In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna explaining to Arjuna as to how a leader should have an unbiased approach towards everyone. When it comes to performing our “Karma”, we should ensure that all living beings around us are treated on the same plane. Of course, we might have differences with regards to our “Deham” and our “Gunas” that dominate us from time to time. However, we’ve to rise above these two levels and try to view the “Atman” within everyone, which is the same. If we have this outlook towards our people, automatically the biassed feeling will go away and we would be able to see everyone on the same plane. A person who is able to view the “Shuddha-Atma-Savrupa” in every living being is the one who is a “Sama-Darshi”. Once a person obtains this “Sama-Darhsan”, it automatically paves the way from obtaining the ultimate “Brahma-Darshanam”.
Moving on further thus, Bhagawan Krishna explains that a person who obtains this “Brahma Darshanam” here in this world itself, will be able to cross the ocean of “Samsaara” (Worldly pleasures and bondings that we have). In our daily life, we might have several bondings with several people and other living beings, don’t we? Right from our parents, our spouse, our children, our pet animals, friends, relatives, etc. – We have enormous numbers of bondings that we keep establishing with others from time to time. Of course, these are important, but we’ve to understand one thing clearly – The fundamental basis of this bonding that we have with others is that, we’re seeing them as “special” as compared to many others, aren’t we? For instance, our parents are obviously special to us because they are the ones who gave us birth in this world. Our family members are special because they are closely associated with us in many ways. Similarly, we have some speciality connected to all the people with whom we bond. Here is where we fail to understand many times that there is nothing unique in the people with whom we bond, as compared to the others in this world, in terms of viewing the “Atman”. When we start seeing others who are outside our bonding circle, we start spotting out differences in them and many times we try avoiding them too! This is where Bhagawan Krishna explains that we should not fall into this trap of differentiating between people. This same habit comes to us in the organization too where we work. We start spotting differences between our colleagues, and as a leader if we do this, we’ll certainly get into trouble.
As Bhagawan says thus, He is now going to make yet another declaration here – He says to Arjuna towards the end of this fifth “Adhyaaya” that irrespective of who the person is, whatever offerings that he / she does in this world, reaches Him ultimately and there is no difference in this as well. Hence, even if we see through this angle, all living beings are the same in Bhagawan’s eyes, isn’t it? Now this is a very important shloka which we’ve to understand. Bhagawan says thus,
“Bhoktaaram yagnya tapasaam sarva lokha maheshwaram!
Sukritam sarva bhootaanaam gnyaatvaamaam shaanimirchasi!!”
Thus, Bhagawan explains to Arjuna – “Oh Arjuna! Please understand – All the “Pujas”, “Homas”, “Yagnyas”, “Dhaanam” and any other spiritual offerings that are done in this world, will ultimately reach me. I’m the sole receiver of all your spiritual offerings. There can never be a single person in the middle who can receive them. All these spiritual offerings in this world are performed with the primary aim of worshipping me. Moreover, I’ve told you that you’ve to see everyone equally, didn’t I? Now see how I follow what I say – I’m someone who accepts any kind of offering from any living being in this world, without any differentiation. Irrespective of whoever the person is and whichever the living being is, I’m someone who thinks about their welfare at all times. This is how you’ve to be neutral and unbiassed!”
Now this is a very important message that all of us should understand here from Bhagawan, as He makes yet another clear declaration to all of us! So for today, let us reflect upon this point and in the next episode, we shall continue with this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 