Bhagavad Gita - Daily One Verse Brief Explanation - II 2:15 II

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|| Shree Hari ||

Ram Ram

 

II 2:15 II

 

yam hi na vyathayanti ete, purusham purusharsabha

sama-duhkha-sukham dheeram, so 'mrtatvaaya kalpate

 

O the best of men (Arjuna)! the wise man to whom pain and pleasure

are alike, and who is not tormented (becomes happy and unhappy)by

the sense objects, becomes fit for immortality. Rather he attains

immortality.

 

Comment:

 

This body which has received and which later departs from us, to

believe it to be I, mine and for me, is the main mistake. This

mistake is not natural, rather it is created through man himself.

This mistake arises due to not giving due importance to our Viveka

(sense of discrimination). From this one mistake many other mistakes

ensue. That is why it is of prime importance to get rid of this

error. The responsibility of correcting this mistake lies on

individual only. To help to correct this mistake God has granted the

faculty of Viveka to man. The spiritual aspirant who gives

importance to Viveka can correct his mistake, he can become free

from sense of I-ness (egoism) and Mine-ness. On becoming free of

sense of I-ness and mine-ness the sadhak attains a state of

equanimity.

 

From Gita Prabodhani in Hindi pg. 27 by Swami Ramsukhdasji

 

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Chapter 2, Verse 15 is as follows;

 

Yam = whom

Hi = surely

Na = not

Vyathayanti = afflict

Ete = these

PuruSham = man

PuruSha = among men

Rishabha = chief (bull)

Sama = same

DuHkha = pain

Sukham = pleasure

Dheeram = firm

SaH = he

Amrutatvaaya = for immortality / eternal life

Kalpate = is fit

 

English translation:-

 

O the best of men (Arjuna), that person is fit for eternal life,

whom these do not torment; who is balanced in pain, pleasure and

steadfastness.

 

In Sanskrit language, `Puri' means a city and `Purusha' means an

indweller in the `Puri' i.e. physical body in this context.

 

In the Upanishad, a classical definition of `Purusha' is found,

which is as follows;

 

" SaH Vaa Ayam PuruShaH Sarvaasu PoorShoo,

Purishayo Na Etena Kinchin Anaavrutam, Na Etena Kinchin

Aasamvrutam "

 

It means, the one who resides in the physical bodies of trillions of

expressions of life in this mortal world and there is nothing in the

entire Universe that is not pervaded by him is Purusha, the Supreme

Being, the Brahman, the reservoir of infinite energy.

 

There is a continuous stream of pleasures and pains in the physical

body of every human being, due to contact of the sense organs with

various material objects. The person who merely identifies himself

with his body is bound to be enthused and grieved respectively.

However, a person whose mind and intellect are focussed on the Self,

he is always calm, cool and collected. Always remaining unruffled by

the external stimuli, he retains his steadfastness under all such

transient experiences. Such a man of steady body, mind and intellect

combination is indeed a worthy candidate for `Yoga' i.e. unity with

the Self.

 

Here, the eternal life or immortality means transcendence beyond the

cycles of life and death. Immortality is the state of Self-

realisation. It is the ultimate experience of Godhood or Godhead

that can be attained by a `Yogi' having accomplished the state of

absolute perfection of equanimity and equipoise.

 

Lord Krishna addresses Arjuna as `best among bulls in Bhaarata-

Varsha'. In India, since time immemorial, a cow and a bull are

considered to be sacred symbols of selfless service and sacrifice to

mankind. A cow eats grass and drinks water and in turn converts them

into milk, which is considered to be a noble and divine task. A bull

has been used as an ancient locomotive engine to power a cart used

for transportation of men and material. A pair of bulls is also

associated with ploughing fields which in turn grow crops and feed

mankind. Even the dry excreta of cows and bulls are used as fuel as

well as fertiliser.

 

So far in his life, Arjuna has followed the principle of `Service

above the self'. Even though he had earned the title of `Dhanamjaya'

i.e. conqueror of wealth, he never used it for the purpose of self-

aggrandisement. Arjuna being one of the best among men, Lord Krishna

considers him to be a worthy recipient of `Yoga' i.e. unity with the

Self.

 

I would like to draw attention of every Sadhak to verse 9 in chapter

3, where Lord Krishna has clarified, " O Arjuna, this mortal world is

bound by action other than those performed for the sake of selfless

service and sacrifice. Therefore, perform action for that sake free

of attachments, free of expectations of favourable outcomes

irrespective of personal biases, strong likes and dislikes. "

 

A man develops endless desires for acquisition and resultant

enjoyments in this mortal world. However, the unfulfilled desires

cause him mental agitations. These unfulfilled desires are the root

cause of next form of life after the demise of the current form. The

cycle of birth and death continues unabated as long as there are

residual unfulfilled desires.

 

A rebirth of an ordinary living being is not out of `free will'.

However, Lord Vishnu's incarnations are considered to be hallmarks

of `Supreme free will'.

 

When a man attains a state of `no residual desire' then and then

only he becomes a suitable candidate for Self realisation i.e.

Godhood or Godhead.

 

To endure with humility, with magnanimity of heart, the little pin-

pricks of life – heat and cold, joy and sorrow, honour and

dishonour, success and failure etc. – is the best training a human

life can offer to all of us. However, please note that it is not an

incompetent idler's hapless endurance and meek submission to `fate

accompli'.

 

In short, Lord Krishna advices Arjuna, " The more you are able to

identify yourself with the immortal, all-pervading Brahman, the less

you will be affected by the pairs of opposites. "

 

Thanks & Best Regards,

Shrikant Joshi.

 

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|| Shree Hari ||

Ram Ram

 

All Sadhaks can and should contribute as well. Discussion /

clarification is encouraged

 

OTHER REQUESTS FROM SADHAKS -

 

Please feel free to take the lead in any of these areas so that all

sadhaks may benefit.

 

- Introduction to Chapters (GT MODERATOR FROM SADHAK SANJIVANI)

- Chapter Summary - Principles and Laws emanating from it.(N.B. VYAS)

- Summary of Chapter from Sadhak Sanjivani " AS IS "

- Yes, Epilogue / Important Facts in each verse good to bring out.

- Any subtle thoughts / interpretation (MIKE)

- In-depth explanation of " Om Tat Saditi Srimadbhagavadgitaasu,

Upanishadsu..... " is a very good idea. (GT MODERATOR FROM SADHAK

SANJIVANI)

 

From Gita Talk Moderators

Ram Ram

-----------------------------

 

Shree Hari

Ram Ram

We deeply thank Shri Shrikantji Joshi for taking the initiative to

support this divine work of daily one verse Bhagavad Gita

explanation and Shri Madan Kauraji for the Gita Prabodhani

translation Chapter 1 and 2 and to Mrs. K Asani for requesting shloka

explanation on a daily basis.

From Gita Talk Moderators

Ram Ram