Gita reflection Ch 10 verses 7 & 8

24th July 2024

The Lord's variety of manifestations is known as Vibhuti and His ability to accomplish this is known as Yoga. Thus the 10th chapter explaining this is known as Vibhuti Yoga.

One who realizes both these will have an undisturbed state of mind that does not oscillate while transacting in the world. 'He is all and He alone is doing everything! will be the attitude of such a wise one.

However, when we interact with people of various attitudes, abilities, and ambitions, we get confused about where it all stem from. Can Lord be responsible for all the good and bad that happens in the world?

Lord Krishna clarifies: 'I am the origin of all; everything happens due to Me. Realizing thus, the wise ones, filled with devotion, worship Me.'

Gita Reflection Ch 1 verses 5 & 6

 

Gita Reflection Ch 1 verses 5 & 6

• धृष्ट-केतु : a bold Chief or leader, चेकितान a wise person, पुरुजित् hero who repeatedly won. 
• Though these are a few of the Pandava warriors of a limited army, Duryodhana has a valid concern because each of them excels in what they do.
• Positive values (samskara-s), even if they are few must be deep and strong to overcome habitual tendencies (vasana-s) even if they are innumerable.
• युधामन्यु (युधा - at war मन्यु - zealous). One of the important virtues of all men of success is their zeal - devotional passion toward the goal.
• उत्तम+ओजस् - person of excellent vigor which is another trait for the battle with ego and its associates!
• Though the warriors were real and historical, for the purpose of our self-development we should relate to their virtues.

Gita reflection Ch.1 verses 3 & 4

 16 January 2024

Verses 3 & 4

दुस् means hard and योधन is to fight. दुर्योधन is hard to fight with. He represents the ego that has the support of all negativities in us, which are large in number.

He is the product of a blind mind and blindfolded intellect.

When the positive values are organized with the help of the Lord, the ego gets agitated and looks for help from भीष्म the terror, and द्रोण the vengeful teacher.

The word धृष्टम् means courage and द्युम्न means enthusiasm. The one who has both courage and enthusiasm is धृष्टद्युम्न. To face the negativities in our lives we should have both courage and enthusiasm.

Ego cannot stand inquiry; ऋज् means firmness with determination. अर्जुन  symbolizes this and when we stand firm on positive values without fear (भी+मा), the ego cannot but get frightened.

Gita reflection Ch.1 verses 1 & 2

15 Jan 2024 

Introduction of Chapter 1 

• Kauravas represent innumerable negative tendencies in us and Pandavas, the few divine impulses
• Though smaller in number, when the divine impulses are organized under the guidance of the Supreme Lord, Krishna, they will gain permanent victory over the negative tendencies in us
• Dhrtarashtra represents the mind, blind to truth and Gandhari is the intellect which has assumed blindness. Together they can only beget criminalities!
• Dharma is the first word in Bhagavad Gita and the last word is 'Mama' (mine). The entire text is nothing but Mama Dharma (My Dharma)
• Dharma is the essential nature of anything without which it cannot retain its independent existence.
• So too to live a truly dynamic life we should be faithful to our Dharma

Verse 1

• Dhrtarashtra is aware of the injustice he had caused to the Pandavas and therefore he doubts the outcome of the war

Verse 2

• When our motives are impure and our cause unjust, our minds will become restless and agitated.