October 2023

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The soul is neither born, nor does it ever die; nor having once existed, does it ever cease to be. The soul is without birth, eternal, immortal, and ageless. It is not destroyed when the body is destroyed.

Contd…

Lord Krishna states that the eternal soul is the observer and the experiencer of the material world, but it is not affected by the material world. He emphasizes that the material body and the material world are temporary and subject to change, while the eternal soul is permanent and unchanging. He also states that the eternal soul is not born and does not die, it is eternal and indestructible.

Lord Krishna also explains that the material world is the result of the interaction between the three modes of material nature: goodness, passion, and ignorance, which influence the mind and intelligence of living beings. 

Sankhya also emphasizes the importance of knowledge and discrimination as the means to attain liberation. It teaches that one must develop the ability to discriminate between the permanent and the transient, the real and the unreal, and the self and the non-self.

He also describes the qualities and characteristics of a person who has attained this knowledge, such as being peaceful, self-controlled, and free from attachment and aversion.

He then explains the path of Karma yoga as the path to attain this knowledge. He states that one should perform their duty without attachment to the fruits of action, and with a sense of detachment and devotion to God. He also explains that this path is not just for ascetics, but for all people, regardless of their social status or occupation.

In the last slokas of this chapter, Lord Krishna describes the ultimate goal of human life: to attain the supreme state of spiritual consciousness, and the ultimate state of liberation, known as moksha. He emphasizes that by following the path of Karma yoga, one can attain this ultimate goal.

Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita is called “Sankhya Yoga” or “The Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation.” In this chapter, Lord Krishna continues to counsel Arjuna on the importance of performing one’s duty without attachment to the fruits of action. He also delves deeper into the nature of the self and the world, and explains the concept of Sankhya, which is one of the six classical Indian philosophical systems.

The chapter begins with Lord Krishna telling Arjuna that it is through knowledge of the self and the nature of the world that one can attain liberation. He then goes on to describe the three modes of material nature: goodness, passion, and ignorance, and how they influence the mind and intelligence of living beings.

Lord Krishna then explains the concept of Sankhya, which is the knowledge of the distinction between the eternal soul and the temporary material body. He states that those who understand this distinction and are able to detach themselves from the material world can attain liberation. 

Sankhya’s philosophy asserts that there are two realities: the eternal, unchanging, and conscious soul, known as Purusha, and the constantly changing and unconscious material world, known as Prakriti. The goal of Sankhya is to understand the distinction between these two realities and to detach oneself from the material world in order to attain liberation… To be continued..

Valmiki, the “Adi Kavi,” or the first poet.

Maharishi Valmiki, also known as Adi Kavi (the first poet), was an ancient Indian sage and poet. He is best known for composing the epic Hindu text, the Ramayana, which tells the story of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and his adventures.

Valmiki is revered in Hinduism as a great sage and is considered the original author of this timeless epic, making him a significant figure in Indian literature and spirituality.

According to Hindu tradition and mythology, Maharishi Valmiki is said to have composed the epic Ramayana in a spontaneous and divine manner. The story goes that Valmiki was initially a highway robber and a dacoit, but he underwent a profound transformation. He renounced his criminal ways and became a sage through deep meditation and penance.

The Ramayana, consisting of seven books and over 24,000 verses, is not only an epic but also a sacred text in Hinduism. It narrates the life and adventures of Lord Rama and is revered for its moral and ethical teachings. Valmiki’s work is considered one of the greatest contributions to Indian literature and culture.

During his hermit-like life, Valmiki encountered Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana in the forest and was deeply moved by their noble characters. Inspired by their virtuous lives, he wished to document their story. Valmiki is believed to have received divine inspiration and guidance from Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe. With this divine guidance and inspiration, Valmiki composed the Ramayana in the ancient Sanskrit language.

Chapter 1 of the Bhagavad Gita is titled “The Sorrow of Arjuna”. The chapter is set in the middle of a battlefield where the Kauravas and Pandavas are fighting for the kingdom. Dhritarashtra, the blind king, asks his advisor Sanjaya for news from the battlefield. The chapter introduces the root cause of all sorrow and suffering in this world, which is our inability to deal with conflict. 

Blind King Dhritarashtra asks the poet Sanjaya to tell him the story of his family, the Kurus, clashing with the Pandavas in battle. Sanjaya retells how King Dhritarashtra’s son, Prince Duryodhana, asks his teacher, Drona, to look out at the assembled forces. Duryodhana points to the strong and formidable members of the Pandava army that includes both Krishna and Arjuna. He then turns to the powerful people in his own army, mentioning great warriors among them. Duryodhana proudly proclaims the Kuru army is limitless, whereas the Pandavas are much smaller. Both armies blow conch shells that echo “throughout heaven and earth,” calling the warriors to battle.

Arjuna tells Krishna to drive the chariot carrying them so they can stand between the two armies. He wants “to look at the men gathered … to do battle service for Dhritarashtra’s evil-minded son.” Krishna directs Arjuna’s attention to all the Kurus ready to battle one another.

Arjuna is overwhelmed with dread as he looks out at the opposing armies made up of his kinsmen. Not wanting to fight his family even if they are foes, he tells Krishna that he sees “evil omens … from killing my kinsmen in battle.” Arjuna tells Krishna it would be better to let himself be killed in the battle without resistance than to fight this terrible battle ¹.

The opening chapter of Gita introduces the two opposing armies and their principal members. Looking out at his army, Prince Duryodhana feels invincible despite the strength of the Pandava fighters. Duryodhana’s description of the scene introduces the reader to the principal figures in each army. Prince Duryodhana’s family members are referred to as the Kurus because they are descendants of King Kuru. However, through much of Mahabharata these descendants are called Kauravas. The Pandavas are also descendants of Kuru clan but as “sons of Pandu” they are known as Pandavas.

Arjuna’s reluctance and despair at thought of killing his kinsmen forms basis of subsequent conversation with his charioteer, god Krishna.