In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna highlighting a very important point to Arjuna and to all of us that irrespective of whichever “Lokha” we reach after our demise from this world, we would end up coming back to this place once again! This applies even for the Indra’s “Svarga Lokha” and Bhagawan Brahma’s “Satya Lokha” as well. However, there is only one Lokha from which nobody comes back to this world, which is “Vaikuntam” of Bhagawan Vishnu. Hence, Bhagawan Krishna stresses upon the point that we should strive to reach “Vaikuntam” somehow or the other, however, the easiest way for us to reach there is by following whatever Bhagawan Krishna explains as part of this holy Bhagawad Gita. We’ve already witnessed how one can perform the “Karma Yoga” to attain “Atma-Saakshaakaaram”, through constant thought about Bhagawan (“Bhagawad Chinta”). Secondly, we’ve spoken in detail about Bhagawan Krishna’s advice on how we should perform our “Yogam” and how we should develop this “Bhagawad Chinta” in us. If we’re internalizing Bhagawan within our mind and heart, whatever we do and see in this world will become one with Bhagawan completely!
Now, as Bhagawan commences His accord on the “Bhakti Yoga”, this becomes an important prerequisite. As Bhagawan Krishna talks about the “Vaikuntam” thus, Arjuna has an important question here. He asks thus, “Oh Bhagawan Keshava! You’re saying that we will not be reborn in this world or any other world if we reach your “Vaikuntam”, aren’t you? Now, how does an ordinary person like me attain the “Vaikuntam”? What is the path for attaining this “Lokha”? I do not know the path at all, and if that is the case, how do you expect me to attain the “Vaikunta Lokha”? Oh Bhagawan! How long will it take for me to reach there? I do not know the way to reach “Vaikuntam” isn’t it? Hence, will there be someone who will take me there?” As Arjuna asks thus, Bhagawan is now going to give a very important reply here. He says thus,
“Agnir jyothir ahah shuklaha shanmaataa uttharaayanam!
Tatra prayaataa gacchanti bramhah bramha vido janaaha!!”
Through this shloka, Bhagawan Krishna conveys a very important point to Arjuna thus, “Oh Arjuna! Look! There are two different paths – One is a “White path” and the other is a “Black path”. A person who traverses this “White path” is the one who is going to attain the highest “Vaikuntam”, whereas, a person who traverses the “Black path” is going to end up in any other world except “Vaikuntam”! That world might be Deva Lokha or Pitru Lokha or Brahma’s Satya Lokha as well. Now, you might ask me what is the “White Path” that I’m talking about – This “White path” is called “Archiraadhi Maargam”. This means that the path is full of light (“Archit”) and is extremely bright in nature. The “Black path” is otherwise referred to as “Dhumaadi Maargam”, which is full of darkness. If you’re going to traverse along this “Dhumaadi Maargam”, you will be completely lost in the darkness and ultimately you’ll end up taking rebirth in this world again at some point in time!”
Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna continues further thus, “Oh Arjuna! I’ll now tell you what will you encounter in the “Archiraadhi Maargam”. First thing that you will encounter here is the “Archit”, which is a bright flame of light. Second thing that you will come across uniquely in this path is the phenomenon wherein there is complete day time without a night time at all! Third is the “Shuka Paksham” and the fourth is the “Uttaraayanam”. Fifth one that you will come across is “Samvatsaram” and the sixth one that you will cross is the “Vaayu Lokha”. Subsequently, after crossing the “Vaayu Lokha”, you’ll traverse through the “Surya Lokha” and “Chandra Lokha”. Subsequently, the ninth “Lokha” that you will traverse through is called “Vidyut”, which is a “Lokham” that fully consists of lightnings! Subsequent to this, is the “Varuna Lokha” and then you’ve to go through the “Indra Lokha”. Then comes the last one – the twelvth one which is the “Satya Lokha”!”
So for today, let us understand up to this level. In today’s episode, we’ve seen Bhagawan Krishna explaining how we’ve to follow the “White Path”, traversing across twelve main “Lokhas”. From now on, the path is going to get slightly interesting, and we shall continue this in our next episode! Stay tuned for an important accord! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 