Bhagavad Gita - Daily One Verse Brief Explanation - II 2:17 II

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|| Shree Hari ||

Ram Ram

 

II 2:17 II

 

avinaashi tu tad viddhi, yena sarvam idam tatam

vinaasham avyayasyaasya, na kaschit kartum arhati

 

" Know that to be imperishable, by which all this universe is

pervaded; for none can bring about the destruction of this

indestructible. "

 

Comment :

 

That Sat-tatva (Real-Element, God) whose non-existence is not known,

that itself is called the indestructible (imperishable) element by

which the entire world is pervaded. Due to its imperishable nature

and pervading the whole world, no one can destroy it. Destruction

is only of that which is perishable and resides in one place.

 

From Gita Prabodhani in Hindi pg. 29-30 by Swami Ramsukhdasji

 

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Chapter 2, Verse 17 is as follows;

 

Avinashi = in-destructible

Tu = indeed

Tat = that

Viddhi = (you) know

Yena = by whom

Sarvam = all

Idam = this

Tatam = is pervaded

Vinaasham = destruction

Avyayasya = imperishable

Asya = of the

Na = not

Kashchit = anyone

Kartum = to do

Arhati = is able

 

English translation:-

 

Know that to be verily indestructible by which all this is pervaded.

None can cause the destruction of the Imperishable.

 

In the verse 3 of chapter 8 of Shreemad Bhagawad Geeta, Lord Krishna

has defined; " Aksharam Brahma Paramam " i.e. The Brahman is

Imperishable.

 

In the verse 20 of chapter 8 of Shreemad Bhagawad Geeta, Lord Krishna

has clarified, " But higher than the unmanifested beings, there

exists yet another unmanifested eternal Supreme Being, which is not

destroyed while all the manifested beings perish. "

 

The Brahman pervades the entire universe including the terrestrial

world. It is that Reality which exists eternally in all periods of

time; even though the terrestrial world is ever-changing,

impermanent and perishable.

 

This has been very nicely illustrated in a beautiful Hindi Bhajan as

follows;

 

" MaaTee Kahe Kumbhaarase, Tu Kyaa Rondhe Mohe, Eka Dina Aisa Aayegaa

Main Rondhungee Tohe "

 

It means the clay reminds an earthen pot maker that right now you are

making a pot by giving me a definite form and shape. But one day this

form and shape will be destroyed, while I will continue to exist.

Similarly one day you will be destroyed as well. Today, you are

playing with me. When you get destroyed, please do not forget that,

then it will be my turn.

 

The Brahman exists as the substratum of the world. The worlds of

state of waking, dreaming and having deep sleep arise out of the

Brahman, exist in the Brahman, flourish in the Brahman, perish in

the Brahman and ultimately merge with the Brahman. It is similar to

the waves in the water.

 

" While instructing the disciples, the Guruji first pointed out two

fingers indicating that there are two relative existences of the

Reality; one is the Real, the Brahman (energy) while the Un-Real is

the Maayaa (matter). Then he folded in one finger thereby suggesting

that the Brahman is a Universal constant; while impermanent Maayaa

appears and disappears in a random fashion " …..Swami Ramakrishna.

 

The Brahman is Imperishable, as none can cause destruction of the

Brahman.

 

There are six ways of destruction of a material object (a boat as an

example) and they are as follows;

 

1. A material object undergoes self-decay and finally gets destroyed

in the process. As an example a boat is created. It is deployed in

service for many years. Ultimately, it rusts completely and finally

it sinks.

2. It gets destroyed by another material object. The boat hits

another giant boat and is destroyed in the collision.

3. It gets destroyed due to removal of the shelter of protection

under which it can survive. If there is a heavy storm and the boat

topples; as it is unable to float in the water, it sinks in the

process.

4. It gets destroyed as its relationship with others gets snapped. If

there is no one to avail of the service rendered by an abandoned

boat, then eventually it gets destroyed.

5. It gets destroyed if the basis of buoyancy is not available due

to an oil spillage.

6. If the boat develops leakages, which cannot be plugged then it

sinks.

 

Now let us consider the Brahman. These six reasons are not

applicable to it as stated below;

 

1. The Brahman is not made of any matter. Therefore the process of

self-decay is not applicable.

2. The Brahman pervades the entire Universe. Therefore, there is

nothing else due to which The Brahman can be destroyed.

3. The Brahman is without any shelter of protection, so it continues

to survive forever.

4. The Brahman does not have finite form and shape. Therefore, it

cannot come in contact with anything else and there is no scope for

destruction of the Brahman.

5. The Brahman is without any origin. It is birthless, ageless and

deathless.

6. The Brahman does not have a specific purpose to achieve and

therefore even in the absence of any purpose; it continues to

pervade the entire Universe.

 

In short, the Brahman is the reservoir of the infinite energy in the

entire Universe. As per the conservation of energy principle, energy

can never be destroyed, energy can never be created. All that is

possible is to convert energy from one form to another form while

maintaining the sum total of the energy in the Universe as a

constant.

 

Thanks & Best Regards,

 

Shrikant Joshi

===============================================================

OTHER SADHAKS

 

Dear Sir,

 

I am YOGA student and I desire to learn BHAGWAT GEETA and also to

memorise entire gita as a whole. In this regard, I need your

assistance and guidance.

 

Dr Mohan

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

|| 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