Bhaja Govindam (part 21) commentary by Gopi Krishna

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Continuing with the Bhaja Govindam

(part 21) with commentary by Gopi Krishna...

 

 

Sloka 16 (Attributed to Subhoda)

 

Agre Vahnih Prishthe Bhaanuh

Raatrau Chubukasamarpitajaanuh

Karatalabhikshastarutalavaasah

Tadai Na Munchatyaasaapaasah

 

.... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:

 

Agre - in front, Vahnih - the fire, Prishthe - at the back, Bhaanuh - the

sun, Raatrau - at night, Chubuka samarpit jaanuh - with (his) knees held to

(his) chin (he sits), Karatala bhikshah - alms in (his own) scopped palm (he

receives), Tarutalavaasah - under the shelter of the tree (he lives),

Tadapi - and yet, Na - never, Munchati - spares (leaves), Aasaapaasah -

noose of desires.

 

Substance:

 

In front the ire, at the back the sun, at night he curls up the body, he

receives alms in his own scooped palm and lives under the shelter of some

tree, and yet he is a puppet at the hands of passions and desires.

 

Commentary:

 

The attachments and desires which bind a man to the things of the world have

enormous power. These devils hold sway over a person unabated even when one

has become weak in all respects. Subjugation to the natural passions is a

common scene, but victory of the soul by subjugating the same natural

passions is possible only with the aid of Lord. It cannot be achieved

otherwise. One may be old and decrepit, unable to stand the cold, sits by

fire to warm oneself, one cannot stretch one's legs out due to cold and old

age, not sure of next meal, yet desires bind one with their enormous power.

The tyrannies of desire are universal and natural law of nature. In spite of

not having any comfort or even bare minimum necessities of life for all

practical purposes and yet the iron grip of desire will never leave him

unless one is completely surrendered to God. Renouncing the objects of the

world is not real renunciation, but giving up desires to acquire them is the

real sacrifice. One has to make every effort to perfect this impossible art.

The potent bonds of desire should be totally eliminated from the system of

the individual. Constant and consistent Atma Bodha (self-teaching) is an

important sadhana to master the art of high mental purity, without which, it

is just impossible to eliminate the vasanaas of desire from the mind. Desire

is a natural instinct and sublimation, and not suppression, of this natural

instinct is the positive development and a giant step towards spiritual

unfoldment.