Gita Satsangh, Chapter 10: Verses 19 to 20

[Guest guest]

Namaste Satsanghis:

 

Let us continue with the Gita Satsangh with verses 19 and 20 of

chapter 10. Since this is the first posting after long holidays, let

me summarize what we have discussed so far.

 

Lord Krishna continued His teaching of the "Royal Secret of the

Brahma Vidhya" to Arjuna by providing a vision of the Divine Glories.

He emphasizes that Brahama Vidhya (Paravidhya) is Direct Knowledge

and He is very pleased to reveal to Arjuna because He likes him very

much. In verses 1 to 11, Lord Krishna explains why Arjuna should

hear His Divine Glories directly from Him even though he might have

already heard these glories from his childhood teachers. Arjuna after

hearing the words from the Lord replies enthusistically through

verses 12 to 18 that he will be thrilled to hear directly from Him.

 

This dialog between the teacher and the student explains the

qualities of the Ideal Teacher and the Ideal Student. The eagerness

of the teacher to reveal the highest 'truth' to a qualified and

enthusiastic student is portrayed profoundly through those verses.

The student expresses his greatest respect to the teacher and teacher

expresses his admiration and love to the student. The Vedic method

of teaching is quite unique where there is open and friendly

discussion on metaphysical subjects where understanding is impossible

without faith (shraddha). The student is provided full freedom to

express his true feelings - appreciations as well as frustrations.

The teacher does not hesitate to express His compassion and

admiration to the student and reveals the highest knowledge without

any reservation!

 

Let us create the same ideal environment and adopt this role-model

learning through this Satsangh during this new year. Let us continue

our discussion as usual through friendly exchanges of ideas with an

open mind with compassion and admiration.

 

Warmest regards,

 

Ram Chandran

 

 

Sri Bhagavaan Uvaacha:

Hanta te kathayishyaami divyaa hyaatmavibhootayah;

Praadhaanyatah kurushreshtha naastyanto vistarasya me. . 19

 

The Blessed Lord said:

Very well, now I will declare to thee My divine glories in their

prominence, O Arjuna! There is no end to their detailed description.

 

Ahamaatmaa gudaakesha sarvabhootaashayasthitah;

Ahamaadishcha madhyam cha bhootaanaamanta eva cha. .. 20

 

I am the Self, O Gudakesha, seated in the hearts of all beings! I am

the beginning, the middle and also the end of all beings.

 

Easy references;

 

The Gita Supersite http://www.gitasupersite.org/ contains most of the

commentaries including commentaries in many languages.

 

Adi Shankara's commentary and Swami Chinmayananda's commentary are

available at the advaitin file folder at URL:

advaitin/files

Double click on the folders Sankara1 and Chinmaya to access the files.