Gita Satsangh- Chapter 13 Concluding Verses

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Namaste:

 

First let us take a moment to thank Srimathi Radheji for posting the verses from

chapter 13 for the past several months. I am happy to report that Radheji will

continue the postings from Chapter 14 starting from the second week of May. This

chapter is quite important because Lord Krishna wants us to recognize our true

divine identity.

 

The illustration of the sun has been used in verse 34 to demonstrate the

non-doership of the Self, and the qualification `Ekah' to bring out its non-dual

character. That is to say, just as the one sun lights up the entire universe, so

does the one Self infuse life and activity into the whole world of matter

referred in verses 5 and 6 above under the name of `Ksetra' and its evolutes.

And through different mental apparatuses the Self appears to manifest itself

differently in different bodies. Nevertheless, like the sun, the Self neither

performs the actions pertaining to the bodies nor does it cause them to be

performed, nor is it tainted by evils like duality or partiality etc. That to

immortal Self ever remains pure, conscious action-less, immutable, unchanged,

impartial and stainless under every circumstance.

 

The last two verses emphasize why dispelling one's ignorance is important for

the realization of the TRUTH. The compound word `Jnanacaksusa' in verse 34

refers to that realization of Truth which in the opinion of the Lord as given in

verse 3 above constitutes true Knowledge. This has also been declared in V.16 as

the means of dispelling ignorance, and which is attained by such means as

`Amanitva' (absence of pride) etc.

 

By means of such wisdom one is able to realize that the cosmic body consisting

of the twenty-four categories, beginning with the five subtle elements,

enumerated in verse 5 known by the name of `Ksetra. That it is knowable, subject

to change, perishable, mutable, material and transient; whereas the `Ksetrajna'

(the Soul) is its knower, conscious, changeless, action-less, eternal,

imperishable, unattached, pure, of the same stuff as Knowledge, and one; that

the two being wholly diverse in character. The Ksetrajna is entirely different

from the `Ksetra'; that the apparent identity of. the two is rooted in

ignorance; that, in reality, the `Ksetrajna' has no connection whatsoever with

the `Ksetra'. This is what is meant by perceiving with the eye of wisdom the

difference between the `Ksetra' and the `Ksetrajna'.

 

Of the three components of the compound word `Bhutaprakrtimoksam' `Bhuta' stands

for the entire realm of objective reality the seed of Prakrti. Therefore,

`Bhutaprakrtimoksa' means complete liberation from Prakrti and her evolutes. And

while realizing in the 'aforesaid manner the difference between the Ksetra and

the Ksetrajna, when the soul gets disunited from `Prakrti' and established in

identity with its real self, the supreme Spirit, one is said to have known

liberation from Prakrti with her evolutes.

 

While dreaming we are being reminded our waking state, we come to recognize the

dream, therefore, we wake up. Immediately we realize that waking is the only

means of escape from the woes of the dream state. Even so the Jnanayogi

following the path of Knowledge, while perceiving the difference between the

Ksetra and the Ksetrajna, comes to realize the apparent connection with the

Ksetra was due to mistaken identity. The yogi is able to reestablish the real

connection and recognizes his (her) real divine identity. – the Truth,

Consciousness and Bliss solidified. Such a yogi is said to have come to know his

(her) liberation from Prakrti. The moment this truth is realized the entire

realm of objective reality disappears along with ignorance, and God-Realization

takes place immediately.

 

Thus, in the Upanisad sung by the Lord the science of Brahma, the scripture of

Yoga, the dialogue between Sri Krsna and Arjuna, ends the thirteenth chapter

entitled " The Yoga of Discrimination between the Ksetra and the Ksetrajna. "

 

With my warmest regards,

 

Ram Chandran