Stories of Sacred Journey

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...