Stories of Sacred Journey

In the first chapter of the third segment of the Bhagavad Gita, Introduces us to new terms. One is Ksetra means field and Ksetrajna means knower of the field. Here we can think of the field as a body and the knower of the field as the soul that resides within us. But here when we connect fields as our body, actually it includes much more like our mind, intellect and ego, along with all other components of the material energy that comprise our personality. Apart from this when we talk about the knower of the field, it encompasses all aspects of our personality, expect for the soul. In this chapter, Shri Krishna explains about the soul of the body. He explains that as the farmer sow seeds in the field and harvest crops, in the same way, we human sow seeds of thoughts and actions in the field of our body and reap the consequent destiny . All the results are the thoughts that we have cultivated. therefore, it is said that as we think, that is what we become.  Shri Krishna, defines th...

In this chapter, Arjun asked Shri Krishna, whether it's better to have devotional love for Krishna or for the less tangible, unmanifest God. Shri Krishna answered that both routes will lead to understanding but recommends devotional love for Krishna's personification in the Gita for embodied beings. Further Shri Krishna explains that worshiping Shri Krishna in this concrete form gives worshipers a clear focus. In addition to this, Shri Krishna says that worshiping the vast God as the essence permeating all things will eventually lead devotees to understanding, but this form of worship involves more work. Shri Krishna insists that meditating wholly on Shri Krishna will lead a person to him. If such meditation is not possible, then living a life devoted to Shri Krishna will also bring a person to Shri Krishna in the end. Shri Krishna explains to Arjun how he can be perfect in yoga. Here, Shri Krishna explains that meditating and concentrating solely on Shri Krishna, one will be l...

In this chapter of Bhagavad Gita, Arjun understands most of the things which Shri Krishna is trying to impart. Here Arjun asks Shri Krishna to show him his "Ultimate form." In the answer to this, Shri Krishna shows Arjun a glimpse of the incredible vastness and majesty.  Shri Krishna encompasses, showing Arjun the whole universe enfolded in the body of the God of gods. The vision is also a terrifying one, as Shri Krishna reveals himself with billions of heads, fangs and weapons. Arjun is humbled and awed by the vision. He described what he saw, including a vision of Shri Krishna devouring all of the Kauravas .  Further Arjun asked Shri Krishna "Who are you, in this terrifying form?" Shri Krishna answered that he is Death ( Mrityu ) and that Arjun must fight in the battle because the Kauravas will die regardless. Krishna has already killed them; Arjun is merely his instrument. Arjun bows to Shri Krishna and apologizes for any over familiarity he might have shown. No...

In the 10th chapter of Bhagavad Gita, Shri Krishna continues to instruct Arjun about his nature as the Supreme manifestation of god. As per Shri Krishna, all other gods and holy souls are actually manifestations of himself. Shri Krishna explains by giving examples such as the god of lightning ( Surya Dev /Sun), Indra, claiming that he is Indra and Indra's lightning bolt. Shri Krishna describes himself as both the positive and the negative attributes of the universe: both pleasure and pain, courage and fear. A person who can conceive of Shri Krishna as the source of all manifestation will be freed from the cycle of rebirth. When a sage meditates, he enters into the state of union with god. In this, Shri Krishna explains the form of worship. The highest of form of worship is to enter the state of divinity, we need to  understand that Shri Krishna is the source of everything. After listening to Shri Krishna, Arjun started believing that everything Shri Krishna is telling him and maki...

In chapter 8 of Bhagavad Gita, Shri Krishna described the endless cycle of creation and dissolution of the universe and how all beings are stuck in that cycle. In this chapter, he began to reveal and extremely profound and secret knowledge to Arjun that would allow him to escape this endless cycle. Here, in this chapter, Shri Krishna gives knowledge in the sense of devotion or bhakti towards Ishvara. It is the easiest means of obtaining liberation, easier than performing rituals or penance or renouncing the world.  Arjun asked Shri Krishna - "What is that knowledge?".  Ishvara is the ultimate cause of the universe.  Everything is sustained by Ishvara and everything is in Ishvara (like the wind is in space). We are not able to see Ishvara because our senses are preconditioned to only perceive names and forms, just like we see a blue sky where there is no real blue color. Ishvara has become the ultimate cause of the universe through his power known as Prakriti . Prakriti...

In chapter 8, Arjun raised seven questions that Shri Krishna answered. The main question that Arjun asked to Shri Krishna was - How one can attain Ishvara after death. This has become the main topic of this chapter. In the starting of this chapter, Shri Krishna asserts the thought of death time, which determines our fate. If that is the thought of Ishvara , we can attain Ishvara . Shri Krishna adds that we don't know when our death will come, so advises us to meditate upon Ishvara thtoughout our life, which automatically becomes our final thought.  To help us to cultivate this thought, Shri  Krishna has briefed about three types of meditation. The first type of meditation is the cosmic form of Ishvara and the second type of meditation is the name of the Ishvara which starts with Om . These both types of meditation help us to control our Prana or our life forces.  These meditations are beyond our capabilities, thus Shri Krishna recommended the third eye of meditation, wh...

  In the first 6 chapters, Shri Krishna has covered all the knowledge required for a person to lift himself from the material realm to heights of perfection. However in these chapters Arjun remained unmoved. Arjun has not assimilated the knowledge but he needs to ponder over it to transform it to wisdom.  This happens with all of us. Also there is a huge gap between knowing and doing. We all speak words of wisdom but very few are able to bring it to the reality.  In Chapter 6, Shri Krishna talked about meditation techniques. But Arjun still had a question, what or whom do we meditate upon?. In this chapter, Shri Krishna answers this question. He urges us to meditate upon him and began speaking to us as Ishvara. Shri Krishna ensures that we shall know him completely through knowledge combined with wisdom. In this chapter, Shri Krishna explained to Arjun "now I will give you complete knowledge of wisdom, which leaves nothing further to be known in this world. Out of thousan...

  In the 6th chapter of Bhagavad Gita, Shri Krishna explains the posture of true Sanyasi , who works without attachment.  When knowledge and renunciation increases for  Karma-Yoga  that stage is called as  Jnana yoga which is related to meditation by different physical processes and the mind is fixed on the supreme called Ashtanga-Yoga or Dhyana-Yoga . In the Karma-Yoga , a person is required to renounce their own selfish will. People may let themselves be governed by their mind, body and senses instead of controlling them.  Anyone who wants to practice Yoga, he/she must master the practice of meditation, which includes sitting on clean floor, covering self with full clothes, concentrating on a single object by keeping posture straight and being moderate in sleeping and eating. This brings peace and clams mind down.  This practice of Yoga makes a person free from sorrow. In the return Arjun asked Shri Krishna "how the mind can be quieted? as it is as...

  We have seen in the fourth chapter, Shri Krishna has perplexed Arjun, about the importance of both work in devotion and inaction in knowledge. The fifth chapter of Bhagavad Gita is about practicality of Shri Krishna consciousness, generally known as Karma- Yoga . The Shri Krishna consciousness tells about the complete knowledge of the lord as the pre-dominator. The Krishna consciousness is related to Bhakti -Yoga ,  and Jnana - Yoga is a path leading to Bhakti -Yoga . The real meaning of Shri Krishna consciousness is to work with dedication, because of which our relation with our mind stays at peace with our knowledge and the perfection of this consciousness is the actual knowledge of Shri Krishna.  When we talk about the Shri Krishna consciousness, it takes us into the spiritual life. A person who doesn't desire the fruits of his activities is called renowned person ( Santulit Vyakti ). Also the person who works in devotion, can never be entangled, while a greedy pers...

  The journey from the first chapter to the fourth chapter is anyhow integrating or turning our personality gradually in higher levels. The first chapter tells about selfish behavior where we can see benefits in all the actions. But as we move towards the second and the third chapter, we are introduced to the 'Nishkam Karma'  that is desire-less action. The fourth chapter explains different aspects of transcendental knowledge. The spiritual knowledge of the soul, god and their relationship, both are pure and liberate.  Shri Krishna first explains that one should attain knowledge as a student, then take it as an appearance and then as a mission. Shri Krishna says that your devotional service is his final goal. Next, Shri Krishna explains about the soul's relationship with Arjun as an eternal body. Here Shri Krishna glorifies transcendental knowledge and requests Arjun to arm himself with his knowledge, which will burn all sinful reactions to ashes and will give him hope to...

  When Arjun was confused, he totally surrendered himself in front of Shri Krishna and asked to guide the path of knowledge and understandings to do action.  After this, Shri Krishna explained to Arjun about Sankhya and Karma, that is knowledge and action respectively. Shri Krishna further explained that doing right deeds is another form of worship, which was performed by the great people in the past and they had set an example for the other people.  Shri Krishna gave his example that he himself engages in many actions without any fruitive desire or expecting anything in return. Shri Krishna encourages Arjun to take the egocentric action and avoid thinking 'I am the doer of any action'. He was trying to explain that action is nothing but the gunas acting upon the gunas . Shri Krishna said that it is better to do your own action righteously and protect your mind from thinking about other's Karma.  Arjun asked 'what actions drive humans to evil action?'. Shri Krishn...

Let's start our journey towards the second chapter. This is a very important chapter of Bhagavad Gita. It contains many of-quote called verses of Gita, which shows variety of topics that we shall get to see. In this chapter we will see many aspects of practicality as well as spirituality, because Gita teaches all such aspects as integral to live our lives correctly.  This chapter begins at the battlefield of the Kurukshetra, when Arjun surrenders to Shri Krishna and requests Shri Krishna to guide him in the tough situation. But Shri Krishna begins to oppose Arjun's objections and starts teaching him about the difference between temporary material body and the eternal spiritual body. Shri Krishna explained the process of transmigration - of the nature, of selfless service to the supreme personality and the characteristics of a self-realized person. First Shri Krishna explained Arjun that fighting is his duty and he has to fix his duties, also told him to ignore his mind's de...

The first chapter of Bhagavad Gita gives message that the root cause of all sorrow and suffering in this world is our inability to deal with conflicts. This is the reason why Shri Krishna taught Gita to Arjun in the middle of the gruesome battlefield, with sword clanging, trumpets roaring and the soldiers screaming.   Conflicts are everywhere and sooner we recognize the truth of conflicts and it's impact, the sooner we progress in our personal, professional and ultimately in a spiritual journey. It means that when we don't know the cause of the disease, we cannot take medicine. Also one cannot solve his problems alone. The maximum that one can do, as a limited human being is re-arrangement or re-shaping of the problem.  Conflicts are of three types : Material, Mental and Spiritual. The first kind of conflict is everywhere - like atoms collide with each other. We humans have conflicts at each level, like with children, siblings, spouses, bosses, co-workers, states and coun...

  Bhagavad Gita is a  Granth for life and living. It teaches many things which represents many laws and  principles on which our life works.  Before Bhagavad Gita, there was the concept of Hinduism. Thousands of years ago, our ancestors called themselves as Arya Putras or Bharatas where 'Bha' means light & 'rata' means reveling in the light of consciousness.  This philosophy gave prosperity, harmony and spiritual growth. Such philosophy created an environment for people to reflect on the higher pursuit of life. Gita was given to Arjun, when he was despondent on the battlefield of Kurukshetra where he was unable to fight against his relatives, teachers and friends. The message given by Shri Krishna to Arjun, made him ready for the battle.  Bhagavad Gita was divided into three parts of six chapters each. These 3 parts represent Tvam, Tat, Asi.  The first part of Bhagavad Gita talks about the 'Tvam' , that is 'You', the individual. Here Bhagavad Gi...