In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna talking about the three categories of all kinds of actions that we do, which is as part of the seventeenth (Penultimate) “Adhyaaya”. In these lines, we’ve witnessed an example wherein Bhagawan classifies “Aahaaram” (Food) into three types – “Saathvika Aahaaram”, “Raajasa Aahaaram” and “Taamasa Aahaaram”. We’ve seen which kinds of food items come under these three types of “Aahaaram” in detail. In this way, Bhagawan classifies “Shraddha” (Dedication) into three types – “Saathvika Shraddha”, “Raajasa Shraddha” and “Taamasa Shraddha”. Bhagawan also classifies “Dhaanam” as “Saathvika Dhaanam”, “Raajasa Dhaanam” and “Taamasa Dhaanam”. Similarly, in the entire seventeenth “Adhyaaya”, Bhagawan classifies many such items into these three categories.
Moving on further, we now enter into the last “Adhyaaya” of the Bhagawad Gita, the eighteenth “Adhyaaya” wherein Arjuna asks a very important question to Bhagawan Krishna thus – “Oh Bhagawan! There are two terms called “Thyaagam” and “Sanyaasam, which are quite common in usage. What are they? Do you think these two are implementable in reality? Moreover, I have another doubt – Many people say that it is very dangerous to perform our actions, because, there might be aftereffects for those actions, which would lead us to accumulate sins (“Paapa Karma”)! Is this true?” This is a very important question from Arjuna, which Bhagawan sorts to clarify. Bhagawan explains thus, “Oh Arjuna! Irrespective of whoever says what, your “Karma” is very important to be performed! You should never leave it at any point of time. I do not know whether performing your “Karma” would lead you to accumulate sins or not and I do not want to get into all those arguments! Performing your actions as per the “Shaastras” are very important and you should meticulously try and implement whatever the “Vedas” and “Shaastras” are telling. This is very important and this is what will lead you to “Bhakti”!”
This answer from Bhagawan Krishna is extremely important for all of us too – For instance, “Nitya Karma” like “Sandhyavandanam”, “Tarpanam” during “Amaavaasya” (No moon day), “Tarpanam” during “Grahanams” (Solar / Lunar Eclipse times) are of paramount importance. One might ask a question here – “Oh! I’m so engrossed in “Krishna-Bhakti” all the time. Do I still need to perform all these “Nitya Karma”? Of what use are these “Nitya Karma” items to me if I’m fully following the Bhakti Maargam towards Bhagawan? For this, Bhagawan Krishna has a very important explanation – “Oh Arjuna! Please understand – You are born in this world with some innate “Vaasanas” that you’ve accumulated through your previous births! These “Vaasanas” have come to you through your “Paapa Karma” that you’ve performed earlier. These “Vaasanas” are so powerful that they can keep pulling you down every now and then from the “Bhakti Maargam”. Hence, you need to keep cutting down on these “Vaasanas” on a continuous basis. This cannot happen overnight or within just a single day. You need constant interventions to cut them down. Thus, in order to do so, you need to keep performing your “Nitya-Anushtaanams” or “Nitya-Karma” on a regular basis. The more you’re meticulous and systematic in your “Nitya-Karma”, this would serve as a timely intervention to cut down your “Vaasanas” and thereby strengthening your path towards the “Bhakti Maargam”! Oh Arjuna! Please remember one thing clearly – Commencing the “Bhakti Maargam” is easy, but sustaining it is very difficult! Hence, in order to ensure a long-time sustainability in the “Bhakti Maargam”, you need the timely interventions in the form of your “Nitya-Karma” in terms of your “Sandhyavandanam”, “Yaagas”, “Yagnyams”, etc.!”
The message is loud and clear here – For all those people out there who are trying to question the need to perform our “Sandhyavandanam” regularly – Bhagawan Krishna has a straightforward and a hard-hitting answer! So for today, let us understand this very clearly and we shall continue this discussion in the next episode as well! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 