Bhagavad Gita - Daily One Verse Brief Explanation - II 2:40 II

[Guest guest]

|| Shree Hari ||Ram Ram

II 2:40 II

 

nehaabhikrama-naaso 'sti, pratyavaayo na vidhyatesv-alpam apy asya dharmasya, traayate mahato bhayaat

 

"In this path (discipline of Selfless action), there is neither loss of effort even though one is at the beginning of its practice; nor there is any adverse result. Even a little practice of this discipline (Dharma) protects one from great fear (of birth and death)."

 

Comment

 

In this verse, Lord has explained the glory of equanimity (Samta) in four different ways:

1). With the attitude of equanimity the man is relieved of the bondage of Karma

2). There is no loss of effort in pursuing the goal of equanimity.

3).While working to attain equanimity, if there is an error, there is no adverse result.

4). Even a little feeling (Bhava) for the practice of equanimity, it will help towards the success in the spiritual path.

 

Even if one develops a bit of equanimity in life, it is never lost. But when one gives importance to the existence of the temporary world, even the great equanimity becomes small and the little fear becomes a mighty fear. When we do not give importance to the unreal existence of this world then the equanimity becomes great and the greatest fear is all gone.

 

From Gita Prabodhani in Hindi pg. 44 by Swami Ramsukhdasji

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

There was a typo yesterday. Please see updated version of Gita 2:39 below.

II 2:39 IIeshaa te 'bhihitaa saankhye, buddhir yoge tv imaam shrinubuddhyaa yukto yayaa paartha, karma-bandham prahaasyasi"O' Partha (Arjuna), thus far you have been presented the science of equanimity(Samtaah) using the approach of the Saankhya or Jnaana Yoga (the discipline ofKnowledge). Now hear the same, from the point of view of Karma Yoga or BuddhiYoga, (the discipline of Self-less Action). Equipped with the equanimous stateof mind, you will be able to completely shake off the bondage of Karma(action)."Comment :In verses 31-37, the Lord explained the science of duty per Dharma Sastra (according to scripture of duty). Now He is explaining the science of Karma Yoga(The discipline of Self-less action) in verses 39-53.From Gita Prabodhani in Hindi pg. 44 by Swami Ramsukhdasji---------------------------Chapter 2, Verse 40 is as follows;

Na = not

Iha = in this

Abhi-Krama-NaashaH = loss of effort

Asti = is

PratyavaayaH = production of contrary results

Na = not

Vidyate = is

Su-Alpam = very little

Api = even

Asya = of this

Dharmasya = obligatory duty / Karma Yoga

Traayate = protects

MahataH = great

Bhayaat = from fear

English translation:-

In this there is no loss of effort; also there is no adverse effect. The practice of even a little of such an obligatory duty, protects one from great fear.

Unfinished ritualistic actions do not culminate in fruition, unless they are executed in a timely manner with a proper logical sequence. Unless and until all the actions like ploughing a field, sowing the seeds, watering the plants, weeding out the parasites, guarding them from harmful insects and harvesting the crops are performed with due diligence, one does not derive benefit from a farming land.

However, a partial fulfillment of `Karma Yoga' i.e. right actions does not suffer from such a disadvantage. On the contrary, it offers corresponding benefit as a daily intake of food for nourishment of every human being.

If a wrong dose of medicine is administered to a patient, it may result into unpredictable and undesirable consequences for the patient. However, a partial execution of `Karma Yoga' is not fraught with such adverse consequences.

This is quite similar to the modern concept of `Kaizen', which in Japanese language means continuous incremental improvement in all aspects of life. Kaizen is a daily activity, the purpose of which goes far beyond simple personal productivity improvement. It is also a process that, when done correctly, humanises the workplace, eliminates overly hard work (`muri' is a Japanese term for overburden, unreasonableness or absurdity) and teaches every practitioner how to perform thought experiments on his daily activities and how to learn to spot and eliminate physical material waste and also to identify waste of time, energy and money in every human endeavour.

It is also similar to the ancient concept of `Gai-Shan', which in Chinese language means change for the benefit of others. Here, `Benefit' is more related to the Taoist or Buddhist philosophy, which gives the definition as the action that 'benefits' the society at large and not limited to a particular individual. In other words, one cannot benefit at another's expense. The quality of benefit that is involved here should be sustained forever, and therefore the "Gai-shan" is an act that truly benefits one and all.

Most of the people strongly believe that without attachments and involvements in the worldly matter, they lack the mental stimuli to act and achieve anything that is worthwhile. The truth is just the opposite. If you are unattached and impersonal to your work, performing it without any selfish motive, you turn out a master piece. This is the real Karma Yoga. When you act in the true spirit of Karma Yoga, you gain mental peace and happiness.

Another trait of a Karma Yogi is fearlessness. When one performs for the constructive welfare of the entire society and nation, there is a tremendous sense of satisfaction and achievement and there nothing left to fear about, let alone the fear of death. This simple truth is clearly evident in the animal kingdom. A carnivorous animal's nature is self-serving one, which always results in inflicting damage to others and therefore its entire life is engulfed in fear and suspicion. On the contrary, an herbivorous cow's eyes always reflect `Vatsalya' i.e. motherly tender love, as she relentlessly serves humanity with her wholesome milk.

Lord Krishna offers a spiritual motivation to Arjuna, "Therefore, even a little practice of true Karma Yoga will certainly get rid of all your misplaced worldly fears and it will certainly enrich your life provided you engage in relentless service and sacrifice for the benefit of the entire populace of the great nation of `Bhaarat-Varsha'."

Thanks & Best Regards,

Shrikant Joshi===============================================================

Dear Sadaks,"Om Tat Saditi Srimadbhagavadgitaa su, Upanishadsu. ...." We can see man having rat race in Kali Yug. So Bagavan knew that man will not know that there was 108 Upanashids in Kali Yug. As such Bagavan grace is so great that HE thought to give juice of Upanashids to humankind. Bagavan in HIS times said in Geetha a word ""MOODHA" (Ignorant). Now we can can call such people as ""Maha Moodha"

baiya sathyanarayan

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

Pranam;

Shrikant ji you are indeed taking a lot of pains to explain the intricacies and finer points of Bhagwad Gita. At the same time the study is getting serious. One cannot continue for over an hour without a break. So let all Sadhakas share some lighter moments from Bhagwad Gita.

 

HUMOUR IN BHAGWAD GITA

 

One elder gentleman started attending the Bhagwad Gita classes. He attended regularly & was very attentive throughout. At the end of the First Chapter the following conversation took place with the Instructor.

" Guruji, pehela adhyaya sunke mere sare tension dur ho gaye."

" Mai samza nahi. Dusra aur Teesra adhyaya padhake tension dur ho sakte hai. Lekin ye to pehela adhyaya tha???"

" Hamare gharme pota hua hai."

 

" Khushi ki baat hai"

 

" Mai uske lie ek achhaasa naam dhund raha tha….. Aur is pahele adhyaya men Vir, Mahavir aur Maharathion ke itne naam aye hai, ki mere saare tension dur ho gaye."

 

With regards,

Suhas Gogate

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

Is it important to learn by rote the Bhagavath Geetha ? I think that is meantfor a practice. it is verily the user manual of our life. I have not seen anyonelearning any user manual by rote or even try to do so; however expensive theitem may be.What you say SadhaksSiva----------------|| Shree Hari ||Ram RamAll Sadhaks can and should contribute as well. Discussion /clarification is encouragedOTHER REQUESTS FROM SADHAKS -Please feel free to take the lead in any of these areas so that allsadhaks 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 SADHAKSANJIVANI)From Gita Talk ModeratorsRam Ram-----------------------------Shree HariRam RamWe deeply thank Shri Shrikantji Joshi for taking the initiative tosupport this divine work of daily one verse Bhagavad Gitaexplanation and Shri Madan Kauraji for the Gita Prabodhanitranslation Chapter 1 and 2 and to Mrs. K Asani for requesting shlokaexplanation on a daily basis.From Gita Talk ModeratorsRam Ram