In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna detailing the last aspect of the “Karma Yoga” wherein He mentions that a person who is able to see the “Krishna Yoga” as we perform the “Karma Yoga” is someone who is very close to His heart. This sows the seed for a very important discussion on a new type of “Yogam” called “Bhakti Yoga”. Till now we’ve seen the “Karma Yoga” and the “Gnyaana Yoga” in detail and in turn, how to control our mind in due course. Having said this, as Arjuna was heaving a sigh of relief that the Bhagawad Gita has come to an end, Bhagawan has other plans! He starts off with a new accord by saying how a person can become close to Bhagawan’s heart, which is what we’re going to see from the seventh “Adhyaaya” onwards. Thus, with the previous narrative that we’ve seen, Bhagawan concludes the sixth “Adhyaaya”, which also marks the end of the discussion on the “Karma Yoga” and “Gnyaana Yoga”.
Commencing the important “Bhakti Yoga” thus, Bhagawan talks about how to understand Him! Till now, He has been talking about the fundamentals as to how we rise to that level from where we can understand Bhagawan. For this, of course the “Karma Yoga” and “Gnyaana Yoga” is important. But there’s a catch here – Whenever Bhagawan was saying that when we perform our “Karma Yoga” we’ve to think about Him and surrender all our actions to Him, we should first know who Bhagawan really is, before we think of Him, shouldn’t we? This is where the “Bhakti Yoga” comes into focus. In other words, if we’re liking an object – When will we like it more? We will like it more only when we know more about it, won’t we? For instance, if we like a food item like pizza a lot – We will develop more liking towards it and will develop the craving to have it often only when we know more about different varieties of pizzas, different varieties of cheese that are employed in it, different kinds of toppings, etc. Similarly, if we’ve to develop that thought and liking of Bhagwan constantly in our minds, we should obviously know and understand who Bhagawan is! This is where, the Bhakti Yoga plays a lot of significance.
Thus, as we’ve seen earlier, the first six “Adhyaayas” focused on the “Karma Yoga” and the “Gnyaana Yoga”, and the next six “Adhyaayas” from now until the 12’th “Adhyaaya is going to focus on the “Bhakti Yoga”. Here, Bhagawan Krishna is going to reveal certain important identities about Himself to Arjuna, which is for all of us to understand as well. So as we move on, Bhagawan is going to talk about how He exists, where He exists, what are the various forms in which He exists, etc. We might be aware that Bhagawan is omni-present and His presence can be felt everywhere in this universe. We might also know that Bhagawan is supreme consciousness. In this “Bhakti Yoga” discussion, Bhagawan Himself is going to attach a meaning to His omni-presence and why He is none other than the supreme consciousness.
As Bhagawan is saying all this, He also mentions one important point here – “Oh Arjuna! Even though I might have all this significance in me at all times, even though I might be omni-present, the “Prakriti” (World) is in such a way that it would not reveal my significance and presence anywhere! Just like how your internal organs are shielded and covered by your physical body, my significance is shielded and covered by the “Prakriti”! Hence, if you really want to understand my significance and if you really want to feel my divine presence, you need to exhibit “Sharanagati” (Complete Surrender) towards me. With my divine “Anugraha”, the external shield and cover will be taken off, and you will be able to experience me!” This is a very important declaration and a message that Bhagawan is going to send to all of us through this “Bhakti Yoga” discussion, and for today, let us understand up to this point! We shall wait till the next episode to continue further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 