In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna explaining how to effectively employ our “Shareeram” to walk the path of “Bhakti Maargam”. He explains six important characteristics that all of us should focus on as we try doing so. Firstly, Bhagawan talks about how and why we should respect elders and not insult them for anything. Secondly, Bhagawan talks about how we should dedicate all our actions towards Bhagawan at all times. Thirdly, Bhagawan explains that we should never hurt even a small living being in this world. Fourthly, Bhagawan talks about patience and perseverance in whatever actions we perform. Fifth, Bhagawan talks about how we should be honest, sincere and straightforward in whatever we do and whatever we talk. We should never cheat anybody on anything. Finally, we should be ready to offer our services to great “Mahatmas” and “Gurus”. We should visit them periodically and obtain their divine “Anugraha”.
Continuing thus, Bhagawan next talks about “Shoucham”, which is nothing but “cleanliness”. We should keep ourselves and our surroundings clean at all times. There should not be any unwanted dirt or unwanted things lying around us. We should be able to lead a lean and a simple life without accumulating too many things for ourselves. If we do so, this itself contributes to dirt. Next, Bhagawan talks about “Dhairyam”, which is nothing but “Courage”. Now, what does Bhagawan mean when He talks about courage? It is important that we complete any task to the fullest extent possible as mentioned in the scriptural texts like Vedas and Upanishads. Here, the problem is that many of us might commence any task with great grandeur and will power. However, as time progresses, we tend to fizzle out owing to a variety of reasons. For instance, if we’ve not performed our “Sandhyavandanam” till now, maybe after reading all our episodes in this blog, we decide that from today onwards we shall perform it without fail and we would even start it today. However, if someone comes to us and ridicules our practice, or, due to several other commitments, we might withdraw from performing the “Sandhyavandanam” completely again! This is what Bhagawan does not want us to do. If we’re taking up any task, we should ensure that we continue performing it without a break in between. This is the “Vairagyam” that we should develop. A thousand people will keep telling a thousand things and will constantly keep pulling us down. But we should be steadfast and courageous in our approach, in such a way that the words of others should not affect us in any way.
Next, Bhagawan talks about a very important characteristic called “Atma Vinigraha”, which means that we should have a complete control over our senses at all times. When we see some worldly attractions, the normal tendency for us is to get carried away easily with them. However, this is where Bhagawan is trying to caution us – We should be steadfast in our approach in such a way that we never lose our focus towards Bhagawan. This is very important for us to follow, isn’t it? Hence, “Atma Vinigraha” is a very important aspect that we need to keep in mind when we try to walk the path of “Bhakti Maargam”.
Saying thus, Bhagawan concludes this discussion by saying – “Oh Arjuna! These are the main “Atma Gunas” that you need to develop in yourself. Only if you do so, will you be able to retain closeness with me. I shall dwell in all those people’s hearts who constantly are in practice with these “Atma Gunas”!” So for today, let us understand up to this point, and in the next episode, we shall continue this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 