The Indian Dharma

In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of an important prelude to “Bhakti Yoga”, as to what are the main qualities of an ardent “Bhakta” and how does Bhagawan respond to the call of a “Bhakta”. While we discussed this for the past two episodes, we’ve also witnessed three important examples as to how “Bhaktas” called out to Bhagawan every time when they underwent sufferings and how Bhagawan responded immediately to their fervent and innocent calls. We’ve witnessed the cases of Prahlaada, Dhruva and Elephant Gajendra to whom Bhagawan was literally a servant! Whenever Prahlaada called out to Bhagawan for help, Bhagawan ensured that each and every call of Prahlaada was duly answered. Similarly, we’ve also seen how Bhagawan immediately responded to little Dhruva and to Elephant Gajendra as well. So, as part of the prelude, Bhagawan wants us to understand who is a real “Bhakta” and through this, we’re now going to understand the “Bhakti Yoga” as narrated by Him. 

With this prelude, we shall now move on into the commencement of the ninth “Adhyaaya”, wherein Bhagawan says thus,

“Idam tu te guhyatamam pravakshyaam anasuyave!

Gnyaanam vignyaanasahitam yagnyaatvaa mokshate subhaath!!”

Now before we go into this important shloka, Arjuna internally has a question, but he’s not asking it deliberately. After listening to the “Bhakta-Maahaatmyam” (Significance of a Bhakta), Arjuna has a doubt – Whether is he really qualified to be called as a “Bhakta” of Bhagawan Krishna! In fact, many of us might have this doubt within us – When we see the way in which real “Bhaktas” have exhibited their devotion towards Bhagawan, just like how Prahlaada and the others did, we might really start thinking whether we really fit into this elite group? We have not even exhibited 0.1% of “Bhakti” as these people have done, isn’t it? Have we taken up a deep “Tapas” like how little Dhruva had done? We can’t even sit continuously for five minutes, closing our eyes and thinking of Bhagawan and given this plight of ours, how can we even compare ourselves with little Dhruva? Or, do we have an unconditional and innocent approach like how Elephant Gajendra had? Never! Everytime we pray to Bhagawan, we do so with a lot of disturbances and with a lot of opportunistic causes. If such is the case, we might also have a feeling whether we are even eligible to practise the “Bhakti Yoga” or not, don’t we?

This is exactly where Arjuna too had a doubt, and for this, Bhagawan consoles him beautifully through the above shloka. Bhagawan says thus, “Oh Arjuna! Of course, if I’ve to compare you with several other ardent “Bhaktas”, you might not fit into that category for sure. However, I’m illustrating “Bhakti Yoga” to you, because you’re my nephew and you’re someone who is very close to my heart. Also, till whatever I’ve seen you, you’re someone who does not have any jealousy or pride in you. You’ve achieved a lot in life, and yet, you are someone who doesn’t go “hammer and tongs” on it! You’re someone who is very humble and is always ready to listen to whatever I tell you!” 

Bhagawan Krishna continues further thus, 

“Raaja vidyaa raaja guhyam pavitramida uttamam!

Pratyakshaavagamam karmyam dusukham kartumavyayam!!”

This is the second shloka of the ninth “Adhyaaya” and it is one of the most important shlokas in the Bhagawad Gita. Similar to this, there are around 8-10 shlokas in the entire text, which, if we keep chanting every day, we will automatically get ourselves immersed into “Krishna-Bhakti”. Hence, this shloka of the ninth “Adhyaaya” assumes enormous significance. Why is it so? Bhagawan says thus, “Oh Arjuna! Please understand that this “Bhakti Yoga” that I’m going to narrate is the most superior of all the other “Vidyas” (Knowledge) and hence I refer it to as “Raaja Vidya”! Out of all important secrets in this world, this “Bhakti Yoga” is the greatest secrets! This is why I refer the “Bhakti Yoga” as “Raaja Guhyam”! Thirdly, this “Bhakti Yoga” is the most purest of all “Yogams” in this world and hence I refer to it as “Pavitram”. Fourth, this “Bhakti Yoga” is the highest in terms of spiritual growth and attainment, and hence I refer it as “Utthamam”. Fifthly, Oh my dear Arjuna! If you continuously keep performing this “Bhakti Yoga”, you will eventually become like a magnet that attracts me automatically towards you! This is why I call it as “Pratyaksha aagamanam”! Sixth, this “Bhatki Yoga” is the highest level of “Karma” that you can perform in this world and this is why I refer it as “Karmyam”. Moreover, Oh Arjuna! It is not very tough to perform this! This is very easy and is very much possible for every “Jeevatma” in this world, and this is why I refer it as “Suktam Kartumavyayam!” Hence, Oh Arjuna! This is the significance of “Bhakti Yoga” in a nutshell for you to understand!

What a beautiful philosophy explained by Bhagawan Krishna! Hence, for today, let us understand the significance of the “Bhakti Yoga” and in the next episode, we shall continue further with this discussion! Stay tuned! 🙂

In the previous episode, we had witnessed a detailed prelude to “Bhakti Yoga” which is given by Bhagawan Krishna throughout “Adhyaayas” 7 and 8. Unlike the “Karma Yoga” and the “Gnyaana Yoga”, Bhagawan Krishna is not straightaway going into the subject. He’s spending almost two “Adhyaayas” in setting up the context for discussing “Bhakti Yoga”. This clearly shows that Bhagawan Krishna’s emphasis is more on the “Bhakti Yoga”, even more than the previous “Karma Yoga” and “Gnyaana Yoga”. Of course, not to forget, our “Karma Yoga” and “Gnyaana Yoga” are extremely important, but beyond these to “Yogams”, the “Bhakti Yoga” enjoys enormous significance because by performing this “Yogam”, we are pleasing Bhagawan’s heart directly! Thus, to highlight the importance of this “Yogam”, Bhagawan first explains who is an ardent “Bhakta” and the important characteristics of a “Bhakta”. Subsequently, to take Bhagawan’s explanations further, we’ve witnessed a few examples of ardent “Bhaktas” like Prahlaada, Dhruva, Elephant Gajendra, etc. and we’ve tried to match their qualities with what Bhagawan is explaining here. We’ve seen how Prahlaada was so steadfast in his “Bhakti” towards Bhaagwan Vishnu, and so was little Dhruva and Elehpant Gajendra, who unconditionally prayed to Bhagawan to free itself from the clutches of a crocodile. 

To continue this further, we’ve seen only one side of the story – The qualities of an ardent “Bhakta” and how these “Bhaktas” exhibit unconditional surrender. There’s another side to the story as to how Bhagawan responds to this unconditional surrender, isn’t it? In the case of Prahlaada, we’ve seen how Bhagawan Narasimha was confused and puzzled as to where He should hide before coming in front of Hiranya Kashibu. This is because Prahlaada had given a word of assurance to Hiranya Kashibu that Bhagawan Vishnu is omni-present and He is present in every cell of this world! Hence, Bhagawan Narasimha has to make Himself available at all places now, so that He could come out from wherever Prahlaada wants Him to come! Thus, finally when Hiranya Kashibu points out to a pillar and asks whether Bhagawan Vishnu is present inside it, Prahlaada straight away said a “Yes” without any hesitation! Now, Bhagawan Narasimha had to now get into the pillar which Hiranya Kashibu is going to attack, and He obeyed Prahlaada’s words by making them come true! 

Similarly in the case of little Dhruva, he took to a high-level intense penance with the “Vairaagya” that he would see Bhagawan Vishnu in front of him within seven days! Unable to resist little Dhruva’s firm resolve, Bhagawan did appear in front of little Dhruva and made Dhruva sit on His lap, didn’t He? Similarly in the case of Elephant Gajendra, the innocent prayers of the poor elephant was answered immediately by Bhagawan Vishnu who ran all the way from Vaikunta without even wearing His ornaments to save its life! So from all these cases of ardent “Bhaktas”, what can we understand? It is not just the ardent “Bhakti” that is important for us to note, but it is also equally important to understand how Bhagawan responds! So why I’m talking about all this is that, we should instil this confidence in all of us as we progress towards the “Bhakti Yoga”. We might be ardent “Bhaktas” of Bhagawan Krishna in our own unique ways, but at points / situations wherein we might face challenges and troubles and when we undergo suffering, our “Bhakti” towards Bhagawan might suddenly drop down! This is where Bhagawan is testing our patience and perseverance and this is exactly where people like Prahlaada and Dhruva succeeded. All of us know what kind of sufferings Prahlaada had to undergo because of his Raakshasa father. All of us know how little Dhruva was insulted by his step-mother before he undertook the intense penance towards Bhagawan Vishnu. Hence, insults, challenges, sufferings, etc. are part and parcel of our life and especially during these tough times, we should never lose hope and faith towards Bhagawan. This is where the strength and intensity of our “Bhakti” is put under test by Bhagawan and if we’re passing these tests successfully, Bhagawan’s heart is automatically going to be pleased, isn’t it? Hence, once Bhagawan’s heart gets pleased, His response towards us is going to be in an unimaginable manner to protect us! Hence, what we’ve to learn from today’s episode as a continuation of the prelude is that, as ardent Bhaktas of Bhagawan Krishna, we should develop the tolerance, perseverance and faith as we progress forward, and these are the qualities which Bhagawan expects from us as well! 

So for today, let us understand this important point pertaining to “Bhakti” and let us start putting this into practice in our daily life as well! Stay tuned for the next episode to continue this discussion further into the “Bhakti Yoga”! 🙂

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna continuing His accord on the “Archiraadhi Maargam” and how it is the “bright path” to reach “Vaikunta”, from where we never come back to any of the other “Lokhas” again. We’ve had the continuation of the discussion on what are the various “Lokhas” through which we’ve to traverse, as part of the “Archiraadhi Maargam” to reach “Vaikunta”. After we traverse through all the “Lokhas”, we should cross a river called “Virajaa Nadhi”, wherein we’ve to wash ourselves completely of all our sins and “Karma” that might still be sticking on to us. Once we cross over the “Virajaa Nadhi”, Bhagawan will be eagerly waiting to receive us at “Vaikunta” and He will be the happiest person to see us there! This is because, if we’ve to reach “Vaikunta”, we should have definitely obeyed and followed all the words of advice that Bhagawan has given us through various “Shaastras” including this Bhagawad Gita. Hence, Bhagawan will be super pleased to receive us with a lot of love and affection, and once we reach Bhagawan’s divine abode, we are going to experience permanent happiness and bliss. With this point, Bhagawan concludes the eighth “Adhyaaya” of the Bhagawad Gita and in today’s episode, we shall move on further from here into the ninth “Adhyaaya”. 

Moving on now, we enter into the ninth “Adhyaaya” which is called “Raaja Vidya – Raaja Guhya Yogam”. Here is where Bhagawan Krishna is actually going to commence the main discussion on the “Bhakti Yoga”! We might be wondering as to what He was talking about from the seventh “Adhyaaya” onwards! We initially saw that starting from the seventh “Adhyaaya”, Bhagawan Krishna is going to commence the discussion on “Bhakti Yoga”, but He never did! This is a clear sign that Bhagawan Krishna was a great orator! 🙂 Till now for the past two “Adhyaayas”, He was only building up the context to discuss the “Bhakti Yoga”! So if we’ve to ask a question as to why did Bhagawan Krishna take two full “Adhyaayas” to set up the context for discussion, the answer is very simple – If we’ve to understand “Bhakti Yoga”, we should first understand who an ardent “Bhakta” is, shouldn’t we? Thus, for the past two “Adhyaayas”, Bhagawan was explaining meticulously as to who is His most “Ardent Bhakta” (Devotee) and why is this “Bhakta” close to His heart. Only once we understand what pleases Bhagawan Krishna’s divine heart, will we be able to understand how to conduct ourselves so that we also join that “Satsanga” group, isn’t it? This is why, Bhagawan had given such a build-up to the “Bhakti Yoga”! 

Thus, the point that we’ve to understand here is very simple – “Adhyaayas” 7 and 8 completely talk about who is an ardent “Bhakta” and what makes this “Bhakta” special in Bhagawan’s heart. From “Adhyaaya” 9 onwards, Bhagawan is going to explain what a “Jeevatma ” does in order to become Bhagawan’s most ardent “Bhakta”! For instance, even in Engineering or Management or Leadership lessons that we might teach as a professor in a class, we would not just talk the technical part of the subject and come back. If we do so, students will not be able to relate anything with what is happening in real life, isn’t it? This is why we give a lot of examples, applications of concepts, case studies, etc. in class, so that students are able to relate the concept and its real-time application. Similarly here also, before Bhagawan talks about the technical concept called “Bhakti Yoga”, He first makes us understand who a “Bhakta” is. For instance, if we see Prahlaada, we will immediately understand what “Bhakti” is, won’t we? We’ve seen how Prahlaada was tortured by his father, Hiranya Kashibu, by giving him poison to drink, by pushing him from a mountain, by pushing him into the ocean, etc. Yet, Prahlaalda never gave up his “Bhakti” towards Bhagawan Vishnu and finally when Hiranya Kashibu asks about the whereabouts of Bhagawan Vishnu, Prahlaada confidently points out to a pillar into which He would be present! We’ve seen how Bhagawan Vishnu came out in the form of Bhagawan Narasimha to protect the little child Prahlaada, isn’t it? In fact, we’ve also seen that Bhagawan Vishnu Himself was fearing for Prahlaada as He Himself did not know how to prove His omni-presence! As Prahlaada was a child and he was so blind in His “Bhakti”, Bhagawan had to take up His divine form in the place where Prahlaada pointed his fingers at! Hence, we can see how Bhagawan Himself is on toes (in a good way of course) upon seeing a “Bhakta” who is completely immersed in “Bhakti”!  

Similarly, we’ve seen how Bhagawan Vishnu turned up in front of little Dhruva, who took up an extraordinary penance to somehow see Bhagawan! In similar lines, we’ve seen how Elephant Gajendra was protected by Bhagawan Vishnu when its leg was grabbed by a crocodile! Hence, by seeing all these examples, we can understand who an “Ardent Bhakta” is! This is how Bhagawan set the context for the “Bhakti Yoga” to commence. 

So for today, let us understand this important prelude to the “Bhakti Yoga” and from the next episode onwards, we shall slowly delve into the main “Bhakti Yoga” and what Bhagawan has got to say on it! Stay tuned for an important accord! 🙂  

We’re at a very important juncture in the Bhagawad Gita, wherein Bhagawan Krishna is explaining the path to attain the highest “Vaikuntam”, from where we’re not going to come back forever into any “Lokha”. In pursuit of one’s travel post the current birth of ours in this world, Bhagawan Krishna talks about two paths – The “White Path” and the “Black Path”. While the white path is referred to as the “Archiraadhi Maargam”, which is full of bright light, the black path is referred to as the “Dhumaadi Maargam”, which is full of darkness and miseries. For spiritual seekers / aspirants like all of us, we should strive to traverse this “Archiraadhi Maargam”, shouldn’t we? For this, Bhagawan is of course going to explain several guidelines that we should follow, and we’re going to discuss them in our future episodes. However, for now, Bhagawan is explaining how the “Archiradhi Maargam” is. We’ve seen in yesterday’s episode that this path traverses through twelve different “Lokhas”, starting from the “Archit”, which is nothing but a huge bright light. From there on, we traverse through several phases such as “Shukla Paksham”, “Uttaraayanam”, “Samvatsaram” and then enter into the “Vaayu Lokha”, “Surya Lokha”, “Chandra Lokha”, “Varuna Lokha”, “Vidyut Lokha”, “Indra Lokha” and then we enter into Bhagawan Brahma’s “Satya Lokha”! We’ve witnessed the journey of our “Atman” through all these “Lokhas”, and we might ask a question here – “Where is “Vaikuntam”? We’ve seen a long journey till now and where is this going to end?” Let’s continue this discussion on “Archiraadhi Maargam” further in today’s episode. 

Moving further thus, Bhagawan Krishna explains – “Oh Arjuna! Once you cross through Bhagawan Brahma’s “Satya Lokha”, you will traverse through the expansive, deep and exorbitant “Lokha” called “Moola-Prakriti”. This is nothing but the “Cosmos” or the “Cosmic energy”, which we often keep explaining. Once you cross this “Moola-Prakriti”, you will go closer to a river called “Virajaa Nadhi”. Crossing this “Virajaa Nadhi” is one of the toughest things that you can do and it is not very easy. If you still have “Karma” left in you, there is no option but to submerge in this “Virajaa Nadhi” and thereby go back to any of the previously described “Lokhas” again! However, if you are devoid of any “Karma”, you will be able to cross this “Virajaa Nadhi” and after this, you’ll finally reach the “Vaikunta Lokha” of mine. Thus, people who reach the “Vaikuntam”, will never have a situation henceforth wherein they’ll come back to this world again! You can live permanently there at “Vaikuntam” with ultimate peace and eternal bliss!” 

Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna is now going to talk about the “Black Path”. All of us whose “Karma Phalam” is left over at various stages will have to go through this “Black Path” only and let us pay some attention to this as well! 🙂 So, Bhagawan says thus, “Oh Arjuna! The “Black Path” (“Dhumaadhi Maargam”) is just the opposite of the “Archiraadhi Maargam”. Just like how you have a “Shuklapaksham” in the “Archiraadhi Maargam”, you have a “Krishnapaksha” here. Just like how you have a “Uttaraayanam” there, you will have a “Dakshinaayanam” here. Just like how you have a “Vidyut Lokha” there, which is full of bright light, here you’ll have a “Dhooma Lokha”, which is full of toxic smoke, through which you will not be able to see anything! Thus, by traversing this path, you’ll never be able to attain “Vaikuntam” at all! Those who traverse this path are never going to attain me for sure! They are going to get lost! Oh Arjuna! I’m telling all this to you so that you should not fall into this trap of getting into the “Dhoomaadi Lokha” at any point of time. If you’re getting into it, you’ll not be able to come out of it forever!” 

Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna completes the eighth “Adhyaaya” of the Bhagawad Gita and for today, let us clearly understand the two important paths. As ardent “Bhaktas” of Bhagawan Krishna, we should ensure that we do not fall into the trap of the “Dhumaadi Maargam”, and rather, try to follow Bhagawan’s guidelines to traverse the path of “Archiraadhi Maargam” to attain Him at “Vaikunta”! We shall wait till the next episode to continue this discussion into the important ninth “Adhyaaya” of the Bhagawad Gita! Stay tuned! 🙂

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna highlighting a very important point to Arjuna and to all of us that irrespective of whichever “Lokha” we reach after our demise from this world, we would end up coming back to this place once again! This applies even for the Indra’s “Svarga Lokha” and Bhagawan Brahma’s “Satya Lokha” as well. However, there is only one Lokha from which nobody comes back to this world, which is “Vaikuntam” of Bhagawan Vishnu. Hence, Bhagawan Krishna stresses upon the point that we should strive to reach “Vaikuntam” somehow or the other, however, the easiest way for us to reach there is by following whatever Bhagawan Krishna explains as part of this holy Bhagawad Gita. We’ve already witnessed how one can perform the “Karma Yoga” to attain “Atma-Saakshaakaaram”, through constant thought about Bhagawan (“Bhagawad Chinta”). Secondly, we’ve spoken in detail about Bhagawan Krishna’s advice on how we should perform our “Yogam” and how we should develop this “Bhagawad Chinta” in us. If we’re internalizing Bhagawan within our mind and heart, whatever we do and see in this world will become one with Bhagawan completely! 

Now, as Bhagawan commences His accord on the “Bhakti Yoga”, this becomes an important prerequisite. As Bhagawan Krishna talks about the “Vaikuntam” thus, Arjuna has an important question here. He asks thus, “Oh Bhagawan Keshava! You’re saying that we will not be reborn in this world or any other world if we reach your “Vaikuntam”, aren’t you? Now, how does an ordinary person like me attain the “Vaikuntam”? What is the path for attaining this “Lokha”? I do not know the path at all, and if that is the case, how do you expect me to attain the “Vaikunta Lokha”? Oh Bhagawan! How long will it take for me to reach there? I do not know the way to reach “Vaikuntam” isn’t it? Hence, will there be someone who will take me there?” As Arjuna asks thus, Bhagawan is now going to give a very important reply here. He says thus, 

“Agnir jyothir ahah shuklaha shanmaataa uttharaayanam!

Tatra prayaataa gacchanti bramhah bramha vido janaaha!!”

Through this shloka, Bhagawan Krishna conveys a very important point to Arjuna thus, “Oh Arjuna! Look! There are two different paths – One is a “White path” and the other is a “Black path”. A person who traverses this “White path” is the one who is going to attain the highest “Vaikuntam”, whereas, a person who traverses the “Black path” is going to end up in any other world except “Vaikuntam”! That world might be Deva Lokha or Pitru Lokha or Brahma’s Satya Lokha as well. Now, you might ask me what is the “White Path” that I’m talking about – This “White path” is called “Archiraadhi Maargam”. This means that the path is full of light (“Archit”) and is extremely bright in nature. The “Black path” is otherwise referred to as “Dhumaadi Maargam”, which is full of darkness. If you’re going to traverse along this “Dhumaadi Maargam”, you will be completely lost in the darkness and ultimately you’ll end up taking rebirth in this world again at some point in time!” 

Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna continues further thus, “Oh Arjuna! I’ll now tell you what will you encounter in the “Archiraadhi Maargam”. First thing that you will encounter here is the “Archit”, which is a bright flame of light. Second thing that you will come across uniquely in this path is the phenomenon wherein there is complete day time without a night time at all! Third is the “Shuka Paksham” and the fourth is the “Uttaraayanam”. Fifth one that you will come across is “Samvatsaram” and the sixth one that you will cross is the “Vaayu Lokha”. Subsequently, after crossing the “Vaayu Lokha”, you’ll traverse through the “Surya Lokha” and “Chandra Lokha”. Subsequently, the ninth “Lokha” that you will traverse through is called “Vidyut”, which is a “Lokham” that fully consists of lightnings! Subsequent to this, is the “Varuna Lokha” and then you’ve to go through the “Indra Lokha”. Then comes the last one – the twelvth one which is the “Satya Lokha”!” 

So for today, let us understand up to this level. In today’s episode, we’ve seen Bhagawan Krishna explaining how we’ve to follow the “White Path”, traversing across twelve main “Lokhas”. From now on, the path is going to get slightly interesting, and we shall continue this in our next episode! Stay tuned for an important accord! 🙂

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna explaining to Arjuna as to how this world is a place that is full of sorrow and nothing else, and how we get trapped into this vicious cycle of getting into a sorrow in everything that we do here. Bhagawan Krishna goes on to explain that if one has to experience an unending happiness and divine bliss, he / she should equip himself / herself to reach the “Vaikunta”, and for this, the person should understand the significance of Bhagawan and accordingly position Him in mind and perform the “Yogam” as per Bhagawan’s instructions. Bhagwan also explains here that once someone reaches the “Vaikunta”, there is no possibility that he / she is going to take birth again in this world to experience all the sorrows here! 

This is very important for all of us in today’s context as well because, most of the time we’re under an illusion (“Maya”) that this world is very beautiful and is full of opportunities to be happy and content! However, when we start exploring each and every opportunity that the world throws at us, we start experiencing a lot of dissatisfaction and unhappiness in them! Subsequently we start cribbing about the opportunity that we’ve got, which once upon a time we were thinking that this is the best, and we eventually make a move on into the next opportunity, only to find the same result there also! We can see this in the way we switch from one organization to the other, in pursuit of the “best job opportunity”, can’t we? At the onset, we might keep cribbing that our current organization is the worst employer ever, and we will make a move to the next one, only to face the same set of problems there also! Subsequently we keep on moving from one place to the other, and in every place that we move, we keep facing different set of challenges and problems! Thus, end of the day if someone asks us – “Are we happy with what we’re doing?”, our answer is always going to be a “No”! This is exactly what Bhagawan is explaining here – This world comprises more sorrows than happiness, and sadly we do not realize it! Rather, we keep going behind so-called “opportunities” that might give us temporary happiness, however, in the long run, this short-lived happiness also can turn into sorrow! 

Moving on further thus, Arjuna has a question on this! He asks thus, “Oh Bhagawan! You’re telling us that we’ll be facing only problems if we’re in this world. Leaving “Vaikunta” apart, because it might be very difficult for many of us to attain, is there any other alternate “Lokha” apart from this “Manushya Lokha” from which we won’t come back? Is there any other “Lokha” where we will enjoy a life that can be devoid of suffering?” This is something that will be prevailing in our minds as well, isn’t it? As Arjuna asks thus, Bhgawan laughs and replies back – “Oh Arjuna! You’ve asked a very important question! Let me tell you now – Irrespective of whichever “Lokha” you go to, there will be a time when you will be pushed back into this “Manushya Lokha” and you’ll have to undergo all the suffering here once again! You might have enormous “Punya Karma” and with this, you might go to the “Svarga Lokha” of Indra and the other Devatas. You can have a luxurious life there with all the unimaginable pleasures that you can experience. However, when the apt time comes wherein your “Punya Karma” will get burnt out completely, Indra himself will push you upside down into the “Manushya Lokha” once again! He will not tolerate you there even for a single minute after the cutoff time! This is the same story with Bhagawan Brahma’s “Satya Lokha” too! You may even ascend to the “Satya Lokha”, only to be kicked out after a while! Even if you go to the “Bhuvar Lokha” or “Suvar Lokha” or “Mahar Lokha” or “Jano Lokha” or “Tapo Lokha” or “Satya Lokha”, the scenario is the same! You will not be able to reside their permanently! Thus, the only “Lokha” where you will be able to live permanently is only “Vaikunta” and to reach the “Vaikunta”, you’ve to put in a lot of effort!” 

Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna sends out an important message, not only for Arjuna here, but also for all of us! So from today, let us make a meticulous effort to boost our eligibility to reach “Vaikunta” by following Bhagawan’s instructions carefully. We shall wait till the next episode to continue this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂 

In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of the discussion wherein Bhagawan Krishna is stressing upon having Him in our mind at all times, all the way until our last breath. If at all we have something else in our mind during our last breath in this birth, we would again take birth as the same thing in our next birth. To this effect, we’ve witnessed the concerned shloka from the seventh “Adhyaaya”, and in due course, we also connected the dots to see how important it is to have Bhagawan in our focus always whenever we perform our “Yogam”. Only if we start practising this habit of keeping Bhagawan in our thoughts now, we would be able to continue this till our last days. As we keep saying always, repeated practice is very essential for a sustained spiritual “Saadhana”. 

Moving on further, Bhagawan explains the next important point here thus, 

“Maam upedhya punar janma duhkaalayam asaashvatham!

Naapnuvanti mahaatmaanah tam siddhim paramaangataaha!!”

Bhagawan says thus, “Oh Arjuna! Please understand one thing – Whoever reaches me through the way that I’ve prescribed just now, is going to be in permanent bliss and happiness at all times! This person is going to be freed away from the clutches of this “Samsaara” and this world, which is full of sorrow and temporary nature! Those who reach me are never going to take birth in this world again, which is full of sorrow!” This is a very important point that Bhagawan is stressing here. He clearly explains how this world is something that is engrossed into sorrow in all ways and means! We might wonder how this is true, isn’t it? In this world, there are so many things that are pleasurable in nature and can give us immense happiness at all times, yet, how is Bhagawan terming this world as something which is full of sorrow? 

The answer is very simple – The way we look at this world makes a lot of difference. We look at the world with a lot of attachment and expectations. If the attachments start leaving us one after the other, we get into a sorrow mode, won’t we? Similarly, if our expectations are not fulfilled for some reason or the other, we again get dejected, won’t we? Hence, if we ask a question whether we can live in this world without attachment and expectations towards anyone or anything, very few people can live this way. Especially for people like us who are part of a “Samsaara” (Family-oriented life), it is virtually not possible to lead a life sans expectations and attachments. Every passing day, we are attached to our parents, to our spouse, to our children, to our friends, etc. Our entire lifetime goes only in serving these people, because of the attachment that we’ve got towards them! As we still know that life is something that is impermanent in nature, when our close people start leaving this world, it gives us a lot of sorrow, doesn’t it? We sink into a world of sorrow if our close family members leave us and some people get completely heart-broken too! So, who gave us that happiness once upon a time – When they disappear from our life, we get into the world of sorrow completely! 

This is exactly what Bhagawan Krishna says here – We might keep thinking that we’re enjoying our life a lot in this world, but is this enjoyment permanent in nature? The answer is definitely a “No”! Life in this world is like a wheel – Every time the wheel goes up, we enjoy and every time when the wheel comes down and hits the road, we suffer! Hence, this world is a mixed bag! We never know when our today’s so-called happiness might turn into sorrow! However, if we’re steadfast in our spiritual practice and if we’re able to attain Bhagawan’s proximity at Vaikunta, this is a place of permanent happiness and bliss! There are no worldly attachments or expectations at Vaikunta. So for today, let us understand this message very clearly and we shall wait till the next episode to continue this discussion further, along with Bhagawan’s next important message as part of the seventh “Adhyaaya”! Stay tuned! 🙂

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna letting out another important message that whatever is going to be our thought process during our last breath of our current birth, we’re going to take birth once again exactly similar to what we were thinking then. For this, we’ve witnessed the example of Sage Bharata, wherein he was so concerned about a deer that he had adopted. Even though Sage Bharata was extremely strong in his penance, during his last days, he was concerned as to who will take care of this deer after his demise. Thus, as he passed away with the deer in his thoughts during his last birth, he had to take a re-birth as a deer only! Hence, it is important that if we’ve to attain the highest “Moksha”, we’ve to have Bhagawan in our thoughts during our last birth. Only then we’ll be able to reach Bhagawan’s highest abode of Vaikunta, from where we will never come back to this world again! 

Bhagawan Krishna lets out this important message during the commencement of the eighth “Adhyaaya”, wherein, He is getting deeper into the concept of “Bhakti Yoga”. We shall witness the shloka that narrates this point. Bhagawan Krishna says thus, 

“Anta kaalecha maameva smaran muktvaa kalebaram!

Yah prayaadhi samadhbhaavam yaathi naatyatra samchayaha!!”

This again illustrates how Bhagawad Dhyaanam has a lot of prominence. In the sixth “Adhyaaya”, Bhagawan has clearly instructed us how to perform the “Yogam” or “Dhyaanam”, keeping Bhagawan in mind. As we try to focus our mind deeper and deeper into Bhagawan during our “Dhyaanam”, our mind is going to clearly capture Bhagawan’s divine form in an unforgettable manner. As this happens, we will be able to see Bhagawan in front of us immediately after we close our eyes and sit for meditation. Of course, this will take a lot of time and effort, but we’ve to start somewhere, shouldn’t we? As our practice intensifies, more than just during the time of performing our “Yogam”, we will be able to see Bhagawan with open eyes as well! In other words, we will be able to see Bhagawan in whomever and whatever we see in front of us. This is the highest state that we can reach through constant practice of our “Yogam”. We’ve seen this earlier as Bhagawan Krishna had advised us. At that point in time, we might not have been able to connect Bhagawan’s words to the purpose behind why Bhagawan is instructing us to do it, isn’t it? 

Now, the connection is clear – If Bhagawan says that we’ve to have Him in our thoughts during our last breath, we will be able to harness Bhagawan within us only if we’re able to attain that highest state of our “Yogam”. This is because, it is not easy to get Bhagawan’s thoughts in our mind during our last days, when we’ve not practised it while we were young. Readers might be able to appreciate this – If we’ve to attain perfection in any skill that we learn, we need to practise it repeatedly. For instance, if we’ve to attain perfection in singing, we’ve to practise music every day by performing the “Saadhagam”. Similarly, if we’ve to perfect our skills in dance, we should repeatedly keep practising it to maintain the flexibility of our various body parts. Similarly, here also, if we’ve to ensure that we’re able to see Bhagawan in all whatever we’re doing, we need to have that constant practice of thinking of Bhagawan and chanting His divine “Mantra” at all times. This is very important, and this constant practice is what will enable us to think of Bhagawan even during our olden days. 

Moreover, we’ve to remember one thing clearly as well – Do we know when our last breath is in this world? We never know, right? Hence, if there’s uncertainty here, we need to be all the more careful! This is the reason why we should develop this expertise of having Bhagawan in our thoughts always, as soon as possible. We never know what will happen to us tomorrow morning when we get up from bed! We never know what is going to happen to us next minute! Thus, with every minute of our life being uncertain, we should not delay this process, and this is exactly why Bhagawan is stressing upon the importance of practising our “Yogam”. In fact, Bhagawan is so concerned about us that He doesn’t want us to waste even a single minute. Normally on any given day, we waste so much time doing so many things like watching some useless things, gossipping about others, etc. If we go to bed with these thoughts during the night, and if we’ve to unfortunately breathe our last during this night itself, won’t we take birth again in this world with all the same problems that we’ve been thinking of? This is why we always propagate that whenever we go to bed every night, we should have Bhagawan in our thoughts! If we do so, even if we’ve to pass away in our sleep, the process will be so peaceful and Bhagawan will directly take us to His Vaikunta! So for today, let us understand this point very clearly once again and keeping the urgency in mind, let us start having Bhagawan in our thoughts at all times, somehow or the other! We shall continue this discussion in the next episode as well! Stay tuned! 🙂

In the previous episode, we had witnessed a very important point when it comes to keeping our prayers unconditional towards Bhagawan. In the introductory phase of the “Bhakti Yoga”, Bhagawan is very particular about how “Jeevatmas” can become close to His heart with their unconditional prayers that they make. When we say “unconditional prayers”, it means that we’re praying to Bhagawan, just for His mere presence beside us at all times, rather than keeping enormous demands in front of Bhagawan, for the fulfilment of our own personal needs. Of course, Bhagawan is never going to say a “No”, when we put forth demands for fulfilment. However, if we’re leaving the entire protection of ourselves to Bhagawan’s divine hands, He’s going to take care of us much better than we ourselves taking care of our needs, isn’t it? Moreover, as Bhagawan is our divine father, does a parent ever desert his child? As a father, Bhagawan knows what we need and what we do not need and at what time, doesn’t He? Hence, moving forward, we should deeply introspect this point within ourselves and have a relook at our agenda behind our prayers that we perform every day. 

Thus, as a summary of what we’ve witnessed as a gist in the seventh “Adhyaaya”, firstly, Bhagawan Krishna declares that there can never be anything else in this world which can be more superior to Him. Secondly, Bhagawan talks about the nature of an ardent “Bhakta” and how “Jeevatmas” become closer to Him with their unconditional “Bhakti” (Also referred to as “Sharanaagathi”). Of course, this is going to be explained in detail later on as well. Thirdly, Bhagawan expresses His own significance and explains how His divine presence can be felt in all the different things that we see in this world around us, including plants, animals, non-living things, five elements, Sun, Moon, etc. This is why we say that Bhagawan is omnipresent. Thus, these are the important points that we’ve seen as part of the seventh “Adhyaaya”, and with these aspects in mind, we shall now enter into the eighth “Adhyaaya”. 

Now, as Bhagawan starts the eighth “Adhyaaya”, He lets out a very important message here. Bhagawan says thus, “Oh Arjuna! It is important that when you die in this birth, you should think of me during your last breath. Only if you think of me and breathe your last in this birth, will you be able to attain “Moksha” and subsequently reach “Vaikunta”. Else, there is absolutely no chance! Moreover, the next birth of yours will be decided upon what you think of during your last breath!” This is a very important message that Bhagawan Krishna is conveying here. For instance, if we think of a dog during our last breath, we will take birth in our next birth as a dog! We’ve witnessed a similar story of a sage called “Jada-Bharata” during our previous Shrimad Bhaagawatha Puraana project. Readers might remember that Sage Bharata was having a deer with him and he was continuously concerned as to who will take care of this deer after he passes away. Thinking deeply thus, one fine day, Sage Bharata passed away, and in the next birth, he had to take birth as a deer! He had to endure the life of a deer, before he once again got an opportunity to take birth as a human being to continue his penance. This is where, Sage Bharata becomes Sage “Jada Bharata” in his subsequent birth, and thereafter continued his spiritual progress and attained “Moksha”. Thus, the message here is that, had Sage Bharata not focused his thoughts on taking care of the deer, he could have attained “Moksha” at that time itself, towards the end of that birth as a human being. Now, because of his focus on the deer, he lost his spiritual progress and thereby, had to take birth as a deer in his subsequent birth. 

Similarly in today’s context, we have enormous disturbances that we go through every passing day. For instance, we watch so many things on the television, we read a lot in newspapers, books, articles, etc., we go through so much in terms of our relationships with people – both family and friends, so on and so forth. At the end of the day, if we go to sleep with all these thoughts, it is going to be very difficult for us to get a sound sleep first of all, and secondly, if at all we’ve to breathe our last during this particular night’s sleep, we’re going to take our next birth, we’re going to be born as something that we’re keeping on thinking all through the night! Hence, we’ve to be very careful with our thoughts and this is why we always propagate that whenever we go to bed at night we should have Bhagawan in our thoughts, so that even if we’ve to breathe our last, we would be immersed in thoughts of Bhagawan and this would pave way for attaining “Moksha”! So for today, let’s inculcate this habit in ourselves and let us make ourselves eligible for attaining “Moksha” as per Bhagawan’s words! We shall continue this discussion in the next episode as well and look into the shlokas from the eight “Adhyaaya”. Stay tuned! 🙂 

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna expressing Himself quite frankly with Arjuna that there are unfortunately a vast majority of people in this world who pray to Him for selfish needs and to fulfil their own welfare! None of these people think about Bhagawan’s welfare even for a second. However, there are a few of them who are the opposite – They think only of Bhagawan’s welfare and they pray to Him to have His divine presence around them, just for no reason. Bhagawan Krishna explains here that He has a special liking towards such people who genuinely care for Him and who pray to Him without any expectation from Him. These people, as Bhagawan calls them as “Gnyaanis” are extremely close to His heart! 

Now this is a very important message that Bhagawan conveys through the starting of the seventh “Adhyaaya”, which needs a lot of introspection from our end as well. For a moment, let us keep all this “Gita” and Arjuna aside and let us think of how we approach Bhagawan every day. Whenever we perform our “Nitya-Anushtaanam” every morning, afternoon and evening, what do we have in our mind while we pray to Bhagawan? Of course, all of us might have several joyous moments in our lives, as well as several problematic situations and challenges that we need to handle. During times when we are extremely joyous and happy, what kind of prayer do we put forth to Bhagawan, and during times when we are extremely sad and pained, what kind of prayer do we put forth? It might be a universal fact that at moments when we are happy and joyous, most of the time we never even think about Bhagawan! The very thought that the sole reason for our happiness and success being Bhagawan’s divine “Anugraha” at the right time goes off from our minds so easily and we start thinking that it is our own accomplishment! In such situations, many times we are even carried away to such an extent that we completely forget Bhagawan from the picture! 

However, when there is a problem or a challenge that we might face in life, all of us will run towards Bhagawan seeking help! At this time, what might Bhagawan think? He might think, “Oh wow! How opportunistic this person is! If he’s happy in whatever he’s getting from me, he’s never even thankful to me for anything that he’s getting! However, if he is undergoing an issue, he is running towards me, expecting that I would give him a solution! How unfair this can be?” Of course, this might just be a hypothetical statement that I’m making here, and maybe Bhagawan might not have such harsh feelings towards us in this way, given His unending compassion and love towards all of us! However, the important question here is that are we reciprocating Bhagawan’s unending compassion in the right way? Bhagawan is so concerned about us that He’s ready to do whatever we’re asking for, with our prayers. He is never going to say a “No” to us, even if He might feel that we’re opportunistic towards Him! However, the point that I’m trying to make here is that, are we even aware that we are opportunistic towards Bhagawan! Are we even thinking of Bhagawan’s welfare even for a minute, given that we’re worried about our welfare 24*7? Are we offering our prayers in an unconditional way, with an understanding that Bhagawan’s divine presence is more than enough to solve any challenge that comes our way?” 

Readers might remember this instance that we’ve earlier witnessed in this same Mahabharata project – When Arjuna and Duryodhana approached Bhagawan Krishna at the start of the war, Duryodhana asked for the entire army of Bhagawan Krishna (The Yaadava army) to be by his side. However, Arjuna had other plans – He wanted Bhagawan’s mere presence near him, so that, whatever may be the result of the war, Arjuna would be more than satisfied that even during such a catastrophic time, he had some quality time to spend with Bhagawan Krishna on the battlefield! This is what real prayer is all about! For this point, Arjuna himself is an example as to how unconditional his prayer was towards Bhagawan Krishna. Responding to Arjuna’s prayer thus, Bhagawan Krishna was so compassionate towards him, and in due course of the war, we’re going to witness an instance wherein Bhagawan Himself talks about Arjuna thus, “Oh! Looking at how the war is going on, I’m scared that I might lose Arjuna from my side! I cannot even imagine a life without Arjuna in my vicinity!” If Bhagawan Himself has to utter such a statement, we can imagine how unconditional was Arjuna’s surrender, and it is for this same reason, Bhagawan Krishna gifted the holy Bhagawad Gita to all of us through none other than Arjuna himself! 

Hence, the point here is that, Bhagawan never says “No” for whatever request we make to Him through our prayers. However, if our prayers are unconditional towards Him, Bhagawan’s heart starts melting towards us. His compassion towards “Gnyaanis” like these knows no bounds! Hence, for today, let us re-orient our prayers towards Bhagawan in an unconditional way and let us witness the change in Bhagawan’s approach towards us henceforth! We shall wait till the next episode to continue with the discussion of the seventh “Adhyaaya”! Stay tuned! 🙂