Bagawat Geeta Class 8

Namaste!

Summary of class on December 19th:

Verses 29-34 continues with Arjuna’s emotion of shOka (sorrow) and VyAsa here wants to show the intensity of the sorrow. Arjuna is describing how he is physically affected (limbs drooping, mouth drying up, body trembling, hairs standing, the Gandiva slipping, skin on fire, mind wandering). He cannot see how killing one’s kin is going to be of any benefit. Those he is seeking to kill are the ones with whom he is associating pleasures and enjoyment, so what is the point?

Swamiji says that emotional problems do not happen in one thought but arise from continually repeated thoughts, with each repetition increasing the anger/frustration. It is a thought build-up process. A single or first thought is an experience and does not give rise to anger, jealousy or depression. Thereafter repetition of the thought is in our hands, as to whether or not we want to allow a small ripple to build into a big wave.

Swamiji contrasts Arjuna’s attitude with what vedAnta is trying to teach us. Arjuna is a typical human being. He is attached to many things and thinks that all the relationships, etc., impact his life’s meaningfulness. According to Vedanta, your life is worthwhile by itself. Nothing adds to it. Don’t connect purpose or meaning to anything else. My life is complete because of itself, not because of anything else. A man of right vision sees dharma as the most important thing in life.

Krishna allows Arjuna to exhaust his feelings so he keeps quiet. Although it may appear that Arjuna is being compassionate towards his kin, it is not so. A person’s vision of dharma gets clouded through attachment and not in compassion.

In verses 35, a transition is being made to the next stage of depression, from shOka to mOha (delusion, wrong judgements). His mOha problem is exhibited in verses 36-47. The delusion is one of confusing dharma with adharma. In Ch 2 Krishna explains that, going to war is punnyam and running away from it is pApam. Arjuna thinks the opposite here.

Here Swamiji digresses to talk about pApams. Dharmashastra contains a huge list of pApams that are recited during the thread changing ceremonies. The 5 worst type of pApams (Pancha mahA pAthakAni) are as follows:

1. Burning down somebody’s property
2. Poisoning someone
3. Using weapons to kill an unarmed person
4. Stealing others’ property
5. Taking the land or the wife of another person

DuryOdana is guilty of all five and therefore if a kshatrya does not give him capital punishment, he is committing a sin.

In verse 37, Arjuna concludes indirectly that we can sacrifice dharma for happiness. In verse 38, Arjuna thinks he has a clear understanding of the situation and uses logic to justify his thoughts. When the mind is confused, the intellect often comes into play by providing logical arguments for the wrong thoughts. Here he is saying that it was not really the Kauravas’ fault that greed has supressed their wisdom and their inability to see the consequences of the war. Arjuna reflects on the potential killing of not only close relations but also close friends, whom he is supposed to protect.

Rayee and prana are conceptual pairs. Prajapathi alone comes as conceptual pairs of rayee and prana.

Samvatsara, consisting of dakshinayana and utharayana (kala) is prajapathhi.

Krishna kathi and chukla kathi are subtle or divine road through which a jiva travels to other logas. Krishna kathi leads to Chandra loga and chukla kathi leads surya loga or brahma loga. Those people who perform rituals go to Chandra kathi and those who perform upsaha will go to surya loga. Gyani does not go through either of the logas because he gets moksha here and now. Dhashinayanam represents Krishna kathi and represented by various dhashinayana devadas; utharayanam represents chukla kathi presided by utharayana devadas.

Krishna gathi, dakshinayanam and Chandra loga are all rayee; Utharayanam, surya loka and chukla gathi are all prana.

Verse 10

Chukla kathi is the path; the travelers are upasaha or karma upasa samuchayaha. Brahama loga is immortality because brahmaloga gives moksha which is immortality. Upasaha seek surya loga, upasana by following discipline (control of sense organs and faith in scriptures). For all pranas, this surya loga is the goal. This loga is mean for upsahas only and not available to others.

Verse 11

Adhithya praised as a destination of chukla gathi: Surya is endowed with five feet (five seasons are taken as feet of Surya loga because Surya moves creating the five seasons) so surya is called panca patham. Six seasons in scriptures are spring, summer, rainy, autum, pre-winter and winter. In this verse pre-winter and winter are combined as one season. There are 12 different appearance to sun one for each month. Due to utharayanam and dakshinayanam, sun is the father of all beings.

Namaste!

Summary of class on December 12th:

Swamiji says that no value can be followed unconditionally because every value has an exception. When everything else fails, himsa is allowed.

Verses 24 and 25: ( Sanjaya said) ”  Oh Dhrtarastra! Commanded thus ( to place the chariot in between the armies) by Arjuna, Krishna placed the great chariot between the two armies in front of great warriors like Bhishma and Drona and all other kings and said thus – ” Oh Arjuna! See these Kauravas assembled.”

Krishna placed the chariot particularly in front of Bhishma and Drona towards whom Arjuna has the most attachment.

Verses 26,27,28: ( These three verses show the problem of attachment. They also show the first symptom of samsara for Arjuna) ” There Arjuna saw fathers*, grandfathers, teachers, uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, friends, fathers-in-law,and well wishers assembled in the two armies. Seeing all these relatives assembled, Arjuna was overpowered by deep attachment. Grieving, he said the following.”

Swamiji says everyone has five fathers:

1. The biological father
2.  The one who gives the sacred thread during the Upanayam ceremony
3.  The guru. Going to the Gurukulam is considered as a second birth. At our first birth, we are indiscriminate and instinctive. We are physically human, but mentally not. With Gayathri as the mother and Acharya as the father, we acquire reason and learn to live a life based on Dharma.
4. Annadhadha – one who feeds you when in need
5. The one who rescues you from adversity/crisis

When Arjuna sees all his family, a transformation takes place because he is overpowered by attachment. Arjuna, the soldier, now has become Arjuna, the samsari. Attachment leads to sorrow which leads to conflict.

Swamiji says a Jnani is the master of emotion while a ajnani is a slave to emotion.

Verses 28: This verse shows the sorrow that comes with attachment. This is the second symptom of Samsara. ” Arjuna said, ” Oh Krishna1 I see these relatives of mine who are assembled…… ( continuing into verse 29 which Swamiji will explain in the next class)

Arjuna uses the word svajaha meaning” my people” – I belong to them and they belong to me. When a sense of belonging becomes attachment and when attachment clouds our judgement, then the line between Dharma and Adharma blurs. Arjuna did not develop attachment in the battlefield. Attachment was not evident till the possibility of losing the object of attachment ( Bhishma, Drona….) occurs.

Regards,

Usha Chandran

Namaste!

Summary of Bhaghavad Gita class on 12/5/2015:

Verses 14 – 23

Verse 14 –  “Thereafter,  Krishna and Arjuna, seated in a grand chariot with white horses, blew their divine conches.”

After the Kaurava army signaled their readiness, it is the Pandavas’ turn to signal their readiness. Even though he is not the oldest, Krishna blows his conch first, because he is the most important member of the Pandava army. The focus of the verse is also on the white horses of Arjuna’s chariot. Katha upanishad equates a chariot to the body, the horses to the sense organs and the reins of the chariot to the mind. The white horses of Arjuna’s chariot symbolizes knowledge. The celestial chariot is driven by Madhava, the Lord ( dhavaha) of knowledge ( Ma).

Verse 15: ” Krishna blew ( the conch)  Panchajanya, Arjuna (blew) ( the conch) devadatta, Bhima, of terrible deeds, (blew) the big conch, paundra.”

Here, Vyasa shows his partiality to the Pandavas. When explaining about their conches he only made a general statement.  But with the Pandavas,  he names all the conches.

Verse 16: ” King Yudhisthira, the son of Kunti, ( blew the conch) anantavijaya. Nakula and Sahadeva ( blew the conches) sughosa and manipuspaka.”

Verses 17 & 18: ( Sanjaya to Dhrithrastra) ” Oh king! The king of Kasi who is the wielder of a big bow, the great warrior Sikhandi, Dhrstadyumna, the king of Virata, the unsurpassed Satyaki, king Drupada, the sons of Draupadi, and the mighty Abhimanyu who is the son of Subhadra blew the conches distinctly from all directions”.

Verse 19 : ” Resounding throughout the sky and earth, that tumultuous noise pierced the hearts of the Kauravas.”

With the 19th verse the first phase is over.

Verse 20: ( Turning point of the Geeta begins with this verse) “atha” is the word indicating this turning point.

(Sanjaya says)” Oh king! Then, at that moment,  when the discharge of the arrows was to be commenced,  the monkey-bannered Arjuna saw the Kauravas arrayed,  raised the bow, and spoke the following words to Krishna. ”

Swamiji says here that it is worth noting that both the Pandavas and the Kauravas belong to the Kuru family. So both are technically Kauravas.  Just as the sons of Pandu are called Pandavas, the official name for Duryodhana’s family is Dhartharashtaraha, meaning sons of Dhrithrashtra. In verse 20, Vyasa uses this official name ” dhartarastran”.

Verses 21 -23: ” Arjuna said- Oh Krishna!  Place my chariot between the two armies till I see those who are assembled with a desire to fight. Let me see those with whom I should fight in this event of war. I wish to see those who are assembled here eager to fight, and who want to fulfill the desire of the evil-minded Duryodhana in this war.”

Swamiji says that till this point Arjuna has no sentimental fear of war because he is on the side of dharma.( The war here is not between the families,  but between dharma and adharma.)

Once Arjuna gets to the middle of the battlefield,  change happens.  Sentiments cloud his judgment.

Vedanta is not against sentiments.  It is sentiments that make us human. But when sentiments cloud our intellect,  that leads to delusion and then samsara begins.

Regards,

Usha Chandran

I had difficulty in comprehending and digesting this class and summarized as best as I can.  I greatly appreciate any corrections, additions and comments to my summary.

In the last class, Swamiji stated that Rayee is a non translatable word. For my own sake of understanding this Upsanishad, I equate Rayee to matter and Prana to energy with the full recognition that Rayee and Prana are spiritual and philosophical terms and they encompass much more than the modern scientific terms of energy and matter – for example, prana and rayee include formless thoughts and action. While equating Rayee and Prana to matter and energy is not recommended, I found it easier to understand these classes.

First creation is in form pairs or mithuna shristy or the creation of rayee and prana. Rayee and prana are two principles pairs of opposite mutually complementary; both of them together make a whole. This division between rayee and prana is superficial; rayee is prajabathi or cause or karanam; prajapathi alone becomes rayee and prana. Superfically we call amoortha as prana and moortha as rayee. But since both rayee and prana came from prajapathi, everything can be called rayee and similarly everything can be called prana. For example, ice is also be called water, stream is also called water. The ice/stream division is superficial and both are water. Similarly the division between rayee and prana is also superficial as both are prajapathi.

V6

After mithuna shrishty, Swamiji discussed loga shristy or sun (prana) and moon (rayee). By spreading the rays from the east, the sun is embracing all jivas and becoming one with all jivas. The sun alone is giving life and energy to all beings and therefore the existence of beings is due to sun’s energy and therefore there is no jivas other than sun. Physical energy, prana energy and intellectual energy all are given only by surya prakasha.

V7

The sun is known as vaisvanara, the macro gross body in waking stage.  The surya alone is in the form all human beings.

Surya is known as visvaroopa, prana (life of everyone), Agni (fire). When the fire principle is up above, we call it surya and when it is down on the earth, we call it Agni. Without sun, there will be no life. This principle is also supported by the following mantra in Rig Veda.

V8 (Mantra from Rig Veda)

Sun is omniscient because it illuminates everything. Rishis knew sun to be all of the following:

• Visva roopaha – Ever pervading
• Harinam – rays
• Jaata Vedhasam: One who is omniscient:
  • One who illumines all
  • A devada from Chainthanyam angle.
• Parayanam: The ultimate supporter of everything
• Joythihi: One who is effulgent
• Ekam: One
• Tapantam: The one who shines all the time
• Sahasra rahihi: With thousands of rays
• Satadha vartamana:  Manifests in hundreds of form
• Pranaha:  The very prana of all beings.

The conclusions of these three slokas is that prana or sun is everything.

V9

After loga shrishity, comes the kala shrishti, which is recognized by the movement of sun and moon. Surya prakasam determines the day; Chandra’s, on the other hand, determines thithi. The whole year is prajapathi because sun and moon are manifestation of prajapathi. So kalam is a manifestation of prajapathi. A year has two ayanam (solstice). Dhakshinayanam (rayee) and utharayanam (prana).

Chapter 1- Verses 3 to 11

Duryodhana’s dialogue with Dronacharya continues-

Verse 3 : Oh teacher!  See this vast army of the Pandavas, arrayed by the son of Drupada, your skillful disciple.

Verse 4: In this army there are many powerful archers who are equal to Bhima and Arjuna in war – Satyaki, the king of Virata country,  and Drupada, a great warrior.

Verse 5: Dhrstaketu, Cekitana, the powerful king of Kasi, Purujit Kuntibhoja and Saibya who is the best among men, are all assembled here.

Verse 6: Moreover,  the powerful Yudhamanyu, the valiant Uttamaujas, Abhimanyu, the sons of Draupadi , all of them great warriors are all here.

Verse 7:

Here, Duryodhana informs Dronacharya of the warriors in his own army

” Oh best among brahmins! May you know those who are prominent among us, the leaders of my army. I am mentioning them for your information. ”

Here Swamiji notes that Dronacharya is violating brahmana dharma by fighting in the war. A brahmana has six duties to perform.

They are:

1. Yajanam- performing the vaidhika karma ( poojas and rituals)
2. Yaajanam- helping others to do their vaidhika karma
3. Patanam- to study scriptures
4. Paatanam- to teach scriptures to others
5. Dhaanam- giving to charity
6. Prathigraha- to receive charity

Dronacharya,  as a brahmin, is allowed to learn and teach the art of war, but never take part in war.

Verse 8: Duryodhana continues ” Yourself,  Bhishma, Karna, Krpa who is ever victorious in war, Asvattama, Vikarna, the son of Somadatta are present in our army.”

Verse 9: And there are many other heroes ready to give up their lives for my sake. All of them have many weapons and missiles,  and are experts in war.

Verse 10: Therefore our army, protected by Bhishma, is insufficient.  On the other hand, this Pandava army, protected by Bhima, is more than sufficient to defeat us.

Swamiji : Why is Duryodhana not confident in his own army? The Kaurava army is both quantitatively and qualitatively superior to the Pandava army.  The Kauravas have 14 divisions to the Pandavas 7. They also have all the powerful warriors on their side – Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Karna and so on. Why, then, does Duryodhana feel fear?

Swamiji says that when dharma is lacking and bhakthi is lacking, strength and confidence is also lacking.  Here Swamiji recalls the story of how Arjuna and Duryodhana went to see Krishna seeking His help. When Arjuna chose Lord Krishna instead of his army, Duryodhana was secretly pleased because he had no bhakthi towards Lord Krishna.   Swamiji says that Lord Krishna represents spiritual strength,  while His army represents material strength.
Duryodhana chose thearmy, representing material strength and ignored Krishna, the spiritual strength. Thus, without dharma and bhakthi on his side, Duryodhana feels fear and lacks confidence.

Verse 11: Duryodhana continues” One person gives security and confidence to us, Bhishma. All of you should protect Bhishma by staying in your position at all points of entry.

Duryodhana’s dialogue ends here.

Verse 12: ( Sanjaya says)  Trying to bolster Duryodhana’s confidence,  Bhishma lets out a lion-like roar and blows his conch to signify the Kaurava’s readiness for war.

Verse 13: Hearing this more conches, kettledrums, trumpets,  drums and horns were immediately sounded forth from the Kaurava army.

Regards,

Usha Chandran

Greetings All,

Swamiji continued his talks on Prasna Upanishad. He cautioned that the Upanishad in following Shlokas may be a little confusing and that he will try to make it as simple as possible to understand.

Discussing Shloka # 3,Kabandhi Katyayana, wanted to know the order and manner in which creation came out

Shloka # 4: The teacher Pippiladaha answered by introducing Hiranyagarbha. He says, Brahman created Hiranyagarbha. Hiranyagarbha, in turn, created the creation. Hiranyagarbha performed Tapas. Tapas here meant the ability to visualize the previous Srishti or Creation. All Karmas of creatures must be kept in mind including their different fields of activity. This visualization is called Gyana. Here God’s Sankalpa is the basis of creation. Thus, Srishti consists of:

Mithuna Srishti
V
Loka Srishti
V
Kal Srishti
V
Anna Srishti
V
Praja Srishti (The final stage of creation of all Beings.)

Swamiji says, this shloka, while discussing creation is also discussing some other things. Shankara’s commentary helps us better understand this sholka. Pippilada, while discussing Srishthi, also discuses Karma and Upasana. Those who perform Karma will get Swarga through Krishna Gathi. Those who perform Karma and Upasana will get
Shukla Gathi and this will lead them to Brahma Loka. This is known as Apara Vidya, consisting of Karma and Upasana.

Pippilada brings up Karma and Upasana while discussing Srishti. Why does he do so? What is its benefit?  Swamiji says it is discussed for Vigyana Sidhyartham. Both Karma and Upasana do not give Knowledge, while I require knowledge.  Moon Srishti is considered Swarga Loka while Sun Srishti is considered Brahma Loka.  Dakshinayanam is Krishna Gathi, while Uttarayanam is considered Shukla Gathi.

Mithunum:

Discussing this first of the five stages of creation, Prajapati first created a pair. They are called Rayi and Prana. Rayi and Prana are two concepts. When two things are mutually complementary that pair is called Mithuna. Examples are day and night together make a full day. Utarayana & Dashinayana; Positive and negative charges; thus whole
creation is made of such mutually complementary pairs. Life and death is another example that makes up Life. Male and female are also relative pairs.

Introducing concept of Bhoktha (Subject or Experiencer) and Annam (Object or experienced) Swamiji says Subject cannot be complete without an object. This relative concept is created first by Prajapathi. Rayi and Prana is also such a pair created by Prajapathi so that they may create many more living beings for him, the Grand Father (Prajapathi) of all Beings. Thus Rayi can be the egg and Prana the sperm, depends upon which principle predominates.

Shloka # 5:

Loka Srishti:

After Mithuna the next Srishti is Loka Srishti. This will require a pair of Lokas that are mutually complementary. They are the moon and sun loka pair. Day is presided by sun and night by moon, thus a full Day is maintained. This makes life. Sun presides over activity while Moon presides over rest.  Here Sun is Prana and Moon is Rayi.

Swamiji says the Upanishad now takes a diversion from here up to Shloka # 8. A deep analysis of Rayi and Prana discloses that both are one and the same deep inside. So we can say, everything is Rayi or everything is Prana. This naming is only superficial. Steam and Ice are identical. Both are water in different states. Steam is Amurthy (without form) while Ice is Murthy (with form).

Rayi is essential nature of Prajapathi.
Prana is essential nature of Prajapathi.

Prajapathi has become both or male and female. They, in turn, produced more off springs. Rayi alone is everything. Whatever is Amurthy is Prana, while Murthy is called Rayi.  Also, Prana alone is everything, since Surya is Prana.

With good wishes to all,

Ram Ramaswamy

Scriptures point out that human beings have 4 possible destinations.

1. Rebirth—(PUNAR JANMA):  As a result of fructification of Sanchitha  karma ,beings attain suitable bodies.This cycle continues for most people until their Sanchita Karma is exhausted.This is possible only with attainment of Self Knowledge.
2. Attainment of Swarga.(PARA LOKA PRAPTHI): Some people believe that attainment of celestial pleasures in Swarga is freedom.  Sastras do talk about these to those who accumulated enough punyam,but the problem is that after enjoying the devine pleasures for a long time, the accumulated punyam gets exhausted and they need to return to take another birth.
3. Step wise freedom(KRAMA MUKTHI).  Here the seeker under goes Karma yoga, upasana yoga and  gnana yoga but could not totally attain GNANAM. He gets access to Brahma Loka, gets self knowledge from Brahmaji and gets free.
4. JEEVAN MUKHTHI-Freedom while living.  This is what Lord Krishna prescribes to us. Although Sastras talk about the other three,there is no proof of their existence and we can not practically experience them. It is more meaningful If we can actually experience moksha in this life ,here and now .

ONLY SELF KNOWLEDGE GIVES MOKSHA.

We enjoy a good night’s sleep where our gross body and subtle body is completely resolved. We simply enjoy in the Self.  Similarly, a jeevan muktha intellectually separates and as if resolves the body mind complex and rejoices in the Self .He enjoys  life as a sport with out  any fear, anxiety or any attachments.

What are the benefits of Moksha?

1. Quenches the inquisitiveness of knowing about your self.(GIGNASA NIVRUTTI).  Getting true knowledge about one self gives the intellectual satisfaction.
2. Attainment of absolute BLISS. (ANANDA PRAPTHIHI).  Self knowledge gives “Poornathvam” which makes one self sufficient with in one self.
3. Freedom from external dependence.(PARATHANTRA NIVRUTTIHI).  External dependence is temporary and it cannot give permanent security.
4. Reduction of painful experiences.(AAGHAATHA NIVRUTTIHI).  Like a shock absorber, the impact of painful situations are made tolerable.
5. Improves the work efficiency . (DAKHSHATAA PRAPTHIHI).  When you work without anxiety for the fruits of your action,the work efficiency increases.

SELF knowledge removes the cover of ignorance and reveals the real nature which is ever pure bliss and absolute freedom.  A gnani,upon attainment of gnanam,burns all the accumulated karma.With out accumulating fresh karma,he leaves this body and gets free with out taking another body. This is VI DEHA MUKTHI.

Dr.Devarajulu Naidu Katta.

Greetings All,

Swamiji continued his talks on Prasna Upanishad.

Shloka # 1: Refreshing our memory on Shloka 1, he says, this Upanishad begins with an introduction of Guru and Shishyas. It is similar to other Upanishads. The six qualified students are named and described. The way they were qualified is as follows:

1. They were committed to worship of Saguna Brahma Upasana.
2. They have gone through Karma Kanda and Upasana Kanda. They have Sadhana Chatushtiya Sampathi. (From Tatvabodha they are: Vivekaha – discrimination, Vairāgyam – dispassion, Mumukshutvam – desire and Shatka Sampattihi – discipline.)
3. They are established in Saguna Brahman.
4. They are Nishtaha or grounded. They are followers of Vaidic Margaha.

It takes some time to develop Shraddha in Vedanta. However, as one follows Karma Kanda and Upasana Kanda, by the time they reach Vedanta, the student develops strong Shraddha.

What is the purpose of their visit to the Guru?

They are seeking Param Brahman. They understand the limitations of Saguna Brahman. They are not satisfied with this knowledge.

Why was Pippiladaha chosen as the teacher?

He was Bhagwan Pippiladaha. Bhagwan is one who has knowledge of all Shastras. He also has superb communications skills.

How did they approach their teacher?

They approached with humility and respect to the teacher. Serving the teacher is not serving the person rather it is serving Shastram. Shastri puja is same as Shastram puja. They approached teacher with some offering as well. Swamiji says, usually fruits, nuts, fuel etc. are considered normal offerings. They approached the teacher as if he was the Lord in a temple.

What is their motive?

They wanted Pippiladaha to teach them everything. So they approached with respect and a proper attitude.

Shloka # 2:

Seeing them and their approach Pippiladaha knew their qualifications. He tells them: All of you must stay here for one year. Even after that there is no assurance that you will get an answer to your questions.

In ancient times teachers were hesitant to give answers. Teachers were not sure how casual the student was. Unless the student was sincere the teaching would not go in. Many tests were given to students. Also Teacher had to know if student was qualified or if they were lacking in any area such as intelligence, industry, shradha etc. The one-year was also important to develop rapport between teacher and student. Thus a loving relationship was developed.

Pippiladaha tells them “You should live in the ashram for a year. You should live a life of Tapas, Penance and Brahmacharya. Swamiji says comfort and knowledge do not go together. Brahmacharya meant giving up comfort while maintaining Shraddha. Sanyasa means detachment from everything.

Illustrating the concept of sanyasa, Swamiji narrated story of a student who was asked to leave the ashram suddenly in the middle of the night. The student did not know what to do. He was lost as to why he was thrown out. He wandered around from village to village seeking food and shelter. After a few days the Teacher sent some students to call him back. The student asked the teacher why he was thrown out to begin with. The teacher told him that he saw the student was getting attached to the Ashram. He wanted the student to maintain his detachment even in Ashram. To teach him this lesson, he was thrown out.

Shloka # 3:

After one year of tapas and brahmacharya Pippiladaha allowed the students to raise their questions. The first one to go was Kabandhi Katyayana. They were called in reverse order as named in shloka #1.

Kabandhi asked: Bhagwan, from what source are all these living beings coming up or originating? Or, how did creation occur?

The teacher Pippiladaha answered by introducing Hiranyagarbha. He says, Ishwara created Hiranyagarbha also known as Brahma. Brahma in turn created the creation. Vishnu taught Brahma how to create. Kama is the force behind creation. Thus, after Brahma performed tapas on Ishwara, Lord gave him knowledge. Tapas here meant he was given the ability to visualize the previous Srishti or Creation. The creatures are created based upon their respective Karmas. Thus came the creation

Greetings All,

Gita, Chapter # 1:

Swamiji started his talks on the Gita today. He says: Chapter 1 is an introduction to the Gita. It is a dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna. The main theme of Gita starts at Verse #11, chapter 2. Even Shankarachraya’s commentaries start from this point. The introduction in chapter 1 however is very important. It serves two purposes.

First purpose is to present the basic human problem known as Samsara. This problem is a universal one irrespective of caste, creed, race, religion and sex. It is also a problem that occurs at any time in history. We also face similar problems as Arjuna did and future generations will also face the same. The presentation of Samsara Rogaha is the basis of chapter 1. The other 17 Chapters of Gita are dedicated to specifying remedies to this problem and is also called Moksha Shastraha. Unless we know the disease we cannot appreciate the remedy.

Second Purpose:

Is to introduce the Guru and Shishya whose whole dialogue is the Gita.

Discussing Samsara Varnanam, Swamiji says, the diagnosis of a disease can vary from doctor to doctor. Similarly, different scriptures have different diagnosis of this problem. Our scriptures diagnose that this Samsara disease is in reality three diseases. They are: Ragaha. Shokhaha and Mohaha.

Ragaha: is the emotional and psychological attachment we have. Love is glorified in our scriptures while attachment is not. Vedanta is for Love but not for Attachment.

Elaborating on Love versus Attachment, Swamiji says:

• Attachment is based on selfishness. What do I get out of this relationship? What the other person gets is not in our mind. This selfish dependence is Ragaha.  Love is based upon Selflessness. Here, I am not only interested in what I get, but I am also interested in what the other person gets.
• Attachment is always a form of Taking.  Love is always a form of Giving.
• Attachment is always conditional. So long as it helps me, I stay in the relationship. Love is not based on condition. It is unconditional.
• Attachment comes from a weak mind.  Love does not come from weakness; rather it comes out of strength.
• In attachment, intellect is clouded and violation of Dharma occurs.  In Love, intellect is always clear, thus there cannot be any violation of Dharma.
• Love is freedom.  Attachment is bondage.

Shokhaha:

Attachment leads to shokaha. When the attached person leaves there is sorrow. When the object of dependence goes away there is sorrow. Swamiji says, it is a psychological crutch,

The object of attachment (person, object etc.) is always impermanent. At any time I may lose them. How can one prepare for this situation is the question raised by Vedanta? The Psychological depression caused is due to loss of the attached person or thing. Preparation for this has to be done well ahead of time. This preparation should be done when you are still in good health and well situated. Be far sighted, advises Swamiji.

Mohaha:

Mohaha is delusion. When Ragaha and Shokaha are there it clouds the intellect. Clouded intellect takes decisions that are wrong ones. This will usually lead to Adhrama. We may think we are making the right decision, while we are in fact making wrong ones. This then leads to the Ragaha>Shokhaha> Mohaha cycle. This is the human suffering or Samsara. How to get psychological independence is the question of Mokshaha?

Context: The Mahabharata war is between Pandavas (dharmic) and Kauravas (Adharmic).  Pandavas wanted to avoid war. They tried Sama, Dana, and Bheda without success. As per our scriptures, Ahimsa is wrong. Ahimsa is a conditional value. So, as a last resort, they took to war. Scriptures allow Ahimsa under certain conditions. It is like a Doctor performing amputation of a limb when the medicine did not work. Similarly in society when Adhrama occurs, a Kshatriya may take to violence if non –violent methods did not work.

When both armies are face to face, Arjuna wants to survey the two armies. The people he sees in front are Bhishma and Drona, to both of whom Arjuna is attached. His thinking becomes clouded due to this attachment. After 13 years in exile and thinking about this he came to the conclusion that he had to fight a dharmic war. Once decided, a Kshatriya does not run from war or renounce and run away from his family. Arjuna sees his original Dharma Yudha now as an Adharma Yudha. Thus, Arjuna has Ragaha that is leading to Shokhaha and further leading to Mohaha. Arjuna realizes his dilemma and turns to Krishna for his guidance. Thus Arjuna realizes or discovers the problem.

Shloka # 1:

Kauravas army is larger with many great warriors on their side.  Pandavas though weaker have Lord Krishna on their side. Drithrashtra, the blind parent of Kauravas, asks Sanjaya to describe the scene at war. His inward blindness is also a metaphor for attachment. Sanjaya is given a special power of being able to see what is beyond or tele-vision. Vyasa blessed Sanjaya with this power.

Shloka # 2:

Seeing the well organized and arranged (vyuham) army of Pandavas Duryodhana approached his Acharya, Drona, his Guru in warfare and addressed him as follows:

Shloka # 3:

Duryodhana says: O Acharya you may see the huge army of Pandavas. Drishtadyumna, son of Drupada, heads them. Your clever and cunning disciple has assembled this army and is trying to destroy me. Swamiji says Drishtadymna was destined to kill Drona. Drona was also aware that Dristadymna would come after him. Nevertheless, so long as Dridshtadyumna was a qualified student, Drona could not refuse him as a student.

Suggested Practice:

The difference between attachment and love is an important concept. We should all consider approaching all our relationships especially with our close ones more with Love rather than with attachment.

With my good wishes,

Ram Ramaswamy