-
Opening and closing prayer-chants 4
-
Prayer-chant unto the guruparamparāLecture1.1
-
Prayer-chant unto Bhagavān KṛṣṇaLecture1.2
-
1 a Sankalpa for the Gita Amrtam courseLecture1.3
-
Prayer-chant for the well being and prosperity of the worldLecture1.4
-
-
Bhagavad Gita Dhyaanam 6
-
1 b Freedom from seekingLecture2.1
-
1 c Bhagavad Gita Dhyaanam verse 1Lecture2.2
-
1 d Q &ALecture2.3
-
2 a Bhagavad Gita Dhyaanam (verses 2 – 4)Lecture2.4
-
2 b Bhagavad Gita Dhyaanam (verses 5 – 9)Lecture2.5
-
2 c The context of the Gita – a glimpse of the MahabharataLecture2.6
-
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 9
Chanting only of Chapter 1 by Pujya Swami Dayananda ji
-
Bhagavad Gita Ch 1Lecture3.1
-
3 a The opening of the Gita 1.1-1.9Lecture3.2
-
3 b The armies on both sides 1.10-1.20Lecture3.3
-
3 c How to study and do sadhana of VedantaLecture3.4
-
3 d Q & ALecture3.5
-
4 a The situation of Arjuna 1.21-1.35Lecture3.6
-
4 b Arjuna’s conflict and sorrow 1.36-47Lecture3.7
-
4 Gita Q & ALecture3.8
-
How to use the Slack communityLecture3.9
-
-
Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 2 - Saankhya Yoga 46
-
Bhagavad Gita Ch 2 chanting by Pujya Swami DayanandaLecture4.1
-
5 a Arjuna’s topical problem 2.1-2.7Lecture4.2
-
5 b Arjuna’s transformation from friend to shishya and request for shreyas (moksha)Lecture4.3
-
5c Q & ALecture4.4
-
Overview of the ShaastraLecture4.5
-
6 a Arjuna qualified with viveka and vairagyaLecture4.6
-
6 Q and ALecture4.7
-
7 a The teaching begins 2.11-2.13Lecture4.8
-
8 a Guided meditation (Attitude to sukha and dukha) 2.14Lecture4.9
-
8 b Who is fit for liberation 2.14-15Lecture4.10
-
8 c Satyam (and mithya) 2.16Lecture4.11
-
9 a Guided meditation (Panchamahabhutas and connectedness)Lecture4.12
-
9 b Sat – all pervasive and indestructible 2.17-18Lecture4.13
-
9 c Q & ALecture4.14
-
10 a The one who knows the Atma to be neither the karta (doer) nor the bhokta (experiencer) 2.19-20Lecture4.15
-
10 b Nature of the Atma 2.21-23Lecture4.16
-
10 c Q & A (2.19-23)Lecture4.17
-
11 a Neither Atma can be grieved for nor Anatma which is ever changing 2.25-29Lecture4.18
-
11 b Q & A and a delightful enactment of the Atma and the two bodies (sthula and sukshma sharira)Lecture4.19
-
12 a Atma is no cause for grief 2.30Lecture4.20
-
12 b Arjuna ‘s svadharma as a kshatriya (and our svadharma) 2.31-39Lecture4.21
-
12 c Q & A (Expecting moksha from being a perfect parent, Career choice, Dharma conflict etc)Lecture4.22
-
13 a Introduction to Karma Yoga and clarity on self knowledge being the solution 2.39-43Lecture4.23
-
13 b Q & A (Is samadhi experience enough? , If moksha is not my only goal 2.39-43 )Lecture4.24
-
14 a Glimpse of being a master (Atmavaan) 2.45-46Lecture4.25
-
14 b Choice in Karma but not in result (Famous verses) 2.47-48Lecture4.26
-
15 a Karma Yoga – attitude to action and its results 2.48-50Lecture4.27
-
15 b Group Discussion and insights – The classification of the day into the four pursuits – Dharma/Artha/Kaama/,MokshaLecture4.28
-
16 a Group discussion and insights – What happens when one is money/partner/work/children obsessed?Lecture4.29
-
16 b How can one have it all – money/partner/work/children? By Being Dharma centredLecture4.30
-
16 c Freedom from bondage of karma 2.51 and Q & ALecture4.31
-
17 a Karma Yoga in relationshipsLecture4.32
-
17 b How Karma Yoga helps in self knowledge, Vairagya towards alternatives and Arjuna’s question about a wise personLecture4.33
-
17 c Q & A (Managing employees, Distractedness, Clash of roles, Dealing with a dominating personLecture4.34
-
18 a Signs of a wise person and Mastery 2.56Lecture4.35
-
18 b Mastery of the mind and senses 2.57-58 (incl Q and A)Lecture4.36
-
18 c How do you feel loved? (Podcast episode link) – Supplementary listeningLecture4.37
-
19 a Mastery of the mind and senses 2.59-61Lecture4.38
-
19 b Understanding the framework of anger(Dwelling on sense object-Attachment-Anger-Loss of memory of learning-Destruction of person)Lecture4.39
-
19 c Discussion on Kaushalam and Samatvam (Duty, Road rage, Resolving misunderstanding)Lecture4.40
-
20 a Self mastery and tranquility 2.64-66Lecture4.41
-
20 b The vision of a wise person and the sadhana of self mastery (audio has some disturbances)Lecture4.42
-
20 c Q & A (Roles etc) (audio has some disturbances)Lecture4.43
-
Questions for reflection and making notes on Chapter 2 0 questionQuiz4.1
-
21 a The connection of self mastery and inner dialogue with the younger you (incl. guided meditation)Lecture4.44
-
Wrap up on Chapter 2 – Kaushalam, Clear understanding of why Vedanta is a solution, Managing a strong desire for marriage, Expectations from our childrenLecture4.45
-
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 22
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 chanting by Pujya Swami DayanandaLecture5.1
-
22 Arjuna ‘s doubt, ‘If knowledge is better than action why prompt me to do karma?’ 2 Lifestyles 3.1-5Lecture5.2
-
23 a Quiet appearance but false front & Why karma yoga is better than karma 3.6-7Lecture5.3
-
23 b Why karma is superior to inaction & Karma transformed into yajna 3.8-9Lecture5.4
-
23 c Q & A (How much work is too much, Objectivity wrt pursuits )Lecture5.5
-
24 a Karma as Yajna and recognition of Devatas 3.10-11Lecture5.6
-
24 b Karma as pervaded by Veda 3.12-15Lecture5.7
-
25 a Contribution to the cosmic wheel and the contentment of a wise person 3.16-18Lecture5.8
-
25 b Why perform karma, Janaka, the wise king and role models 3.19-21Lecture5.9
-
25 c Gita Q & A (Japa, Time for Vedanta, Delegation etc)Lecture5.10
-
26 a Gita 3.22-25 No karma to be done by Bhagavan but still karma is doneLecture5.11
-
26 b Gita 3.26-28 Karma impelled by Prakrti’s gunasLecture5.12
-
26 c Q and A (Dharma, Rebirth)Lecture5.13
-
27 a How can the wise person engage with those who are deluded by prakriti and its gunas and How to fight ?Lecture5.14
-
27 b The role of shraddha in learning and how prakriti affects a wise personLecture5.15
-
27 c Don’t some under the spell of ragas and dveshasLecture5.16
-
27 d Discussion – Handling Differences, Managing ragas and dveshasLecture5.17
-
28 a Svadharma is better than paradharma and the problem of (binding) desireLecture5.18
-
28 b Knowledge (as though) clouded by binding desire and Atma untouched by it allLecture5.19
-
28 c Guided meditation (Saakshi)Lecture5.20
-
28 d Discussion (Processing a situation, The 4 aspects of a mind etc )Lecture5.21
-
29 Ch 3 Discussion after small groups discussionLecture5.22
-
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4 Jnana-Karmasannyasa Yoga 30
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4 chanting by Pujya Swami DayanandaLecture6.1
-
30 a Greatness of the parampara 4.1-3Lecture6.2
-
30 b The Why and What of an Avataara 4.4-8Lecture6.3
-
30 c Gita 4.1-8 (Can a non sannyasi get jnanam and Can giving up desires lead to jnanam)Lecture6.4
-
31 Discussion on the value of Dharma by looking at AdharmaLecture6.5
-
32 a Reality of an Avataara and Levels of reality 4.9Lecture6.6
-
32 b Taking refuge in Bhagavan and his blessings 4.10-12Lecture6.7
-
32 c Gita 4.9-12 (Q and A) (Bindi, Dharma and religiosity etc)Lecture6.8
-
33 a The Four fold Varna system 4.13Lecture6.9
-
33 b Bhagavan Krishna as Karta and AkartaLecture6.10
-
33 c Gita 4.13-15 (Q & A Vrata etc )Lecture6.11
-
34 a Gita 4.16-17 What is karma and akarma?Lecture6.12
-
34 b 4.18 The vision of a wise person about karma and akarmaLecture6.13
-
34 c Gita 4.16-18 (Q & A – Work role, Healing karma etc)Lecture6.14
-
35 a Atma as akarta and abhogta (non-doer and non experiencer) 4.18-19Lecture6.15
-
35 b Aspects of Jnanam and lifestyle of grahastha and sannyasi 4.20-21Lecture6.16
-
35 c Gita 4.18-21 Q & A (Clarifications of Akarta, Vedanta as a perspective, Being assertive)Lecture6.17
-
36 Gita 4.22-25 Attitude of a wise person wrt gain/loss and life as yajnaLecture6.18
-
37 a Gita 4.26-27 Self mastery of senses as yajna and Chariot imageryLecture6.19
-
37 b Gita 4.28 Yajnas – Dravya, Yoga, Svadhyaaya etcLecture6.20
-
37 c Gita 4.26-28 (Q & A – Social media response, You are bigger than your pain etc)Lecture6.21
-
38 a Gita 4.29-30Lecture6.22
-
38 b Gita 4.31-33Lecture6.23
-
38 c Gita 4.29 – 33 (Q & A Soham, Misinterpreting the verse)Lecture6.24
-
39 a Gita 4.34 How to relate to a teacher for knowledgeLecture6.25
-
39 b Gita 4.35-38 The result of knowledge and What if one is a paapi?Lecture6.26
-
39 c Gita 4.34-38 (Q and A – Making amends etc )Lecture6.27
-
40 a Gita 4.39Lecture6.28
-
40 b Gita 4.39 contd.Lecture6.29
-
40 c Gita 4.40-4.42 (plus Q and A)Lecture6.30
-
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5 Sannyasa Yoga 20
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5 chantingLecture7.1
-
41 a Gita 5.1-3 Sannyasa or Karma Yoga – Which is better? aLecture7.2
-
41 b Gita 5.4 Are Sannyasa and Karma Yoga same?Lecture7.3
-
41 c Assignment on Identifying Life prioritiesLecture7.4
-
42 Discussion on Life prioritiesLecture7.5
-
43 a The goal of Sannyasa and Karma Yoga as a lifestyle is oneLecture7.6
-
43 b Vision of a wise person despite performing actionsLecture7.7
-
43 c Gita 5.5-9 Reflections and discussionLecture7.8
-
44 a Gita 5.10 The wise one who is not affectedLecture7.9
-
44 b Gita 5.11-12 How do karma yogis perform karmaLecture7.10
-
44 c Gita 5.13-14 Where does the wise being live and how?Lecture7.11
-
45 a Gita 5.15-16 Atma is not affected by punya/paapaLecture7.12
-
45 b Gita 5.17 Levels of commitmentLecture7.13
-
45 c Gita 5.18 How does the wise person look upon a Brahmana, a cow etc Q & ALecture7.14
-
46 a Gita 5.19-20 Freedom from the cycle of birth and death and extremes of emotionLecture7.15
-
46 b Gita 5.21-23 The gain of happiness that does not change and the transitory nature of experiential happinessLecture7.16
-
46 c Gita 5.19-23 Q & ALecture7.17
-
47 a Gita 5.24-25 Videha mukti and the sukha of a wise personLecture7.18
-
47 b Gita 5.27-29 Introduction to Dhyaanam and AikyamLecture7.19
-
47 c Gita 5.24-29 Q & A (Imp of Asana, Desire fulfilment,Lecture7.20
-
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 Dhyaana Yoga 15
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 chantingLecture8.1
-
48 Gita 6.1-3 Who is a Sannyasi and a yogi?Lecture8.2
-
49 Gita 6.4 Yogi has freedom from dependenceLecture8.3
-
49 b Gita 6.5-6 Being a friend to oneselfLecture8.4
-
50 a Gita 6.7 Being a jitatma and free from oppositesLecture8.5
-
50 b Gita 6.8-9 A yogi ‘s attitude towards objects and peopleLecture8.6
-
51 a Gita 6.10 The preparation of Karma Yoga for a meditatorLecture8.7
-
51 b Gita 6.11-14 Initial preparatory steps (place, asana etc)Lecture8.8
-
52 Gita 6.15 Who is an accomplished personLecture8.9
-
53 Gita 6.19-20 The mind of a yogiLecture8.10
-
54 Gita 6.21-23 Reveling in oneself and Dissociation from the association with sorrow (3rd definition of Karma Yoga)Lecture8.11
-
55 Gita 6.24 – 28 Dissociation from the association with sorrow and benefits of DhyaanamLecture8.12
-
56 Gita 6.29 – 30 The vision of oneness/samenessLecture8.13
-
57 Gita 6.31-34 The wise person and Arjuna’s question about not seeing the visionLecture8.14
-
58 Gita 6.36 – 47 What happens to one who did not complete his Vedanta journey and praise of a yogi?Lecture8.15
-
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 Jnana-Vijnana Yoga 16
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 Chanting by Pujya Swami DayanandaLecture9.1
-
59 Gita 7.1-7.6 Introduction to Indirect and Immediate knowledgeLecture9.2
-
59b Gita 7.4 – 7.6 Nature of IshvaraLecture9.3
-
60a Gita 7.7 – 7.9 Manifestations of IshvaraLecture9.4
-
60b Gita 7.10-11 Manifestations of Ishvara contd.Lecture9.5
-
60c Gita 7.7-11 Q and ALecture9.6
-
61a Gita 7.12-14 Mayashakti and crossing over MayaLecture9.7
-
61b Gita 7.15-17 Four Types of devoteesLecture9.8
-
61c Gita 7.12-17 Q and ALecture9.9
-
62 Gita 7.16 Four kinds of devotees and their world viewLecture9.10
-
62b Gita 7.18-20 Which among the devotees is one with IshvaraLecture9.11
-
62c Gita 7.18-20 Q and A (Why more don’t take to Vedanta, Readiness, Journey of a Jijnasu etc)Lecture9.12
-
63a Gita 7.21-22 How Bhagavan makes the shraddha strongerLecture9.13
-
63b Gita 7.23-25 Why and what do people not know about Bhagavan?Lecture9.14
-
63c Gita 7.21-25 Q and A (How shraddha for rituals grows)Lecture9.15
-
64 Gita 7.26-30 How do devotees seek Bhagavan?Lecture9.16
-
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8 Akshara Brahman Yoga 17
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8 Chanting by Pujya Swami DayanandaLecture10.1
-
65 a Summary of first seven chaptersLecture10.2
-
65 b Gita 8.1-5 Arjuna’s question about Brahman and what happens when a person diesLecture10.3
-
65 c Gita 8.1-5 Q and ALecture10.4
-
66 a Gita 8.5-8.6 Whom to remember before dying ?Lecture10.5
-
66b Gita 8.7-9 How to remember Bhagavan?Lecture10.6
-
66c Gita 8.5-9 Q and A Grieving and HealingLecture10.7
-
67 a Gita 8.10-13 How to give up the body (for a yogi and jnani)?Lecture10.8
-
67b Gita 8.14-15 How to reach Bhagavan and what happens after that?Lecture10.9
-
67c Gita 8.10 – 15 Q and ALecture10.10
-
68 a Gita 8.16-18 The lifespan of Brahmaji and the nature of the lokasLecture10.11
-
68 b Gita 8.19-21 The play of manifest and unmanifestLecture10.12
-
68 c Gita 8.16-21 Q and ALecture10.13
-
69 a Gita 8.22-24 Who is the limitless purusha and where do meditators of Brahmaloka go?Lecture10.14
-
69 b Gita 8.25-28 Where do karmis, mere ritualists go after death and who finally reaches Brahman?Lecture10.15
-
69 c Gita 8.22-27 Q and ALecture10.16
-
70 a Gita Ch 8 Q and A (post death rituals)Lecture10.17
-
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9 Rajavidya Rajaguhya Yoga 20
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9 Chanting by Pujya Swami DayanandaLecture11.1
-
70 b Gita 9.1-2 What is the King of Knowledge and the King of Secrets and why?Lecture11.2
-
71 a Gita 9.3 What is required for the knowledge and what happens to those who don’t seek it?Lecture11.3
-
71 b Gita 9.4-5 Satyam (and Mithya)Lecture11.4
-
71 c Gita 9.3-5 Gita (Q and A)Lecture11.5
-
72 a Gita 9.6-8 Nature of Ishvara (and Maya shakti)Lecture11.6
-
72 b Gita Despite manifesting Ishvara is unchangingLecture11.7
-
72 c Gita 9.6-10 (Q and A)Lecture11.8
-
73 a Gita 9.11-12 What happens to the ones who do not recognise Bhagavan as the lord of all beings?Lecture11.9
-
73 b Gita 9.13-14 Qualities of the ones who seek Bhagavan ?Lecture11.10
-
73 c Gita 9.11-14 Q and ALecture11.11
-
74 a Gita 9.15-17 How to worship Bhagavan with jnana-yajna?Lecture11.12
-
74 b Gita 9.18-21 How Bhagavan is one and distinct & What happens to people who go to svarga ?Lecture11.13
-
74 c Gita 9.15 – 21 (Q and A – People who don’t have viveka, what to do when a person is bitter etc)Lecture11.14
-
75 a Gita 9.22 How does Bhagavan support the jnani/mumukshu?Lecture11.15
-
75 b Gita 9.23-26 Devotees who are committed to different ends and not Bhagavan; Bhagavan ‘s acceptance of the smallest offeringLecture11.16
-
75 c Gita 9.22-26 Q and A (Bhagavan-Sakshi/experiencer)Lecture11.17
-
76 a Gita 9.27-28 Which actions to offer to Bhagavan and the resulting maturity from this attitudeLecture11.18
-
76 b Gita 9.29-32 ‘I am the same in all’ and different groups of people can still gain BhagavanLecture11.19
-
76 c Gita 9.33-34 and Q and A The level of commitment in seeking BhagavanLecture11.20
-
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10 Vibhuti Yoga 22
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10 Vibhutih Yoga (Chanting by Pujya Swami Dayananda)Lecture12.1
-
77a Gita 10.1-3 Introduction to the glories of BhagavanLecture12.2
-
77b Gita 10.4-5 All dispositions and emotions are from BhagavanLecture12.3
-
77c Gita 10.1-5 Q and A (Sadhana in Vedanta, Doing the right thing as jury, When people think you should not forgive etc )Lecture12.4
-
78a Gita 10.6-7 Knowing the vibhuti of BhagavanLecture12.5
-
78b Gita 10.8-9 What do wise people know about me and how does it show in their life?Lecture12.6
-
78c Gita 10.6-9 Q and A (Vegetarianism, Socialising/Social pressure etc)Lecture12.7
-
79a Gita 10.10-11 Whom does Bhagavan give knowledge to and what does he destroy?Lecture12.8
-
79b Gita 10.12-19 Arjuna summarising his understanding of Bhagavan and making a requestLecture12.9
-
79c Gita 10.10-19 Q and A (sharing of one’s life vibhutis and the question of creation)Lecture12.10
-
80a Gita 10.20 Aham AtmaLecture12.11
-
80b Gita The conscious being is free from roles (Guided meditation)Lecture12.12
-
80c Gita 10.20 Q and A (Responses to meditation etc)Lecture12.13
-
81a Gita 10.21-23 Bhagavan’s vibhutis beginLecture12.14
-
81b Gita 10.24-26 Bhagavan’s vibhutis continueLecture12.15
-
81c Gita 10.21-26 Q and A (Balance, Japa, Samskaaras, Where do thoughts come from?)Lecture12.16
-
82a Gita 10.27-29 Bhagavan’s vibhutis – Uchhaishravasa till Yama who disciplinesLecture12.17
-
82b Gita 10.30-32 Bhagavan’s vibhutis – Prahlada till Vada-discussionLecture12.18
-
82c Gita 10.27-32 Q and A (the how of creation, the why of Bhagavan Krishna’s list)Lecture12.19
-
83a Gita 10.33-35 Vibhutis – A among the letters till the Spring seasonLecture12.20
-
83b Gita 10.36-42 Vibhutis – Game of dice etc All vibhutis are meLecture12.21
-
83c Gita Vibhuti garland of blessingLecture12.22
-
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11 Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga 10
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11 Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga (Chanting by Pujya Swami Dayananda)Lecture13.1
-
84a Gita 11.1-16 Arjuna’s request to see the cosmic form and Bhagavan’s responseLecture13.2
-
84b Gita Garland of Vibhutis and Q and ALecture13.3
-
85a Gita 11.16-24 Arjuna awestruck by the cosmic formLecture13.4
-
85b Gita 11.25-33 Arjuna getting afraid, Krishna tells him to be a ‘nimitta’Lecture13.5
-
85c Gita 11.16-33 Q and A What is the point of this chapter?Lecture13.6
-
86a Gita 11.34-40 Arjuna doing namaskaar to the cosmic form and sharing his wonderLecture13.7
-
86b Gita 11.41-54 Arjuna apologises for being casual, the return of Bhagavan to the Krishna form and the importance of bhaktiLecture13.8
-
87a Gita 11.55 Clarification about offering karma to BhagavanLecture13.9
-
87b Gita Ch 11 Discussion – Being an instrumentLecture13.10
-
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12 Bhakti Yoga 16
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12 Bhakti Yoga (Chanting by Pujya Swami Dayananda)Lecture14.1
-
87c Gita 12.1-2 Arjuna’s question – Is meditating on Bhagavan or Brahman better?Lecture14.2
-
88a Gita 12.3 The one who meditates on Brahman gains meLecture14.3
-
88b Gita 12.4-5 and QnA The maturity and mastery of a person who meditates on BrahmanLecture14.4
-
89 Guru stotram on the eve of Guru PurnimaLecture14.5
-
89a Gita 12.6-7 What does karma yoga with upaasana do?Lecture14.6
-
89b Gita 12.8-9 If karma yoga with upaasana is difficult what to do?Lecture14.7
-
90a Gita 12.9-10 Why Abhyaasa yoga (Ashtanga Yoga) is helpful for mastering the mindLecture14.8
-
90b 12.11-12 The ways of relating to Bhagavaan (Sequence of maturity)Lecture14.9
-
91a Gita 12.13 Signs of a jnani bhaktaLecture14.10
-
91b 12.14-15 Signs of a jnani bhakta (contd.)Lecture14.11
-
91c Gita 12.13-15 Q and A Do Vedantins have extra miseryLecture14.12
-
92a Gita 12.16 Qualities of the bhaktaLecture14.13
-
92b Gita 12.17-18 Qualities of the bhakta (contd.)Lecture14.14
-
92c Gita 12.18-20 Glory of bhakta and shraddha incl Q and ALecture14.15
-
93 Gita Ch 12 Group discussion – some observationsLecture14.16
-
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13 Kshetra-Kshetrajna vibhagah yoga 23
-
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13 (Chanting by Pujya Swami Dayananda)Lecture15.1
-
94a Gita Quick recap Ch 1 – 12Lecture15.2
-
94b Gita 13.1-2 The kshetram (field) and kshetrajna (knower of the field)Lecture15.3
-
94c Gita 13.1-2 Q and A Am I the thoughts of the mindLecture15.4
-
95a Gita 13.3-6 More about the Kshetram, fieldLecture15.5
-
95b Gita 13.3-6 Guided Meditation on the Kshetra and kshetrajnaLecture15.6
-
95c Gita 13.3-6 Q and A Sequence of manifestation, Knowing = BeingLecture15.7
-
96a Gita 13.7 Intro to Value of ValuesLecture15.8
-
96b Gita 13.7 Values contd. and AmanitvamLecture15.9
-
97a Gita 13.7 Values are universal but not absolute Adambhitvam – absence of non pretensionLecture15.10
-
97b Gita 13.7b Values contd. Ahimsa-non harming, Kshanti – AccommodationLecture15.11
-
97c Gita 13.7c Values QnA Fear of hurting the other, What if the other does not give the same importance to the value like me?Lecture15.12
-
98a Gita 13.7 a Values – Aarjvam, AcharyopaasanamLecture15.13
-
98b Gita 13.7b ShauchamLecture15.14
-
98c Gita 13.7c Values Q n A Applying the values etcLecture15.15
-
99a Gita 13.7 Values – Sthairyam – SteadinessLecture15.16
-
99b Gita 13.7b Atmavinigraha – Mastery of the mindLecture15.17
-
99c Gita 13.8 Indriyaartheshu Vairagyamssion towards the sense objectsLecture15.18
-
99d Gita 13.8 Anahankaara – Absence of prideLecture15.19
-
99e Gita 13.8 Q n ALecture15.20
-
100 a Gita 13.8 Janma-mrtyu-jara-vyaadhi-dukha-dosha-anudarshanam Seeing clearly the defects of pain in birth, death, old age and diseaseLecture15.21
-
100b Gita 13.9 Asaktih-Absence of sense of ownership and Anabhishvangah – Absence of obsession towards the child, partner house and the likeLecture15.22
-
100c Gita 13.8-9 Q and A Give and take in relationships, Parenting, Friendships drifting apart etcLecture15.23
-
This content is protected, please login and enroll course to view this content!
1 Comment
Here भगवान् श्री कृष्ण is showing us the (weak) connection between कर्म and ज्ञानम् (knowledge).
Arjuna’s dilemma is~ should I do घोर (cruel) कर्म? i.e. कर्म that will cause a lot of deaths.
And it is not that Arjuna was a pacifist- he was a warrior and he had definitely tasted blood and had fought many battles unafraid. But here there is a hesitation to fight in this particular war.
Challenging situations are a good test for me to see if I do what is required of the situation, or if I withdraw. One’s initial tendency is to withdraw. I do not want to deal with conflict or suffering. I am not sure if I will be able to handle the situation, or if the other will be able to handle it. The reasons for not wanting to do something may be many. As in Arjuna’s case, the कर्म to be done may be long overdue. However, still I procrastinate, I want to buy time.
And then there is confirmation bias, where one’s clever mind looks only for that information that confirms my point of view, so I can feel happy about myself.
After भगवान् श्री कृष्ण talks of the 4-fold division that He created in society for its smooth functioning, He then switches our attention to the स्वरूप of भगवान् i.e. one’s own nature, which can never be negated nor defined.
भगवान् had previously given the example of King Janaka- despite being a king, and being busy, dealing with all problems; he was a wise person.
So, भगवान् says that despite all कर्म that I have done in creating this जगत्, I have not really done this. And it is not that भगवान् is abdicating His responsibility, but rather He is shifting one’s attention to the consciousness that one is.
Given that this is the case, people who want मोक्ष, did not abandon their responsibility in the name of this exalted pursuit of वेदान्त | They did what they had to do. Because at some prior point in time, they had made choices, and so now they fulfill their responsibilities in accordance with those choices that were made.
So, भगवान् says that even मुमुक्षु-s perform कर्म, therefore Arjuna may you please perform कर्म |
Now भगवान् श्री कृष्ण asks a question to Arjuna. And then goes on to answer it.
* श्लोक १६ *
किं कर्म किमकर्मेति कवयोऽप्यत्र मोहिता: ।
तत्ते कर्म प्रवक्ष्यामि यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात् ॥ १६॥
किं कर्म? What is कर्म?
किं अकर्म? What is अकर्म?
Even कवय: i.e. people who are very bright and intelligent.
(कवि ~ poet.)
Here कवय: refers to the one who is मेधावि i.e. the one who uses one’s memory & intelligence; the one for whom learning is there; and anger/sadness does not cloud one’s faculty of reasoning.
For instance, we are often quite good at advising others, but not so good at following our own advice.
So, कवय: i.e. even people who are very bright and intelligent, these scholars/seers,
they are मोहिता: i.e. confused,
about what is कर्म & अकर्म (actionless-ness).
Therefore, I will tell you more about what कर्म is.
Because,
यत् ज्ञात्वा ~ once you know,
मोक्ष्यसे अशुभात् ~ you will be released from that which is अशुभात् i.e. that which is inauspicious, the cycle of suffering.
N.B. – भगवान् श्री कृष्ण does not say यत् ध्यात्वा (by meditating).
भगवान् says यत् ज्ञात्वा i.e. there is an emphasis on knowledge.
So, we should understand that meditation is not the answer to all suffering.
But, by knowing more about कर्म, and all that surrounds it, one will be released from suffering.
* श्लोक १७ *
कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मण: ।
अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं गहना कर्मणो गति: ॥ १७॥
बोद्धव्यम् implies that this should be done.
The वेद, and the श्रीमद् भगवद्-गीता in particular, talks of the कर्म that is to be done.
If one is confused, or one wants to continue to be confused, then, one does not want to do कर्म |
This is because it seems like कर्म is painful and requires a lot of effort.
This becomes obvious to one, when one looks around and sees the responsibilities that I have- one only has to look at one’s relations~ family, friends, colleagues, in order to understand this.
E.g. At home, situations require some actions to be done i.e. there is some लौकिक कर्म to be done.
And then, there is also कर्म related to the पञ्चमहायज्ञा i.e. how I relate to भगवान् through यज्ञा, दानम्, तप: |
So, the कर्म that the वेद talks of is important- it is to be known.
And the कर्म that is to be avoided must be known as well.
Two things that the वेद says NOT to do are-
1. Do not eat meat.
2. Do not drink alcohol.
So, if I do not eat meat, nor drink alcohol, then I am okay with this, and agree with these values.
But, if I am a social drinker, then I am challenged by this statement of the वेद |
I make excuses for myself and say- Well I never overdo it. I never regret my behaviour after I drink. Or, other people are addicted to tea and coffee, so what’s so wrong with a couple of drinks?
Or with respect to meat, one justifies meat-eating by misusing the example given in class of भगवान् वेदव्यास’s mother being a fisherwoman, and so He definitely must have eaten fish as a kid. Or, one incorrectly references the Ramayana and points to Lord Raama eating meat, in order to justify one’s misdeed.
The वेद teaches us not to eat meat from the standpoint of अहिंसा | But no value is absolute, E.g. There are exceptional circumstances given in Ayurveda.
And why should one not drink alcohol? Because one’s बुद्धि: becomes compromised. No great nor noble acts follow the drinking of alcohol.
In this way action-consequence is pointed out by the वेद |
So, it is also important to know what is to be avoided.
An important line in this श्लोक is- गहना कर्मणो गति: |
Once one starts digging into कर्म, it is difficult to understand its flow.
For instance, why did I marry Person X? How did I land up with this person?
कर्म may explain it to a certain extent, but the more one digs into it, one finds that everyone’s कर्म is interrelated- my parents, my partner’s parents, my friends, and so many more relationships.
So many things are related, so whose कर्म is primarily responsible? It is difficult to say.
So कर्म is difficult to understand.
After all, कर्म is the grandchild of अविद्या |
One can go digging, and Astrology may be able to give a peek into the कर्म pattern in one’s life, but this is not deterministic. Astrology can give a hint to the likely patterns that will emerge according to one’s personality, but everything is not predetermined.
This is because my choices also play a role.
So, the question is, if I take to वेदान्त or spirituality, should I stop doing what I normally do & enjoy?
Because, one may have romantic ideas that one should stop doing certain things.
So, with ज्ञानम् & कर्म, there are some questions that we have.
Recognizing our dilemma, भगवान् श्री कृष्ण says this verse-
++**श्लोक १८**++ very important verse++
कर्मण्यकर्म य: पश्येदकर्मणि च कर्म य: ।
स बुद्धिमान्मनुष्येषु स युक्त: कृत्स्नकर्मकृत् ॥ १८॥
The person who is युक्त: / a योगी / together as a person,
[ युक्त:/योग: share the same युज् धातु ].
कृत्स्नकर्मकृत् ~ completely, this person can say – been there, done that.
So, this is a part of one’s journey before संन्यास i.e. all open loops are closed, there is no unfinished business; whatever one wanted to do, it is expected that one has done that before taking संन्यास |
Because prior, one thinks that all the कर्म that one does, is for the sake of one’s fulfillment.
But when one is ready for संन्यास- there are no unfulfilled desires, no more to be achieved in this world, there is no more agenda, nothing to be gained.
Why? Because the mistaken notion that कर्म will give me complete fulfillment is no longer there.
The glory of कर्म is such that I have exhausted the possibilities that कर्म will give me complete fulfillment through the different roles that I play. It is not that responsibilities end.
Ritually, responsibilities may end with संन्यास | But, with संन्यास, one recognizes that no one owes me anything, and I don’t owe anyone anything. There is no sense of entitlement.
So, what are we talking of?
That relative fulfillment that comes with bringing in कर्म योग बुद्धि: into all areas of my life, so that there are no dark corners in my life.
And what about such a person?
This person who has done everything that has to be done has a particular vision i.e. कर्मण्यकर्म य: पश्येदकर्मणि च कर्म य: ।
But first, one has to see that in all roles that I play, that I remain as a simple person.
I relate to my mother as a daughter, to my partner as a wife, to my son as a mother. I relate to my colleagues, friends, as a citizen, as a group member.
So, I-the person am playing all these different roles, and in playing these different roles, I-the person fill the role up.
As mother, daughter, professional, I-the-person fill up the role. But, I-the-person am independent of the role.
Is there a physical distance between me-the person and me as the mother?
No- where the mother/role is, the person is.
So, how can I say that the person is independent of the role?
This is because I am not in any role 365-24/7. When I go to sleep, I am no longer the mother.
When I am interacting with my work colleague, I am not playing the role of mother.
So, I play the role of mother to my children, but not to my partner nor work colleague.
I have no confusion about this, I just relate accordingly in the different relationships, according to whatever I think is the purpose of the relationship.
But no one ever thinks about the purpose of a relationship.
Everyone marries, so I marry; everyone works, so I work; everyone has children, so I have children.
So, one should be clear about the purpose of every relationship.
In general, my role is to care for and support/contribute to the happiness of the other. And this love & support manifests differently according to the role I play. E.g. my love & support for my parent versus my child would manifest differently.
And this being so, if I have a problem with my boss at work, I should recognize that this is limited to this particular relationship only.
However, if I am not in touch with I-the-person who am filling up the role, then what happens is that though the distressing event/encounter is over, and I am out of that physical space; the suffering continues, as I continue to carry the experience with me.
A problem can travel with me all over the world, for many years if left unresolved.
But, if I recognize that this experience is only limited to this particular role, then I need not bring the foul mood into other interactions. Or else everyone gets a piece of my mind, and the whole world feels gloomy to me.
So, I should understand that this was only one experience in one of my many roles, and so this event should be isolated and kept to the role in that relationship. And so, I count my blessings of the people in my life in other relationships.
So, I recognize that I am that simple person, independent of all these roles.
The roles depend on me, but I do not depend on the role; though there may be emotional fulfillment from a role.
One should appreciate that the simple role-less neglected person fills up all roles.
If not for this person, there would be no role whatsoever.
A lot of one’s suffering is because I have confused the role to be me.
E.g. A mother describes all the wonderful meals that she prepares for each member of the family according to their preference. But, when asked- what do you like, she is at a loss for words.
So, one is so engrossed/identified with the provider/mother role, that mistakenly one may think that if that role is not there, then I am not there. I am decimated if the role is not there. I do not know who I am without the role.
And often my greatest sadness is because I have confused the role to be me.
I think that one specific role is me.
E.g. I think that I am only the work-professional, or only the partner, or only the parent.
And I move between one of these 3 roles.
And then thinking myself to be the role, there will be burn-out; and then I find myself wanting to be away from all these roles.
So, I should recognize that I am free from all roles; that the roles depend on me. The roles cannot exist without me. I fill up the roles, but I am independent of the roles.
I choose to play the roles. The roles are important to me, but they do not define me. The roles are not my defining reality.
It will take time for this understanding (that I am not the role) to sink in, because my greatest happiness & fulfillment comes from my roles.
And it is not that we are denying one’s roles. One can enjoy one’s roles. But one should also see this reality~ that I-the-person am free from all roles.
I can pick up the role, and I can drop it.
And this unnoticeably happens effortlessly for us-
E.g. If I go to a party, I interact with 4-5 different people, and I relate to each person differently. There is no confusion. I can relate to person A, and then temporarily suspend that role when I speak to person B.
The same happens when I am speaking to my partner, whilst also trying to address my son.
I pick up and drop roles effortlessly within fractions of a second.
So, in this seemingly innocuous action is a moment of great wisdom as it shows that I can relate to person A, and I do not decimate my role with person A when I relate to person B. But in my vision I have temporarily suspended my role with person A, as I relate to person B. There is no confusion. I can pick up & drop roles seamlessly.
This reveals that I am more than the role.
It is not that I am not the role. I fill up the role.
And there is no perfect role~ no perfect partner relationship, no perfect parent-child relationship, no perfect गुरु-शिष्य relationship.
If it is good enough~ okay. I enjoy and am contented with what is there.