The Indian Dharma

We’re at a very important juncture wherein Arjuna is in the process of obtaining Bhagawan Krishna’s “Vishwa-Roopa” Darshan, which is one of the rarest of the rare opportunities to witness Bhagawan in this form. As Bhagawan Krishna provides Arjuna with a divine pair of eyes, he is able to see Bhagawan growing into a massive size wherein His head and feet portions are difficult to find! In other words, Bhagawan grows into an unlimited proportion wherein Arjuna finds it difficult to spot where is Bhagawan’s divine face and feet! Moreover, Bhagawan’s face and divine physical body is glittering with a bright light that comes from a combination of a thousand suns put together! This is why it is difficult for our normal eyes to spot Bhagawan’s true form and this is the sole reason behind Bhagawan Krishna gifting Arjuna with a divine pair of eyes, so that they can withstand this enormous brightness that is emitting from Bhagawan. 

As Arjuna witnesses this spectacle for the next few minutes, Bhagawan cuts it short and once again returns back to His original human form and stands in front of Arjuna. Now, as Bhagawan Krishna smiles at Arjuna, Arjuna responds back thus, “Oh Bhagawan! After witnessing your divine form, I feel that the mission of my life has been accomplished! I’ve never seen such a spectacle like this before. After many years of being with you so close, today I realize that the person with whom I’m closely moving is not an ordinary person by any means! This person is Bhagawan Himself, walking with me, holding my hands so closely and consoling me every now and then to bring me on track towards “Dharma”! What kind of a gift you’ve given to me in this birth? Oh Bhagawan Krishna! Upon seeing your divine physical form like this in the “Vishwa-Roopam” mode, on one hand I’m extremely happy and I feel so fortunate! However, on the other hand, your real form looks so ferocious and with an extreme amount of “Tejas” which is unexplainable through words! Hence, I’m getting scared too! A sense of fear is gripping me now as I realize that the person who is very close to me is Bhagawan Vishnu Himself! On one side I was able to see that there are countless numbers of people who are going into your mouth, and on the other side, I was able to see countless numbers of people coming out of your mouth as well! On one side, I see enormous numbers of snakes (“Naagaas”) entering your mouth! What a sight this is! I’ve never seen such a thing in my life till now!”

Arjuna continues thus, “Oh Bhagawan Krishna! More than being able to witness the present, I’m able to witness the future too in your divine physical form – I’m seeing Duryodhana and Co. entering into your mouth at the end of this Kurukshetra war! Is this going to be the end result of this ghastly war? Is the entire Kaurava army going to be destroyed? Of course, notwithstanding, I’m able to see myself going into your mouth in the future! I’m able to see Bhagawan Brahma coming out of your mouth! I’m seeing Bhagawan Shiva coming out of you! I’m seeing this entire world getting destroyed by you! Upon looking at all these sights, I’m getting an inevitable fear within me! I’m unable to take it beyond a point! Oh Bhagawan! Please help this poor Arjuna in coming out of this fear now! Even though I’m happy that I got an opportunity to see you like this, my fear is overcoming my happiness!”

As Arjuna says thus, he is in tears – Both because of happiness and fear! It is this same “Vishwa-Roopam” which Sanjaya is also able to see during the same time as well, along with Arjuna! Readers might remember that in our earlier episodes, we’ve discussed that Sanjaya is narrating the entire proceedings of the war verbatim to King Dhritarashtra, sitting at Hastinapura palace. This is where readers must be very watchful here – Even though we might be proceeding with the Bhagawad Gita in depth, we would go back and forth to Sanjaya every now and then, because we should understand that this entire narrative of the Bhagawad Gita that we’re seeing here is being said by Sanjaya to King Dhritarashtra! We’ve witnessed earlier that Sage Vyaasa has gifted a pair of divine eyes to Sanjaya through which he is able to witness the “live” proceedings of the war while sitting at Hastinapura, which is several hundred kilometres away from Kurukshetra. Thus, as Sanjaya is narrating the Bhagawad Gita to King Dhritarashtra, when he describes the eleventh “Adhyaaya”, Sanjaya expresses his shock and happiness in witnessing Bhagawan Krishna in this divine form! 

Thus, we should understand that, it is not only Arjuna who is obtaining the realization that Bhagawan Krishna is a divine incarnation of Bhagawan Vishnu, but also Sanjaya and King Dhritarashtra as well! Of course, King Dhritarashtra had seen this earlier as well, when Bhagawan Krishna went as a messenger to broker peace between the Paandavas and Kauravas. We’ve seen this earlier. But now, even though King Dhritarashtra is unable to see Bhagawan Krishna’s divine form directly, the divine attributes are being explained in detail by Sanjaya, who also gets an opportunity along with Arjuna to witness this spectacle! So for today, let us understand up to this point and in the next episode, we shall take this discussion forward further! Stay tuned! 🙂 

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna providing Arjuna with a divine pair of eyes, through which he is going to witness something spectacular! With the divine pair of eyes, Arjuna is now able to witness the dazzling “Vishwa-Roopam” of Bhagawan Krishna, which is extremely bright in nature! Of course, if Bhagawan says that He is an embodiment of all the “Aadityas” (Suns) put together, we can imagine the dazzling light beams that are emitting from Him, isn’t it? Thus, with the divine pair of eyes, Arjuna obtains the greatest opportunity of his life to witness Bhagawan Krishna’s true form, which normal people like us will not be able to view! 

“Paschchame paartha roopaani shadashaha atha sahasrachaha!

Naanaavidaani divyaani naanaa varna aakrithi ni cha!!”

This shloka is one of the most important ones and with this, we’ve now made a transit from the tenth to the eleventh “Adhyaaya”. So Bhagawan says here thus, “Oh Arjuna! You can now see my true form! Now that you’ve obtained a divine pair of eyes from me, you can see a thousand physical forms embedded into one huge form of mine! You can see a thousand faces! You can see a thousand eyes! You can see a bright form, perhaps the brightest that you can ever see in life! Oh Arjuna! Till now nobody has seen such a form of mine and you’re the first one in this world to obtain this divine “Darshan”! You are now going to see the entire world in me!”

“Na tu maam chakshase drashtum anenaiyva cha chakshushaa!

Divyam tadaami te chakshuhu paschyame yogamaheshwaram!!”

Saying thus, Bhagawan gifts Arjuna the pair of divine eyes and with this, Bhagawan Krishna starts to grow into a massive and an enormous size, as if He’s trying to engulf the entire world into His divine form! In this divine form, Arjuna is now able to see the divine ornaments that Bhagawan is wearing, along with His divine “Peetaambaram” (Dress)! Arjuna is moreover able to feel a divine odour that is coming from Bhagawan Krishna’s divine form, which is rich in fresh sandalwood! 

“Sarva aascharyamayam devam anantam vishwatomukham!

Divisurya sahasrascha habed dukhaba dukhitaa!!”

So here, we can see how Bhagawan shines with extreme brightness – It is like a thousand suns have come together at one place to give all the light possible in this world! Many times, we’re unable to bear the brightness and heat of one sun itself, but we can imagine what would be the case if a thousand suns came together with a great dazzle, right? Thus, as Arjuna is trying to see this great “Vishwa-Roopam”, he doesn’t know from where to start seeing and where it ends! There is absolutely no start or end to this entire gigantic form! If Arjuna has to worship Bhagawan’s face, he has to look several miles upwards. If he has to worship Bhagawan’s divine lotus feet, it is nearly invisible as he has to look several miles below him into the ground! This is why we say that Bhagawan doesn’t have a start point and an endpoint at all and He is an infinite entity! Moreover, for such a massive divine physical body of Bhagawan, He is also having an equally massive-sized “Kireetam” (Crown) and an equally massive-sized “Gadha” (A weapon). On one hand, Bhagawan holds the “Shankam” and on the other, Bhagawan holds the “Chakram”. With this, Arjuna is able to view Bhagawan Vishnu’s entire divinity in one place! What a divine sighting this is! 

Thus, it is clearly evident that Bhagawan Krishna is none other than the divine incarnation of Bhagawan Vishnu! So for today, let us join hands with Arjuna to enjoy the divine physical form of Bhagawan Vishnu and we shall continue this discussion further into the next episode as well! Stay tuned! 🙂

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Arjuna requesting Bhagawan Krishna to show His “real physical form” or the “Vishwa-Roopam” to him. For this, Bhagawan too replies in the affirmative, however, even if Bhagawan wants to show His “Vishwa-Roopam” to Arjuna, the fact remains that Arjuna cannot see  it with his naked eyes. Normal people like us and Arjuna will not be able to see Bhagawan Krishna’s divine “Vishwa-Roopam” because our births are filled with “Karma”. This “Karma” which contains a mixture of “Paapa-Karma” and “Punya-Karma” will mar Bhagawan’s “Vishwa-Roopam” and create an illusion (“Maya”) that Bhagawan is a mere person like everybody. Moreover, our current physical eyes do not have the capability to witness and withstand Bhagawan’s divine “Vishwa-Roopam” and hence, Bhagawan Krishna replies to Arjuna that He would gift Arjuna a pair of divine “eyes” through which he would be able to worship the “Vishwa-Roopam”. 

As this discussion is going on in this way, some of us might have a question – Is it really possible to have a pair of “different eyes” in order to see Bhagawan? Whatever is said here as part of the Bhagawad Gita – Whether all this is true? Many “Naastikas” will take this particular point and start debating that the entire Bhagawad Gita is false and is fictitious in nature! However, let me give an analogy here – Nowadays, we are going to a movie theatre and watching a 3-D animation movie, aren’t we? Are we able to enjoy the 3-D animations with our normal pair of eyes? The theatre management gives us a pair of “3-D glasses” (Spectacles) to wear and only then we’re able to enjoy the 3-D animations that come in the movie, isn’t it? So if this can be possible, why can’t Bhagawan give a pair of divine eyes to Arjuna to make him worship Bhagawan’s “Vishwa-Roopa”? Hence, all these arguments that these listless “Naastikas” keep making are completely false and baseless. One should comment on texts like Bhagawad Gita only if he / she has profound knowledge on the subject. Else, it is better to keep quiet and prevent oneself from spreading wrong narratives. 

We’ve seen in several earlier episodes that if one has to understand the entire essence of the Bhagawad Gita, only one person can do it – It is none other than Bhagawan Krishna Himself! Even I’m sure that Arjuna himself wouldn’t have understood the entire 100% of the Gita that Bhagawan explained to him! If such is the case, who are we? This is precisely the reason why innumerable people around the world are conducting several researches on this 700-shloka-Bhagawad Gita for several decades now! Hence, my only point here is that, if we do not know something in its full entity, it is better to refrain from commenting adversely about it. The Bhagawad Gita, as we’re witnessing for almost a hundred episodes now, is an ocean of “Dharma” as it has directly come from Bhagawan Krishna’s mouth, and we’ve to learn to respect it. All we’re trying to do for the past few hundreds of episodes here is to try and understand atleast a drop in this mighty ocean of “Dharma”! So let Bhagawan Krishna’s infinite “Anugraha” continue to facilitate this for all of us moving forward! 

Coming back to this context again, now Bhagawan Krishna gifts Arjuna with a pair of divine eyes and with this, Arjuna is stunned to bits upon what is visible in front of him! Bhagawan Krishna’s massive embodiment of a thousand forms is visible for Arjuna now! Bhagawan Krishna’s thousand faces, thousand eyes, thousand hands, along with a thousand divine forms are glittering in front of Arjuna now! Till now, Arjuna has never seen such a vision ever in his life! Of course, he has been moving around with Bhagawan Krishna for several years closely till now, but this is the first time that Arjuna is getting the “Anugraha” to witness Bhagawan’s “Vishwa-Roopam” (Embodiment of the whole world)! As Arjuna sees this, he is completely humbled to the ground and tears flow out through his eyes! 

So for today, let us join hands with Arjuna to enjoy this wonderful scene wherein Bhagawan Krishna shows that He is an embodiment of this entire world put together! What a sight! What a sheer brilliance of Bhagawan Krishna to time this “Vishwa-Roopam” in the midst of the battlefield, wherein none except Arjuna is able to experience this divine sight! So let us delve in this beautiful sight of Bhagawan for today and in the next episode, we shall continue this divine experience further with the relevant shlokas! Stay tuned! 🙂

In the previous episode, we had a detailed discussion on why Bhagawan Krishna is picking Arjuna to be the best amongst the five Paandava brothers and Bhagawan Rama to be the best amongst all those experts around the world in the bow and arrow technique. During the course of this discussion, we’ve seen Bhagawan Krishna saying that He exists in the form of these people (Leaders in their respective categories / groups). In this manner, Bhagawan explains that He exists in each and every nook and corner of this world in various forms. This discussion continues till the end of the tenth “Adhyaaya” as the “Vibhooti-Upanyaasam” which Bhagawan is doing to Arjuna here. When we say “Vibhooti-Upanyaasam”, it means that Bhagawan is giving a clear picture and an overview of the various forms in which He exists in this world. The underlying message is very simple here – Bhagawan Krishna is not just His mere physical form that we see. He is someone who is much beyond this! Of course, if Bhagawan is starting to show out all His forms of existence, people like us would either be unable to relate and understand, or, we would get scared of what we see in front of us, isn’t it? This is why, Bhagawan takes a physical form, which can be liked and interpreted by all of us, which is also reachable to our minds / brains that are at very low levels! 

As Bhagawan Krishna explains all these aspects one after the other, it invokes Arjuna’s curiosity even more! He finally requests Bhagawan Krishna thus, “Oh Bhagawan! You’ve been telling me all this while that I’ve to perform “Karma Yoga” with you in my mind. You’ve been telling me that if one has to perform the “Gnyaana Yoga”, he / she should have a complete understanding about you. Finally, now you’re saying that if one has to perform the ‘Bhakti Yoga” also, he / she should perform the “Bhakti” towards you and nobody else. With this, you’ve now explained your omni-presence as well. Now after listening to all these, I’m wanting to worship your real form! Oh Bhagawan Krishna! Who are you really? Will I be able to see your divine physical form apart from what I see in front of me now?” 

As Arjuna asks thus, Bhagawan immediately replies back – “Oh my dear Arjuna! You’ve asked a very important question here – Of course, you can see me in my real form, but you do not have the eyes to see it!” As Bhagawan says thus, Arjuna wonders immediately thus, “Oh wow! What is the problem with my eyes? I’m able to see everything clearly, isn’t it? While I’ve fought countless battles all through these years, my eyes are perfectly fine!” As Arjuna thinks thus, immediately Bhagawan Krishna changes His reply! He says now thus, “Oh Arjuna! When I meant that you do not have the eyes to see my “Vishwaroopam”, I meant to say that you will not be able to see my real form with the normal eyes that you have! Whatever eyes you possess currently is of normal people and with this setup, it is impossible to see me! Oh Arjuna! Now that you’ve asked me this question of can you see my real form, how can I deny you that sight? I shall give you a pair of divine eyes, through which you can visualize my “Vishwaroopam”!” 

Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna is now going to gift Arjuna a pair of divine eyes, and with this, we make the transition from the tenth to the eleventh “Adhyaaya”. In fact, the event of gifting the divine pair of eyes is part of the beginning phase of the eleventh “Adhyaaya”, and the previous “Vibhooti Yoga” ends with Bhagawan giving the “Vibhooti-Upanyaasam” to Arjuna, along with Arjuna’s curiosity increasing enormously to see Bhagawan in His real divine physical form. So for today, let us understand up to this point wherein Arjuna is waiting for Bhagawan Krishna to gift him with a divine pair of eyes, and in the next episode, we shall witnessed how Bhagawan does it, and how Bhagawan shows the entire “Vishwam” (World) in His “Roopam” (Physical form). This is why it is called “Vishwa-Roopam”, isn’t it? It simply means that Bhagawan is showing that He is the embodiment of the entire world! So let us wait till the next episode to witness this important event of Bhagawan showcasing His divine “Vishwa-Roopam” to Arjuna! Stay tuned! 🙂

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna giving an accord on how He exists as a leader amongst various groups of people, things, etc. that exist in this world. For instance, Bhagawan Krishna says that He exists as Vishnu amongst the twelve “Aadityas”, as Chandra Bhagawan amongst various “Nakshatras”, as Himalayas amongst all the mountains in the world, as “Meru Mountain peak” amongst all the tallest mountain peaks in the world, as “Bhagawan Muruga” amongst all the “Senapatis” in this world, as “Bhagawan Shiva” amongst all the “Rudras”, as “Maargazhi Month” amongst all months of the year, as “Bhagawan Rama” amongst all the experts in this world in the bow and arrow technique and as “Arjuna” amongst the five “Paandava” brothers. 

As Bhagawan Krishna talks about Arjuna amongst the Paandavas, we’ve seen that Arjuna becomes very happy and his ego raises up to higher levels, however, when Bhagawan says that He exists as Bhagawan Rama amongst those who are experts in the bow and arrow technique, Arjuna’s ego comes down! As he looks at Bhagawan with awe and surprise, Bhagawan clarifies thus, “Oh Arjuna! You were thinking that I would mention your name as an expert in bow and arrow, didn’t you? But let me tell you one thing clearly – Nobody in this world can equal the expertise that Bhagawan Rama had in the bow and arrow technique! Of course, my previous incarnation in this world was of Bhagawan Rama and I know the expertise I possessed, don’t I? As I’m Bhagawan myself, none in this world who are “Jeevatmas” can equal my expertise when it comes to this technique!” 

As Bhagawan Krishna says thus, He reveals a huge fact to Arjuna about His previous incarnation and all of us know how Bhagawan Rama had mastery, not only over the bow and arrow technique, but also as a great king and an administrator. When it comes to “Dharma”, Bhagawan Krishna is not even taking Yudishtra’s name, but He points out Bhagawan Rama. Who on earth can be an epitome of “Dharma” apart from Bhagawan Himself? We’ve seen in our previous Ramayana project as to how Bhagawan Rama followed the “rule book” of “Dharma” exactly step by step in whatever He did during His incarnation. Moreover, when it came to the bow and arrow technique which Bhagawan Krishna is mentioning here, Bhagawan Rama was a class apart – In the terms of how He handled the “Shiva Dhanush” at Janakapuri before marrying Mother Sita, in the terms of how Bhagawan Rama defeated the invincible Parashurama, in the terms of how Bhagawan Rama defeated and killed the 14,000 Raakshasas single handedly at “Dhandaka” forest and in the terms of how Bhagawan Rama handled Indrajith (Ravana’s son), Kumbakarna and Ravana himself in the war at Sri Lanka. Thus, on every occasion we’ve seen how Bhagawan Rama stood as an epitome of the bow and arrow technique and none can stand in front of Him in this! 

So for today, let us understand this point very clearly and we shall continue this discussion further in the next episode as well! Stay tuned! 🙂

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna talking more about His Bhaktas to Arjuna and eventually He goes on to explain that for those Bhaktas who are extremely ardent towards Him, Bhagawan gives a special intellect to them and help them retain that focus, with which they are able to reach Him with ease. Upon hearing all these aspects, Arjuna asks Bhagawan a very important question – “How do you say that you are omni-present and you are someone beyond anyone’s imagination? In what all forms do you exist in this world? As a layman, how should I understand and feel your existence and presence in this world?” For this, Bhagawan is going to give a very important accord, and we shall commence the same in today’s episode. 

So now, this is what Arjuna is asking Bhagawan Krishna: 

“Vittharena aatmano yogam vibhootim cha janaardhana!

Bhooyah katayah krityayihi shrinvano naastime dhrtham!!”

In this shloka, Arjuna is requesting Bhagawan to explain His divine omni-presence once again and Arjuna says that he is extremely eager to listen to it, even if it is a repetition. As Arjuna says thus, Bhagawan heaves a sigh, and keeps His hands on His head! 🙂 Thus, Bhagawan Krishna replies back to Arjuna – “Oh Arjuna! You’re once again asking me a very important question, for which I do not have a definitive answer! Yet, since the question is from my dearest Arjuna, how can I go away without answering it? Let me try. Maybe I shall reply like this – I shall take groups of people, animals, things, etc. and say that I’m the leader in all these groups. Will this suffice? Let me try!” 

Saying thus, Bhagawan commences His lengthy accord form this following shloka: 

“Aadityaanaam aham vishnuhu jyotishaam ravim amsumaan!

Mareechir manutaam asmi nakshatraanaam aham sashi!!”

This is an extremely important shloka in the “Vibhooti Yoga” wherein Bhagawan commences His accord on how He exists. Bhagawan says thus, “Oh Arjuna! Amongst the twelve “Aadityaas” (Suns) I exist as Vishnu. Amongst all the Rudras in this world, I exist as Shankara (Bhagawan Shiva). Amongst all the “Nakshatras” (Stars), I exist as Chandra (Moon). Amongst all the “Marut-Ganas” in this world, I exist as Mareechi!” Further continuing thus, Bhagawan picks up group after group. Now He continues to say thus, “Oh Arjuna! Amongst all the four Vedas in this world, I exist as the “Saama Veda”. Amongst all the mountains in this world, I exist as the Himalayan Mountains. Amongst all the tallest mountain peaks in this world, I exist as the “Meru Mountain” which has the tallest peak. Amongst all the “Senapatis” in this world, I exist as Bhagawan Skandha (Bhagawan Muruga). Amongst all the months of the year, I exist as the “Maargazhi” month (An auspicious month of the regional calendar). Amongst all the greatest devotees in this world, I’m existing as the great person by name “Shambu”! Amongst all the great poets in this world, I exist as the great “Shukraachaarya”! Amongst all the Vrishnis in this world, I exist as “Vaasudeva”! Amongst all the great warriors with the bow and arrow, I exist as Bhagawan Rama!” 

As Bhagawan says that He exists as Bhagawan Rama amongst all the experts in the bow and arrow technique, Arjuna looks with awe! 🙂 All of us know how much of an expertise Arjuna has in the bow and arrow technique, but instead of mentioning Arjuna, Bhagawan prefers to talk about Bhagawan Rama, isn’t He? Thus, as Arjuna looks with a kind of shock, Bhagawan quickly realizes that somewhere down the line, Arjuna’s ego is slightly hurt, and hence, He immediately changes His narrative!  Now Bhagawan says thus, “Oh Arjuna! Most importantly of all the things that I’ve mentioned till now, amongst all the five Paandava brothers, I exist as Arjuna! 🙂 Hence, please understand my dear Arjuna! You and I are the same! I exist as you and you exist as me!” As Bhagawan says thus, Arjuna heaves a huge sigh of relief that his name too gets a mention! 🙂 

So for today, let us understand up to this point, and we shall continue this important accord in the next episode as well! Stay tuned! 🙂

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna declaring to the world through Arjuna that He is the one who creates the entire world, duly protects it with all His ardent “Bhaktas” in it and eventually destroys the evil in it as well. Thus, we can understand clearly that it is none other than Bhagawan Krishna who plays all the three roles – Creator, Protector and Destroyer together. Bhagawan makes this great declaration through the following shloka: 

“Aham aadirhi devaanaam maharishinaam cha sarvachaha!

Yo maam ajamanaadincha vethi lokha maheshwaram!!

Asam moodah samartheshu sarva paapaihi pramuchyate!!”

Through the above verses, Bhagawan is clearly explaining that everything in this world starts from Him and finally ends in Him as well. Bhagawan says further thus, which is very important! 

“Teshaam satata yuktaanaam bhajataam preeti poorvakam!

Tatami buddhi yogantham yenamaam upayaantite!!”

Here, Bhagawan drops the next bombshell! He says thus, “Oh Arjuna! For those who are extremely devoted to me and think of me all the time, my heart gets pleased towards them and as a result, I offer them the special “Buddhi” (Intellect), through which they can reach me! This special “Intellect” is extremely significant and it makes the “Bhakta” focus on me more and more by not deviating from this thought even for a single minute. Of course, this requires a lot of dedication and passion from the Bhakta’s side, but if he / she tries with a pure and innocent heart, I shall always hand-hold the Bhakta and make him / her reach me without any hiccups!” 

As Bhagawan says thus, Arjuna is overwhelmed and surprised! Till now, probably he has been thinking that Bhagawan Krishna was just another normal person like him. Many of us might know that Arjuna and Bhagawan Krishna are cousins by the family lineage. Thus, till now, Arjuna did not have even a single iota of thought that the person with whom he has been closely moving with all these years is none other than Bhagawan Vishnu Himself! Now, as Bhagawan Krishna slowly starts revealing about Himself, this increases the curiosity of Arjuna more and more, which prompts Arjuna to ask thus, “Oh Krishna! You’re saying that the entire world belongs to you and you are somebody who is omni-present. You’re saying that you’re solely responsible for the creation, protection and destruction of the world as well. I’m unable to relate this completely in my mind. Hence, can you explain in a lay-man’s terms as to how I should understand your existence everywhere in this world? In what forms do you exist in this world? Please give me a detailed accord, so that I will be able to realize and feel you in whatever I see around me!” 

This is a question which all of us might have as well, isn’t it? If we say Bhagawan is omni-present, do we have the necessary intellect to see Bhagawan in a small ant, or a nearby table or chair? Most importantly, are we able to see Bhagawan inside our worst enemy of life? We are not able to do so, because we lack this awareness of Bhagawan’s omni-presence! So, to alleviate this doubt, Arjuna asks this question to Bhagawan, who is now going to give a detailed accord on how He exists in this world as everything that we see and feel! So for today, let us understand up to this point, and in the next episode, we shall commence a very important discussion on the various forms of existence of Bhagawan Krishna, as explained by none other He Himself! Stay tuned! 🙂

We’re at a very important juncture wherein Bhagawan is about to commence explaining His enormous significance as part of the “Vibhooti Yoga” of the Bhagawad Gita, which is the tenth “Adhyaaya”. As Bhagawan builds up the context by explaining about “Bhakti” and how an “ardent Bhakta” should conduct himself or herself, it induces the curiosity within Arjuna to know more about Bhagawan. This is because, when Bhagawan talks about “Bhakti” and how a “Bhakta” should focus solely upon Him, Arjuna wants to know who is “He” exactly and why should a “Bhakta” focus on Him! In fact, if we look at the structure of the “Vibhooti Yoga”, it seems as if Bhagawan Krishna was waiting for this question to come from Arjuna, in order to commence His narrative about His own significance! It seems as if Bhagawan was having that urge within Himself to talk about His significance, so that this narrative can bring many ardent “Bhaktas” closer to Him! Till now in the Mahabharata text, several others have spoken about Bhagawan, like Vidura, Sanjaya, Yudishtra, etc. In fact, even Bhishmachaarya has outlined about Bhagawan Krishna in an earlier context, which we’ve witnessed in our previous episodes. This same Bhishmachaarya is going to talk about Bhagawan Krishna in detail at the end of the war, which is nothing but the documentation of the “Vishnu Sahasranaamam”. We shall witness this as a special accord in our later episodes as and when that context comes. 

However, even with so many people talking about Bhagawan in so many different ways, Bhagawan felt that none of them did justice to explain His real significance properly. Hence, if Bhagawan’s significance has to be explained in the way with which Bhagawan wants, there can be none other Bhagawan Himself who should come forward and explain, isn’t it? Who on earth can understand Bhagawan’s enormous significance as much as Bhagawan Himself? Hence, this is the conclusion to which Bhagawan Krishna comes to! He feels thus, “Oh wow! I’m sure I’m not going to get even a single person in this world who can talk about my significance completely. However, the world should know my real significance. So, if this has to be achieved, it is better that I myself talk about it to the world!” 🙂 This is in fact the sole reason why Bhagawan Krishna created this situation of Arjuna getting jittery and depressed upon seeing the entire Kaurava army at the Kurukshetra battlefield. Arjuna, being a “Kshatrya warrior” of the highest level – When have we seen Arjuna breaking down emotionally like this earlier? We’ve earlier witnessed several times as to how Arjuna waged a lone battle against the same set of people and won over all of them with ease! But now what happened suddenly to this great warrior? Hence, if Arjuna has to break down emotionally, isn’t it Bhagawan Krishna’s divine “Leela” to use this as an opportunity to talk about His significance to the entire world? 

In fact, to add further to this, many of us might be thinking that this Bhagawad Gita is only to merely awaken Arjuna and bring him back to normal, but it is not! If we look at it deeply along with various commentaries from various “Alwars” and great “Aachaaryas”, Bhagawan Krishna has used Arjuna as His divine instrument to bring out His significance through this Bhagawad Gita! Thus, Arjuna breaking down in the middle of the battlefield is a mere cause for something phenomenal to come out of Bhagawan Krishna’s mouth! This is why the “Vibhooti Yoga” gains enormous significance wherein Bhagawan opens up completely in explaining all His significances one by one. Towards the end of this important accord, all of us know that Bhagawan Krishna is going to show His “Vishwaroopa”, which I’m sure all of us are eagerly awaiting! 🙂 

Setting up the context for this important discussion thus, Bhagawan explains to Arjuna that it is extremely difficult for Him to talk about His own significances in detail! However, just because Arjuna has requested Bhagawan to give the explanation, He is commencing it now. Bhagawan says thus, “Oh Arjuna! The entire world begins from me. The entire world is being protected by me! The entire world will also be destroyed by me only! Hence, this entire world belongs to me completely! Bhagawan Brahma came out of my divine physical body. Bhagawan Shiva is also part of me!” Saying thus, Bhagawan commences the discussion on the “Vibhooti Yoga” and for today, let us understand up to this point. We shall continue this discussion further in the next episode with all the relevant shlokas and their corresponding explanations! Stay tuned! 🙂

In the previous episode, we had witnessed a very important point upon Bhagawan wanting to repeat all the key aspects of “Karma Yoga”, “Gnyaana Yoga” and “Bhakti Yoga” to Arjuna, so that he can have a deeper understanding of the same. At a time when Arjuna heaves a sigh of relief, Bhagawan Krishna explains that all is not over yet! Bhagawan also nudges Arjuna that only half of the “Gita” is over till now and there are nine more “Adhyaayas” left to be covered! 🙂 Thus, to continue further from here on, Bhagawan wants to recollect all the important points that He has covered so far, which only Bhagawan and great Mahatmas can do. In other words, as we’ve seen yesterday, repetition of the various aspects of “Dharma” again and again voluntarily is one of the greatest characteristics of Bhagawan or a “Mahatma”. Here, Arjuna never asked for a repetition, yet Bhagawan wants to do it. We’ve seen several other examples wherein Prahlaada repeated the “Dharma” to Hiranya Kashibu several times even if Hiranya Kashibu was least interested and bothered. Similarly, Mother Sita and Hanuman repeated the important pointers of “Dharma” to Ravana, who discarded all their golden words of advice till the end! Thus, Bhagawan and great “Mahatmas” never shy away from talking about “Dharma” and its significance at all times, and this is the learning that we’ve had yesterday. 

Moving on further thus, we should now enter officially into the “Vibhooti Yoga”, but not without knowing the purpose of why Bhagawan has placed this as “Adhyaaya” number 10. Till now in the previous “Adhyaaya”, we’ve understood what is “Bhakti” and who is an ardent “Bhakta” towards Bhagawan. Now, if we’ve to follow this “Bhakti Maarga” (Path of Bhakti), we should understand several aspects pertaining to Bhagawan’s significance. Only if we know who is Bhagawan, will we be able to walk the path of “Bhakti” towards Him, isn’t it? For instance, if we’ve to buy a product in the market – When will we buy it? We will buy the product only if we understand the significance of the product and also its applicability of its functioning to serve some purpose of ours, isn’t it? For this, we’ve to understand the product and its significance. Similarly here also, if we’ve to walk the path of “Bhakti” towards Bhagawan, we’ve to understand who Bhagawan really is, and what is Bhagawan made of. This is why, Bhagawan Himself is talking about these important points in the tenth “Adhyaaya”, so that normal people like us who might not be able to understand Bhagawan otherwise, will also be able to understand who Bhagawan Krishna really is! 

This is the same reason why Arjuna is now going to ask Bhagawan with regards to what He really is and what are the things He owns in this world! Arjuna asks thus, “Oh Bhagawan Krishna! Till now you’ve been telling me that you’re going to explain your significance to me. This invokes a lot of curiosity within me now. I really want to understand who you are and what is your background? What are your properties and belongings in this world? When you say that you are omnipresent everywhere, in what forms are you present in this world?” As Arjuna innocently asks thus, Bhagawan Krishna laughs a bit and makes one of the greatest declarations that He has ever made till now. Bhagawan says thus, “Oh Arjuna! There is nothing in this world which is not mine! Everything in this world belongs to me! In fact, this entire world is mine! Oh Arjuna! You’ve asked a very important question, but I do not know how to give you a definitive answer for it, yet, I shall try. I’m saying this because, if the entire world is a manifestation of me, how can I tell you at a micro level that I exist in such and such forms everywhere? However, since you’ve asked this question to me, I shall explain to you in whatever way I can!” 

Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna is going to explain in the upcoming shlokas as to how He exists in various forms in this world and how He is the sole owner of this entire world! A very important accord awaits us from tomorrow! Stay tuned! 🙂

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna concluding the ninth “Adhyaaya” and commencing the “Vibhooti Yoga”, which is the tenth one. It is only in this “Vibhooti Yoga”, Bhagawan is going to show His “Vishwaroopa Darshan” to Arjuna amidst the battlefield at Kurukshetra. But before that, Bhagawan is going to explain in detail as to how He is omnipresent in this world and in what forms He exists. The “Adhyaaya” commences at a point when Arjuna thinks that Bhagawan has concluded the Bhagawad Gita session and he can move ahead by still “escaping” from the battlefield without fighting the war! However, Bhagawan Krishna knows that Arjuna is still not convinced and He now starts telling that He wants to recollect all the points that have been mentioned earlier! Moreover, Bhagawan also wants to illustrate to Arjuna in such a way that his confidence in Bhagawan is getting higher and higher. Hence, Bhagawan commences the “Vibhooti Yoga” on an important note that even though Arjuna did not ask for the repetition of the points, Bhagawan is still wanting to repeat them for his sake. 

Now this is a very important “Kalyaana Guna” that Bhagawan and “Mahatmas” have. Even if someone is not asking for words of advice, if a person is giving them, isn’t it something great? In today’s context, if we’ve to have some pieces of advice on how to go about doing certain things, we cannot get advice for free, right? We have “consultants” who are exclusively meant for rendering apt advice for various aspects in life and profession, but they charge a hefty fee for the same! However, is this the case here with regards to Bhagawan Krishna and Arjuna? Here, Bhagawan being the greatest consultant of all times pertaining to “Dharma”, is rendering “free advice” to him as well as for the entire world, isn’t He? This is the greatest character that Bhagawan possesses – From the bottom of His heart, Bhagawan wants the world to be educated of the “Dharma” and He puts that effort in the same direction as well. 

This was the similar case with Mother Sita as well. In the Ramayana project, we’ve discussed in detail as to how Mother Sita explained the “Dharma” to Ravana when she was imprisoned by him at the “Ashoka Vanam” in Sri Lanka. Despite Ravana not seeming to be interested to pay heed to her words, Mother Sita advised him to turn his focus towards “Dharma” by not going behind the wives of others. However, Ravana failed to understand the significance of Mother Sita’s golden words of advice and all of us know what happened to him! Similarly, we’ve also seen Prahlaada explaining the significance of Bhagawan Narayana to Hiranya Kashibu several times. In this case also, did Hiranya Kashibu voluntarily ask Prahlaada to explain about “Dharma” and about Bhagawan? Prahlaada did it voluntarily by himself, didn’t he? In the previous example, Mother Sita also did it voluntarily, knowing very well that Ravana would not listen to her words. Another example is Hanuman – He too tried to explain the “Dharma” to Ravana when he met him in Lanka. We’ve seen earlier that even though Hanuman knew that Ravana would not listen to his words, he still went ahead advising Ravana! 

Like this, there are several examples that we can keep witnessing all through our “Sanaatana Dharma” literature wherein Bhagawan and great Mahatmas will not expect any return from anybody if they talk about “Dharma”. In other words, whenever these people open their mouths to talk about something, it will only be about various aspects of “Dharma” and nothing else! So in this current context too, Bhagawan is trying to repeat, repeat and repeat the various aspects of “Dharma” as part of His “Bhagawad Gita” and it is not only for Arjuna’s sake – It is for all of us as well! If several generations of people have to understand and decode the “Bhjagawad Gita correctly, Bhagawan has to explain the “Dharma” several times so that people like us who do not have any knowledge on the subject will also be able to decipher something! 

So for today, let us understand the significance of Bhagawan and “Mahatmas” in this context and we shall wait till the next episode to witness the commencement of the “Vibhooti Yoga” of the Bhagawad Gita! Stay tuned for an important accord! 🙂