Thursday, March 3, 2016

INTRODUCTION TO THE FIFTEENTH CHAPTER OF BHAGAVAD GITA

While we study Bhagavad Gita chapter by chapter, the total vision of BG should never be forgotten. The role of every individual chapter will be clear. BG comes as a Moksha sastra meant to solve human problem called Samsara. All human problems put together are caused by ignorance. All psychological and intellectual problems put together are caused by Samsara called ignorance. Bhagavad Gita gives the primary solution for Samsara by attaining Self-knowledge.

We must remember Brahma Vidya at the end of each chapter as the primary message of BG, which is borrowed, from upanishads. This is the central theme of BG. The purpose is to remove Self-ignorance. All the problems are caused by Self-ignorance (caused by Samsara) and are to be eliminated for living a peaceful and a happy life.

So many other disciplines are prescribed for getting self-knowledge. Patyam does not directly solve the problem. It helps in primary solution to work effectively. Even the best seed can’t germinate if the land is not fertile. If mind is not conducive, self-knowledge can’t take place. None of these can solve the primary cause of ignorance. Karma yoga, Upasana yoga and Gnana yoga are supportive sadana. All sadana other than self-knowledge are only supportive. Therefore, at the end of every chapter Brahma Vidya, Yoga sastra are mentioned which is patyam. Every spiritual seeker should give importance to Aushadam, Patyam, Brahma Vidya and Yoga sastra also. Some chapters focus on Brahma Vidya, some chapters on Yoga sastra and some chapters on both. 13, 14 and 15th chapters are Brahma Vidya pradhana which is a hard core Vedanta and talks about gaining Self knowledge. Here in these three chapters the discussion is very subtle. Third chapter is full and full Yoga sastra, which is only preparatory. Sixteenth and seventeenth chapters are also Yoga Sastra pradhana. Fifteenth chapter is the last chapter of Bhagavad Gita, which focuses on Brahma Vidya. Eighteenth chapter is a winding up chapter in which all ideas are consolidated. Fifteenth chapter is a significant like 13th and 14th. Purushartha is Nirguna Brahma or Nirguna Atma discussed in Mandukya Upanishads.  Supreme Brahman is without qualities (Nirguna Brahman). There are four Purusharthas or aims of life namely Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.

In the 15th chapter in the first three verses lord Krishna gives a comprehensive description of this vast universe. It is a study of Cosmology and gives the description of the cosmos. What perpetuates the Universe? Causes for the arrival of the universe and creation of the universe are discussed. Nature of the universe and purpose of the universe is also discussed. In addition, what is responsible for the human problem of Samsara and diagnosis of samsara is discussed. Krishna talks about the primary cause as well as the contributory cause of samsara. The 1st verse of 15th Ch is borrowed from Kathopanishad. Bhagavad Gita is milk extracted from Upanishadic Cow. Here a vast universe is compared to Asvattha tree. We don’t know the limits of the universe, which is expanding day by day as per scientists. Universe is compared to an Asvattha tree. When it dies, it produces seeds, which produces another Asvattha tree. It is permanent in the form of a seed. Every seed is preceded and followed by a tree and every tree is preceded and followed by a seed. It is permanent and impermanent.

Universe is also impermanent. It has got a beginning at the time of Big bang. The Universe will again get back to pre big bang condition called Pralaya, which is the seed condition. Universe is a Maya. In quantum physics, we study universe at a micro level. In cosmology, we study universe at a macro level. World can never be understood by anyone. Pralaya or dissolution follows every Srishti or creation. i.e., Tree > Seed > Tree > Seed. It does not have a beginning. You may ask how the current universe began. You cannot ask when universe began as a series. Creation is beginning less and an endless series. Universe is a series without beginning or end. It expands contracts like an Asvattha Vircha (tree). In Asvattha tree one portion is above the ground, which is the visible part of the tree, which is available for sensory perception. Another part roots are above the ground. This peepul (Asvattha) tree is said to be eternal because it cannot be cut except by the axe of knowledge.  All other trees have their roots below, but this peculiar, strange and most wonderful tree of Samsara (Maya) has its roots above, in Brahman. Brahman is the Supreme Being. Brahman is eternal. It is the source of everything. Therefore, it is said that it is the one above. This one above is the root of this tree of Samsara. Universe has a visible portion and an invisible portion. The root of a tree is under the ground and is not available for perception. Similarly, God is not available for the instruments of our knowledge. Above is beyond our perception is the real meaning. Visible portion is trunk, branches and leaves. Whoever understands both the universe Visible and Invisible part will be a wise person who will be liberated.    

Bagawan is the root of the universe. The Vedas talk about various things that we can accomplish in life. Punya Papa Karma is the seed for our next life. Clearly understanding the universe with its root will give Liberation from birth and death. Root is understood by reading and knowing the Upanishadic part of the Vedas.  

In verse two Krishna talks about the extent of the Universe. Modern science talks about visible part of the universe only, which is 4%. The balance 96% is dark matter (23%) and dark energy (73%). The visible 4% consists of millions of galaxies including Milky Way and Solar system. According to Vedas, all of these come under Bhu-Loka only. Like that, there are 14 Lokas. In the Puranas, and already in the Atharvaveda there are fourteen worlds (Lokas), seven higher ones (Vyahrtis) and seven lower ones (Patala), Viz. Bhu-loka, Bhuvar-Loka, Svar-Loka, Mahar-Loka, Jana-Loka, Tapa-Loka and Satya-Loka above and Atala-Loka, Vitala-Loka, Sutala-Loka, Talatala-Loka, Mahatala-Loka, Rasatala-Loka and Patala-Loka below. Bhu-Loka is roughly in the middle. Higher Lokas are not accessible to us. Higher Lokas refer to qualifications, superiority where celestial bodies will be there (Indira sariram, Varuna sariram). Higher and lower Lokas are like the branches of an Asvattha tree. Similarly, Cosmos (Universe) has Higher and Lower Lokas.

Fifteenth chapter contains the essence of Gnana yoga. Eswara supports the universe. By forgetting my real nature I convert my Life into a burden, struggle and by remembering my real nature, I convert my Life into an entertainment and get Liberation or Moksha. I have to change my attitude from ownership to user ship. I should have more of Vairagyam. If I have less of Vairagyam, there will be anxiety, worry, and fear about the future. I have to develop virtues. I have to undergo a spiritual education program and do a systematic study of scriptures (Baghavad Gita) for a length of time under a competent guru who has also practised the same. Nirguna Eswara will have to be known by me ultimately. For this, I have to start with Saguna Eswara.

World has beauty, variety and novelty. It is Maya. Maya is a big promise superficially. It does not have stability. World is Matter which changes continuously. Since it is not stable, it is also not reliable or secure. Never be emotionally dependent on people, world or relationship for security. Detachment from the world is the First lesson in spirituality. You continue to use and serve the world, serve your family, and give your time but never depend on the world or family for emotional security. Entire universe is a cardboard chair. Use the world for serving and getting the qualification for spiritual knowledge. Don’t depend upon the perishable part of the universe. Switch over from world dependence to God dependence (vairagyam). Vairagyam means detachment. Turn away from the world and turn towards God. “Bhaja Govindam Bhaja Govindam Govindam Bhaja Mudamathe”. Transcending attachment and hatred is detachment. Detachment will become strong by discrimination. World cannot give security. Bagawan alone can give security. This is called Viveka. More Viveka will give Vairagyam. With Viveka sharpened Vairagyam may you confront the problem.                       

Life involves challenges. We cannot avoid challenges. Dwelling up on them will never help avoiding the same. I can confront the future. Let me not spoil the present by worrying about the future. Through Bhakti yoga, reduce fear about the future. Do Tapas (austerity) to toughen the personality. Let my thought, word and deed be in harmony.

Be blissful

S.Sekar