The document discusses several key lessons and insights from studying the Bhagavad Gita. [1] It explains that the Gita teaches that everyone is moving towards the same ultimate goal or destination. [2] It discusses how realizing this can help overcome impatience and develop true love. [3] It describes how studying the Gita can help one understand that the self or truth is beyond time and help overcome feelings of superiority or inferiority.
2. Nov 11, 2009, 10:00 am
One of the most interesting things I learnt and also
got thoroughly convinced in the course of time from
the practice of NAMASMARAN and Gita; is the fact
that everyone is moving towards the same goal; the
same destination.
This fact usually remains concealed and one gets
impatient to teach others “for their welfare”. This
impatience though natural can create condescending
attitude and develop subtle expectations such as even
publicity and growth of your (otherwise selfless)
mission! This can take away your peace and mar the
quality of your behavior.
When this fact that we all are going in the same
direction and towards the same goal, then true love
(probably million time more than that evident
amongst the pilgrims) can emerge and blossom. That
is the greatest hallmark of world culture.
One I get convinced and clear about this fact, then
even the acts of impatience and ignorance (whether
committed by me or others) do not disturb me any
more to a significant extent.
3. It is matter of great privilege for us to realize (deep
experience) this love especially amongst family
members, relatives, colleagues, coworkers and latter
even the enemies! It is natural (and hence need not be
despised) that; at various stages of development we
keep shouting slogans from within and out, that this
should happen and frantically wait for the results
generally outside!
It is also true that study of Gita can develop a doubt;
“Why truth has to be shown by some else?” or “Why
should I follow the ancestors when I am ‘more
evolved’?” As the study proceeds, you gradually
realize that “truth” or “self” is beyond time. You
develop superiority and inferiority complex; turn by
turn because of your petty identity.
If “I” learn Gita it is neither a matter of pride nor a
matter of pity. It is matter of being happy to blossom
together!
In Gita, there is a reference to virtues in many places
including 16th and 18th chapters.
One of them is “truth”.
In everyday practice, there is always a conflict
between loyal description of facts (which can prove
4. stupid and invite difficulties or at times be honored)
and concealing or misrepresenting the facts, (which
also can engender punishment or bring loads of
profits). Hence there is ongoing conflict in every
mind about the virtue viz. truth and Gita provides the
answer to it.
I began to appreciate the ‘true’ meaning of ‘truth’
gradually and distinguish it from “mere narration of
apparent facts; even if done with 100%; loyalty and
fidelity”, which can be naïve and gullible. I began to
understand that realization of “truth”; is a process and
it leads to expression of appropriate behavior,
conducive to blossoming of everyone and realization
of truth! For this to happen; there are many precepts
which ought to be followed from childhood, but most
important and universally practicable in every
condition and situation is NAMASMARAN.
In 6th chapter there is a verse; which is very famous.
UDDHARET ATMANATMANAM NATMANAM
AVASADAYET
ATMAIVA HYATMANO BANDHUH ATMAIVA
RIPURATMANA
Krishna elucidates the nature of real self to Arjuna in
the 2nd and 3rd chapters. He then advises Arjuna in 6th
5. chapter, to rescue and uplift the other part of his
consciousness (we can call it lower or actually
physical consciousness; without being derogatory)
that has been trapped in body systems; and prevent its
further bondage; through his higher consciousness.
He further states that If you do this you would realize
your higher consciousness is friend of your lower
consciousness and if you don’t then your higher
consciousness is verily the enemy of your lower
consciousness.
It used appear strange that in 2nd chapter Krishna has
referred the war as great opportunity. I used find this
strange and not acceptable, because of my feelings
about the violence. I used to think that war is
avoidable and should be avoided. Later, I used to
think that Krishna was justifies because; he had tried
avert the war sufficiently.
But now I realize that this opportunity refers to the
option to emancipate the lower consciousness by
participating in the war of all physiological and social
conflicts and contradictions.
In my view this war of rescuing and emancipating the
consciousness trapped in senses is described in
HATHAYOGA texts as KUDALINI JAGRUTI.
Hence in HATHAYOGA practices (described in 6th
6. chapter of Gita and Dnyaneshavari or Jnaneshvari)
and intellectual exploration as through the SANKHY
YOGA (also described in 2nd chapter of Gita and
Jnaneshvari) are perfectly complementary and reach
you to the same destination, viz. individual and
global blossoming!
The heavenly beauty and bounty of Gita is that she
takes you beyond petty love and hate relationships.
She reveals to you; how the love and hatred; in as
much as the sense of fear and animosity; are born in
your consciousness trapped in your senses and how
rescuing the same would free you from all
subjectivity and all pettiness. I seem to understand
that; this; if realized by us; can make our personal
relationships far more pleasant than one can ever
imagine! They can go beyond any distance, any time
and even death! This was makes Gita a super
romantic cosmic poetry.
Every single step in this direction (every single
remembrance of God’s name) is more precious than
the entire world, even if mountains of drawbacks and
oceans of adversities within or outside us; try to drag
us back!
I have written an article entitled “Worshiping Sex”
and unknowingly or not being fully aware, I have
7. highlighted this process of rescuing your
consciousness from the physiological bastions rather
than destroying the bastions themselves. I am glad
that now I can appreciate this delicate and subtle and
adorable feeling of sexual attraction in the universe,
which is inseparable from true self and bound to be
free when appropriate.
