On The Auspicious Occasion Of Janmashtami
Bhagwad Gita is a Divine Song which has come out directly from the Divine ‘mukh’ of Lord Krishna. It does not project any religion, nor does it relate to any particular caste, colour, creed, sect or community. Vedas (Rig Veda, Saam Veda, Yayur Veda and Atharva Veda) are the most ancient scriptures which were written by Bhagwan Ved Vyasa as per the knowledge imparted to Him by Lord Brahma. Upnishads are said to contain the knowledge of Vedas. Shastras are derived from Upnishads. And Bhagwad Gita is the extract of all the above holy scriptures and expound the philosophy of life. As such it belongs to the entire humanity.
For attainment of salvation, which is the ultimate objective of mankind, three paths have been enunciated in holy Gita – 1) Karmayoga – in Chapters 1 to 6, 2) Bhaktiyoga – in Chapters 7 to 12, and 3) Gyanyoga – in Chapters 13 to 18. In short, earnest efforts to realize Atamtatva (which is an inseparable part of Paramtatva), to perform karmas as per one’s swadharma and to render selfless service to His creation, is ‘Karmayoga’. Unconditional surrender unto the lotus feet of the Lord and a firm conviction that you belong to God and God belongs to you and both are one entity, is ‘Bhaktiyoga’. Knowledge about the existence of God and the temporary nature of this material world, is Gyanayoga. Bhagwad Gita begins with the word dharma and ends with the word ‘my’ i.e. my dharma or swadharma – that is what Bhagwad Gita is all about.
Inculcating more and more of ‘Satoguna’ and relinquishing ‘Rajoguna’ and ‘Tamoguna’; ie., realization about the existence of God, the ultimate truth, detachment from the material world, and overcoming ego-centric desires (I, me, and mine) are important milestones towards that end. In the ultimate analysis, to be one with God, we need to transcend these three Gunas, because these Gunas also have a binding factor. e.g. I am ‘Saatvic’ (‘I’ still remains there, which is a binding factor). The fact is that there is only Him (God); and everything else in the ‘Brahmand’ comes within His ambit and is a part of HIM.
The human body is derived from of nature and is, therefore, mutable, while the soul derives from God and is, consequently, eternal. The body, because of its very nature, is prone to decay, but the soul is incorruptible. Tamoguna, Rajoguna, and Satoguna are the characteristics of nature, whereas God is beyond these gunas. It is human susceptibility to Tamoguna and Rajoguna that binds us to the material world and makes us suffer. Transcendence from these gunas, releases us from the bondage of short-lived fruits of action in the earthly existence and we become one with ‘Sat-chitta-ananda’, where, there is no ego, but a state of bliss. The moment this knowledge dawns upon us, that moment is attainment of ‘Nirvana’.
The benevolent master, Lord Krishna, has explained the profound philosophy of life in different forms and in different words in the eighteen chapters of Bhagwad Gita so that the essence is driven home to His disciple. Some profound, still more profound, and the profoundest secrets of spirituality have been shared by Lord Krishna with his disciple, Arjuna, so that his ignorance is dispelled and he treads on the path of swadharma.
Learn the art of diving deep into the ocean of His existence? Be sensitive to the agony of separation. Ignite the burning desire to be with your Lord. Let the tears of separation flow freely from your eyes. Dive deeper into the Ganga or Yamuna of ‘Satoguni’ thoughts and let the dirt of ‘Rajoguni’ and ‘Tamoguni karmas’ be washed off. Hold the reins and bring under your control the five wild horses – ‘kama’ (passion), ‘krodha’ (anger), ‘lobha’ (greed), ‘moha’ (emotional attachment), and ‘ahankara’ (ego) – enough of indiscipline these five senses have exhibited so far like spoilt children – and take the chariot of your inner-self (your ‘antaratma’) in the right direction of your Lord.
Light the flame of His pious name in the temple of your heart. Let the bells toll and the harmonious sound of His ‘Japa’ reverberate in your heart. Get completely absorbed and meditate on the ‘Jyotirlinga’ of your inner-self. Then look at your enlightened self and recognize your original, pure and pious reflection. In the cosmic whispers of music (anhad naad), your ‘Antaratma’ will hear a resounding sound – ‘Hari Aum Tat Sat, Hari Aum Tat Sat, Aham Brahmasmi’. Then you may not even feel your outer existence. You will experience enlightenment, tranquility and bliss around you.