Bhagavad Gita - Daily - II 2:64 and 2:65 II

April 23, 2009

|| Shree Hari ||Ram Ram

Link: — Lord Krishna in this verse answers the fourth question - How does a man of steadfast wisdom walk?

|| Gita 2:64 and 2:65 ||

raaga-dvesha-vimuktais tu, vishayaan indriyaish charanaatma-vashyair vidheyaatma prasaadmadhigacchati || 64 ||prasade sarva-duhkhaanaam, hanir asyopajaayateprasanna-chetaso hy ashu, buddhih paryavatisthate || 65 ||"But a self-controlled Yogi (karma yogi) in practice or a spiritual aspirant, while serving objects with the senses, which are controlled and freed from attraction and aversion (Raga-Dwesha), he attains the tranquility (purity, joy) of mind. With the attainment of such tranquility (purity joy), all his sorrows come to an end; and the intellect of such a person of tranquil (pure, cheerful, joyful) mind, very soon without any doubts becomes, firmly established in Paramatma (God)".

Comment: (Partial posting - Only included "Something remarkable" and the "appendix" section)

On the subject of divinity if there is enhanced delight, cheerfulness, contentment (prasannataah) or if there is uneasiness (deep longing) for God, if either one of these increases, then it very quickly enables the aspirant to realize God. Just like the Gopis were locked up in their homes by their husbands, brothers and parents and prevented from meeting Lord Krsna. The extreme restlessness, distress and deep longing to meet the Lord, destroyed their sins and while meditating on the Lord, the delight and cheerfulness that they experienced destroyed their modes of purity (sattva guna) as well. Thus the Gopis, becoming free from sins and virtues (all modes of nature), and leaving their bodies, they were the first to meet Bhagwaan. But in the worldly affairs, the delight and cheerfulness and deep longing of mind that is experienced, in these the tendencies of sense pleasures are strengthened, in other words bondage with the world is strengthen. The living examples are common worldly people who are entangled in the worldly snare, because of worldly delight, longing and uneasiness, in mundane affairs.

The inner self, is deeply moved and overwhelmed in delight and deep longing. Just as the colour which is added to liquid wax becomes a permanent part of it, in the same way, whatever thoughts are put into the deeply moved inner self these become a permanent part of it and lead the aspirant to salvation or to damnation. Therefore a spiritual aspirant should neither be pleased nor displeased, while gaining or losing the most charming objects of the world.

Appendix — There are two divisions — one of 'Bhoga' (pleasures) and one of 'Yoga'. If a 'Bhogi" (voluptuary) having attachment and aversion dwells upon the objects of senses, he goes to ruin (fall) (Gita 2/62-63). But if a 'Yogi' who is free from attachment and aversion, even if he serves the sense-objects, he does not go to ruin, rather he attains God.

A person freed from likes and dislikes does not enjoy and relish pleasures because it is not his aim. He serves the sense-objects without coming under the sway of attachment, having the sense of detachment (Gita 3/34). Therefore he attains delight and cheerfulness (purity) of mind. Serving the sense-objects with a sentiment of renunciation, is indeed not 'Bhoga'. From the view-point of people it appears that he is using sense-objects; therefore here the expression "vishayaan charan" has been used.

By being free from attachments and aversion, tranquility of mind is attained. There should be cheerfulness at all times. There should not be any distress ever. There should never be lack of joy and relish (i.e. never any monotony) - this is "prasaada" (boon of tranquility of mind) . If a aspirant is not satiated by even this tranquility and he does not begin to engage in enjoyment and consumption of it, he will very quickly realize Paramatma (God).

From "The Bhagavadgita - Sadhak Sanjivani" in English, page 222 - 223 by Swami Ramsukhdasji