Gita Satsangh: Chapter 10 - Additional Discussion

[Guest guest]

Namaste:

 

The enclosed article from the The Hindu Newspaper emphasizes the

importance of Satsangh for gaining the Spiritual Knowledge. We should

follow the example of Arjuna and ask the right questions with an open

mind that is receptive to absorb new spiritual insights. We have lot

to gain by sharing our knowledge with our fellow advaitins and please

don't hesitate!

 

Warmest regards,

 

Ram Chandran

 

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The Hindu Article: Date:04/03/2003

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/03/04/stories/2003030401100900.htm

 

Miscellaneous - Religion: Receptive mind can grasp the truth

 

CHENNAI, MARCH 4. Spiritual knowledge cannot be gained by armchair

study of the texts that expound this subject. It is a quest over

innumerable lives and the seeker must long for it and not rest till

he is enlightened. The texts that expound it are called Upanishads

for the reason that they enable one who peruses them to "go near" the

truth (Reality). The term "Upanishad" also means that it slackens

worldly bondage thereby making it possible for one to realise one's

true spiritual nature. The Bhagavad Gita, which was taught to Arjuna

by Lord Krishna before the Mahabharata war, is hailed as the essence

of the Upanishads. The Lord Himself taught it for the benefit of the

entire mankind using Arjuna as a pretext. The teachings are organised

and there is a logical development of the philosophical concepts in

the 18 chapters.

 

The opening chapter highlighting Arjuna's despondency in a dramatic

manner shows the mental state in which a person generally becomes

receptive to spiritual knowledge. The tendency of the mind is to

engage in the world of objects and as long as a person finds joy in

sensory pursuits he will not feel the need to turn to the eternal

source of joy within-the Self. So a crisis or a bitter experience in

life resulting in disillusionment with worldly life is often

necessary for spiritual awakening.

 

When Arjuna requested the Lord to station his chariot between the two

armies so that he might have a view of all those who had assembled

for the war and assess those he had to contend with, He placed it in

such a manner that he beheld his elders and kinsmen clearly. Lord

Krishna could have stationed the chariot before Duryodana and his

friends in which case Arjuna would have immediately plunged into war

without any soul-searching. By beholding Bhishma, Drona and his

relatives Arjuna became downcast visualising the outcome of a

fratricidal war in which his kith and kin would die. It was such

mental dejection that made a person thirst for spiritual knowledge,

said Sri N.Veezhinathan in his discourse.

 

Arjuna thus is the archetypal student ready to embark on spiritual

enquiry and the teachings of the Gita were tailor-made for him. Right

at the outset Lord Krishna gives the gist of His sermon.

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