In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna asserting the fact that the “Atman” is something that can never have a beginning and an end. It is not destroyable. However, the “Deham” is something which undergoes destruction over a period of time, and the “Atman” assumes a “Deham” based on the “Karma” that is accumulated. We shall see the associated shlokas on this, as we move on further. Bhagawan Krishna says thus,
“Antabandha ime dehaaha nityah shokthaah shareerinaha!
Anaasinaha aprameyasya tasmaadyuddhasya bhaarata!!”
Here, Bhagawan establishes the fact that all these “Dehams” standing in front of Arjuna are subject to an end (“Antabandha ime dehaaha”). Once their “Karma” comes to an end, all these “Dehams” will be finished. However, the “Atman” is “Nityam” or permanent in nature (“Nityah shokthaah shareerinaha”). Thus, if one thinks that the “Atman” is destroyable, there cannot be a greater fool than him. Thus, the “Atman” does not have a destruction at any point in time.
“Nainanchandanti chitraani nainandahathi paavakaha!
Nachainayan klepayan paapaha na shoshayati maarutaha!!”
Here, Bhagawan Krishna candidly explains thus, “Oh Arjuna! You’re of the wrong impression that the “Atman” is destroyable. Please tell me one weapon available in this world to kill and destroy the “Atman”! I shall accept that my entire narrative is false! The “Atman” is in a “Sookshama” form (Subtle and an invisible form). For instance, take a rice grain and split it into a hundred parts. Take one of those hundred parts and again split that into another hundred parts. Once again take one among these hundred smaller parts of the grain and split it into another hundred smaller parts. Oh Arjuna! The “Atman” is smaller than even this minute part of the rice grain! If the “Atman” is so subtle and small, how can water or wind or fire or a weapon destroy it? The “Atman” cannot be destroyed for this particular reason! Oh Arjuna! Please remember one more thing – If an “Atman” has to take up a “Deham”, that “Deham” is always going to be destroyed at some point in time and the “Atman” is going to be let off free from it. It is only a matter of time before such a thing happens. For some beings, the destruction of the “Deham” happens very quickly and for some others, it takes a longer time. However, destruction is something that is always associated with this “Deham”. Hence, please shun the thought that you are the one who is causing the destruction of Bhishmachaarya’s or Guru Dhronachaarya’s “Deham”. Even if you’re not going to cause the destruction of their “Dehams” today, their “Dehams” are anyway going to be destroyed sooner or later!”
This is a very important philosophy that Bhagawan Krishna is explaining here, which requires an in-depth analysis. We shall commence it today, and continue it further in tomorrow’s episode. To begin with, we keep worrying about so many things that keep happening in this world on a daily basis. However, do we have any sort of control over what is happening? The answer is “No”! But still we keep worrying! For instance, a politician is indulging in corruption, which is of course the typical characteristic of him. However, we would keep worrying that so much money is being looted by this listless fellow and the law is never taking any action on him! We keep thinking about it quite a lot and also keep talking about it as well. However, just because we’re thinking and debating about it, is anything going to change? Is the politician going to stop looting public money, and that too in a country like India? Not at all! Politicians are born to be corrupt and all of us know about it! Hence, if such is the case, why are we worrying so much? Let these listless politicians indulge in corruption and somewhere down the line they would be caught when the right time comes! Why can’t we develop this attitude and move on, rather than brooding over it? I’m taking this example for those people who really have a concern in this regard.
So for today, let us commence our thought process on this, but there might be a counter question – If we just leave these people to loot today without asking tough questions, won’t this be an incentive for them to loot more? Let’s witness the answer for this in the next episode! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 