AW: Gita Satsang - Ch. 8 ; verses 11 - 15 ; January 24 , 2002.

[Guest guest]

The following are my thoughts:

 

This portion --- especially the 11 to 15 of Bhagawad Gita --- I like the

most. Observe sloka 11 and 15 together. In sloka 15 Lord gave a name to

the world we live in! It is a name which no one should forget and everybody

should try to remember... Did you get it? If not then wait till I finish

telling you a story :-)

 

This happened long back: As you may know I am a householder who works for a

living. This is a life I have chosen and undergoing it with out any

complaints... Bhagawadgita always helps me in better understanding this

world... I have this habit: just before going to the office I open my

BhawadGita book and read one sloka and remember its meaning.

 

Some 8 years back I was working in Bombay... I had to go on an office visit

to a remote area in Gujarat. Habitually, before going to the airport to

catch my early-morning flight from Bombay to Baroda (Gujarat) I opened

Bhagawadgita and Sloka 15 of Chapter 8.

 

Myself and my colleagues, we landed in Baroda airport and from there our

destination was in two hours drive. We went to that town. I can neither

speak nor read Gugarati language. After working till the afternoon I wanted

to eat the real Gujarati food. My colleauges were too much in a hurry to

finish the work and reach back Bombay, so they didnt bother about their

lunch. Hence I went alone to eat... Before going I have asked a local

fellow to recommend me a restaurant where the most favoured dish by the

local people is served! He told me a restaurant name. So I went there to

eat my lunch.

 

In front of the restaurant there is a Big Nameboard written all over in

Gujarati Language. Because I cant read Gugarati language, I went straight

in to the restaurant. A neately dressed server has shown me a seat, and I

sat... He asked me on what I would like to eat. I told him to bring the

best liked dish in that hotel.

 

After 10 minutes of waiting, the server brought me a plate in which there is

a soupbowl. In that soupbowl I saw to fish and some onions and other

stuff.. It is essentially a fish/mutton soup. I was disturbed and told

the server to remove it from my table because I am a vegetarian.

 

He server seem to have been shocked, he went back and told the Manager! So

the Manager came to talk to me. He asked me wheather I am new to the

town... I told him Yes... Then he said in a very polite manner "Sir! you

made a big mistake, this restaurant is famous for Non-Vegetarian food... And

Fish/mutton soup is the most favoured dish... At least you could have read

the board which is in front of the restaurant.."...

 

I have realized my mistake, so I calmely paid the money and walked out of

the Restaurant...

 

----

 

Now imagine yourself going to a Temple of Krishna ---- in India the temple

where Lord Krishna resides is called "Krishnalaya" same way "Ramalaya" where

Lord Rama is... "Alaya" means Temple. This world, which we live in, got a

big nameboard --- which is prominently seen in all our scriptures and

especially in BhawadGita.... GOT THE NAME? It is "Dukhaalaya" Temple of

Sorrow... How can you expect Lord Rama after entering in to Krishnalaya

(Krishna Temple)? How can you expect Krishna if you enter in to a

Sivalaya?.... HOW CAN YOU EXPECT HAPPINESS IF YOU ENTER IN TO THE TEMPLE OF

SORROW???? This world got attributes "anityam"..."AsukhamDukhAlayam"...

 

I must be a fool to expect a Vegetarian Meal in a Non-Vegetarian

restaurant... There are two ways to know the truth... Either you believe in

who tell you that there no Vegetarian food available, and keep quite! OR

you go and experience yourself all the trouble after ordering and getting an

unexpected result... It is unfortunate that I was unable to read Gujarati

so I made a mistake, but I could have asked somebodys help in getting that

board translated so that I could understand!

 

So even in Vedanta, the best way to understand the reality is to "APPROACH

SCIPTURES" --- Sastra Pramana --- they tell you what is right. But if you

cant read or comprehend the meaning (language) of scriptures then approach

somebody who has studied well (Srotriya, Brahmanishta).

 

But ultimately it is you who has to deside what to do... Even after getting

advised by the scriptures and by the Srotriyas (teachers), if you make a

mistake then you are not a Yukta (14th sloka - nitya yuktah). Yukti is the

ability to do the right thing... Even after knowing what is right, if you

still do wrong then there is no point in learning anything...

 

Hari Om! Hari Om! Hari Om!

 

I remain yours,

Madhava

>

> maamupetya punarjanma duHkhaalayamashaashvatam.h .

> naap{}nuvanti mahaatmaanaH sa.nsiddhiM paramaa.n gataaH .. 8\.15..

>

> 15. As a result of reaching Me, the exalted ones who have attained the

> highest perfection do not get rebirth which is an abode of

> sorrows and which

> is impermanent.