Bhajagovindam part 24 ..... commentary by Gopi Krishna

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Bhajagovindam of Adi Shankara (commentary by Gopi Krishna)

 

 

Sloka 19 (Attributed to Anandagiri)

 

Yogarato Vaa Bhogarato Vaa

Sangarato Vaa Sangaviheenah

Yasya Brahmani Ramate Chittam

Nandati Nandati Nandatyeva

 

.... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

 

Meaning:

 

Yogaratah - (let) one who revels in Yoga, Vaa - or, Bhogaratah - (let) one

who revels in Bhoga, Vaa - or, Sangaratah - (let) one seek enjoyment in

company, Vaa - or, Sangaviheenah - (let) one who revels in solitude away

from the crowd, Yasya - for whom, Brahmani - in Brahman, Ramate - revels

(sports), Chittam - the mind, Nandati - (he) enjoys, Nandati - (he) enjoys,

Nandatyeva - only he enjoys.

 

Substance:

 

One may take delight or revel in Yoga or bhoga, may have attachment or

detachment or in other words, let one seek enjoyment in company or in

solitude, but only he whose mind revels in the bliss of Brahman, will enjoy

and verily he alone enjoys.

 

Commentary:

 

As we learnt from earlier slokas, pleasure is a state of mind. The

satisfaction springing from sense enjoyment has very limited life and it

binds one in karma. But the enjoyment of bliss in the union of God is

beyond one's description. It is difficult to describe, as it is beyond the

qualities of any qualifications. Yes, it is possible that though one is

engaged in worldly concerns and not immersed in meditation, one can

still turn one's mind towards God and be fixed on Him. It is immaterial

in what form and by what name a devotee worships God. Bhakti is

mainly Bhava pradhan, rather than outward show. The heart, which

melts at the signing the names of God, will bear fruit, otherwise whatever

length of time that one spends in devotional practices, it will be futile.

There is absolutely no confusion with regard to the God or Goddess

that one wishes to worship, whether it is Siva or Vishnu. If at all there

is one, it is in the mind of the devotee, but not in that power or energy,

which is known as God or Goddess. That power or energy is one and

the same, but only the name is different, to facilitate the devotee to

concentrate, according to one's choice. That is all.

 

The one who has realised, whether one is in a crowd or alone or in

Yoga or bhoga or in whatever condition one may be, it does not matter,

as one is always enjoying the bliss of God. But, it is a problem for one,

whose mind is still struggling with desires, passions and attachments.

For one, who has realised, there is no sin, as there is no attachment

and it is expected that one will not and cannot act selfishly. So, such

a man alone will enjoy in this world, who grows beyond sorrows and

tribulations, pleasures and pains, disease and death.

 

(commentary by Gopi Krishna)