In the previous episode, we had witnessed a detailed prelude to the fourth “Adhyaaya” which is very important in the context of Bhagawan Krishna revealing certain facts about His divine incarnation. We shall commence the fourth “Adhyaaya” with a few important shlokas upfront. Here, Arjuna has a doubt within him – Is Bhagawan Krishna trying to invent something new in the form of “Karma Yoga” in order to make him fight the war? Does “Karma Yoga” really exist in this world? Or, is Bhagawan Krishna coining this term called “Karma Yoga” for the first time, just to motivate him and to prevent him from running away from the battlefield without fighting the war? To clear the air on this doubt, Bhagawan Krishna is going to explain to Arjuna thus, “Oh Arjuna! Please do not think that the “Karma Yoga” is something that is only applicable to you and for nobody else in this world. Moreover, the term “Karma Yoga” is not new to this world. This has existed for the past 28 “Chatur Yugas” and there was once a time when I had explained about this “Karma Yoga” to a person by name Vivasvaan!”
We’ve witnessed the calculation of “Chatur Yuga” in our earlier episodes and projects as well. Only if 12,000 “Deva-Varshams” pass by, one “Chatur Yuga” gets fulfilled. We know the calculation of a “Deva-Varsham” too. Approximately 365 “Manushya-Varshams” (Our normal calendar year) makes up to one “Deva-Varsham”. In this manner, there should be 12,000 “Deva-Varshams” in order to satisfy one “Chatur Yuga”. Like this, there should be 28 such “Chatur Yugas”, before which Bhagawan Krishna says that He had taught Vivasvaan about the “Karma Yoga”! Moreover, we might also know that if 1000 “Chatur Yugas” pass by, it would be treated as one day at Bhagawan Brahma’s “Satya Lokha”. I’m just saying all these as a recollection of what we’ve seen earlier in our “Shrimad Bhaagawatha Puraana” project and also somewhere in our earlier episodes of our current “Mahabharatham” project as well. Hence, when Bhagawan Krishna explains that this “Karma Yoga” exists for a long time now, this is what He means!
Coming back to this context thus, we can see this claim of Bhagawan Krishna in multiple dimensions – Firstly, Bhagawan Krishna is all-pervasive at all times! The incarnation that we’re talking about as Bhagawan Krishna is just a miniscule amongst several incarnations of Bhagawan Vishnu over several “Chatur Yugas”. Secondly, the “Karma Yoga” is not something that Bhagawan has coined just for Arjuna’s sake. It is the law of the world that all “Jeevatmas”, irrespective of whichever Yuga we are part of, should attain Bhagawan through our “Karma-Yoga” only. Bhagawan Krishna is going to talk about both these points in detail in this fourth “Adhyaaya”. Thus, Bhagawan Krishna tells Arjuna that He had explained everything to Vivasvaan, who is none other than Surya Bhagawan himself! Hence, the first disciple of Bhagawan Vishnu who has gained the knowledge of the “Karma Yoga” is none other than Surya Bhagawan (Sun God). In turn, Surya Bhagawan taught the essence of the “Karma Yoga” to his son, Manu. In turn, King Manu taught this after several years to his son Ikshvaaku. This continued for several generations henceforth.
Bhagawan says to Arjuna with a sad heart thus, “Oh Arjuna! Everything was well-established and well-settled when I taught the “Karma Yoga” to Manu. He was an epitome in practising whatever I had taught him. However, as generations passed by and as time passed by, the concept of “Karma Yoga” started to lose its sheen. Thus, after 28 “Chatur Yugas”, time has come to have a re-look at the “Karma Yoga” in a way that you will understand! This is why I’m wanting to teach you the various aspects of the “Karma Yoga”!”
Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna gives an introductory background to how the “Karma Yoga” concept is nothing new, but it is existing for several “Chatur Yugas” now. So for today, let us understand up to this point and in the next episode, we shall witness whether Arjuna’s doubt is cleared with this answer, or does he want further explanation! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 