Dr. Shriniwas Janardan Kashalikar discusses his new study of the Bhagavad Gita. He analyzes chapters 2-4, in which Lord Krishna emphasizes the importance of swadharma, or righteous duty according to one's nature. Krishna explains that swadharma leads to union with cosmic consciousness. Those who follow swadharma blossom, while those who do not become obstacles for others. Krishna also reveals his immortal nature and role in manifesting and annihilating forces of darkness throughout the universe. He describes how different personality types emerge from consciousness to perform various functions in the world.

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NEW STUDY OF BHAGAVAD GITA
DR. SHRINIWAS JANARDAN KASHALIKAR

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NEW STUDY OF BHAGAVAD GITA
STUDY
OF
GITA
Dr.
Shriniwas
Kashalikar
DR. SHRINIWAS JANARDAN KASHALIKAR

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NEW STUDY OF BHAGAVAD GITA
November 7, 2009; 12:10 pm
How easy is it to realize and practice
SWADHARMA? How is it relevant to behavior of an
individual, family and society?
In 2nd chapter Lord Krishna declares the aphorism of
immortality of the core of universe and individual; and
human potential to realize this core that embodies cosmic
consciousness.
But Arjuna (and student of Gita like me) cannot
experience the immortality right away!
Lord Krishna therefore (apart from explaining the ways
to rise and conquer the obstacles in the way of reaching
the cosmic consciousness) gives other supportive
arguments to emphasize the importance of
SWADHARMA i.e. behavior born from the state of
union with cosmic consciousness.
Thus Lord Krishna indicates to Arjuna that the greatest
value in life is SWADHARMA (and not some so called
spiritual or material achievement, so called and often
hyped miracles and mere material abundance
respectively) and hence any person who goes astray (due
to his subjective; whether individualistic or so called
religious/socialistic; paradigm) from this
SWADHARMA; is bound to be ridiculed as coward
(Akirtim chaapi Bhootani… and
DR. SHRINIWAS JANARDAN KASHALIKAR

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Bhayat ranat uparatam, 2nd chapter). This essence of
value system is the eternal glory of Gita that has been
revitalizing mankind from millennia to millennia!
Further, Lord Krishna reiterates that all the efforts of
human civilization e.g. VEDAs are essentially born from
and culminate into cosmic consciousness; and get
expressed through individuals according to their
constitutions. Those who know this; are always
connected with the cosmic consciousness (YOGA); and
do not get distracted by the illusive results (success or
failure) and those who do not know this; get cut off from
the cosmic consciousness and their perceptions, feelings
and the quality, methodology and the elegance of their
actions get marred. They develop the illusion that their
limited existence is the doer of everything; (treating the
subordinate as master); and vacillate between pride and
pain from the changing results of their inappropriate
actions.
The 2nd and 3rd chapters begin with Arjuna’s reluctance to
participate in the war, and remain contented without
bothering about the gains of a bloody war!
But Lord Krishna identifies the subtle nihilism, cynicism
or pessimism hidden in this attitude. He identifies this
darkness and drives the point; that such “ascetic”
extremism is suicidal for the individual and the society
and not conducive to liberation!
DR. SHRINIWAS JANARDAN KASHALIKAR

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Lord Krishna guides Arjuna in 3rd chapter, (Na hi
kashchit kshanamapi…) that, it is impossible to live
without action. (Isn’t it true that irrespective of whether
we want or not, billions of biophysical and biochemical
activities go on in our body and mind? Isn’t it true that
even for the universe and universal consciousness this is
true?). He clarifies that any one who tries to live in
inaction, deceives himself or herself. The only way to
liberation is to practice SWADHARMA.
Lord Krishna says, whether the cosmic consciousness
expresses itself in actions through you, or through the
actions you reach the cosmic consciousness; both are
essentially not different. The first is called
JNANAYOGA, where apparently consciousness is
predominant and latter is called KARMAYOGA, where
apparently; the actions are predominant. Thus the actions
which spring from the cosmic consciousness (e.g. as a
result of the practice of NAMASMARAN), are the ones
which lead to realization of cosmic consciousness also,
and hence are called liberating or freeing actions
(SWADHARMA)!
Lord Krishna then highlights the cycle of nature in which
universe manifests from and again dissolves into the
consciousness and suggests that when the society and the
individual conform to the innate principle of nature, they
blossom together.
DR. SHRINIWAS JANARDAN KASHALIKAR

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He also points out that those who don’t conform to these
principles, never blossom themselves and also become
obstacles in the blossoming of others. This happens
because of their being overwhelmed by their own
subjectivity (individualistic, religious bigotry or
socialistic whims and compulsions). This can happen
also because of the superiority or inferiority complex
developed about their environment, conditions and
apparently (due to sick value system) unglamorous or
despised nature of their SWADHARMA.
Lord Krishna elaborates that since everybody is not
exactly the replica of another person and the
constitutions are different; the external nature of
SWADHARMA varies. He reiterates; that even in such a
situation; it is important not to get bogged down by the
deceptive external and internal influences and persist on
one’s SWADHARMA, even if one has to die in return!
Initially this appeared a bit harsh. But when I keenly
thought over, I realized that living devoid of
SWADHARMA is itself like death! Hence
SWADHARMA is preferable even in the face of death,
because it is the only express highway of individual and
global blossoming!
November 7, 2009, 3:30 pm.
How to appreciate the universal, transtemporal and
relevant nature of SWADHARMA?
DR. SHRINIWAS JANARDAN KASHALIKAR

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In the 4th chapter, Lord Krishna expands this concept of
SWADHARMA and informs Arjuna that this is the
knowledge that has run through generations and
millennia.
Like any physiological individual, Arjuna also doubts
Lord Krishna’s statement and then Lord Krishna reveals
to him His immortal and true nature and that it is He
(cosmic consciousness) that keeps reincarnating and re-
manifesting; as and when the universe becomes oblivious
of Him. (I feel that this is true in an individual, society as
well as universe!).
Lord Krishna asserts; that he manifests (through rising
consciousness in an individual as well as society) and
annihilates the demonic and devilish forces of darkness,
(inside and outside) which obstruct the blossoming of
individuals, society and the whole universe. He also
reiterates that one, who realizes this, (either is united or)
unites with the immortal consciousness!
After revealing His cosmic nature, Lord Krishna
elucidates how from the consciousness; different
VARNAs i.e. four salient characteristic personalities
manifest (though the consciousness does not produce
them; in the physical sense of that word) and how they
function! This is like involvement of space (in this case it
is not mere physical and nonliving space because cosmic
consciousness is like living or superliving space that
DR. SHRINIWAS JANARDAN KASHALIKAR

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encompasses everything!) which is essential for world
activities, but does not directly participate in them.
He also states that people work according to their stage
of evolution; through different yajnas, pranayamas, and
humble dialogue with a guide and reach enlightenment.
Lord Krishna points out how the conflicts between upper
and lower nature can sabotage one’s progress and assures
that SWADHARMA or YOGA liberate the individual
(and society and the universe) and hence appeals Arjuna;
to get rid of any doubt whatsoever and tread the path of
SWADHARMA single mindedly.
DR. SHRINIWAS JANARDAN KASHALIKAR

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DR. SHRINIWAS JANARDAN KASHALIKAR