[Guruvayur/Guruvayoor] Glory of Third Chapter of the Bhagavad Gita

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The third chapter is abi out karmayoga and stresses the importance of svadharma.Chaithanya in the sy tory is the witness self without which one is Jada or inert.the prakrthi is jada and the purusha the inner self is the chaitanya.Without the guidance of the inner self the individual is swayed by his natural impulses propelled by the combination of threegunas in him which is the prakrthi. It is unavidable says Krishna in the third chapter, 'prakrthim yAnthi bhoothAny i nigrahah kim karishyathi,' all beings are led by their innate impulses which is not posible to control unless by knowledge. the root of all the evils is the desire which Krishna calls 'mahASano mahApApma,' all devouring and most sinful and can be vanquished only by knowledge. Krishna also tells us how to do this. 'Mayi sarvANi karmANi sannyasyadhyAthma chEthasa.' dedicate all work to Me and do your duty without attachment.The man called Jada forsake his svadharma of following the duty of a priest and

goaded by desire turned to evil ways.With the help of Chaithanya he got back his wid sdom and attained release from his cursed existence. sarojaramanujamhparamu <param wrote: GLORY OF THE THIRD CHAPTER OF THE BHAGAVAD GITA THE STORY OF JADA AND CHAITANYAJada was born in a family of priests. But he was interested in amassing wealth. He earned wealth through all sorts of wicked manners. He became cruel and arrogant because of his huge wealth. Soon he started spending

his money on wine and women. He soon became the most hated man in the town. One night, his entire riches were stolen.After some time, he landed in the streets after being deprived of even a single penny. Even his day to day survival became difficult. To earn money for his livelihood, he started stealing. He could not hide himself from the society for too long, one day he was caught red handed while stealing. The people of the town tied him to a tree and beat him black and blue. Insulted and humiliated he tried to escape to the neighboring village with his remaining money.He had to pass through a forest and it became night. Since he was afraid to walk further in the midst of wild animals, he decided to spend the night under a big tree. Just about when he was to sleep, he was surrounded by a band of robbers, who threatened him to part with his money. He started quarelling with them. In the course of the

arguments he was stabbed by a robber and he died under the tree. The robbers took possession of all his money and left the corpse there.Jada wandered in the forest as a ghost unable to reach the realms of the other world because of his misdeeds and karma. A few merchants who happened to pass through the forest next day saw his corpse and recognized him. They soon informed Jada's son, Chaitanya who was away in his gurukula and was just back home . On hearing about his father's death Chaitanya was overwhelmed with grief. He performed the last rites of his father. He discussed with other elderly persons in the village and decided that he should go to Kasi ,take a dip in Holy Ganges, have darsan of lord Viswanatha, and perform Gaya Shraddha for the moksha of the soul of his father who had died a miserable death.Soon Chaitanya embarked on the journey towards Kasi with his friends. He had to pass through the

forest where his father died and by the choice of destiny came to the tree where his father died. Since it was night, he and his friends decided to rest there. After performing the Sandhya Vandana and having food, everybody rested their heads in the shade of the big tree. Chaitanya decided to do the parayana of the third chapter of the Bhagavad Gita , which he used to do regularly. He started reading the third chapter and as soon as he completed it, he heard a thundering noise.Everybody jumped and were at their feet, when they saw a divya vimana before them. Chaitanya was startled to see his father seated in the divya vimana wearing yellow silk and a vanamala with a radiant smile in his face.Chaitanya could not believe his eyes for a moment. "Son, you need not go to Kasi or perform Gaya Shraddha"Chaitanya uttered – " I am unable to understand anything , my dear father "Jada told Chaitanya

sitting in the Vimana – " I was a Ghost wandering in this forest after being killed by the robbers. I could not get liberated because of my misdeeds. After hearing you reciting the third chapter of Gita, I was liberated at once and messengers of Lord Vishnu have come here to take me to Vaikunta. It is all because of the greatness of the Bhagavad Gita "Chaitanya spake – "Father , I am overjoyed seeing you going to Vaikunta, is there anything left out which I should do""Yes my son, some of my ancestors and brothers are in hell. You have to liberate them. Since it is not possible for you to go and read Gita in the hell and liberate them , you should go to the Lord Srikrishna temple in our village and read the third chapter of the Gita. Everyday after reading the third Chapter , pray that I am offering the benefits of this reading to my ancestors and surrender everything at the lotus feet of lord Krishna. Do this

for seven days and everybody will be liberated and reach Vishnupada. "" My beloved father, I'll certainly do it""Son, I am leaving, our lineage will become soon pure because of you. Continue reading the Gita and it'll bring all glory to your sons and our heritage"Chaitanya returned to his village. He read the Gita for seven days in the temple of Lord Srikrishna. All his ancestors reached the lotus feet of the Lord one by one. Such is the greatness of the third chapter of the Gita.Hare Krishna Dr. Saroja Ramanujam, M.A., Ph.D, Siromani in sanskrit. web address: http://www.geocities.com/sarojram18 http://freewebs.com/gitaclass

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