Twelfth chapter is a small chapter consisting
of 20 verses but is a very important chapter, which puts the entire Vedic teaching in essence. We can say the 12th chapter is
Veda saraha. This chapter happens to be the final chapter of the middle portion
of Bhagavad Gita beginning with the 7th chapter. Madyama Shatkam dwells upon eswara swaroopa and is based on 11th
chapter. Madyama Shatkam talks about the importance of eswara anugraha or
eswara kripa. For this, we require our
effort with grace of God. Effort and grace are complimentary like the two
wings of a bird. We have to learn to look at the whole universe as eswara’s
body. Towards the end of the chapter, Krishna includes a statement. A person
proceeds from eka rupa eswara to vishwa rupa eswara only if he has one
important qualification. If this qualification is not there, other religious
disciplines that he does viz., Vedas etc will be useless and it will not work. Naturally,
Arjuna was curious to know what that qualification is. Krishna answers Arjuna
about this important qualification, which is Bhakti or Devotion. What should I do to be a Bhakta is a question?
What is that Bhakti which Krishna highlighted in the 11th Chapter?
12th
chapter is a commentary on what is Bhakti. That is why 12th chapter
is entitled Bhakti Yoga and dwells on Bhakti. Krishna is expanding further on
Bhakti. Therefore, we have to connect the previous discussion with the 12th
chapter. Bhakti is discussed in the 7th chapter. Krishna himself
talks about 4 types of Bhakti in the 7th chapter. We have to build
up on this. A Bhakta has to progress through 4 stages. Initially we worship the
lord to solve our problems. This is called Aarta
Bhakti. Children before the exams
are Aarta Bhaktas. Preparing to the next stage is Ardarthi Bhakti.
Whenever we start a fresh thing Viz., a business venture, a house warming
ceremony, a married life there are so many slips between the cup and the lip.
We do varieties of pujas for the success of worldly ventures. This is Ardarthi
Bhakti. This is also non-spiritual Bhakti. Gradually we have to progress to Jignasu Bhakti. The others who worship
are the seeker of knowledge (Jijnasu
Bhakti is the enquirer) and the wise
(Gnani Bhakta) who are the men of knowledge who have attained to
self-illumination. Be devoted to God, whatever be your motive. Devotion will
purify the motive in due course. We have to understand that everything in this
world is perishable. Eswara Gnanam and surrender to the Lord is the only
solution for the problem of Samsara. For a seeker of Moksha this conversion is
called Mumukshu Bhakti or Jignasu Bhakti.
I want Moksha but I don’t know how to get
Moksha. There are so many people attaining Moksha through different methods. Study of Veda gives Eswara Gnanam.
Krishna makes it very clear in the 4th chapter. You should be
interested in receiving the knowledge through a Guru by way of spiritual
education program. Things will happen and will work only if the mind is ready
to receive the knowledge and assimilate the knowledge received. Fitness for
receiving eswara Gnanam should be there. Therefore, Krishna recommends
preparatory discipline.
Two important Yoga’s are there for getting
Gnana yoga. They are Karma yoga and Upasana yoga. Karma yoga is for diluting
Raga Dvesha. Without this (Karma yoga), our mind will not be quiet (3rd Ch). Second is Upasana
yoga. Our mind should not be pre occupied. A preoccupied mind is a smaller mind
and cannot focus attention to a guru’s teaching. Mind must be 100% available.
For that Upasana yoga, meditation in one form or other is required. Only at
that time of Dhyanam mind will have every thought also. A Jignasu Bhakta must go through three Yogas. He has the longest
Bhakti duration. He has to do Karma yoga and Upasana yoga for Gnana yoga prapti
and Gnana yoga for getting Gnana prapti. Karma
yoga, Upasana yoga and Gnana yoga put together is Bhakti Yoga. Krishna
calls it Annanya Bhakti. Jignasu Bhakti will become Gnana Bhakti. Gnana Bhakta
is a liberated person. 12th chapter can be briefly divided into two
parts. First is 3 yogas presented by Krishna. This is discussed up to 12th
verse. When a person has done all the 3 yogas he will get converted into a
Gnana Bhakta.
What is the Life style of a Gnani Bhakta?
What benefit he will get by becoming a Gnani Bhakta? The description of a Gnani
Bhakta (Chitapragna) is given in 2 Chapter BG Ver 54 to Ver 72. By Chitapragna
Lakshanani is meant natural or spontaneous traits of a Gnani. A Chitapragna of the 2nd chapter is Gnani Bhakta
of 12th Chapter (Para Brahma, 12 Ch, Ver 20). Jignasu Bhakta will
become a Gnani Bhakta. Krishna divides from 3 to 5 stages of yoga. 2 levels of
Karma yoga, 2 levels of Upasana yoga and 1 level of Gnana yoga. Krishna tells
the first level of Karma yoga as Sagama karma. He permits worldly desires. The
second level of Karma yoga is doing Pancha Maha Yagna. The first level of
Upasana yoga is meditation upon my own favorite deity. The second level of
Upasana yoga is Vishwa rupa dhayana. I meditate upon Vishwa rupa eswara as
descriped in 11th Chapter. Learn to look at the Universe as the body
of the lord. The Fifth and final step is Gnana Yoga consisting of Shravanam,
Mananam and Nidhith yasanam. We finally come to Nirguna Eswara Bhakti. This beautiful Bhakti Yoga package is talked about in the 12th Chapter
and the chapter starts with Arjuna’s question to Krishna.
Be Blissful
S.SEKAR
Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com
