The Indian Dharma

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna detailing clearly as to who is a real “Bhakta” through the final shloka of the ninth “Adhyaaya”. Bhagawan outlines the important characteristics of the “Bhakta” as the one who constantly has Bhagawan in his thoughts at all times, the one who is constantly putting necessary efforts to practise “Bhakti” constantly without a break, the one who worships Him with a pure and an innocent heart and finally, the one whose thoughts, words and actions are completely aligned with each other! These are the key points that Bhagawan is highlighting and if we’ve to be called “ardent Bhaktas” of Bhagawan Krishna, we’ve to ensure that all these pointers are in place! 

Now, this is where we need a real introspection, which we’ve commenced in the previous episode. The important question that we need to ask ourselves is this – “Are we able to focus on Bhagawan continuously for a longer span of time every passing day?” Of course, this is not easy in the beginning, as we’ve discussed earlier as well, but we need to start somewhere, isn’t it? This is where our “Nitya-Anushtaanam” plays a very important role for us. I’ve spoken about this “Nitya-Anushtaanam” several times earlier as well, and also in yesterday’s episode, but I still find a valid context for discussing this because, this is a place where most of us fail! When it comes to several other things that we keep doing in life, we’re able to allocate ample time for everything, aren’t we? However, when it comes to performing our “Sandhyavandanam” and other aspects of the “Nitya-Anushtaanam” that we perform towards Bhagawan, we conveniently say that we do not have time for these! In fact, it is quite unfortunate to see this as a “trend” shaping up amongst the younger generation today that these kinds of practices are considered as “old-school thoughts”! Let me tell one thing clearly, especially for the younger generation – If we constantly keep performing our “Sandhyavandanam” and other practices of “Nitya-Anushtaanam”, our brain’s performance gets better every passing day. Also, our brilliance would increase manifold and our efficiency in whatever we’re doing would increase as well! Moreover, if we’re able to perform our regular tasks with a complete surrender towards Bhagawan, He is going to take care of the resultant of our actions, isn’t He? Hence, isn’t this an opportunity for us to get closer to Bhagawan indirectly? This is a pointer which the younger generation should deeply consider moving forward. 

Moving on further thus, with this discussion we come to the end of the ninth “Adhyaaya”, and we would now move into the most important tenth “Adhyaaya” called the “Vibhooti Yoga”. Readers should note that here is where Bhagawan is going to show His “Vishwaroopa Darshan” to Arjuna in the midst of the battlefield at Kurukshetra. Many of us might be knowing that Bhagawan shows His true self to Arjuna during the course of the Bhagawad Gita, and it is worthy to note that this major event happens during this “Adhyaaya” only. Here, Bhagawan is commencing His explanation on a very important note on His existence in this world in various forms. This is also precisely the time when Arjuna for the second time thinks that the Gita is over! Arjuna heaves a sigh of relief, but again, Bhagawan Krishna starts something afresh! Bhagawan says thus, 

“Bhooya yeva mahaabaaho shrunu me paramam vachaha!

Yatteham priyamaanaaya vakshyaami hita kaamyayaa!!”

This is the first shloka of the tenth “Adhyaaya” – The “Vibhooti Yoga”. Here, Bhagawan Krishna explains thus, “Oh Arjuna! Till now I’ve told you a lot about the Karma Yoga, Gnyaana Yoga and Bhakti Yoga and how do we attain “Atma-Saakshaakaaram”, didn’t I? Now, let me repeat a few important pointers for you, so that you get a hold on to it!” As Bhagawan says thus, Arjuna asks immediately, “Oh Bhagawan! I never asked you to repeat these pointers, yet, why are you wanting to tell everything again to me?” For this, Bhagawan smartly replies thus, “Oh Arjuna! I know that you did not ask me to repeat. However, you also did not stop me from repeating these important pointers, did you? Hence, it is my duty to repeat a few important pointers for your benefit!” 

Now this is an important narrative that Bhagawan is going to frame from whatever He has discussed so far in the Bhagawad Gita. As mentioned earlier, this “Vibhooti Yoga” is going to be the most important “Adhyaaya” in the entire Bhagawad Gita and readers have to definitely take down notes if we’ve not done it till now! So for today, let us understand up to this point and in the next episode, we shall go into what are those important pointers that Bhagawan Krishna wants to recollect. Stay tuned for an important accord! 🙂

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna highlighting an important point to Arjuna as well as to all of us that even if a person might not have had a spiritual past and if a person has done enormous bad deeds earlier, Bhagawan will still accept this person if he / she is willing to take a resolve today to walk the path of “Dharma” along with complete surrender to Bhagawan’s divine lotus feet. This comes from Bhagawan when Arjuna asks a question to Him explaining his stance that he has been into so many bad deeds in the past, and yet, is there an opportunity to be a “Bhakta” from now. Bhagawan Krishna thus motivates Arjuna that nothing is too late, and he can start afresh even from this minute onwards. All what Bhagawan looks for in us is how sincere we are in approaching Him. Even if we would have had a bad past, Bhagawan is ready to forgive us for all our bad deeds and still grant us the highest “Moksha”. But the question here is whether are we developing this realization atleast today or not! 

To relate this to the present day, the problem comes when we get carried away by the “Maya” (Illusion) that Bhagawan has created in this world! For instance, immediately after reading through yesterday’s and today’s episode and after reading through Bhagawan’s assurance, all of us by this time would have the resolve in our minds that from today onwards we will exhibit complete surrender to Bhagawan and we shall follow every word of what Bhagawan Krishna says in the Gita. However, with the passage of time, will our efforts be as consistent as it is today? Will we have the same amount of zeal that we’ve had today? For this, the answer in many of our cases will be  “No”! As time progresses, we will be taken over and absorbed by the “Maya”, which is something that all of us find very tough to break, isn’t it? This is where our consistency and effort is put to a hard test by Bhagawan. If we succeed this test, Bhagawan says towards the end of this ninth “Adhyaaya” thus, 

“Manmanaabhava matbhaktaha madhyaaji maam namaskuru!

Maame vaishyasi yuktvayam aatmaanam matparaayanaha!!”

Here is where Bhagawan is going to elaborate in detail on what is real “Bhakti”. This is a very important shloka in the ninth “Adhyaaya” and here, Bhagawan Krishna says thus, “Oh Arjuna! A person who constantly thinks about me at all times (“Manmanaabhava”), a person who is consistently putting that effort to perform “Bhakti” continuously towards me without a break (“Madyaaji”), a person who always worships me at all times (“Maam Namaskuru”) is a real “Bhakta” towards me! Moreover, a person who is always dedicated towards me through his thoughts, words and actions (“Maame vaishyasi”) is certain to reach me at any point of time! This is the absolute reality!” 

Hence, the message is loud and clear from Bhagawan Krishna here, isn’t it? So to answer the question as to who is a real “Bhakta” and what is “Bhakti”, Bhagawan has given four points in a nutshell! As ardent Bhaktas of Bhagawan Krishna, we should ask these questions within ourselves – “When are we considered eligible to call ourselves His Bhaktas”? Firstly, are we having Bhagawan in our thoughts constantly during whatever we do every passing day? Secondly, as Bhagawan said earlier, are we putting that constant effort with a lot of persistence and consistence to perform “Bhakti”? This starts right from our every day “Nityaanushtaanam” like performing our “Sandhyavandanam”, “Gayatri Japa”, etc. Are we able to perform these “Nitya Karma” properly without any hiccups? Are we able to perform these with complete focus on Bhagawan? Are we able to control our mind while performing our “Gayatri Japa”? We should find answers for all these questions as we move forward. Thirdly and most importantly, are our thoughts, words and actions aligning perfectly towards “Bhatki”? It cannot be the case wherein we would talk so high about Bhagawan, but our actions would be pole opposite, isn’t it? In other words, we cannot talk about Ramayana and next minute go and demolish a Rama temple, isn’t it? Thus, the “Bhakti” should be reflected through thoughts, words and actions, and this is very important! 

Hence, we should take a moment here to do a self-introspection! This is where we can correct our path. When Bhagawan says that He would accept anybody and everybody who takes a progressive step towards correcting himself or herself and align their path towards Him, this is the introspection that we need to do for ourselves! So for today, let us do this introspection and we shall wait till the next episode to continue witnessing what Bhagawan is going to say next! Stay tuned! 🙂

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna explaining how He is more interested in the “quality” of the offering, no matter what the “quantity” of it might be. All that matters for Bhagawan in a nutshell is whether we’re making the offering with a pure heart or not. Even if it is a small fruit or a leaf that we offer to Bhagawan, and if it is from deep within our heart and with an innocent prayer, Bhagawan is always ready to accept it gleefully and provide us with His divine “Anugraha”. In these lines, we’ve recalled a beautiful example from the Mahabharata itself wherein Bhagawan Krishna did not want to accept an elaborate meal from Duryodhana before the commencement of the war, because Bhagawan knew that Duryodhana’s intentions behind this offering were wicked. However, when Bhagawan went to Vidura’s house, He was more happy in consuming the skins of bananas which Vidura was offering by mistake, instead of the actual banana fruits. This is because Vidura is someone who is an epitome of “Dharma”, which aligns with his ardent devotion towards Bhagawan Krishna, and hence, whatever comes from Vidura’s hands, Bhagawan is ready to accept! This clearly shows how Bhagawan comes down to the level of His ardent “Bhaktas” to provide His divine “Anugraha”. 

Moving on further thus, Arjuna has a question at this point. He asks Bhagawan thus, “Oh Bhagawan Krishna! All that you’ve been telling till now is for those people who have been perennial “Bhaktas” throughout their lives. Now, for people like me, we’ve never been into such ardent “Bhakti” till date. We’ve been into so many unlawful activities, we’ve been responsible for killing many living beings for no reason, we’ve been doing many sins (“Paapa Karma”), etc. Can people like us become “Bhaktas” too, or is it too late?” 

This is a very important question that Arjuna is asking here, because, I’m sure many of us might be having this question in our mind as well – In fact, after reading through all whatever Bhagawan Krishna has said till now, a few of us might have even gotten a bit anxious because, we might not have been practising these things that Bhagawan points out. In such a case, are we even going to get that proximity towards Bhagawan in this birth at all? For this, Bhagawan Krishna offers a huge solace here. He gives a very important accord on this thus, “Oh Arjuna! It doesn’t really matter! Even if someone has been the most unethical person till yesterday and if he / she realizes that from today things are going to change for good, I’ll be the first person to accept this person with my arms open! However, the realization should be firm and this person should not go back to doing the same “Adharma” again! I’m ready to accept anybody who comes to me with this realization and resolve that they will not go back to “Adharma” again!” 

Now, this is a very important point that Bhagawan is making and this is why we refer to Bhagawan as the most “compassionate” person on earth. When it comes to providing His divine “Anugraha” to all of us, Bhagawan is extremely compassionate and He literally wants all of us to come to Him. But, the question here is – Are we ready to go near Bhagawan to experience His divine “Anugraha” or not! We should understand here that even for people like us who keep committing enormous amounts of mistakes every passing minute and day, Bhagawan is showing His unending compassion towards us and we should entail this opportunity to get as much closer to Him as possible. We should understand one thing clearly – There cannot be many people in this world who get the realization about Bhagawan right from day one of their birth! Only a few “Mahatmas” like Prahlaada and the others are fortunate enough for that. For all of us who are normal people, we tend to realize Bhagawan through various experiences that life throws at us, based on the “Karma” that we’ve accumulated so far. Hence, the realization for us can come at different stages of life, and this is not in our hands. However, once we get an opportunity to know about Bhagawan by reading through the “Gita” and understanding it, the question here is how we transform ourselves in such a way that we’re entering into the proximity of Bhagawan. Of course, this is not an overnight process, and it is definitely a long-haul mechanism. But, are we putting in the right effort to fathom the change from within us? This is the question that all of us need to answer for ourselves! 

So for today, let us understand the hint that Bhagawan has given in this episode, and let us start creating that transformation within us with more motivation! I’m sure many of us would have already started working on the transformation, but this message from Bhagawan can certainly accelerate the process further! We shall wait till the next episode to continue this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂 

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna declaring a very important pointer as to how He’s easily approachable for His ardent “Bhaktas”. We’ve witnessed a famed shloka from the ongoing ninth “Adhyaaya” of the Bhagawad Gita wherein we’ve seen how Bhagawan voluntarily comes forward and fulfils all the needs and requirements of His ardent “Bhaktas” and ultimately grants the “Yoga-Kshemam” (Fulfilment of the “Yogam” that they are doing). Further, we’ve also witnessed how Bhagawan’s heart melts towards those people who are sincere in their approach towards “Bhakti”. In fact, Bhagawan accepts anything and everything from “Bhaktas” gleefully, even if it is a small flower or a leaf or a fruit. We’ve seen the example of Kuchela, who was Bhagawan Krishna’s childhood friend pertaining to this point. We’ve seen how Kuchela offered a handful of poha (puffed rice) to Bhagawan Krishna as a token of respect and love for Him. Even when Kuchela least expected Bhagawan to accept it, to his dismay, Bhagawan gleefully accepted it and started eating it as if He had been hungry for several days together! Thus, if a devotee takes even a small step towards Bhagawan, Bhagawan is not going to sit quiet. Instead, He’s going to run towards His devotee to receive him / her with a big embrace! 

This point needs a bit more of an enhanced discussion here – So when Bhagawan explains that He would be ready to accept anything and everything from His ardent “Bhakta”, He means to say that whatever we offer should be pure and should be with 100% dedication towards Him. This is also very important. In the previous episode, we’ve witnessed the “quantity” part of this pointer, but now we’re witnessing the “quality” of the offering that we do. Before the commencement of the Kurukshetra war, we’ve seen Bhagawan Krishna visiting Hastinapura to meet Duryodhana and King Dhritarashtra for one last time, in an attempt to broker peace between the two rival camps. During that time, when Bhagawan Krishna makes His way to meet Duryodhana, we’ve seen how Duryodhana wanted to offer a great meal to Bhagawan Krishna with all possible dishes. However, Bhagawan Krishna did not accept the meal and instead, chose to go to Vidura’s place to have His meal! Vidura was not as rich and royal as compared to Duryodhana, and was able to only offer a few bananas to Bhagawan Krishna as a meal. However, Bhagawan accepted it wholeheartedly and gleefully spent time with Vidura while consuming them! From this instance, we can see that Duryodhana tried to offer the best of the best dishes of food, but with a wicked intention – To somehow capture Bhagawan Krishna and to bring Him on the Kauravas’ side during the war! Bhagawan Krishna knew this very well and if He would have consumed any of the dish that Duryodhana would have offered, He would have been automatically indebted to Duryodhana to fight for his cause! Hence, Bhagawan smartly avoided Duryodhana’s hospitality and offering and preferred to stay with Vidura for that evening, isn’t it? 

Thus, when Bhagawan came to Vidura, initially Vidura was extremely shocked and surprised to have Bhagawan at his small house. However, calming himself down, Vidura received Bhagawan Krishna and started offering a few bananas. Now comes the main catch – In the flow of the conversation between him and Bhagawan, Vidura was peeling the bananas one by one and instead of handing over the fruit portion to Bhagawan, he was happily handing over the skins to Him! Bhagawan Krishna also knew this, but He did not utter a single word! Instead, He was very happy eating the skins of the bananas, rather than the fruits! As Vidura’s wife identifies this gross blunder, she shrieked with fear and alerted her husband! By the time Vidura was about to hand over the fruit portions, Bhagawan exclaimed that His hunger was satisfied! Upon Vidura questioning Bhagawan on this, Bhagawan clearly explains thus, “Oh Vidura! Your ardent “Bhakti” was the one which satisfied my hunger and not the bananas and their skins that you offered me! I came to your house to meet you, not for these bananas, but to enjoy and experience your ardent and pure “Bhakti” towards me! Hence, it is not the bananas that fulfilled my hunger, but your innocence and ardent devotion!” 

Hence, from this anecdote too, we can realise that Bhagawan looks for the quality of our offering, more than the quantity of what we offer. If our offering is of pure love and innocence towards Him, Bhagawan is never going to say a “No” to us! He will gleefully accept whatever we give. However, if our offering is not with a pure heart and even if it is a great feast / meal, Bhagawan is straightaway going to reject it! So for today, let us understand this point very clearly and we shall continue this discussion in the next episode as well! Stay tuned! 🙂 

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna explaining the characteristics of a “Mahatma” and how they are extremely focused and dedicated towards Him at all times. In these lines, we’ve witnessed a couple of examples who have lived in this present “Kali Yuga” and have attained the highest “Moksha” through their ardent spiritual practices. We’ve seen how Meerabai and Saint Thiyagaraja Swami were extremely devoted towards Bhagawan Krishna and Bhagawan Rama respectively and how they managed to have the divine “Darshan” of their favourite deities as they attained the highest “Moksha”. Of course, we’ve seen enough and more about Prahlaada, Little Dhruva, etc. who were also “Mahatmas”. Thus, Bhagawan Krishna clearly outlines these characteristics and explains to Arjuna that he too should follow suit. 

Moving on further thus, Bhagawan explains – “Oh Arjuna! If a person doesn’t think of anything else except me, if a person doesn’t feel anything else in this world except my divinity, I’m always with him / her to give the “Yoga-Kshemam”, which is nothing but the fruits of the “Yogam” that he / she performs!” Bhagawan says this through the famous shloka from the ninth “Adhyaaya” thus, 

“Ananyaaschintayantomaam yejanaah paryupaasate!

Teshaam nityaabhi yuktaanaam yogakshemam vahaamyaham!!”

Many of us might be knowing this shloka, and this comes as part of the ninth “Adhyaaya” of the Bhagawad Gita. We chant this at the end of the “Shri Vishnu Sahasranaamam” as well and this is nothing but a prayer to Bhagawan Krishna that the good effects of chanting His 108 divine names should reach us duly. Thus, the meaning of the shloka is very simple – If a person is constantly in thoughts of Bhagawan at all times and if this person follows whatever Bhagawan has instructed him / her to do, Bhagawan is never going to leave such people. He is going to be with them at all times, and is also going to ensure that the fruits of all his / her actions will be realized without fail. 

Bhagawan continues further thus, “Oh Arjuna! If such an ardent devotee gifts me anything, I shall gleefully accept it! Even if it is a small leaf or a flower or a fruit, it doesn’t matter for me! The question here is whether the devotee is giving that to me with all his / her love and affection!” Bhagawan says thus, 

“Patram pushpam phalam thoyam yo me bhaktyaah prayachhati!

Tadaham bhaktyupahritam ashnaamiprayata aatmanaha!!”

This is also a very important shloka, which illustrates how simple Bhagawan is, towards His ardent devotees. It also clearly shows how approachable He is, and how open He can be to His ardent “Bhaktas”. Bhagawan says that even if the devotee gives me one small flower or one small leaf, this itself satisfies me completely! We’ve seen the story of Bhagawan Krishna’s childhood friend, Kuchela during the “Shrimad Bhaagawatha Puraana” project. As many might know, Kuchela was starving amidst huge poverty and at this time, he comes along to meet Bhagawan Krishna who’s the king of Dwaraka. Upon looking at the expansive palace of Bhagawan Krishna, Kuchela thought for a moment that he should go back and shouldn’t meet his childhood friend! However, when Bhagawan spotted Kuchela, He ran towards Kuchela and welcomed him with a lot of grandeur, which surprised Kuchela a lot! 

Now, when Kuchela gave away the small packet of poha that he had bought with him, to his contrary of thought, Bhagawan Krishna was lovingly and passionately eating it! Initially, Kuchela was thinking that Bhagawan Krishna would not even mind all these things, but to his dismay, Bhagawan enjoyed it the most! What had happened after this is something that all of us might know – Kuchela was completely driven out of poverty with Bhagawan’s divine “Anugraha”! Thus, isn’t this a great illustration of how Bhagawan Krishna receives a devotee, no matter how rich or poor he might be? Even when the devotee offers a small packet of poha, which is considered as a poor man’s meal, Bhagawan happily consumes it, doesn’t He? This shows how Bhagawan comes down to our level and receives us with a great amount of love and affection, if we take one step forward towards Him! 

Thus, the biggest question here is whether are we prepared to take that one step forward! So for today, let us understand this point very clearly and we shall wait till the next episode to continue this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna outlining the typical characteristics of a “Mahatma”. Notably, Bhagawan talks about how focused “Mahatmas” are in terms of the “Bhakti” that they exhibit towards Him, and how “Mahatmas” make meticulous efforts to constantly be on track to attain the highest “Moksha”. The willpower and the perseverance that they exhibit at the highest level is what differentiates them from ordinary people like us! Moreover, Bhagawan also outlines another fact that Mahatmas will constantly long for His divine presence at all times. Either they would want to stay close to the vicinity of Bhagawan all the time, or they would want Bhagawan to come to them and stay close to them! Thus, in every way, “Mahatmas” want to be under Bhagawan’s divine lotus feet at all times! Now, this is where we’ve to compare ourselves with these great people and check – Given an opportunity by Bhagawan Himself to be near His vicinity, how many of us will be ready to shun all our daily worldly routines and will be prepared to go behind Bhagawan as per His wish? Most of us would rather ask Bhagawan to wait for our arrival, finish off all our worldly actions (which would never end) and then “consider” going near Bhagawan! However, “Mahatmas” are not like this – Rather than giving such unwanted excuses, “Mahatmas” will readily accept Bhagawan’s offer and will always want to be under His divine presence, isn’t it?

Upon listening to all this, we might think thus, “Oh wow! Narrating all this is very easy, but is it really possible to implement whatever Bhagawan is saying here? Are there examples of people who have longed for Bhagawan’s divine presence at all times?” Of course, there are examples! One such example is the group of “Gopikas”! Readers might remember from our previous “Shrimad Bhaagawatha Puraana” project that when Bhagawan Krishna was a young child, the “Gopika” women were wanting to be in His divine presence at Vrindavan. Every morning, Little Krishna used to pay a visit to the “Gopikas” and would spend ample time with them before returning back to Gokula. During this time, the “Gopikas” would want to dance along with Little Krishna and every passing day, they would literally long for His divine presence amongst them! At one point, the intense level of “Bhakti” that the “Gopikas” exhibit when Bhagawan Krishna dances with them will take them to a state of trance and because of this, they would faint on the ground! Hence, to avoid the “Gopikas” fainting, Bhagawan would suddenly disappear from their vicinity and make them come back to their normal state. Once the “Gopikas” are back to their normalcy, Bhagawan would reappear in front of them as a small child dancing along with them! Such was the ardent level of “Bhakti” that the “Gopikas” exhibited towards little Krishna! 

Of course, this was during the “Dvaapara Yuga” when Bhagawan Krishna was alive and living along with everyone. But is this possible in this “Kali Yuga” as well? The answer is a big and a resounding “Yes”! There are “N” number of examples of people who have experienced the divine presence of Bhagawan Krishna even during this “Kali Yuga” and one such great example is Meerabai. As many of us know, Meerabai was a great devotee of Bhagawan Krishna and the bhajans that she has composed are extremely famous in the music scene in the Hindustani classical school of music even today across North India. If we look at the bhajans that she has composed, each and every song that she has sung in praise of Bhagawan Krishna express various kinds of emotions pertaining to “Bhakti”. Thus, during her last days, when Meerabai faced enormous challenges from various quarters around her, it is believed that Bhagawan Krishna Himself appeared in front of her and took her along with Him to the highest “Moksha”! 

Similar is the case of Thiyagaraja Swami in the southern part of India, who lived as recently as the previous eighteenth century. As many of us might be knowing again, Thiyagaraja Swami is well-known for being part of the “Trinity” in the South-Indian Carnatic music and his “Kritis” are well-known for the amount of “Bhakti” that he was able to convey towards his favourite deity – Bhagawan Rama. Similar to the story of Meerabai, Thiyagaraja Swami had the unique opportunity to obtain the divine “Darshan” of Bhagawan Rama along with Lakshmana and Mother Sita before he attained “Samaadhi”. Thus, from all these examples, one thing is very clear – Bhagawan does not wash off His hands to ardent “Bhaktas” and “Mahatmas”. Bhagawan will always protect them at all times! So for today, let us understand this point very clearly and we shall wait till the next episode to continue this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂 

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna explaining the nature of this world and how it is surrounded by the “Yoga-Maaya”. This is the one that prevents us from understanding the significance of Bhagawan at all times. It is only because of the “Yoga-Maaya” (Illusion), we either underestimate or overestimate Bhagawan and tend to move away from Him. Even though Bhagawan might be omni-present, it is this “Yoga-Maaya” which prevents us from feeling Bhagawan’s divine presence. Thus, in order to break the shackles of this “Yoga-Maaya”, Bhagawan is advising us to understand His significance in minute detail, so that we would be able to focus on Him while we perform our “Bhakti Yoga”, or even the other two “Karma Yoga” and “Gnyaana Yoga”. Amidst this discussion, we’ve also seen in due course, the difference between “Mahatmas” and normal ordinary people like us. While we keep falling into the trap of “Yoga Maaya” every now and then, even if we try to focus on Bhagawan, “Mahatmas” are extremely clear and focused on their understanding of Bhagawan! Bhagawan Krishna clearly explains as to how “Mahatmas” go that extra mile to get closer to Bhagawan with their 100% involvement and effort, which is what we’ve to learn here. 

To highlight this point further, we shall now see what Bhagawan Krishna says as part of this context. Bhagawan says thus, 

“Mahaatmanastu maam paartha gnyaatvaa vaiveem prakriti maashrutaaha!

Bhajantyanantya manasaha gnyaatvaa bhootaadi mavyayam!!”

Through the above shloka, Bhagawan Krishna explains how Mahatmas are extremely focused on Bhagawan and His significance at all times and how Mahatmas keep meditating upon Bhagawan’s divine physical form. Apart from the thought of Bhagawan, nothing else crosses their minds at any given point in time. Thus, because of this characteristic, Mahatmas are the ones who have a complete realization about Bhagawan’s omni-presence and His superiority over all other living beings in this world! Mahatmas clearly know that Bhagawan is the only one who controls anything and everything in this world. Bhagawan says further thus, 

“Satatam keertayantaha yatam tasya dridavrataaha!

Namasyamyasya maam bhaktyaa nityayuktaam upaasate!!”

Here, Bhagawan explains thus, “Oh Arjuna! Great Mahatmas perform the following things meticulously, which you should also follow: Firstly, Mahatmas keep chanting my divine names at all times (“Satatam Keertayantaha”). Secondly, Mahatmas have that strong internal will power and strength to stay persistent in their approach at all times to attain me (“Yatam tasya dridavrataaha”). Thirdly, Mahatmas are very focused in terms of their thoughts, words and actions and that focus is completely on “Bhakti” and nothing else (“Namasyamyasya maam bhaktyaa”) and finally, and most importantly, Mahatmas do not leave me at any point in time (“Nityayuktaam upaasate!”).

Even if we are meticulous on the first three points, the final point is where most of us will lose out! For instance, whenever we go on pilgrimage tours, we plan them in such a way that we book all our “to” and “fro” tickets correctly, isn’t it? For instance, if we’re going to Tirupati or Srirangam to worship Bhagawan, or even if we’re going to the Bhadrinaatha Kshetram, we make sure that even if we do not get a ticket in the train or flight to go there, we get our return tickets back, isn’t it? Many of us might even have a practice that only if we get a proper confirmed return ticket, we will book our tickets for going from here, isn’t it? Now suppose, let us assume that when we go to Srirangam to worship Bhagawan, and for some reason, Bhagawan likes us so much and He asks us to remain there with Him for some more time – What will we tell Bhagawan? Will we be able to obey Bhagawan’s words by not bothering about our return tickets back home and stay there with Him? Or, will we have the guts to say to Bhagawan thus, “Oh Bhaagwan! I’ve got some other important work back at my home town and I’ve booked my return journey tomorrow morning. Hence, maybe next time if you could tell me in advance, I can plan accordingly!” Can we say this to Bhagawan, who, out of so much love from His divine heart, is wanting us to stay back along with Him? Most of the times, we will, because this is where we get carried away by the “Yoga Maaya”! We should think for a moment – “Is our tomorrow’s work at home more important than being with Bhagawan?” If our answer is “Yes”, we would definitely make our way back! Whereas, if our answer is no, things are very different, isn’t it? This is where we differ from great Mahatmas! If this were a Mahatma at our place, he / she would have the guts to say thus, “Oh wow! What a wonderful opportunity! Oh Bhagawan! I’ll stay with you forever, even if you’re not asking me to stay here at Srirangam!” 

This is the level of maturity that Bhagawan is expecting us to cultivate within ourselves and if we’re able to do so, we’re on the right track to attain Bhagawan! So for today, let us understand this point very clearly and let us introspect within ourselves with regards to our readiness if Bhagawan calls us to be with Him! Stay tuned for the continuation of this discussion further in the next episode! 🙂 

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna stressing upon two important points – Firstly, even though people in this world might be performing their “Karma Yoga” and / or “Gnyaana Yoga”, if they are not realizing me through the process, performing all these are a mere waste of time and energy. Upon talking about this, Bhagawan also feels bad that people are not able to realize Him and His significance no matter how much ever He comes down to their level to make them understand. For instance, if Bhagawan shows Himself to be a complex “Paramaatman”, people are going to get scared off from Him. If such is the case, if Bhagawan lowers down His level and shows Himself to be an ordinary human being, people underestimate Him and His significance. This is not just the case during the previous “Dvaapara Yuga”, but it is clearly the case in the current “Kali Yuga” as well. Today, we’ve made everything possible to move away from Bhagawan as much as possible, rather than trying to come closer to Him. As we do so, we should understand how Bhagawan would be feeling! Won’t He feel terrible that His own children are moving far away from Him every moment? 

Feeling bad thus, Bhagawan explains to Arjuna as to how He is omni-present across the length and breadth of this world. However, even though Bhagawan seems to be feeling bad, we should also understand that Bhagawan has created this world in this fashion for this very purpose. What is the purpose here? The purpose here is very simple – To confuse us and to make us put that effort to reach Him. Nothing in this world is easily attainable, isn’t it? Even if we’ve to become a doctor or an engineer, we’ve to put that effort with our studies, shouldn’t we? Similarly, here also, if we’ve to attain Bhagawan, we’ve to put that necessary effort in the form of understanding Him and performing the “Bhakti” towards Him. However, doing this is not easy. The entire world is surrounded by the “Yoga-Maaya”, which is nothing but “Illusion”. This illusion will get stronger as our “Paapa Karma” gets accumulated more and more. More the illusion, the more we will get away from Bhagawan’s fold. We might have a doubt as to who is creating the illusion here. It is none other than Bhagawan Himself! Hence, we should understand here that Bhagawan is testing us whether we’re falling prey to this “Maaya” that He has created, or are we getting up from it and still are able to focus on Bhagawan as per His words of advice in the Bhagawad Gita. If we’re passing this test, Bhagawan is clearly realizable. However, most of the times, we might start putting the effort with a lot of enthusiasm as per Bhagawan’s words in the “Gita”, but at some point in time, we might start getting carried away by the “Maaya”. Once we’re carried away, it is nearly impossible for us to come back into this path. This is where all of us get trapped! Hence, as ardent “Bhaktas” of Bhagawan Krishna, we should strive to go that extra mile to try and understand His significance, thereby creating that interest in attaining Him. Only if we know about Him, will we be able to cultivate that interest to attain Him, isn’t it? If we do not know about something, how will we be able to generate that interest? This is why, Bhagawan is trying to create this awareness to all of us about His divine significance, so that when we read through this ninth “Adhyaaya”, we will automatically be able to generate this interest towards Him, thereby paving the way for the “Bhakti Yoga” to prosper. 

Saying thus, Bhagawan continues further – “Oh Arjuna! Such is the characteristics of a “Moodaatma” (Fool), wherein he is completely driven by the “Maaya”, thereby forgetting my divine significance completely! Hence, let us not waste time in talking about them. Now let me tell you how “Mahatmas” strive towards attaining me. “Mahatmas” are those people who are extremely focused. They know what they are born for and they strive meticulously to attain what they’ve come for in this world. “Mahatmas” constantly keep thinking about me, and because they put their heart and soul into thinking about me at all times, I also facilitate their effort in ensuring that I remain in their heart and soul forever! Moreover, “Mahatmas” are the ones who are always busy in chanting my divine names and are steadfast in their effort to attain me somehow. Even if they’re steadfast, they should put their effort towards attaining me, isn’t it? Mahatmas are the ones who go that extra mile in taking enormous effort to attain me and this is why I ensure that I’m a facilitator to them for attaining me! Moreover, for “Mahatmas”, their intentions, actions and words are together pointed towards me. There is no discrepancy between them! Whereas for the others, all these three aspects do not coincide on the same path. Their intentions might still be towards attaining me, their words might also be towards me, but the effort might not be there! If even one amongst the three do not focus towards me, attaining me becomes very difficult! However, “Mahatmas” make sure that all their intentions, words and actions are completely directed towards me and hence, they are deemed to be successful in attaining me!” 

So for today, let us understand this beautiful philosophy that Bhagawan Krishna is explaining and as we read this, let us also try to invoke Bhagawan in all our thoughts, words and deeds. Of course, it is easier said than done, but we need to start somewhere, isn’t it? So let us start today! We shall wait till the next episode to continue this discussion further, along with the relevant shlokas for whatever Bhagawan has just explained now! Stay tuned! 🙂 

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna talking about the significance of “Bhakti Yoga” wherein He’s highlighting the fact that unlike the other two “Yogas”, “Bhakti Yoga” is very simple and is easily implementable for normal people like us. It is not important that we should take so much effort to byheart each and every line of what Bhagawan has explained in the Bhagawad Gita, but what is more important here is that, we should understand what Bhagawan is trying to tell through this. The important question here is whether we are following what Bhagawan Krishna wants us to do. Moreover, we ourselves know by now after spending almost a hundred episodes reading through the essence of each and every chapter of the Bhagawad Gita that Bhagawan is not narrating any rocket science here. He is telling us a few things that are quite implementable and practical too for our every day routine life. Hence, all we need to do is to understand Bhagawan’s words and put them into practice and this is what He expects us to do. If we do so, as Bhagawan Himself says, we will automatically get closer to Bhagawan’s heart. Again, it might of course not be possible for us to be 100% in our implementation, but are we putting the right effort towards implementing Bhagawan’s words of advice? This is something that all of us need to ask within ourselves. Are we sincere in our approach towards implementing Bhagawan’s advice? Let us introspect within ourselves as we move on further. 

Saying all this, Bhagawan Krishna is now going to explain in detail His real significance and is going to tell us who He really is! Bhagawan says thus, “Oh Arjuna! Please understand one thing clearly! You might see me in this physical form as one entity, but I’m omni-present inside every single entity that exists in this world! Oh Arjuna! I’m the most elderly amongst those who are elderly. I’m the youngest amongst those who are young. I’m the simplest amongst those who are very simple. However, there is a paradox that I face every time – If I show myself to be very superior and complex to understand, people do not want to come near me because they fear what they see in front of them. However, if I show myself to be a very simple person in a simple physical form, people are underestimating me and my significance. Hence, in both cases, people are going away from me. Thus, if they perform any of their “Karma” or “Gnyaana” without a deep understanding about me and my significance, everything is going to be a mere waste of time and energy! People will never be able to attain “Moksha” at all in their lifetime if they do not understand me. Moreover, even in this world, if they require wealth, name and fame, they have no other option but to come to me for it. I’m the one who gives all these things for them to be happy in their present lifetime. But, the sad reality in this world today is that most of the “Jeevatmas” do not understand this fact and they are extremely aloof!” 

If Bhagawan has to feel so sad and unfortunate by saying this during the “Dvaapara Yuga”, we should understand how Bhagawan would feel if He incarnates in this “Kali Yuga” during the present day! 🙂 Atleast during the “Dvaapara Yuga”, Bhagawan had Arjuna to talk about all these and express His sadness, but in the present “Kali Yuga”, with whom can Bhagawan even share all His sorrows? All of us in today’s “Kali Yuga” are extremely opportunistic in some way or the other, aren’t we? Over time, we’ve become more selfish with our needs and wants, and we’ve grown our desires to such an extent that we’ve started to go to the extent of destroying Mother Earth / Nature to fulfil our needs! If Bhagawan comes to us and stands in front of us at this point, and if He says that He will fulfil all our needs (Just like how He’s saying to Arjuna in this context), our next reaction would be to pounce on Him to obtain as much as we want, isn’t it? This is where Bhagawan is feeling sad. How people have become so opportunistic and how people do not take the effort of realizing Bhagawan at all! 

So for today, let us understand this clearly and as ardent Bhaktas of Bhagawan Krishna, shouldn’t our efforts be towards understanding Him and His significance? Let us give it a thought for today and we shall wait till the next episode to continue with this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂 

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna beautifully explaining the crux of the “Bhakti Yoga”, wherein He explains that this “Bhakti Yoga” is the secret within all secrets in this world. Moreover, it is one of the highest and the purest aspect in this entire world when it comes to attaining spiritual growth and realization. Also, Bhagawan most importantly explains that if one follows the “Bhakti Yoga”, this “Bhakta” becomes a magnet and Bhagawan is slowly attracted towards this “Bhakta”, which is why, the “Bhakti Yoga” is the greatest “Karma” (Action) that we can ever do in this world! As we understand these points, we can witness how Bhagawan Krishna raises the bar and sets the context for an amazing discussion moving forward, isn’t it? So let us continue this discussion forward in today’s episode and see what Bhagawan has to say next. 

Moving on further thus, Bhagawan Krishna also explains to Arjuna – “Oh Arjuna! Many of us might think that this “Bhakti Yoga” is extremely complex to implement. But let me tell you one thing clearly – The implementation of “Bhakti Yoga” is the easiest of all! When it comes to “Karma Yoga”, you need to be extremely meticulous about your implementation part, and one slip here or there will lead you away from me. Similarly, with the “Gnyaana Yoga” too, if your concentration and focus deviates from your “Tapas”, it is very difficult for you to get back into the same state again. However, when it comes to “Bhakti Yoga”, it is extremely easy to implement. You do not need to put much effort here. You only need to focus on me and think of me at all times, in whatever actions you perform. Just try and keep me in your thoughts and in your heart, and with that itself, I’m getting more and more closer to you!” 

The message is very simple and straightforward here – For instance, if we’ve to make Bhagawan Krishna happy, many of us might think that we should recite all the 700 shlokas of the Bhagawad Gita upside down without seeing the book! We might think that we should know the meanings of all the seven-hundred shlokas verbatim! Absolutely not at all! Even if we know half a verse in the Bhagawad Gita and if we recite it with utmost “Bhakti” with tears in our eyes, by placing Bhagawan in our heart, this action is enough to move Bhagawan closer to us! Moreover, many of us might think that implementing whatever Bhagawan Krishna says in the Bhagawad Gita in our lives might be a herculean task, but is it so? For instance, Bhagawan says that we’ve to do our duty meticulously! Is this too difficult for us to do? We’re already performing all or most of our duties in some way or the other, aren’t we? Only thing here is our concentration and focus towards Bhagawan and performing our actions meticulously is important. Secondly, Bhagawan is saying that we need to only understand the message behind the Gita, and it is not even necessary for us to byheart the entire text of the seven hundred shlokas. Of course, having said that, if we have the capability to do so, we can always byheart the shlokas, and chanting the Gita shlokas itself will give us enormous happiness, won’t it? However, is our goal to attain mastery over the Gita and show our scholarliness to Bhagawan and to the world? Absolutely no, isn’t it? Our goal here is to understand the essence of the Bhagawad Gita and this is why we’re spending hundreds of episodes to understand it as part of this blog. In fact, this is what Bhagawan wants all of us to do as well. Hence, what is important here is whether we’re able to understand the essence of the Gita and thereby put it into practice. 

Saying thus, Bhagawan highlights the point that the implementation of “Bhakti Yoga” is extremely simple and moving on further, Bhagawan is now going to explain more of His divine significance, so that we would get an opportunity to be more and more attracted towards Bhagawan! So for today, let us understand up to this point and we shall wait till the next episode to continue this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂