In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna explaining how this entire world is an embodiment of “Maaya” (Illusion) and how it is very easy for an individual to fall trap into it! People think that the spin that Bhagawan is doing with our “Atman” gives enormous happiness, but little do we realize that all these happy moments are also going to end up in sorrow at some point in time. When there is sorrow we suddenly tend to realize how treacherous life can be in this world, but this realization is very short-lived. The moment we get another happy moment, we tend to forget this sorrow and move again into the state of “Maaya”. This is the cycle of life in this world and this continues perpetually through this entire life, and also across several births. Saying all this to Arjuna, Bhagawan Krishna explains that he should be meticulous in his effort and approach towards Bhagawan in such a way that he is getting freed from this repeated spin that is happening to his “Atman”.
Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna is now going to conclude His lengthy 18-Adhyaaya accord of the Bhagawad Gita. He now says thus, “Oh Arjuna! Till now I’ve mentioned several points that you need to keep in mind while performing your “Karma” (Actions). I’ve told you whatever came to my mind and I’ve openly shared several secrets of mine with you. Hence, it is up to you to take them and put them to practice!” So before we go further, for our reference, let us have a quick summary of the entire Bhagawad Gita once. It all began when Arjuna put down his “Gaandeepa” bow upon seeing all his family members standing in front of him, including the likes of senior members such as Bhishmachaarya, Guru Dhronachaarya, Sage Kripachaarya, etc. As Arjuna breaks down, Bhagawan Krishna tries to pacify him and bring him back to his normalcy and this is where the entire Bhagawad Gita commences. Firstly, Bhagawan talks about the importance of the “Atman” and how the “Atman” is a permanent entity and the “Deham” being a temporary entity. This is what we referred to as the “Deha-Atma-Viveka-Gnyaanam”. Secondly we witnessed what is “Karma Yoga” and how performing our duty in this world is very important for our spiritual upliftment and also for the upholding of “Dharma” in this world. If we perform our “Karma Yoga” with dedication towards Bhagawan, it automatically takes us towards the “Gnyaana Yoga”.
Subsequently when Arjuna tried to find a shortcut by escaping the “Karma Yoga”, Bhagawan quickly changed His narrative by saying that “Karma Yoga” will straightaway make us realize the “Atma-Saakshaakaaram”, without going into the “Gnyaana Yoga”. In the fourth “Adhyaaya”, Bhagawan explains how the “Gnyaana Yoga” is a step higher than the “Karma Yoga”, however, one can reach this “Gnyaana Yoga” state only if he / she meticulously fulfills the “Karma Yoga”. The fifth “Adhyaaya” introduces us to what is “Yogam” (Penance / meditation / offering… We can assume it in however way we want). Here, Bhagawan explains how we should perform the penance and He gives some tips. In the sixth “Adhyaaya”, Bhagawan explains the procedure of “Dhyaanam” in detail and how we should sit and perform it by thinking of Bhagawan all through the process. In the seventh “Adhyaaya”, Bhagawan slowly starts revealing Himself to Arjuna as the “Bhakta-Prabhaavam”, wherein he talks about why one should have Bhagawan in thoughts while performing the “Dhyaanam”.
Subsequently in the eighth “Adhyaaya” we had witnessed Bhagawan introducing the “Bhakti Maargam”. He talks about the white and the black route and how a person who traverses the white path (Bhakti Maargam) never comes back to this world again! In the ninth “Adhyaaya”, Bhagawan explains what is “Bhakti” and how the entire concept of “Bhakti” is centred around Him! In the tenth “Adhyaaya”, Bhagawan shows who He is (The grand “Vishwaroopa Darshan” as part of the “Vibhuti Yogam”). In “Adhyaaya” eleven, Bhagawan continues with the “Vishwaroopa Darshan” and declares that He is none other than “Kaala” who has come to destroy this entire world that is full of “Adharma” at this point. In the twelvth “Adhyaaya”, Bhagawan talks about several other “Maargams” (Paths) other than “Bhakti Yoga” through which one can attain the highest “Moksha”. In the thirteenth “Adhyaaya”, we’ve to understand the importance of our “Shareeram” or “Deham” and how it serves as an instrument to attain Bhagawan. In the fourteenth “Adhyaaya”, Bhagawan talks about the three “Gunas” – “Sathva Guna”, “Rajo Guna” and “Tamo Guna” and how the entire world revolves around these three. In the fifteenth “Adhyaaya”, Bhagawan explains how He is the “Purushotama” of this entire world (“Purushotama Yogam”). In the sixteenth “Adhyaaya”, Bhagawan explains the demarcation that exists between a “Deva” and an “Asura” (Raakshasa). In the penultimate seventeenth “Adhyaaya”, Bhagawan talks about how one should obey the words of the “Shaastras” and the “Vedas” to attain “Moksha”. Finally in the eighteenth “Adhyaaya”, Bhagawan gives Arjuna and all of us a choice. He says thus, “I’ve explained several “Maargams” (Ways) through which you can attain “Moksha”. You can pick and choose which “Maargam” you want and follow it!”
After hearing all this from Bhagawan Krishna, it is now up to Arjuna to pick and choose, isn’t it? So what is Arjuna going to do now? Has his sadness evaporated after listening to all these eighteen “Adhyaayas” of the Bhagawad Gita? Let us wait till the next episode to witness! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 