Knowing & doing in the Gita-Ramana

[Guest guest]

advaitin , " Ananda Wood " <awood wrote:

>

> Namaste Shri Sunder,

>

> In your message #44815 (May 4, Re: Doubt and faith) you asked for more clarity

on 'how and when to categorize a quotation as correct only in a " cultural

context " . And you asked about universal principles, as exemplified particularly

in the Gita.

>

> I've been thinking a little about how to answer this question. And it strikes

me that the Gita speaks of two basic principles. One is the principle of

knowing, called 'purusha' or 'consciousness'; and the other is the principle of

'doing', called 'prakriti' or 'nature'.

>

> Somewhat paradoxically, it's through the complete distinction of these two

principles that the Gita points toward the ultimate principle of non-duality.

The paradox is that each of these two derives from that one principle; and it is

only there that their seeming opposition may come to be resolved.

>

> So I am appending below an article which asks how the Gita treats these two

principles. And how this might be taken to suggest a resolution of their seeming

difference.

>

> Ananda

 

Namaste Ananda et al,

 

Here is something of interest to Gita Pandits.......Cheers Tony.

 

Sadhu Om: At times Sri Bhagavan used to reveal some information which was

> not given by the scriptures and Puranas such as:

>

> a) how, in the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna began His teachings with the

> doctrines of Ajata and Advaita, but then condescendingly came down to

> various stages of Dwaita, and how He carefully used words which, though

> suited to Arjuna's limited grasping power, also gives room for well-ripened

> aspirants to discover, even now, the motive behind those words.

>

> b) how at first, Sri Dakshinamurti answered His disciples' doubts with wise

> and convincing replies before he took to his method of teaching through

> Silence.