The fourth chapter is known as Jnanakarmasanyasa
Yoga. This chapter consists of 42 verses
and can be classified into five topics.
First Topic: Avatara Swaroopa. Incarnation. Verse
1 to 15.
Second Topic: Nature of self-knowledge and a
wise person. Nature of Gnanam and a Gnani. Verse 16 to 24.
Third Topic: Gnana Sadanai. Disciplines
required for the acquisition of Gnana and Moksha. Verse 25 to 34.
Fourth Topic: Benefit of knowledge. Gnana
palam. Verse 35 to 37.
Fifth Topic: Qualification for knowledge.
Gnana Yogyadha. Verse 38 to 42.
First Topic: Verse 1 to 15
Krishna said to Arjuna that he is teaching
the scriptures to him (now). He tells Arjuna Quote “I taught in the beginning
of creation to surya Baghavan the Vedic wisdom. Arjuna wonders how Krishna can
teach him and surya Baghavan. Krishna tells Arjuna that ‘I’ and the teacher of
surya bhagavan are one and the same. Both the teachers are Narayana Bhagavan.
Krishna is the avataram of bhagavan.” Unquote. Krishna then talks about the
birth of a living being and the birth of avatara. Difference between Jivas (janma)
and bhagavan (Avatara). There are two common features between jiva and
bhagavan. Both of them are Anadhi (beginning less). Second is both of them take
bodies (sariram) at regular times and appear in this world. Jiva taking a body is called Janma and
bhagavan taking a body is called Avatara. Jiva takes body repeatedly because of
Punyam and papam (karma). Eswara does not have Punyam and papam. Eswara takes a
body because of the bhakti of the devotee. Prartana is the cause of Eswara
taking the body. Karma is the cause of Jivas taking the body. The difference is
the nature of jiva janma and eswara Avatara. Jiva is born a samsara out of
ignorance. Eswara does not have ignorance (Punyam or papam). Eswara is not born
out of ignorance. Eswara is not a samsari. The third difference is the purpose
of taking the body. In the case of Jiva, it is for exhausting the Punyam and
papam. Eswara takes a body not for exhausting karma but for destroying Adharma
and establishing dharma for the protection of Dharmic people. The fourth difference is the very nature of
the body of Jiva and eswara, which is the difference in material. Jiva sariram
(Bouthika sariram) is made up of pancha bootham. There are procedures by which
we acquire the body. In the case of Avatara, it is directly created out of Maya.
Intermediary procedures / steps are not involved. Whoever understands the real
nature of Eswara avatar will also get liberated.
Second Topic: Verse 16 to 24
This is
the main topic of the fourth chapter / entire Gita (topic on spiritual
knowledge). Krishna’s message to every individual is a mixture of two components,
which cannot be physically separated but has to be grasped. Consciousness
principle is the first component. Second component of an individual is the
agankara. The ego (individuality). Ego consists of three portions. The physical
body. The emotional mind. Both are inert in nature. Body mind material borrows
consciousness from the atma. It becomes sension body mind complex, which is
called agankara (the individuality). Self-knowledge is distinguishing these two
components within me. I am a mixture of atma and agankara. Atma is Akartha and
Aboktha. (Non-doer and non-experiencer).
Agankara is Karta and boktha and therefore never free. (Always karma
attaching; Punyam and papam constantly giving experiences). My aim is to
understand Atma, which is the higher nature and is the real nature. Agankara,
which is the lower nature, is not my real nature, which I can use for
transaction, but I should not get too much involved in that. Knowing and remembering my higher nature
‘Atma’ is alone called atma Gnanam. What is the benefit of this knowledge?
First advantage is as ‘Atma’ I am ever purnaga. I enjoy fulfillment and
contentment. Second benefit is because of poornatvam, it serves as the greatest
shock absorber to face any situation and problems. He enjoys samatvam. He can
face success and failure with equanimity.
Third Topic: Verse 25 to 34 (Gnana Sadanai)
This is presented by Sri Krishna in the form
of 12 Yagna. Krishna indicates that all sadanas must be practiced reverentially
with bhakti.
1.
Deva
yagna – Varieties of poojas that we do.
2.
Vishayaboga
yagna – whenever taking food we should take it with reverence (offering to the
lord).
3.
Indriyanigra
yagna – we should not become a slave of sense organs.
4.
Mano
yagna – We should not be a slave of our mind (remove bad thought).
5.
Dharvya
yagna – sharing our possession with others (prayer, time, food).
6.
Tapo
yagna – Practicing some type of austerity. I forgo some type of comfort
voluntarily. Upavasa yoga; not taking salt for a day or length of time.
7.
Yoga
yagna – Practicing yoga, Asana, Pranayama.
8.
Swadhyaga
yagna – Parayanam of scriptures. (sahasranama, Vedas)
9.
Gnana
yagna – Study of supportive sciences. For Vedanta study, what other knowledge
is required. Allied sciences, language and how to do pooja.
10. Pranayama yagna –
Practice of pranayamam. Breathing in and breathing out slowly.
11. Agaraniyama yagna – Taking food at a
particular time and not at any time.
12. Atma Gnana yagna –
The study of vedantic scriptures. Spiritual education program. Study of
Bhagavad Gita then Upanishads followed by Brahma sutra.
Fourth Topic: Verse 35 to 37 (Four types of
Palan)
Moksha is described in four different forms.
Freedom from conflicts in life. Conflict is because we want to take a decision,
which will be definitely successful. Gnana gives strength to take bold
decisions and facing result with equanimity. Conflict is because of lack of
courage. Second form is freedom from all papam. Sarva papa nivirthigi. Third
form is bedha nivirthigi; Jevatma Paramathma difference is removed. Karma yoga
is dasogam bhavana. Gnana yoga is converting to sogam bhavana. Bhakta Bhagavan
distance is removed. Fourth, is sarva karma nivirthi; removes all Punyam and
papam. These are the four fold benefits of Moksha because of Gnanam.
Two examples:
Samsara suffering is compared to a vast
ocean. We are struggling in the middle of the ocean. To cross the ocean Gnana
serves as the powerful boat or raft.
Gnanam is the most powerful fire, which can
destroy all our karmas accumulated in our past karmas. Thus, Gnanam is fire.
Fifth Topic: Verse 38 to 42 (Yogyadha or
qualification)
There are two main qualifications required in
order to accomplish a goal. First is commitment. It should not be a halfhearted
approach. It should be a participatory one like listening to Gita with
sincerity. Pray to god let me become a serious listener. Second qualification
is Shreddha. Faith in the validity and efficacy of this teaching empowered the
lives of many peoples. I should consider attempting this. One disqualification
is doubting or skepticism. Skepticism is the most unfortunate obstacle. One who
does not have faith in scriptures will perish. Paraloka means the life after
the present life. Being skeptical about everything is also a sin. Skepticism is
also not good. Doubt is the worst intellectual enemy. Life is a drama. It
should be given importance and
not over importance (3rd Chapter).
S.SEKAR
Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com
