New word plays

Look at God in the Picture
Look at God outside the picture


Move from control in your life
To contribute in your life

Comparing Gita and usual way of life

In the usual world (in the corporate world,  at work or at college) one is "Result Oriented" and Gita teaches us to leave result to divine, and focus only on action & duty

In world we compete with all and Spirituality is trying to explain we are all one

Question everything around you has been suggested and practiced around us and the spiritual path is all about accepting

Corporates copyright their works, Spirituality is about right to copy and share with others

In the modern world one hears "you can do it all" and in spirituality its all around your nature calling and your duty

The so called advanced world is about ownership and in the spiritual world one learns that we are not even the doers , just mediums of the lord

The material world is external - You & Others. The spiritual world is internal, you and your true self

The trying to win is actually a loosing strategy as everything is ever-changing. Discovering yourself , an internal journey without competing , to teh eternal truth...leads to the wow" factor...

Arjun thru 18 chapters

Arjun's questions show the evolution on a spiritual path.

What Arjun asks , the quality of his questions get deeper as the Gita progresses.

Delusion
Surrender
Why should I act & not give up
How & why meditate
Show me your form

and eventually
Will do as you say!

The 3 recipients of Gita

When Krishna spoke, Arjun was listening and so was Sanjay & Dhritrashtra.

How each one received it or perceived it has a learning for us all

Sanjay represents Vivek Buddhi (wisdom) and in contrast Dhritarashtra represents blindness or unwisely used intelligence. In other words, Sanjay can see divinity through all gross appearances (Maya), whereas Dhritarashta, being of lower intellect, is stumped by Maya and only perceives gross appearances. 

These differing perceptions are shown by the following three elements / examples of Maya:

1. Causation 
All matter is simply a transformation of pre-existing elements which were created by God. 
Analogy:
Sanjay, of higher intellect, will be able to realise that a tree rose from a small seed, but Dhritrashtra, of gross intellect, will only be able to perceive the tree for a new entity and not as a product of the seed.

2. Time
The three tenses of time (past, present, future) are all caused by Maya (passing of days and nights). 
Analogy:
A car is circling the base of a hill. Dhritrashtra, standing at the bottom of that hill, (low-level intellect) will only be able to perceive the movement of the car in the three tenses: coming, gone behind the hill, going to come. Sanjay, standing at the top of hill (higher level intellect), will be able to understand the continuous movement of the car without tenses because he is not blocked by the hill (Maya). 

3. Space
All matter is essentially made up of atoms, which are largely made up of empty space, and energy points that occupy negligible space. Hence, most tangible things are essentially empty space and energy. Dhritrashtra can only see the gross appearances of these atoms that are arranged in different ways to form different tangible entities (E.G. Table, chair, pot). Sanjay can identify the minuscule energy points  through all the empty space due to his superior intellect.


Analogy:
Arjun looked past the large quantity of empty space (material things like soldiers and weaponry) and identified the energy points that seemed small but were of actual value (Krishna). Duryodhan was caught up in the Maya and perceived the empty space to be real and of value. Hence, he chose the empty space over the energy point (materials over God) and made the mistake of choosing quantity over quality. ( He chose the army and not Krishna !) 


Arjun - in direct connection with God
Sanjaya - the well controlled 
Dhritrashtra - The one blinded with Moha

CHAPTER 1 : A NEW PERSPECTIVE

This chapter is the transitioning from the Mahabharat tale into the Arjun & Krishna dialogue about Knowledge/Wisdom/Advice

Dhritrashtra speaks his one and only shlok and in that too his attachment for his sons drips in his words, as he asks "what are my sons and the Pandu sons doing at battle field?"  Feel the yours & mine, duality here.

Kuru in shlok 1 means action. Kurushetra is the place / world of actions.

Note that the first word of first shlok is "dharam"  and the last word of last shook is "mam" that is mine . Its all about My Dharma.

Arjun speaks 20+ shloks in this chapter, of the total 85 that he speaks in the entire Gita.

There is lot of fact based statements here and mentioning the various people. Each person has a story and a reason to be here and how he has also contributed to the war. Almost like a quick recap of the Mahabharat story and why this war was happening due to the choices & actions of the characters in past.

Further if one introspects we have traits of all such characters in us. On days we behave like Dhritrashtra, in total attachment to our kids / or blind to our duty. Or like Drupad wanting revenge. Or selfish like Duryodhan or deluded like Arjun or evolved and preach like Krishna.....

All characters are within an average being at different points of time in life, till we progress on the spiritual journey.

The symbolism in Arjun's chariot as well as in the names of conches is very interesting too.

Duryodhan rants of in his self centred style. Arjun starts in an egoist manner to check out the enemy and later is deluded. Then is talking about the deaths and widows & orphans the war will cause.

Duryodhan wants to protect Bhishma as he is the trump to his victory & Arjun slides into an emotional crisis with the thought of fighting / killing Bhishma.

Duryodhan is instigating Drona against Drupad & Dhrishtadyun. Whilst Arjun can't bear the thought that he has to fight his own teacher.

Duryodhan is proud about the quantity of his army. Arjun was not able to accept that his family & teachers could be on the enemy side and he has to fight them.

Bhishma means very dangerous. He represent the various beliefs that we have gathered over the years  and we alone have the choice and ability to give them up. Hence, death by choice. He knew God but did not change his stance.

The key being that emotions & attachments wrecks duty.

Also Arjun being a capable & wise person, is confused and deluded. This can happen & does happen to all.

Chap 1 is important to build context. To make us aware that we have ability for doing wrong and leading to disasters. To enable us accept that we need to follow the principle and not a person.

Soul & Body

The Relationship Between The Soul And The Body 

Human being means the consciousness, the soul or being (living energy), experiencing life through the physical body, the human (non-living). The body is perishable and temporary, whereas the soul is eternal and without physical dimension. • The soul is the driver; the body is the car. • The soul is the actor; the body is its costume. • The soul is a diamond; the body is the jewelry box. • The soul is the musician; the body is the instrument. • The soul is the guest; the body is the hotel. • The soul is the deity; the body is the temple. 

I can use a knife to chop vegetables. I can use the same knife to kill someone. The knife neither decides (outwards) nor experiences (inwards), but can be washed easily under water. Now look at the fingers which held the knife. They neither decide nor experience the actions. They too can be washed under water. It's easy to realize that the knife is an instrument, but it is more difficult to realize that the fingers as well as the arms are instruments too. The legs are instruments for walking, the eyes for seeing, the ears for hearing, the mouth for speaking, the tongue for tasting, the heart for pumping food and oxygen (via blood) around the body, and so on. Even the brain is an instrument used like a computer to express all thought, word and action programs through the body and to experience the results. 


If every physical part of the body is an instrument, who or what is it that is using this instrument? Very simply it is I, the self, the soul. The soul uses the word I for itself and the word my when referring to the body; my hands, my eyes, my brain, etc. 

I am different from my body. So to think I am a body with a spirit inside is like confining the soul to house arrest.

Consciousness remains small, held prisoner inside the confines of bodily awareness. Considering myself to be a soul allows consciousness to fly free beyond the physical limitations defined by my body. 

Today let me expand my consciousness by considering this simple thought “I am a soul, I have a body".

About the shlok's in Gita

Total 700 shloka

1. By Chapter

• Chapter 1 has total 47 shloka
• Chapter 2 has total 72 shloka
• Chapter 3 has total 43 shloka
• Chapter 4 has total 42 shloka
• Chapter 5 has total 29 shloka
• Chapter 6 has total 47 shloka
• Chapter 7 has total 30 shloka
• Chapter 8 has total 28 shloka
• Chapter 9 has total 34 shloka
• Chapter 10 has total 42 shloka
• Chapter 11 has total 55 shloka
• Chapter 12 has total 20 shloka
• Chapter 13 has total 34 shloka
• Chapter 14 has total 27 shloka
• Chapter 15 has total 20 shloka
• Chapter 16 has total 24 shloka
• Chapter 17 has total 28 shloka
• Chapter 18 has total 78 shloka

2. By who said it

• Dhritrashtra : 1
• Sanjay :  40
• Arjun : 85
• Krishna : 574

3. By Topic mentioning

• Gunas : 78
• Atma : TBC
• Food : TBC
• Soul : TBC
• Action & Fruit of Action : TBC

4. The shloks are in 32 Syllables called Anustup

Gita & Indian movie "Dangerous Ishq"

In this movie a past life regression therapist mentions that what Indians believe about soul carrying memories & impressions is now the basis of therapy and acknowledged in the West.


15.8 There is a mention how the memories (built up thru senses) go along with Atma to next life. Just like air carries the scent of flowers.

Gita and Vivek Chuda Mani - 2

Inherent Qualities of a spiritual seeker mentioned in VCM

• Health body
• Intelligence
• Education
• Comprehension
• Desire for liberation 
• Exercise reason to remove doubt

( In Gita 2.07 mentions surrender,  in chap 6 it is mentioned that one who strives on this path will be reborn in conducive environment to continue the journey)

Cultivated Qualities as mentioned in VCM

• Discrimination
• Renunciation of fruits of action
• 6 treasures Shad Sampathi

1.         Sama- Equality
2.         Dhama – Self control
3.         Uparathi – not react to external stimuli
4.         Thithiksha – forbearance
5.         Shradha – faith
6.         Samadhana – self surrender

( In Chap 2 qualities of a Stith Pragyaa are listed and Chap 3 lists attributes of Karam Yogi, in Chap 5 that of a Realised Soul , in Chap a Bhatka virtues & in Chap 14 that of a Gunaatit. In Gita Chap 16 divine qualities are mentioned. All are interconnected)

Qualifications of the Guru

• Well versed in scriptures
• Free from lust
• Continually established in Brahman
• Calm like a flame. 
• Ocean of love (No ulterior motives)
• Friend to all people who entrust themselves to them

(In Gita in 4.34 mentions illumined souls) 

Some dimensions

Appears all spirituality boils down to a combination of

1. SRT : Satwa, Rajas & Tamas
2. BMI : Body, Mind & Intellect
3. YTD : Yagya, Tapah & Daan

Plus the Bhav : Emotion & Intention

A Satwik activity , at Body level of giving Daan : but intention & emotion  is to tick off is to tick of a list or gain recognition!!!!

Sleeping (Tamas) thru a ritual that is going t last 10 hours!!! But with the intention to be more useful at the end for clean up....what would that be????

Doing Tap of observing fast ( abstaining at body level) and the Mind is imagining gourmet food....now what would this be called???


Gita touches on these elements right from Chap 2 and repeats all thru and finally in Chap 18 mentions them again.

Gita and Vivek Chuda Mani -1

Attended a session on this and sharing ...

Vivek Chuda Mani (VCM) is said to be the Crest Jewel of Discrimination.
This scripture is said to give clarity to concepts learnt in Gita.

Relatively speaking Gita is a polite, advise & suggestions by Krishna. And he gives options and ways to liberation.
In VCM Adi Shankracharya is direct, factual & almost hard hitting for some.

Both are dialogues between Guru & Disciple and sharing about knowledge about eternal truth and path to liberation.

This scriptures helps in discriminating the right from wrong. Real from unreal. And move towards liberation.

Chapter 1 : Another summary

Chapter 1 is about the setting the scene. Introducing the folks and loads of symbolism.

The fact that Duryodhan was boasting bragging about his position (nervous release in tension). He wants Bhishma to be protected as he is useful to him.

Arjuna starts on an egoistic front & a confident warrior : Let me check out the people who want to fight with me ! And then in delusion and confusion gives logic to all the excuses for not fighting. Attachment wrecks duty.

Arjuna & his chariot has many symbolic messages. The horses depict the senses that start going anywhere if not controlled. Arjun is the mind or the Jiva and Krishna is the Intellect / In-charge.

Note how the mind gets carried away by emotions & intellect needs to guide them back. So depends who has the reigns!  The flag has Hanuman denoting devotion of the highest order. Colour of his clothes & horses is white denoting purity.

The 2 armies one almost double of the other in quantity, but quality of intention is what matters.

At Kaurav camp:
Bhishma is there because of his oath (promises sure have an impact!)
Drona as he has eaten food given by Kauravs (we are what we eat!)
Karna feels he owes it to his friend
and so on

At Pandava camp
Being led by God , on the path of righteousness. Not for self but to establish righteousness in the society. ( If a queen like Draupadi can be humiliated so much, what would the destiny of women in such a society be!)

Then there is mention of the Conches names , their significance & history.

At the end of chap 1, the wise & capable Arjun was deluded, confused & sorrowful. Remember Gita as in Krishna advise has not yet started.

Krishna - Uddhava Conversation

Krishna - Uddhava Conversation 

Why did Krishna not save the Pandavas when they played dice with Duryadhana & Shakuni?

Wonderful explanation by Krishna himself:

From his childhood, Uddhava had been with Krishna, charioting him and serving him in many ways. He never asked for any wish or boon from Sri Krishna. When Krishna was at the verge of completing His Avatar, he called Uddhava and said,‘Dear Uddhava, in this avatar of mine, many people have asked and received boons from me; but you never asked me anything. Why don’t you ask something now? I will give you. Let me complete this avatar with the satisfaction of doing something good for you also’.

Even though Uddhava did not ask anything for himself, he had been observing Krishna from his childhood. He had always wondered about the apparent disconnect between Krishna’s teachings and actions, and wanted to understand the reasons for the same. He asked Krishna, ‘Lord, you taught us to live in one way, but you lived in a different way. In the drama of Mahabharat, in the role you played, in your actions, I did not understand many things. I am curious to understand the reasons for your actions. Would you fulfil my desire to know?’

Krishna said, ‘Uddhava, what I told Arjuna during the war of Kurukshetra was Bhagavad Gita. Today, my responses to you would be known as ‘Uddhava Gita’. That is why I gave this opportunity to you. Please ask without hesitation.’

Uddhava starts asking – ‘Krishna, first tell me who is a real friend?’ 

Krishna says, ‘The real friend is one who comes to the help of his friend in need even without being called’.

Uddhava: ‘Krishna, you were a dear friend of the Pandavas. They trusted you fully as Apadhbhandava (protector from all difficulties). Krishna, you not only know what is happening, but you know what is going to happen. You are a great gyani. Just now you gave the definition of a true, close friend. Then why did you not act as per that definition. Why did you not stop Dharmaraj (Yudhishtra) 
from playing the gambling game? Ok, you did not do it; why did you not turn the luck in favour of Dharmaraj, by which you would have ensured that dharma wins. You did not do that also. You could have at least saved Dharmaraj by stopping the game after he lost his wealth, country and himself. You could have released him from the punishment for gambling. Or, you could have entered the hall when he started betting his brothers. You did not do that either. At least when Duryodhana tempted Dharmaraj  by offering to return everything lost if he betted Draupadi (who always brought good fortune to Pandavas), you could have intervened and with your divine power you could have made the dices roll in a way that is favorable to Dharmaraj. Instead, you intervened only when Draupadi almost lost her modesty and now you claim that you gave clothes and saved Draupadi’s modesty; how can you even claim this – after her being dragged into the hall by a man and disrobed in front of so many people, what modesty is left for a woman? What have you saved? Only when you help a person at the time of crisis, can you be called ‘Apadhbandhava’.  If you did not help in the time of crisis, what is the use? Is it Dharma?’  As Uddhava posed these questions, tears started rolling from his eyes.

These are not the questions of Uddhava alone. All of us who have read Mahabharata have these questions. On behalf of us, Uddhava had already asked Krishna.

Bhagavan Krishna laughed. ‘Dear Uddhava, the law of this world is: ‘only the one who has Viveka (intelligence through discrimination), wins’. While Duryodhana had viveka, Dharmaraj lacked it. That is why Dharmaraj lost’.

Uddhava was lost and confused. Krishna continues ‘While Duryodhana had lots of money and wealth to gamble, he did not know how to play the game of dice. That is why he used his Uncle Shakuni to play the game while he betted. That is viveka. Dharmaraj also could have thought similarly and offered that I, his cousin, would play on his behalf. If Shakuni and I had played the game of dice, who do you think would have won? Can he roll the numbers I am calling or would I roll the numbers he is asking. Forget this. I can forgive the fact that he forgot to include me in the game. But, without viveka, he did another blunder. He prayed that I should not come to the hall as he did not want me to know that through ill-fate he was compelled to play this game. He tied me with his prayers and did not allow me to get into the hall; I was just outside the hall waiting for someone to call me through their prayers. Even when Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva were lost, they were only cursing Duryodhana and brooding over their fate; they forgot to call me. Even Draupadi did not call me when Dusshasan held her hair and dragged her to fulfil his brother’s order. She was also arguing in the hall, based on her own abilities. She never called me. Finally good sense prevailed; when Dusshasan started disrobing her, she gave up depending on her own strength, and started shouting ‘Hari, Hari, Abhayam Krishna, Abhayam’ and shouted for me. Only then I got an opportunity to save her modesty. I reached as soon as I was called. I saved her modesty. What is my mistake in this situation?

‘Wonderful explanation, Krishna, I am impressed. However, I am not deceived. Can I ask you another question’, says Uddhava. Krishna gives him the permission to proceed.

'Does it mean that you will come only when you are called! Will you not come on your own to help people in crisis, to establish justice?’, asks Uddhava.

Krishna smiles. ‘Uddhava, in this life everyone’s life proceeds based on their own karma. I don’t run it; I don’t interfere in it. I am only a ‘witness’. I stand close to you and keep observing whatever is happening. This is God’s Dharma’.

‘Wow, very good Krishna. In that case, you will stand close to us, observe all our evil acts; as we keep committing more and more sins, you will keep watching us. You want us to commit more blunders, accumulate sins and suffer’, says Uddhava.

Krishna says.’Uddhava, please realise the deeper meaning of your statements. When you understand & realise that I am standing as witness next to you, how could you do anything wrong or bad. You definitely cannot do anything bad. You forget this and think that you can do things without my knowledge.  That is when you get into trouble. Dharmaraj’s ignorance was that he thought he can play the game of gambling without my knowledge. If Dharmaraj had realized that I am always present with everyone in the form of ‘Sakshi’ (witness), then wouldn’t the game have finished differently?’

Uddhava was spellbound and got overwhelmed by Bhakti. He said, ‘What a deep philosophy. What a great truth! Even praying and doing pooja to God and calling Him for help are nothing but our feeling / belief. When we start believing that nothing moves without Him, how can we not feel his presence as Witness? How can we forget this and act? Throughout Bhagavad Gita, this is the philosophy Krishna imparted to Arjuna. He was the charioteer as well as guide for Arjuna, but he did not fight on his own.’- This is when we realize that Ultimate Sakshi/ Witnesser within & without us and we Merge in that God-Consciousness

We discover our Higher Self- The Pure Loveful & Blissful Supreme Consciousness

Hindi wordplays ( Hindi phrases, transliterations to ponder on)

Mala ya Maya??? Are we doing nam jap with Mala or in Maya ?

Khojna & Kho Jana ??? Are we seeking or are we lost ?

Mein Hoon Na - Question or statement??? Think about it????

Diya & Bati ? Oil burns or wick? Does oils burn thru the wick or the wick with the help of the oil??

Bhag Lo , nahi to Bhag Lo ( Participate or run away) 

Gita teachings & famous Quotes : Chap 17 - Faith

Chap 17 : Faith

• Faith can move mountains 
• Let your Faith be greater that your Fears. ( Martin Luther King)
• Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase. (Martin Luther King, Jr.) 
• Pastor Tim Hall - The world says, “Seeing is believing” – Faith says, “Believing is seeing”.
• Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark (Rabindranath Tagore)