Bhajagovindam Part 29

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Bhajagovindam by Adi Shankara

(commentary by Gopi Krishna)

 

Sloka 24 (Attributed to Medhaatithira)

 

Tvayi Mayi Chaanyatraiko Vishnuh

Vyartham Kupyasi Mayyasahishnuh

Bhava Samachittah Sarvatra Tvam

Vaanchhasyachiraadyaadi Vishnutvam

 

.... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

 

Meaning:

 

Tvayi - in you, Mayi - in me, Cha - and, Anyatra - in all oher places (too),

Ekah - (there is) but one, Vishnuh - All pervading Reality (Vishnu),

Vyartham - unnecessarily, Kupyasi - you are getting angry, Mayi - with me,

Asahishnuh - being impatient, Bhava - become, Samachittah - equal-minded,

Sarvatra - everywhere (in all circumstances), Tvam - you, Vaanchhasyachi

yadi - if you want, Achiraat - soon, Vishnutvam - The Vishnu-Status.

 

Substance:

 

In you, in me and everywhere there is but one All-pervading Reality dwells,

i.e., Vishnu. Getting impatient and angry with other is meaningless. Giving

up all egoistic-feelings of duality completely and maintaining equal-minded

in all circumstances, attain soon the Vishnu-status.

 

Commentary:

 

>From time immemorial, it has been taught to us by the Rishis of yore that

Vishnu is the All-pervading power in me, in you and everywhere. This Viswam

is nothing but Vishnu Mayam, i.e., the All-pervading Reality. How to believe

this truth? There is no short-cut for this. Every student of spirituality

has to understand this Reality in one's own heart. Till then, it is a kind

of repetition, which is necessary to emphasise that one point, which says

that the multiplicity is the nature of the world, but the Realised Soul sees

only One-ness in and through of all. It means, there is only One, without

second and that One is appearing in multiple facets, because of one's

ignorance. As long as one does not realise that One-ness in all, one keeps

getting doubts and requires answers too. When one has reached the Perfection

or realised the Truth, then the feeling of imperfection will automatically

give way to completeness or complete satisfaction. What is the first step to

reach the Ultimate or to realise the Truth? It is " be-equal-minded in all

circumstances " . Yes, it is a tall order, as most of us are in the grip of

moods and momentary pleasures. No amount of study of scriptural literature

will help one to realise the Truth, unless one applies the knowledge learnt

in search of that Truth. Theoretical knowledge to know how the " sweet "

tastes is fine, but the experience will be altogether different if one

really tastes " sweet " . Likewise, the acquired knowledge should help us to

realise the truth and make us to resolve not to take rest till we achieve

the Ultimate. The ultimate is nothing but " Atma-saakshaatkaaram " , which is

possible to be accomplished by making our mind receptive to the truth, such

as, first one has to make a concerted effort to remove all the cobwebs that

have been formed over a period of time, erase all likes and dislikes from

the hard-disk of the mind, be equal minded for anything and everything,

position and treat oneself as mere witness to the whole drama that is

unfolding in front of one. As one succeeds in this sadhana, the subtle

influences from the higher planes of Consciousness starts emanating and the

mind has to be made to listen to these influences to progress and to reach

the Ultimate Reality.

 

Samachittatvam i.e., equanimity of mind, is an important ingredient in the

whole sequence of things, which makes one to lead a life of a witness

rather than a participant. This equanimity or even-mindedness should not get

disturbed or shaken by the world of external objects and either positive or

negative happenings in one's life. One has to be solid and strive to filter

away from one's mind the influences of vicissitudes of life in order to

develop the mental equipoise. All this is possible with only Sadhana,

dedicating the action, devotion to the Lord, service to the mankind,

constant introspection, and contemplation on the Highest. Samatvam, i.e.,

equal vision on all things and beings and in all circumstances is,

therefore, an essential part of Sadhana to attain the Ultimate.