In the previous episode, we had witnessed the conclusion of the sixth “Adhyaaya” which also concludes the discussion of Bhagawan Krishna on the “Karma Yoga” and the “Gnyaana Yoga”. Now, as we move into the seventh “Adhyaaya” and forward from here for the next six “Adhyaayas”, Bhagawan Krishna is going to talk about the all-important “Bhakti Yoga” in which, Bhagawan is going to describe His own significances to Arjuna and to all of us. We’ve commenced a prelude discussion on the “Bhakti Yoga” in the previous episode, and we shall continue with it today as we move on further. So, the essence of what Bhagawan is going to describe here is that, if we’ve to perform our “Karma Yoga” and “Gnyaana Yoga” properly, we need to exhibit complete surrender to Bhagawan. In other words, we should dedicate all our actions towards Bhagawan’s divine lotus feet, which includes our “Yogam” as well. So for this, we’ve also seen how to train our mind to focus on Bhagawan continuously for a longer period of time. Even though Bhagawan says that we’ve to try and focus on Bhagawan’s divine physical form, how will our mind get that attraction towards it? For this, we need to know something about Bhagawan so that our mind will get an opportunity to think about Him deeper, isn’t it? This is the reason why “Bhakti Yoga” gains a lot of prominence.
Hence, commencing from the seventh “Adhyaaya” onwards, Bhagawan is going to explain His real form(s) and the meaning of the phrase “omni-presence” which is applicable only for Him. In other words, we’re going to witness a beautiful accord from Bhagawan Krishna as to how He’s really omni-presence and how ardent “Bhaktas” like us should feel His divine presence in whatever actions we perform. As we gear up for this important and interesting accord, Bhagawan Krishna lets out some important secrets about Himself thus, “Oh my dear Arjuna! You’ve to understand one thing clearly – If you want to feel my divine presence everywhere, you should first be able to wade through the blockade that is created by this “Prakriti” and for clearing off this blockade too, you require my “Anugraha”! You cannot clear this blockade all by yourself and see my real form and feel my divine presence. The “Prakriti” is created in such a way that it morphs my divinity completely, thereby creating a huge “Maya” (Illusion) around me! This prevents people from realizing my presence and my divine capabilities. A person who is immersed in “Bhakti” and constant devotion towards me will only be able to thwart this blockade created by this “Prakriti” and see through it!”
Bhagawan Krishna continues further thus, “Oh Arjuna! Please understand – The entire world (“Prapancham”) is my divine physical form! You might have a question as to what my real physical form is, isn’t it? This is my answer to that question! Please remember – There’s nothing in this world which is neither equal nor more significant than me! Everything in this world is stitched together one after the other in a sequential system, just like how a garland is made by stitching beads together. For the garland to be stitched together with all the beads, you need a string, isn’t it? I’m like that string for a garland, wherein all the systems in the world are tied to!”
This is a very cryptic message from Bhagawan Krishna, which in other words means that, without His divine will and wish, nothing in this world can ever function! Since Bhagawan has the ultimate string in His hands and since He has the whip to control all the actions, this entire world is like a garland which can be stretched and contracted with a string called “Bhagawan”! Hence, Bhagawan Krishna is letting out a subtle message here that the entire world is under His control and nothing can ever function without His divine will. The entire nature is under His control. For instance, if it has to rain at a certain point of time and at a certain place, it will happen only if Bhagawan wishes so. Thus, all the five elements of this world (“Pancha-Bhootas”) are under Bhagawan’s command.
Now this is a very important message first-up given by Bhagawan Krishna at the start of the seventh “Adhyaaya”, and Bhagawan Krishna tells this as part of the seventh shloka of the seventh “Adhyaaya”. So for today, let us understand the message behind the shloka, before going into the actual shloka in the next episode for witnessing further intricate details that it conveys! Stay tuned for an interesting accord! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 