Stories of Sacred Journey

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...