In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna stressing upon two important points – Firstly, even though people in this world might be performing their “Karma Yoga” and / or “Gnyaana Yoga”, if they are not realizing me through the process, performing all these are a mere waste of time and energy. Upon talking about this, Bhagawan also feels bad that people are not able to realize Him and His significance no matter how much ever He comes down to their level to make them understand. For instance, if Bhagawan shows Himself to be a complex “Paramaatman”, people are going to get scared off from Him. If such is the case, if Bhagawan lowers down His level and shows Himself to be an ordinary human being, people underestimate Him and His significance. This is not just the case during the previous “Dvaapara Yuga”, but it is clearly the case in the current “Kali Yuga” as well. Today, we’ve made everything possible to move away from Bhagawan as much as possible, rather than trying to come closer to Him. As we do so, we should understand how Bhagawan would be feeling! Won’t He feel terrible that His own children are moving far away from Him every moment?
Feeling bad thus, Bhagawan explains to Arjuna as to how He is omni-present across the length and breadth of this world. However, even though Bhagawan seems to be feeling bad, we should also understand that Bhagawan has created this world in this fashion for this very purpose. What is the purpose here? The purpose here is very simple – To confuse us and to make us put that effort to reach Him. Nothing in this world is easily attainable, isn’t it? Even if we’ve to become a doctor or an engineer, we’ve to put that effort with our studies, shouldn’t we? Similarly, here also, if we’ve to attain Bhagawan, we’ve to put that necessary effort in the form of understanding Him and performing the “Bhakti” towards Him. However, doing this is not easy. The entire world is surrounded by the “Yoga-Maaya”, which is nothing but “Illusion”. This illusion will get stronger as our “Paapa Karma” gets accumulated more and more. More the illusion, the more we will get away from Bhagawan’s fold. We might have a doubt as to who is creating the illusion here. It is none other than Bhagawan Himself! Hence, we should understand here that Bhagawan is testing us whether we’re falling prey to this “Maaya” that He has created, or are we getting up from it and still are able to focus on Bhagawan as per His words of advice in the Bhagawad Gita. If we’re passing this test, Bhagawan is clearly realizable. However, most of the times, we might start putting the effort with a lot of enthusiasm as per Bhagawan’s words in the “Gita”, but at some point in time, we might start getting carried away by the “Maaya”. Once we’re carried away, it is nearly impossible for us to come back into this path. This is where all of us get trapped! Hence, as ardent “Bhaktas” of Bhagawan Krishna, we should strive to go that extra mile to try and understand His significance, thereby creating that interest in attaining Him. Only if we know about Him, will we be able to cultivate that interest to attain Him, isn’t it? If we do not know about something, how will we be able to generate that interest? This is why, Bhagawan is trying to create this awareness to all of us about His divine significance, so that when we read through this ninth “Adhyaaya”, we will automatically be able to generate this interest towards Him, thereby paving the way for the “Bhakti Yoga” to prosper.
Saying thus, Bhagawan continues further – “Oh Arjuna! Such is the characteristics of a “Moodaatma” (Fool), wherein he is completely driven by the “Maaya”, thereby forgetting my divine significance completely! Hence, let us not waste time in talking about them. Now let me tell you how “Mahatmas” strive towards attaining me. “Mahatmas” are those people who are extremely focused. They know what they are born for and they strive meticulously to attain what they’ve come for in this world. “Mahatmas” constantly keep thinking about me, and because they put their heart and soul into thinking about me at all times, I also facilitate their effort in ensuring that I remain in their heart and soul forever! Moreover, “Mahatmas” are the ones who are always busy in chanting my divine names and are steadfast in their effort to attain me somehow. Even if they’re steadfast, they should put their effort towards attaining me, isn’t it? Mahatmas are the ones who go that extra mile in taking enormous effort to attain me and this is why I ensure that I’m a facilitator to them for attaining me! Moreover, for “Mahatmas”, their intentions, actions and words are together pointed towards me. There is no discrepancy between them! Whereas for the others, all these three aspects do not coincide on the same path. Their intentions might still be towards attaining me, their words might also be towards me, but the effort might not be there! If even one amongst the three do not focus towards me, attaining me becomes very difficult! However, “Mahatmas” make sure that all their intentions, words and actions are completely directed towards me and hence, they are deemed to be successful in attaining me!”
So for today, let us understand this beautiful philosophy that Bhagawan Krishna is explaining and as we read this, let us also try to invoke Bhagawan in all our thoughts, words and deeds. Of course, it is easier said than done, but we need to start somewhere, isn’t it? So let us start today! We shall wait till the next episode to continue this discussion further, along with the relevant shlokas for whatever Bhagawan has just explained now! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 