Gita Satsang - Resumption - Ch. 4 Summary

[Guest guest]

Namaste,

 

Chapter 4: THE WAY OF KNOWLEDGE

 

Continuing the discourse, Shri Krishna told Arjuna that he imparted

this Karma yoga first of all to the Sun-god. This was long long ago.

The Sun-god taught it to Manu, who handed it down the ages. With the

passage of time this ancient wisdom was forgotten. He would now

reveal it to Arjuna because He loved him, and considered him to be a

friend.

Arjuna expressed surprise at Shri Krishna's statement that he had

imparted the same wisdom to the Sun-god. He asked how this was

possible since He was born only recently and the Sun was there since

the beginning of creation.

 

Shri Krishna replied that Arjuna's question was reasonable because he

did not know that both He (Krishna)) and Arjuna had been born again

and again though He knew about his earlier births and Arjuna did not.

He explained, "You should know that I can take birth when ever I

like. I come into the world whenever there is a decline of Truth

(Dharma). It is My duty to save Dharma and I take birth for this

great purpose. I always help and love My devotees. I do not mind the

way they approach Me. They should have faith in Me to achieve

salvation. Many have already achieved it. They can worship Me the

way they like and obtain whatever they desire through action.

 

Castes and creeds are created according to men's actions, and the

qualities of their minds. They do their own duties. The whole world

is bound by action. There is no life without action. The wise man

acts but has no selfish desire in his mind. He does not care for the

outcome of his actions. He is the same in success and failure, pain

or pleasure, and is free from jealousy. He who has given up

attachment to action and its fruit is always content. As he has

subdued his mind and body and does no evil, he commits no sin and

therefore experiences no guilt. He is happy under all circumstances

and is free from birth and death.

Sacrifice was also an action, said Shri Krishna. One should be very

careful while performing sacrificial rites. Sacrifice is offered in

many ways. Some offer it to please the gods and goddesses. Some

others offer it to be able to control their senses and attain self-

realisation. There were also those who offer it in the name of Dharma

and yet others who practise it to control their life and breath.

Whatever the form of sacrifice, there is joy in it and all who

perform it are praiseworthy.

 

Selfless action, however, was higher than all forms of sacrifice,

Shri Krishna explained. Gaining of Knowledge was the aim of all

worship and this Knowledge could only be gained through reverence and

serving of the Guru. Only the wise could teach the Knowledge needed

to understand the mysteries of God and self-discipline. Only through

Knowledge could one understand the Atman and obtain peace of mind.

The ignorant, having no faith, would not find happiness in this world

or the next.

Shri Krishna urged Arjuna to resolve all his doubts through Knowledge

and get ready to fight.

 

[This concludes the recapitulation of the Chapters posted

between Jan. and Aug. 2,000].

 

I am earnestly requesting participant readers to send in suggestions

for the formats in which they would like to see the Satsang postings,

and I shall try to implement as many of them as I can. They can send

me personal e-mail if they do not wish to post them.

 

During the next 4 weeks, we shall post our own or others' perspectives

for all to share.

 

Wishing everyone all the Joy of the Season, and a New Year of Faith

and Peace!

 

Regards,

 

s.

[Guest guest]

advaitin , Shree Sunder Hattangadi" wrote:

> I am earnestly requesting participant readers to send in

suggestions

> for the formats in which they would like to see the Satsang

postings,

> and I shall try to implement as many of them as I can.

 

Namaste.

I have a suggestion, though I do not know how it is possible.

 

Gita 2:39 - The ideal of Self-knowledge has been presented to you.

Hearken now to the practice thereof. Endowed with it, O Partha, you

will break through the bonds of karma.

 

I would like to suggest that at the end of each posting, a stanza may

be given by the conductor for practice by those who are interested.

Those interested may practice the stanza for a few minutes or for any

amount of time that they wish. Before a new lesson begins, those who

want to share their new experience will be most welcome. It is

understood that this then may get into an individual's personal zone,

hence one is free to share what may be shared.

 

To start with, for example, "Whatever you do, do it as an offering to

Me" [Gita 9:27].

For instance, if I have to sweep the floor, I would do it as if the

Lord would then need it for His use.

 

With Love,

Raghava

[Guest guest]

Namaste Raghava-garu,

 

An excellent suggestion! Here are some examples upto Ch. 4,

which I have found personally uplifting:

 

2:45 -

nirdvandvaH nityasattvasthaH niryogakshemaH aatmavaan.h [bhava arjuna]

 

2:48 -

yogasthaH kuru karmaaNi sa~Nga.n tyaktvaa dhana~njaya .

 

3:8 -

niyata.n kuru karma tva.n karma jyaayaH hi akarmaNaH .

 

3:9 -

tadartha.n karma kaunteya muktasa~NgaH samaachara .

 

3:19 -

tasmaat asaktaH satata.n kaarya.n karma samaachara .

 

3:30 -

mayi sarvaaNi karmaaNi sa.nnyasya adhyaatmachetasaa .

niraashiiH nirmamaH bhuutvaa yudhyasva vigatajvaraH ..

 

3:41 -

tasmaat tvam indriyaaNi aadau niyamya bharatarshhabha .

paapmaanaM prajahi hi ena.n j~naana-vij~naana-naashanam.h ..

 

3:43 -

jahi shatruM mahaabaaho kaamaruupa.n duraasadam.h .

 

4:15 -

kuru karmaiva tasmaat tvaM puurvaiH puurvatara.n kR^itam.h .

 

4:36 -

api chet asi paapebhyaH sarvebhyaH paapakR^ittamaH .

sarva.n j~naanaplavena eva vR^ijina.n santarishhyasi ..

 

4:42 -

tasmaat aj~naanasambhuuta.n hR^itstha.n j~naanaasina aatmanaH .

chhittvaa ena.n sa.nshya.n yogam aatishhTha uttishhTha bhaarata ..

 

If this is what you have in mind, it would be feasible.

 

Regards,

 

s.

 

 

 

advaitin , raghavakaluri wrote:

> advaitin , Shree Sunder Hattangadi" wrote:

>

> > I am earnestly requesting participant readers to send in

> suggestions

> > for the formats in which they would like to see the Satsang

> postings,

> > and I shall try to implement as many of them as I can.

>

> Namaste.

> I have a suggestion, though I do not know how it is possible.

>

> Gita 2:39 - The ideal of Self-knowledge has been presented to you.

> Hearken now to the practice thereof. Endowed with it, O Partha, you

> will break through the bonds of karma.

>

> I would like to suggest that at the end of each posting, a stanza

may

> be given by the conductor for practice by those who are interested.

> Those interested may practice the stanza for a few minutes or for

any

> amount of time that they wish. Before a new lesson begins, those

who

> want to share their new experience will be most welcome. It is

> understood that this then may get into an individual's personal

zone,

> hence one is free to share what may be shared.

>

> To start with, for example, "Whatever you do, do it as an offering

to

> Me" [Gita 9:27].

> For instance, if I have to sweep the floor, I would do it as if the

> Lord would then need it for His use.

>

> With Love,

> Raghava