In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna explaining the nature of this world and how it is surrounded by the “Yoga-Maaya”. This is the one that prevents us from understanding the significance of Bhagawan at all times. It is only because of the “Yoga-Maaya” (Illusion), we either underestimate or overestimate Bhagawan and tend to move away from Him. Even though Bhagawan might be omni-present, it is this “Yoga-Maaya” which prevents us from feeling Bhagawan’s divine presence. Thus, in order to break the shackles of this “Yoga-Maaya”, Bhagawan is advising us to understand His significance in minute detail, so that we would be able to focus on Him while we perform our “Bhakti Yoga”, or even the other two “Karma Yoga” and “Gnyaana Yoga”. Amidst this discussion, we’ve also seen in due course, the difference between “Mahatmas” and normal ordinary people like us. While we keep falling into the trap of “Yoga Maaya” every now and then, even if we try to focus on Bhagawan, “Mahatmas” are extremely clear and focused on their understanding of Bhagawan! Bhagawan Krishna clearly explains as to how “Mahatmas” go that extra mile to get closer to Bhagawan with their 100% involvement and effort, which is what we’ve to learn here.
To highlight this point further, we shall now see what Bhagawan Krishna says as part of this context. Bhagawan says thus,
“Mahaatmanastu maam paartha gnyaatvaa vaiveem prakriti maashrutaaha!
Bhajantyanantya manasaha gnyaatvaa bhootaadi mavyayam!!”
Through the above shloka, Bhagawan Krishna explains how Mahatmas are extremely focused on Bhagawan and His significance at all times and how Mahatmas keep meditating upon Bhagawan’s divine physical form. Apart from the thought of Bhagawan, nothing else crosses their minds at any given point in time. Thus, because of this characteristic, Mahatmas are the ones who have a complete realization about Bhagawan’s omni-presence and His superiority over all other living beings in this world! Mahatmas clearly know that Bhagawan is the only one who controls anything and everything in this world. Bhagawan says further thus,
“Satatam keertayantaha yatam tasya dridavrataaha!
Namasyamyasya maam bhaktyaa nityayuktaam upaasate!!”
Here, Bhagawan explains thus, “Oh Arjuna! Great Mahatmas perform the following things meticulously, which you should also follow: Firstly, Mahatmas keep chanting my divine names at all times (“Satatam Keertayantaha”). Secondly, Mahatmas have that strong internal will power and strength to stay persistent in their approach at all times to attain me (“Yatam tasya dridavrataaha”). Thirdly, Mahatmas are very focused in terms of their thoughts, words and actions and that focus is completely on “Bhakti” and nothing else (“Namasyamyasya maam bhaktyaa”) and finally, and most importantly, Mahatmas do not leave me at any point in time (“Nityayuktaam upaasate!”).
Even if we are meticulous on the first three points, the final point is where most of us will lose out! For instance, whenever we go on pilgrimage tours, we plan them in such a way that we book all our “to” and “fro” tickets correctly, isn’t it? For instance, if we’re going to Tirupati or Srirangam to worship Bhagawan, or even if we’re going to the Bhadrinaatha Kshetram, we make sure that even if we do not get a ticket in the train or flight to go there, we get our return tickets back, isn’t it? Many of us might even have a practice that only if we get a proper confirmed return ticket, we will book our tickets for going from here, isn’t it? Now suppose, let us assume that when we go to Srirangam to worship Bhagawan, and for some reason, Bhagawan likes us so much and He asks us to remain there with Him for some more time – What will we tell Bhagawan? Will we be able to obey Bhagawan’s words by not bothering about our return tickets back home and stay there with Him? Or, will we have the guts to say to Bhagawan thus, “Oh Bhaagwan! I’ve got some other important work back at my home town and I’ve booked my return journey tomorrow morning. Hence, maybe next time if you could tell me in advance, I can plan accordingly!” Can we say this to Bhagawan, who, out of so much love from His divine heart, is wanting us to stay back along with Him? Most of the times, we will, because this is where we get carried away by the “Yoga Maaya”! We should think for a moment – “Is our tomorrow’s work at home more important than being with Bhagawan?” If our answer is “Yes”, we would definitely make our way back! Whereas, if our answer is no, things are very different, isn’t it? This is where we differ from great Mahatmas! If this were a Mahatma at our place, he / she would have the guts to say thus, “Oh wow! What a wonderful opportunity! Oh Bhagawan! I’ll stay with you forever, even if you’re not asking me to stay here at Srirangam!”
This is the level of maturity that Bhagawan is expecting us to cultivate within ourselves and if we’re able to do so, we’re on the right track to attain Bhagawan! So for today, let us understand this point very clearly and let us introspect within ourselves with regards to our readiness if Bhagawan calls us to be with Him! Stay tuned for the continuation of this discussion further in the next episode! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 