In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan concluding the twelfth “Adhyaaya” with a set of characteristics that we should develop, in order to pursue the path of “Bhakti Yoga”. As Bhagawan lists them out, Arjuna has a real concern here – How is it possible for normal human beings like us to implement all these? For instance, how do we see success and failure equally? How do we digest happiness and sorrow on the same plane? Isn’t it tough? Won’t we get carried away by the success and failure that we undergo regularly in life? For this, Bhagawan Krishna explains how He Himself has been an epitome of these characteristics during His previous incarnation (Bhagawan Rama) and how He has illustrated everything to this world through the various aspects of the “Rama-Avatara”. However, Arjuna is quick enough to negate that argument. He says that Bhagawan can do anything and everything, and He cannot be compared to normal human beings like us. Even as Arjuna says so, Bhagawan is equally quick enough to reply thus, “Oh Arjuna! If “Mahatmas” and “Achaaryas” can follow and implement these characteristics, why can’t you? They are also normal human beings like you only! If they can do it, you can also do! Hence, stop finding excuses and look at ways as to how to implement these characteristics to perform the “Bhakti Yoga”!”
So with this, we come to the end of the twelfth “Adhyaaya” and as we move into the thirteenth, Bhagawan is once again going to talk about the “Prakriti” (Shareeram), “Atman” and the “Paramatman”, and this time He is going to give a slightly different flavour to the entire discussion. Bhagawan says thus,
“Idam shareeram kaunteya kshetramithyadi dheeyate!
Yetatyoveshtitam praahuhu kshetragnya ithi tatvitaha!!”
Here, Bhagawan says thus, “Oh Kaunteya! (Son of Kunthi Devi)! This “Shareeram” (Physical body) that has been given to you is like a ‘Kshetram”. Your physical body can be equated to farmland wherein you can grow all the essential crops for survival. The person who is going to be the farmer who will cultivate the land and grow the crops on it is none other than the “Jeevatma”. The one who is going to allow the crops to grow sufficiently, thus ensuring the yield is good is the “Paramatma”. Thus, in simple terms, your “Shareeram” (Physical body) is an instrument given to you by Bhagawan to perform all whatever I’ve said till now. The one who is going to perform these actions as per my instructions is the “Jeevatma”, which is nothing but your “Atman”. Without the command of the “Atman”, how can the “Shareeram” perform the actions correctly? I’ve already told you that the “Shareeram” does not have the capability to think and reason things out. The “Atman” has to give instructions to the “Shareeram” for proper execution. If the “Jeevatma” thinks correctly and the “Shareeram” executes correctly, me as the “Paramatma” will ensure that everything goes smooth and ultimately the “”Jeevatma” attains the highest “Moksha”. This is something that you should understand. Now, moving to the next level, I’ve gifted you with a good “Shareeram”, and you should put it into proper usage, shouldn’t you? If you have a fertile land, you will grow paddy or wheat or some nuts, etc. which will give you a good yield, rather than allowing thorny bushes to grow in it, won’t you? Similarly, to nurture your physical body, you’ve to ensure that you develop a certain set of characteristics as follows:”
Saying thus, Bhagawan starts explaining a few of them – “Oh Arjuna! First and foremost, you should ensure that you respect elders and not insult or ridicule them (“Amaanitvam”). Secondly, please do not perform your actions for a commercial and a worldly purpose (“Asamvidhvam”). You should perform your actions with true and complete surrender towards me. Thirdly, you should not hurt any living being unnecessarily (“Ahimsa”). Fourthly, you should exhibit patience and perseverance (“Shantihi”). Fifthly, you should always talk about what you think in your mind (“Aarjavam”). In other words, you should be straightforward and honest. Sixth, you should perform service towards great “Gurus” and “Mahatmas” (“Aachaarya Upaasanam”)!”
So for today, let us understand these six important characteristics that one should focus on with regards to how we employ our “Shareeram” effectively to walk the path of “Bhakti Maargam”. We shall continue this discussion further in the next episode as well! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 