Guest guest Posted April 1, 2009 Report Share Posted April 1, 2009 || Shree Hari || Ram Ram || 2-54 || arjuna uvaacha sthita-prajnasya kaa bhaashaa,samaadhi-sthasya keshava sthita-dhih kim prabhaashet, kim asita vrajeta kim " Arjuna said: " O Kesava (Lord Krishna), what are the marks of a person of steadfast wisdom, who realizes (stithaprajna) God? How does such a man of firm wisdom speak, sit and how does he walk or in other words how does he behave? " From " Gita Prabodhani " in Hindi, page 55 by Swami Ramsukhdasji ---------------------- Chapter 2, Verse 54 is as follows; Arjuna = Arjuna Uvaacha = said Sthita-pradnya-sya = of the sage of steady wisdom Kaa = what BhaaShaa = description / hallmark / sign Samaadhi-sthasya = of the man merged in the Super-Conscious state / the Ultimate Reality Keshava = O Krishna! Sthita-dheeH = the sage of steady wisdom whose intellect is firmly established in the Self Kim = what (how) Prabhaa-Sheta = speaks Kim = what (how) Aaseeta = sits Vrajeta = walks / behaves Kim = What (How) English translation:- Arjuna asked, " O Krishna! What are the discernible signs or distinguishing hallmarks of the man steady in wisdom having his intellect merged in the Super - Conscious state? How does the man whose intellect has been firmly established in the Self; speak, sit and walk or behave? " In Sanskrit language the word `Samadhi' does not mean loss of consciousness; on the contrary it is the highest level of consciousness normally referred to as Super-Consciousness. In Sanskrit language the word `Sthita-PradnyaH' is an exactly opposite of `Chanchala-PradnyaH' i.e. a man of fickle mind. The majority is of the latter type of people. Arjuna is gradually recovering from the deep emotional stupor that he had fallen into by sheer misfortune. It was indeed an aberration or a blemish on his otherwise stain-less and impeccable track record of a warrior of exceptional capabilities. Arjuna, the grief-stricken hero has forgotten his mental commotion and hysteria for the time being and he actively participates in the Divine dialogue. After having grasped the essence of the brilliant exposition of `Sankhya Yoga' by Lord Krishna, Arjuna is scared to abandon his current active life-style that is full of rigorous and vigorous actions and henceforth lead an apparently passive, docile and inactive life-style of a Sage like person. Therefore, Arjuna wants to know the discernible signs or distinguishing hallmarks of the man steady in wisdom and merged in the Super - Conscious state. He requests Lord Krishna to offer him deeper understanding and awareness of the intellectual and mental characteristics as well as physical conditions of such a Self-realised soul. Arjuna's first question is: `What is the true inner nature of a Sage like person?' Arjuna is curious to know that when someone has attained the ultimate state of human existence, what kind of person he is? Arjuna's second question is: `How does a Sage like person speak?' Arjuna is curious to know that after having merged his individuality in the Infinite Brahman, how the Sage like person expresses himself by means of his various day to day activities? Arjuna's third question is: `How does a Sage like person sit?' Arjuna is curious to know his inner personality. When one sits, he is stationary in his deep state of inertia being totally unconnected and unconcerned with the trappings of the external ever changing world. What happens within him? What are his inner thoughts and feelings? Arjuna's fourth question is: `How does a Sage like person walk?' Arjuna is curious to know that about the kind of interaction that he has with the external environments and events. Such wider interpretation of otherwise innocuous questions raised by Arjuna is necessary for every Sadhak for understanding the magnificent picture of perfection of a Sage like human being, which is adroitly painted by Lord Krisha in the next eighteen verses in chapter 2 of Shreemad Bhagawad Geeta. Thanks & Best Wishes, Shrikant Joshi ----------------------- || Shree Hari || Ram Ram All Sadhaks can participate in discussion / clarification of the verses. 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 ----------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 || Shree Hari || Ram Ram || 2-54 || Link: — Arjuna then puts the question about the illumined one whose intellect has crossed the mire of delusion and who has become steadfast and firm on God. arjuna uvaacha sthitaprajnaasya kaa bhaasa samaadhisthasya kesava sthitadheeh kirh prabhaaseta kimaasita vrajeta kirn Arjuna said: O Kesava, what is the mark of a man of steadfast wisdom (sthitaprajna), who realizes God? How does such a man of steady wisdom, speak, sit and how does he walk (in other words, how does he relate with the world? || 54 || Comment: — [Here Arjuna asks about the marks of a man of steadfast wisdom (sthitaprajna). Before he put forth this question Arjuna had some doubt related to intellect (buddhi) and actions (karma) (2/47 — 50). But Bhagwaan in verses Gita 2/52 and 2/53 said, " After crossing the mire of delusion when your intellect has become steadfast and firm on God, you will attain Self-realization / union with God. " Hearing this, questions arose in Arjuna's mind that when he attains Union with God / Self-realization, at that time what would he (a man of steadfast wisdom) be like? Arjuna asked about a private and personal question about his doubt first, where as his second doubt about action and knowledge, he asked later (in 3/1-2) after finding out about the characteristics of a man of steadfast wisdom. Had Arjuna put a question regarding his doubts about action and knowledge, in verse Gita 2/54 over here, then his question regarding the mark of the man of steadfast wisdom, would have been much delayed.] In this verse several terms have been used, let us cover these - 'Samaadhisthasya'* - a person who has attained God-realization. 'Sthitaprajnasya' — an enlightened (God-realized) soul, as well as the striver (sadhak, spiritual aspirant). The spiritual aspirant who is of a firm resolve and who never budges from his spiritual path, is also called a man of steadfast wisdom. The realized soul whose intellect is already steadfast, is also a man of steadfast wisdom. Now, the query arises, that while Arjuna put the question about the enlightened soul only, why Lord Krsna included the sadhak (spiritual aspirant, striver) as well? The answer is that, in the Discipline of Knowledge aspirants generally develop disinclination for activities. The perfect soul gets total disinclination. An aspirant of the Discipline of Devotion, has an inclination to the recitation of Divine name, meditation, association with holy men and study of the scriptures etc. These activities exist in abundance, in him. In the perfect state, only activities pertaining to God are performed. Thus there is a clear difference in the degree of activities, of aspirants and realized souls in both the Disciplines of Knowledge and Devotion. But in the Discipline of Action, the flow of activities goes on as usual, without any change, in both the stages — as a striver and a perfected soul. So, there is a description of strivers (aspirants, sadhaks), from verse Gita 2/41 to Gita 2/45, and also from Gita 2/47 to Gita 2/53. Thus, in the context, the means by which strivers, can be perfect souls' have been enunciated and the marks of the perfect soul, have also been described. 'Ka bhaasa' — What is the description or mark of an enlightened soul? (Lord Krsna answers this question in the next verse). 'Sthitadheeh kirn prabhaaseta' — How does the enlightened soul speak? (Lord Krsna will answer this question in verses Gita 2/56 and 2/57.) 'Kimaasita'— How does he sit viz., how does he become dispassionate? (Lord Krsna has answered these in verses Gita 2/58 through 2/63.) 'Vrajeta kirn' — How does he walk viz., how does he behave? (Lord Krsna has answered this question in the verses Gita 2/64 through 2/71.) * Here the word 'Samadhi' has been used for God as it was also used in verse Gita 2/44. From " The Bhagavadgita - Sadhak Sanjivani " in English, page 200 - 202 by Swami Ramsukhdasji ---------------------- || 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 ----------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.