:58:00.000-08:00

YBREM
This is one verse which Mahatma Gandhi quoted in his speech on 6th Aug. 1925 while addressing the management and the students of the Krishinidhi College, Berhampur, Orissa. Here is a part quote from it. Source of the speech: Complete Works of Mahatma Gandhi, vol. 32.

...Not even a millionaire in this age will be able to enjoy four months' holiday. They soon find there is a deficit to meet or there is some hopeless mismanagement of their estate. If you want to take a little bit of life into these little cottages of India, you will only do so by the revolution of the charkha and, therefore, I say, whoever draws one yard of yarn per day, has added to the wealth of India; he has done something to alleviate the distress, and as the Gita says : As the great men do so do the men in the street. ...

verse:
3/21 Bhagavad Gita.
yad yad aacharati s`reesht`has tat tad deeveetaroo jana:
sa yat pramaan`am kurutee lookas tad anuvartatee.

Gist:
Whatever the best men in the society and the leaders do others will emulate. Whatever the elite take as standard, the world will copy.

YBREMS:
*What is the definition of a srEshTha (best man)? What is the definition of 'others'? Is a rich person the best person? Is a person in power, the best person? Is a celebrity, the best person? If Sachin Tendulkar or Mahendra Singh Dhoni or Shah Rukh Khan or Salman Khan shaves with a particular razor blade, should others also save with the same blade?

*It is true that what an X does is imitated by some 100 million Y's. Does that mean he=she is the best? Does that mean what they do is the best thing?

*Gandhiji's idea may be that if some big person does something good, he will be working a good role-model, for others to emulate. This idea is welcome. But it is not working in 2012 not only in India, but also in the whole world. If Americans start doing what Bill Clinton did or Romney is going to do, where will they land? They land nowhere.

How can a God-Head compare himself to a God of low character?

2011-12-21T23:19:00.000-08:00

Chapter: 10, verse 022.
VIBHUUTI 022
veedaanaam saamaveedoo asmi
deevaanaam asmi vaasava:
indriyaan`aam manas` ca asmi
bhuutaanaam asmi cheetanaa.

Gist: I am sAma vEda (the knowledge of singing hymns), among the vEdas. I am vAsava (God Indra) among demy-Gods. I am the manas (mind) among the organs and senses of body. I am the cEtana (Dynamism or motivator) among the elements.

ybrao a donkey's observations.

The vASava or Indra is the Ruler of Heaven. We have three immediate worlds in Hindusim. Earth, Heaven and the Nether (below earth or pAtALam). This God-Head Indra's reputation we can see in Valmiki Ramayana. One fine early morning, he entered the hermitage of Sage Gautama, disguised as that Sage. The real Sage went to the river for his morning ablutions. Indra (or Vasava) in the disguise of Goutama committed adultery with his wife Ahalya. The real sage came back, understood the damage done by Indra and cursed him to have a 1000 eyes on his body. The sage also cursed his own wife Ahalya to become a way-side stone. This stone, when touched by Rama's feet, came back to life as Ahalya. If Vasava has 1000 eyes because of the Sage's curse, since Vishnu is Vasava as per Bhagavadgita, he should also have a 1000 eyes.

Another question which arises is: Is Vishnu a womanizer like vAsava (Indra)? We cannot make such wild deductions. Our mythological stories have many bizarre incongruities. For example, Lord Vishnu had to take the guise of Jalandhara and disturb the chastity of his pious wife Tulasi, with the object of killing Jallandhara. Tulasi in her past birth was said to be a maid of Goddess Lakshmi in Vishnu's abode, Vaikuntham. It appears that Tulasi loved her master Vishnu, and Lakshmi cursed Tulasi. After killing Jalandhara, Vishnu had to assuage the hurt feelings of Tulasi. He had to reveal the story of her past birth in Vaikuntham and Lakshmi's curse. Nevertheless, Tulasi cursed him to become a stone (sAlagrAma). Just as Lord Shiva is worshipped as Linga (stone vertical cylindrical symbol), Vishnu's salagrama is also a special stone found in the River Gandaki.

This vAsava or Indra or Sakra is the same gentle! God who abducted the demon King Hiranya Kasipu's pregnant wife (Prahlada's mother), for whatever be the reason. What type of God will vAsava be who abducts an enemy's pregnant wife? He must be worse than Turkish or Moghul Muslim invaders who sometimes hesitated to touch married women.

This vAsava or Indra or Sakra is the same noble! God who stole the sacrificial animals of King Ambarisha (For this verse and comment see my rAmAyaNa blog post. And that king had to search for a suitable human substitute for the sacrificial animal. The early Aryan sacrifices were satisfying the God Indra, on whom the Rig Veda laid stress. Vishnu seems to be a subsequent receivers of the horse, bull and animal parts and clarified butter thrown into the sacrificial fire. God Siva apparently was a further late entrant, as he was angry because he was not given a share in the sacrificial offerings (called havis). Remember the sacrifice performed by Daksha without inviting Siva.

One question which arises here is why the foremost God and the recipient of early sacrificial offerings the vAsava -Indra-Sakra stooped down to such a low level of abducting an enemy's wife or entering the hermitage of a sage early morning and cheating his wife? Surprisingly, the supreme God Lord Krishna is comparing himself to the stooped down God!

*It is not clear why Krishna chose Sama Veda as his vibhUti. Many scholars consider that Rig vEda (the first vEda) is the greatest among vEdas. Gita contrasts this scholarly beliefs.

11001 The vision of cosmic form of Krishna

2011-05-22T04:54:00.000-07:00

Verse: 11/1 - Chapter 11 verse No.1
VisvarUpa Samdars`ana yOga - Arjuna seeing the Universal Form of Krishna.
arjuna uvAca
mad-anugrahAya paramam
guhyam adhyatma-samjnitam
yat tvayoktam vacas tEna
moho ayam vigatO mama.

English Gist:
Arjuna said to Krishna.

You have, to show me grace, given me great secret spiritual instruction. With your words all my illusions and temptations have disappeared.

Blogger's Comments
Why should the contents of Gita be taken as great secrets? It is not about any military strategy or strategical formation. It has nothing to do with country's or State's security. It does not contain any pharmaceutical formulae. What for is the secrecy?

06001 POST-BUDDHIST RESISTANCE

2009-12-13T15:12:00.000-08:00

AATMA SAMYAMANA YOGA 001 - POSC (Path of Self-Control) 1

Anaas`ritaha karmaphalam kaaryam
karma karooti yaha
sa sanyaasii ca yoogii ca
na nir agnir na ca akriyaha.

MEANINGS OF DIFFICULT WORDS
Anaas`ritaha : Unattached.

karmaphalam : Fruits and results of acts.
kaaryam : acts
sanyaasii : relinquished person

nir - agni : person without fire (person who does not maintain the ritual fires at home, as was the requirement of those days.)

akriyaha : person who does not perform acts. (Acts here apparently mean the acts prescribed by caste, family, religion and the society).

GIST

Krishna answered here, the question of who is real relinquisher (Sanyaasi ). A person who discharges his duties without expecting results is the real relinquisher and united person- UP. (yogi-whose human soul united with the Supreme Spirit). A person who abandons the sacrificial fire is not a relinquisher. A person who abstains from his duties (body, family, social) is not a uniter.

BLOGGER'S VIEWS
This is the first verse of the sixth Chapter.

This chapter is called the Union of Self Control or the Union of Meditation. Better phrase is Path of Self Control (POSC).

This verse seems to be a criticism of the Buddhist practices of relinquishment prevailing between Ashoka and 1000 A.D.

Those who converted to Buddhism relinquished sacrifices, got their heads tonsured, and left their families. Agriculture and martial arts suffered.

This verse seems to aim to bring back, the sheep which have drifted to Buddhism.

02001 VERSE 2/1- ARJUNA'S DEPRESSION IS REASONABLE

2009-10-02T15:53:00.000-07:00

VERSE NO 2/1 SY 01
tam tathaa krupayaavisht`am
as`rupuurn`a aakuleekshan`am
vishiidam tam idam vaakyam
uvaacha madhusuudana:

GIST
ARJUNA was full of compassion. His eyes were inundated with tears. He was sad.

BLOGGER'S EXPLANATION AND ANALYSES
Arjuna was the third brother among the five Pandava prices, who were waging for to get back their share of the Kuru kingdom. Arjuna felt miserable when he saw the faces of his grand fathers, teachers, brothers, uncles and other relatives whom he had to slay to get back their share. He felt this unreasonable and expressed his unhappiness to Krishna.

Krishna was the preceptor of Gita.

Krishna taught Gita's second chapter "Sankhya Yoga" to Arjuna, after seeing his tears filled face.
The Saankhya yoga deals with body and soul relationship.
Sankhya means 'count'. The Saankhya philosophy of sage Kapila in Hindu philosophy dealt with the 24 elements of nature such as earth, water, fire, wind, sky, sense organs of body such as eyes, ears, nose, tongue, skin, functional organs of body such as limbs, and the internal esoteric elements of body such as mind, intellect, ego, inclination etc.

But this Chapter 2 of Gita does not much deal with the Saankhya philosophy of Kapila. This chapter is an independent preaching.

Arjuna's depression, according to Krishna, was born out of Arjuna's ignorance.
The 72 verses in this Chapter tried to dispel the ignorance (according to Krishna's perception) of Arjuna.

I, personally feel, that Arjuna was not ignorant. His depression was justified, considering the disastrous ramifications of a catastrophic war (These, he dedscribed in Chapter 1).

Krishna was keen that Arjuna should fight the war. Hence, he gave a pep talk from Chapters 2 to 18. Gita was nothing in essence, but a pep talk intended to instigate a war which was quite unnecessary.

IMPORTANT
No historic evidence exists that Mahabharata epic and the war took place. Mahabharata could even be a piece of literature.

VERSE 18-33 MS 33 Undithering mind

2008-03-03T21:37:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18,
PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION,
VERSE LIB 33
GIST
CHARACTERISTICS OF A 'SAATVIKA PERSON' (PERSON OF STRENGTH, SELF-RESTRAINT AND TOLERANCE)
That determination and exuberance which are settled in a concentrated undithering mind, controlling the mind, vital functions, are Saatvikii (Strong, but self-restraining and tolerant).

BLOGGER'S VIEWThis is one of the best and the clearest verses in Gita. Note the stress on self control.

AADHYAAYA 18,
MOOKSHA SANYAASA YOOGA
S`LOOKA: MSY 33
Dhrutyaa yayaa dhaarayatee
mana:praan`eendriyakriyaa:
yoogeenaavyabhichaarin`yaa
dhruti: saa paartha saattvikii.

18034 Urge for riches

2008-02-16T05:28:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18,
PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION,
VERSE LIB 34
GIST
O Son of Prutha! A person who out of interest in righteousness, desires riches, receives and bears them, the determination and exuberance of such person are the Raajasa (King-like) type.

AADHYAAYA 18,
MOOKSHA SANYAASA YOOGA
S`LOOKA: MSY 34
Yayaa tu dharmakaamaarthaan
dhrutyaa dhaarayatee Arjuna
prasamgeena phalaakaamkshii
dhruti: saa paartha raajasii.

ybrao's view
*Kings or Regals or Royals have an urge to amass gold and precious stones.
*Money and riches serve three purposes: 1. satisfy wants, particularly necessities and comforts 2. provide wherewithal when a person becomes too old and too weak to work 3. enable a person to exercise power on others in the society using his purchasing power.

*A person desiring riches for meeting for the third need have tendencies to become arrogant, too-assertive and flamboyant. This arrogance, excess-assertiveness and flaboyant, all these we can include in a five letter word PRIDE. Pride is the meaning of 'rAjasa' delineated above.

*True Brahmins (Not birth-brahmins or the persons in the occupation of priesthood) cannot have 'rAjasa' or the temptation to income and wealth. But the Brahmins of the Mahabharata or the Bhagavadgita times had the greed for cows and gold.

*Bible too denounced wealth and richmen: Matthew 19034:

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God

.

*Quran 09034 too denounced accumulation of wealth:

"O you who believe! Lo! many of the (Jewish?) rabbis and the (Christian?) monks devour the wealth of mankind wantonly and debar (men) from the way of Allah. They who hoard up gold and silver and spend it not in the way of God, unto them give tidings (O Muhammad) of a painful doom".

*Fun is: the priest class of most religions Hinduism/Christianity/Islam had accumulated wealth in the past, while preaching contentment to others.

18035 Inertness in individuals

2008-01-28T23:04:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18,
PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION,
VERSE LIB 35
GIST
An evil minded person who does not shed sleep, fear, misery, sadness, pride etc., the determination and exuberance of such person are the tAmasa (Ignorance coupled with inertia) type.

BLOGGER'S VIEW
The definition is clear and good.
Originally 'tAmasa' meant darkness. Darkness is a representative of intertia and ignorance.

AADHYAAYA 18,
MOOKSHA SANYAASA YOOGA
S`LOOKA: MSY 35
Yayaa svapnam bhayam s`ookam
vishaadam madam eeva ca
na vimumchati durmeedhaa
dhruti: saa paartha taamasii.

18036 three types of comforts

2008-01-21T04:06:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18,
PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION,
VERSE LIB 36
GIST
Oh the Greatest of the Bharata Clan! Listen now the three types of comforts:- The experience which in course of practice and review becomes comfortable, which frees itself from the pangs of the family and the mundanus.

BLOGGER'S VIEW
In verses 37, 38 and 39 the Satva (Tolerance while being strong), Rajas (Very active, but excitable) and Tamas (Ignorant and dormant, a stage of darkness) comforts have been discussed. These three verses are some of the best verses of Gita.

PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE
The number of qualities is more than three i.e. infinite (Not only satva, rajas, tamas). Besides, a person may possess all the three qualities at the same time in different proportions. This proportion will vary from moment to moment. For example, visualise Krishna with discus in his hand leaping on the Grand shire Bhishma in Mahabharata war, because Arjuna was unable to fight Bhishma. In that moment Krishna shifted from Satva to Rajas. Thus the satva, rajas and tamas are emotional states. When compounded and mixed with awareness and self-realisation, the emotions move from one transcendental level to another transcendental level. If we treat tamas as the lowest in the ladder and satva as the highest, the movement will be upward.

OBSERVATION
Gita made a bold and creative attempt to classify emotional states of people. But the contours of Gita's classification are limited. Only super computers can classify and analyse the billions of emotional states of individuals, if data is fed to them by psychologists/psychiatrists/researchers, which science may do oneday.

AADHYAAYA 18,
MOOKSHA SANYAASA YOOGA
S`LOOKA: MSY 36

Sukham tv idaaniim trividham
s`run`u mee bharatarshabha
Abhyaasaad ramatee yatra
du:khaamtam ca nigachchhati.

VERSE 18-37 MS 37

2008-01-16T05:39:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18,
PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION,
VERSE LIB 37
GIST
The experience which in course of practice and review becomes comfortable, which frees itself from the pangs of the family and the mundane. (LIB 36). -- which first looks poisonous, later becomes nectar like, which is born out of a pure intellect of spirituality, such comfort is Satvika. (LIB 37).

BLOGGER'S VIEW
Satvika or Satva is a composite quality of strength + restraint.
This verse discusses the effects of Strength+restraint rather than the main characteristics. Satva is a human trait.

NEAREST contextual AXIOM
Sweet are the uses of adversity.

AADHYAAYA 18,
MOOKSHA SANYAASA YOOGA
S`LOOKA: MSY 37

Yat tadagree visham iva parin`aamee amrutoopamam
tat sukham saattvikam prooktam aatmabuddhiprasaadajam

VERSE 18-38 MS 38 Humans have regal egos

2008-01-12T20:31:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18,
PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION,
VERSE LIB 38
That experience which is born out of the Union of sensual organs, which initially tastes like nectar, but later turn out to be poisonous, such comfort is the 'rajasa' (Raja = king. Rajasa = characteristics of a king. The actions are filled with exceed speed and arrogance, while promoting desires, likes and dislikes. For this state of mind we can create a phrase 'Regal-hyperaction').

BLOGGER'S VIEW
The regal-hyperaction qualities are quite clear. All of us have this hyper-action within us in some degree other, by our very human instinct. There is no need to be shy of admiting it. If we become a slave of hyperaction, we lose control on ourselves and slip down on a path of destruction and misery. There can never be a human, who has a 0% hyperaction or 100% action. The central tendencies apply.

AADHYAAYA 18,
MOOKSHA SANYAASA YOOGA
S`LOOKA: MSY 38

Vishayeendriyasamyoogaad yat tadagree amrutoopamam
parin`aamee visham iva tat sukham raajasam smrutam

VERSE 18-39 MS 39

2008-01-01T05:25:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18,
PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION,
VERSE LIB 39

GIST
That experience which from the beginning to the end produces attachment, temptation, sleep, laxity, danger and inalertness, such comfort is the 'Tamasa' (Literal meaning: darkness. This darkness is owing to ignorance. Additional attachment is inertia. Hence we can create a compound word 'Igno-inertia' as equivalent of tamasa.)

BLOGGER'S VIEW
This definition is quite good and interesting. All of us are subject to 'Igno-inertia' at some point or other of our life. Even Lord Krishna is also subject to the Igno-inertia, but of course, the scripture preachers will not agree.

One redeeming feature for all of us, is that we are not and shall not be subject to igno-inertia from the BEGINNING TO END.

AADHYAAYA 18,
MOOKSHA SANYAASA YOOGA
S`LOOKA: MSY 39

Yad agree ca anubandhee ca
sukham moohanam aatmana:
nidraalasyapramaadoottham
tat taamasam udaahrutam

18040 VERSE 18-40 MS 40

2007-12-24T05:32:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18,
PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION,
VERSE LIB 40

GIST
There is not a single organism on this Earth, in the Heaven and among the lower Gods, which has separated itself from the inherent Three Qualities.

NOTE
The three qualities are: Satva (tolerance combined with strength), Rajas (hyper-active and proud, like a king), Tamas (dormant and inert like darkness of ignorance).

BLOGGER'S VIEW
1. Dividing all the characteristics of the creatures into just three classes of three qualities is arbitrary and ridiculous.

2. Like DNA finger-printing, there can be millions of qualities in different organisms. Grouping them just into three will be illogical.

AADHYAAYA 18,
MOOKSHA SANYAASA YOOGA
S`LOOKA: MSY 40

Na tad asti pruthivyaam vaa
divi deeveeshu vaa punah
sattvam prakrutijair muktam
yad eebhi: syaat tribhir gun`aih.

18041 18/41 WERE THE DUTIES OF FOUR CASTES FIXED BY FATE?

2007-12-22T06:01:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18,
PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION,
VERSE LIB 41

AADHYAAYA 18,
MOOKSHA SANYAASA YOOGA
S`LOOKA: MSY 41
Braahman`a kshatriya vis`aam
s`uudraan`aam ca paramtapa
karmaan`i pravibhaktaani
svabhaava prabhavair gun`ai:

GIST
Oh Scorcher of foes! All the duties and Actions of the Priests, Warriors, Merchants, the Fourth Caste, have all been apportioned and assigned as per the inherent qualities.

BLOGGER'S VIEW
* Why only four castes?
* Why did the God create, apportion and assign? What was his purpose?
* The humans (rulers and priests) made the four caste arrangement. They are trying to make them divine and God-designed.

18042 VERSE 18-42 MS 42

2007-12-18T23:47:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18,
PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION,
VERSE LIB 42

GISTControl of internal senses, Control of the external senses, penance, internal and external hygiene, endurance, simplicity, knowledge, awareness, faith (in scriptures and God) are the qualities inherent to the Priests.

BLOGGER'S VIEW
All noble qualities are reserved for priests.

AADHYAAYA 18,
MOOKSHA SANYAASA YOOGA
S`LOOKA: MSY 42
MSY 42

S`amoo damas tapah s`aucham
kshaamtir aarjavam eeva ca
gnaanam vignaanam aastikyam
brahmakarma svabhaavajam

18043 VERSE 18-43 MS 43

2007-12-16T21:01:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18,
PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION,
VERSE LIB 43

GIST
Valor, vigor, courage, efficiency and effectiveness, not fleeing from the battle field, charity, desire to rule the world are all the inherent duties and Actions of a Warrior.

BLOGGER'S VIEW
Some scripture preachers argue that this verse describes the qualities of a warrior, who need not be of warrior caste by birth. Here is a straight question to such preachers:

Can they explain the recruitment practices of armies during Mahabharata days or during the period of Mahabharata writing/taking its shape i.e. Second Century A.D.?

How many non-birth Kshatriya (warrior) caste people were recruited to the armies of the Pandavas, Kauravas and numerous other kings? Exceptions may be those of Drona, Kripa and Asvatthaama. Even in their case, a relaxation was given because Astras(Mantra/chant based archery which produces miraculous powers even if a blade of grass is used as a weapon, using the chant after due process) were supposed to be the preserve of few Priests and Warriors. Bhishma entrusted Pandavas and Kauravas to the care of Drona after observing his exceptional abilities.

Drona refused to impart archery to Ekalavya and Karna on the ground that they were not a born Kshatriyas. Had he come forward to impart the art of weapons to non birth-Kshatriyas, Bhishma, Arjuna, Dhritarashtra and Duryodhana would have objected. Duryodhana for his own selfish reasons gave exception to Karna by making him the King of Anga.

Did any teacher of Mahabharata fame searched for Non-Brahmin (Non-Priest) and Non-Warrior caste born persons to impart education of Vedas or Sanskrit or any similar studies? Exception was Jabali during Ramayana times. Scripture preachers trumpet the case of Jabali to show that there was no birth-caste discrimination during Ramayana and Mahabharata times.

The truth is: birth-caste remained the parameter for all purposes.

AADHYAAYA 18,
MOOKSHA SANYAASA YOOGA
S`LOOKA: MSY 43

S`auryam teejoo dhrutir daakshyam
yuddhee ca api apalaayanam
daanam iis`vara bhaavas` ca
kshatrakarma svabhaavajam

18044 VERSE 18-44 MS 44 An oppressive verse

2007-12-15T03:46:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18,
PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION,
VERSE LIB 44

GIST
Agriculture, cow-rearing, trade, are the inherent functions of a Trader-caste-born person (Vaisya). Service is the inherent function of a Fourth-Caste born (Suudra).

BLOGGER'S VIEW
This is one of the most obnoxious verses in Gita. Gita or Krishna or Vyasa or priests in the name of Vyasa cannot prescribe what a person should do. Occupations of human being are in most societies distributed in accordance with the market forces of demand and supply.

I am neutral about the inheritance of qualities and skills through genetic mutation. More DNA have to prove it.

Children acquire some skills and learn some qualities from their parents through observation during their upbringing with the parents, consciously or unconsciously. Inherited wealth also helps them (sometimes even forces them) to adopt the occupations of their parents. This depends on the economic and social environements of different countries.

For example: Gita prescribed the occupation of agriculture to Vaisyas. In the later parts of history, even Brahmins, Sudras took up agriculture. Now trading is done by all the communities.

One cannot say that whoever does business is a Vaisya and whoever does service is Sudra. The names of castes are not labels of occupations.

There are other labels for occupations such as "Vyaapaari" for a trader and "Seevaka' for a servant, who chose them by occupation.

IMPORTANT
Whatever the preachers of Gita may say that Krishna divided castes on the basis of qualities, today the Government of India is dividing castes on the basis of birth and not by occupation.

For example, if a Birth Brahmin (Priest by birth) lives by working as a "camar" (cobbler), the Govt. does not recognise him as a "Camar caste" person and extend him the facilities of a Scheduled Caste.

If scripture preachers want "occupation-caste" to be the "varnam - caste" of a person, they have to make representations to M.L.As. and M.Ps., the State and Central Governments or file a writ petition in State High Courts or the Supreme Court of India.
AADHYAAYA 18,
MOOKSHA SANYAASA YOOGA
S`LOOKA: MSY 44

Krushi goorakshya vaan`ijyam
vais`ya karma svabhaavajam
paricaryaatmakam karma
s`uudrasyaapi svabhaavajam.

18045 VERSE 18-45 MS 45

2007-12-12T05:06:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18,
PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION,
VERSE LIB 45

GIST
Those who perform their duties and actions will be entitled to fulfilment of knowledge. I shall explain you how. Listen it:

BLOGGER'S VIEW:
These duties and actions are very ugly. They can be found in verses MS 42, 43, and 44. According to which a fourth caste person (S`uudra) has to constantly serve the upper castes. It is nothing but drudgery.

AADHYAAYA 18,
MOOKSHA SANYAASA YOOGA
S`LOOKA: MSY 45

Svee svee karmaan`i abhirataha
samsiddhim labhatee nara:
svakarma nirata: siddhim
yathaa vindati tat s`run`u

18046 Dutiful person is a true worshipper

2007-12-06T20:50:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18,
PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION,
VERSE LIB 46

GIST
The person who performs his duties will be worshipping that Supreme God from which all the Creatures have emerged and who pervades throughout the Universe. Such person attains fulfilment. (Doing one's own duty is the worship).

BLOGGER'S VIEW
VIEW OF THIS VERSE IN ISOLATION
1. There is no proof of existence of Supreme God and the emergence of all the creatures from himher.

2. Superhuman forces if any, may be pervading throughout the Universe. There is also nothing wrong in calling such force Vishnu or Alla or Jehova. But what is the use of worshipping such force? Trying to placate it through prayers or offerings serves no purpose. The promise of fulfilment from such worship is imaginary.

3. A person derives hisher duties from his personal needs, family needs, relations with the society in which he resides and the country in which he lives. These duties have nothing to do with the superhuman force. There may be some duties associated with nature and environment.

4. Throughout the thousands of years of the history of Gita, readers, listeners and scripture preachers erroneously linked performance of one's duties as human to God and religion. God and Religion are irrelevant to duties. For example, respecting elders is a family duty. It has nothing to with God or Religion or any other Superhuman force.

VIEW OF THIS VERSE IN THE ENVIRONMENT OF BHAGAVADGITA, MAHABHARATA AND THE SCRIPTURES:
Gita and scriptures illogically linked the performance of duties to a person's caste. There are some scholars who advocate that the duties of castes are not dependent on birth caste, but on the "inherent qualities of each human".

AADHYAAYA 18,
MOOKSHA SANYAASA YOOGA
S`LOOKA: MSY 46
Yatah pravruttir bhuutaanaam
yeena sarvam idam tatam
svakarman`aa tam abhyarchya
siddhim vindati maanava

18047 VERSE 18-47 MS 47

2007-12-03T19:19:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18,
PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION,
VERSE MSY 47

GIST
A prescribed duty and Action, defectively performed is better than a well discharged function which is alloted to others. A person who does his duty and action inherent to his nature will not get sin.

BLOGGER'S VIEW
This verse and 18/48 are inter-related. Pl. see the post #688.

AADHYAAYA 18,
MOOKSHA SANYAASA YOOGA
S`LOOKA: MSY 47

S`reeyaan svadharmoo vigun`a:
paradharmaat svanusht`hitaat
Svabhaavaniyatam karma
kurvan naapnooti kilbisham

18048 VERSE 18-48 MS 48

2007-12-02T19:34:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18,
PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION,
VERSE MSY 48

GIST
Oh Son of Kumti! Natural duties and functions, though faulty, should not be abandoned. All duties and Actions are covered by defects and lapses, just as fire is covered by smoke.

BLOGGER'S VIEW
This is one of the clean poems of Bhagavad Gita. But the scripture-preachers misinterpreted it to mean caste-attached duties, whereas a caste is created by man. Scripture-preachers teach as though the castes and duties are created by God. (Pl. see verses 4/13, 18/42 TO 45. The preachers as well as Krishna may mean the natural duties as Caste-related duties.)

A more meaningful interpretation will be:

Duties and functions which are natural to a human being, as a part of this Nature (Universe), i.e. which they derive by birth as humans.

E.g. 1. Instincts like eating when hungry, sleeping when tired and copulating when an urge is felt.

E.g. 2. A cat eating mice whenever it feels hungry. A lion eating animals when hungry.

Then a question may arise what is the purpose of Jitendriyatva (Conquering one's own senses)

The idea of conquering senses arises because it is sin to follow natural instincts like eating when hungry. There is no sin in them.

A person who conquers senses will boost his own self-image. It strengthens his self-confidence. It is self-hypnotic. Why a person climbs Mount Everest facing all hurdles and risking hisher life? May be for public adulation or other rewards. In addition to all these, there will be the self-awarded reward of SELF-RESPECT.

AADHYAAYA 18,
MOOKSHA SANYAASA YOOGA
S`LOOKA: MSY 48

Sahajam karma Kaumteeya!
sadoosham api na tyajeet
sarvaarambhaa hi doosheen`a
dhuumeen aagnir iva aavrutaa:

18049 VERSE 18-49 MS 49

2007-11-30T03:38:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18,
PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION (Moksha Sanyasa Yoga),
VERSE MSY 49

Asaktabuddhihi,
sarvatra jitaatmaa vigataspruhaha,
naishkarmya siddhim paramaam,
sanyaaseena adhigachchhati

GIST
Unattached intellect, Regulated intellect, Conquering of desires, the greatest fulfilment of becoming a Non-performer while remaining fully active -- all these can be accomplished through RELINQUISHMENT AND RENUNCIATION.

BLOGGER'S VIEW
This is one of the clean poems of Bhagavad Gita.

18050 VERSE 18-50 MS 50

2007-11-28T20:46:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18,
PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION,
VERSE MSY 50

GIST
Oh Son of Kumti! Now listen from me how a person who has accomplished the "State of Relinquished Action" attains the Supreme Spirit and what is the ultimate State for the "Knowledge".

BLOGGER'S VIEW
So far, the existence of the Supreme Spirit (Brahmam) has not been proved. Then the question of attaining it becomes hypothetical.

The ultimate State for knowledge is "Implementation and Practice". It will be easy for a person who has accomplished the State of "Relinquished Action" to practise his knowledge dispassionately. Here also two possible situations we can foresee:

1. Where his actions do not benefit or harm him, but will benefit the society: He will continue to perform them owing to their benevolence to the world.

2. Where his actions neither benefit the society or himself, he knows that there is no use of performing such "relinquished-fruits actions". He may discontinue them confidently.

Real problems arise where consequences of his actions turn out to be unforeseen, particularly unpleasant results. Since he is not concerned about results, they will not cause him grief. He will work as ever. If his actions cause unforeseen unpleasant consequences to the society, he will try to minimise the damage.

This will be the normal line of thinking of rational and wise persons. Unfortunately, Krishna does not discuss these. Because the authors who inserted these verses in Mahabharata were more interested in presenting him as the Supreme Spirit, did not discuss the social consequences of actions.

AADHYAAYA 18,
MOOKSHA SANYAASA YOOGA
S`LOOKA: MSY 50

Siddhim praaptoo yathaa brahma
tathaapnooti niboodha mee
samaaseenaiva Kaumteeya
nisht`haa gnaanasya yaa paraa

18051 VERSE 18-51 MS 51

2007-11-27T06:30:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18,
PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION,
VERSE MSY 51

GIST
Equipped with a clean and pure intellect, controlled by courage, having relinquished interest in objects like sound, having abandoned love and hate (continued in verse 52)

BLOGGER'S VIEW
This list of qualities, Gita says, will lead to a 'State of Renunciation (Vairaagya)'.
Total abandonment of love and hate is not possible to anybody, including Krishna.

PROOF
MAHA BHARATA, BOOK 16, BOOK OF PESTLE
(MAUSALA PARVA), CHAPTER 5, VERSES 42 TO 45
(Chapter Nos. and verse Nos. may vary in different versions of Mahabharata). The verses are to be traced searching for the story.

When Krishna found his son Samba killed in the hands of inebriated Yadavas, became very angry and killed the slayers.

Tan tu pashyanmahaabaahur jaanankaalasya paryayam
musalan saamavasht`abhya tasthau sa Madhusuudanaha 16-5-42

Saambaan ca nihatam drisht`vaa chaarudeshn`am ca Maadhavaha
Pradyumnaan ca Aniruddham ca tatashchukrodha Bhaarata 43

Gadaan viikshya shayaanan cha bhrisham kopasamanvitaha
sa nihsheeshaan tadaa chakree shaarnga chakra gadaadharaha. 44

tam nighnantam mahaatejaa babhruhu parapuranjayaha
daarukashchaiva daashaarhamuu chaturyannibodha tat 45

HOW KRISHNA REACTED IN MAHABHAGAVATA, THE SAME SITUATION OF SLAYING OF S`AAMBA, JAMBAVATI'S SON
11-30-17 (BOOK 11, CHAPTER 30, VERSE 17)
(SKANDHA 11, AADHYAAYA 30, S`LOOKA 17)

The entire Chapter 39 shows the Yadava infighting with "pezzles" as curse by Priests and the Delusion created by Krishna.

Pratyaniikam manyamaanaa
Balabhadram ca mohitaaha
hantum krita-dhiiyo Raajan
Aapannaa aatataayinaha. (11-30-22)

Atha taav api sankruddhaav
udyamya Kuru-nandana
erakaa-must`hi-parighau
carantau jaghnatur yudhi. (11-30-23).

Here Vyasa says that the Yaadavas attacked Balarama. Then Krishna and Balarama reacted violently taking canes into their fists, and clubs, they began to kill.

Though Mahabharata and Mahabhagavata are believed to be the work of same Vyaasa, Bhagavata is more open in portraying Krishna as God.

AADHYAAYA 18,
MOOKSHA SANYAASA YOOGA
S`LOOKA: MSY 51

Buddhyaa vis`uddhayaa yuktoo
dhrutyaatmaanam niyamya ca
s`abdaadiin vishayaams tyaktvaa
raagadveeshau vyudasya ca

VERSE 18-52 Live in recluse

2007-11-26T05:12:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18,
PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION,
VERSE MSY 52

GIST
Living in recluse, eating less, controlling mind - speech - actions, always engaged in meditation and contemplation, earns the "State of Renunciation".

BLOGGER'S VIEW
How about stomach? Somebody else has to toil and fill the meditator's belly?

AADHYAAYA 18,
MOOKSHA SANYAASA YOOGA
S`LOOKA: MSY 52

Viviktaseevii laghvaas`ii
yata vaakkaaya maanasaha
dhyaana yooga paroo nityam
vairaagyam samupaas`ritaha.

18053 VERSE 18-53 MS 53, WAY TO BLISS

2007-11-23T20:29:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18,
PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION,
VERSE MSY 53

AADHYAAYA 18,
MOOKSHA SANYAASA YOOGA

Ahamkaaram balam darpam
kaamam kroodham parigraham
vimuchya nirmama: s`aamtoo
brahmabhuuyaaya kalpatee.

GIST
The person who sheds Ego and Pride, use of physical force, flamboyance, lust, anger, tendency to expect and receive money and things from others, the sense of "MY (possession)" will be entitled to the blissful experience of the Supreme Spirit.

BLOGGER'S VIEW
*There is no proof of existence of any Supreme Spirit. Hence, there can be no blissful experience of any Supreme Spirit.
*A person who sheds ego, pride etc. may have bliss. The advice is good.

18054 18-54 MS 54 Is devotion compulsory?

2007-11-19T05:38:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18, PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION, VERSE 54
MSY 54

GIST
The one who has experienced the Supreme Spirit, has a serene soul, does not regret or desire for things, views all the Creatures with equanimity, gets devoted to me and ultimately the salvation.

INTERPRETATIONS, DEDUCTIONS, OBSERVATIONS
Here, Krishna wants a person to become his devotee, to get salvation.

AADHYAYA 18, MOKSHA SANYASA YOGA, S`LOOKA MSY 54

Brahmabhuutaha prasannaatmaa
na s`oochati na kaamkshati
sama: sarveeshu bhuuteeshu
madbhaktim labhatee paraam

18055 18-55 MS 55 A vague promise

2007-11-17T05:18:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18, PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION, VERSE 55
MSY 55

AADHYAAYA 18, MOOKSHA SANYAASA YOOGA
S`LOOKA MSY 55

Bhaktyaa maam abhijaanaati
yaavaan yas` ca asmi tatvata:
tatoo maam tatvatoo gnaatvaa
vis`atee tadanamtaram.

GIST
The one who understands me, my true philosophical spirit, will later enter me.

INTERPRETATIONS, DEDUCTIONS, OBSERVATIONS
These words are said by Krishna to Arjuna. Krishna was trying to convince Arjuna, that he (Krishna) was the Supreme God.
A sort of hypnotism. This promise of Arjuna's merger into Krishna is just a promise.

18056 18-56 MS 56

2007-11-16T03:55:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18, PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION, MS 56

GIST
The person who is solely devoted to me, does the daily chores and duties, by my grace, attains the Eternal Infinite Indestructible State.

INTERPRETATIONS, DEDUCTIONS
These words are said by Krishna to Arjuna. Krishna was trying to convince Arjuna, that he (Krishna) was the Supreme God.
A sort of hypnotism.
"Eternal Infinite Indestructible State" is just a promise.

ADHYAAYA 18, MOOKSHA SANYASA YOGA, MSY 56

Sarvakarmaan`i api sadaa
kurvaan`oo madvyapaas`raya:
Matprasaadaad avaapnooti
s`aas`vatam padam avyayam

18057 VERSE 18-57 MS 57

2007-11-13T21:48:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18, PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION, 18-57

Gist
Performing all duties and actions surrendered in my favour, practising the Union of Intellect with the Supreme Spirit, be filled with Me.

INTERPRETATIONS, DEDUCTIONS
These words are said by Krishna to Arjuna. Krishna was trying to convince Arjuna, that he (Krishna) was the Supreme God.
A sort of hypnotism.

MSY 57, MOOKSHA SANYASA YOOGA
Ceetasaa sarvakarmaan`i maii
sanyasya matpara:
buddhiyoogam upaas`ritya
machchitta: satatam bhava

18058 18-58 MS 58

2007-11-10T22:35:00.000-08:00

Chapter 18, Path of Liberation and Renunciation
MSY 58

Gist
If your intellect is filled with me, by my grace, you will overcome all difficulties. If you ignore my teachings out of ego and pride, you will perish.

INTERPRETATIONS, DEDUCTIONS
A sort of brainwashing. Not convincing by reason.

AADHYAAYA 18, MOKSHA SANYASA YOGA
MSY 58
Machchittaha sarvadurgaan`i
matprasaadaat tarishyasi
Atha cheet tvam ahamkaaraan na
s`rooshyasi vinamkshyasi

VERSE 18-59, MS 59 pep talk

2007-11-08T22:16:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18, PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION
MOKSHA SANYASA YOGA, VERSE MSY 59

GIST
If you think out of ego and pride, not to fight the war, remember that all such ideas of yours will be futile. This is because, by your very inherent nature you are bound to fight.

INTERPRETATIONS AND DEDUCTIONS
Nobody can be an inherent fighter, unless there are genetic reasons.

MSY 59
Yad ahamkaaram aas`ritya
na yootsya iti manyasee
Mithyaisha vyavasaayas
tee prakrutis tvaam niyookshyati

18060 VERSE 18-60 MS 60

2007-11-06T00:40:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18, PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION,
MOKSHA SANYASA YOGA, VERSE MSY 60

GIST
"... Oh Son of Kumti! Those duties and actions which you are hesitating to perform owing to temptation and delusion, you will execute all such functions, against your will, being bound by your inherent nature and be motivated to do.

OBSERVATIONS
Are inherent nature and delusion more powerful than temptation and delusion? If they are going to decide Arjuna's behavior, then there will be no need of Gita at all.

MSY 60

Svabhaavajeena Kaunteeya (Oh Son of Kunti! By your inherent nature)
nibaddha: sveena karman`aa (you are bound by your actions)
Kartum neechchhasi yan moohaat (whatever you are unwilling to do owing to temptation)
karishyasi avas`oo api tat (you will perform those actions against your will).

18061 God makes humans to revolves

2007-11-04T21:37:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18, PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION,
MOKSHA SANYASA YOGA, MSY 61
GIST

Oh Arjuna! The Lord sits in the seat of hearts of all the Creatures and by his magical spell make them revolve like the parts of a machine.

INTERPRETATIONS, OBSERVATIONS AND DEDUCTIONS
The object of the verse is to mesmerise Arjuna and the readers to surrender mechanically.

MSY 61
Iis`varah sarva bhuutaanaam
hruddees`ee Arjuna! tisht`hati
Bhraamayan sarvabhuutaani
yamtraaruud`haani maayayaa

18062 has an empty promise

2007-11-04T06:28:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 18, PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION, VERSE MSY 62

GIST

Oh person of Bharata clan! Take refuge in the (that) God! By his grace get ultimate peace, and eternal presence at his place.

INTERPRETATIONS, OBSERVATIONS AND DEDUCTIONS
Just surrender to the God in exchange for a promise of peace and proximity to the God. This is only a question of faith.

MSY 62
Tam eeva s`aran`am gachchha
sarvabhaaveena Bhaarata!
Tatprasaadaat paraam s`aamtim
sthaanam praapsyasi s`aas`vatam

GLOSSARY
Sannidhi: Presence near the Godhead.

18063 VERSE 18-63 MS 63

2007-11-01T21:50:00.000-07:00

CHAPTER 18, PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION, VERSE 63

GIST

Thus, I have taught you the supreme and extremely secret knowledge. Contemplate over this carefully and do as you like.

INTERPRETATIONS, OBSERVATIONS AND DEDUCTIONS
1. Is Gita secret and supreme knowledge? If we analyse the contents of the Gita carefully, we can find that there is nothing which needs secrecy or deserves supremacy. Who is making it secret and supreme? Krishna or the Priests and Preachers? There seems to be a hand of priests.

2. Contemplate over this carefully and do as you like : Though this instruction appears to give freedom to Arjuna, it does not really bestow any freedom to Arjuna. He has already been mesmerised by some trickish show of Cosmic form. He has been taught much metaphysics in Chapter 2, a list of attributes in Chapter 10, which are not relevant to the Mahabharata war. Above all, there is a threat: "If a person doubts he will perish!". Reference : verse 04-40 GY 40. The threat warns: "Neither there will be happiness in this world or in the other world after death."

GY 40
agnas` ca as`raddadhaanas` ca
sams`ayaatmaa vinas`yati
naayam lookoo asti na paroo
na sukham sams`ayaatmana:

MOKSHA SANYASA YOGA MSY 63
Iti tee gnaanam aakhyaatam
guhyaad guhyataram mayaa
Vimrus`yaitad as`eesheen`a
yatheechchhasi tathaa kuru

18066 VERSE 18-66 MS 66

2007-10-31T04:43:00.000-07:00

CHAPTER 18, PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION, MOKSHA SANYASA YOGA, MSY 18

GIST
Leave all duties, actions and functions. Take refuge only in me. I shall deliver you from all sins. Do not grieve.

INTERPRETATION, DEDUCTIONS AND COMMENTS
1. The advice to leave all duties, actions and functions is not proper. A person has to perform his duties, as long as he is physically and mentally capable of discharging them. In fact, many people think that this is the central message of Gita.

2. It is like this: Suppose, Mr. George Bush, the President of US calls every soldier in the American forces and tells him that the soldier should kill everybody in Iraq and that no sin will attach to him. Actually, soldiers, commanders and pilots have to think for themselves and satisfy for themselves that they are discharging a legitimate duty to the Nation. Their role as paid employees does not extend to illegal or unjustifiable wars which a Nation may undertake.

3. The Mahabharata war arose out of a family dispute. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers, horses and elephants cannot be killed, to enable the five brothers to get back their kingdom. The doubt raised by Arjuna at the beginning of Gita, had therefore, some validity.

4. This verse is very popular and is commonly quoted.

MSY 66 :
Sarvadharmaan parityajya
Maam eekam s`aran`am vraja
Aham tvaa sarvapaapeebhyoo
Mookshai ishyaami maa s`ucha:

18067 VERSE 18-67 MS 67

2007-10-30T04:32:00.000-07:00

CHAPTER 18, PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION
MOKSHA SANYASA YOGA, VERSE MSY 67

GIST
You should not at any time, teach this (Gita) to a person who is not an ascetic, who is not my devotee, who does not serve me, and the person who always hates me.

INTERPRETATIONS, DEDUCTIONS AND COMMENTS
This is the opinion of Priests. The priests were afraid of criticism. The priests wanted the contents of Gita to be blindly believed.

MY OBSERVATION: A person who always worships Krishna, does not hate Krishna, who is a devotee of Krishna, --- has no need of Gita lessons. Reason: Such person is already yoked to Krishna. Listening to Gita distrcts his attention from the vision of Krishna. It is like this: A sugar candy need not be taught about sweetness.

A person who alwas hates Krishna may at least change his mind about Krishna and try to yoke himself to Krishna.

This verse is one of the best examples to show that Gita was a later period insertion by priests. If Krishna was a true God, he would not have restricted teaching Gita to X and denied it to Y.

MSY 67
Idam tee na atapaskaaya
na abhaktaaya kadaa ca na
Na ca as`us`ruushavee vaachyam
na ca maam yoo abhyasuuyati.

ybrao a donkey's additional comment:
While Christianity suffers from propaganda, Hinduism suffers from secretiveness.

18068 VERSE 18-68 MS 68

2007-10-28T22:46:00.000-07:00

CHAPTER 18, PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION, MOKSHA SANYASA YOGA VERSE 68, MSY 68

MSY 68
Ya idam paramam guhyam
mad bhakteeshv abhidhaasyati
Bhaktim maii paraam krutvaa
maam eevaishyati asams`ayaha.

GIST
The person who teaches this great secret (Gita), to my devotees, he performs a devoted service to me. Ultimately he will attain Me. There is no doubt about this.

OBSERVATION
Here is a guarantee, just like the guarantee of a shopkeeper selling his wares.

We are fortunate. At 4/40, there is a threat that a doubtful person will perish.

Ajnas cas`raddadhanas ca
sams`ayaatma vinas`yati.

18706 VERSE 18-69 MS 69

2007-10-28T00:19:00.000-07:00

CHAPTER 18, PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION ( MOKSHA SANYASA YOGA )
VERSE MSY 69

GIST

There is no body who is dearer to me than he (tasmaat = the person who explains Gita to others mentioned in verse No. 68) In future also, there will be nobody more dearer, on this Earth.

PURPORT"A promise of nearness to God" made by Krishna who professed himself to be a God. This promise is to preachers of Gita. An encouragement for spreading of message.

MSY 69
Na ca tasmaan manushyeeshu
Kas`cin mee priyakrit tamaha
Bhavitaa na ca mee
tasmaad anya: priyataroo bhuvi

18070 VERSE 18-70 MS 70

2007-10-26T23:07:00.000-07:00

CHAPTER 18, PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION, MOKSHA SANYASA YOGA, MSY 70

GIST
Whoever studies this conversation of the righteousness, will be performing a "Sacrifice of (through the path of) Knowledge" and he will worship me through it.

INTERPRETATION
The phrase "Sacrifice of Knowledge", used here means worshipping of Krishna through the path of Knowledge.

COMMENT
Ritualistic sacrifices of yore involved sacrificing of animals such as horses, cattle. Fortunately, this sacrifice does not involve anything ghastly and violent.

GLOSSARY
SACRIFICE : Yagnam, in Sanskrit. It is a mode of worship. Earliest Vedic sacrifices used to be by offering "animals" to God.

MSY 70
Adhyeeshyatee ca ya
imam dharmyam samvaadam aavayooho
gnaana yagneena teena
aham isht`a: syaam iti mee matihi.

18071 18-71 MS-71

2007-10-25T00:05:00.000-07:00

CHAPTER 18, PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION, MOKSHA SANYASA YOGA, VERSE 71 ( MSY 71 )

GIST
If a sincere and envy-free person listens to this, he will be delivered (of sins). He will attain auspicious worlds of the Virtuous.

This is a promise made by Krishna to Arjuna.

INTERPRETATION, DEDUCTIONS
Promising heavens, cleansing of sins is a common characteristic of religious books of any religion. Just by listening sacred scriptures sin can never be washed away. It is the implementation of the teachings which will be materials.

1. There is a traditional belief in Hindu religious teachings: A person has to enjoy the fruits of his virtuous deeds and receive punishments for his sins separately. There is no concept of NETTING OUT OF COUNTER-CLAIMS OF HEAVEN AGAINST HELL. Hence where is the question of washing out of sins?

MSY 71
s`raddhaavaan anasuuyas` ca
s`run`uyaad api yoo nara:
soo api mukta: s`ubha lookaan
praapnuyaat pun`yakarman`aam

18072 Ignorance may not go in few hours of listening

2007-10-24T07:03:00.000-07:00

CHAPTER 18, PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION, MOOKSHA SANYAASA YOOGA, VERSE 72

GIST
18-72
Oh Son of Prutha! Have you heard this (Gita) with a mind of utmost concentration? Oh Conquerer of Wealth! Has your IGNORANCE born from temptation is gone?

INTERPRETATION, DEDUCTIONS
Was Arjuna really ignorant? Hesitating to kill elders and kith and kin is a sign of better thinking than killing soldiers blindly.

GLOSSARY
1. Paartha = Son of Pritha, another name for Kunti.
2. Dhanamjaya = Conquerer of Wealth, another name for Arjuna alias Partha.
Origin of this name: Dhanam means money and wealth. Arjuna conquered neighboring kingdoms, brought wealth from there and stood in the midst of the treasure.

MSY 72
Kachchid eetac chhrutam Paartha
Tvayaikaagreen`a cheetasaa
Kachchid agnaana sammooha:
Pranasht`as tee Dhanamjaya.

VERSE 18-73 MS-73 Was all temptation gone?

2007-10-22T22:35:00.000-07:00

CHAPTER 18, MOKSHA SANYASA YOGA, PATH OF RENUNCIATION, MSY 73

GIST
" ...By your grace, all my temptation is gone. I got back the memory of my own real form. Now, I stand with all my doubts cleared. I shall do as per your words. ..."

Arjuna said these words to Krishna, after Krishna completed his discourse of about 700 verses.

INTERPRETATION, DEDUCTIONS
1. Even after hearing all these 700 verses, Arjuna's ignorance continued. After the conclusion of war, Krishna had to again teach another Gita in Shanti Parva (Chapter 12). The second Gita is called Anu Gita. More or less, it contains the same preachings as the Bhagavad Gita.

GLOSSARY
1. Arjuna - Third brother among the Pand`avas. Listener/Receiver of Bhagavad Gita.
2. Krishna - Arjuna's brother-in-law, friend, guide, philosopher and protector.
3. Mooham = Temptation. Arjuna's temptation was: He was hesitating to slay his elders (grand father(s), uncles, brothers and nephews. He was bound by the temptations of relationships.
4. Smriti - Memory.
5. Acyuta or Achyuta (without aspirate sound) = Another name for Krishna. One who cannot be replaced or displaced or ousted. Originally, one of the names of Lord Vishn`u. Here an effort is made to present Krishna as an incarnation of Achyuta.

6. samdeehaha = doubts. The doubts here are 1. Whether to fight this ghastly battle, knowing pretty well that hundreds of thousands of women are going to become orphans and widows. 2. Whether to kill all the blood relations.

MSY 73
Nasht`oo mooha: smrutir labdhaa
Tvatprasaadaan maya Acyuta!
Sthitoo asmi gatasamdeeha:
Karishyee vacanam tava

18074 Hair-rising experiences are personal

2007-10-22T00:46:00.000-07:00

CHAPTER 18 MOKSHA SANYASA YOGA (PATH OF LIBERATION AND RENUNCIATION)

VERSE 74
GIST
Samjaya said to the King Dhritaraaaht`ra:

"This is the wonderful and hair-raising conversation between Krishna and Arjuna (GREAT PERSONS), heard by me."

In this verse, three adjectives are important:

INTERPRETATION, DEDUCTIONS

1. Mahatmanaha = Great people. 2. Adbhutam = wonderful 3. Rooma harshan`am = hair-raising.

These words are not just fillers to complete the verse and its meter. The words prove the basic object of Gita. To present Krishna and Arjuna as great men. When great people talk, the discussions will become great (wonderful, hair-raising etc.).

COMMENTS
When Prince Charles, Rahul Gandhi or Aisvarya Roy marries it becomes a great event. If they beget children, the events will be greater. The media and epic-writers are made from same mould.

MSY 74
samjaya uvaacha
Iti aham Vaasudeevasya
Paarthasya ca mahaatmanaha
Samvaadam imam as`rausham
Adbhutam roomaharshan`am

18075 Should Gita be secretive?

2007-10-20T21:56:00.000-07:00

CHAPTER 18 MOKSHA SANYASA YOGA, VERSE NO. MS-75 OR 18-75

GIST
By the grace of Vyaasa, I heard this extremely secret "Union" from the "Lord of the Union--Krishna" when he himself was teaching Arjuna.

These words are said by Sanjaya, narrating to Dhritarashtra, the scenary and events on the Mahabharata battle field.

INTERPRETATIONS, DEDUCTIONS
What is the extreme secret (param = extreme, very, super; guhyam = secret) in or about Gita? There is nothing.

For that, we must first see the main messages of Gita:

1. A person should get hooked to the Supreme Spirit.
2. A person should do his caste-prescribed duty. (As a person of warrior caste, Arjuna should fight).
3. A person should exercise self-restraint (aatma samyanam).
4. A person should overcome joys and sorrows and become a "man of steady wisdom". (Etc.)

There is no need to consider these as super secrets at all. These can be safely and transparently diffused to one and all, so that they can emulate some of the teachings.

PROBABLE REASON
The Gita has been preserved and spread through the word of mouth over generations through teacher-student relationships. The teacher depicted everything as secret so that disciple may treat it with awe, deep respect and veneration.

****MSY 75****
Vyaasa prasaadaach chhrutavaan
Eetad guhyam aham param
Yoogam yoogiis`varaat Krishn`aat
Saakshaat kathayata: svayam

18076 Recalls give enjoyment

2007-10-19T21:19:00.000-07:00

CHAPTER 18, VERSE 76; MSY 76 (MOKSHA SANYASA YOGA 76)

GIST OF THE VERSE
Oh King! I again and again recall and derive pleasure by recalling this wonderful and virtuous conversation between Kees`ava (Krishna) and Arjuna.

These words are said by the Minister Sanjaya to the King Dhritarashtra. Rajan! is the address.

INTERPRETATIONS AND DEDUCTIONS

Sanjaya was a devotee of Krishna, though working in Dhritarashtra's court. Naturally he should be wonder-struck and immensely pleased with the dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna.

The adjective "wonderful (adbhutam)" may be accepted because it was pretty long (nearly 710 verses) and there was a talk of souls, steady wisdom, supreme spirit, attributes of Godhead etc. on a battle-field.

The word "punyam (pr: pun`yam)" means a virtuous deed. It has special connotation from traditional beliefs in that, the punyam will be carried to next births. Discussing about union with God (yogam), renunciation (sanyas) and liberation (moksha or mukti) are regarded as something which contribute to punyams.

Note: The opposite of punyam is paapam meaning "sin" with which Christianity is familiar. In all the three religions, there is a promise of heaven for the virtuous.

****ORIGINAL SANSKRIT VERSE****

Raajan samsmrutya samsmrutya
samvaadam imam adbhutam
kees`ava arjunayoo: pun`yam
hrushyaami ca muhur muhu:

18077 DID TV'S EXIST IN THOSE DAYS?

2007-10-19T01:04:00.000-07:00

REVIEW OF THE VERSE 18-77 MS 77 (MOKSHA SANYASA YOGA 77)

Tach ca samsmrutya samsmrutya
Ruupam atyadbhutam haree:
Vismayoo mee mahaan raajan
Hrushyaami ca puna: puna:

GIST

" ... Oh King! By recalling again and again the divine and wonderful form of Hari (Krishna), I derive great amazement and ecstatic again and again. ... "

These words are said by Sanjaya to Dhritarashtra, who was narrating the events on the battlefield, which include Bhagavad Gita.

BLOGGER'S VIEWS

1. Hastinapuram (Capital and fort of Dhritarashtra) is in North Western UP. Kurukshetra, the battlefield is in Hariyana. Sanjaya viewing events of Kurukshetra from Hastinapura, with Krishna's gift, is a fantasy. Scripture preachers may term it as telepathy or declare that ancient Indians had TVs.

2. It might have even been a magic trick.

3. It might have been an insertion, by those who wanted to highlight Krishna as Supreme Godhead.

VERSE 18-78 Won't people read Gita unless wealth is guaranteed?

2007-10-18T07:15:00.000-07:00

MSY 78 - 18-78
Chapter 18 is titled "Moksha Sanyasa Yoga" or the "Path of Deliverance and Renunciation" .

yatra yoogees`varah Krishn`oo
yatra Paarthoo dhanurdhara:
tatra S`riir vijayoo bhuutir
dhruvaa niitir matir mama.

Gist: Wherever there is the Lord of the Union Krishna,
Wherever there is the Bow-wielding Arjuna,
there will be wealth and victory.
To my mind this is absolutely certain.

Shri or Sri or Sree = Goddess of Wealth.
Vijayam = Victory.
Bhuuti = Auspicious experiences. (Also called 'Mangal`am' in Sanskrit)

These words were said by Sanjaya who was, in Mahabharata narrating the entire Bhagavad Gita to the King Dhritarashtra (pr: Dhrutaraasht`ra).

INTERPRETATION AND DEDUCTIONS

This type of verses are usually appended at the end of devotional hymns/scriptures. The verses describe the benefits of reading/singing the hymns/scriptures.

By promising guaranteed wealth and victory, the verse aims at making people to read Gita.

Do these guaranteed things really materialise?

Ans: In advertisements we see the small print "Conditions apply". The conditions in the small print are either reproduced illegibly on reverse of the offer document or attention is drawn to some other act/convention/custom/tradition/agreement.

There is also ambiguity about the presence of the Ascetic King Krishna and the Bow-wielding presence of Arjuna. It may be physical presence. Or presence in the form of an idol/photo-frame/image/worshipping object. Or presence in the minds of the believers.

India did not experience wealth or victories from 1000 A.D. to 1947. It lost its freedom and wealth first to Muslims and then to the Europeans. Does that mean: Was Krishna and Arjuna not present in India? If so why did they leave India? Why did they favour the Muslims and the Europeans?

IS KRISHNA YOGISWARA?

1. Scripture-preachers of Gita claim that Krishna is a Yogiswara (king of ascetics). A yogi endeavors to bind himself to the Supreme Spirit. Krishna claims himself to be the Supreme Spirit. Then where is the question of his being bound to some other Supreme Spirit and his becoming a king of such bound(ed) persons?

HISTORICAL VIEW (Assumption that Krishna was a historical king/knight of ancient India)

1. Kings and emperors traditionally had hundreds and thousands of wives. According to Valmiki Ramayana Dasaratha had 350 + 3 wives. The Vijayanagara Kings, The Moghul Emperors, have hundreds of wives. Akbar was said to have had 5000 women in his janana. Just before freedom, the native rulers of Kapurtala, Patiala etc. had hundreds of wives. In all such cases it is not possible to have sexual intercourse with all of them at least once a year, by rotation. Some wives get neglected.

The scripture preachers claim that Krishna satisfied all his 16,008 wives simultaneously, equally. According to them, he did not have sexual intercourse with 16,000 "gopikas (cowherd women)" and the wives of sages. In case of gopikas and wives of sages, absence of sexual relationship might have been true.

Scripture preachers claim Krishna a yogiswara because his mind was not attached to the actions he performed and he was a karma yogi in true sense. This is only a question of faith.

Is there not even a single instance, which can show that Krishna is a yogi?

We can find one instance in Bhishma Parva, Mahabharata. Every evening, at the end of closure of that day's battle, the knights on both sides used to go to the tents and get their injuries dressed with the help of doctors and surgeons. But Krishna was an exception. He used to visit the stable of horses and nurse their injuries, massage them with loving hands and offer them grass and lentils. He was a personification of duty and love at the same time. This instance is sufficient to rank Krishna as a true Karma Yogiswara (King of Ascetics of True Action).

BLOGGER'S VIEWS
*Why Krishna is guaranteeing wealth? This must have been insertion by preachers!

04013 ARE CASTES ALLOCATED ACCORDING TO BIRTHS?

2007-10-10T23:08:00.000-07:00

DISCUSSION ON VERSE NO. 4.13 (Chapter 4 Gnaana Yoga and Verse No. 13)

Caaturvarn`yam mayaa srusht`am
gun`a karma vibhaagas`a:
tasya kartaaram api maam viddhi
akartaaram avyayam.

Gist: 1. The four castes (Priests, Warriors, Merchants, Servants) have been created by me. (Krishna says).
2. The division is on the basis of qualities and functions.
3. Though I am the creator of it (caste system), understand/know/learn that I am not the doer/creator. UKL that I am infinite.

BLOGGER'S VIEWS
1. Krishna's historic existence is doubtful. He was only a mythical character or a fictional character in a literary work or a Greek God borrowed in the literary work. To establish Krishna's factual/historic existence, Universities/Archaeologists have to undertake research to excavate the truth. The existence of Dwaraka under Sea in Gujarat is only a preliminary peace of investigation, which has a long way to go.

2. If Krishna was a human
=========================
he is subject to err, just like any other human being.

A system created by a human is subject to errors and is bound to be corrected by the Society, as and when the errors are noticed.

Now what is the error? : Gita tries to divide people and fit them into a fabricated structural ladder of four rungs. Facts: There are thousands of qualities (gunas) and functions (karmas). It is not possible to attribute these qualities to millions of individuals and fit them in a structure of unequal rights and responsibilities.

If Krishna was only fictional/literary/mythological character

The poet/writer/author of Mahabharata might have created the system and tried to impose it on the society. It it was already in existence, the writer might have tried to perpetuate it. Or in the chain of history of Mahabharata's evolution, anybody might have inserted/changed Gita to accommodate the four caste system. The system might have served a good/bad purpose in Mahabharata times. But today, the system is of little utility/validity. It deserves scrapping.

Krishna's disclaiming that he is not the doer

3. Krishna saying that he is not the doer, that he is infinite: This line is quite unnecessary. It is just self-praise.