Desiderata & Gita

Have read this poem several times...but the other day while in a Gita discussion, it came to my mind that this connects to teh qualities of Stithpragna in chap 2. Also highlight the good virtues as mentioned in chap 16.  Talks about love and nurturing inner strength, about Peace & God , and that we all are the children of the universe.

The poem somehow connected to Gita and wanted to share.

Verse 2.23 & 2.24

Here is where Krishna explains

Soul cannot be cut
Soul cannot be burnt by fire
Soul cannot be wetted by water &
Soul cannot be dried by air

He is explaining with direct connection to the elements ( Earth, Fire, Water & Air)
Gross to subtle

Earth is the Grossest
& Space/Ether/is the subtlest

Explaining gross & subtle to children is sometimes challenging.
Try doing with the 5 elements
1. Earth - we know, feel, touch, see, hold, cut - the grossest of all!
2. Water - we know, feel, touch, see, hold, but cannot cut - going towards subtle!!
3. Air - we know, feel, touch, hold, but cannot see or cut
4. Fire - we know, feel, see, touch, but cannot hold or cut
5. Space - we just know - out of reach of our 5 senses....most subtle!!!!

And Soul is surely as subtle as it can be

Another explanation of Kauravs and Pandavs

“The Mahabharata is an Epic, a ballad, perhaps a reality but definitely a philosophy.” The Old man smiled luring Dev into more questions.
“Can you tell me what the philosophy is then?” Dev requested.

“Sure. Here goes,” began the Old man. “The Pandavas are nothing but your five senses, sight, smell, taste, touch and sound and do you know what the Kauravas are?” he asked narrowing his eyes. Dev shook his head. “The Kauravas are the hundred vices that attack your senses everyday but you can fight them and do you know how?” Dev shook his head again. 

“When Krishna rides your chariot!” The Old man smiled brighter and Dev gasped at that gem of insight.
“Krishna is your soul, your guiding light and if you let your life in his hands you have nothing to worry.” 

Dev was stupefied but came around quickly with another question. “Then why are Dronacharya and Bhishma fighting for the Kauravas, if they are vices?”
The Old man nodded, sadder for the question. “It just means that as you grow up your perception of your elders change. The elders who you thought were perfect in your growing up years are not all that perfect. They have faults. And one day you will have to decide if they are for your good or your bad. Then you may also realize that you may have to fight them for the good. It is the hardest part of growing up and that is why the Geeta is important.”

Dev sat down on the ground, not because he was tired but because he could understand the enormity of it all. 

“What about Karna?” he whispered.
“Ah!” said the Old man. “You have saved the best for last. Karna is the brother to your senses, he is desire, he is a part of you but stands with the vices. He feels wronged and makes excuses for being the vices as your desire does all the time. Does your desire not give you excuses to embrace vices?”

Another perspective to chapter 2

All thru Chapter 1 Krishna listens to the nervous release of tension by Arjun as a good mate.

Says nothing till Arjun's seeks help & surrenders. First Krishna encourages as a friend and scolds in 2.2. Then Arjun mentions his intent to surrender in Shlok 2.07

Let us remember that the fives senses, collect information and pass to brain.
From Body to mind & then mind seeks help from intellect.
Intellect based on past experiences gives judgement & back to mind
If mind & intellect not in agreement then confusion arises and then body reacts, trembles & sweats due to imbalance.

Arjun was confused as ego had come in : I am fighting, My relatives, the fact that he is part of Pandava and they are fighting for righteousness (PS Bheeshma & Drona had drowned their identities and merged in Kauravas army)

Surrender to Krishna : This signifies - Ego merges into intellect 

Krishna holding reigns (intellect controlling senses) & directing the Jiva

Advice starts from 2.11

Krishna explains by traditional & various logics : 

• Kshatriyas Dharma, people will condemn you 
• Then explains soul being eternal, indestructible. Soul takes birth for experience.

Explains the Stith Pragya.

Material world, senses contact objects and create desires, then anger, Raag & Dwesh or more desires and eventually delusion ....like a boat without Majhi at mercy of wind & waves....till we become a witness to the world and control our senses and be like the ocean that is so full

Rise above  all 3 (BMI) levels of dwandha ( Raag Dwesh) 

2.47 use energy on performing action. Do not dissipate energy worrying about future / result.

Sun rays all around. If focussed thru a lense can burn where the combined rays fall. Focussed efforts have bit results.

Night to usual people, is day for Yogi : 

Night is all darkness, no shapes & forms. Day is bright and forms & shapes

Yogi does not see forms & shapes 

Likes & dislikes due to past impressions, but if aware & do not dwell on them, then, one will not be swayed. Do not let the raag / dwesh overpower you.

A bit of Karam, Dhyan & Bhakti yoga are in this Chapter. Many call this the index to the Gita, as it touches or mentions what comes later.

Karma Phala and Playing Tennis

Karam Phal and Karam Yog are often misunderstood / misinterpreted.

Here is an example that may help.

If one plays Tennis to win, then during teh game the energy is on winning. And at end if one does win, its the temporary happiness and the desire to play to win again. If loose then angry and frustrated.

If playing as a sport or as a form of exercise , the approach and emotions are different. I want to improve my game, get more agile, learn how to tackle the opponent, burn calories, loose some weight  ...and so on.  Now the focus may be one or all these, but the focus has moved away from winning. While playing to burn calories and improve game, as a by product may also win the game....that is a bonus!!!

When focus moves away from result to effort , one can put in 100% effort , else teh contemplation of result dilutes the effort.