CH 2 V 40 & Lesson 1 Pt II

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Chapter 2

Verse 40

 

n'eh'aabhikrama naasho'sti pratyavaayo na vidyate /

svalpam apy asya dharmasya traayatemahato bhayaat //

 

In this (Karma Yoga), there is no waste of the

unfinished attempt, nor is there production of any

adverse effect. Even a little practice of this Yoga

protects one from great fear (of death).

 

LESSONS FROM BHAGAVAD GITA – 1

Part II

 

Although a man knows fully well that such and such act

is evil, he does it and lands himself in trouble. In

this passage, Sri Krishna explains the secret of that

mysterious force that compels man to commit sin.

Lustful desire (kama) is the foremost force that that

harasses man and stands in the way of his progress in

divine life. Another evil force is anger (Krodha),

which is but an effect of desire. If there is no

desire, there cannot be any anger, as there cannot be

any effect when there is no cause. Sri Krishna says

the twin evils of desire and anger constitute the

power behind all the sins committed by man.

 

Sri Krishna uses two significant epithets to describe

desire. First is that is all devouring like fire, and

secondly, it is all sinful.

 

Fire cannot be extinguished if you go on pouring oil

on it. The more fuel you put into the fire, the more

lustily will it burn. No one can satisfy the hunger

of fire. Therefore, those who think desire can be

conquered by gratification are deluded. Any attempt

to satisfy a desire only makes it stronger and more

clamorous for further enjoyment.

 

How then can desire be conquered? If you don’t put

fuel into the fire, definitely the fire will weaken

and slowly disappear. So also, let no attempt be made

to satisfy desire and then it will die a natural

death. The rejection of desire as soon as it is born

in the mind is the way to overcome it.

 

Again, desire and anger are described as enemies of

man. Desire goads man to actions and makes him do

even heinous sins. Man is a slave to all worldly

enjoyment. Whatever appears to him to be pleasant, at

the first sight, he blindly does without caring for

the after effects, which may be very painful and

destructive to his personality altogether.

 

It is in the mind that desires reside. Mind has

stored all kinds of desires from past experiences, and

that is the cause of its restlessness. Therefore, to

make mind pure and peaceful and an abode for the Lord,

the devotee or the seeker after God should purge the

mind of desires. He should remain extremely vigilant,

all not to allow any worldly desire to rise in his

mind.

 

 

 

 

 

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