In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna giving a clear roadmap as to how do we bring our mind under control. The only way, as Bhagawan says, to control our mind is to bring Bhagawan into our focus completely. He explains that when we sit down for our spiritual practices, we should start thinking about Him and commence. As time progresses and as we continue to focus on Bhagawan, our “Sattva Guna” will start dominating slowly. As our “Sattva Guna” dominates, we would be able to attain complete focus. However, this might not last long during the initial stages. Our “Rajo Guna” and “Tamo Guna” might take over, as our “Sattva Guna” fades away due to many external disturbances and uncontrollables. During these times, we’ve to again try and bring back our focus on Bhagawan and allow our “Sattva Guna” to dominate once again. This is a continuous and a long process and as ardent followers of our “Sanaatana Dharma” and as spiritual seekers, we should meticulously keep trying without getting demotivated.
Bhagawan Krishna continues further thus, “Oh Arjuna! Those who are able to give up their “Ahankara” and “Mamakara” and focus on me completely, will be able to understand the “Atma-Saakshaakaaram” and thereby, will be able to attain me completely. As the person focuses on me more and more, he / she would be able to wash off all the dirt that is sticking on to him / her owing to various sins that we might have performed during our earlier births!” Thus, the stepwise progression is very clear here – Performing our “Karma Yoga” and through that we get our mind focused on our actions. This leads to the single-pointed focus of the mind, which can be diverted towards Bhagawan completely, thereby leading us to the “Gnyaana-Yoga”, which further leads us to the “Atma-Saakshaakaaram” and ultimately leads us to realizing Bhagawan. This is the ultimate message that we should learn from this second “Adhyaaya” of the Bhagawad Gita.
Moving on further thus, we are now entering into the third “Adhyaaya”, wherein Arjuna is asking a very important question firstup.
“Jaayati cheth karmanaste mathaa buddhir janaardhana!
Tat kim karmani ghore maam nayojayasi keshava!!”
Now we’re going to see a slight change in approach. But before that, Arjuna is asking a very “smart” question to Bhagawan Krishna, which actually irks Bhagawan Krishna! Through the above sloka, Arjuna asks thus, “Oh Keshava! You’ve detailed beautifully about how the “Karma Yoga” and “Gnyaana Yoga” work! You’ve said that by performing my duty, I shall be able to focus my mind and bring it under control, thereby leading to the next stage called “Gnyaana Yoga”, wherein our focus is on the next level, which is Bhagawan! After hearing this from you, I feel that going into the “Gnyaana Yoga” straightaway is much easier, rather than reaching there through the “Karma Yoga”. If “Gnyaana Yoga” entails completely focusing my attention and mind on you, why can’t I do this straightaway? You’re always with me and you are guiding me in everything that I do. Hence, why can’t I go directly into the “Gnyaana Yoga”, thinking about you all the time?”
Now this is very smart from Arjuna – He tries to twist Bhagawan Krishna’s stepwise narrative for his own comfort by somehow running away from the battlefield, isn’t it? Ultimately we should remember that Arjuna doesn’t want to fight this war. He’s only trying to build excuses to somehow get out of the battlefield! 🙂 Hence here, Arjuna tries to ask Bhagawan that if one has to focus his / her mind, why can’t he / she directly start thinking of Bhagawan, instead of taking the circuitous route through the “Karma Yoga”! This question of Arjuna clearly angers Bhagawan Krishna and for today, let us understand up to this point! We shall wait till the next episode to witness Bhagawan Krishna’s even-more-smarter reply to this query of Arjuna’s! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 