In the previous episode, we had witnessed the essence of what Bhagawan Krishna says as part of the Bhagawad Gita, which is considered to be one of the most holiest texts of our Sanaatana Dharma. As we’ve witnessed earlier, the Bhagawad Gita consists of extremely important life lessons for all of us. Even though Arjuna was at the centre of everything what was happening at Kurukshetra and even though the text is structured as a dialogue between Arjuna and Bhagawan Krishna, whatever is discussed here is applicable to all of us as well. In fact, as we’ve been mentioning time and again, Bhagawan Krishna was looking for an avenue to gift this Gita to the entire world, and He used Arjuna as His perfect launchpad for the same. Moreover, since these words of wisdom directly come from Bhagawan’s mouth, this text assumes enormous significance. Of course, understanding Bhagawan’s words directly might be quite a difficult task for all of us as normal human beings, we should also read through the commentaries of various Mahatmas such as Adi Shankara Bhagawad Paada, Ramanujachaarya, Madhvachaarya and the others along with this discussion. These Mahatmas have analyzed the Gita in-depth and have given us the essence of it in simple language which all of us can understand easily. Hence, we’re now in the context wherein Arjuna is feeling shocked when he sees Bhishmachaarya, Guru Dhronachaarya, and the entire lot of family members standing opposite to each other to fight a disastrous war! His fear and emotions run high and as a result, Arjuna decides that he is not going to fight this war at all! We’ve seen this in detail in the first “Adhyaaya” of the Bhagawad Gita – The “Arjuna-Vishaada Yoga”. Now as Arjuna has expressed his unwillingness to fight this battle, it is now up to Bhagawan Krishna to respond! The stage is set now for the important accord from Bhagawan Krishna’s mouth!
Now as we move inside, we’ve to have another round of discussion on how the Gita is structured. As mentioned earlier, it has three components – “Prathama Shadkam” (First six Adhyaayas), “Madhyama Shadkam” (Second six Adhyaayas) and “Charama Shadkam” (Last six Adhyaayas). The “Prathama Shadkam” talks in-depth about Karma Yoga and Gnyaana Yoga. What can we attain through the Karma Yoga and the Gnyaana Yoga? We can attain something called “Atma-Saakshaadkaaram”. This is nothing but the complete knowledge of what the “Atman” is. If we’re meticulously following both these Yogas, we will obtain the complete picture of our “Atman”. The “Madhyama Shadkam” talks about the owner of this “Atman”. Now who is the owner of all our “Atmans”? He is none other than the “Paramatman” Himself, who is none other than Bhagawan Krishna Himself! Thus, the “Madhyama Shadkam” talks about the various ways through which one can come closer to the “Paramatman” and one of the most important ways that Bhagawan is talking about here is the Bhakti Yoga.
As Bhagawan completes His narrative of these two “Shadkams”, for a moment, Arjuna thinks that the entire Gita has come to an end! However he is wrong! For instance, many of us climb the Tirupati / Tirumala hills by foot, don’t we? After reaching a certain point, there will be places wherein we can sit and relax. However, can we conclude that we’ve already reached the Tirumala temple by just sitting at one of these break-points? Similarly here also, Arjuna asks a similar question towards the end of the twelfth “Adhyaaya” and Bhagawan Krishna strikes him down by saying that he has crossed only one half of the path! 🙂 He thus explains here that the most important way through which one can attain Him, is through the Bhakti Yoga!
Thus, we can split the entire set of the first twelve Adhyaayas like this – First six Adhyaayas talk about the Karma Yoga and the Gnyaana Yoga, through which we can understand what our Atman really is, and thereby attain “Atma-Saakshaadkaaram”. With this, we’ve climbed half the staircase. Now the remaining half is where Bhagawan talks about Bhakti Yoga in detail, through which we can attain Bhagawan directly! Thus, keeping this in mind, we shall now commence our discussion on the second “Adhyaaya” and here is where Bhagawan is actually going to commence His detailed accord. So for today, let us understand up to this point, and in the next episode, we shall directly proceed with what Bhagawan Krishna has to say to Arjuna and to all of us! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 