Bhagavad Gita

(With English Text and Commentary)

By
Dr. Ramanand Prasad

( International Gita Society )

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS USED:

01. AiU AitareyoPanishad 2 verses

02. AVG Ashtavakra Gita 1
03. AV Atharvaveda 7
04. BP Bhagavata MahaPurana 39
05. BrU BrihadaranyakoPanishad 11
06. BS BrahmaSutra 9
07. ChU ChandogyoPanishad 7
08. DB Devi Bhagavatam 4
09. IsU IshavasyoPanishad 2
10. KaU KathoPanishad 15
11. KeU KenoPanishad 2
12. MaU MandukyoPanishad 1
13. MB Mahabharata 57
14. MS Manu Smriti 10
15. MuU MundakoPanishad 11
16. NBS Narada BhaktiSutra 1
17. PrU PrashhnoPanishad 1
18. PYS Patanjali YogaSutra 8
19. RV Rigveda 21
20. SBS Shandilya BhaktiSutra 3
21. ShU ShvetashvataroPanishad 4
22. SV Samaveda 1
23. TaU TaittiriyoPanishad 2
24. TR Tulasi Ramayan 29
25. VC Vivekachudamani 5
26. VP Vishnu Purana 6
27. VR Valmiki Ramayanam 6
28. YV Yajurveda, Vajasaneyi Samhita 4
YVa YogaVashishtha 3/ 275
 INTRODUCTION as a matter of duty or run away from war and accept
defeat in the name of peace and nonviolence. Arjuna, one
The Gita is a doctrine of universal truth. Its of the five Paandava brothers, faced the dilemma in the
message is universal, sublime, and non-sectarian battlefield whether to fight or run away from war for the
although it is a part of the scriptural trinity of Sanaatana sake of peace.
Dharma, commonly known as Hinduism. The Gita is
very easy to understand in any language for a mature Arjuna’s dilemma is, in reality, the universal
mind. A repeated reading with faith will reveal all the dilemma. All human beings face dilemmas, big and
sublime ideas contained in it. A few abstruse statements small, in their everyday life when performing their
are interspersed here and there, but they have no direct duties. Arjuna’s dilemma was a big one. He had to make
bearing on practical issues or the central theme of Gita. a choice between fighting the war and killing his most
The Gita deals with the most sacred metaphysical revered guru who was on the other side, very dear
science. It imparts the knowledge of the Self and answers friends, close relatives, and many innocent warriors; or
two universal questions: Who am I, and how can I lead a running away from the battlefield for the sake of preser-
happy and peaceful life in this world of dualities? It is a ving the peace and nonviolence. The entire seven
book of yoga, the moral and spiritual growth for hundred verses of the Gita are a discourse between Lord
mankind, based on the cardinal principles of the Hindu Krishna and the confused Arjuna on the battlefield of
religion. Kurukshetra near New Delhi, India, about 3,100 years
BCE. This discourse was narrated to the blind king,
The message of the Gita came to humanity Dhritaraashtr, by his charioteer, Sanjaya, as an
because of Arjuna’s unwillingness to do his duty as a eyewitness war report.
warrior because fighting involved destruction and killing.
Nonviolence or Ahimsa is one of the most fundamental The main objective of the Gita is to help people
tenets of Hinduism. All lives, human or non-human, are  struggling in the darkness of ignorance  cross the
sacred. This immortal discourse between the Supreme ocean of transmigration and reach the spiritual shore of
Lord, Krishna, and His devotee-friend, Arjuna, occurs liberation while living and working in society. The
not in a temple, a secluded forest, or on a mountain top central teaching of the Gita is the attainment of freedom
but on a battlefield on the eve of a war and is recorded in or happiness from the bondage of life by doing one’s
the great epic, Mahaabhaarata. In the Gita Lord Krishna duty. Always remember the glory and greatness of the
advises Arjuna to get up and fight. This may create a Creator and do your duty efficiently without being
misunderstanding of the principles of Ahimsa if the attached to or affected by the results, even if that duty
background of the war of Mahaabhaarata is not kept in may at times demand unavoidable violence. Some people
mind. Therefore, a brief historical description is in order. neglect or give up their duty in life for the sake of a
spiritual life while others excuse themselves from
In ancient times there was a king who had two spiritual practices because they believe that they have no
sons, Dhritaraashtra and Paandu. The former was born time. The Lord’s message is to sanctify the entire living
blind; therefore, Paandu inherited the kingdom. Paandu process itself. Whatever a person does or thinks, ought to
had five sons. They were called the Paandavs. be done for the glory and satisfaction of the Maker. No
Dhritaraashtra had one hundred sons. They were called effort or cost is necessary for this process. Do your duty
the Kauravs. Duryodhana was the eldest of the Kauravs. as a service to the Lord and humanity, and see God alone
in everything in a spiritual frame of mind. In order to
After the death of king Paandu, the eldest son of gain such a spiritual frame of mind, personal discipline,
Paandu became the lawful King. Duryodhana was a very austerity, penance, good conduct, selfless service, yogic
jealous person. He also wanted the kingdom. The practices, meditation, worship, prayer, rituals, and study
kingdom was divided into two halves between the of scriptures, as well as the company of holy persons,
Paandavs and the Kauravs. Duryodhana was not satisfied pilgrimage, chanting of the holy names of God, and Self-
with his share of the kingdom. He wanted the entire inquiry are needed to purify the body, mind, and
kingdom for himself. He unsuccessfully planned several intellect. One must learn to give up lust, anger, greed,
foul plots to kill the Paandavs and take away their and establish mastery over the mind and five senses
kingdom. He unlawfully took possession of the entire (hearing, touch, sight, taste, smell) by the purified in-
kingdom of the Paandavs and refused to give back even tellect. One should always remember that all works are
an acre of land without a war. All mediation by Lord done by the energy of nature and that one is not the doer
Krishna and others failed. The big war of Mahaabhaarata but only an instrument. One must strive for excellence in
was thus inevitable. The Paandavs were unwilling par- all undertakings but maintain equanimity in success and
ticipants. They had only two choices: Fight for their right failure, gain and loss, and pain and pleasure.
 The Bhagavad-Gita 2
eighteen-day war. Upon hearing this bad news from
The ignorance of metaphysical knowledge is Sanjaya, the blind King loses all hope for victory by his
humanity’s greatest predicament. A scripture, being the sons. Now the King wants to know the details of the war
voice of transcendence, cannot be translated. Language is from the beginning, including how the mightiest man, the
incapable and translations are defective to clearly impart commander-in-chief of his superior army  who had a
the knowledge of the Absolute. In this rendering, an boon of dying at his own will  was defeated in the
attempt has been made to keep the style as close as battlefield. The teaching of the Gita begins with the
possible to the original Sanskrit poetry and yet make it inquiry of the blind King, after Sanjaya described how
easy to read and understand. An attempt has been made Bhishma was defeated, as follows:
to improve the clarity by adding words or phrases, within The King inquired: Sanjaya, please, now tell me in
parentheses, in the English translation of the verses. One detail, what did my people (the Kauravas) and the
hundred and thirty-three (133) key verses are printed in Pandavas do in the battlefield before the war
red for the convenience of beginners. We suggest all our started? (1.01)
readers to ponder, contemplate, and act upon these Sanjaya said: O King, After seeing the battle
verses. The beginners and the busy executives should formation of the Pandava’s army, your son
first read and understand the meaning of these key verses approached his guru and spoke these words:
before delving deep into the bottomless ocean of (1.02)
transcendental knowledge of the Gita.
NOTE: Beginners should not become lost in the jungle
According to the scriptures, no sin, however of historic proper nouns, or the names of the characters
heinous, can affect one who reads, ponders, and practices of Mah|bh|rata in this chapter and the Sanskrit names of
the teachings of Gita any more than water affects the various celestial controlling forces (Devas) in Chapter 10
lotus leaf. The Lord Himself resides where Gita is kept, of the Bhagavad-Gita. These names have no bearing on
read, chanted, or taught. One who reads, ponders, and the main theme of the Gita; therefore, these names are
practices the teachings of Gita with faith and devotion either omitted or substituted by generic names in this
will attain Moksha (or Nirvana) by the grace of God. rendition.
This book is dedicated to all the gurus whose O Master, behold this mighty army of the
blessings, grace, and teachings have been invaluable. It is Pandavas, arranged in battle formation by your
offered to the greatest Guru, Lord Krishna, with love and other talented disciple! There are many great
devotion. May the Lord accept it, and bless those who warriors, valiant men, heroes, and mighty archers.
repeatedly read this with peace, happiness, and the true (1.03-06)
knowledge of the Self.
INTRODUCTION OF THE ARMY
OM TAT SAT COMMANDERS

1. ARJUNA’S DILEMMA Also there are many heroes on my side who have
risked their lives for me. I shall name a few
The war of Mahaabhaarata had begun after all
distinguished commanders of my army for your
negotiations by Lord Krishna and others to avoid it
information. He named all the officers of his army
failed. Sage Vyasa, the author of Mahaabhaarata, wanted
and said: They are armed with various weapons
to give the blind King (Dhritaraashtra) the boon of
and are skilled in warfare. (1.07-09)
eyesight so that the King could see the horrors of the war
for which he was responsible. But the King refused the
The army protecting our commander-in-chief is
offer. He did not want to see the horrors of the war; but
insufficient, whereas my archrival on the other
preferred to get the war report through his charioteer,
side is well protected. Therefore all of you,
Sanjaya. Sage Vyasa granted the power of clairvoyance
occupying your respective positions, protect our
and clairvision to Sanjaya. With this power Sanjaya
commander-in-chief. (1.10-11)
could see, hear, and recall the events of the past, present,
and future. He was able to give an instant replay of the
WAR STARTS WITH THE BLOWING OF
eye-witness war report to the blind King sitting in the
CONCH SHELLS
palace.
Bhishma, the mightiest man and the commander-in- The mighty commander-in-chief and the eldest
chief of the Kaurava’s army, is disabled by Arjuna and man of the dynasty, roared as a lion and blew his
dying on the battleground on the tenth day of the conch loudly, bringing joy to your son. (1.12)

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Soon after that, conches, kettledrums, cymbals, see no use of killing my kinsmen in battle. (1.30-
drums, and trumpets were sounded together. The 31)
commotion was tremendous. (1.13)
I desire neither victory nor pleasure nor kingdom,
After that, Lord Krishna and Arjuna, seated in a O Krishna. What is the use of the kingdom or
grand chariot yoked with white horses, blew their enjoyment or even life, O Krishna; because all
celestial conches. (1.14) those  for whom we desire kingdom,
enjoyments, and pleasures  are standing here
Krishna blew His conch; then Arjuna and all other for the battle, giving up their lives? (1.32-33)
commanders of various divisions of the army of
Pandavas blew their respective conches. The I do not wish to kill my teachers, uncles, sons,
tumultuous uproar, resounding through the earth grandfathers, maternal uncles, fathers-in-law,
and sky, tore the hearts of your sons. (1.15-19) grandsons, brothers-in-law, and other relatives
who are about to kill us, even for the sovereignty
ARJUNA WANTS TO INSPECT THE ARMY of the three worlds, let alone for this earthly
AGAINST WHOM HE IS ABOUT TO FIGHT kingdom, O Krishna. (1.34-35)

Seeing your sons standing and the war about to O Lord Krishna, what pleasure shall we find in
begin with the hurling of weapons, Arjuna took up killing our cousin brothers? Upon killing these
his bow and spoke these words to Lord Krishna: O felons, we shall incur only sin. (1.36)
Lord, please stop my chariot between the two
armies until I behold those who stand here eager Therefore, we should not kill our cousin brothers.
for the battle and with whom I must engage in this How can we be happy after killing our relatives, O
act of war. (1.20-22) Krishna? (1.37)

I wish to see those who are willing to serve and Though they are blinded by greed and do not see
appease the evil-minded Kauravas by assembling evil in the destruction of the family or sin in being
here to fight the battle. (1.23) treacherous to friends, why should not we, who
clearly see evil in the destruction of the family,
Sanjaya said: O King, Lord Krishna, as requested think about turning away from this sin, O Krishna?
by Arjuna, placed the best of all the chariots in the (1.38-39)
midst of the two armies facing Arjuna's
grandfather, his guru and all other Kings, and said ARJUNA DESCRIBES THE EVILS OF WAR
to Arjuna: Behold these assembled soldiers! (1.24-
25) Eternal family traditions and codes of moral
conduct are destroyed with the destruction of (the
Arjuna saw his uncles, grandfathers, teachers, head of the) family in a war. And immorality
maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, and prevails in the family due to the destruction of
other comrades in the army. (1.26) family traditions. (1.40)

ARJUNA'S DILEMMA And when immorality prevails, O Krishna, people

become corrupted. And when people are
After seeing fathers-in-law, companions, and all corrupted, unwanted progeny are born. (1.41)
his kinsmen standing in the ranks of the two
armies, Arjuna was overcome with great This brings the family and the slayers of the family
compassion and sorrowfully spoke these words: to hell because the spirits of their ancestors are
O Krishna, seeing my kinsmen standing with a degraded when deprived of ceremonial offerings
desire to fight, my limbs fail and my mouth of love and respect by the unwanted progeny.
becomes dry. My body quivers and my hairs stand (1.42)
on end. (1.27-29)
The everlasting qualities of social order and family
The bow slips from my hand and my skin traditions of those who destroy their family are
intensely burns. My head turns, I am unable to ruined by the sinful act of illegitimacy. (1.43)
stand steady, and O Krishna, I see bad omens. I

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We have been told, O Krishna, that people whose It would be better, indeed, to live on alms in this
family traditions are destroyed necessarily dwell world than to slay these noble personalities
in hell for a long time. (1.44) because by killing them I would enjoy wealth and
pleasures stained with their blood. (2.05)
Alas! We are ready to commit a great sin by
striving to slay our relatives because of greed for
We do not know which alternative  to fight or to
the pleasures of the kingdom. (1.45)
quit  is better for us. Further, we do not know
whether we will conquer them or they will conquer
It would be far better for me if my cousin brothers
us. We should not even wish to live after killing
kill me with their weapons in battle while I am
our cousin brothers who are standing in front of
unarmed and unresisting. (1.46)
us. (2.06)
WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, EVEN Arjuna was unable to decide what to do. It is said
TOUGH ONES CAN GET DELUDED that expert guidance of a guru, the spiritual counselor,
should be sought during a moment of crisis or to
Sanjaya said: Having said this in the battlefield overcome the perplexities of life. Arjuna now requests
and casting aside his bow and arrow, Arjuna sat Krishna for guidance.
down on the seat of the chariot with his mind
overwhelmed with sorrow. (1.47) My senses are overcome by the weakness of pity,
and my mind is confused about duty (Dharma).
2. TRANSCENDENTAL KNOWLEDGE Please tell me what is better for me. I am Your
disciple, and I take refuge in You. (2.07)
Sanjaya said: Lord Krishna spoke these words to NOTE: 'Dharma' may be defined as the eternal
Arjuna whose eyes were tearful and downcast and law governing, upholding, and supporting creation and
who was overwhelmed with compassion and the world order. It is the eternal relationship between the
despair. (2.01) creator and His creatures. It also means way of life,
doctrine, principle, prescribed duty, righteousness, right
Lord Krishna said: How has the dejection come to action, integrity, ideal conduct, custom, virtue, nature,
you at this juncture? This is not fit for a person of essential quality, commandments, moral principles,
noble mind and deeds. It is disgraceful, and it spiritual truth, spirituality, spiritual values, and a function
does not lead one to heaven, O Arjuna. (2.02) within the scriptural injunction or religion.

Do not become a coward, O Arjuna, because it I do not perceive that gaining an unrivaled and
does not befit you. Shake off this trivial weakness prosperous kingdom on this earth, or even
of your heart and get up for the battle, O Arjuna. lordship over all the celestial controllers, will
(2.03) remove the sorrow that is drying up my senses.
(2.08)
ARJUNA CONTINUES HIS REASONING Sanjaya said: O King, after speaking like this to
AGAINST THE WAR Lord Krishna, the mighty Arjuna said to Krishna: I
shall not fight, and became silent. (2.09)
Arjuna said: How shall I strike my grandfather, my
guru, and all other relatives  who are worthy of O King, Lord Krishna, as if smiling, spoke these
my respect  with arrows in battle, O Krishna? words to the distressed Arjuna in the midst of the
(2.04) two armies. (2.10)
Arjuna had a valid point. In Vedic culture, gurus,
THE TEACHINGS OF THE GITA BEGIN WITH
the elderly, honorable personalities, and all other
THE TRUE KNOWLEDGE OF
superiors are to be respected. One should not fight or
THE SELF AND THE PHYSICAL BODY
even joke or speak sarcastically with superiors, even if
they hurt you. But the scriptures also say that anyone
who is engaged in abominable activities or supports Lord Krishna said: You grieve for those who are
misdeeds against you or others, is no longer to be not worthy of grief and yet speak words of
respected, but punished. wisdom. The wise grieve neither for the living nor
for the dead. (2.11)

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People meet and depart in this world as two pleasure. Peace is born in the womb of war. Sorrow
pieces of wood flowing down the river come together exists because the desire for happiness exists. When the
and then separate from each other (MB 12.174.15). The desire for happiness disappears, so does the sorrow.
wise, who know that the body is mortal and the Spirit is Sorrow is only a prelude to happiness and vice versa.
immortal, have nothing to moan about (KaU 2.22). Even the joy of going to heaven is followed by the
sorrow of coming back to the earth; therefore, worldly
NOTE: The Self (or Atma) is also called soul or
objects should not be the main goal of human life. If one
consciousness and is the source of life and the cosmic
chooses material pleasures, it is like giving up nectar and
power behind the body-mind complex. Just as our body
choosing poison instead.
exists in space, similarly, our thoughts, intellect,
emotions, and psyche exist in the Self, the space of Change is the law of nature— change from sum-
consciousness. Self cannot be perceived by our physical mer to winter, from spring to fall, from the light of the
senses because Self is beyond the domain of the senses. full moon to the darkness of the new moon. Neither pain
The senses were designed only to comprehend physical nor pleasure last forever. Pleasure comes after pain, and
objects. pain is followed again by pleasure. Reflecting like this,
one must learn to tolerate the blows of time with patience
The word ‘Atma’ has been also used in the ‘Gita’
and learn not only to endure, but also to expect,
for the lower self (body, mind, and senses), psyche,
welcome, and enjoy both the joys as well as the sorrows
intellect, soul, spirit, subtle senses, oneself, ego, heart,
of life. Sow the seed of hope in the soil of sorrow. Find
human beings, Eternal Being (Brahma), Absolute Truth,
your way in the darkness of the night of adversity with
individual soul, and the supersoul or the supreme Self,
the torch of the scriptures and faith in God. There would
depending on the context.
be no opportunities if there were no problems. Destiny is
born out of crisis. Einstein said: Opportunity lies in the
There was never a time when these monarchs, middle of difficulties.
you, or I did not exist, nor shall we ever cease to
exist in the future. (2.12) THE SELF IS ETERNAL, BODY IS TRANSITORY

Just as the soul acquires a childhood body, a The invisible Self (Atma, Atman, the soul, spirit,
youth body, and an old-age body during this life, the life-force) is eternal. The visible physical body
similarly, the soul acquires another body after is transitory, and it undergoes changes. The
death. This should not delude the wise. (See also reality of these two is indeed certainly seen by the
15.08) (2.13) seer of the truth (who knows that we are not this
body, but the Atma). (2.16)
The contacts of the senses with sense objects
The Self exists everywhere and at all times —
give rise to the feelings of heat and cold, and pain
past, present, and future. The human body and the
and pleasure. They are transitory and
universe both have a temporary existence, but appear
impermanent. Therefore, one should learn to
permanent at first sight. Webster defines Atman or Atma
endure them bravely. (2.14)
as the 'World Soul', from which all souls derive and the
Supreme Abode to which they return. Atma is also called
Because a calm person  who is not afflicted by ‘Jivatma’ or ‘Jiva’, which is the ultimate source of all
these sense objects and is steady in pain and individual selves. We have used the English words: Self,
pleasure  becomes fit for salvation. (2.15) Spirit, spirit, soul, or individual soul interchangeably for
Nothing can hurt one if the mind can be trained different aspects of Atma.
to withstand the impulse of the pairs of opposites  joys Our physical body is subject to birth, growth,
and sorrows, pains and pleasures, loss and gain. The maturity, reproduction, decay, and death; whereas the
phenomenal world cannot exist without the pairs of Self is eternal, indestructible, pure, unique, all knower,
opposites. Good and evil, pain and pleasure will always substratum, unchangeable, self-luminous, the cause of all
exist. The universe is a playground designed by God for causes, all pervading, unaffectable, immutable, and
the living entities. It takes two to play a game. The game inexplicable.
cannot continue if the pairs of opposites are altogether
eliminated. Before one can feel joy, one must know The Spirit, by whom this entire universe is
sorrow. Both negative and positive experiences are pervaded, is indestructible. No one can destroy
needed for our growth and spiritual development. the imperishable Spirit. (2.17)
Cessation of pain brings pleasure, and cessation of pleas-
ure results in pain. Thus, pain is born in the womb of

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The physical bodies of the eternal, immutable, and body of) our near and dear ones at all? The answer
incomprehensible Spirit are mortal. Spirit (Atma) comes:
is immortal. Therefore, as a warrior, you must
fight, O Arjuna. (2.18) Even if you think that the physical body takes birth
and dies perpetually, even then, O Arjuna, you
One who thinks that the Spirit is a slayer, and one should not grieve like this because death is
who thinks the Spirit is slain are both ignorant certain for one who is born, and birth is certain for
because the Spirit neither slays nor is slain. (2.19) one who dies. Therefore, you should not lament
over the inevitable death. (2.26-27)
The Spirit is neither born, nor does it die at any One should not lament the death of anybody at
time. It does not come into being nor cease to all. Lamentation is due to attachment, and attachment
exist. It is unborn, eternal, permanent, and prime- binds the individual soul to the wheel of transmigration.
val. The Spirit is not destroyed when the body is Therefore, the scriptures suggest one should not mourn,
destroyed. (2.20) but pray for several days after the person’s death for
salvation of the departed soul.
O Arjuna, how can a person who knows that the
Spirit is indestructible, eternal, unborn, and The inevitability of death and indestructibility of
immutable, kill anyone or causes anyone to be the soul, however, does not and cannot justify lawful but
killed? (2.21) unnecessary killing of any creature, unjust war, or even
suicide. The Vedic scriptures are very clear on this point
DEATH AND TRANSMIGRATION OF THE SOUL in regard to killing human beings or any other living
entity. The scripture says: One should not commit
Just as a person puts on new garments after violence towards anyone. Unauthorized killing is
discarding the old ones, similarly, the living entity punishable in all circumstances: A life for life. Lord
or the individual soul acquires new bodies after Krishna is urging Arjuna to fight  but not to kill
casting away the old bodies. (2.22) wantonly  in order to establish peace and law and
order on earth as a matter of a warrior's duty.
Just as a caterpillar takes hold of another object
before leaving an object, similarly, the living entity (or
All beings are unmanifest (or invisible) to our
soul) obtains a new body before or after leaving the old
physical eyes before birth and after death. They
one (BrU 4.4.03). The physical body has also been com-
manifest between birth and death only. What is
pared to a cage, a vehicle, an abode, as well as a garment
there to grieve about? (2.28)
of the subtle body that needs to be changed frequently.
Death is the separation of the subtle body from the
physical body. The living entity is a traveler. Death is not THE INDESTRUCTIBLE SPIRIT
the end of the journey of the living entity. Death is like a TRANSCENDS MIND AND SPEECH
rest area where the individual soul changes vehicles and
the journey continues. Life is continuous and endless. Some look upon this Spirit as a wonder, another
Inevitable death is not the end of life; it is only an end of describes it as wonderful, and others hear of it as
a perishable, physical body. a wonder. Even after hearing about it, very few
people know what the Spirit is. (See also KaU 2.07)
Weapons do not cut this Spirit, fire does not burn (2.29)
it, water does not make it wet, and the wind does
not make it dry. The Spirit cannot be cut, burned, O Arjuna, the Spirit that dwells in the body of all
wet, or dried. It is eternal, all-pervading, beings is eternally indestructible. Therefore, you
changeless, immovable, and primeval. Atma is should not mourn for anybody. (2.30)
beyond space and time. (2.23-24)
LORD KRISHNA REMINDS ARJUNA
The Spirit is said to be unexplainable, OF THE DUTY OF A WARRIOR
incomprehensible, and immutable. Knowing the
Spirit as such, you should not grieve for the Considering also your duty as a warrior, you
physical body. (2.25) should not waver because there is nothing more
auspicious than one's personal duty in life. (2.31)
In the previous verses Krishna asked us not to
worry about the indestructible spirit. A question may
arise: Should one lament the death of (the destructible

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Only the fortunate warriors, O Arjuna, get such an Treating pleasure and pain, gain and loss, and
opportunity for a righteous war against evil that is victory and defeat alike, engage yourself in your
like an open door to heaven. (2.32) duty. By doing your duty this way, you will not
incur any sin. (2.38)
The righteous war is not a religious war against
the followers of other religions. The righteous war may Lord Krishna says here that even the violence
be waged even against our own evil-doer kith and kin done in the line of duty with a proper frame of mind, as
(RV 6.75.19). Life is a continuous battle between the discussed in the above verse, is sinless. This is the
forces of evil and goodness. A valiant person must fight starting verse of the theory of KarmaYoga, the main
with the spirit of a warrior  with a will and theme of the Gita.
determination for victory  and without any
The wise should wholeheartedly welcome
compromise with the forces of evil and difficulties. God
pleasure and pain, joy and sorrow, without becoming
helps the valiant who adhere to morality. Dharma
discouraged (MB 12.174.39). Two types of people are
(righteousness) protects those who protect Dharma
happy in this world: those who are completely ignorant
(morality, justice, and righteousness).
and those who are truly wise. All others are unhappy
It is better to die for a right cause and acquire the (MB 12.174.33).
grace of sacrifice than to die an ordinary but compulsory
death. The gates of heaven open wide for those who THE SCIENCE OF KARMA-YOGA,
stand up to vindicate justice and righteousness (Dharma). THE SELFLESS ACTION
Not to oppose an evil is to indirectly support it. Very
similar ideas are expressed in other scriptures of the The science of transcendental knowledge has
world. The Koran says: Allah loves those who battle for been imparted to you, O Arjuna. Now listen to the
His cause in ranks (Surah 61.04). The Bible says: Happy science of God-dedicated, selfless action (Seva),
are those who suffer persecution because they do what endowed with which you will free yourself from all
God requires. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them Karmic bondage, or sin. (2.39)
(Matthew 5.10). There is no sin in killing an aggressor.
Whosoever helps and supports an aggressor is also an No effort ever goes to waste in selfless service,
aggressor. Thus, all those who supported Kauravas were and there is no adverse effect. Even a little
basically aggressors and deserved to be eliminated. practice of this discipline protects one from the
cycle of repeated birth and death. (2.40)
If you will not fight this battle of good over evil,
you will fail in your duty, lose your reputation as a The selfless action is also called Seva,
warrior, and incur sin by not doing the right KarmaYoga, sacrifice, yoga of work, science of proper
action. (2.33) action, and yoga of equanimity. A KarmaYogi works
with love for the Lord as a matter of duty without a
People will talk about your disgrace for a long selfish desire for the fruits of work or selfish attachment
time. To the honorable, dishonor is worse than to the results, and becomes free from all fear. The word
death. (2.34) Karma also means duty, action, deeds, work, endeavor,
or the results of past deeds.
The great warriors will think that you have
retreated from the battle out of fear. Those who A selfless worker has resolute determination only
have greatly esteemed you will lose respect for for God-realization, but the desires of one who
you. (2.35) works to enjoy the fruits of work are endless,
which makes the mind unsteady. (2.41)
Your enemies will speak many unmentionable
words and scorn your ability. What could be more THE VEDAS DEAL WITH BOTH MATERIAL
painful to you than this? (2.36) AND SPIRITUAL ASPECTS OF LIFE

You will go to heaven if killed in the line of duty, or The misguided ones who delight in the melodious
you will enjoy the kingdom on the earth if victori- chanting of the Vedas  without understanding
ous. No matter what happens, you win. Therefore, the real purpose of the Vedas  think, O Arjuna,
get up with a determination to fight, O Arjuna. there is nothing else in the Vedas except the
(2.37) rituals for the sole purpose of obtaining heavenly
enjoyment. (2.42)

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They are dominated by material desires and fruits of work should not be your only motive, and
consider the attainment of heaven as the highest you should never be inactive. (2.47)
goal of life. They engage in specific rites for the
This key verse of the Gita has confused some
sake of material prosperity and enjoyment. Rebirth
commentators and common people who interpret it to
is the result of their action. (2.43)
mean that one should work without expecting a fruit.
This would mean that Lord Krishna should not expect
Self-realization, the real goal of life, is not possible
Arjuna to understand and follow His teachings! No one
for those who are attached to pleasure and power
can perform action without expecting some result. This
and whose judgment is obscured by ritualistic
verse means that one should not expect only favorable
activities for fulfillment of selfish desires. (2.44)
results of your choice and should accept all results as
Self-realization is to know one’s relationship Prasada (Grace) from God. This is called Prasada
with the Supreme Lord and His true transcendental Buddhi, BuddhiYoga or KarmaYoga.
nature. The promise of material benefits of Vedic rituals
The right outlook on life develops when we fully
is like the promise of candy to a child by the mother to
understand that we have the ability to put our best effort
induce him or her to take the medicine of detachment into all endeavors, but we cannot pick the results of our
from the material life; it is necessary in most instances.
work. We have absolutely no control over all the factors
Rituals must be changed with time and backed up by
that determine the results. The affairs of the world would
devotion and good deeds. People may pray and meditate
not run if all were given the power to choose the results
anytime, anywhere, without any ritual. Rituals have
of their actions or to satisfy all their desires. One is given
played a great role in spiritual life, but they have been
the power and the ability to do one’s respective duty in
greatly abused. Lord Krishna and Lord Buddha both life, but one is not free to choose the desired results. To
disapproved the misuse of Vedic rituals, not the rituals as
work without expecting success or good results would be
such. Rituals create a holy and blissful atmosphere. They
meaningless, but to be fully prepared for the unexpected
are regarded as a heavenly ship (RV 10.63.10) and
should be an important part of any planning. Swami
criticized as a frail raft (MuU 1.2.07).
Karmananda says: The essence of KarmaYoga is to go to
work just to please the creator; mentally renounce the
A portion of the Vedas deals with three modes —
fruits of all action; and let God take care of the results.
goodness, passion, and ignorance — of material
Do your duty in life  to the best of your ability  as
Nature. Rise above these three modes, and be
God’s personal servant without any regard for the
Self-conscious. Become free from the tyranny of
personal enjoyment of the fruits of your work.
pairs of opposites. Remain tranquil and
unconcerned with the thoughts of acquisition and Fear of failure, caused by being emotionally
preservation of material objects. (2.45) attached to the fruits of work, is the greatest impediment
to success because it robs efficiency by constantly
To the enlightened person, who has realized the disturbing equanimity of mind. Therefore, duty should be
true nature of the Self within, the Vedas become performed with detached attachment. Success in any
as useful as a small reservoir of water when the undertaking becomes easier if one works hard without
water of a huge lake becomes available. (2.46) being bothered by the outcome. Work is done more
efficiently when the mind is not bothered continuously
A scripture is like a finite pond that derives its — consciously or subconsciously — with the outcome,
water from the infinite ocean of Truth. Therefore,
good or bad, of an action.
scriptures become unnecessary only after enlightenment
in much the same way that a reservoir of water has no One has to discover this fact personally in life. A
use when one is surrounded by floodwater. One who has person should work without selfish motives as a matter
realized the Supreme Being will not desire the attainment of duty for a greater cause of helping humanity rather
of heaven mentioned as the fruits of performing Vedic than just helping oneself, one's children, or a few
rituals. Scriptures, such as the Vedas, are necessary individuals. Equanimity and spiritual progress result
means, but not the end. Scriptures are meant to lead and from selfless service, whereas work with selfish motives
guide us on the spiritual path. Once the goal is reached, create the bonds of Karma as well as great
they have served their purpose. disappointments. Dedicated selfless service for a greater
cause leads to everlasting peace and happiness here and
THEORY AND PRACTICE OF KARMA-YOGA hereafter.
The boundary of one’s jurisdiction ends with the
You have control over doing your respective duty
completion of duty; it never crosses the garden of fruit. A
only, but no control or claim over the results. The
hunter has control over the arrow only, never over the

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deer. Harry Bhalla says: A farmer has control over how A KarmaYogi or the selfless person becomes free
he works his land, yet no control over the harvest. But he from both vice and virtue in this life itself.
cannot expect a harvest if he does not work his land. Therefore, strive for selfless service. Working to
the best of one’s abilities without becoming
When one has no desire for the pleasure of
selfishly attached to the fruits of work is called
victory, one is not affected by the pain of defeat.
KarmaYoga or Seva. (2.50)
Questions of the pleasure of success or the pain of failure
do not arise because a KarmaYogi is always on the path Peace, composure, and freedom from Karmic
of service without waiting to enjoy the fruit or even the bondage await those who work for a noble cause with a
flower of work. He or she has learned to enjoy the joy of spirit of detachment and do not seek any personal reward
service. The myopia of short-term, personal gain, caused or recognition. Such persons enjoy the joy of selfless
by ignorance of metaphysics, is the root of all evils in service that ultimately leads them to the bliss of
society and the world. The bird of righteousness cannot salvation. KarmaYoga purifies the mind and is a very
be confined in the cage of personal gain. Dharma and powerful and easy spiritual discipline that one can
selfishness cannot stay together. practice while living and working in society. There is no
religion better than selfless service. The fruits of vice and
The desire for fruit takes one to the dark alley of
virtue grow only on the tree of selfishness, not on the tree
sin and prevents one’s real growth. Acting only in one’s
of selfless service.
own self-interest is sinful. The welfare of the individual
lies in the welfare of society. The wise work for all of Generally, it is thought that one works harder
society, whereas the ignorant work only for themselves when one is deeply interested in, or attached to, the fruits
or their children and grandchildren. One who knows the of work. Therefore, KarmaYoga or selfless service may
Truth does not let the shadow of personal gain fall on the not be very conducive to the material progress of the
path of duty. The secret art of living a meaningful life is individual or society. This dilemma can be solved by
to be intensely active without any selfish motive, as developing a hobby of selfless service to a noble cause of
stated below: one’s choice, never letting greed for the fruits dilute the
purity of action. Dexterity or skillfulness in work lies in
Do your duty to the best of your ability, O Arjuna, not getting bound by the bonds of one’s Karma or
with your mind attached to the Lord, abandoning worldly duty.
worry and selfish attachment to the results, and
remaining calm in both success and failure. KarmaYogis are freed from the bondage of rebirth
Selfless service brings peace and equanimity of due to renouncing the selfish attachment to the
mind that lead to the union with God. (2.48) fruits of all work and they attain a blissful divine
state of salvation or Nirvana. (2.51)
KarmaYoga is defined as doing one’s duty while
maintaining equanimity under all circumstances. Pain
When your intellect completely pierces the veil of
and pleasure, birth and death, loss and gain, union and
confusion regarding Self and non-Self, then you
separation are inevitable, being under the control of
will become indifferent to what has been heard
one’s past deeds or Karma, like the coming of day and
and what is to be heard from the scriptures. (2.52)
night. Fools rejoice in prosperity and mourn in adversity,
but a KarmaYogi remains tranquil under all Scriptures become dispensable after
circumstances (TR 2.149.03-04). The word ‘yoga’ has enlightenment. According to Shankara, this verse means
also been defined in the following verses of the Gita: one who has rent asunder the veil of ignorance and
2.50, 2.53, 6.04, 6.08, 6.19, 6.23, 6.29, 6.31, 6.32, and realized the Truth, becomes indifferent to the Vedic texts
6.47. Any practical technique of understanding the that prescribe details of performing rituals for the
Supreme Reality and uniting with Him is called spiritual attainment of desired fruits.
practice, or yoga.
When your intellect that is confused by the
conflicting opinions and the ritualistic doctrine of
Work done with selfish motives is inferior by far to
the Vedas shall stay steady and firm, con-
selfless service. Therefore, be a selfless worker, O
centrating on the Supreme Being, then you will be
Arjuna. Those who work only to enjoy the fruits of
enlightened and completely united with God in
their labor are unhappy (because one has no
trance. (2.53)
control over the results). (See also 2.48, 6.03,
10.10, and 18.57 ) (2.49) Non-scriptural reading or reading of different
philosophical writings is bound to create confusion.
Ramakrishna said: “One should learn from the scriptures

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that God alone is real and the world is illusory.” A Attachment to people, places, and objects takes
beginner should know that only God is eternal and away the intellect, and one becomes myopic. People are
everything else is temporal. After Self-awareness, one helplessly tied with the rope of attachment. One has to
finds God alone has become everything. Everything is learn to cut this rope with the sword of knowledge of the
His manifestation. He is sporting in various forms. In Absolute and become detached and free.
trance, or the superconscious state of mind, the confusion
arising from conflicting views ceases, and mental The mind and intellect become steady in a person
equipoise is attained. who is not attached to anything, who is neither
elated by getting desired results nor perturbed by
Different schools of thought, cults, systems of
undesired results. (2.57)
philosophy, ways of worship, and spiritual practices
found in the Vedic culture are different rungs in the True spiritualists have a peaceful and happy look
ladder of yoga. Such a wide choice of methods does not on their faces under all circumstances.
exist in any other system, religion, or way or life.
People’s temperaments are different due to differences in When one can completely withdraw the senses
their stages of spiritual development and understanding. from sense objects, as a tortoise withdraws its
Therefore, different schools of thought are necessary to limbs into the shell for protection from calamity,
suit different individuals, as well as the same individual then the intellect of such a person is considered
as he or she grows and develops. The highest philosophy steady. (2.58)
of pure monism is the topmost rung of the ladder. The
When a person learns to control or withdraw the
vast majority cannot comprehend it. All schools and cults
senses from sense objects, as a tortoise retracts its limbs
are necessary. One should not be confused because
inside its shell in time of danger and cannot be forced to
different methods are not meant to confuse, but one
extend its limbs again until the trouble is over, the lamp
should choose wisely.
of Self-knowledge becomes lighted, and one perceives
the self-effulgent Supreme Being within (MB
Arjuna said: O Krishna, what are the marks of an
12.174.51). A Self-realized person enjoys the beauty of
enlightened person whose intellect is steady?
the world, keeping the senses under complete control like
What does a person of steady intellect think and
a tortoise. The best way to purify the senses and control
talk about? How does such a person behave with
them perfectly like a tortoise, is to engage them in the
others, and live in this world? (2.54)
service of God at all times.
The answers to all of the above questions are
given by Lord Krishna in the remaining verses of this The desire for sensual pleasures fades away if one
chapter. abstains from sense enjoyment, but the craving
for sense enjoyment remains in a very subtle
MARKS OF A SELF-REALIZED PERSON form. This subtle craving also completely
disappears from one who knows the Supreme
Lord Krishna said: When one is completely free Being. (2.59)
from all desires of the mind and is satisfied with
the bliss of knowing the Supreme Being, then one
The desire for sensual pleasure becomes dormant
is called an enlightened person, O Arjuna. (2.55)
when one abstains from sense enjoyment, or incurs
physical limitations imposed by disease or old age. But
According to mother Sarda, desires for the craving remains as a subtle mental impression. Those
knowledge, devotion, and salvation cannot be classed as who have tasted the nectar of unity with the Supreme
desires because they are higher desires. One should first Being no longer find enjoyment in the lower-level
replace the lower desires with higher desires and then sensual pleasures. The subtle craving lurks like a robber
renounce the highest desires also and become absolutely ready to rob the striver at the appropriate opportunity, as
free. It is said that the highest freedom is the freedom explained below:
from becoming free.
DANGERS OF UNRESTRAINED SENSES
A person is called an enlightened sage of steady
Restless senses, O Arjuna, forcibly carry away the
intellect whose mind is unperturbed by adversity,
mind of even a wise person striving for perfection.
who does not crave pleasures, and who is
(2.60)
completely free from attachment, fear, and anger.
(2.56) The wise always keep vigilance over the mind.
The mind can never be fully trusted. It can mislead even

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a Self-realized person (BP 5.06.02-05). One has to be There is neither Self-knowledge nor Self-
very alert and closely witness the wanderings of the perception for those who are not united with the
mind. Never relax your vigilance until the final goal of Supreme. Without Self-perception there is no
God-realization is reached. Mother Sarda said: It is the peace, and without peace there can be no
very nature of the mind to go to lower objects of happiness. (2.66)
enjoyment, just as it is the nature of water to flow
downwards. The grace of God can make the mind go The mind, when controlled by the roving senses,
towards higher objects, just as the sun’s rays lift the steals away the intellect as a storm takes away a
water to the sky. boat on the sea from its destination  the spiritual
The human mind is ever ready to deceive and shore of peace and happiness. (2.67)
play tricks. Therefore, discipline, constant vigilance, and A person without control over the mind and
sincere spiritual practice are needed. The mind is like an senses drifts like a ship without its rudder, becomes a
unruly horse that needs to be broken in. Never let the reactor instead of an actor, and develops negative Karma.
mind roam unwatched into the realm of sensuality. The
Greed for the pleasure of enjoying the light leads
path of spiritual life is very slippery and has to be
bugs to destruction; similarly, desire for the enjoyment of
trodden very carefully to avoid falls. It is not a joyous
sensual pleasures keeps one away from Self-knowledge
ferryboat ride, but a very difficult path to tread like the
and leads into the net of transmigration (MB 3.02.69).
sharp edge of a sword. Many obstacles, distractions, and
failures come on the path to help the devotee become
Therefore, O Arjuna, one’s intellect becomes
stronger and more advanced on the path, just like iron is
steady when the senses are completely withdrawn
turned into steel by alternate heating, cooling, and
from sense objects. (2.68)
hammering. One should not get discouraged by failures,
but carry on with determination.
A yogi, the person of self-restraint, remains
wakeful when it is night for all others. It is night for
One should fix one’s mind on Me with loving the yogi who sees when all others are wakeful.
contemplation after bringing the senses under (2.69)
control. One’s intellect becomes steady when
Ascetics keep awake or detached in the night of
one’s senses are under complete control. (2.61)
mundane existence of life because they are in quest of
One develops attachment to sense objects by the highest truth. One is considered awake when one is
thinking about sense objects. Desire for sense free from worldly desires (TR 2.92.02). A yogi is always
objects comes from attachment to sense objects, aware of the Spirit about which others are unaware. A
and anger comes from unfulfilled desires. (2.62) sage who sees is unaware of the experience of sense
objects about which others are aware. The life of an
Delusion or wild ideas arise from anger. The mind ascetic is entirely different from the life of a materialistic
is bewildered by delusion. Reasoning is destroyed person. What is considered real by a yogi is of no value
when the mind is bewildered. One falls from the for a worldly person. While most people sleep and make
right path when reasoning is destroyed. (2.63) dream plans in the night of the illusory world, a yogi
keeps awake because he or she is detached from the
ATTAINMENT OF PEACE AND HAPPINESS world while living in it.
THROUGH
SENSE CONTROL AND KNOWLEDGE One attains peace when all desires dissipate
within the mind without creating any mental
A disciplined person, enjoying sense objects with disturbance, just as river waters enter the full
senses that are under control and free from ocean without creating any disturbance. One who
attachments and aversions, attains tranquility. desires material objects is never peaceful. (2.70)
(2.64) Torrents of the river of desire can carry away the
Real peace and happiness are achieved, not by mind of a materialistic person as a river carries away
sense gratification, but by sense control. wood and other objects in its path. The tranquil mind of a
yogi is like an ocean that takes in the rivers of desire
All sorrows are destroyed upon attainment of without being disturbed by them because a yogi does not
tranquility. The intellect of such a tranquil person think about personal gain or loss. Human desires are
soon becomes completely steady and united with endless. To satisfy a desire is like drinking salt water that
the Supreme. (2.65)

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will never quench thirst, but will increase it. It is like getting out of body-consciousness and attaining a state of
trying to extinguish a fire with gasoline. Self-consciousness. It is liberation from attachment to the
material body and achieving a state of bliss with God.
Trying to fulfill material desires is like adding
more wood to the fire. The fire will go out if no more
wood is added to it (MB 12.17.05). If one dies without
3. PATH OF SELFLESS SERVICE
conquering the great enemy  desires  one has to Arjuna asked: If You consider that acquiring
reincarnate to fight this enemy again and again till transcendental knowledge is better than working,
victory (MB 12.16.24). One cannot see one’s face in a then why do You want me to engage in this
pot of water that is disturbed by the wind, similarly, one horrible war, O Krishna? You seem to confuse my
is unable to realize one’s true Self when the mind and mind by apparently conflicting words. Tell me,
senses remain perturbed by the winds of material desires decisively, one thing by which I may attain the
(MB 12.204.03). Supreme. (3.01-02)
Arjuna was in the mode of delusion; he thought
One who abandons all desires and becomes free that Lord Krishna meant a contemplative life was better
from longing and the feeling of ‘I’ and ‘my’, attains than doing one’s normal duty in life. Some people are
peace. (2.71) often confused and think that salvation is possible only
by leading a life devoted to scriptural study,
O Arjuna, this is the superconscious state of mind. contemplation, and acquiring Self-knowledge. Lord
Attaining this state, one is no longer deluded. Krishna clarifies this by mentioning two major paths of
Gaining this state, even at the end of one’s life, a spiritual practice — depending on the nature of the
person attains the very goal of human life by individual — in the following verse:
becoming one with God. (2.72).
Lord Krishna said: In this world I have stated a
The Supreme Being is the ultimate Reality and
twofold path of spiritual discipline in past  the
truth, knowledge and consciousness, and is limitless and
path of Self-knowledge for the contemplative ones
blissful (TaU 2.01.01). The individual soul becomes
and the path of unselfish work (Seva, KarmaYoga)
blissful and filled with joy after knowing God. The giver
for all others. (3.03)
of bliss is nothing but the bliss itself like the giver of
wealth must have wealth. That from which the origin, ‘Seva’ or ‘KarmaYoga’ means sacrifice, selfless
sustenance, and dissolution of this universe are derived is service, unselfish work, meritorious deeds, giving away
called the Absolute (BS 1.01.02, TaU 3.01.01). something to others. Some people often get confused like
Knowledge is not a natural quality (Dharma) of the Arjuna and think that leading a life devoted to scriptural
Absolute; it is the intrinsic nature of the Absolute (DB study, contemplation, and acquiring transcendental
7.32.19). The Absolute is the substratum, or material as knowledge may be better for spiritual progress than
well as efficient cause of the universe. It is both the doing one’s worldly duty.
source and the sink of energy in one. It is also called the A God-realized person does not consider oneself
Unified Field, Supreme Spirit, Divine Person, and Total the doer of any action, but only an instrument in the
Consciousness that is responsible for the sense percep- hands of the divine for His use. It should be further
tions in all living beings by functioning through mind pointed out that both metaphysical knowledge and
and intellect. selfless service are means to attain the Supreme Being.
The word ‘Salvation’ in Christianity means These two paths are not separate, but complementary. In
deliverance from the power and penalty of sin. Sin in life a combination of these two modes is considered the
Hinduism is nothing but the Karmic bondage responsible best. Carry both selfless service and a spiritual discipline
for transmigration. Thus, salvation is equivalent to the of acquiring Self-knowledge with you as stated in the
Sanskrit word ‘Mukti’ in Hinduism — the final following verses:
emancipation of the living entity from transmigration.
Mukti means the complete destruction of all impressions One does not attain freedom from the bondage of
of desires from the causal body. It is the uniting of the Karma by merely abstaining from work. No one
individual soul with the Supersoul. Some say that the all- attains perfection by merely giving up work
pervading Supersoul is the causal body who is because no one can remain actionless even for a
conducting everything and remains compassionately moment. Everything in the universe is driven to
detached. The Sanskrit word ‘Nirvana’ in Buddhism is action  helplessly indeed  by the forces of
thought to be the cessation of worldly desires and ego. It Nature. (3.04-05)
is a state of being in which worldly desires and personal It is not possible for anybody to completely
likes and dislikes have been absolutely extinguished. It is abandon action by thought, word, and deed. Therefore,

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one should always be active in serving the Lord by In the beginning, the Creator created human
various means of one’s choosing, and never be without beings together with selfless service (Seva, Yajna,
work because an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. sacrifice) and said: By serving each other you
Performing action till death with a desireless frame of shall prosper, and the sacrificial service shall ful-
mind is better than abandoning work and leading the life fill all your desires. (3.10)
of an ascetic, even after God-realization because even an
ascetic cannot escape the impulse of action. Nourish the celestial controllers with selfless
service, and they will nourish you. Thus
Anyone who restrains the senses but mentally nourishing one another, you shall attain the
thinks of sense pleasures, is called a pretender. Supreme goal. (3.11)
(3.06)
One’s growth comes from working selflessly The celestial controllers, being nourished and
rather than giving up work and practicing sense-control pleased by selfless service, will give you all
before one is naturally ready for it. Bringing the mind desired objects. One who enjoys the gift of
under control is difficult, and spiritual life becomes a celestial controllers without sharing with others is,
mockery without mastery over the senses. Desires may indeed, a thief. (3.12)
become dormant and rise again to give trouble, just as a A celestial controller or guardian angel means a
sleeping person wakes up in due course of time. supernatural ruler, a celestial person, an angel, an agent
The four goals of human life — doing one's duty, of God, the cosmic forces that control, protect, and fulfill
earning wealth, material and sensual enjoyment, and desires. Even the gates of heaven shall be closed to those
attaining salvation — were designed in the Vedic who try to enter alone. According to the ancient
tradition for gradual and systematic growth of the scriptures, helping others is the best meritorious deed one
individual and the progress of society. Success in can do. The wise seek to serve themselves in the service
spiritual life does not come from prematurely wearing of others while the ignorant serve themselves at the cost
saffron clothes just to maintain an Ashram or livelihood of others. To serve each other is the original or first
without first conquering the six enemies  lust, anger, commandment of the creator that has been restated by
greed, pride, attachment, and envy. It is said that such Lord Krishna in the Gita. God has given us talents to
pretenders do a great disservice to God, society, and help us serve, and in serving others we grow spiritually.
themselves and become bereft of happiness in this world We take birth to help each other, to understand, care,
and the next (BP 11.18.40-41) A pretending monk is love, give, and forgive each other. According to Muniji
considered sinful and a destroyer of the ascetic order of “Giving is Living”. Giving makes the world a better
life. place for all humanity.
It is believed that selfishness saps our natural
WHY ONE SHOULD SERVE OTHERS health and immune system also. When we take steps to
move ourselves away from self and think about the needs
One who restrains the senses  by a trained and of others and how to serve them, a physical healing
purified mind and intellect  and engages the process seems to set in motion. This is especially true if
organs of action to selfless service, is considered we personally help a person we may never meet again in
superior. (3.07) life.

Perform your obligatory duty because working is One who makes no sacrifice, but grabs
indeed better than sitting idle. Even the everything without helping others, is like a thief. It is
maintenance of your body would be impossible said that celestials are pleased when people help each
without work. (3.08) other. The capacity of the giver increases by the grace of
God, fulfilling all desires to give. The spirit of
Human beings are bound by work (Karma) that is cooperation  not competition or confrontation  be-
not performed as a selfless service (Seva, Yajna). tween human beings, between nations, and between
Therefore, becoming free from selfish attachment organizations seems to be hinted here by the Lord. All
to the fruits of work, do your duty efficiently as a the necessities of life are produced by dedicated
service to Me for the good of humanity. (3.09) sacrificial services of other people. We are created to
depend on each other. The world has been called a
TO HELP EACH OTHER IS THE FIRST cosmic wheel of cooperative action by Swami
COMMANDMENT OF THE CREATOR Chinmayananda. Cooperation, not competition, is more
conducive to overall progress of the individual, as well as
society. Nothing worthwhile can be achieved without

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cooperation and help from others. The world would be a Always perform your duty efficiently and without
much better place if all inhabitants cooperated and any selfish attachment to the results because by
helped each other, rather than fight or compete with each doing work without attachment, one reaches the
other. It is the selfish motive that prevents cooperation supreme goal of life. (3.19)
even between spiritual organizations. One who can truly
In no other scripture, written before the
say all organizations, temples, mosques, and churches are
Bhagavad-Gita, has the philosophy of KarmaYoga —
our own, is a true leader and a real saint.
unselfish devotion for the welfare of humanity — been
so beautifully expounded. Lord Krishna has elevated the
The righteous who eat after sharing with others
idea of altruism to the highest form of worship and
are freed from all sins, but the impious who cook
spiritual practice. By altruism, one obtains grace, by
food only for themselves (without first offering to
grace one gets faith, and by faith the ultimate Truth is
God or sharing with others), in truth, eat sin. (3.13)
revealed. One immediately feels better by helping others
Food should be cooked for the Lord and offered
and comes one step closer to perfection. Swami
first to Him with love before consuming. Children should
Vivekananda said: Work done for others awakens the
be taught to pray before taking food. The house rule
subtle and dormant divine power, Kundalini, within our
should be: No food before prayer and thanking the Lord.
body. An example of attaining Self-realization by
Lord further states that helping others is divine:
persons while doing their worldly duties is given below:
Living beings are sustained from food grains;
grains are produced by sacrificial work (or duty King Janaka and many others attained perfection
performed by farmers and other field workers). of Self-realization by selfless service (KarmaYoga)
Duty is prescribed in the scriptures. Scriptures alone. You also should perform your duty with a
come from the Supreme Being. Thus the all- view to guide people and for the welfare of
pervading Supreme Being or God is ever present society. (3.20)
in selfless service. (3.14-15)
Those who do selfless service are not bound by
Karma and attain salvation (VP 1.22.52). Nothing is
One who does not help to keep the wheel of beyond the reach of those who have others’ interest in
creation in motion by sacrificial duty (Seva) and mind. Swami Harihar says: Selfless service to humanity
rejoices in sense pleasures, that sinful person is the true service to God and the highest form of
lives in vain. (3.16) worship.
A grain of wheat is a single grain unless it is
Because whatever noble persons do, others
dropped into the ground and dies. If it does die, then it
follow. Whatever standard they set up, the world
produces many grains (John 12.24). Saints, trees, rivers,
follows. (3.21)
and earth are for the use of others. However, there is no
People follow whatever great persons do (BP
prescribed duty for the enlightened ones as explained
5.04.15). Jesus said: I have set an example for you, so
below:
that you will do just what I have done for you (John
13.15). A leader is obliged to set higher ethical, moral,
For one who rejoices only with the Supreme
and spiritual standards for the general population to
Being, who is delighted with the Supreme Being,
follow. If the leader fails in this regard, the quality of the
and who is content with the Supreme Being alone,
nation’s life declines, and the progress of society is
for such a Self-realized person there is no duty.
greatly hampered. Therefore, leaders have a great burden
Such a person has no interest, whatsoever, in
on their shoulders. The life of a true leader is the life of
what is done or what is not done. A Self-realized
service and sacrifice. Leadership should not be an
person does not depend on anybody, except God,
enterprise for becoming rich or famous.
for anything. (3.17-18)
All duties, obligations, prohibitions, regulations,
O Arjuna, there is nothing in the three worlds —
and injunctions are meant to lead one to perfection.
heaven, earth, and the lower regions — that
Therefore, a perfect yogi who has Self-knowledge,
should be done by Me, nor there is anything unob-
detachment, and devotion has nothing more to gain in
tained that I should obtain, yet I engage in action.
this world by doing worldly duty.
(3.22)
LEADERS SHOULD SET AN EXAMPLE
If I do not engage in action relentlessly, O Arjuna,
people would follow the same path in every way.
These worlds would perish if I did not work, and I

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would be the cause of confusion and destruction. spiritualized and produces no Karmic bondage because a
(3.23-24) Self-realized person does not consider oneself the doer or
the enjoyer. The work done by an ordinary person
WHAT SHOULD THE WISE DO TO THE produces Karmic bondage.
IGNORANT?
One who knows the truth about the role of the
The ignorant work with attachment to the fruits of forces of Nature in getting work done, does not
work for themselves, and the wise should work become attached to work. Such a person knows
without attachment for the welfare of the society. that it is the forces of Nature that get their work
(3.25) done by using our organs as instruments. (3.28)

The wise should not unsettle the minds of the Those who are deluded by the illusive power
ignorant who are attached to the fruits of work, but (Maya) of Nature become attached to the work
should inspire others by performing all works done by the forces of Nature. The wise should not
efficiently without selfish attachment. (See also disturb the mind of the ignorant whose knowledge
3.29) (3.26) is imperfect. (See also 3.26) (3.29)
Doing one’s duty without a personal, selfish The enlightened one should not try to dissuade or
motive is an exalted state given only to the enlightened detract ignorant ones from performing selfish actions that
ones. This may be beyond comprehension of ordinary they do, deluded by the forces of Nature, because doing
people. The mark of genius lies in the ability to handle work  and not the renunciation of work in the initial
two opposed ideas and paradoxes, such as living in the stages  will ultimately lead them to realize the truth
world with detached attachment. Most people work hard that we are not the doers, but divine instruments only.
only when they have some motivating force, such as Working with attachment also has a place in the
enjoyment of the fruits of work. Such persons should not development of society and in the life of common
be discouraged or condemned. They should be people. People can easily transcend selfish desires by
introduced slowly to the beginning stages of selfless working for a noble goal of their choice.
service. The excessive attachment to possessions, not the
Do your prescribed duty, dedicating all work to Me
possessions themselves, becomes the source of misery.
in a spiritual frame of mind, free from desire,
Just as one has to pray and worship with single- attachment, and mental grief. (3.30)
minded attention, similarly, one should perform worldly
duties with full attention, even while knowing full well Those who always practice this teaching of Mine
that the world and its affairs are transitory. One should  with faith and free from cavil  become free
not live thinking only of God and neglecting one’s duty from the bondage of Karma. But those who carp at
in the world. Yogananda said: Be as earnest about this teaching and do not practice it, should be
meditation as about earning money. One should not live considered ignorant, senseless, and confused.
a one-sided life. The importance of controlling the senses (3.31-32)
and ways to combat ego are given below:
All beings follow their nature. Even the wise act
ALL WORKS ARE THE WORKS OF NATURE according to their own nature. If we are but pawns
of our nature, what, then, is the value of sense
The forces (Gunas) of Nature do all work, but due restraint? (3.33)
to delusion of ignorance people assume While we cannot and should not suppress our
themselves to be the doer. (See also 5.09, 13.29, nature, we must not become victims but rather
and 14.19) (3.27) controllers and masters of the senses by using the
Indirectly, God is the doer of everything. The discriminative faculties of human life for gradual
power and the will of God do everything. One is not free improvement. The best way to control the senses is to
even to kill oneself. One cannot feel the presence of the engage all our senses in the service of God.
omnipresent God as long as one feels: “I am the doer”. If
one realizes  by the grace of God  that one is not the TWO MAJOR STUMBLING BLOCKS
doer, but just an instrument, one at once becomes free. A ON THE PATH OF PERFECTION
Karmic bondage is created if we consider ourselves the
doer and enjoyer. The same work done by a Self-realized Attachments and aversions for sense objects
master and an ordinary person produces different results. remain in the senses. One should not come under
The work done by a Self-realized master becomes the control of these two because they are two

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major stumbling blocks, indeed, on one’s path of productive, and it does not provide opportunity and
Self-realization. (3.34) leisure time for spiritual growth and development. On the
other hand, if one follows a very easy or artistic path, one
'Attachment' may be defined as a very strong
may not be able to earn enough to satisfy the basic
desire to experience sensual pleasures again and again.
necessities of (family) life. Therefore, lead a simple life
'Aversion' is the strong dislike for the unpleasant. The
by limiting unnecessary luxuries, and develop a hobby of
search for peace of mind, comfort, and happiness is the
selfless service to balance the material and spiritual
basis of all human endeavors, including the acquisition
needs of life. The balanced life is a happy life.
and propagation of knowledge. Desire — like any other
power given by the Lord — is not the problem. We can
LUST IS THE ORIGIN OF SIN
have desires with a proper frame of mind that gives us
control over attachments and aversions. If we can Arjuna said: O Krishna, what impels one to
manage our wants, most of the things we possess become commit sin or selfish deeds as if unwillingly and
dispensable rather than essential. With a right attitude, forced against one’s will? (3.36)
we can get mastery over all our attachments and
aversions. The only necessity is to have a frame of mind Lord Krishna said: It is the lust, born out of
that makes most items unnecessary. Those who have passion, that becomes anger when unfulfilled.
knowledge, detachment, and devotion have neither likes Lust is insatiable and is a great devil. Know this as
nor dislikes for any worldly object, person, place, or the enemy. (3.37)
work. Personal likes and dislikes disturb the equanimity
of mind and become a hindrance on the path of spiritual The mode of passion is the absence of mental
progress. equilibrium leading to vigorous activity to achieve
desired fruits. Lust, the passionate selfish desire for all
One should act with a sense of duty without sensual and material pleasures, is the product of the
being governed by personal likes and dislikes. Selfless mode of passion. Lust becomes anger if it is unfulfilled.
service is the only austerity and penance in this age by When the attainment of fruits is hindered or interrupted,
which anyone can reach God while living and working in the intense desire for their achievement turns into fierce
modern society without going to the mountains and rage. Hence, the Lord says that lust and anger are two
jungles. mighty enemies that can lead one to commit sin and turn
Everybody benefits if work is done for the Lord, one astray from the path of Self-realization, the supreme
just as every part of the tree gets water when water is put goal of human life. Actually, mundane desire compels a
at the root of the tree rather than on individual leaves. person to engage in sinful activities in spite of his or her
Attachments and aversions are destroyed in a noble will. Control your wants because whatever you want
person at the onset of Self-knowledge and detachment. wants you. Lord Buddha said: Selfish desire is the root of
Personal likes and dislikes are two major obstacles on the all evils and misery.
path of perfection. One who has conquered attachments
and aversions becomes a free person and attains salvation As a fire is covered by smoke, as a mirror by dust,
by doing one’s natural duty as stated below: and as an embryo by the amnion, similarly, Self-
knowledge gets covered by different degrees of
One’s inferior natural work is better than superior this insatiable lust, the eternal enemy of the wise.
unnatural work. Even death in carrying out one’s (3.38-39)
(natural) duty is useful. Unnatural work produces
too much stress. (See also 18.47) (3.35) Lust and Self-knowledge are eternal enemies.
One who does the duty ordained by nature is Lust can be destroyed only by Self-knowledge. Where
freed from the bonds of Karma and slowly rises above lust resides and how one should control the senses to
the worldly plane (BP 7.11.32). One who takes on work subjugate lust, are given below:
that was not meant for him or her certainly courts failure.
One evolves by the work best suited to one’s own nature The senses, the mind, and the intellect are said to
or inborn tendencies. There is no perfect occupation. be the seat of lust. Lust deludes a person by
Every occupation in this world has some faults. One controlling the senses, the mind, and the intellect
should keep oneself free from concern over the faults of and veils Self-knowledge. (3.40)
one's duty in life. One should carefully study one's nature
to determine an appropriate occupation. Natural work Therefore, by controlling the senses, first kill this
does not produce stress and is conducive to creativity. devil of material desires (or lust) that destroys
Walking uphill, vocationally, against one’s natural Self-knowledge and Self-realization. (3.41)
tendencies is not only more stressful but also less

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The mighty enemy, lust, enslaves the intellect by certainly very difficult to control, but it can be controlled
using the mind as its friend and senses and sense objects by steady practice and detachment (See 6.33-36). Steady
as its soldiers. These soldiers keep the individual soul practice and detachment may be compared to two chords
deluded and obscure Absolute Truth as a part of the of the rein to control the mind. The mind can be
drama of life. The success or failure of our role in action controlled by the intellect with the help of the rein. Also
depends on how we handle our individual role and reach the whip of moral conduct and discipline (See Yama and
our destiny. Niyama in PYS 2.30-32) is used to subdue the mind and
senses.
All desires cannot — and need not — be
eliminated, but selfish desires and motives must be If intellect is not powerful enough to control the
eliminated for spiritual progress. All our actions by mind, the passenger will not reach the goal. Self-
thought, word and deed, including desires, should be knowledge is superior to the intellect. The intellect yoked
directed to glorify God and for the good of humanity. with the Self through Self-knowledge and contemplation
The scriptures say: The mortal, when freed from the becomes pure and strong to control the mind and the
captivity of selfish desires, becomes immortal and attains mind will control the senses. Thus it can be seen that
liberation even in this very life (KaU 6.14, BrU 4.04.07). Self-knowledge is essential for the success of the
spiritual journey. Self-knowledge provides power of
HOW TO CONTROL LUST AND REACH THE purification (See 4.37-38), scriptures supply necessary
GOAL tools (the rein and the whip), and techniques to the
intellect to be able to control the mind.
The senses are said to be superior (to the body);
the mind is superior to the senses; the intellect is
The sense-horses must be kept under control of
superior to the mind; and the Self is superior to
the mind, and the mind under control of the intellect at
the intellect. (See also KaU 3.10-11, 6.07-08 and
all times. A single moment of carelessness may lead the
MB 12.204.10) (3.42)
seeker to a downfall. A weak intellect will not be able to
control the mind and senses. If intellect is weak, natural
desires for material and sensual pleasures of the senses
Thus, knowing the Self to be the highest, and
will control the mind instead of mind controlling the
controlling the mind by the intellect, one must kill
senses. The mind and senses will attack and take control
this mighty enemy, lust, O Arjuna. (See also KaU
of intellect, the weak driver, and lead the passenger away
3.03-06) (3.43)
from the goal of salvation into the ditch of transmigration
Uncontrolled worldly desires will ruin the beau-
(See 2.67).
tiful spiritual journey of life. The scriptures provide ways
and means of keeping the desires born in the mind under Finally, one must cross the river of illusion
proper control. The body may be compared to a chariot (Maya) and  by using the bridge of meditation and the
upon which the individual soul  as passenger, owner, silent repetitive chanting of Lord’s name or a mantra to
and enjoyer  is riding on a spiritual journey towards still the ripples of mind waves  reach the spiritual
the Supreme Abode of the Lord. Duty and devotion are shore of trance. Those who cannot control the senses will
the two wheels of the chariot, and the power of faith is its not be able to attain Self-realization, the goal of human
axle. Dharma (righteousness) is the road, and the divine birth.
qualities (See 16.01-03) are the milestones. The
One must not spoil oneself by wrongful
scriptures are the guiding lights to dispel the darkness of
temporary pleasures of the senses. One who can control
ignorance. Sense objects are the roadside green grasses;
the senses can control the whole world and achieve
likes and dislikes for sense objects, people, and places
success in all endeavors. Passion cannot be completely
are the two major stumbling blocks on the path (See
eliminated, but is subdued by Self-knowledge. The
3.34); and lust, anger, greed, pride, attachment, and envy
intellect becomes polluted during the youthful years, just
are the roadside plunderers. Friends and relatives are
as the clear water of a river becomes muddy during the
fellow travelers whom we temporarily meet during the
rainy season. Keeping good company and setting a
journey.
higher goal of life prevent the mind and intellect from
Intellect is the driver of this chariot. The five becoming tainted by the distractions of sensual pleasures.
senses are the horses. The success of the spiritual journey Those who cannot control the senses may not also be
depends largely on the strength and skill of the driver, able to be successful in studies and attain career goals.
the intellect, to control the mind and five sense-horses.
In the hierarchy, the more powerful controls the
less powerful. Thus, the senses can be controlled by the
mind, because mind is the King of senses. The mind is

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4. PATH OF RENUNCIATION WITH m|y|, K|la-m|y|, and M|y| are also called ædi Prak&ti;
KNOWLEDGE and Prak&ti, the material Nature, is considered the
reflection of M|y|. Thus Yoga-m|y| is the origin of both
KARMA-YOGA IS AN ANCIENT FORGOTTEN M|y| and Prak&ti. Guru Nanak said: “He has created
COMMANDMENT M|y| that deceives and controls us.” The word 'M|y|'
also means unreal, illusory, or deceptive image of
Reality. Due to the power of M|y|, one considers the
Lord Krishna said: I taught this KarmaYoga, the universe existent and distinct from Eternal Being
eternal science of right action, to King Vivasvan. (Brahma). The Eternal Light (Brahma-jyoti, Noor, Yoga-
Vivasvan taught it to Manu; Manu taught it to m|y|) is the invisible potential energy; M|y| is kinetic
Ikshvaku. Thus, the saintly Kings knew this energy, the force of action of Brahma. They are
science of proper action (KarmaYoga), handed inseparable like fire and heat. M|y| is also used as a
down in succession. After a long time, this metaphor to explain the visible world (Jagat) to common
science was lost from this earth. Today, I have people.
described the same ancient science to you
because you are my sincere devotee and friend.
Whenever there is a decline of Dharma
This science is a supreme secret indeed. (4.01-03)
(Righteousness) and a predominance of Adharma
KarmaYoga, discussed in the previous chapter, is
(Unrighteousness), O Arjuna, I manifest Myself. I
declared by the Lord as the supreme secret science of
appear from time to time for protecting the good,
right action. According to Swami Karmananda, a
for transforming the wicked, and for establishing
practitioner of KarmaYoga, unless Lord Himself reveals
world order (Dharma). (4.07-08)
this secret science, no one can practice or even
understand it. The Supreme Being is both divine and human
(AV 4.16.08). Prophets appear from time to time as
Arjuna said: You were born later, but Vivasvan divine dispensation sees the need for the welfare of soci-
was born in ancient time. How am I to understand ety. Whenever miscreants are born to destroy world
that You taught this science in the beginning of order (Dharma), the good Lord, Vishnu, incarnates to put
the creation? (4.04) everything in proper balance (VR 7.08.27). His
Arjuna questions how Krishna, a contemporary compassion is the main reason for Lord’s incarnation
of Arjuna, could have taught this science of KarmaYoga (SBS 49). There are other reasons besides the protection
to King Vivasvan, who was born earlier in ancient times, of righteousness (Dharma), for the Lord’s incarnation.
long before Lord Krishna. The doctrine of Bhagavad- The Supreme Being, which is beyond birth and death, in-
Gita is not just five thousand years old; it is primeval. carnates in human form through a great soul on earth to
Lord Krishna restated it in the Gita for the benefit of satisfy the longings of devotees who want to see Him and
humanity. All great masters come to rekindle the fire of be in His personal presence. Saint Tulasidasa said:
forgotten Truth. Different people have said everything Though devoid of material attributes, unattached, and
we hear or read at different times. immutable, yet for the love of His votaries, the Lord
assumes a form with attributes (TR 2.218.03).
THE PURPOSE OF INCARNATION OF GOD
Lord performs many ordinary, human, and also
Lord Krishna said: Both you and I have taken uncommon or controversial pastimes just to please His
many births. I remember them all, O Arjuna, but devotees or to set things right. Ordinary human beings
you do not remember. (4.05) cannot understand the reasons behind these pastimes and,
therefore, should not pass judgment on Lord's activities
Though I am eternal, immutable, and the Lord when He incarnates. Great personalities and incarnations
(Ishvara, controller) of all beings, yet I manifest are sometimes known to be acting contrary to the
Myself by controlling material Nature, using My scriptural rules, just as a King has the freedom to break
own divine potential energy, Yoga-Maya. (See also certain rules. These acts are done for a very good
10.14) (4.06) purpose and with a reason beyond human
Yoga-m|y| (Divine Light, Brahma-jyoti, Noor) comprehension. One should neither criticize nor follow
is the creative power (ænanda-%akti) of Lord K&^[a. such acts.
Mah|-m|y| is the fractional reflection of Yoga-m|y|. Saints and sages also reincarnate by the will of
K|la-m|y| is the reflection of Mah|-m|y|. And the Krishna. Ramakrishna said that he would live in a subtle
illusory energy (M|y|) is the supernatural, extraordinary, body for three hundred years in the hearts and minds of
and mystic power of Eternal Being (Brahma). Mah|- his devotees. Yogananda said: So long as people in this

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world are crying for help, I shall return to ply my boat All prayers are answered, but prayers for the
and offer to take them to heavenly shores. benefit of others are given first priority. Lord actually
knows our needs at all times and is simply waiting to be
One who truly understands My transcendental asked for help due to our free will. Meditation is
appearance, and activities of creation, listening to God by stilling the mind and assuming a
maintenance, and dissolution, attains My Supreme receptive posture in order to hear Lord's instructions,
Abode and is not born again after leaving this insights, and revelations. For example, embrace the
body, O Arjuna. (4.09) attitude: Thank You for answering my prayers and for all
One develops love for Krishna by studying and You have given me, but now what do You want me to do
listening to the transcendental birth and sportive acts of with what You have given? Then, having said that, be
the Lord as narrated by the saints and sages in the still and alert, and just try to listen. Pray so that you can
scriptures. True understanding of the transcendental talk to God and tell Him how you are and what you have
nature of Lord’s form, His incarnation, and His activities, been doing. Meditate so that God can effectively tell you
is the Self-knowledge that leads to salvation. what you are supposed to do.

Many have become free from attachment, fear, DIVISION OF LABOR IS BASED ON
anger, and attained salvation by taking refuge in THE APTITUDE OF PEOPLE
Me, by becoming fully absorbed in My thoughts
and by getting purified by the fire of Self- I created the four divisions of human society
knowledge. (4.10) based on aptitude and vocation. Though I am the
author of this system of division of labor, one
PATH OF WORSHIP AND PRAYER should know that I do nothing directly, and I am
eternal. (See also 18.41) (4.13)
With whatever motive people worship Me, I fulfill
their desires accordingly. People worship Me with Work or Karma does not bind Me because I have
different motives, O Arjuna. (4.11) no desire for the fruits of work. One who fully
Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will understands and practices this truth is also not
find; knock, and the door will be opened to you (Luke bound by Karma. (4.14)
11.09). It is due to divine illusion (Maya) that most Those who want to be first must place
people seek temporary material gains, such as health, themselves last and be the servant of all (Mark 10.44).
wealth, and success, and not Self-knowledge and All works, including prayers, should be undertaken for a
devotion to His lotus feet. just cause, rather than just for personal gain.

Those who long for success in their work here on The ancient seekers of salvation also performed
earth worship the celestial controllers, Devas. their duties without concern for the fruits.
Success in work comes quickly in this human Therefore, you should do your duty as the
world. (4.12) ancients did. (4.15)
No one, including all Devas, and Brahm, has his
or her own power. They all derive their powers from the ATTACHED, DETACHED, AND FORBIDDEN
Supreme Being, ParaBrahm. ACTION
Would you give to your son a stone when he
Even the wise are confused about what is action
asks you for bread? Your Father in heaven will give good
and what is inaction. Therefore, I shall clearly
things to those who ask Him (Matthew 7.09-11). When
explain what is action, knowing that one shall be
you ask for something in prayer, have faith and believe
liberated from the evil of birth and death. (4.16)
that you have received it, and it will be given to you
(Mark 11.24). In prayer one asks the Lord's help in
getting what one needs; in worship one adores, glorifies, The true nature of action is very difficult to
and thanks Him for what one has. One should first be understand. Therefore, one should know the
aware of and contemplate one's plight, feel helpless in nature of attached action, the nature of detached
getting out of the difficulty, then seek divine help  action, and also the nature of forbidden action.
through prayer  in a state of helplessness with intense (4.17)
faith. Lord will take the first step if you know your plight Attached action is selfish work, done in the
and seek His help for transformation. Show yourself  mode of passion that produces Karmic bondage and leads
open up, confess  to the Lord as you are in prayer; be to transmigration. Detached action is unselfish work,
specific in what you ask; and cry for His help. done in the mode of goodness that leads to salvation.

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Detached action is considered to be inaction because The divine Spirit (Brahma, Eternal Being) has
from the Karmic viewpoint, it is as if no action was become everything. The Divinity (Brahma, Self,
performed. Action forbidden by the scriptures, done in Spirit) shall be realized by one who considers
the mode of ignorance, is harmful to both the doer and everything as a manifestation (or an act) of
society. It creates misfortunes here and hereafter. Brahma. (Also see 9.16) (4.24)
Life itself is an ever-burning fire where
A KARMA-YOGI IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE
sacrificial ceremony is going on constantly. Every action
KARMIC LAWS
must be thought of as a holy sacrifice, a holy act.
Everything is not the Eternal Being (Brahma), but
One who sees inaction in action and action in Brahma is the root or basis of everything. One attains
inaction, is a wise person. Such a person is a yogi salvation and becomes one with Brahma, without losing
and has accomplished everything. (See also 3.05, one’s identity, when one perceives Brahma in every
3.27, 5.08 and 13.29) (4.18) action, perceives the things one uses as a transformation
All acts are the acts of Eternal Being’s of Brahma, and realizes that the very process of all action
(Brahma’s) Divine Light (BrahmaJyoti, Noor), the is also Brahma. Thus salvation or Mukti is not the
inactively active actor. The Bible says: The words you destruction of individual soul (Jeeva), but the realization
speak are not yours; they come from the Spirit of your of one’s true nature that Jeeva is like Brahma.
Father (Matthew 10.20). The wise perceive the inactive,
DIFFERENT TYPES OF SPIRITUAL
infinite, and invisible reservoir of potential energy of the
PRACTICES OR SACRIFICES
Supreme as the ultimate source of all visible kinetic
energy in the cosmos, just as invisible electricity runs a
Some yogis perform the service of worship to
fan. The urge and power to do action come from the
celestial controllers (Devas), while others offer
Supreme Being. Therefore, one should spiritualize all
sacrifice (of reasoning, Viveka) to the fire of the
work by perceiving that one does nothing at all and
Eternal Being (Brahma) by performing the
everything is done by the energy of the Supreme Being,
sacrifice of Self-knowledge. (4.25)
using us only as an instrument.

One whose desires have become selfless by being Some offer their hearing and other senses as
roasted in the fire of Self-realization, is called a sacrifice in the fires of restraint; others offer
sage by the wise. (4.19) sound and other objects of the senses (as sacri-
fice) in the fires of the senses. (4.26)
One who has abandoned selfish attachment to the
fruits of work and remains ever content and Others offer all the functions of the senses and the
dependent on no one but God, such a person  functions of the five bioimpulses (life forces) as
though engaged in activity  does nothing at all sacrifice in the fire of self-restraint that is kindled
and incurs no Karmic reaction. (4.20) by Self-knowledge. (4.27)

One who is free from desires, whose mind and Others offer their wealth, their austerity, and their
senses are under control, and who has renounced practice of yoga as sacrifice, while the ascetics
all proprietorship, does not incur sin  the Karmic with strict vows offer their study of scriptures and
reaction  by doing bodily action. (4.21) knowledge as sacrifice. (4.28)

A KarmaYogi  who is content with whatever gain Those who engage in yogic practices reach the
comes naturally by His will, who is unaffected by breathless state of trance by offering inhalation
pairs of opposites, and free from envy, tranquil in into exhalation and exhalation into inhalation as a
success and failure  is not bound by Karma. sacrifice (by using short breathing Kriya
(4.22) techniques). (4.29)
Deep spiritual meaning and interpretation of the
All Karmic bonds of a KarmaYogi  who is free practical yogic verses (4.29, 4.30, 5.27, 6.13, 8.10, 8.12,
from attachment, whose mind is fixed in Self- 8.13, 8.24, and 8.25) cannot be explained here. They
knowledge, and who does work as a service to the should be acquired from a Self-realized master of
Lord  dissolve away. (4.23) KriyaYoga.
The breathing process can be slowed down by:
(1) watching the breath going in and coming out as one

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watches the ocean waves going up and down, (2) One has to row his or her boat through the turbulent
practicing of diaphragmatic (or deep yogic) breathing, waters of this material world.
and (3) using yogic techniques and KriyaYoga. The aim
The Vedas prohibit the sale of God in any form.
of yogic practice is to achieve the superconscious or
They say: O mighty Lord of countless wealth, I will not
breathless state of trance by gradually mastering the
sell thee for any price (RV 8.01.05). The role of a guru is
breathing process.
that of a guide and a giver, not of a taker. Before
accepting a human guru, one must first have — or
Others restrict their diet and offer their inhalations
develop — full faith in the guru and leave the guru’s
as sacrifice into their inhalations. All these people
human frailties out of consideration, take the pearls of
are the knowers of sacrifice and their minds
wisdom and throw away the oyster shells. If this is not
become purified by their sacrifice. (4.30)
possible, it should be remembered that the word ‘guru’
also means the light of Self-knowledge that dispels
Those who perform selfless service obtain the
ignorance and delusion; and the light comes —
nectar of Self-knowledge as a result of their
automatically — from the Supreme Being, the internal
sacrifice and attain the Supreme Being. O Arjuna,
guru, when one’s mind is purified by selfless service,
if even this world is not a happy place for the non-
spiritual practice, and surrender.
sacrificer, how can the other world be? (See also
4.38, and 5.06). (4.31) There are four categories of gurus: A false guru,
guru, realized guru, and the divine guru. In this age too
Many types of spiritual disciplines are described many false gurus are coming to teach or just give a
in the Vedas. Know that all of them are the action mantra for a price. These false gurus are the merchants of
of body, mind, and senses prompted by the forces mantra. They take money from disciples to fulfill their
of Nature. Understanding this, one shall attain personal material needs without giving the true
Nirvana or salvation. (See also 3.14) (4.32) knowledge of the Supreme Being. Jesus also said: Watch
In order to attain salvation, spiritual discipline or out for false prophets; they come to you looking like
sacrifice should be performed as a duty without sheep on the outside, but they are really like wild wolves
attachment and with full understanding that oneself is not on the inside (Matthew 7.15). Saint Tulasidasa said that a
the doer. guru who takes money from disciples and does not
remove their ignorance, goes to hell (TR 7.98.04). A
A SUPERIOR SPIRITUAL PRACTICE guru is one who imparts true knowledge and complete
understanding of the Absolute and the temporal. A
The acquisition and propagation of Self- realized guru is a Self-realized master mentioned in this
knowledge are superior to any material gain or gift verse here. A realized guru helps the devotee maintain
because purification of mind and intellect God-consciousness all the time by his or her own vested
eventually leads to the dawn of transcendental spiritual power.
knowledge and Self-realization  the sole purpose
When the mind and intellect are purified,
of any spiritual practice. (4.33)
Supreme Lord, the divine guru, reflects Himself in the
inner psyche of a devotee and sends a guru or a realized
Acquire this transcendental knowledge from a guru to him or her. A real guru is a giver. He never asks
Self-realized master by humble reverence, by sin- any money or a fee from a disciple because he depends
cere inquiry, and by service. The empowered on God only. A real guru would not ask anything from a
ones, who have realized the Truth, will teach you. disciple for personal or even for organizational gain.
(4.34) However, a disciple is obliged to do the best he or she
Contact with great souls who have realized the can to help the cause of the guru. It is said that one
truth is helpful. Reading scriptures, giving charity, and should not accept any fee from a pupil without giving
doing spiritual practices alone may not give God- full instruction and understanding of the Absolute, divine
realization. Only a God-realized soul can awaken and kinetic energy (Maya), temporal material Nature, and the
kindle another soul. But no guru can give a secret for- living entity (BrU 4.01.02).
mula for Self-realization without His grace. The Vedas The Spirit within us is the divine guru. Outside
say: One who knows the land gives direction to the one teachers only help us in the beginning of the spiritual
who does not know and asks (RV 9.70.09). It is also said journey. Our own intellect — when purified by selfless
that the precepts of Truth are essentially an individual service, prayer, meditation, worship, silent chanting of
process. People discover the truth by their own efforts. Lord’s name, congregational chanting of holy names,
and scriptural study — becomes the best channel and

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guide for the flow of divine knowledge (See also Gita body is the repository of past Karma. Karma produces
4.38, and 13.22). The Divine Being within all of us is the body, and body generates Karma. Thus, the cycle of birth
real guru, and one must learn how to tune in with Him. It and death continues indefinitely. Only selfless service
is said that there is no greater guru than one’s own pure can break this cycle, and selfless service is not possible
mind. A pure mind becomes a spiritual guide and the without Self-knowledge. Thus, transcendental knowledge
inner divine guru leading to a real guru and Self- breaks the bonds of Karma and leads to salvation. This
realization. This is expressed by the common saying that knowledge does not manifest to a sinful person  or to
the guru comes to a person when he or she is ready. The any person whose time to receive the spiritual knowledge
word ‘guru’ also means vast and is used to describe the has not come.
Supreme Being — the divine guru and internal guide.
Loss and gain, life and death, fame and infamy
The wise spiritual master disapproves the idea of lie in the hands of one’s Karma. Fate is all-powerful.
blind personal service, or the guru cult, which is so This being so, one should neither be angry nor blame
common in India. A Self-realized (SR) master says that anybody (TR 2.171.01). People know virtue and vice, but
God only is the guru, and all are His disciples. A disciple one’s choice is ordained by fate or Karmic footprints
should be like a bee seeking honey from flowers. If the because the mind and intellect are controlled by fate.
bee does not get honey from one flower, it immediately When success does not come in spite of best efforts, it
goes to another flower and stays at that flower as long as may be concluded that fate precedes endeavor.
it gets the nectar. Idolization and blind worship of a
human guru may become a stumbling block in spiritual TRANSCENDENTAL KNOWLEDGE IS
progress and is harmful to both the disciple and the guru. AUTOMATICALLY
REVEALED TO A KARMA-YOGI
After knowing the transcendental science, O
Arjuna, you shall not again become deluded like Truly, there is no purifier in this world like the true
this. With this knowledge you shall see the entire knowledge of the Supreme Being. One discovers
creation within your own higher Self and thus this knowledge within, naturally, in course of time
within Me. (See also 6.29, 6.30, 11.07, 11.13) (4.35) when one's mind is cleansed of selfishness by
The same life-force of the Supreme Being KarmaYoga. (See also 4.31, 5.06, and 18.78). (4.38)
reflects in all living beings to support and activate them. The intense fire of devotion to God burns all
Therefore, we are all part and parcel of the cosmic Karma and purifies and illuminates the mind and intellect
energy of Brahma, the Self, and connected with each just as sunlight illumines the earth (BP 11.03.40).
other. At the dawn of enlightenment, one merges within Selfless service should be performed to the best of one’s
the Absolute (Gita 18.55), and all diversities appear as ability until purity of mind is attained (DB 7.34.15). True
nothing but the expansion of one's own higher Self. knowledge of the Self is automatically reflected in a pure
consciousness (Chitta). KarmaYoga cleanses the dirt of
Even if one is the most sinful of all sinners, one
selfishness from the mind and prepares it to receive Self-
shall cross over the river of sin by the raft of Self-
knowledge. Selfless service (KarmaYoga) and Self-
knowledge. (4.36)
knowledge are thus the two wings to take one to
salvation.
The fire of Self-knowledge reduces all bonds of
Karma to ashes, O Arjuna, like the blazing fire One who has faith in God, is sincere in yogic
reduces wood to ashes. (4.37) practice, and has control over the mind and
The Bible also says: You shall know the truth, senses, gains this transcendental knowledge.
and the truth shall make you free (John 8.32). The fire of Having gained this knowledge, one quickly attains
Self-knowledge burns all past Karma  the root cause of supreme peace or liberation. (4.39)
the soul’s transmigration  just as fire instantly burns a The fires of mental grief and sorrows, born of at-
mountain of cotton. The present action does not produce tachment, can be completely extinguished by the water
any new Karma because the wise know that all work is of Self-knowledge (MB 3.02.26). There is no basis for
done by the forces of nature; therefore, people are not the right thought and action without Self-knowledge.
doer. Thus, when Self-knowledge dawns, only a part of
the past Karma, known as fate that is responsible for the The irrational, the faithless, and the disbeliever
present birth, has to be exhausted before freedom from (atheist) perish. There is neither this world nor the
transmigration is attained by the enlightened person. world beyond nor happiness for a disbeliever.
(4.40)
The physical body and mind generate new
Karma; the subtle body carries the fate; and the causal
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BOTH TRANSCENDENTAL KNOWLEDGE Whatever goal a renunciant reaches, a KarmaYogi
AND KARMA-YOGA ARE NEEDED also reaches the same goal. Therefore, one who
FOR NIRVANA sees the path of renunciation and the path of
Work does not bind a person who has renounced unselfish work as the same, really sees. (See also
work  by renouncing the fruits of work  6.01 and 6.02) (5.05)
through KarmaYoga and whose confusion with
regard to body and Spirit is completely destroyed
But true renunciation (the renunciation of
by Self-knowledge, O Arjuna. (4.41)
doership and ownership), O Arjuna, is difficult to
attain without KarmaYoga. A sage equipped with
Therefore, cut the ignorance-born confusion with
KarmaYoga quickly attains Nirvana. (See also
regard to body and Spirit by the sword of Self-
4.31, 4.38, 5.08) (5.06)
knowledge, resort to KarmaYoga, and get up for
the war, O Arjuna. (4.42) Selfless service (KarmaYoga) provides the
preparation, discipline, and purification necessary for
5. PATH OF RENUNCIATION renunciation. Self-knowledge is the upper limit of
KarmaYoga, and renunciation of doership and ownership
is the upper limit of Self-knowledge.
Arjuna asked: O Krishna, You praise the path of
transcendental knowledge, and also the path of
A KarmaYogi, whose mind is pure, whose mind
selfless service (KarmaYoga). Tell me, definitely,
and senses are under control, and who sees one
which one is the better of the two paths? (See also
and the same Spirit in all beings, is not bound by
5.05) (5.01)
Karma, though engaged in work. (5.07)
Renunciation means complete renouncement of
doership, ownership, and selfish motive behind an action, A TRANSCENDENTALIST DOES NOT
not the renunciation of work or worldly objects. CONSIDER ONESELF AS THE DOER
Renunciation comes only after the dawn of Self-
knowledge. Therefore, the words ‘renunciation’ and The wise who know the truth think: "I do nothing
‘Self-knowledge’ are used interchangeably in the Gita. at all.” In seeing, hearing, touching, smelling,
Renunciation is considered the goal of life. Selfless eating, walking, sleeping, breathing, speaking,
service (Seva, KarmaYoga) and Self-knowledge are the giving, taking, as well as opening and closing the
necessary means to achieve the goal. True renunciation is eyes; the wise believe that only the senses are
attaching all action and possession — including body, operating upon their objects. (See also 3.27, 13.29,
mind, and thought — to the service of the Supreme. and 14.19) (5.08-09)
Senses need not be subdued if the activities of
Lord Krishna said: The path of Self-knowledge and
the senses are spiritualized by perceiving that all work,
the path of selfless service both lead to the good or bad, is done by the powers of God.
supreme goal. But of the two, the path of selfless
service is superior to path of Self-knowledge A KARMA-YOGI WORKS FOR GOD
because it is easier to practice for most people.
(5.02) One who does all work as an offering to God —
abandoning selfish attachment to results —
A person should be considered a true renunciant remains untouched by Karmic reaction or sin, just
who has neither attachment nor aversion for as a lotus leaf never gets wet by water. (5.10)
anything. One is easily liberated from Karmic
bondage by becoming free from attachment and A KarmaYogi does not work with selfish
aversion. (5.03) motives and therefore does not incur any sin. Selfless
service is always sinless. Selfishness is the mother of sin.
BOTH PATHS LEAD TO THE SUPREME One becomes happy, peaceful, purified, and enlightened
by performing one's prescribed duties as an offering to
The ignorant — not the wise — consider the path God while remaining detached inwardly.
of Self-knowledge and the path of selfless service The KarmaYogis perform action  without selfish
(KarmaYoga) as different from each other. The attachment  with their body, mind, intellect, and
person who has truly mastered one, gets the senses only for the purification of their mind and
benefits of both. (5.04) intellect. (5.11)

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A KarmaYogi attains Supreme peace by itself, similarly a Self-realized person does not consider
abandoning attachment to the fruits of work, while any living entity different from all pervading Eternal
others who are attached to the fruits of work Being (BP 4.07.53). Such a person sees God everywhere,
become bound by selfish work. (5.12) in everything, and in every being. After discovering the
metaphysical truth, one looks at everything with
THE PATH OF KNOWLEDGE reverence, compassion, and kindness because everything
in the material world is part and parcel of the cosmic
A person, who has completely renounced the body of Lord Vishnu.
attachment to the fruits of all work from his or her
mind, dwells happily in the City of Nine Gates, Everything has been accomplished in this very life
neither performing nor directing action. (5.13) by one whose mind is set in equality. Such a
The human body has been called the City of person has realized the Supreme Being because
Nine Gates (or openings) in the scriptures. The nine the Supreme Being is flawless and impartial. (See
openings are: Two openings each for the eyes, ears, and also 18.55) (5.19)
nose; and one each for the mouth, anus, and urethra. The To have a feeling of equality for everybody is the
Lord of all beings and the universe who resides in this greatest worship of God (BP 7.08.10). Those who do not
city as an individual soul or the living entity (Jiva) is have such a feeling discriminate. Therefore, the victims
called the Spiritual Being (Purush) performing and of injustice and discrimination should feel sorry for the
directing all action. discriminator and pray to the Lord for a change of the
discriminator’s heart rather than get upset, angry, or
The Lord neither creates the urge for action nor vengeful.
the feeling of doership nor the attachment to the
results of action in people. The powers of material One who neither rejoices on obtaining what is
Nature do all these. (5.14) pleasant nor grieves on obtaining the unpleasant,
who has a steady mind, who is undeluded, and
The Lord does not take responsibility for the good who is a knower of the Supreme Being  such a
or evil deeds of anybody. The veil of ignorance person eternally abides with the Supreme Being.
covers Self-knowledge; thereby people become (5.20)
deluded and do evil deeds. (5.15)
God does not punish or reward anybody. We Such a person who is in union with the Supreme
ourselves do this by the misuse or the right use of our Being becomes unattached to external sensual
own power of reasoning and free will. Bad things happen pleasures by discovering the joy of the Self
to good people to make them better. through contemplation and enjoys transcendental
bliss. (5.21)
Transcendental knowledge destroys the ignorance
of the Self and reveals the Supreme Being, just as Sensual pleasures are, in fact, the source of
the sun reveals the beauty of objects of the world. misery and have a beginning and an end.
(5.16) Therefore, the wise, O Arjuna, do not rejoice in
sensual pleasures. (See also 18.38) (5.22)
Persons whose mind and intellect are totally The wise constantly reflect on the futility of
merged in the Eternal Being, who are firmly sensual pleasures that inevitably become the cause of
devoted to the Supreme, who have God as their misery; therefore, they do not become victims of sensual
supreme goal and sole refuge, and whose cravings.
impurities are destroyed by the knowledge of the
Self, do not take birth again. (5.17) One who is able to withstand the impulses of lust
and anger before death is a yogi and a happy
ADDITIONAL MARKS OF AN person. (5.23)
ENLIGHTENED PERSON
One who finds happiness with the Supreme Being,
An enlightened person — by perceiving God in all who rejoices with the Supreme Being within, and
— looks at a learned person, an outcast, even a who is illuminated by Self-knowledge  such a
cow, an elephant, or a dog with an equal eye. (See yogi attains Nirvana and goes to the Supreme
also 6.29) (5.18) Being. (5.24)
Just as a person does not consider parts of the
body, such as arms and legs, different from the body

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Seers whose sins (or imperfections) are A DEFINITION OF YOGA
destroyed, whose doubts about the existence of
the Universal Self have been dispelled by Self- For the wise, who seek to attain yoga of
knowledge, whose minds are disciplined, and who meditation or the equanimity of mind, KarmaYoga
are engaged in the welfare of all beings, attain the is said to be the means. For one who has attained
Supreme Being. (5.25) yoga, equanimity becomes the means of Self-
realization. A person is said to have attained yogic
Those who are free from lust and anger, who have perfection when he or she has no desire for
subdued the mind and senses, and who have sensual pleasures or attachment to the fruits of
realized the existence of the Self, easily attain work and has renounced all personal selfish
Nirvana. (5.26) motives. (6.03-04)
Yogic perfection can be achieved only when one
THE THIRD PATH  THE PATH OF does all activities for the pleasure of the Supreme Lord
DEVOTIONAL MEDITATION AND Krishna (Chimanbhai). KarmaYoga or unselfish work
CONTEMPLATION produces tranquility of mind. When one performs action
as a matter of duty without any selfish motive, the mind
A sage is, in truth, liberated by renouncing all is not disturbed by the fear of failure; it becomes
sense enjoyments, fixing the eyes and the mind at tranquil, and one attains yogic perfection through
an imaginary dot between the eye-brows, meditation. The equanimity of mind necessary for Self-
equalizing the breath moving through the nostrils realization comes after giving up personal, selfish
by using yogic techniques, keeping the senses, motives and desires. Selfishness is the root cause of other
mind, and intellect under control, having salvation impure desires in the mind. The desireless mind becomes
as the prime goal, and by becoming free from lust, peaceful. Thus KarmaYoga is recommended to persons
anger, and fear. (5.27-28) desiring success in yoga of meditation. Perfection in
The invisible astral channels of flow of energy in meditation results in control over the senses, bringing
the human body are called Nadis. When the cosmic forth tranquility of mind that ultimately leads to God-
currents — flowing through Nadis in the astral spinal realization.
cord — are separated by the opening of the main
Sushumna Nadi by the practice of yogic techniques, MIND IS THE BEST FRIEND AS WELL
breath flows through both nostrils with equal pressure; AS THE WORST ENEMY
the mind calms down; and the field is prepared for deep
meditation leading to trance.
One must elevate  and not degrade  oneself by
My devotee attains everlasting peace by knowing one’s own mind. The mind alone is one’s friend, as
the Supreme Being as the enjoyer of sacrifices well as one’s enemy. The mind is the friend of
and austerities, as the great Lord of the entire those who have control over it, and the mind acts
universe, and as the friend of all beings. (5.29) like an enemy for those who do not control it.
(6.05-06)
6. PATH OF MEDITATION There is no enemy other than an uncontrolled
mind in this world (BP 7.08.10). Therefore, one should
A KARMA-YOGI IS A RENUNCIANT first try to control and conquer this enemy by regular
practice of meditation with a firm determination and
Lord Krishna said: One who performs the effort. All spiritual practices are aimed towards the
prescribed duty without seeking its fruit for conquest of the mind. Guru Nanak said: “Master the
personal enjoyment is both a renunciant and a mind, and you master the world.” Sage Patanjali defines
KarmaYogi. One does not become a renunciant yoga as control over the activities (or the thought waves,
merely by not lighting the fire, and one does not Chitta Vritti) of mind and intellect (PYS 1.02). Firm
become a yogi merely by abstaining from work. control of the mind and senses is known as yoga (KaU
(6.01) 6.11). Control of the mind and senses is called austerity
and yoga (MB 3.209.53). The purpose of meditation is to
O Arjuna, renunciation (Samnyasa) is the same as control the mind so that one can focus on God and live
KarmaYoga because, no one becomes a according to His instructions and will. The mind of a
KarmaYogi who has not renounced the selfish mo- yogi is under control; a yogi is not under the control of
tive behind an action. (See also 5.01, 5.05, 6.01, the mind. Meditation is effortless control of the natural
and 18.02) (6.02) tendency of the mind to wander and tuning it with the

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Supreme. Yogi Bhajan says: A one-pointed, relaxed TECHNIQUES OF MEDITATION
mind is the most powerful and creative mind  it can do
anything. A yogi, seated in solitude and alone, should
constantly try to contemplate a mental picture (or
The mind, indeed, is the cause of bondage as
just the majesty) of the Supreme Being after
well as liberation of the living entity. The mind becomes
bringing the mind and senses under control and
the cause of bondage when controlled by modes of
becoming free from desires and proprietorship.
material Nature, and the same mind, when attached to the
(6.10)
Supreme, becomes the cause of salvation (BP 3.25.15).
The mind alone is the cause of salvation as well as The place of meditation should have the serenity,
bondage of human beings. The mind becomes the cause solitude, and spiritual atmosphere of odor-free, noise-
of bondage when controlled by sense objects, and it free, and light-free caves of the Himalayas. Massive,
becomes the cause of salvation when controlled by the gorgeous buildings with exquisite marble figures of
intellect (VP 6.07.28). Absolute control over mind and celestial controllers are not enough. These often come at
senses is a prerequisite for any spiritual practice for Self- the expense of spirituality and help religious commerce
realization. One who has not become the master of the only.
senses cannot progress towards the goal of Self- The eight steps of meditation based on
realization. Therefore, after establishing control over the Patanjali’s YogaSutras (PYS 2.29) are: (1) Moral
activities of the mind, one should take the mind away conduct, (2) Spiritual discipline, (3) Right posture and
from the enjoyment of sensual pleasures and fix it on yogic exercises, (4) Yogic breathing, (5) Sense
God. When the mind is disengaged from sense pleasures withdrawal, (6) Concentration, (7) Meditation, and (8)
and engaged with God, sense impulses become Trance or superconscious state of mind.
ineffective because the senses obtain their power from
the mind. The mind is the ruler of the other five senses. One must follow these eight steps, one by one,
One who becomes master of the mind becomes master of under proper guidance to make progress in meditation.
all the senses. Use of breathing and concentration techniques without
necessary purification of the mind and without
One who has control over the lower self  the sublimation of feelings and desires by moral conduct and
mind and senses  is tranquil in heat and cold, in spiritual discipline (See 16.24) may lead to a dangerous,
pleasure and pain, in honor and dishonor, and neurotic state of mind. Patanjali says: The sitting posture
remains ever steadfast with the supreme Self. for meditation should be stable, relaxed, and comfortable
(6.07) for the individual’s physical body (PYS 2.46).
One can realize God only when the mind Yogic breathing is not the forcible  and often
becomes tranquil and completely free from desires and harmful  retention of breath in the lungs as is
dualities, such as pain and pleasure. However, people are commonly misunderstood and wrongly practiced.
rarely completely free from desires and duality. But one Patanjali defines it as control of the Prana  the
can become free from the bonds of desire and duality if bioimpulses or the astral life forces  that cause the
one uses the mind and senses in the service of the Lord. breathing process (PYS 2.49). It is a gradual process of
They who master their mind get the spiritual wealth of bringing under control or slowing down  by using
knowledge and bliss. Self can only be realized when the standard yogic techniques, such as yogic postures,
lake of the mind becomes still, just as the reflection of breathing exercises, locks, and gestures  the
the moon is seen in a lake when the water is still. (See bioimpulses that activate the motor and sensory nerves
also 2.70) that regulate breathing, and over which we normally
have no control.
A person is called yogi who has both Self- When the body is supercharged by the huge
knowledge and Self-realization, who is tranquil, reservoir of omnipresent cosmic current flowing through
who has control over the mind and senses, and to the medulla oblongata, the need for breathing is reduced
whom a clod, a stone, and gold are the same. or eliminated and the yogi reaches the breathless state of
(6.08) trance, the last milestone of the spiritual journey. The
Upanishad says: No mortal ever lives by breathing
A person is considered superior who is impartial oxygen in the air alone. Mortals depend on something
toward companions, friends, enemies, neutrals, else (KaU 5.05). Jesus said: One shall not live by bread
arbiters, haters, relatives, saints, and sinners. (food, water, and air) alone, but by every word (or the
(6.09) cosmic energy) that comes out of the mouth of God
(Matthew 4.04). The cord of breath ties the living entity

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(soul) to the body-mind complex. A yogi unties the soul stage of trance, the body becomes still and motionless,
from the body and ties it with the Supersoul during the and the mind experiences various aspects of the Truth.
breathless state of trance. The mind loses its individual identity and becomes one
with the cosmic mind.
The withdrawal of the senses from the sense-
objects is a major obstacle in the attainment of the goal The superconscious state of mind is the highest
of a yogi. When sense withdrawal has been stage of trance. In this state of mind, the normal human
accomplished, concentration, meditation, and Samadhi consciousness becomes connected to (or overpowered
become very easy to master. The mind should be by) cosmic consciousness; one reaches a thoughtless,
controlled and trained to follow the intellect rather than pulseless, and breathless state and does not feel anything
let it be drawn towards and controlled by gross sense except peace, joy, and supreme bliss. In the highest state
objects, such as hearing, touch, sight, taste, and smell. of trance, the energy center (Chakra) on the top of the
The mind is restless by nature. Watching the natural flow head opens up; the mind is merged into the infinite; and
of breath coming in and going out, and alternate breath- there is no mind or thought, but only the feeling of His
ing help to make the mind steady. transcendental existence, awareness, and bliss. A person
who reaches this state is called a sage.
The two most common techniques of sense with-
drawal are these: (1) Focus your full attention on the Attaining the blissful state of trance seems
point between the eyebrows. Perceive and expand a difficult for most people. Muniji gives a simple method.
sphere of white, rotating light there, (2) Mentally chant a He says: When you are immersed in Him and His work
mantra or any holy name of the Lord as quickly as is flowing through you, you become ever happy, ever
possible for a long time and let the mind get completely joyful, and ever blissful.
absorbed into the sound of mental chanting until you do
not hear the ticking sound of a nearby clock. The speed One should sit by holding the waist, spine, chest,
and loudness of mental chanting should be increased neck, and head erect, motionless and steady; fix
with the restlessness of the mind, and vice versa. the eyes and the mind steadily on the front of the
nostril without looking around; make your mind
Concentration on a particular part of a deity, on
serene and fearless; practice celibacy; have the
the sound of a mantra, on the flow of breath, on various
mind under control; think of Me, and have Me as
energy centers in the body, on the mid-brows, on the tip
the supreme goal. (See also 4.29, 5.27, 8.10, and
of the nose, or on an imaginary crimson lotus inside the
8.12) (6.13-14)
chest center, stills the mind and stops it from wandering.
Swami Hariharananda suggests keeping
One should sit on his or her own firm seat that is pinpointed attention penetrating four inches deep
neither too high nor too low, covered with grass, a between the eyebrows near the master gland — the pi-
deerskin, and a cloth, one over the other, in a tuitary. The Bible says: If your eyes are single, your
clean spot. Sitting there in a comfortable position whole body will (seem to) be full of light (Matthew
and concentrating the mind on God, controlling 6.22). Fixing the gaze on the nose tip is one of the
the thoughts and the activities of the senses, one gestures of KriyaYoga recommended by Swami
should practice meditation to purify the mind and Sivananda to awaken the Kundalini power located at the
senses. (6.11-12) base of the spine. After a little practice each day, the eyes
A yogi should contemplate any beautiful form of will become accustomed and slightly convergent and see
God until the form becomes ever present in the mind. the two sides of the nose. As you gaze at the nose tip,
Short meditation with full concentration is better than concentrate on the movement of breath through the nos-
long meditation without concentration. Fixing the mind trils. After ten minutes, close your eyes and look into the
on a single object of contemplation for twelve (12) dark space in front of your closed eyes. If you see a light,
seconds, two and one-half (2.5) minutes, and half an hour concentrate on it because this light can completely
is known as concentration, meditation, and trance, absorb your consciousness and lead you to trance
respectively. Meditation and trance are the spontaneous according to yogic scriptures. The beginner should first
result of concentration. Meditation occurs when the mind practice fixing the gaze at the mid-brows, as mentioned
stops oscillating off the point of concentration. in verse 5.27, or at the chest center, as hinted in verse
8.12, before learning to fix the gaze on the tip of the
In the lower stage of trance, the mind becomes
nose. The help of a teacher and use of a mantra is highly
so centered on a particular part of the deity  such as the
recommended.
face or the feet  that it forgets everything. This is like a
dream in a wakeful state where one remains aware of Celibacy is necessary to still the mind and
one’s mind, thoughts, and the surroundings. In the higher awaken the dormant Kundalini. Celibacy and certain

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breathing exercises are necessary to cleanse the subtle A person is said to have achieved yoga, union
body. The subtle body is nourished by seminal and with the Self, when the perfectly disciplined mind
ovarian energy, just as the gross body needs food for becomes free from all desires and gets completely
nourishment. Sarada Ma warned her disciples not to be united with the Self in trance. (6.18)
intimate with persons of the opposite gender even if God
came in that form. The role of celibacy in spiritual life is The lamp (of mind) in a spot sheltered (by wall of
overlooked in the West because it is not an easy task for the Self) from the wind (of desire) does not flicker.
most people. The individual should choose the right life This simile is used for the subdued mind of a yogi
partner for success in the spiritual journey if the practice absorbed in meditation on the Self. (6.19)
of celibacy is not possible. It is very dangerous to force The sign of yogic perfection is that the mind
celibacy on disciples. The scripture says: Just as a King, remains always undisturbed like the flame of a lamp in a
protected by the castle walls, wins over the invincible windless place.
enemy, similarly those who want victory over the mind
and senses should try to subdue them by living as a When the mind, disciplined by the practice of
householder (BP 5.01.18). meditation, becomes steady and quiet, one
Sublimation of the sex impulse precedes becomes content with the Self by beholding the
enlightenment (AV 11.05.05). One sense organ, attached Self with purified intellect. (6.20)
to its object, can drain the intellect, just as one hole in a The self is present in all living beings as fire is
water pot can empty the water (MS 2.99). One commits present in wood. Friction makes the presence of fire in
sin by engaging senses to sense objects and obtains yogic the wood visible to the eyes, similarly meditation makes
powers by controlling the senses (MS 2.93). the Self, residing in the body, perceivable (MB
Transmutation of the life force of procreative energy 12.210.42). A psychophysical transformation (or the
leads to yoga. One can transcend sex by beholding the superconscious state) of mind in trance is necessary for
presence of the divine in the body of all human beings God-realization. Each of us has access to the
and mentally bowing down to them. superconscious mind that is not limited by time and
space.
Thus, by always practicing to keep the mind fixed
One cannot comprehend the Infinite by reason.
on Me, the yogi whose mind is subdued attains
Reason is powerless to grasp the nature of the
peace of Nirvana and comes to Me. (6.15)
beginningless Absolute. The highest faculty is not
reasoning but intuition, the comprehension of knowledge
This yoga is not possible, O Arjuna, for one who
coming from the Self and not from the fallible senses or
eats too much or who does not eat at all, who
reasoning. Self can be perceived only by the intuitive
sleeps too much or too little. (6.16)
experience in the highest state of trance and by no other
means. Yogananda said: Meditation can enlarge the
The yoga of meditation destroys all sorrow for the
magic cup of intuition to hold the ocean of infinite
one who is moderate in eating, recreation,
wisdom.
working, sleeping, and waking. (6.17)
The Gita teaches that extremes should be One feels infinite bliss that is perceivable only
avoided at all costs in all spheres of life. This moderation through the intellect, and is beyond reach of the
of the Gita was eulogized by Lord Buddha who called it senses. After realizing the Absolute Reality, one is
the middle path, the right way, or the noble path. A never separated from it. (6.21)
healthy mind and body are required for successful
performance of any spiritual practice. Therefore, it is After Self-realization (SR), one does not regard
required that a yogi should regulate his daily bodily any other gain superior to SR. Established in SR,
functions, such as eating, sleeping, bathing, resting and one is not moved even by the greatest calamity.
recreation. Those who eat too much or too little may (6.22)
become sick or fragile. It is recommended to fill half of
the stomach with food, one fourth with water, and leave The state of severance from union with sorrow is
the rest empty for air. If one sleeps more than six hours, called yoga. This yoga should be practiced with
one's lethargy, passion, and bile may increase. A yogi firm determination, and without any mental
should avoid extreme indulgence in uncontrolled desires reservation. (6.23)
as well as the opposite extreme of yogic discipline  the
torturing of the body and mind. Yoga is attained after long, constant, vigorous
practice of meditation with firm faith (PYS 1.14).

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One gradually attains tranquility of mind by totally comfortable. Witness the activities of the mind without
abandoning all selfish desires, completely restraining the becoming judgmental  good or bad  about the
senses by the intellect, and keeping the mind fully thoughts coming to your mind. Just relax, take a joy ride
absorbed in the Self by means of a well-trained and in the back seat of the vehicle of mind, and watch the
purified intellect and thinking of nothing else. (6.24-25) wanderings of mind in the thought-world. The mind will
When the mind is freed with the help of spiritual wander because this is its nature. It will not remain quiet
practices from the impurities of lust and greed born out in the beginning. Do not be in a hurry to slow down,
of the feeling of ‘I, me, and my’, it remains tranquil in pressure, control, or try to engage the mind in any other
material happiness and distress (BP 3.25.16). way, such as by chanting a mantra, concentrating on any
object or thought.
Wherever this restless and unsteady mind Detach yourself completely from your mind and
wanders during meditation, one should just watch the play of Maya, the mind. Do not forget that
witness it under the watchful eye (or supervision your job is to see your (lower) self, the mind, with the
and control) of the Self. (6.26) (higher) Self, the Atma. Do not get attached or carried
away by the thought waves (Vritti) of the mind; just
The mind plays tricks to wander and roam in the
witness or follow it. After serious and sincere practice,
world of sensuality. The meditator should keep the mind
the mind will start slowing down when it finds out that it
fixed on the Self by always pondering that one is the
is being constantly watched and followed. Do not add
soul, not the body. Just watch and laugh at the
anything to the process of witnessing the inner world of
wanderings of the mind and gently bring it back to the
thought process (Chitta-vritti). Slowly, your power of
supervision of the Self.
concentration will increase; the mind will join the inward
The natural tendency of the mind is to wander. journey as a friend (Gita 6.05-06); and a state of bliss
We know from personal experience that the mind is very will radiate all around you. You will go beyond thought
difficult to control. To control the mind is an impossible to the thoughtless world of Nirvikalp Samadhi. Practice
task like controlling the wind. The human mind can be this for half an hour in the morning and evening or at any
subdued by any sincere spiritual practice such as other convenient, but fixed, time of your choice. The
meditation and detachment (Gita 6.34-35). Most progress will depend on several factors beyond your
commentators, however, have stated that the mind or self control, but just persist without procrastination. Always
should be brought back under the supervision of the Self conclude the meditation process with the triple sound
when it starts to wander during meditation. vibration of Aum, and thank God.
Atma is considered superior to the body, senses,
WHO IS A YOGI
mind, and the intellect. (Gita 3.42). Thus we can use the
awareness of the Atma to subdue the mind. Swami
Supreme bliss comes to a Self-realized yogi
Vishvas has developed a meditation technique based on a
whose mind is tranquil, whose desires are under
slightly different meaning, given above, of verse 6.26.
control, and who is free from faults or sin. (6.27)
This Method of meditation, based on the theory: Never
let the mind wander unsupervised, is described below:
Such a sinless yogi, who constantly engages his
Assume the meditative posture given in verse or her mind and intellect with the Self, enjoys the
6.13. It is a very good practice, before starting any work, eternal bliss of contact with the Self. (6.28)
to invoke the grace of the personal god of your choice
Yogananda said: In the absence of inward joy,
that you believe in. Lord Ganesha and the Guru should
people turn to evil. Meditation on the God of bliss
be also invoked by Hindus.
permeates us with goodness.
The main aim of meditation, or any spiritual
practice, is to get oneself out of the outer world and its
A yogi who is in union with the Supreme Being
activities, start the journey within, and become an
sees every being with an equal eye because of
introvert. Always keep in mind that you are not the body
perceiving the omnipresent Supreme Being (or the
nor the mind, but Self (Atma) that is separate and
Self) abiding in all beings and all beings abiding in
superior to the body-mind complex (BMC). Detach your
the Supreme Being. (See also 4.35, 5.18) (6.29)
Self from the BMC and make the Self a witness during
meditation. Withdraw your mind from the outside world Perception of oneness of the Self in every being
and fix your gaze at any one center of your choice is the highest spiritual perfection. Sage Yajnavalkya said:
(pituitary gland, the sixth Chakra, front of the nostrils, A wife does not love her husband because of his or her
the heart center, or the naval center) where you feel most physical satisfaction. She loves her husband because she

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feels the oneness of her soul with his soul. She is merged because they see God everywhere (BP 6.17.28). If you
in her husband and becomes one with him (BrU 2.04.05). want to see, remember, and be with God at all times, then
The foundation of Vedic marriage is based on this noble you must practice and learn to see God in everything and
and solid rock of soul culture and is unbreakable. Trying everywhere.
to develop any meaningful human relationship without a
firm understanding of the spiritual basis of all The non-dualists, who adore Me abiding in all
relationships is like trying to water the leaves of a tree beings, abide in Me irrespective of their mode of
rather than the root. living. (6.31)
When one perceives one’s own higher Self in all
people and all people in one’s own higher Self, then one The best yogi is one who regards every being like
does not hate or injure anybody (IsU 06). Eternal peace oneself and who can feel the pain and pleasures
belongs to those who perceive God existing within of others as one’s own, O Arjuna. (6.32)
everybody as Spirit (KaU 5.13). One should love others, One should consider all creatures as one’s own
including the enemy, because all are your own self. children (BP 7.14.09). This is one of the qualities of a
"Love your enemy and pray for those who persecute true devotee. The sages consider all women their mother,
you" is not only one of the noblest teachings of the Bible, other’s wealth a clod, and all beings as their own self.
but is an elementary idea common to all paths leading to Rare is a person whose heart melts by the fire of grief of
God. When one realizes that his or her very self has others and who rejoices hearing the praise of others.
become everything, whom shall one hate or punish? One
does not break the teeth that bite the tongue. When one TWO METHODS TO SUBDUE THE
perceives none other than one’s own Lord abiding in the RESTLESS MIND
entire universe, with whom shall one fight? One should
not only love the roses, but love the thorns also. Arjuna said: O Krishna, You have said that the
yoga of meditation is characterized by equanimity
One who sees One in all and all in One, sees the
of mind, but due to restlessness of mind I do not
One everywhere. To fully understand this and to
perceive it as steady. Because the mind, indeed, is
experience the oneness of individual soul and the
very unsteady, turbulent, powerful, and obstinate,
Supersoul, is the highest achievement and the only goal
O Krishna. I think restraining the mind is as
of human birth (BP 6.16.63). In the fullness of one’s
difficult as restraining the wind. (6.33-34)
spiritual development, one finds that the Lord, who
resides in one’s own heart, resides in the hearts of all
others — the rich, the poor, the Hindus, the Muslims, the Lord Krishna said: Undoubtedly, O Arjuna, the
Christians, the persecuted, the persecutor, the saint, and mind is restless and difficult to restrain, but it is
the sinner. Therefore, to hate a single person is to hate subdued by any constant vigorous spiritual
Him. This realization makes one a truly humble saint. practice  such as meditation  with
One who realizes that the Supersoul is all-pervading and perseverance, and by detachment, O Arjuna. (6.35)
is none other than one’s own individual self, bereft of all
Detachment is proportional to one’s
impurities collected over various incarnations, attains
understanding of the baselessness of the world and its
immortality and bliss.
objects (MB 12.174.04). Contemplation without
detachment is like jewels on the body without clothes
Those who perceive Me in everything, and behold (TR 2.177.02).
everything in Me, are not separated from Me, and I
am not separated from them. (6.30) Yoga is difficult for one whose mind is not
subdued. However, yoga is attainable by the
A Self-realized person sees Me in the entire
person of subdued mind who strives through
universe and in oneself and sees the entire universe and
proper means. (6.36)
oneself in Me. When one sees Me pervading everything,
just as fire pervades wood, one is at once freed from
DESTINATION OF UNSUCCESSFUL YOGI
delusion. One attains salvation when one sees oneself
different from body, mind, and the modes of material
Arjuna said: What is the destination of the faithful
Nature and non-different from Me (BP 3.09.31-33). The
who deviate from the path of meditation and fail to
wise see their own higher Self present in the entire
attain yogic perfection due to an unsubdued mind,
universe and the entire universe present in their own
O Krishna? (6.37)
higher Self. True devotees never fear any condition of
life, such as reincarnation, living in heaven or in hell,

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Do they not perish like a dispersing cloud, O WHO IS THE BEST YOGI
Krishna, having lost both the heavenly and the
worldly pleasures, supportless and bewildered on The yogi is superior to the ascetics. The yogi is
the path of Self-realization? (6.38) superior to the Vedic scholars. The yogi is
superior to the ritualists. Therefore, O Arjuna, be a
O Krishna, only You are able to completely dispel yogi. (6.46)
this doubt of mine because there is none other
than You who can dispel such a doubt. (See also And I consider the yogi-devotee  who lovingly
15.15) (6.39) contemplates Me with supreme faith and whose
Arjuna asked a very good question. Because the mind is ever absorbed in Me  to be the best of all
mind is very difficult to control, it may not be possible to the yogis. (See also 12.02 and 18.66) (6.47)
achieve perfection during one's lifetime. Does all the Meditation or any other act becomes more
effort get wasted? The answer comes: powerful and efficient if it is done with knowledge, faith,
and devotion to God. Meditation is a necessary condition
Lord Krishna said: Spiritual practice performed by but not a sufficient condition for spiritual progress. The
a yogi never goes to waste either here or mind should be kept ever absorbed in thoughts of God.
hereafter. A transcendentalist is never put to grief, The meditative mood is to be continued during other
My dear friend. (6.40) times through scriptural study, Self-analysis, and selfless
service. It is said that no single yoga alone is complete
The less evolved unsuccessful yogi is reborn in without the presence of other yogas. Just as the right
the house of the pious and prosperous after combination of all ingredients is essential for preparation
attaining heaven and living there for many years. of a good meal, similarly, selfless service, chanting of
The highly evolved unsuccessful yogi does not go Lord's name, meditation, study of scriptures, contem-
to heaven, but is born in a spiritually advanced plation, and devotional love are essential for reaching the
family. A birth like this is very difficult, indeed, to supreme goal. Some seekers prefer just to stick to one
obtain in this world. (6.41-42) path. They should try all other major paths and see if a
combination is better for them or not. Any path can
The unsuccessful yogi regains the knowledge become the right path if one has completely surrendered
acquired in the previous life and strives again to to God. The person who meditates with deep devotional
achieve perfection, O Arjuna. (6.43) love of God is called a yogi-devotee and is considered to
be the best of all yogis.
The unsuccessful yogi is instinctively carried Before one can purify one's psyche by a mantra
towards God by virtue of the impressions of yogic or meditation, one has to reach a level whereby one's
practices of previous lives. Even the inquirer of system of consciousness becomes sensitive to a mantra.
yoga  union with God  surpasses those who This means one's mundane desires must be first fulfilled
perform Vedic rituals. (6.44)  or satisfied  by detachment, and one has practiced
the first four steps of Patanjali’s YogaSutra. It is just like
The yogi who diligently strives becomes cleaning jewelry first before gold-plating it.
completely free from all imperfections after
becoming gradually perfect through many
incarnations and reaches the Supreme Abode. 7. SELF-KNOWLEDGE AND
(6.45) ENLIGHTENMENT
One must be very careful in spiritual life, or Lord Krishna said: O Arjuna, listen how you shall
there is a possibility of being carried away by the know Me fully without any doubt, with your mind
powerful wind of bad association created by Maya, and absorbed in Me, taking refuge in Me and
one may abandon the spiritual path. One should never get performing yogic practices. (7.01)
discouraged. The unsuccessful yogi gets another chance
by starting over from where he or she leaves off. The METAPHYSICAL KNOWLEDGE IS
spiritual journey is long and slow, but no sincere effort is THE ULTIMATE KNOWLEDGE
ever wasted. Normally it takes many, many births to
reach the perfection of salvation. All living entities I shall impart to you both the transcendental
(souls) are eventually redeemed after they reach the knowledge and the transcendental experience or a
zenith of spiritual evolution.

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vision, after knowing that nothing more remains to Two types of material Nature are described in
be known in this world. (7.02) verses 7.04 and 7.05. The eightfold material Nature
Those who have transcendental experience described in verse 7.04 is called lower energy or material
become perfect (RV 1.164.39). Everything becomes (as energy. This is commonly known as material Nature or
though) known when the Supreme Being is heard, Prakriti. It creates the material world with the help of
reflected, meditated upon, seen, and known (BrU consciousness (Cetan|). The other higher Nature
4.05.06). The need to know all other things becomes mentioned in verse 7.05 is also called higher energy or
irrelevant with the dawn of the knowledge of the the spiritual energy (Purusha). This is derived from
Absolute, the Supreme Spirit. All articles made of gold consciousness, Self, Spirit, or Spiritual Being. Spirit is
become known after knowing gold. Similarly, after immutable; and material Nature, born of Spirit, is
knowing the Supreme Being (ParaBrahma), all other mutable. Spirit observes, witnesses, enjoys as well as
manifestations of the Eternal Being (Brahma) become supervises material Nature.
known. Yogi Chimanbhai says: One who knows Lord
The Supreme Spirit is the efficient cause of
Krishna as the Supreme Being (ParaBrahma), is
creation of the universe. The material Nature and Spirit
considered to have known all, but one who knows
are not two independent identities but the two aspects of
everything, but does not know Krishna, does not know
the Supreme Spirit. The Supreme Spirit, Spirit, and
anything. The intent of the above verse is that knowledge
material Nature are the same, yet different as the sun and
of all other subjects remains incomplete without one’s
its light and heat are the same as well as different.
understanding of who am I?
The water and the fish that is born in and
SEEKERS ARE VERY FEW sustained by the water, are not one and the same.
Similarly, the Spirit and the material Nature that is born
Scarcely one out of thousands of persons strives out of Spirit, are not one and the same (MB 12.315.14).
for perfection of Self-realization. Scarcely one The spirit is also called soul when spirit enjoys the
among those successful strivers truly modes of material Nature by associating with the senses.
understands Me. (7.03) The Spirit and soul are also different because Spirit
Many are called, but few are chosen (Matthew sustains soul, but the wise perceive no difference
22.14). Few are fortunate enough to obtain knowledge between the two (BP 4.28.62).
of, and devotion to, the Supreme Being.
Some of the terms — such as the Supreme Spirit,
DEFINITION OF SPIRIT AND MATTER Spirit, material Nature, and soul — have different
definitions in different doctrines and also take different
The mind, intellect, ego, ether, air, fire, water, and meanings, depending on the context. In this rendering,
earth are the eightfold division of My material the nonsectarian word ‘God’ stands for the one and only
Nature. (See also 13.05) (7.04) Lord of the universe  the Supreme Being  whom
'Material Nature' is defined as the material cause Hindus prefer to call by various personal names such as
or the material energy out of which everything is made. Rama, Krishna, Shiva, and Mother. Different
Material Nature is the original source of the material terminology does confuse a reader who has to learn 
world, consisting of three modes of material Nature and preferably with the help of a teacher  full connotation,
eight basic elements out of which everything in the usage, and hierarchic relationships between these and
universe has evolved, according to Sankhya doctrine. various other expressions as one progresses on the path
Material Nature is one of the transformations of divine of spiritual journey.
power (Maya) and is the material cause of creation of the
entire universe. Matter is thus a part of Lord's illusory SUPREME SPIRIT IS THE BASIS
energy, Maya. Material Nature is also referred to as OF EVERYTHING
perishable, body, matter, Nature, Maya, field, creation,
Know that all creatures have evolved from this
and manifest state. That which creates diversity as well
twofold energy, and the Supreme Spirit is the
as the diversity itself, and all that can be seen or known,
source of the origin as well as the dissolution of
including the universal mind, is called material Nature.
the entire universe. (See also 13.26) (7.06)

Material Nature or matter is My lower Nature. My

There is nothing higher than Me, the Supreme
other higher Nature is the Spirit or consciousness
Being, O Arjuna. Everything in the universe is
by which this entire universe is sustained, O
strung on Me like different jewels are strung on
Arjuna. (7.05)
the thread of a necklace. (7.07)

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One and the same Spirit is present in cows, WHO SEEKS GOD?
horses, human beings, birds, and all other living beings
just as the same thread is present in the necklace made of The evil doers, the ignorant, the lowest persons
diamond, gold, pearl, or wood (MB 12.206.02-03). The who are attached to demonic nature and whose
entire creation is permeated by Him (YV 32.08). power of discrimination has been taken away by
divine illusive power (Maya), do not worship or
O Arjuna, I am the sapidity in the water, I am the seek Me. (7.15)
radiance in the sun and the moon, the sacred
syllable ‘AUM’ in all the Vedas, the sound in the
Four types of virtuous ones worship or seek Me, O
ether, and potency in human beings. I am the
Arjuna. They are: the distressed, the seeker of
sweet fragrance in the earth. I am the heat in the
Self-knowledge, the seeker of wealth, and the
fire, the life in all living beings, and the austerity in
enlightened one who has experienced the
the ascetics. (7.08-09)
Supreme Being. (7.16)
O Arjuna, know Me to be the eternal seed of all Whatever a person does is the product of desire.
creatures. I am the intelligence of the intelligent Nobody can ever do anything without the desire for it
and the brilliance of the brilliant. (See also 9.18 (MS 2.04). Desires cannot be completely wiped out. One
and 10.39). I am the strength of the strong who are should transmute the lower forms of selfish desires.
devoid of selfish attachment. I am the lust or Desire for salvation is a higher or noble form of desire.
Cupid in human beings that is devoid of sense Desire for devotional love of God is regarded as the
gratification and is in accord with Dharma (for the highest and the purest form of all human desires. It is
sacred purpose of procreation after marriage), O said that advanced devotees do not even desire salvation
Arjuna. (7.10-11) from God. They long for loving devotional service to
God, life after life.
Know that three modes of material Nature  The lower desires of devotees who approach
goodness, passion, and ignorance  also Him for fulfillment become like roasted seeds that cannot
emanate indirectly from Me. I am neither sprout and grow into a big tree of desire. What really
dependent on, nor affected by, the modes of matters is the deep concentration of mind on God
material Nature; but the modes of material Nature through feelings of devotion, love, fear, or even for
are dependent on Me. (See also 9.04 and 9.05) material gain (BP 10.22.26).
(7.12)
Among them the enlightened devotee, who is ever
Human beings get deluded by various aspects of united with Me and whose devotion is single-
these three modes of material Nature; therefore, minded, is the best because I am very dear to the
they do not know Me, who am eternal and above enlightened and the enlightened is very dear to
these modes. (7.13) Me. (7.17)
Knowledge of God without devotion  the love
of God  is a dry speculation, and devotion without
HOW TO OVERCOME THE DELUSIVE knowledge of God is blind faith. The fruit of
DIVINE POWER (MAYA) enlightenment grows on the tree of Self-knowledge only
when the tree receives the water of pure devotion.
This divine power of Mine called Maya, consisting
of three modes of Nature, is very difficult to All these seekers are indeed noble, but I regard
overcome. Only those who surrender unto Me the enlightened devotee as My very Self because
easily pierce the veil of Maya and know the one who is steadfast becomes one with Me and
Absolute Reality. (See also 14.26, 15.19, and 18.66) abides in My supreme abode. (See also 9.29) (7.18)
(7.14)
When one fully dedicates one's life to the After many births, the enlightened one resorts to
Supreme power and depends on Him under all Me by realizing that everything is, indeed, My
circumstances, just as a small child depends on its manifestation. Such a great soul is very rare.
parents, then Lord personally takes charge of such a (7.19)
devotee. And when He takes charge of you, there is no All this is, of course, the Spirit because
need to be afraid of anything or to depend on anybody everything is born from, rests in, and merges into the
else for anything  spiritual or material  in life. Spirit (ChU 3.14.01). All this is Spirit. The Spirit is

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everywhere. All this universe is, indeed, Spirit (MuU performed with faith. Desired results of worship are
2.02.11). The Bible says: You are gods (John 10.34). The given indirectly by the Lord through one's favorite deity.
Vedas and Upanishads declare: (1) Consciousness is Human beings live in the darkness of the prison cells of
Spirit (AiU 3.03 in Rigveda). (2) I am Spirit (BrU pairs of opposites. Deities are like icons or a medium that
1.04.10 in Yajurveda). (3) You are Spirit (ChU 6.08.07 can open the window through which the Supreme may be
in Samaveda). (4) The Spirit is also called Atma (or perceived. However, the worship of deities without full
Brahman, Brahm, Brahma) (MaU 02 in Atharvaveda). understanding of the nature of the Supreme Being is
That which is One has become all these (RV 8.58.02). considered to be in the mode of ignorance.
The entire creation and every order of reality are nothing
but another form of divinity. Such material gains of these less intelligent
human beings are temporary. The worshipers of
The male musk deer, after a vain search for the celestial controllers go to celestial controllers, but
cause of the scent of the musk, at last will have to find My devotees certainly come to Me. (7.23)
the musk in himself. After God-realization, one sees that Those who worship deities or celestial
it is the Spirit of God (or Consciousness) that has become controllers are under the mode of passion; and those who
the universe and all living beings. Everything is con- practice other, much lower grades of worship, such as the
sciousness. Creation is like countless waves appearing in worship of evil spirits, ghosts, black magic, and Tantra
the ocean of consciousness by the wind of divine power  also known as idolatry  to get progeny, fame, or to
(Maya). Everything, including the primordial divine destroy their enemies are under the mode of ignorance.
energy called Maya, is nothing but part and parcel of the Lord Krishna advises against such lower grades of
Absolute. worship and recommends worship of the one and only
Supreme Lord, using any one name and form. The
Persons whose discernment has been carried devotees of Krishna may sometimes worship Krishna in
away by desires impelled by their Karmic other forms also. In Mahabharata, Lord Krishna Himself
impression, resort to celestial controllers and advised Arjuna to worship a much gentler mother form
practice various religious rites for fulfillment of of God, known as Mother Durga, just before the start of
their material desires. (7.20) the war for victory. This is like a child going to ask
something from Mother instead of Father. The Lord is
WORSHIP OF DEITY IS ALSO actually both mother and father of all creatures.
WORSHIP OF GOD
GOD CAN BE SEEN IN ANY
Whosoever desires to worship whatever deity — DESIRED FORM OF WORSHIP
using any name, form, and method — with faith, I
make their faith steady in that very deity. Endowed
The ignorant ones — unable to completely
with steady faith, they worship that deity and
understand My immutable, incomparable,
obtain their wishes through that deity. Those
incomprehensible, and transcendental form and
wishes are, indeed, granted by Me. (7.21-22)
existence — believe that I, the Supreme Being, am
The power in the deities comes from the formless and take forms or incarnate. I do not
Supreme Lord as the aroma in the wind comes from the reveal Myself to the ignorant ones whose Self-
flower (BP 6.04.34). God is the bestower of fruits of knowledge is obscured by My divine power (Yoga
work (BS 3.02.38). God fulfills all desires of His Maya) and do not know My unborn, eternal, and
worshippers (BP 4.13.34). One should not look down transcendental form and personality (and consider
upon any method of seeking God because all worship is Me formless). (See also 5.16) (7.24-25)
worship of the same God. He fulfills all sincere and
beneficial prayers of a devotee if He is worshipped with The Sanskrit word ‘Avyakta’ has been used in
faith and love. The wise realize that all names and forms verses 2.25, 2.28, 7.24, 8.18, 8.20, 8.21, 9.04, 12.01,
are His, whereas the ignorant play the game of holy war 12.03, 12.05, and 13.05. It takes different meanings
in the name of religion to seek personal gain at the cost according to the context. It is used in the sense of
of others. unmanifest, material Nature and also in the sense of
Spirit. Supreme Being  the Absolute Consciousness 
It is said that whatever deity a person may is higher than both unmanifest Nature and Spirit.
worship, all his or her obeisance and prayers reach the ‘Avyakta’ does not mean formless; it means unmanifest
Supreme Being just as all water that falls as rain or a transcendental form that is invisible to our physical
eventually reaches the ocean. Whatever name and form eyes and cannot be comprehended by the human mind or
of divinity one adores is worship of the same Supreme described by words. Everything has a form. Nothing in
Being, and one gets the reward of deity-worship the cosmos, including the Supreme Being, is formless.
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Every form is His form. Supreme Being has a When the Karma of a person comes to an end,
transcendental form and Supreme Personality. He is only then one can understand the transcendental science
eternal, without any origin and end. The invisible and develop love and devotion to God.
Absolute is the basis of the visible world.
Those who strive for freedom from the cycles of
The meaning of verse 7.24 also seems to
birth, old age, and death — by taking refuge in Me
contradict the common belief that Lord incarnates, as
— fully comprehend Brahman (or Brahma, Spirit,
mentioned in verses 4.06-08, and 9.11. It is said here that
Eternal Being, Eternal Brahm) and the true nature
the Supreme Being is ever unmanifest, and, as such, He
and creative powers of Brahman. (7.29)
never becomes manifest. In a true sense, the Supreme
Being or Absolute does not incarnate. He actually never
leaves His Supreme Abode! It is the intellect of the The steadfast persons who know Me alone as the
Supreme Being that does the work of creation, basis of all  mortal beings, Divine Beings, and
maintenance, incarnation, and destruction by using His the Eternal Being  even at the time of death,
innumerable powers. The deep meaning of this verse attain Me. (See also 8.04) (7.30)
may be understood if one seriously studies the peace Those who know God to be the governing
invocation of Ishopanishad that states: “The invisible is principle of the whole creation and the underlying basis
the Infinite, the visible too is infinite. From the Infinite, of all, are blessed.
the infinite universes manifest. The Infinite (Absolute)
remains Infinite or unchanged, even though infinite 8. THE ETERNAL BRAHMA
universes come out of it.” People do not know the
transcendental and imperishable nature of God and Arjuna said: O Krishna, who is the Eternal Being
wrongly think that God also incarnates like an ordinary or the Spirit? What is the nature of the Eternal
person. He does not incarnate, but manifests using His Being? What is Karma? Who are the mortal
own divine potencies. beings? And who are Divine Beings? Who is the
all pervading, Supreme Being and how does He
The transcendental Being is beyond the human
dwell in the body? How can You, the Supreme
conception of form and formless. Those who consider
Being, be remembered at the time of death by
God formless are as wrong as those who say God has a
those who have control over their minds, O
form. The argument whether God is formless or has a
Krishna? (8.01-02)
form has nothing to do with our worship and spiritual
practice. We can worship Him in any way or form that
suits us. A name, form, and description of the DEFINITION OF SUPREME SPIRIT, SPIRIT,
imperceptible, all pervasive, and indescribable Lord has INDIVIDUAL SOUL, AND KARMA
been given by saints and sages for cultivating the love of
Lord Krishna said: The eternal and immutable
God in the hearts of common devotees. A name and a
Spirit of the Supreme Being is called Eternal Being
form are absolutely necessary for the purpose of worship
or the Spirit. The inherent powers of
and to nurture devotion  a deep love for God. God
consciousness and expansion of Eternal Being
appears to a devotee in a form in order to make his or her
are called the nature of Eternal Being. The creative
faith firm. Therefore, it is necessary that one should
power of Eternal Being that causes manifestation
respect all forms of God (or deity), but establish
of the living entity is called Karma. (8.03)
relationship with and worship one form only.
Spirit is also called Eternal Spirit, Spiritual
I know, O Arjuna, the beings of the past, of the Being, Eternal Being, and God in English; and Brahm, or
present, and those of the future, but no one really Eternal Brahm (Note: Brahm is also spelled as: Brahma,
knows Me. (7.26) Brahman) in Sanskrit. Spirit is the cause of all causes.
The word ‘God’ is generally used for both Spirit, and the
All beings in this world are in utter ignorance due Supreme Spirit (or the Supreme Being), the basis of
to the delusion of pairs of opposites born of likes Spirit. We have used the word ‘Eternal Being’ for Spirit;
and dislikes, O Arjuna. But the persons purified by and ‘Supreme Being’, ‘Absolute’, and ‘Krishna’ for the
unselfish deeds, whose Karma has come to an Supreme Spirit in this rendering.
end, become free from the delusion of pairs of
The subtle body consists of six sensory faculties,
opposites and worship Me with firm resolve. (7.27-
intellect, ego, and five vital forces called bioimpulses
28)
(Life forces, Prana). The individual soul (Jiva) is defined
as the subtle body sustained by Spirit. The individual
soul is enshrined in the physical body. The subtle body

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keeps the physical body active and alive by operating the
organs of perception and action. By contemplating Me with an unwavering mind
that is disciplined by the practice of meditation,
Mortal beings, made up of the five basic elements, one attains the Supreme Being, O Arjuna. (8.08)
are changeable or temporal. Various expansions One gets spiritual awakening and the vision of
of the Supreme Being are called Divine Beings. I God by constantly thinking of God in meditation, silent
reside inside the physical bodies as the Divine repetition of the holy names of God, and contemplation.
Controller (Ishvara), O Arjuna. (8.04) The endeavor of our whole life shapes our destiny.
Spiritual practices are meant to keep the mind absorbed
THEORY OF REINCARNATION AND KARMA in His thoughts and fixed at His lotus feet. Ramakrishna
said that when you desire anything, pray to the Mother
One who remembers Me exclusively, even while aspect of God in a lonely place, with tears of sincerity in
leaving the body at the time of death, attains the your eyes, and your wishes shall be fulfilled. He also said
Supreme Abode; there is no doubt about it. (8.05) that it might be possible to attain Self-realization within
three days. The more intensely one practices spiritual
Whatever object one remembers as one leaves the
disciplines, the more quickly one attains perfection. The
body at the end of life, that object is attained.
intensity of conviction and belief, combined with deep
Thought of whatever object prevails during one's
yearning, restlessness, intense longing, and persistence,
lifetime, one remembers only that object at the
determine the speed of spiritual progress. The real
end of life and achieves it. (8.06)
practice of HathaYoga is not only the yogic exercises
taught in modern yoga centers, but also the consistence,
One’s destiny is determined by the predominant persistence, and insistence in one’s search for the
thought at the time of death. Even if one has practiced Supreme Truth.
devotion and God-consciousness during one’s lifetime,
the thought of God may or may not come at the hour of Self-realization is not a simple act but a process
death. Therefore, God-consciousness should be of gradual spiritual growth, starting with resolve,
continued till death (BS 1.1.12). Sages continue their proceeding gradually to vow, divine grace, faith, and
efforts in their successive lives, yet at the moment of finally realization of Truth (YV 19.30). The Supreme
death they may fail to remember God. One cannot expect Being is not realized through discourses, intellect, or
to have good thoughts at the time of death if one has kept learning. It is realized only when one sincerely longs for
bad company. Keep the association of perfect devotees it with vigorous effort. Sincere craving brings divine
and avoid the company of worldly-minded people for grace that unveils the Supreme Being (MuU 3.02.03).
success in spiritual life. Whatever thought one nurtures One who meditates at the time of death with
during life, the same thought comes at the time of death steadfast mind and devotion on the Supreme
and determines one’s future destiny. Therefore, life Being as the omniscient, the oldest, the controller,
should be molded in such a way that one should be able smaller than the smallest and bigger than the
to remember God at the time of death. People should biggest, the sustainer of everything, the
practice God-consciousness in everyday life from very inconceivable, self-luminous like the sun, and
childhood by forming a habit of remembering God transcendental (or beyond the material reality) by
before taking any food, before going to bed, and before making the flow of bioimpulses (life forces, Prana)
starting any work or study. rise up to the middle of the eye brows by the
power of yogic practices and holding there, attains
A SIMPLE METHOD OF GOD REALIZATION Me, the Supreme Being. (See also verses 4.29,
5.27, 6.13) (8.09-10)
Therefore, always remember Me and do your duty.
You shall certainly attain Me if your mind and Now I shall briefly explain the process to attain the
intellect are ever focused on Me. (8.07) Supreme Abode that the knowers of the Veda call
immutable, into which the ascetics, freed from
The supreme purpose of life is to always
attachment, enter; and desiring which people lead
remember a personal God one believes in; so that one
a life of celibacy. (8.11)
can remember God at the time of death. To remember the
absolute and impersonal God may not be possible for
ATTAIN SALVATION BY MEDITATING
most human beings. A pure devotee is able to experience
ON GOD AT THE TIME OF DEATH
the ecstasy of Lord's personal presence within and reach
His Supreme Abode by always remembering Him. Live
in a state of constant spiritual awareness.

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When one leaves the physical body, by controlling saints and sages of all religions. Briefly, the Omnic
all the senses, focusing the mind on God and the method entails getting the mind permeated by a
bioimpulses (Life forces, Prana) in the cerebrum, continuous, reverberating sound of AUM. When the
engaged in yogic practice, meditating on Me, and mind gets absorbed in repeating this divine sound, the
uttering AUM  the sacred monosyllable cosmic individual consciousness merges into the Cosmic
sound power of the Spirit  one attains the Consciousness.
Supreme Abode. (8.12-13)
A simpler method of contemplation is given
Scriptural knowledge has its place, but it is below by Lord Krishna for those who cannot follow the
through direct realization that the inner core can be conventional path of meditation discussed above.
reached and the outer shell discarded. Meditation is the
way to inner realization and should be learnt, personally,
I am easily attainable, O Arjuna, by that ever
from a competent teacher. Realization of the true nature
steadfast devotee who always thinks of Me and
of mind leads to meditation.
whose mind does not go elsewhere. (8.14)
A simple technique of meditation is described
It is not an easy task to always remember God.
here: (1) Wash your face, eyes, hands, and feet and sit in
One must have a basis to remember God all the time.
a clean, quiet, dark place, using any comfortable posture,
This basis could be an intense love of God or a passion to
with head, neck, and spine straight and vertical. No
serve Him through the service of humanity.
music or incense during meditation is recommended. The
time and place of meditation should be fixed. Follow the
After attaining Me, the great souls do not incur
good principles of living by thoughts, words, and deeds.
rebirth in this miserable transitory world because
Some yogic exercises are necessary. Midnight, morning,
they have attained the highest perfection. (8.15)
and evening are the best times to meditate for 15 to 25
Human birth is full of suffering. Even the saints,
minutes every day. (2) Remember any name or form of
sages, and God in human form cannot escape the
the personal god you believe in and ask His or Her
sufferings of the human body and mind. One has to learn
blessings. (3) Close your eyes, tilt head slightly upward,
to endure and work towards salvation.
and take 5 to 10 very slow and deep breaths. (4) Fix your
gaze, mind, and feelings inside the chest center, the seat
The dwellers of all the worlds  up to and
of the causal heart, and breathe slowly. Mentally chant
including the world of the Creator (Brahm|)  are
‘So’ as you breathe in and ‘Hum’ as you breathe out.
subject to the miseries of repeated birth and
Think as if breath itself is making these sounds ‘So’ and
death. But after attaining Me, O Arjuna, one does
‘Hum’ (I am That Spirit). Mentally visualize the breath
not take birth again. (See also 9.25) (8.16)
going in and coming out through the nostrils. Be alert,
and feel the sensation created by the breath in the body THE CREATION IS CYCLIC
as you watch the breath. Do not try to control or lead
your breathing; just watch your natural breathing. (5) Those who know that the duration of creation lasts
Direct the will towards the thought of merging yourself 4.32 billion years and that the duration of
into the infinite space of the air you are breathing. If your destruction also lasts 4.32 billion years, they are
mind wanders away from following the breaths, start the knowers of the cycles of creation and
from step (4). Be regular, and persist without destruction. (See also 9.07) (8.17)
procrastination.
The sound of ‘OM’ or ‘AUM’ is a combination All manifestations come out of the subtle body of
of three primary sounds: A, U, and M. It is the source of Brahm| during the creative cycle, and they merge
all sounds one can utter. Therefore, it is the fittest sound into the same during the destructive cycle. (see
symbol of Spirit. It is also the primeval impulse that also 9.07, 15.18) (8.18)
moves our five nerve centers that control bodily func- Thus, one complete creative cycle lasts 8.64
tions. Yogananda calls ‘AUM’ the sound of the vibration billion solar years. This consists of one day and one night
of the cosmic motor. The Bible says: In the beginning of Brahm|, the Creator. The duration of partial
was the word (OM, Amen, Allah) and the word was with dissolution, during which all heavenly planets, the earth,
God, and the word was God (John 1.01). This cosmic and the lower planets are annihilated and rest within
sound vibration is heard by yogis as a sound, or a mix- Brahm|, is 4.32 billion years and is called Brahm|’s
ture of sounds, of various frequencies. night. Complete dissolution takes place at the end of
Brahm|'s (or creative cycle's) full life-span of 100 solar
The Omnic meditation, mentioned here by Lord years, or 8.64 billion years x 30 x 12 x 100 = just over
Krishna, is a very powerful, sacred technique used by 311.04 trillion solar years called one Kalpa (See also BP

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12.04.01-43), according to Vedic astrology. At this time, sometimes commonly misunderstood, determines the
the complete material creation, including the modes of path of departure.
material Nature, enters into one of the four main, partial
Lord explains in verses 8.24-25 that there are
manifestations of the Absolute (See also 15.18)  called
Avyakta Brahma or Adi Prakriti, the source and sink of two goals in life which people seek. These two goals are
the total material energy  and is annihilated. During achieved by two different paths guiding the two types of
the complete dissolution, everything is said to take rest in seekers to their destinations. One is called the path of no
the abdomen of Avyakta Akshar Brahma (See verse return (verse 8.24), and the other is the path of return
15.16) until the beginning of the next cycle of creation. (verse 8.25). These two paths are renamed in verse 8.26
In the second manifestation, Lord’s energies enter into as the path of light and the path of darkness, the path of
all the universes to create and support diversities. And in Moksha and path of coming and going, the path of the
the third manifestation, the Absolute is diffused as the seekers of spirituality and seekers of materialism, path of
all-pervading supersoul in the universes and remains the light of knowledge and of darkness of ignorance.
present within the atoms and every cell of everything 
Passing gradually after death, through celestial
visible or invisible.
controllers of fire, light, daytime, the bright lunar
The same multitude of beings comes into fortnight, and the six months of the northern
existence again and again at the arrival of the solstice of the sun, yogis who know the Self attain
creative cycle and are annihilated, inevitably, at supreme abode (and do not come back to earth).
the arrival of the destructive cycle. (8.19) (8.24)
The path of no return, described above, is also
According to the Vedas, creation is a
called the path of gods (Devay|na), the path of light of
beginningless and endless cycle, and there is no such
Self-knowledge, the northern path, and the path of
thing as the first creation.
gradual liberation (Krama-mukti), the ascending path of
evolution. This path is blocked for the ignorant and
There is another eternal transcendental existence persons devoid of the necessary qualities such as
 higher than the changeable material Nature  austerity, abstinence, faith and knowledge. Those who
called Eternal Being or Spirit that does not perish have above mentioned qualities will walk this path. It is
when all created beings perish. This is also called also said that this path is closed during the six months of
the Supreme Abode. Those who attain the southern solstice of the sun as mentioned in verse 8.25.
Supreme Abode do not take birth again. (8.20-21)
Fire, light, day-time, the bright fortnight and the
TWO BASIC PATHS OF DEPARTURE six months of the northern solstice of the sun indicate
FROM THE WORLD deities presided over by the Sun. It is said in the
Upanishads (ChU 4.15.05, BrU 6.2.15) that those who
This Supreme Abode, O Arjuna, is attainable by qualify for the northern path after death reach the
unswerving devotion to Me, within which all celestial ruler of flame, from there to the celestial ruler of
beings exist and by which the entire universe is the day, from there to the celestial ruler of the bright
pervaded. (See also 9.04 and 11.55) (8.22) fortnight, from there to the celestial ruler of the six
months during which the sun travels northwards, from
O Arjuna, now I shall describe different paths there to Sun, and from there to lightening. Then a
departing by which, after death, the yogis do or do Superbeing, created from the mind of Brahm|, comes
not come back to the mortal or temporal world. and leads them to the world of Brahm|. Becoming
(8.23) perfect at each stage, they stay in the world of Brahm|
Verses 8.23-26 are considered to be the most till the end of the cycle of creation; at the completion of
mysterious and misunderstood verses in the Gita. What which they merge in Brahman together with Brahm|.
appears to refer to the auspicious times of departure of Having reached Brahman, they do not return back to
the living entity during death in verses 8.24 and 8.25, worldly life again. This is also called Brahm-Nirvana.
actually refers to the presiding deities of various astral
planes during gradual passage of the soul after death. Passing gradually after death, through celestial
This is made clear in verse 8.26. It should be noted that controllers of smoke, night, the dark lunar
one’s final destination and the corresponding path fortnight, and the six months of southern solstice
leading to the destination has to be earned and may have of the sun, the righteous person attains heaven
nothing to do, directly, with the time of death. Eligibility and comes back to earth again. (8.25)
to tread the path, and not the time of departure, as is The destination of righteous persons, who work
to enjoy the fruits of their labor, is described in the above

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verse. Those who leave the world after spending their KNOWLEDGE LEADS TO SALVATION
lifetime in doing good and performing rituals and
worship to enjoy the results so accrued, travel by the Knowing these two paths, O Arjuna, a yogi is not
southern path. This path is also called the path of bewildered at all. Therefore, one should be
darkness of ignorance, the path of return, the path of resolute in attaining salvation — the goal of
ignorance, the path of ancestors, and the path of human birth — at all times. (8.27)
materialism. This path is presided over by the Moon god,
representing the world of matter and sense enjoyment. One who knows all this goes beyond getting the
Those who qualify for this path, after death, reach the benefits of the study of the Vedas, performance of
celestial ruler of smoke, from there to the celestial ruler sacrifices, austerities, and charities; and attains
of the night, from there to the celestial ruler of the dark salvation. (8.28)
fortnight, from there to the celestial ruler of the six
months during which the sun travels southwards, and 9. SUPREME KNOWLEDGE AND
from there to heaven. Such yogis return to the mortal THE BIG MYSTERY
world, after enjoying heavenly pleasures for a period of
time, when the fruits of their virtuous deeds are Lord Krishna said: Since you have faith in My
exhausted. words, I shall reveal to you the most profound,
secret, transcendental knowledge, together with
The path of light of spiritual practice and Self- transcendental experience. Knowing this, you will
knowledge and the path of darkness of be freed from the miseries of worldly existence.
materialism and ignorance are thought to be the (9.01)
world’s two eternal paths. The former leads to
salvation, and the latter leads to rebirth as human KNOWLEDGE OF THE NATURE OF THE
beings. (8.26) SUPREME IS THE BIGGEST MYSTERY

The path of transmigration may be included in This Self-knowledge is the king of all knowledge,
the path of reincarnation, or it may be called the third is the most secret, is very sacred, can be
path. The Upanishads describe this third path as the path perceived by instinct, conforms to righteousness
of lower creatures, such as animals and insects. (Dharma), is very easy to practice, and is timeless.
Unrighteous ones, who do not qualify for the two paths (9.02)
mentioned in verses 8.24 and 8.25, transmigrate into
O Arjuna, those who have no faith in this
lower wombs, such as animals, birds, and insects (BrU
knowledge do not attain Me and follow the cycles
6.02.15-16). The immortal soul wanders endlessly
of birth and death. (9.03)
through the ocean of transmigration, made up of 8.4
Everything is possible for the person who has
million different species of life on this planet. The good
faith in God (Mark 9.23). Faith in the Supreme power
Lord, out of His sweet will or mercy and without any holds the key to unlock the gates of salvation.
reason, bestows the precious gift of the human body that
is like a raft to carry one across the ocean of
transmigration (TR 7.43.02-04). Consider what we are is This entire universe is an expansion of, or
God’s gift to us, and what we become is our gift to God. pervaded by, My Avyakta Brahma aspect. All
It is also said that human birth, faith in God, and the help beings depend on Me (like a gold chain depends
of a real guru come only by His grace. Our present life on gold and milk products depend on milk). I do
provides the opportunity for preparation for the next life. not depend on  or become affected by  them
According to the activities in this life, one can either get because I am the highest of all. (See also 7.12,
a promotion or salvation, a demotion or transmigration, 15.18) (9.04)
or another chance for salvation by reincarnating as a
human being. From a dualistic viewpoint, waves depend on the
ocean; the ocean does not depend on the waves. But from
To whatever object one’s mind is set, to that a monist point of view, as stated in verse 9.05 below, the
goes one’s subtle and causal bodies with Karma attached question of wave abiding in the ocean or the ocean
to it. Thus, a person who has no desire or whose desires abiding in the wave does not arise because there is no
have been satisfied or whose only object of desire is the wave or ocean. It is water only. Similarly, everything is a
Self, is merged in Brahman even in this very life. This is manifestation of the Spirit only (Gita 7.19).
called Jeevan-Mukti or Nirvana.

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Look at the power of My divine mystery; in reality, help of any external agent. It is possible for one Spirit —
I  the sustainer and Creator of all beings  do by virtue of possessing diverse powers — to be
not depend on them, and they also do not depend transformed into multiplicity without any outside help.
on Me. (9.05) (In fact, the gold-chain does not depend Spirit (or the Eternal Being) is thus both the efficient and
on gold; the gold-chain is nothing but gold. Also, matter the material cause of creation.
and energy are different, as well as non-different).
I create the entire multitude of beings again and
The wave is water, but the water is not wave.
again with the help of My material Nature. These
The water has become the vapor, the cloud, the rain, the
beings are under control of the modes of material
ice, as well as the bubble, the lake, the river, the wave,
Nature. (9.08)
and the ocean. These are nothing but names of different
forms (or transformations) of water. From a monist
These acts of creation do not bind Me, O Arjuna,
viewpoint, there is no ocean, no wave, and no lake, but
because I remain indifferent and unattached to
water only. However, a wave is a wave as long as it does
those acts. (9.09)
not realize its true nature  that it is not a wave but
water. When the wave realizes that it is water, the wave
The divine kinetic energy (Maya)  with the help
no longer remains a wave, but becomes water. Similarly,
of material Nature, Prakriti  creates all animate
when one realizes that he or she is not this physical body
and inanimate objects under My supervision; thus,
 but the Eternal Being in the form of Spirit residing
the creation keeps on going, O Arjuna. (See also
inside the physical body  one transcends physical body
14.03) (9.10)
and immediately becomes one with the Spirit without
undergoing any physical change. As a physical body, one
is mortal, limited by a form, with color, gender, and THE WAYS OF THE WISE AND OF THE
temperament. But as a part of the Spirit, one is free, IGNORANT ARE DIFFERENT
immortal, and limitless. This is called Nirvana, or
salvation. Ignorant persons despise Me when I appear in
human form because they do not know My
Perceive that all beings remain in Me — without transcendental nature as the great Lord of all
any contact or without producing any effect — as beings (and take Me for an ordinary human being),
the mighty wind, moving everywhere, eternally and because they have false hopes, false actions,
remains in space. (9.06) false knowledge, and delusive (T|masika) qualities
(See 16.04-18) of fiends and demons (they are
Gross objects, such as planets and stars, remain unable to recognize Me). (9.11-12)
in the subtle space without any visible connection at all.
Similarly, the entire universe, including space itself, When Lord Krishna was here on this earth, in
abides in the unified field called Consciousness. Time spite of accomplishing many transcendental and
has no access to space; similarly, Consciousness is extraordinary feats, only a few people were able to
everlasting, indivisible, and unaffected by everything recognize Him as an incarnation of the Supreme Being.
going on in its field, just as clouds do not make the sky Even a highly evolved soul, such as King Yudhishthira,
wet. was quite surprised to learn from sage Narada that his
(King’s) cousin brother, Krishna, is the Supreme Being
THEORY OF EVOLUTION AND INVOLUTION in human form (BP 7.15.79). The moral is that the
Supreme cannot be known without one’s good Karma
All beings merge into My primary material Nature and His personal grace.
at the end of a cycle of just over 311 trillion solar
years, O Arjuna, and I create them again at the But great souls, O Arjuna, who possess divine
beginning of the next cycle. (See also 8.17) (9.07) qualities (See 16.01-03), know Me as immutable, as
As a spider spreads out the web from within, the material and efficient cause of creation, and
plays in it, and again draws the web into itself, similarly, worship Me single-mindedly with loving devotion.
the Eternal Being (or Spirit) creates the material world (9.13)
from itself, plays in it as living entity, and takes it into
itself during complete dissolution (BP 11.09.21 and Persons of firm resolve worship Me with ever-
12.04.01-43). All manifestations are born, sustained, and steadfast devotion by always singing My glories,
finally merge in Spirit as bubbles of water are born, striving to attain Me, and prostrating before Me
sustained, and merge in water. Spirit manifests itself into with devotion. (9.14)
the universe by using its own internal power without the

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Some worship Me by acquiring and propagating of the Lord is encouraged for the seekers of health,
Self-knowledge. Others worship the infinite as one wealth, and knowledge. One who always thinks of God
in all (or non-dual), as the master of all (or dual), is considered to be God-conscious, Krishna-conscious, or
and in various other ways. (9.15) Self-realized. Lord personally takes charge of one who
remembers Him single-mindedly. His nature is to
EVERYTHING IS A MANIFESTATION reciprocate the love of His pure devotees by fulfilling
OF THE ABSOLUTE their desires.
Father in the heaven knows all of what you need.
I am the ritual, I am the sacrifice, I am the offering, Give first place to His Kingdom and what He requires.
I am the herb, I am the mantra, I am the clarified He will provide you everything (Matthew 6.32-33).
butter, I am the fire, and I am the oblation. (See Nothing is difficult to obtain when I am pleased, but a
also 4.24). I am the supporter of the universe, the pure devotee whose mind is exclusively fixed upon Me
father, the mother, and the grandfather. I am the does not ask anything, including salvation, but the
object of knowledge, the sacred syllable ‘AUM’, opportunity to serve Me (BP 6.09.48). The Lord chooses
and the Vedas. I am the goal, the supporter, the much better things for you if you let Him be your guide
Lord, the witness, the abode, the refuge, the by surrendering unto His will.
friend, the origin, the dissolution, the foundation,
the substratum, and the immutable seed. (See also O Arjuna, even those devotees who worship the
7.10 and 10.39) (9.16-18) deities with faith, they also worship Me, but in an
improper way. (9.23)
I give heat. I send, as well as withhold, the rain. I There is only one Absolute; the wise call Him
am immortality, as well as death. I am also both and worship Him by various names (RV 1.164.46). The
the eternal Absolute and the temporal, O Arjuna. worship of the divine as Mother is also found in the
(The Supreme Being has become everything. See Vedas where the sage longs to be a child of the divine
also 13.12) (9.19) Mother (RV 7.81.04). The Absolute has also manifested
as celestial controllers  for sustaining creation  who
ATTAIN SALVATION BY DEVOTIONAL LOVE are one with many names and forms (RV 3.55.01). The
Supreme Being is a woman, a man, a boy, a girl, and an
The doers of the rituals prescribed in the Vedas, old person. He exists in all forms (AV 10.08.27). All
the drinkers of the nectar of devotion, whose sins deities, male or female, are representations of one divine.
are cleansed, worship Me by doing good deeds for He is One in many and many in One. One should not
gaining heaven. As a result of their meritorious worship material objects in creation, such as family,
deeds, they go to heaven and enjoy celestial friends, and possessions; but one can worship the creator
sense pleasures. (9.20) in material objects because God is in all rocks. The
Vedic principle of celestial controllers does not diversify
They again return to the mortal world  after the Unity, but unifies the diversity. Deities are just
enjoying the wide world of heavenly pleasures  different names and forms, or symbolic representations,
upon exhaustion of the fruits of their good Karma. of the energies of nature.
Thus, following the injunctions of the Vedas,
persons working for the fruit of their actions take The deity is a conduit through which the water of
repeated births and deaths. (See also 8.25) (9.21) divine grace can be made to flow by the power of
conviction  expressed through worship and prayer 
from the reservoir of infinite consciousness. However,
I personally take care of both the spiritual and the seedling of faith becomes the fruit tree of conviction
material welfare of those ever-steadfast devotees only when it comes out of the ground of Self-knowledge
who always remember and adore Me with single- and survives the frost of logic. We evoke the potential
minded contemplation. (9.22) energy of cosmic forces by contemplating deities with
Wealth and happiness automatically come to the faith. Faith really works. The power of faith in rituals or
righteous person, without that person asking for it, as the spiritual science works in the same manner as a placebo
river automatically goes to the ocean (TR 1.293.02). works by the power of faith in medical science.
Material wealth naturally comes to the virtuous person as However, it is not very easy for intellectuals to develop a
river water naturally flows downstream (VP 1.11.24). deep faith in the power of rituals. Joseph Campbell said:
Lord Rama said: I always take care of those who worship “The images of myth are reflections of the spiritual
Me with unswerving devotion as a mother takes care of potentialities of everyone of us, and deities stimulate
her child (TR 3.42.03). The worship of the Mother form divine love.”

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All different types of worship reach One and the perform  dedicate everything as an offering to
same Lord as waters of all different rivers reach the same Me. (See also 12.10, 18.46) (9.27)
ocean. External worship with the help of an image or a
It is neither necessary, nor sufficient that one
symbolic representation of God is necessary for
should follow a certain routine, ritualistic offering of
beginners. It is very helpful to develop a personal
worship everyday to please God. Whatever one does per
relationship with a deity of one's choice who can be
one's nature by body, mind, senses, thought, intellect,
consulted and counted upon for help during moments of
action, and speech, should be done with the thought that
crisis in life. Those who are against deity worship do not
it is all for God only (BP 11.02.36). People have
understand that all-pervading God can also exist within a
achieved liberation by performing only one type of
deity. Such persons limit His supremacy.
devotional service, such as chanting, hearing,
The ancient Vedic scriptures have authorized the remembering, serving, meditating, renouncing, and
deity form of worship of God because it cleanses the surrendering. The love for fame is a fire that can destroy
heart, mind, and the subtle and gross senses of the all yoga and austerity. The illusory power of divine
worshiper, and increases as well as sustains one's faith in kinetic energy (Maya) is formidable. It betrays everyone,
God. including the yogis, unless one does everything for God.
The next step is the chanting of hymns and the
You shall become free from the bondage  good
repetition (Japa) of divine names. The next stage is medi-
and bad  of Karma and come to Me by this
tation. The vision of Spirit-consciousness, or beholding
attitude of complete dedication to Me. (9.28)
the Spirit manifested through every individual, is the
highest spiritual development.
The Self is present equally in all beings. There is
Because I  the Supreme Being  alone am the no one hateful or dear to Me. But those who
enjoyer of all sacrificial services and Lord of the worship Me with love and devotion are very close
universe. But people do not know My true to Me, and I am also very close to them. (See also
transcendental nature. Therefore, they fall into the 7.18) (9.29)
repeated cycles of birth and death. (9.24) Lord Krishna says here that one should not be
partial, but should treat a faithful or a helpful person
Worshippers of the celestial controllers go to the better then others. Lord is neither merciless nor partial to
celestial controllers; the worshippers of the anyone. Lord loves no one and hates no one, but does
ancestors go to the ancestors; and the give special preference to His devotees. He said: My
worshippers of the ghosts go to the ghosts; but devotees do not know anything else but Me, and I do not
My devotees come to Me, and are not born again. know anyone else but them (BP 9.4.68). To protect His
(See also 8.16) (9.25) devotee is His nature. Lord goes out of way to help and
It is said that whatever one worships, that fulfill the desires of His sincere devotees. He also
destination one attains; or one becomes what one reciprocates by always thinking of those devotees who
regularly thinks of. always think of Him and saves such devotees from all
calamities and major problems. The best path of
LORD ACCEPTS AND EATS THE perfection  suitable to the individual's nature  is
OFFERING OF LOVE AND DEVOTION shown to His sincere devotees.
I am with the Father, and the Father is with Me
Whosoever offers Me a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or
(John 10.38 and 14.11). Ask and it shall be given. Seek
water with devotion, I accept and eat the offering
and you shall find (Matthew 7.07). God’s grace is just for
of devotion by the pure-hearted. (9.26)
the asking. The doors of devotion are open to all, but the
The Lord is hungry for love and the feeling of faithful and the dedicated ones who burn the incense of
devotion. A dedicated heart, not complicated rituals, is devotion in the temple of their heart become one with the
needed to please God and obtain His grace. One should Lord. A father loves all his children equally, but the child
consume food after offering it to God first. God eats the who is devoted to the father is more dear although he or
food offerings to please His devotees. The mind becomes she may not be very rich, intelligent, or powerful.
purified when one eats food after offering it first to the Similarly, a devotee is very dear to the Lord. Lord does
Lord. not give everything  such as both material and spiritual
wealth  to everybody. One attains perfection — by the
O Arjuna, whatever you do, whatever you eat, grace of God — through the practice of spiritual
whatever you offer as oblation to the sacred fire, discipline. Both self-effort and grace are needed.
whatever charity you give, whatever austerity you According to the Vedas, the gods help only those who
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help themselves (RV 4.33.11). Yogananda said: God Then it should be very easy for the wise and
chooses those who choose Him. devout sages to attain the Supreme Being.
Therefore, having obtained this joyless and
The grace of God, like rays of the sun, is equally
transitory human life, one should always worship
available to all, but due to free will one must open the
Me with loving devotion. (9.33)
window of the heart to let the sunshine come in. It is said
The living entity, under the spell of illusory
that divinity is our birthright; however, self-effort in the
power of divine kinetic energy (Maya), goes through the
right direction is also necessary to remove hindrances
repeated cycles of birth and death. The good Lord, out of
brought about by our own past deeds. The grace of God
His grace, gives to a living entity a human body that is
also comes expeditiously through our own efforts. It is
very difficult to obtain. The human body, created in the
also believed that divine grace and self-effort are one and
image of God, is the jewel of creation and has the ca-
the same. Self-effort promotes the process of God-
pacity to deliver the soul from the net of transmigration
realization as manure promotes growth of plants.
to higher levels of existence. All other forms of life on
THERE IS NO UNFORGIVABLE SINNER the earth, except human life, are devoid of higher
intellect and discrimination.
If even the most sinful person resolves to worship As a tiger suddenly comes and takes away a
Me with single-minded, loving devotion, such a lamb from the flock, similarly, death takes away a person
person must be regarded as a saint because of unexpectedly. Therefore, spiritual discipline and
making the right resolution. (9.30) righteous deeds should be performed without waiting for
There are no unforgivable sins or sinners. The a proper time to come (MB 12.175.13). The goal and
fire of sincere repentance burns all sins. The Koran says: obligation of human birth are to seek Him. The search
Those who believe in Allah and do right action, He will for God should not wait. One should continue this search
forgive their evil deeds (Surah 64.09). Yogananda used parallel with other duties of life; otherwise, it may be too
to say: A saint is the sinner who never gave up. Every late. Lord Krishna concludes this chapter by giving
saint had a past, and every sinner has a future. The Bible practical ways to engage people in His devotional service
says: Everyone who believes in Him shall have eternal below:
life (John 3.15). Acts of austerity, service, and charity,
done without any selfish motive, can atone for sinful Always think of Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me,
acts, as darkness vanishes after sunrise (MB 3.207.57). If and bow down to Me. Thus, uniting yourself with
a devotee keeps his or her mind focused on God, there Me by setting Me as the supreme goal and the sole
will be no room for sinful desires to mature, and a sinful refuge, you shall certainly come to Me. (9.34)
person soon becomes righteous as mentioned below:
10. MANIFESTATION OF THE
Such a person soon becomes righteous and
ABSOLUTE
attains everlasting peace. Be aware, O Arjuna, that
My devotee never fails to reach the goal. (9.31)
Lord Krishna said: O Arjuna, listen once again to
My supreme word that I shall speak to you, who
PATH OF DEVOTIONAL LOVE IS EASIER
are very dear to Me, for your welfare. (10.01)
Anybody  including women, merchants,
GOD IS THE ORIGIN OF EVERYTHING
laborers, and the evil-minded  can attain the
Supreme Abode by just surrendering unto My will
Neither the celestial controllers nor the great
with loving devotion, O Arjuna. (See also 18.66)
sages know My origin because I am the origin of
(9.32)
celestial controllers and great sages also. (10.02)
A spiritual discipline should be commensurate
with the faith, interest, and ability of the person. Some
One who knows Me as the unborn, the
may be disqualified or not ready to receive the
beginningless, and the Supreme Lord of the
knowledge of the Supreme, but the path of devotion is
universe, is considered wise among mortals and
open to all. No one is disqualified due to caste, creed,
becomes liberated from the bondage of Karma.
gender, or mental capacity to receive devotion. Most
(10.03)
saints and sages consider the path of devotion the easiest
and the best of all paths.
Discrimination, Self-knowledge, non-delusion,
forgiveness, truthfulness, control over the mind
and senses, tranquility, pleasure, pain, birth,

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death, fear, fearlessness, nonviolence, who are ever united with Me and lovingly adore Me
equanimity, contentment, austerity, charity, fame,  by which they come to Me. (10.10)
ill fame  these diverse qualities in human beings We are given powers of analysis and reasoning
arise from Me alone. (10.04-05) (Viveka) that can be used to understand the metaphysical
If you forgive others, your Father in heaven will science or Self-knowledge. Those who receive Him and
also forgive you (Matthew 6.14). Resist no evil with evil believe in Him, He makes them come to the Father in
(Matthew 5.39). Love your enemies, and pray for those heaven (John 1.12). Whosoever shall not receive the
who mistreat you (Matthew 5.44). One should control kingdom of God as a little child shall not enter therein
anger toward the wrong-doer. The controlled anger itself (Luke 18.17).
punishes the wrong-doer if the wrong-doer does not ask
forgiveness (MB 5.36.05). One who does wrong is I, who dwell within their inner psyche as
destroyed by the same act of wrong doing if he or she consciousness, destroy the darkness born of
does not ask forgiveness (MS 2.163). One who truly ignorance by the shining lamp of transcendental
forgives trespassers is happy because the anger of the knowledge as an act of compassion for them.
forgiver is exterminated. Progress in spiritual discipline (10.11)
is impeded if one's interpersonal relationship is full of All other forms of Krishna can be achieved by
hurt and negative feeling, even for a single living entity. different means of worship, but Krishna Himself can be
Therefore, one must learn to forgive and to ask achieved only by devotion and exclusive love
forgiveness. (Chimanbhai). The lamp of spiritual knowledge and
God-realization can be easily ignited by the intense spark
Even virtue has its own vice. Forgiveness may
of devotion, but never by intellect and logic alone.
often be construed as a sign of weakness; therefore,
clemency is the strength of the strong and a virtue for the
Arjuna said: You are the Supreme Being, the
weak. A person should be forgiven if he or she has
Supreme Abode, the Supreme Purifier, the Eternal
sincerely asked forgiveness, if it is the first offense, if the
Being, the primal God, the unborn, and the
offense was not intentional, and if the offender has been
omnipresent. All saints and sages have thus
helpful in the past. The tool of punishment may be used
acclaimed You, and now You Yourself are telling
 without any feeling of revenge  to correct and teach
me that. (10.12-13)
intentional and repeated offenders.
NOBODY CAN KNOW THE REAL
The great saints, sages, and all the creatures of
NATURE OF REALITY
the world were born from My potential energy.
(10.06)
O Krishna, I believe all that You have told me to be
true. O Lord, neither the celestial controllers nor
One who truly understands My manifestations and
the demons fully understand Your real nature.
yogic powers, is united with Me by unswerving
(See also 4.06) (10.14)
devotion. There is no doubt about it. (10.07)
O Creator and Lord of all beings, God of all
I am the origin of all. Everything emanates from
celestial rulers, the Supreme person, and Lord of
Me. The wise who understand this adore Me with
the universe, You alone know Yourself by
love and devotion. (10.08)
Yourself. (10.15)
That which is One has become this all (RV The Vedas left the final question of the origin of
8.58.02). ultimate Reality unanswered by stating that nobody
knows the ultimate source from where this creation has
My devotees remain ever content and delighted.
come. Sages went further by stating that perhaps even He
Their minds remain absorbed in Me and their lives
does not know (RV 10.129.06-07). One who says that I
surrendered unto Me. They always enlighten each
know God does not know; one who knows the Truth says
other by talking about Me. (10.09)
that I do not know. God is the unknown to a person of
Devotees are the well wishers of everyone and true knowledge; only the ignorant claim to know God
help others to advance on the spiritual path. (KeU 2.01-03). The ultimate source of cosmic energy is
and will remain a big mystery. Any specific description
LORD GIVES KNOWLEDGE TO HIS DEVOTEES
of God, including a description of heaven and hell, is
nothing but a mental speculation.
I give the powers of analysis and reasoning to
understand the metaphysical science  to those

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Therefore, You alone are able to fully describe I am the priest and the army general of the
Your own divine glories or the manifestations by celestial controllers, O Arjuna. I am the ocean
which You exist pervading all the universes. among the bodies of water. (10.24)
(10.16)
I am the great sage, Bhrigu. I am the monosyllable
How may I know You, O Lord, constantly cosmic sound ‘AUM’ among words; I am the silent
contemplating on You? In what form of repetition of mantra (Japa) among the spiritual
manifestation are You to be thought of by me, O disciplines, and I am the Himalaya among the
Lord? (10.17) mountains. (10.25)
A constant chanting of a mantra or any holy
O Lord, explain to me again, in detail, Your yogic name of God is considered by saints and sages of all
power and glory because I am not satiated by religions to be the easiest and most powerful method of
hearing Your nectar-like words. (10.18) Self-realization in the present age. The practice of this
spiritual discipline with faith will drive sound vibrations
EVERYTHING IS A MANIFESTATION into the deeper layers of mind where it works like a
OF THE ABSOLUTE damper in preventing the rise of waves of negative
thoughts and ideas, leading the way to inner awakening
Lord Krishna said: O Arjuna, now I shall explain to in due course of time. Meditation is the extended and
you My prominent divine manifestations because higher stage of this process. One must first practice this
My manifestations are endless. (10.19) before going into transcendental meditation. Swami
Harihar says: There should be no desire to gain any
O Arjuna, I am the Supreme Spirit (or Supersoul) worldly objects in exchange for the repetition of the
abiding in the inner psyche of all beings as soul divine name. The spiritual force of the divine name
(Atma). I am also the creator, maintainer, and should not be applied even for the destruction of sin. It
destroyer  or the beginning, the middle, and the should be resorted to for divine realization only.
end  of all beings. (10.20) The form of the Lord cannot be known nor
Spirit has no origin and is a property of the comprehended by the human mind without a name. If
Supreme Being, just as sunlight is a property of the sun one chants or meditates on the name without seeing the
(BS 2.03.17). The Supreme Being and Spirit are like sun form, the form flashes on the screen of the mind as an
and sunlight, different as well as non-different (BS object of love. A great saint said: Place the lamp of the
3.02.28). Within living beings, Spirit is the controller. name of the Lord near the door of your tongue if you
Spirit is different from the physical body, just as fire is want the light both inside and outside. The name of God
different from wood. is greater than both impersonal and personal aspects of
The senses, mind, and intellect cannot know God because the power of the name has control over both
Spirit or universal consciousness because the senses, aspects of God. It is said that the best of all spiritual
mind, and intellect get their power to function from Spirit efforts is to always remember and repeat the name of
alone (KeU 1.06). Spirit supplies power and supports the God.
senses, just as air burns and supports fire (MB
12.203.03). Spirit is the basis and support behind every A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DIVINE
form of power, movement, intellect, and life in this MANIFESTATIONS
universe. It is the power by which one sees, hears,
smells, thinks, loves, hates, and desires objects. I am the holy fig tree among the trees, Narada
among the sages, and I am all other celestial
I am the sustainer. I am the radiant sun among the rulers. (10.26)
luminaries; I am the controller of wind; I am the
moon among the stars. (10.21) Know Me as the celestial animals among the
animals and the King among men. I am the
I am the Vedas. I am the celestial rulers. I am the thunderbolt among weapons, and I am Cupid for
mind among the senses; I am the consciousness procreation. (10.27-28)
in living beings. (10.22)
I am the water-god and the manes. I am the
I am Lord Shiva. I am the god of wealth; I am the controller of death. I am the time or death among
god of fire and the mountains. (10.23) the healers, lion among the beasts, and the king of
birds among birds. (10.29-30)

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I am the wind among the purifiers and Lord Rama I am the origin of all beings, O Arjuna. There is
among the warriors. I am the crocodile among the nothing, animate or inanimate, that can exist
fishes and the holy Gangaa river among the rivers. without Me. (See also 7.10 and 9.18) (10.39)
(10.31) A big tree  with many branches, leaves, flow-
ers, fruits, and seeds  remains inside a tiny seed in
I am the beginning, the middle, and the end of all unmanifest form and becomes manifest again and again
creation, O Arjuna. Among knowledge I am into a tree. The tree again becomes unmanifest into the
knowledge of the supreme Self. I am logic of the seed. Similarly, all manifestations remain in the Absolute
logician. (10.32) in unmanifest form and become manifest during creation
and unmanifest during dissolution again and again. The
I am the letter ‘A’ among the alphabets. I am the fruit remains hidden in the seed and the seed in the fruit;
dual compound among the compound words. I am similarly, God is in human beings and human beings in
endless time. I am the sustainer, and I am God.
omniscient. (10.33)
MANIFEST CREATION IS A VERY SMALL
I am the all-devouring death and also the origin of FRACTION OF THE ABSOLUTE
future beings. I am the seven goddesses or
guardian angels presiding over the seven qualities There is no end of My divine manifestations, O
 fame, prosperity, speech, memory, intellect, Arjuna. This is only a brief description by Me of
resolve, and forgiveness. (10.34) the extent of My divine manifestations. (10.40)
The variety in the universe, from the highest
I am the Vedic and other hymns. I am the mantras; celestial controllers to the smallest insects and even the
I am November-December among the months, I am inert dust, is nothing but a manifestation of One and the
spring among the seasons. (10.35) same Absolute.
Whatever is endowed with glory, brilliance, and
I am gambling of the cheats, splendor of the power  know that to be a manifestation of a very
splendid, victory of the victorious, resolution of small fraction of My splendor. (10.41)
the resolute, and goodness of the good. (10.36)
Through the word, His cosmic sound vibration,
Both good and bad are the product of divine God made all things; not one thing in creation was made
power (Maya). Maya creates a multitude of merits and without His cosmic energy (John 1.03). This cosmic
demerits that have no real existence. The wise do not manifestation is non-separate from the Absolute just as
attach too much importance to it. One should develop sunshine is not separate from the sun (BP 4.31.16). The
good qualities and get rid of bad ones. After entire creation is a partial revelation and part and parcel
enlightenment, both good and bad, virtue and vice, are of the Infinite. The divine manifests its glory through
transcended, just as darkness vanishes after the sunrise. creation. The beauty and splendor of the visible universe
Vice and virtue are not two things, but one, the are only a small fraction of His glory.
difference being only the degree of manifestation. It is
true that God also dwells in the most sinful beings, but it What is the need for this detailed knowledge, O
is not proper to hate them or associate with them. Gandhi Arjuna? I continually support the entire universe
said: Hate the sin and not the sinner. by a very small fraction of My divine power. (10.42)
One should view the marvelous cosmic drama, Quantitatively, manifest creation is a very small
full of pairs of opposites in life, with ever-joyous heart fraction of the Absolute. The universe reflects the divine
because there is no good or evil, only different masks of splendor for human beings to see the invisible Lord. One
the cosmic actor. The scriptures denounce the idea of should learn to perceive God, not only as a person or
growing rich by unfair means, such as gambling, gifts, vision, but also through His splendor as manifested in the
and bribes. They recommend honest labor, sweat of the universe and through His laws that govern and control
brow, such as cultivating a cornfield, that is good for nature and life. He is existence, goodness, and beauty.
society as well as the individual (RV 10.34.13).
11. VISION OF THE COSMIC FORM
I am Krishna, Vyasa, Arjuna, and the power of
rulers, the statesmanship of the seekers of Arjuna said: My illusion is dispelled by the
victory. I am silence among secrets and Self- profound words of wisdom You spoke out of
knowledge of the knowledgeable. (10.37-38) compassion for me about the supreme secret of
the Self. (11.01)

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Arjuna saw the Universal Form of the Lord with
O Krishna, I have heard from You in detail about many mouths and eyes, and many marvelous
the origin and dissolution of beings and Your visions with numerous divine ornaments, holding
immutable glory. (11.02) many divine weapons, wearing divine garlands
and apparel, anointed with celestial perfumes and
VISION OF GOD IS THE ULTIMATE ointments, full of all wonders  the limitless God
AIM OF A SEEKER with faces on all sides. (11.10-11)

O Lord, You are as You have said; yet I wish to If the splendor of thousands of suns were to blaze
see Your divine cosmic form, O Supreme Being. forth all at once in the sky, even that would not
(11.03) resemble the splendor of that exalted being.
(11.12)
O Lord, if You think it is possible for me to see He came to tell about the light. This was the real
Your universal form, then, O Lord of the yogis, light, the light that comes into the world and sustains
show me Your transcendental form. (11.04) everything (John 1.09). O Lord, not even a million suns
There is no way to know God before could match You (RV 8.70.05). Robert Oppenheimer
experiencing Him. Faith in God rests on a shaky ground spoke this verse as he witnessed the explosion of the first
without a psychic vision of the object of devotion. All atom bomb.
our spiritual discipline is aimed at this vision. The vision
is essential to overcome the last bit of emotional impurity Arjuna saw the entire universe, divided in many
and any lingering doubt in the mind of the seeker ways, but standing as all in One and One in all in
because, to a human mind, seeing is believing. Therefore, the transcendental body of Krishna, the Lord of
Arjuna, like any other devotee, longs to see the celestial rulers. (See also 13.16, and 18.20) (11.13)
transcendental form of the Lord.
ONE MAY NOT BE PREPARED TO SEE THE
Lord Krishna said: O Arjuna, behold My hundreds LORD
and thousands of multifarious divine forms of
different colors and shapes. Behold all the
celestial beings and many wonders never seen Having seen the cosmic form of the Lord, Arjuna
before. Also behold the entire creation  animate, was filled with wonder and his hairs standing on
inanimate, and whatever else you would like to end, bowed his head to the Lord and prayed with
see  all at one place in My body. (11.05-07) folded hands. (11.14)

Arjuna said: O Lord, I see in Your body all

But you are not able to see Me with your physical
supernatural controllers, and multitudes of beings,
eye; therefore, I give you the divine eye to see My
sages, and celestials. (11.15)
majestic power and glory. (11.08)
No one can see Him with the physical eye. His O Lord of the universe, I see You everywhere with
transcendental form is beyond our field of vision. He is infinite forms, with many arms, stomachs, faces,
revealed through the faculty of intuition of the intellect and eyes. O Universal Form, I see neither your
that, residing within the inner psyche, controls the mind. beginning nor the middle nor the end. (11.16)
Those who know Him become immortal (KaU 6.09).
The Self is omnipresent, all pervading, beginnin-
We, like color blinds, are not able to see the full range of
gless and endless.
cosmic color and light with human eyes. The divine
vision, which is a gift of God, is needed to see the beauty
I see You with Your crown, club, discus, and
and glory of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
massive radiance, difficult to behold, shining all
LORD SHOWS HIS COSMIC around like the immeasurable brilliance and
FORM TO ARJUNA blazing fire of the sun. (11.17)

Sanjaya said: O King, having said this, Lord I believe You are the Supreme Being to be
Krishna, the great Lord of the mystic power of realized. You are the ultimate resort of the
yoga, revealed His supreme majestic form to universe. You are the Spirit and protector of the
Arjuna. (11.09) eternal order (Dharma). (11.18)

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I see You with infinite power, without beginning, Tell me, who are You in such a fierce form? My
middle, or end; with many arms; with the sun and salutations to You, O best of all celestial rulers. Be
the moon as Your eyes; with Your mouth as a merciful! I wish to understand You, O primal
blazing fire, scorching all the universe with Your Being, because I do not know Your mission.
radiance. (11.19) (11.31)

O Lord, You pervade the entire space between LORD DESCRIBES HIS POWERS
heaven and earth in all directions. Seeing Your
marvelous and terrible form, the three worlds are Lord Krishna said: I am death, the mighty
trembling with fear. (11.20) destroyer of the world. I have come here to
destroy all these people. Even without your
Hosts of supernatural rulers enter into You. Some participation in the war, all the warriors standing
with folded hands sing Your names and glories in arrayed in the opposing armies shall cease to
fear. A multitude of perfected beings hail and exist. (11.32)
adore You with abundant praises. (11.21)
All the celestial beings gaze at You in amazement. Therefore, get up and attain glory. Conquer your
Seeing your infinite form with many mouths, eyes, enemies, and enjoy a prosperous kingdom. I have
arms, thighs, feet, stomachs, and many fearful already destroyed all these warriors. You are
tusks, the worlds are trembling with fear, and so merely My instrument, O Arjuna. (11.33)
do I, O mighty Lord. (11.22-23) This is My battle, not yours. I use you, O Arjuna,
only as an instrument. I do everything through your
ARJUNA IS FRIGHTENED TO body. One must remember at all times that all battles are
SEE THE COSMIC FORM His, not ours. The Koran also says: You are but an
instrument, and Allah is in charge of all things. (Surah
I am frightened and find neither peace nor 11.12). The will and power of God do everything. No
courage, O Krishna, after seeing Your effulgent one can do anything without His power and will. It is
and colorful form touching the sky and Your wide God only who makes one restless for material life or
open mouth with large shining eyes. (11.24) spiritual life. Those who are not Self-realized mistakenly
take their will as God’s will and do wrong things.
I lose my sense of direction and find no comfort
after seeing Your mouths with fearful tusks Kill all these great warriors, who are already killed
glowing like fires of cosmic dissolution. Have by Me. Do not fear. You will certainly conquer the
mercy on me, O Lord of celestial rulers, and enemies in the battle; therefore, fight! (11.34)
refuge of the universe! (11.25)
ARJUNA’S PRAYERS TO THE COSMIC FORM
All my cousin brothers, along with the hosts of
other kings and warriors of the other side, Sanjaya said: Having heard these words of
together with chief warriors on our side, are also Krishna, the crowned Arjuna, trembling with
quickly entering into Your fearful mouths with folded hands, prostrated with fear, spoke to
terrible tusks. Some are seen caught in between Krishna in a choked voice. (11.35)
the tusks with their heads crushed. (11.26-27)
Arjuna said: Rightly, O Krishna, the world delights
These warriors of the mortal world are entering and rejoices in glorifying You. Terrified demons
Your blazing mouths as many torrents of rivers flee in all directions. The hosts of sages bow to
enter into the ocean. (11.28) You in adoration. (11.36)

All these people are rapidly rushing into Your Why should they not, O great soul, bow to You 
mouths for destruction as moths rush with great the original Creator  who is even greater than
speed into the blazing flame for destruction. Brahmaa, the creator of material worlds? O infinite
(11.29) Lord, O God of all celestial rulers, O abode of the
universe, You are both Eternal and Temporal, and
You are licking up all the worlds with Your flaming the Supreme Being that is beyond Eternal and
mouths, swallowing them from all sides. Your Temporal. (See also 9.19, and 13.12 for a
powerful radiance is filling the entire universe with commentary) (11.37)
effulgence and burning it, O Krishna. (11.30)

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You are the primal God, the most ancient Person. Lord Krishna said: O Arjuna, being pleased with
You are the ultimate resort of the entire universe. you I have shown you, through My own yogic
You are the knower, the object of knowledge, and powers, My particular supreme, shining, universal,
the Supreme Abode. O Lord of the infinite form, infinite, and primal form that has never been seen
You pervade the entire universe. (11.38) before by anyone other than you. (11.47)

You are the fire, the wind, the water god, the moon O Arjuna, neither by study of the Vedas nor by
god, the Creator (Brahm|), as well as the father of sacrifice nor by charity nor by rituals nor by
the Creator (Brahm|), and the controller of death. severe austerities can I be seen in this cosmic
Salutations to You a thousand times, and again form by any one other than you in this human
and again salutations to You. (11.39) world. (11.48)

My salutations to You from front and from behind. LORD SHOWS ARJUNA HIS FOUR-ARMED
O Lord, my obeisance to You from all sides. You AND THE HUMAN FORM
are infinite valor and boundless might. You
pervade everything, and, therefore, You are Do not be perturbed and confused by seeing such
everywhere and in everything. (11.40) a terrible form of Mine as this. With fearless and
cheerful mind, now behold My four-armed form.
Considering You merely as a friend and not (11.49)
knowing Your greatness, I have inadvertently
addressed You as O Krishna, O Yadava, and O Sanjaya said: After speaking like this to Arjuna,
friend merely out of affection or carelessness. Krishna revealed His four-armed form. And then
(11.41) assuming His pleasant human form, Lord Krishna,
In whatever way I may have insulted You in jokes the Great One, consoled Arjuna, who was terrified.
while playing, reposing in bed, sitting, or at meals; (11.50)
when alone or in front of others, O Krishna, the
immeasurable One, I implore You for forgiveness. Arjuna said: O Krishna, seeing this lovely human
(11.42) form of Yours, I have now become tranquil and
normal again. (11.51)
You are the father of this animate and inanimate
world and the greatest guru to be worshipped. No LORD CAN BE SEEN BY DEVOTIONAL LOVE
one is even equal to You in the three worlds; how
can there be one greater than You, O Being of Lord Krishna said: This four-armed form of Mine
incomparable glory? (11.43) that you have seen is very difficult, indeed, to see.
Even celestial controllers are ever longing to see
this form. (11.52)
Therefore, O adorable Lord, I seek Your mercy by
bowing down and prostrating my body before You.
Bear with me as a father to his son, as a friend to a This four-armed form of Mine that you have just
friend, and as a husband to his wife, O Lord. seen cannot be seen even by study of the Vedas
(11.44) or by austerity or by acts of charity or by the
performance of rituals. (11.53)
Beholding that which has never been seen before No one attains the almighty Lord by good works
delights me, and yet my mind is tormented with alone (RV 8.70.03, AV 20.92.18). The omnipresent form
fear. Therefore, O God of celestial rulers, the of the Lord cannot be perceived by organs, but by the
refuge of the universe, have mercy on me and eyes of intuition and faith. The vision and yogic powers
show me your four-armed form. (11.45) are the special gift and grace of God that may be granted,
even without asking, when one is found fit by the Lord to
ONE MAY SEE GOD IN ANY FORM use them in His service. According to Saint Ramdas, all
OF ONE'S CHOICE visions of lights and forms have to be transcended before
realization of the ultimate Truth. Yogic powers may
I wish to see You with a crown, holding mace and become a hindrance on the path of spiritual journey.
discus in Your hand. Therefore, O Lord, with
thousand arms and universal form, please appear However, through single-minded devotion alone, I
in the four-armed form. (11.46) can be seen in this form, can be known in

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essence, and also can be reached, O Arjuna. religion. Jesus also said: You shall love the Lord with all
(11.54) your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind;
and you shall love everybody as yourself (Matthew
One who dedicates all works to Me and to whom I 22.37-39).
am the supreme goal, who is my devotee, who has
no attachment or selfish desires, and who is free They also attain Me who worship the
from malice toward any creature  reaches Me, O unchangeable, the inexplicable, the invisible, the
Arjuna. (See also 8.22) (11.55) omnipresent, the inconceivable, the unchanging,
the immovable, and the formless  My impersonal
12. PATH OF DEVOTION aspect  restraining all the senses, even-minded
under all circumstances, engaged in the welfare of
SHOULD ONE WORSHIP A PERSONAL all creatures. (12.03-04)
OR AN IMPERSONAL GOD? A person who is competent to worship the
formless aspect of God must have a complete mastery
Arjuna asked: Which of these has the best over the senses, be tranquil under all circumstances, and
knowledge of yoga  those ever-steadfast be engaged in the welfare of all creatures. The path of
devotees who worship Your personal aspect, or personalism allows one to relish the name, form, and
those who worship Your impersonal aspect, the pastimes of the Lord as they happened when He
formless Absolute? (12.01) manifested on the earth. The path of impersonalism is
dry, full of difficulties, and advancement on this path is
Lord Krishna explained the superiority of the very slow as discussed in the next verse.
path of spiritual knowledge in the fourth chapter (4.33,
and 4.34). He explained the importance of worship of the REASONS FOR WORSHIPPING A PERSONAL
formless Supreme (or Self) in verses 5.24-25, 6.24-28, FORM OF GOD
and 8.11-13. He also emphasized the worship of God
with form or Krishna in 7.16-18, 9.34, and 11.54-55. It Self-realization is more difficult for those who fix
was thus natural for Arjuna to ask which path is better their mind on the impersonal, unmanifest, and
for most people in general. formless Absolute because comprehension of the
unmanifest by embodied beings is attained with
Lord Krishna said: I consider the best yogis to be great difficulty. (12.05)
those ever steadfast devotees who worship with
supreme faith by fixing their mind on Me as their One must be free from body-feeling and be
personal God. (See also 6.47) (12.02) established in feeling the existence of the Self alone if
one wants to succeed in worship of formless Absolute.
Devotion is defined as the highest love for God One becomes free from the bodily conception of life
(SBS 02). True devotion is motiveless intense love of when one is fully purified and acts solely for the
God to attain Him (NBS 02). Real devotion is seeking Supreme Lord. Attainment of such a state is not possible
God’s grace and serving with love to please Him. Thus, for the average human being, but only for advanced
devotion is doing one’s duty as an offering to the Lord souls. Therefore, the natural course for the ordinary
with love of God in one’s heart. It is also said that seeker is to worship God with a form. Thus the method
devotion is granted by the grace of God. A loving of worship depends on the individual. One should find
relationship with God is easily developed through a out for oneself which method suits one best. It is quite
personal God. The faithful followers of the path of fruitless to ask a child to worship a formless God,
devotion to the personal God in human form such as whereas a sage sees God in every form and does not need
Rama, Krishna, Moses, Buddha, Christ, and Muhammad a statue or even a picture of God for worship.
are considered the best. The Bible says: I am the way; no
one goes to Father except through me (John 14.06). Loving contemplation and deity worship of a
Some saints consider devotion superior to Self- personal God is a necessary first step for realization of
knowledge (SBS 05). the impersonal Absolute. It is also said that devotion to
the personal aspect of God leads one to the
All spiritual practices are useless in the absence transcendental aspect. God is not only an extra cosmic,
of devotion, the deep love of God. The pearl of Self- all-powerful Being, but the very Self in all beings. The
knowledge is born on the nucleus of faith and devotion worship of God as a person in the form of one's personal
only. Saint Ramanuja said that those who worship the favorite deity stimulates divine love that rouses Self-
manifest reach their goal sooner and with less difficulty. consciousness and experience of unity in due course of
Love of God and all His creatures is the essence of all time. God, the transcendent, is revealed in one’s pure

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inner psyche after the loving contemplation of God, the FOUR PATHS TO GOD
immanent.
People are born different. Anybody who
There is no real difference between the two paths
prescribes one method for all is certainly deluded
— the path of devotion to a personal God and the path of
because there is no panacea. A single method or system
Self-knowledge of the impersonal God — in their higher
cannot meet the spiritual needs of all. Hinduism, with its
reaches. In the highest stage of realization they merge
many branches and sub-branches, offers a very wide
and become one. Other sages also consider the path of
choice of spiritual practices to suit persons in any stage
devotion easier for most people, particularly for
of spiritual development. All paths lead to salvation
beginners. According to Tulasidasa, the path of Self-
because they all culminate in devotion  the intense
knowledge is difficult to comprehend, to explain, and to
love of God.
follow. It is also very easy to fall down from the path of
knowledge or retreat to the lower sensual plane of
Therefore, focus your mind on Me and let your
consciousness (TR 7.118.00). In the next two verses, the
intellect dwell upon Me alone through meditation
Lord says that the path of devotion is not only easier, but
and contemplation. Thereafter, you shall certainly
also faster than the path of knowledge.
attain Me. (12.08)
The personal and the impersonal, the physical
This is the path of meditation (See Chapter 6 for
form and the transcendental form, are the two sides of
more details) for the contemplative mind. Thinking of a
the coin of ultimate Reality. Ramakrishna said: “Image
chosen form of God all the time is different from
worship is necessary in the beginning, but not afterwards,
worshipping that form, but both practices are the same in
just as a scaffolding is necessary during the construction
quality and effect. In other words, contemplation is also a
of a building.” A person must learn to fix thoughts and
form of worship.
mind first on a personal God with a form and then, after
succeeding therein, fix them upon the transcendental
If you are unable to focus your mind steadily on
form. The highest liberation is possible only by
Me, then long to attain Me by practice of any other
realization of God as the very Self in all beings, (BS
spiritual discipline, such as a ritual, or deity
4.3.15, ShU 3.07) and it comes only through maturity of
worship that suits you. (12.09)
devotion to the personal God and His grace. This
This is the path of ritual, prayer, and devotional
realization is the second (or spiritual) birth, or the second
worship recommended for people who are emotional,
coming of Christ. Jesus said: The Kingdom of the Father
have more faith but less reasoning and intellect (See also
is spread upon the earth, and people do not see. Another
9.32). Constantly contemplate and concentrate your mind
great saint said: It is like a fish in the water remaining
on God, using symbols or mental pictures of a personal
thirsty and searching for water.
God as an aid to develop devotion.
According to ancient scriptures, any spiritual
practice becomes more powerful when it is done with If you are unable even to do any spiritual
knowledge, faith, and contemplation of a personal deity discipline, then dedicate all your work to Me, or do
(ChU 1.01.10). Ascetic practice, prayer, charity, your duty just for Me. You shall attain perfection
penance, performance of sacrifice, vows, and other by doing your prescribed duty for Me — without
religious observances fail to evoke Lord’s compassion to any selfish motive — just as an instrument to
the same degree as unalloyed devotion does. The magnet serve and please Me. (12.10)
of devotion easily attracts the Lord (TR 6.117.00). This is the path of transcendental knowledge or
renunciation, acquired through contemplation and
But for those devotees  whose minds are set on scriptural study for people who have realized the truth
My personal form, who worship Me meditating on that we are only divine instruments. (See also 9.27,
My personal form with unswerving devotion, 18.46). Lord Himself guides every endeavor of the
setting Me as their supreme goal, offering all person who works for the good of humanity, and success
actions to Me  I swiftly become their savior from comes to a person who dedicates his or her life to the
the world that is the ocean of death and service of God.
transmigration, O Arjuna. (12.06-07)
One can easily cross the ocean of transmigration If you are unable to dedicate your work to Me, then
with the help of the boat of unswerving love and just surrender unto My will and renounce the
devotion to a personal God with form (TR 7.122.00). The attachment to, and the anxiety for, the fruits of all
following verses explain four different methods of work by learning to accept all results with
worship of God with or without the help of a form of equanimity as God's grace. (12.11)
God or deity.

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This is the path of KarmaYoga, the selfless 12.13-12.19 by describing the qualities of an ideal
service to humanity, discussed in Chapter 3, for devotee, or a Self-realized person. All these noble
householders who cannot renounce worldly activity and qualities become manifest in a devotee.
work full-time for God, as discussed in verse 12.10,
above. The main thrust of verses 12.08-11 is that one One is also dear to Me who does not agitate others
must establish some relationship with the Lord  such and who is not agitated by them, who is free from
as the progenitor, father, mother, beloved, child, savior, joy, envy, fear, and anxiety. (12.15)
guru, master, helper, guest, friend, and even an enemy.
KarmaYoga, or the renunciation of the selfish One who is desireless, pure, wise, impartial, and
attachment to fruits of work, is not a method of last resort free from anxiety; who has renounced the
 as it may appear from verse 12.11. It is explained in doership in all undertakings  such a devotee is
the following verse. dear to Me. (12.16)

KARMA-YOGA IS THE BEST One who neither rejoices nor grieves, neither likes
WAY TO START WITH nor dislikes, has renounced both the good and the
evil, and is full of devotion  is also dear to Me.
The transcendental knowledge of scriptures is (12.17)
better than mere ritualistic practice; meditation is
better than scriptural knowledge; renunciation of One who remains the same towards friend or foe,
selfish attachment to the fruits of work in honor or disgrace, in heat or cold, in pleasure or
(KarmaYoga) is better than meditation because pain; who is free from attachment; who is
peace immediately follows renunciation of selfish indifferent to censure or praise; who is quiet, and
motives. (See more on renunciation in 18.02, and content with whatever one has, unattached to a
18.09) (12.12) place, a country, or a house; who is tranquil, and
full of devotion  that person is dear to Me.
When one's knowledge of God increases, all (12.18-19)
Karma is gradually eliminated because one who is It is said that divine Controllers with their
situated in knowledge thinks he or she is not the doer but exalted qualities, such as the knowledge of God, wisdom,
an instrument working at the pleasure of the creator. renunciation, detachment, and equanimity, always reside
Such an action in God-consciousness becomes devotion in the inner psyche of a pure devotee. Thus, perfect
 free from any Karmic bondage. Thus, there is no devotees who have renounced affinity for the world and
sharp demarcation between the paths of selfless service, its objects and have love for God are rewarded by the
spiritual knowledge, and devotion. Lord with divine qualities discussed above and elsewhere
in the Gita, and are dear to the Lord. But what about
those who are imperfect, but trying sincerely for
THE ATTRIBUTES OF A DEVOTEE perfection? The answer comes in the next verse.
One is dear to Me who does not hate any creature, ONE SHOULD SINCERELY STRIVE TO
who is friendly and compassionate, who is free DEVELOP DIVINE QUALITIES
from the notion of ‘I’ and ‘my’, who is even-minded
in pain and pleasure, who is forgiving, who is ever But those faithful devotees are very dear to Me
content, who has subdued the mind, whose re- who set Me as their supreme goal and follow — or
solve is firm, whose mind and intellect are just sincerely strive to develop — the above
engaged in dwelling upon Me, and who is devoted mentioned nectar of (forty) moral values. (12.20)
to Me. (12.13-14) One may not have all the virtues, but a sincere
To attain oneness with God, one has to become effort to develop virtues is most appreciated by the Lord.
perfect like Him by cultivating moral virtues. The Bible Thus the striver is very dear to the Lord. The upper-class
also says: Try to perfect yourself, just as your Father in devotees do not desire anything, including salvation from
the heaven is perfect (Matthew 5.48). Saint Tulasidasa the Lord, except for one boon: devotion to the lotus feet
said: O Lord, anyone on whom You shower Your favor of a personal God, birth after birth (TR 2.204.00). Lower
becomes an ocean of perfection. The monstrous squad of class devotees use God as a servant to fulfill their
lust, anger, greed, infatuation, and pride haunts the mind material demands and desires. The development of
so long as the Lord does not abide in the inner psyche. unswerving love and devotion to the lotus feet of the
Virtues and discipline are two sure means of devotion. A Lord is the ultimate aim of all spiritual discipline and
list of forty (40) virtues and values is given in verses meritorious deeds, as well as the goal of human birth. A

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true devotee considers oneself the servant, the Lord as Lord Krishna has been talking about both
the master, and the entire creation as His body. manifest and unmanifest aspects of God in the previous
chapters. Arjuna’s question has been answered in great
The path of devotion is a better path for most
detail in this chapter, but people still argue that one
people, but devotion does not develop without a
method of worship or certain religious practices are
combination of personal effort, faith, and the grace of
better than others. Such persons only understand half the
God. Nine techniques for cultivating devotion  an
truth. In our opinion, it is quite clear that the method of
intense love for God as a personal Being  based on
worship depends on the nature of the individual. The
Tulasi Ramayana (TR 3.34.04-3.35.03), are: (1) The
person or the person’s guru should find out which path
company of the holy and wise, (2) Hearing and reading
will be most suitable for the individual, depending on the
the glories and stories of Lord’s incarnations and His
person's temperament. To force his or her own method of
activities of creation, preservation and dissolution as
worship on people is the greatest disservice a guru can do
given in the religious scriptures, (3) Seva or serving God
to disciples. Introverts should worship a personal God,
through service to the needy, the saints, and society, (4)
whereas extroverts may contemplate the impersonal
Congregational chanting and singing of the glories of
aspect. The important thing is to develop faith in and
God, (5) Repeating the Lord’s name and mantra with
love of God. God has the power to manifest before a
firm faith, (6) Discipline, control over the six senses, and
devotee in any form, regardless of the devotee’s chosen
detachment, (7) Seeing your personal God everywhere
form of worship.
and in everything, (8) Contentment and lack of greed as
well as overlooking others’ faults, and (9) Simplicity, What has worked for one may not work for all,
lack of anger, jealousy, and hatred. The best thing a so what makes you think your method is universal?
person should do is develop love of God. Lord Rama There was no need for the Lord to discuss different paths
said that one needs to follow any one of the above of yoga if there was one path for all. If the chosen path of
methods with faith to develop love of God and become a spiritual discipline does not give one peace or God-
devotee. realization, then it must be understood that one is not
practicing correctly or the path is not right for the
Good company of saints and sages is a very
individual.
powerful tool for God-realization. It is said that
friendship, discussions, dealings, and marriage should be
with equals or those who are better than oneself, not with 13. CREATION AND THE CREATOR
persons of lower level of intellect (MB 5.13.117). A
person is known by the company he or she keeps. THEORY OF CREATION
According to most saints and sages, the path of devotion
Lord Krishna said: O Arjuna, this physical body,
is very simple and easy to perform. One can begin by
the miniature universe, may be called the field or
simply chanting a personal mantra or any holy name of
creation. One who knows the creation is called the
God. There is no restriction on the correct time or place
Creator (or the Spirit, Atma, God, Ishvara) by the
for chanting the holy name of God. The process of
seers of truth. (13.01)
devotional service consists of one or more of the
Whatever is here in the body is also there in the
following practices: hearing discourses, chanting the
cosmos; whatever is there, the same is here (KaU 4.10).
holy name of God, remembering and contemplating God,
The human body, the microcosm, is a replica of the
worshipping Him, praying to Him, serving God and
universe, the macrocosm. The body is called the field of
humanity, and surrendering to His will.
activities for the soul. The body or creation is different
The four inter-connected paths of yoga discussed from the soul or the Creator. To experience this
in the first twelve chapters of the Gita may be difference is the metaphysical knowledge.
summarized as follows:
The practice of KarmaYoga leads to purification O Arjuna, know Me to be the Creator of all the
of the mind from the stain of selfishness that paves the creation. I consider the true understanding of both
way for knowledge of God to be revealed. Knowledge the Creator and the creation to be transcendental
develops into devotional love of God. Constant thinking knowledge. (13.02)
of God, the object of our love due to devotion, is called The body (or creation) and Spirit (or the Creator)
meditation and contemplation that eventually lead to are distinct from one another. Yet, the ignorant are not
enlightenment and salvation. able to distinguish between them. That knowledge is the
IS THERE ONLY ONE RIGHT WAY TO GOD? true knowledge by which one is able to make a clear
distinction between body and Spirit. Body is called the
field (or the medium) of activities for the Spirit. The

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human body is the medium by which the individual soul help of mind and intellect. When the cosmic power does
enjoys the material world, gets entangled, and in the end the functions of the body, it is called the bioimpulse
attains liberation. The soul inside the body knows all the (Vital life forces, Pr|na). The Supreme Spirit or
activities of its own body; it is, therefore, called the Consciousness manifests Itself as both energy and
knower of the field of activities. The Supersoul knows all matter. Matter and energy are nothing but condensed
the bodies, whereas the individual soul knows only his forms of Consciousness. According to Einstein, mind
own body. When one clearly understands the difference and matter are both energies (Pr|na). Ramana Maharshi
between the body, the individual soul inside the body, said: The mind is a form of energy. It manifests itself as
and the Supersoul, one is said to have real knowledge. the world.

THE FOURFOLD NOBLE TRUTH

What creation is, what it is like, what its
AS MEANS OF NIRVANA
transformations are, where the source of creation
is, who that Creator is, and what His powers are 
Humility, modesty, nonviolence, forgiveness,
hear all these from Me in brief. (13.03)
honesty, service to guru, purity of thought, word,
and deed, steadfastness, self-control, aversion for
The seers have separately described the creation
sense objects, absence of ego, constant reflection
and the Creator in different ways in the Vedic
on the pain and suffering inherent in birth, old age,
hymns and also in the conclusive and convincing
disease, and death; (13.07-08)
verses of other scriptures. (13.04)
Verse 13.08 of the Gita formed the foundation of
The Gita also expounds on the truths of other
Buddhism. The constant contemplation and
scriptures. All scriptures, as well as saints and sages of
understanding of agony and suffering inherent in birth,
all religions, draw the water of truth from the same ocean
old age, disease, and death are called the understanding
of Spirit. Their accent varies with the need of the
of the Fourfold Noble Truth in Buddhism. A clear
individual and the society at the time.
understanding of this truth is necessary before starting
the spiritual journey. A disgust and discontent for the
The primary material Nature, the cosmic intellect,
meaninglessness and unreality of the world and its
‘I’ consciousness or ego, five basic elements, ten
objects become a necessary prelude to the spiritual
organs, mind, five sense objects, and desire,
journey. As birds seek the shelter of a tree when tired,
hatred, pleasure, pain, the physical body,
similarly, human beings seek the divine shelter after
consciousness, and resolve  thus the entire field
discovering the frustrations and joylessness of material
has been briefly described with its
existence.
transformations. (See also 7.04) (13.05-06)
According to Sankhya doctrine (BP 3.26.10-18, Detachment with family members, home, etc.;
11.22.10-16), Spirit undergoes twenty-five basic unfailing equanimity upon attainment of the
transformations in the following order: Spiritual Being desirable and the undesirable and unswerving
(Purusha, Chetan|, Ishvara) and the following twenty- devotion to Me through single-minded
four transformations of Total Energy (Prakriti, Mahat): contemplation; taste for solitude; distaste for
Mind, Intellect, Consciousness (Chitta), and the social gatherings and gossips; steadfastness in
conception of individuality (ego); the five basic acquiring the knowledge of the Self; and seeing
elements, or raw ingredients, in subtle and gross form the omnipresent Supreme Being everywhere 
(ether or subtle substance, air, fire, water, and earth); the this is said to be knowledge. That which is
five sense objects (sound, touch, sight, taste, and smell); contrary to this is ignorance. (13.09-11)
the five sense organs (ear, skin, eye, tongue, and nose); Cultivating the virtues described in verses 13.07-
and the five organs of action (mouth, hand, leg, anus, and 11 will enable one to perceive the body as different from
urethra). the Self. Thus, one will attain Self-knowledge.
The Supreme Intellect is known by various Therefore, these virtues are called knowledge. Those
names, based on functions performed in the body. It is who do not possess these virtues cannot get the true
called mind when it feels and thinks, intellect when it knowledge of the Self and will remain in the darkness of
reasons, thought waves (Chitta Vriti) when it does the act body-consciousness or ignorance.
of remembering and wandering from one thought to When one becomes firmly convinced that God
another, and ego when it has the feeling of doership and alone is everything  father, mother, brother, friend,
individuality. The subtle senses consist of all four — enemy, sustainer, destroyer, and refuge  and there is
mind, intellect, thought waves, and ego. It is the Karmic nothing higher than Him to attain, and one has no
footprints that actually make the final decision with the thought of any other object, one is said to have

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developed unswerving devotion to the Lord through He is inside as well as outside all beings, animate
single-minded contemplation. In this state of mind, the and inanimate. He is incomprehensible because of
seeker and the sought-after become qualitatively one and His subtlety. And because of His omnipresence,
the same. He is very near  residing in our inner psyche 
as well as far away in the Supreme Abode. (13.15)
THE SUPREME CAN BE DESCRIBED BY
PARABLES, AND NOT IN ANY OTHER WAY He is undivided, yet appears to exist as if divided
in living beings. He is the object of knowledge and
I shall fully describe the Supreme Being  the appears as the Creator (Brahm|), Sustainer
object of knowledge. By knowing this one attains (Vishnu), and Destroyer (Shankara) of all beings.
immortality. The beginningless Supreme Being is (See also 11.13, and 18.20) (13.16)
said to be neither eternal nor temporal. (See also One planet earth appears divided into so many
9.19, 11.37, and 15.18) (13.12) countries; one country appears divided into several
In the beginning there was neither Eternal Being states; one state appears divided into counties, and so on;
(Sat, Brahma) nor temporal (Asat, Divine Beings, Devas) similarly, one Reality appears as many. These are
 no sky, no air, neither day nor night. There was apparent divisions because they have the same order of
nothing whatsoever other than the Absolute Supreme reality. The term God is used for the Generator,
Being (RV 10.129.01, AiU 1.01). The Absolute is Operator, and Destroyer aspects of Self.
beyond both Divine Beings (celestial controllers, Devas)
and the Eternal Being (Spirit) (Verse 15.18). Therefore, The Supreme Being is the source of all lights. He
He is neither temporal nor eternal. The Supreme Being or is said to be beyond darkness of ignorance. He is
the Absolute is also both temporal and eternal (Verse Self-knowledge, the object of Self-knowledge, and
9.19) and beyond temporal and eternal (Verses 11.37, seated in the inner psyche as consciousness (or
15.18) because He is everywhere, in everything, and also Ishvara in verse 18.61) of all beings, He is to be
beyond everything. Therefore, the Absolute is all three realized by Self-knowledge. (13.17)
 neither temporal nor eternal, beyond both temporal I am the light of knowledge of the world.
and eternal, as well as both temporal and eternal  at the Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will
same time. never walk in the darkness of ignorance (John 8.12). One
who knows the Almighty as much more radiant than the
The Supreme Being has His hands, feet, eyes, sun and beyond the darkness of material reality,
head, mouth, and ears everywhere because He is transcends death. There is no other way (YV 31.18, SV
all-pervading and omnipresent. (13.13) 3.08). The Supreme is beyond the reach of senses and
mind. It cannot be described or defined by words.
He is the perceiver of all sense objects without the Different means of attaining the Supreme continue
physical sense organs; unattached, and yet the below:
sustainer of all; devoid of the three modes of
material Nature, and yet the enjoyer of the modes Thus, I have briefly described creation, as well as
of material Nature by becoming the living entity. Self-knowledge and the object of Self-knowledge.
(13.14) Understanding this, My devotee attains My
Self walks without legs, hears without ears, Supreme Abode. (13.18)
performs many actions without hands, smells without a
nose, sees without eyes, speaks without a mouth, and SUPREME SPIRIT, SPIRIT, MATERIAL NATURE,
enjoys all tastes without a tongue. All His actions are so AND THE INDIVIDUAL SOULS
marvelous that one finds His greatness utterly beyond
description (TR 1.117.03-04). The Supreme Being may Know that both the material Nature and the
be described only by parables and paradoxes and in no Spiritual Being are beginningless. All
other way. (See also ShU 3.19). Self expands Himself as manifestations and three dispositions of mind and
the living entity to enjoy three modes of material Nature. matter, called modes or Gunas, are born of
God does not possess a body like an ordinary material Nature. Material Nature is said to be the
being. All His senses are transcendental, or out of this cause of production of the physical body and
world. His potencies are multifarious. Any one of His organs of perception and action. Spirit (or
senses can perform the action of any other sense. All His Consciousness) in the individual soul is said to be
deeds are automatically performed as a natural the cause of experiencing pleasure and pain.
consequence. (13.19-20)

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Spiritual Being (by becoming jeeva) enjoys three The mind, endowed with infinite power, creates
modes of material Nature by associating with the a body to reside in and fulfill its latent desires. The living
material Nature. Attachment to the three modes of entity becomes willingly entangled  and suffers like a
material Nature (due to ignorance caused by silkworm entangled in its own cocoon  and it cannot
previous Karma) is the cause of birth of the living get out. The living entity becomes bound by its own
entity in good and evil wombs. (13.21) Karma and transmigrates. All actions, good or bad,
produce bondage if performed with ego. Good actions
Spirit is unaffected by material Nature just as the are the golden shackles, and bad ones are the iron
sun’s reflection in water is unaffected by the properties shackles. Both are fetters. The golden shackle is not a
of water. Spirit, because of His nature, associates with bracelet.
the six sensory faculties and ego of material Nature and
The living entity is like a farmer who has been
becomes attached, forgets His real nature, performs good
given a plot of land that is the body. The farmer should
and evil deeds, loses independence, and transmigrates as
take the weeds of lust, anger, and greed out of the land,
a living entity (individual soul, Jiva) (BP 3.27.01-03).
cultivate it with the plow of intense desire for the love of
The living entity does not know the divine illusory
God, and fertilize it with the firm faith in the power and
energy (Maya), as well as the supreme controller and its
omnipresence of God. Depending on the intensity of the
own real nature. The individual soul is a reflection of the
desire and the degree of faith, the seedling of devotion
sun of Spirit in the water pot of human body.
will come out in due course of time. This seedling must
be consistently and continually irrigated with the water
The Spirit in the body is the witness, the guide, the
of meditation on the chosen form of one’s personal God.
supporter, the enjoyer, the controller of all events,
The forgetfulness of living entity’s real nature disappears
and also the Supreme Self. (13.22)
with the blooming of the flowers of Self-knowledge and
Two aspects of Eternal Being  the divine
detachment. The flowers bear the fruits of Self-
Controller and the controlled (living entity, individual
realization and vision of God, leading to the freedom
soul)  make their nest and reside on the same tree (the
from transmigration of Jeeva, the individual soul, by the
inner psyche of the body) as a part of the cosmic drama.
grace of Ishvara, the supreme controller.
Virtue and vice are its glorious flowers; pains and
pleasures of sense gratification are its sweet and sour They who truly understand Spirit and material
fruits. The living entities are like beautiful birds of Nature with its three modes are not born again,
various hues. No two birds are the same. Creation is just regardless of their way of life. (13.23)
beautiful. And the Creator must be inconceivably
beautiful. The living entity, due to ignorance, becomes Some perceive the Supersoul in their inner psyche
captivated by the fruits of the tree and gets attached to through mind and intellect that have been purified
material Nature, eats these fruits and becomes subject to either by meditation or by metaphysical
bondage and liberation, whereas the divine controller sits knowledge or by selfless service. (13.24)
on the tree, watches, and guides the living entity. The
divine Controller, being unattached to material Nature, FAITH AND DEVOTION CAN
remains free as a witness and a guide (BP 11.11.06, See ALSO LEAD TO NIRVANA
also RV 1.164.20, AV 9.09.20, MuU 3.01.01, ShU 4.06).
The divine Controller remains unaffected and unattached Others, however, do not know the yogas of
to the modes of material Nature just as a lotus leaf meditation, knowledge, and selfless service; but
remains unaffected by water. they perform deity worship with firm faith and
Spirit is sentient, and material Nature is loving devotion, as mentioned in the scriptures by
insentient. Material Nature, with the help of Spirit, the saints and sages. They also transcend death
produces five bioimpulses (Life forces, Prana) and the by virtue of their firm faith in what they have
three modes. Spirit, residing as the divine Controller in heard. (13.25)
the physical body that is a house with nine gates and Blessed are they that have not understood, yet
made of twenty-four elements of material Nature, enjoys have believed (John 20.29). If you believe, you will
sense objects by associating with the modes of material receive whatever you ask for (Matthew 21.22). It is not
Nature. Spirit forgets its real nature under the influence necessary to completely understand God to obtain His
of divine illusory energy (Maya), feels pain and pleasure, grace, to love Him, and to attain Him. Any spiritual
does good and evil deeds, incurs the bondage of works practice done without faith is an exercise in futility. Our
done by free will due to ignorance, and seeks salvation. intellect stands in the way as an obstruction to faith.
When the living entity renounces sense objects and rises
above the modes of material Nature, it attains salvation.

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Whatever is born  animate or inanimate  know any object other than Spirit appears to exist, it is unreal
them to be born from the union of Spirit and like a mirage, a dream, or the existence of a snake in the
matter, O Arjuna. (See also 7.06) (13.26) rope. The absolute monism that negates all manifestation
as a dream world is not the whole truth. According to the
One who sees the one and the same imperishable Vedas, God is both transcendent and immanent in one.
Supreme Lord dwelling as Spirit (or Ishvara) The illustration of the world as a dream is a metaphor
equally within all perishable beings, truly sees. meant only to illustrate certain points and should not be
(13.27) stretched too far or taken literally. If the world is a
dream, it is a very beautiful dream, indeed, of the cosmic
When one beholds One and the same Ishvara dreamer who must also be extraordinarily beautiful.
existing equally in every being, one does not harm
anybody because one considers everything as
They attain the Supreme, who perceive — with the
one’s own self, and thereupon attains the
eye of Self-knowledge — the difference between
Supreme Abode. (13.28)
creation (or the body) and the Creator (or the
Spirit), as well as know the techniques of
One who perceives that all works are done by the
liberation (See verses 13.24-13.25) of the living
powers of material Nature, truly understands and
entity from the trap of divine illusory energy,
does not consider oneself as the doer. (See also
Maya. (13.34)
3.27, 5.09, and 14.19) (13.29)
Spirit emits its power (Maya) as the sun emits
The moment one discovers the diverse variety of light, fire emits heat, and the moon gives cooling rays
beings and their different ideas abiding in One and (DB 7.32.05). Maya is the inexplicable divine power of
coming out from That alone, one attains the Spirit that does not exist apart from Spirit, the possessor
Supreme Being. (13.30) of power. Maya has the power of creation. Maya also
deludes the living entity by making it identify with a
ATTRIBUTES OF THE SPIRIT (BRAHMA) body, enjoy three modes of material Nature, and forget
its real nature as Spirit, the basis of the entire visible and
Because of being beginningless and unaffectable invisible universe. Creation is just a partial revelation of
by the three modes of material Nature, the eternal the power of Spirit and is called unreal like a dream
Supersoul  even though dwelling in the body as world because it is subject to change and destruction.
a living entity  neither does anything nor The clay is real, but the pot is unreal because the clay
becomes tainted by Karma, O Arjuna. (13.31) exists before the pot is created, while the pot exists, and
The eternal Supersoul is called attributeless after the pot is destroyed.
because He does not have the three attributes of material
Nature. The word ‘attributeless’ has been commonly Creation is a natural effortless projection of the
misunderstood as formless. Attributeless refers only to powers of Spirit and is therefore purposeless (MuU
the absence of material form and attributes known to the 1.01.07). The creative activity of the Lord is a mere
human mind. The Lord has an incomparable personality pastime of the divine power (Maya) without any purpose
and transcendental qualities. or motive (BS 2.01.33). It is nothing but an apparent
natural modification of His infinite limitless energy (E)
Just as the all-pervading space is not tainted into matter (m) and vice versa (E=mc2 of Einstein) done
because of its subtlety, similarly, the Spirit abiding as a mere pastime. Creation, an effect, is related to the
in all bodies is not tainted. (13.32) Creator, the cause, as a piece of cloth is related to cotton.
Spirit is present everywhere. It is present inside In the case of the cloth, however, the weaver is not
the body, outside the body, as well as all over the body. sitting in every thread of the cloth, but in creation the
Actually, Spirit is inside and outside of everything that efficient and material causes are one and the same, a
exists in creation. divine mystery indeed! Everything in the universe is con-
nected with everything else. Creation is not a mechanical
Just as one sun illuminates the entire world, or engineering construction. It is the supreme, spiritual
similarly, Spirit gives life to the entire creation, O phenomena revealing divine splendor. Creation is made
Arjuna. (13.33) by the Lord, of the Lord, and for the Lord. The Creator
According to Shankara, one sees the creation but and creation is different as well as the same.
not the Creator behind the creation due to ignorance, just
as a person in the darkness of night sees the snake and
not the rope that sustains the false notion of a snake. If

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14. THREE MODES OF MATERIAL carelessness, laziness, and excessive sleep.
NATURE (14.08)

Lord Krishna said: I shall further explain to you O Arjuna, the mode of goodness attaches one to
the supreme knowledge, the best of all knowledge, happiness of learning and knowing the Spirit; the
knowing this all the sages have attained salvation. mode of passion attaches to action; and the mode
(14.01) of ignorance attaches to negligence by covering
Self-knowledge. (14.09)
Those who have taken refuge in this The mode of goodness keeps one away from
transcendental knowledge attain unity with Me and sinful acts and leads one to Self-knowledge and
are neither born at the time of creation nor happiness, but not to salvation. The mode of passion
afflicted at the time of dissolution. (14.02) creates strong Karmic bonds and takes the individual
further away from liberation. Such persons know right
ALL BEINGS ARE BORN FROM THE and wrong actions based on religious principles, but are
UNION OF SPIRIT AND MATTER unable to follow them because of strong impulses of lust.
The mode of passion obscures real knowledge of Self
My material Nature is the womb of creation and causes one to experience both the pain and pleasure
wherein I place the seed of Consciousness from of this worldly life. Such persons are very much attached
which all beings are born, O Arjuna. (See also to wealth, power, prestige, sensual pleasure, and are very
9.10) (14.03) selfish and greedy. In the mode of ignorance, one is
unable to recognize the real goal of life, is unable to
Material Nature, a product of divine kinetic distinguish between right and wrong action, and remains
energy (Maya), is the origin of the entire universe. attached to sinful and forbidden activities. Such a person
Material Nature creates living beings when the seed of is lazy, violent, lacks intellect, and has no interest in
Spirit is sown in it for germination. spiritual knowledge.

Whatever forms are produced in all different CHARACTERISTICS OF THREE

wombs, O Arjuna, the material Nature is their MODES OF NATURE
body-giving cosmic mother; and the Spirit or
Consciousness is the life-giving father. (14.04) Goodness prevails by suppressing passion and
ignorance; passion prevails by suppressing
HOW THREE MODES OF MATERIAL NATURE goodness and ignorance; and ignorance prevails
BIND THE SPIRIT SOUL TO THE BODY by suppressing goodness and passion, O Arjuna.
(14.10)
Goodness, activity or passion, and inertia or
ignorance — these three modes (or ropes) of When the light of Self-knowledge illuminates all
material Nature fetter the eternal individual soul to the senses in the body, then it should be known
the body, O Arjuna. (14.05) that goodness is predominant. (14.11)
The sense organs (nose, tongue, eye, skin, ear,
Of these, the mode of goodness is illuminating mind, and intellect) are called the gateway to Self-
and good because it is pure. The mode of knowledge in the body. The mind and intellect get into
goodness fetters the living entity by attachment to the mode of goodness and become receptive to Self-
happiness and knowledge, O sinless Arjuna. knowledge when senses are purified by selfless service,
(14.06) discipline, and spiritual practice. It is also said in verse
14.17 that the rise of Self-knowledge takes place when
Arjuna, know that the mode of passion is one’s mind gets firmly established in the mode of
characterized by intense craving for sense goodness. As objects are seen very clearly in the light,
gratification and is the source of material desire similarly, one perceives and thinks in the right
and attachment. The mode of passion binds the perspective, and the senses shun whatever is improper.
living entity by attachment to the fruits of work. There is no attraction in the mind for sensual pleasures
(14.07) when the senses are illumined by the dawning of the light
of Self-knowledge.
Know, O Arjuna, that the mode of ignorance  the
deluder of the living entity  is born of inertia. The
mode of ignorance binds the living entity by

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O Arjuna, when passion is predominant, greed, in the right or wrong way and become liberated or
activity, undertaking of selfish work, restlessness, bound.
and excitement arise. (14.12)
The good Lord gives one only the faculties to
act; He is not liable for one’s actions. It is up to the
O Arjuna, when inertia is predominant, ignorance, individual to decide how to act. This decision is
inactivity, carelessness, and delusion arise. controlled by the modes of material Nature and is
(14.13) governed by one's past Karma. Those who understand
A particular mode of Nature becomes dominant this properly know how to act and do not blame God for
in the present life due to one's past Karma. The three their misfortunes or feel jealous of others’ fortune.
modes fuel the vehicles of transmigration that carry one's
baggage of Karma, as discussed in the following verses. Due to ignorance created by illusory energy
(Maya), one considers oneself the doer and consequently
THREE MODES ARE ALSO THE VEHICLES OF becomes bound by Karma and undergoes transmigration
TRANSMIGRATION (BP 11.11.10). Whenever one asserts or even thinks of
FOR THE INDIVIDUAL SOUL oneself as doing things, one assumes the role of a doer,
becomes accountable for the action (Karma), and gets
One who dies when goodness dominates goes to caught in the intricate Karmic net of transmigration.
heaven  the pure world of knowers of the When one rises above, or transcends the three
Supreme. (14.14) modes of material Nature that originate in the
body, one attains immortality or salvation and is
One who dies when passion dominates is reborn freed from the pains of birth, old age, and death.
attached to action (or the utilitarian). One who dies (14.20)
in ignorance is reborn as a lower creature. (14.15)
THE PROCESS OF RISING ABOVE
The fruit of good action is said to be beneficial and THE THREE MODES
pure; the fruit of passionate action is pain; and the
fruit of ignorant action is laziness. (14.16) Arjuna said: What are the marks of those who
have transcended the three modes of material
Self-knowledge arises from the mode of Nature, and what is their conduct? How does one
goodness; greed arises from the mode of passion; transcend these three modes of material Nature, O
and negligence, delusion, and slowness of mind Lord Krishna? (14.21)
arise from the mode of ignorance. (14.17)
Lord Krishna said: One transcends the modes of
They who are established in goodness go to material Nature who neither hates the presence of
heaven; passionate persons are reborn in the enlightenment, activity, and delusion nor desires
mortal world; and the insipid ones, abiding in the them when they are absent; who remains like a
mode of ignorance, go to lower planets of hell, or witness without being affected by the modes of
take birth as lower creatures (depending on the material Nature; who stays firmly attached to the
degree of their ignorance). (14.18) Lord without wavering  thinking that only the
modes of material Nature are operating. (14.22-23)
ATTAIN NIRVANA AFTER TRANSCENDING
THE THREE MODES OF MATERIAL NATURE And one who depends on the Lord and is
indifferent to pain and pleasure; to whom a clod, a
When visionaries perceive no doer other than the stone, and gold are alike and to whom the dear
three modes of material Nature (Gunas) and know and the unfriendly are alike; who is of firm mind;
the Supreme, which is above and beyond these who is calm in censure and in praise and
modes, then they attain Nirvana or salvation. (See indifferent to honor and disgrace; who is impartial
also 3.27, 5.09, and 13.29) (14.19) to friend and foe; and who has renounced the
Karmic laws bind one who does not believe that sense of doership  is said to have transcended
the Lord controls everything and who considers oneself the modes of material nature. (14.24-25)
the doer, enjoyer, and owner (BP 6.12.12). The power of Guru Nanak said: One who obeys the will of
doing all actions, good or bad, proceeds from God, but God with pleasure is free and wise. Gold and stone, pain
we are ultimately responsible for our actions because we and pleasure are alike only for such a person.
also have the power to reason. God has given us the
power to do work; however, we are free to use the power

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BONDS OF THREE MODES CAN BE of the Absolute and the object of love. Readers would do
CUT BY DEVOTIONAL LOVE well just to understand and use Krishna's teachings in
their daily lives without getting confused about who was
One who serves Me with love and unswerving Krishna.
devotion transcends the three modes of material
Nature and becomes fit for Nirvana. (See also 7.14 15. THE SUPREME BEING
and 15.19) (14.26)
Unswerving devotion is defined as the loving CREATION IS LIKE A TREE CREATED
devotion in which one does not depend on any other BY THE POWERS OF MAYA
person, but only God for everything.
Lord Krishna said: The universe may be compared
The mode of goodness is the topmost rung of the to an eternal, ever changing tree that has its origin
ladder leading to the Truth, but it is not the Truth as such. (or root) in the Supreme Being and its branches
The three modes of material Nature have to be below in the cosmos. The Vedic hymns are the
transcended, step by step. First, one has to overcome the leaves of this tree. One who understands this tree
modes of ignorance and passion and become established is a knower of the Vedas. (15.01)
in the mode of goodness by developing certain values
and following certain disciplines. Then one becomes The branches of this eternal tree (consisting of all
ready to surmount the dualities of good and bad, pain and the three worlds with its inhabitants) are spread all
pleasure, and to rise to the higher transcendental plane by over the cosmos. The tree is nourished by the
going beyond the highest mode  the mode of goodness. energy of material Nature; sense objects are its
Spiritual practices and vegetarian food raise the sprouts; and its firm roots  the desires 
mind from the modes of ignorance and passion to the stretch below in the human world, causing Karmic
transcendental plane of bliss where pairs of opposites bondage. (15.02)
disappear. The mode of goodness is the natural result of The human body, a microcosmic universe or
profound thought generated by firm understanding of world, may be also compared to a beginningless and
metaphysics. Anybody can easily cross the ocean of endless tree. Karma is the seed; five basic elements are
illusion (Maya), consisting of three modes of material its main branches; and the ten organs of perception and
Nature, by the boat of firm faith, devotion, and exclusive action are its sub-branches. Three modes of material
love for God. There is no other way to transcend the Nature provide the nourishment, and sense objects are its
three modes of material Nature and attain salvation. It is sprouts. Senses’ going towards sense objects is called
also said that anyone situated in any one of the three desire. Fulfillment of desire gives sense pleasures and
modes of material nature can come up to the creates attachment. Desires are the roots of Karmic
transcendental plane by the grace of a genuine and bondage in humans. This tree is ever changing, but
empowered guru. eternal, without beginning and end. Just as the leaves
protect the tree, so the rituals protect and perpetuate this
Because I am the source of the immortal Spirit tree. One who truly understands this marvelous tree, its
(Brahma), of everlasting cosmic order (Dharma), origin (or root), its nature and working, is a knower of
and of the absolute bliss. (14.27) the Vedas in a true sense.
The Supreme Being is the source or the basis of
Spirit. Spirit is one of the expansions of the Supreme HOW TO CUT THE TREE OF ATTACHMENT
Being. It is Spirit (of the Supreme Being) that performs AND ATTAIN
the entire cosmic drama and sustains everything. SALVATION BY TAKING REFUGE IN GOD
Therefore, Spirit is also called the Supreme Being or the
Lord. The beginning, the end, or the real form of this
tree is not perceptible on earth. Having cut the
It is very significant that Lord Krishna never firm roots  the desires  of this tree by the
used such words as “worship the Supreme God,” or “the mighty ax of (Self-knowledge and) detachment,
Absolute is the basis of everything.” In this verse and one should seek that Supreme Abode, reaching
elsewhere in the Gita, Lord Krishna declares that He is which one does not come back to the mortal world
the Supreme Spirit. Krishna means different things to again. One should be always thinking: I take
different people. Some commentators consider Krishna refuge in that very primal person from which this
other than God; others call Him a "Hindu God." To primal manifestation comes forth. (15.03-04)
others Krishna is a politician, a teacher, a divine lover,
and a diplomat. To devotees, Krishna is the incarnation

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Creation is cyclic, without beginning and end. It during death to the new physical body it acquires
is ever changing and has no permanent existence or real in reincarnation. (See also 2.13) (15.08)
form. One must sharpen the ax of metaphysical
The individual soul takes the subtle body  six
knowledge and detachment over the stone of spiritual
sensory faculties of perception, intellect, ego, and five
practice, cut the feeling of separateness between the
vital forces  from one physical body to another after
living entity and the Lord, cheerfully participate in the
death, as the wind takes dust from one place to another.
drama of life made up of passing shadows of joys and
The wind is neither affected nor unaffected by
sorrows, and live in this world completely free from ego
association with dust; similarly, the individual soul is
and desires. When the attachments are severed, an
neither affected nor unaffected by association with the
attitude of sacred dispassion takes place, which is the
body (MB 12.211.13-14). Physical bodies are limited in
prerequisite for spiritual progress.
space and time, but invisible subtle bodies are unlimited
and all pervading. The subtle body carries the
That eternal goal is reached by the wise who are individual's good and bad Karma to the next life till all
free from pride and delusion, who have conquered Karma is exhausted. When all trace of desires is
the evil of attachment, who constantly dwell in the eradicated after the dawn of Self-knowledge, the physical
Supreme Being with all lust completely stilled, and body seems not to exist any more and the conception of
who are free from dualities of pleasure and pain. subtle body is firmed up in the mind. The astral or subtle
(15.05) body is an exact duplicate of the physical body. The
beings in the astral world are more advanced in art,
The sun does not illumine My Supreme Abode, nor technology, and culture. They take up physical bodies to
does the moon, nor the fire. Having reached there, improve and enhance the physical world. Hariharananda
people attain permanent liberation (Mukti) and do Giri says: One may not perceive, conceive, and realize
not come back to this temporal world. (See also God if one does not seek the invisible subtle body.
13.17 and 15.12, and KaU 5.15, ShU 6.14, MuU
During a wakeful state, the physical body, mind,
2.02.10) (15.06)
intellect, and ego are active. In a dream state, the
The Supreme Being is self-luminous, not individual soul temporarily creates a dream world and
illumined by any other source. He illumines the sun and wanders in it with a dream body without leaving the
the moon as a luminous lamp illumines other objects physical body. In deep sleep, the individual soul
(DB 7.32.14). The Supreme Being existed before the sun, completely rests in the Eternal Being (Spirit) without
moon, and fire came into existence during creation, and being bothered by mind and intellect. Supreme Being,
it will exist even after everything gets dissolved into the Universal Consciousness, watches us as a witness
unmanifest Nature during complete dissolution. during all the three states  wakeful, dream, and deep
sleep. The living entity leaves one physical body and
THE EMBODIED SOUL IS THE ENJOYER takes another body after death. The living entity becomes
bound or lost, then tries to be liberated by discovering its
The eternal individual soul (Jiva, Jivatma) in the real nature. Reincarnation allows the living entity to
body of living beings is, indeed, My integral part. It change its vehicle, the physical body, during the long and
associates with the six sense organs  including difficult spiritual journey to the Supreme Being. The
the mind  and activates them. (15.07) individual soul acquires different physical bodies till all
Karma is exhausted; after that, the goal of attaining the
In essence, Spirit is called Eternal Being or
Supreme Being is reached.
‘Brahman’ in Sanskrit. Spirit is the true nature of the
Supreme Being (ParaBrahm), and therefore is also called It is said that Spiritual Being wears the veil of
the integral part of the Supreme Being. The same Spirit illusion, becomes an individual soul, and takes human
is called individual soul, living entity, Jiva, soul, and and other forms just to perform the cosmic drama in
Jivatma in the bodies of living beings. The difference which the writer, producer, director, all the players, as
between Spirit and the individual soul is due to the well as the audience are the same. Lord performs, plays,
limiting adjuncts  the body and mind  similar to the and enjoys His own creation. Our problems will
illusion that the enclosed pot space is different from disappear if we keep in mind that we are just playing a
unlimited space. role and never take things very personally. In order to see
the cosmic player, we must detach our mind from the
Just as the air takes aroma away from the flower; play. Science deals with the knowledge of the cosmic
similarly, the individual soul takes causal and play; spirituality deals with the knowledge of the cosmic
subtle bodies from the physical body it casts off Player as partially understood by the individual soul.

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The living entity enjoys sense objects using six Just as the complete spectrum of sunlight is not
sensory faculties of hearing, touch, sight, taste, visible to the human eye without a prism, similarly, we
smell, and mind. The ignorant cannot perceive the cannot see the light of the Supreme Being without the
living entity departing from the body nor staying in grace of God and scriptural reading. The yogis who have
the body and enjoying sense pleasures by tuned-in their consciousness with the supreme con-
associating with the material body. But those who sciousness can see the eternal light in trance. The entire
have the eye of Self-knowledge can see it. (15.09- universe is sustained by the (light) energy of the
10) Supreme Being and reflects His glory.
Entering the earth, I support all beings with My
Senses lose their taste for material enjoyment
energy. Becoming the sap-giving moon, I nourish
when they develop a higher taste for the nectar of
all the plants. (15.13)
spiritual bliss. The attainment of spiritual bliss is the real
fulfillment of one's desire for sense gratification. A
purified soul will refrain from doing wrong things that Becoming the digestive fire, I remain in the body
arise from V|san|, the residual, subtle desires for sensual of all living beings. Uniting with vital breaths or
pleasures. bioimpulses, I digest all types of food. (15.14)

And I am seated in the inner psyche of all beings.

The yogis, striving for perfection, behold the living Memory, Self-knowledge, and removal of doubts
entity abiding in their inner psyche as and wrong notions about God come from Me. I am,
consciousness, but the ignorant whose inner in truth, that which is to be known by the study of
psyche is not pure, even though striving, cannot all the Vedas. I am, indeed, the author as well as
perceive Him. (15.11) the student of the Vedas. (See also 6.39) (15.15)

SPIRIT IS THE ESSENCE OF EVERYTHING The Supreme Being is the source of all scriptures
(BS 1.01.03). The Lord resides in the inner psyche (or
Know that light energy to be Mine that comes from the causal heart) as the consciousness of all beings  not
the sun and illumines the whole world and is in the in the physical heart of the body as commonly
moon and in fire. (See also 13.17 and 15.06) misunderstood.
(15.12).
WHAT ARE THE SUPREME SPIRIT, SPIRIT
The light of the sun is a reflection of His AND THE INDIVIDUAL SOUL?
radiance (RV 10.07.03). The knowers of the Supreme
Being visualize everywhere — in themselves, in every There are two entities in the cosmos: The
human being, and in the whole universe — that supreme changeable Divine Beings and the unchangeable
cluster of light which is the source of the visible world Eternal Being (Spirit). All created beings are
and which shines like the all-pervading daylight (ChU subject to change, but the Spirit does not change.
3.17.07). The world and its objects are only pictures (15.16)
made of shadows and light, cast on a cosmic movie
screen (Yogananda). The Koran says: Allah is the light Two aspects of divine manifestation — Divine
of the heavens and the earth (Surah 24.35). Beings and the Eternal Being (Spirit) — are described
here. The entire creation  including Lord Brahm| (the
The holy eternal light has the shape of a huge creative force), all celestial controllers, fourteen
shining cluster of bright light energy. It is the light of the planetary spheres, down to a blade of grass  is the
Supreme Being that is in the eternal light and in all the expansion of Divine Beings. Spirit is the Consciousness,
luminaries of the galaxies, such as the sun, the moon, and the cause of all causes, from which Divine Beings,
the stars. It is His light that is in wood, lamps, candles, material Nature, and countless cosmos take birth, by
and is the energy in all living beings. His light is behind which they are sustained, and into which they become
all lights and the source of all energy in the universe. dissolved again and again. Divine Beings and Spirit are
Without the power of the Supreme Being, fire is unable called creation and the Creator, respectively, in verses
to burn a blade of grass. This light of the Supreme Being 13.01-02, material and spiritual energy in verses 7.04-05,
cannot be realized and seen unless one has completely and Womb and seed-giving Father in verses 14.03-04.
stilled and strengthened the mind, purified the intellect, The Supreme Being is beyond both Divine Beings and
and developed the power of will and visualization. One Spirit, and is called the Absolute Reality in the scriptures
must also be strong enough to bear the mental shock and in the following verses:
generated while experiencing the light of all lights in
trance.

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The Supreme Being is beyond both the Temporal malicious talk, compassion for all creatures,
Divine Beings and the Eternal Being. He is also freedom from greed, gentleness, modesty,
called the Absolute Reality that sustains both the absence of fickleness, splendor, forgiveness,
Temporal and the Eternal by pervading everything. fortitude, cleanliness, absence of malice, and
(15.17) absence of pride  these are some of the qualities
of those endowed with divine virtues, O Arjuna.
Because I, the Supreme Being, am beyond both
(16.01-03)
the Temporal (Divine) Beings and the Eternal
One must not condemn anybody and commend
Being, therefore I am known in this world and in
oneself (MB 3.207.50). We should treat others in the
the scriptures as the Supreme Being (Absolute
same manner as we would like ourselves to be treated
Reality, Truth, Supersoul) (15.18)
(MB 12.167.09). A person of demonic nature needs to be
Basically, there are two different aspects (or dealt with and controlled differently than a person of
levels of existence) — Temporal Beings (also called divine nature (MB 12.109.30). No one is perfect. People
Divine Souls, Divine Beings, Temporal Divine Beings, do things because they don’t know any better, so we
Deva, celestial forces, guardian angels), and the Eternal should not censure them. We all pay the price for those
Being (Spirit, Atma, Brahm) — of One and the same who act out of ignorance. Speaking ill of others is the
Absolute Reality known as the Supreme Being. The most heinous sin. Do not see others’ faults; improve your
invisible, unchanging, and immutable entity is called own shortcomings until you yourself become
Eternal Being. The Temporal Divine Beings are the enlightened.
expansions of the Eternal Being in the material world.
One should not talk about, listen to, or even
The entire creation is ever-changing and mutable and is
think about the faults and shortcomings of others. When
also called temporal. Both Temporal and Eternal Beings
we think about the defects of others, our own minds
are expansions of the Supreme Being. The Supreme
become polluted. Nothing is gained by finding fault with
Being  the basis of both Temporal and Eternal  is
others; therefore, find your own faults and correct them.
the highest or the Absolute, who is referred to by various
To love the unlovable, to be kind to the unkind, and to be
names. The personal aspect of the Absolute is called by
gracious to the ungracious is really divine. It is said that
names, such as Krishna, Mother, Father, and Allah.
we will have to account for how we treat others.
According to our scriptures, no one, except ParaBrahma
Paramatma, has their own power or consciousness. Values may also create problems if one forgets
Everyone, including the Eternal Being (Akshar Brahma), that people have different values; my values will be
receives power from the Absolute, Lord Krishna. different from yours. A conflict of values between
individuals ruins relationships. In practice, sometimes
The wise, who truly understand Me as the
two values of the same person also conflict. For example,
Supreme Being, know everything and worship Me
if telling a lie saves a valuable life, one should not tell
wholeheartedly, O Arjuna. (See also 7.14, 14.26,
the truth. One should not be blindly attached to values
and 18.66) (15.19)
because a value is not absolute. We should neither sneer
Thus, I have explained this most secret
at any ideal nor judge others by our own standards
transcendental science of the Absolute. Having
because basic unity in variety is the plan of the creator.
understood this, one becomes enlightened, one’s All kinds of people make up this world. You
all duties are accomplished, (and the goal of want to change others so that you can be free, but it
human life is achieved, ) O Arjuna. (15.20) never works that way. If you accept others totally and
unconditionally, only then you are free. People are what
16. DIVINE AND THE DEMONIC they are because they have their own backgrounds, and
QUALITIES they cannot be otherwise (Swami Dayananda). You can
love your spouse and not like the way he or she acts.
MAJOR DIVINE QUALITIES THAT SHOULD BE Your enemy might become your friend if you allow him
CULTIVATED FOR SALVATION or her to be who he or she is. If you want to make an
enemy, try to change someone. People will change only
Lord Krishna said: Fearlessness, purity of the when it becomes more difficult to suffer than to change.
inner psyche, perseverance in the yoga of Self- No one is in a position to disqualify another’s way of
knowledge, charity, sense-restraint, sacrifice, life, thinking, or ideas. Evolution on the ladder of
study of the scriptures, austerity, honesty; perfection is a slow and difficult process. It is not an easy
nonviolence, truthfulness, absence of anger, task to get rid of Karmic impressions of the past, but one
renunciation, equanimity, abstinence from must try. Changes come by one’s own effort and when
the season of the grace of God comes, not a day before.

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Also, the manifestation of primordial energy, this world (MB 12.172.25). It is said that even carnivores
consciousness, is different in different beings. Therefore, do not eat the flesh of an ungrateful person (MB
seek reconciliation with everything in the universe, and 5.36.42). One must feel and express genuine gratitude if
everything will become your friend. Ramakrishna said: one accepts something from another person.
When divinity dawns, the human weaknesses vanish of
their own accord just as the petals drop off when the
Divine qualities lead to salvation, the demonic
flower develops into the fruit.
qualities are said to be for bondage. Do not grieve,
Mortals are helplessly tied like cattle by the rope O Arjuna  you are born with divine qualities.
of latent desires born of their Karmic footprints. This (16.05)
rope can be cut only if we use the God-given knife of Habits of sinful activity are very difficult to get
intellect that animals do not have. A tiger is controlled by rid of; therefore, one should always avoid sinful acts and
the instinct to kill and is helpless in this regard. Human practice good deeds (MB 3.209.41). Fundamental
beings are endowed with intellect and power to reason by morality is the backbone of spiritual life. Self-knowledge
which they can slowly and steadily cut the rope. We fail without moral virtues is as incomplete as food without
to use our power of reasoning and intellect due to salt.
ignorance. One’s enemy is none other than the other side
of oneself. Sometimes intellect is taken away by the trick THERE ARE ONLY TWO TYPES OF HUMAN
of divine illusory energy (Maya) before the dawn of fate- BEINGS  THE WISE AND THE IGNORANT
born adversity. One must use intellect, the precious
divine gift to human beings, to analyze the situation. There are only two types (or castes) of human
There is no other way to get out of the vicious circle of beings in this world: The divine, or the wise; and
Maya. the demonic, or the ignorant. The divine has been
described at length; now hear from Me about the
No one can hurt one who does not do violence to demonic, O Arjuna. (16.06)
others by thought, word, or deed (VP 1.19.05). Even Self-knowledge manifests as divine qualities,
violent animals do not harm those who practice and ignorance manifests as demonic qualities. Those who
nonviolence by thought, word, and deed (MB 12.175.27). are in tune with the cosmic plan have divine qualities;
One who does not do violence to any creature, gets what those who are out of tune with the divine plan possess
one wishes and becomes successful in all spiritual demonic qualities. Those who acted piously in their past
disciplines without too much effort (MS 5.47). lives are born with divine qualities, and those who were
The higher form of life uses the lower form of sinful in previous life are born with demonic qualities.
life as food for sustenance (MB 12.15.20). It is
impossible to practice nonviolence  or any other value Persons of demonic nature do not know what to
 in an absolute sense. Even farming operations involve do and what not to do. They have neither purity
violence to insects and earthworms. Practicing nor good conduct nor truthfulness. (16.07)
nonviolence towards all creatures is meant for our own
evolution on the ladder of perfection. A minimal amount They say: The world is unreal, without a
of necessary violence in the day-to-day practical life is substratum, without a God, and without an order.
required. Determination of minimum violence is, of Sexual union of man and woman alone and
course, very subjective. Violence should never be used in nothing else causes the world. (16.08)
service of a personal grudge. It may be used to defend
the weak or to uphold Dharma (order and justice). Adhering to these (and other) twisted, diabolic
views, these degraded souls — with small intellect
DEMONIC QUALITIES THAT SHOULD BE and cruel deeds  are born as enemies for the
GIVEN UP BEFORE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY CAN destruction of the world. (16.09)
BEGIN
Filled with insatiable desires, hypocrisy, pride,
O Arjuna, the marks of those who are born with and arrogance; holding wrong views due to
demonic qualities are: hypocrisy, arrogance, delusion, they act with impure motives. (16.10)
pride, anger, harshness, and ignorance. (16.04)
It is the universal practice to return the favor  Obsessed with endless anxiety lasting until death,
in one way or another  to those who have been helpful considering sense gratification their highest aim,
to you (VR 5.01.113). An ungrateful person is the worst and convinced that sense pleasure is everything,
person. One must abandon such a person (MB bound by hundreds of ties of desire and enslaved
12.168.26). There is no atonement for ungratefulness in by lust and anger, they strive to obtain wealth by

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unlawful means to fulfill sensual pleasures. They note any merit or demerit in people (BP 11.19.45, TR
think: (16.11-12) 7.41.00).

This has been gained by me today; I shall fulfill LUST, ANGER, AND GREED ARE THE
this desire; I have this much wealth and will have THREE GATES TO HELL
more wealth in the future; (16.13)
Lust, anger, and greed are the three gates of hell
That enemy has been slain by me, and I shall slay leading to the downfall (or bondage) of the
others also. I am the Lord. I am the enjoyer. I am individual. Therefore, one must (learn to) give up
successful, powerful, and happy; (16.14) these three. (16.21)
The Upanishad says: A golden gate (of lust,
I am rich and born in a noble family. Who is equal anger, greed, illusion, delusion, and attachment) blocks
to me? I shall perform sacrifice, I shall give the passage to God (IsU 15). This gate can be opened by
charity, and I shall rejoice. Thus they are deluded concerted, individual effort only. Lust, anger, and greed
by ignorance, bewildered by many fancies, were created to control the entry of human beings to
entangled in the net of delusion, addicted to the heaven and to lead them to the gates of hell. Lust, anger,
enjoyment of sensual pleasures, they fall into a and greed evaporate from the mind only after discovering
foul hell. (16.15-16) that there is no ‘I’ and ‘my’. Uncontrolled greed for
material possessions of modern civilization may destroy
Self-conceited, stubborn, filled with pride and
the possessor by destroying the natural environment, the
intoxication of wealth, they perform service only in
very support of life and civilization.
name for show, not according to scriptural
injunction. (16.17) Selfish desire or lust is the root of all evil.
Mundane desires are also the origin of all demonic
These malicious people cling to egoism, power, qualities. These demonic or negative qualities, such as
arrogance, lust, and anger; and they deny My anger, greed, attachment, pride, jealousy, hatred, and
presence in their own body and in others' bodies. fraud, are born out of desire and are also called sin.
(16.18) Desire, when fulfilled, brings more desires, thereby
breeding greed. Unfulfilled desires cause anger. Anger is
SUFFERING IS THE DESTINY a temporary insanity. People do sinful acts when they are
OF THE IGNORANT angry. They who act in haste under the spell of anger,
repent afterwards. Ignorance of metaphysics is
I hurl these haters, these cruel, sinful, and mean responsible for lust; therefore, lust can be removed only
people, into the cycles of death and birth in the by acquiring Self-knowledge. Lust also obscures Self-
womb of demons (or degraded parents) again and knowledge as a cloud covers the sun. One must learn to
again, according to their Karma. (16.19) control desires with contentment, and anger with
O Arjuna, entering the wombs of demons, birth forgiveness. They who have overcome desires have
after birth, the deluded ones sink to the lowest really conquered the world and live a peaceful, healthy,
level without ever attaining Me (until their minds and happy life.
turn Godward by My causeless mercy). (16.20)
A never-ending war between good and evil One who is liberated from these three gates of
forces is going on in each person’s life. One takes birth hell, O Arjuna, does what is best and consequently
to learn to purge the demonic qualities that block the reaches Me. (16.22)
gateway to God-realization. God appears only after the Lust, anger, and greed are the commanders of the
devil within us is completely subjugated. Spirit does not army of illusion (Maya) that must be defeated before
have any of the three qualities of material Nature. These salvation is possible. The best way to become free from
qualities belong to body and mind only. Scriptures say: demonic qualities is to follow any one of the paths
The divine, illusory energy (Maya) creates a multitude of discussed in the Gita, as well as other scriptural
pairs of opposites, such as good and evil, loss and gain, injunctions.
pleasure and pain, hope and despair, compassion and
apathy, generosity and greed, perseverance and laziness, ONE MUST FOLLOW THE
courage and cowardice, love and hatred, merits and SCRIPTURAL INJUNCTIONS
demerits, and divine and demonic qualities. They have
no real existence whatsoever. Therefore, it is wise not to One who acts under the influence of desires,
disobeying scriptural injunctions, neither attains

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perfection nor happiness, nor the Supreme Abode. The Ten Commandments of Hinduism according
(16.23) to sage Patanjali (PYS 2.30-2.32), are: (1) Nonviolence,
The world becomes full of sweetness and beauty (2) Truthfulness, (3) Non-stealing, (4) Celibacy or sense
for those who live their life according to the law of the control, (5) Non-greed, (6) Purity of thought, word, and
scriptures (RV 1.90.06). A scripture is the blueprint for deed, (7) Contentment, (8) Austerity or renunciation, (9)
society. It deals with every aspect of life and lays down Study of scriptures, and (10) Surrendering to God with
the ground rules for proper development of all men, faithful loving devotion.
women, and children. For example, Manu said: Women
Compare these with the ten basic teachings of
must be honored and adorned. Where women are
the Bible: (1) Thou shall not kill; (2) Do not lie; (3) Do
honored, there celestial controllers dwell pleased.
not steal; (4) Do not commit adultery; (5) Do not covet;
Women must always be loved and protected from the
(6) Do not divorce your wife; (7) Do for others what you
temptation of evil-minded men. A woman’s father
want them to do for you; (8) If anyone slaps you on the
protects her in childhood; her husband protects her in
right cheek, turn the other cheek; (9) Love your neighbor
youth; and her sons protect her in old age (MS 3.56).
as yourself; and (10) Love the Lord with all thy heart.
Fortitude, righteousness (Dharma), friends, and spouse
 these four are tested only during adversity. To be de- The Eightfold Noble Path of Buddhism is: Right
voted  in thought, word, and deed  to each other view, right thought, right speech, right deeds, right
should be the only religion, the only vow, and the only livelihood, right effort, right resolve, and right
duty of a husband and wife (TR 3.04.05). The Bible says: meditation. Abstinence from all evil, performance of
Men ought to love their wives as their own bodies, and good acts, and purification of the mind is the doctrine of
the wife should respect her husband. Respect, and submit Buddha.
yourselves one to another in the fear of God (Ephesians The five cardinal principles of Islam are: (1)
5.21-33). However, men and women have differing roles Faith in God, His message, and His messengers; (2)
to play in the cosmic drama; therefore, their needs and Meditation and prayer on the glory, greatness, and the
temperament are different. message of God for spiritual growth; (3) Helping others
One must not find fault or criticize any scripture by giving charity; (4) Austerity for self-purification by
because the scripture is the foundation stone of fasting in the month of Ramadan; and (5) Pilgrimage to
righteousness (Dharma) and social order. One can get the holy places.
name, fame, peace, and salvation by just following the All great masters have given us Truth revealed
scriptures (MS 2.09). The study of scriptures keeps the by the Supreme. Krishna taught us to feel spiritual
mind absorbed in high thoughts and is a spiritual oneness by seeing divinity in each and everyone. Buddha
discipline by itself. One is delivered by the practice of taught us to purify ourselves and have compassion for all
the truth of the scriptures and not by mere lip service. creatures. Christ asked us to love all beings as we love
Guru Nanak said: One who preaches to others but does ourselves. Muhammad taught us to submit to the will of
not practice the same, shall take birth again and again. God and act like His instruments.
Let God, Gita, and Guru show us the way to en- In some religions, however, only the members of
lightenment. People cannot be saved from the spell of one’s own sect are considered favorites of God, and
divine, illusory power (Maya) just by using their own others are considered infidels. The Vedas teach not only
wisdom. They must follow a scripture with faith, espe- mere religious tolerance but the acceptance of all other
cially in this age when it is difficult to find a true guru. religions and prophets as analogous to one’s own. The
Adherence to the high teachings of the scriptures will Vedas say: Let noble thoughts come to us from
ward off all evil and bring about good. If a bridge is everywhere (RV 1.89.01). The dignity and welfare of
built, even an ant can easily cross the river, no matter humanity lie in the unity of races and religion (Swami
how big a river is. Similarly, the scripture is the bridge to Harihar). True knowledge of religion breaks down all
cross over the river of Maya. Therefore, one should barriers, including the barriers between faiths (Gandhi).
always follow the guidance of a person who is well Any religion that creates walls of conflict and hatred
versed in the scriptures, as stated by the Lord in the among people in the name of God is not a religion, but
following verse: selfish politics in disguise. We have no right to criticize
Therefore, let the scripture be your guide in any religion, sect, or cult in any way. Differences in
determining what should be done and what should human interpretation of scriptures  the transcendent
not be done. You should perform your duty voice  are due to taking the literal meaning, prejudice,
following the scriptural injunction. (16.24) ignorance, taking lines out of context, as well as
distortion, misinterpretation, and interpolation with
personal selfish motives.

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well planned steps taken slowly and persistently. Stephen
17. THREEFOLD FAITH Covey says: "The best way to predict your future is to
create it.” Every great achievement was once considered
impossible. Never underestimate the potential and power
Arjuna said: What is the mode of devotion of those of the human mind and spirit. Many books have been
who perform spiritual practices with faith but written and motivational programs developed for the
without following the scriptural injunctions, O practical application of the power of faith in this single
Krishna? Is it in the mode of goodness, passion, mantra of the Gita.
or ignorance? (17.01)
Persons in the mode of goodness worship
THREE TYPES OF FAITH celestial controllers; those in the mode of passion
worship supernatural rulers and demons; and
Lord Krishna said: The natural faith of embodied those in the mode of ignorance worship ghosts
beings is of three kinds: Goodness, passion, and and spirits. (17.04)
ignorance. Now hear about these from Me. (17.02)
Ignorant persons of demonic nature are those who
O Arjuna, the faith of each is in accordance with practice severe austerities without following the
one’s own natural disposition (that is governed by prescription of the scriptures, who are full of
latent Karmic impressions (Samsk|ra)). One is hypocrisy and egotism, who are impelled by the
known by one’s faith. One can become whatever force of desire and attachment, and who
one wants to be if she or he constantly senselessly torture the elements in their body and
contemplates the object of desire with faith. also Me who dwells within the body. (17.05-06)
(17.03)
One can attain success in any endeavor if one THREE TYPES OF FOOD
perseveres with firm determination (MB 12.153.116).
Whatever a person of purified mind desires, is obtained The food preferred by all of us is also of three
(MuU 3.01.10). The doer of good acts becomes good, types. So are the sacrifice, austerity, and charity.
and the doer of evil becomes evil. One becomes virtuous Now hear the distinction between them. (17.07)
by virtuous deeds and vicious by vicious acts (BrU
4.04.05). We all have the power to change. One becomes The foods that promote longevity, virtue, strength,
what one constantly and intensely thinks of, irrespective health, happiness, and joy are juicy, smooth,
of reasons, such as reverence, fear, jealousy, love, or substantial, and nutritious. Persons in the mode of
even hatred (BP 11.09.22). You always get what you goodness like such foods. (17.08)
look for — consciously or unconsciously. The thought One should eat good food for protecting and sus-
produces action; action soon becomes habits and habit taining life as a patient takes medicine for protection
leads to success in any endeavor when it becomes from disease (MB 12.212.14). Whatever a person eats,
passion. Become passionate about what you want to his or her personal deity eats the same (VR 2.104.15, See
achieve, and you will achieve it. Passion brings out the also Gita 8.24). (Because) I am Thou, and Thou art I (BS
dormant forces within us. 3.3.37). The food we eat becomes divided into three con-
stituents. The grossest part turns into feces; the medium
We are the products of our own thoughts and component becomes flesh, blood, marrow, and bone.
desires, and we are our own architects. Thoughts create Semen, the subtlest part, rises upward and nourishes the
our destiny. We become what we think. There is a brain and subtle organs of the body by uniting with the
tremendous power in our thoughts to draw on the vital force (ChU 6.05.01-6.06.02). Food is called the root
negative or positive energies around us. Where there is a of the body-tree. A healthy body and mind are the
will, there is a way. We should harbor noble thoughts prerequisites for success in spiritual life. The mind will
because thoughts precede deeds. Thoughts control our be healthy if the body is healthy. Persons in the mode of
physical, mental, financial, as well as spiritual well- goodness like vegetarian foods. One can also become a
being. Never allow any negative thought or doubt to noble person by taking vegetarian food because one be-
enter. We have such a great power at our disposal, yet comes what one eats.
the irony is that we fail to use it. If you do not have what
you want, you are not committed to it one hundred People in the mode of passion like foods that are
percent. You are the cause of everything that happens to very bitter, sour, salty, hot, pungent, dry, and
you. You should not expect life’s very best if you are not burning, and cause pain, grief, and disease.
giving your very best. Success is achieved by a series of (17.09)

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although it may appear to be true at the first sight (MB
People in the mode of ignorance like foods that 3.209.04). One may lie to protect the truth, but must not
are stale, tasteless, putrid, rotten, refuses, and speak the truth for the protection of a lie.
impure (such as meat and alcohol). (17.10) A wise person should speak the truth if it is
Purity of mind comes from purity of food. Truth beneficial and keep quiet if it is harmful. One must speak
is revealed to a pure mind. One becomes free from all the beneficial truth whether it is pleasant or unpleasant.
bondage after knowing the Truth (ChU 7.26.02). Non-beneficial pleasant speech, such as flattery, should
Gambling, intoxication, illicit sexual relationships, and be avoided (VP 3.12.44). A pleasant speech is beneficial
meat-eating are a natural, negative tendency of human to all. One who speaks pleasantly wins the heart of all
beings, but abstaining from these four activities is really and is liked by everybody (MB 12.84.04). The wound
divine. One must avoid these four pillars of sin (BP inflicted by harsh words is very difficult to heal. The
1.17.38). Abstaining from meat-eating is equivalent to wise should never inflict such wounds on others (MB
performing one hundred holy sacrifices (MS 5.53-56). 5.34.80). Sweetness of speech and calmness of mind are
the marks of a true yogi (Swami Atmananda Giri). One
THREE TYPES OF SACRIFICES
may lie — if it becomes absolutely necessary — to
protect life, property, and righteousness (Dharma);
Sacrifice, enjoined by the scriptures and
during courtship; and for getting married (MB
performed without the desire for the fruit, with a
12.109.19). Husband and wife should try to improve and
firm belief and conviction that it is a duty, is in the
help develop each other with tender loving care as a cow
mode of goodness. (17.11)
purifies her calf by licking. Their words to each other
should be sweet, as if dipped in honey (AV 3.30.01-02).
Sacrifice that is performed only for show and
aiming for fruit, is in the mode of passion, O Truth is the root of all noble virtues. One should
Arjuna. (17.12) present the bitter pill of truth with a sugar coating of
pleasantness. Be truthful in a pleasant manner, but do not
Sacrifice that is performed without following the deviate from truth for the sake of pleasantness. Use
scripture, in which no food is distributed, which is candor with courtesy and avoid flattery. Speech should
devoid of mantra, faith, and gift, is said to be in the always be beneficial, truthful, and sweet. According to
mode of ignorance. (17.13) the Bible: It is not what goes into a person’s mouth that
A spiritual discipline or sacrifice is incomplete makes one unclean; rather, what comes out of it
without a mantra, and a mantra is incomplete without a (Matthew 15.11). Speech is the verbal reflection of one's
spiritual discipline (DB 7.35.60). personality, thinking, and mind; therefore, we should
prefer silence to almost anything negative. Abstinence
AUSTERITY OF THOUGHT, WORD, AND DEED from harmful speech is very important.

The worship of celestial controllers, offering The austerity of thought includes serenity of mind,
service to the good, the guru, and the wise; purity, gentleness, equanimity, self-control, and the
honesty, celibacy, and nonviolence  these are purity of thought. (17.16)
said to be the austerity of deed. (17.14)
THREE TYPES OF AUSTERITY
Speech that is non-offensive, truthful, pleasant,
beneficial, and is used for the regular reading The above mentioned threefold austerity (of
aloud of scriptures is called the austerity of word. thought, word, and deed) practiced by yogis with
(17.15) supreme faith, without a desire for the fruit, is said
to be in the mode of goodness. (17.17)
The path of truth is the path of spiritual progress. Nonviolence, truthfulness, forgiveness, kindness,
The Upanishad says: Only the truthful wins, not the and control of mind and senses are considered austerity
untruthful. Truth is the divine path by which the sages, by the wise (MB 12.79.18). There cannot be purity of
who are free from desires, ascend to the Supreme Abode word and deed without purity of thought.
(MuU 3.01.06). To be truthful is desirable. To speak
what is beneficial is better than speaking truth. That
which brings the greatest benefit to a person is the real Austerity that is performed for gaining respect,
truth (MB 12.329.13). The real truth is that which honor, reverence, and for the sake of show,
produces the maximum benefit to people. That which yielding an uncertain and temporary result, is said
harms a person in any way is untrue and wrong — to be in the mode of passion. (17.18)

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Austerity performed with foolish stubbornness or a needy person, do it in such a way that even your closest
with self-torture or for harming others, is said to friend will not know about it (Matthew 6.02-03). Charity
be in the mode of ignorance. (17.19) given anonymously is the best charity. To give charity to
an unworthy person or cause and not to give to a worthy
THREE TYPES OF CHARITY person, are both wrong and worse than giving no charity.
Charity that is obtained without asking for it, is the best;
Charity that is given at the right place and time as charity that is obtained upon asking is the second best;
a matter of duty, to a deserving candidate who and charity given unwillingly should be avoided.
does nothing in return, is considered to be in the
mode of goodness. (17.20) Charity that is given at a wrong place and time to
Charity in the mode of goodness is the best unworthy persons or without paying respect to the
purifying, beneficial, and righteous act. It equally receiver or with ridicule, is said to be in the mode
benefits both the giver and the receiver (MB 13.120.16). of ignorance. (17.22)
If you give a charity or gift, watch yourself closely for Be considerate and compassionate to those less
ulterior motives; don't look for anything in return. One fortunate than you. Charity should be given without
never does anything for others, but for one’s own benefit. humiliating the receiver. Charity given by humiliating
Even charitable works done for others are really done for the receiver destroys the giver (VR 1.13.33). One should
one’s own good (MB 12.292.01). It is the giver, not the always remember that God is both the giver and the
receiver, who is blessed. Yogiraj Mumtaz Ali says: receiver.
When you serve a less fortunate person in any way —
material or spiritual — you are not doing him or her a fa- THREEFOLD ASPECT OF GOD
vor. In fact, one who receives your help does you a favor
by accepting what you give, thereby helping you to ParBrahma alone is all three — AUM (OM) TAT
evolve and move closer to the divine, blissful being, who SAT — aspects of Reality. Persons with divine
in reality is within all. qualities, the Vedas, and sacrifice (or selfless
service) were created by ParBrahma in the ancient
Charity taken unnecessarily  compelled by
time. (17.23)
greed for name or fame  does great harm to the
recipient. Improper charity harms both the giver and the
Therefore, acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity
taker (MS 4.186). Give anything you can — love,
prescribed in the scriptures are always
knowledge, help, service, prayer, food, but look for no
commenced by uttering any one of the many
return. Love  the cheapest charity  holds the key to
names of God (such as AUM, Amen, or Allah) by
enter His Kingdom. Charity is not only the best, but also
the knowers of the Supreme. (17.24)
the only use of wealth. However, all genuine requests for
charity should be handled with delicate care and
The seekers of salvation perform various types of
diplomacy because charity denied may create a negative
sacrifice, charity, and austerity by uttering: He is
feeling that is harmful.
all or ‘TAT’ without seeking a reward. (17.25)
Charity has no value if the money is earned by
wrongful means (MB 5.39.66). To obtain wealth for The word 'SAT or Truth' is used in the sense of
meritorious or charitable deeds using wrong means is Reality and goodness. The word ‘SAT’ is also used
like soiling one’s dress and then washing it. Not to soil for an auspicious act, O Arjuna. (17.26)
the dress in the first place is better than washing the dress
after soiling (MB 3.02.49). You cannot accomplish a Faith in sacrifice, charity, and austerity is also
worthy end with unworthy means. Ends and means are called Truth. Selfless service for the sake of the
absolutely inseparable (Stephen Covey). It is not possible Supreme is verily termed as ‘SAT’. (17.27)
to help everybody by giving material goods and money.
To pray for the physical and spiritual welfare of others in Whatever is done without faith  whether it is
trouble or need — including ones not on your favorite sacrifice, charity, austerity, or any other act  is
list — is called mental charity. useless. It has no value here or hereafter, O
Arjuna. (17.28)
Charity that is given unwillingly or to get
something in return or looking for some fruit, is
said to be in the mode of passion. (17.21)
Jesus said: When you give something to a needy
person, do not make a big show of it, but when you help

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18. NIRVANA THROUGH Acts of service, charity, and austerity should not
RENUNCIATION be abandoned, but should be performed because
service, charity, and austerity are the purifiers of
the wise. (18.05)
Arjuna said: I wish to know the nature of
renunciation (Samny|sa) and sacrifice (Ty|ga),
Even these obligatory works should be performed
and the difference between the two, O Lord
without attachment to the fruits. This is My definite
Krishna. (18.01)
supreme advice, O Arjuna. (18.06)
DEFINITION OF RENUNCIATION
THREE TYPES OF SACRIFICE
AND SACRIFICE
Giving up one's duty is not proper. The aban-
Lord Krishna said: The sages define renunciation
donment of obligatory work is due to delusion and
(Sa=ny|sa) as abstaining from all desire-ridden
is declared to be in the mode of ignorance. (18.07)
work. The wise define sacrifice (Ty|ga) as the
sacrifice of, and the freedom from, a selfish
One who abandons duty merely because it is
attachment to the fruits of all work. (See also 5.01,
difficult or because of fear of bodily affliction,
5.05, and 6.01) (18.02)
does not get the benefits of sacrifice by
We have used the word 'renunciation' for performing such a sacrifice in the mode of
Samny|sa, and 'sacrifice' for Ty|ga in this rendering. A passion. (18.08)
renunciant (Samny|si) does not own anything. A true
renunciant works for others and lives for  not on  Obligatory work performed as duty, renouncing
others. Samny|sa means complete renunciation of selfish attachment to the fruit, is alone to be
doership, ownership, and personal selfish motive behind regarded as sacrifice in the mode of goodness, O
an action, whereas Ty|ga means renunciation of the Arjuna. (18.09)
selfish attachment to the fruits of all work, or working Renunciation of attachment to sensual pleasures
just for God. A person who does sacrificial services is the real sacrifice (Ty|ga). The perfection of Ty|ga
(Seva) for God is called Ty|gi or a KarmaYogi. Thus a comes only after a person becomes free from the clutches
Ty|gi who thinks that he or she is doing all works just to of attachments and aversions (MB 12.162.17). There is
please God will always remember Him. Therefore, it is no eye better than the eye of Self-knowledge, no
mentioned in verse 12.12 that Ty|ga is the best spiritual austerity better than truth, no pain greater than
practice. The words ‘Samny|sa’ and ‘Ty|ga’ are used attachment, and no pleasure greater than Ty|ga (MB
interchangeably in the Gita because there is no real 12.175.35). One cannot become happy without Ty|ga;
difference between the two (See verses 5.04, 5.05, 6.01, one cannot become fearless without Ty|ga; and one
and 6.02). According to the Gita, Samny|sa does not cannot attain God without Ty|ga (MB 12.176.22). Even
mean living in the forest or any other secluded place the bliss of trance should not be enjoyed just for the sake
outside society. Samny|sa is a state of mind that is of enjoyment. The Gita recommends renunciation while
completely detached from the outcome or the fruits of living in the world  not renunciation of the world as
work. commonly misinterpreted.
Everybody desires peace of mind, but that is Christ said: If you want perfection, give away
only possible for one who works for God without being everything you have, and then follow Me (Matthew
attached to results and dedicates the results of all work to 19.21). No one can serve two masters. You cannot serve
God. This is not necessarily the same as offering all one's both God and mammon  the material desires (Matthew
material wealth and possessions to one's guru as 6.24, Luke 16.13). Christ did not hesitate to sacrifice his
propagated by some sects. own life for the noble teachings. Lord Rama gave up His
kingdom and even His wife for the establishment of
Some philosophers say that all work is full of righteousness (Dharma). Give up attachment and attain
faults and should be given up, while others say perfection by renunciation is the message of the Vedas
that acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity should and the Upanishads. Selfless service or ‘Ty|ga’ is the
not be abandoned. (18.03) essence of the Gita as given in this last chapter. A person
who is Ty|gi cannot commit sin and is released from the
O Arjuna, listen to My conclusion about sacrifice. cycles of transmigration. One can cross the ocean of
Sacrifice is said to be of three types. (18.04) transmigration and reach the shores of salvation in this
very life by the boat of Ty|ga.

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The Nine Types of Renunciation leading to One who is free from the notion of doership and
salvation, based on the teachings of the Gita, are: (1) whose intellect is not polluted by the desire to
Renunciation of actions forbidden by the scriptures reap the fruit  even after slaying these people 
(16.23-24), (2) Renunciation of lust, anger, greed, fear, neither slays nor is bound by the act of killing.
likes and dislikes, and jealousy (3.34, 16.21); (3) (18.17)
Spurning of procrastination in the search of Truth Those who are free from the notion of doership,
(12.09), (4) Giving up feeling pride in one’s knowledge, free from likes and dislikes of their work, and detached
detachment, devotion, wealth, and charitable deeds from the fruits of work become free from Karmic
(15.05, 16.01-04); (5) Rejection of selfish motives and reactions even for the act of killing.
attachment to the fruits of all works (2.51, 3.09, 4.20,
6.10), (6) Renunciation of the feeling of doership in all The subject, the object, and the knowledge of the
undertakings (12.13, 18.53), (7) Giving up thoughts of object are the threefold driving force to an action.
using the Lord to fulfill selfish, material desires (2.43, The eleven organs, the act, and the agent or the
7.16); (8) Spurning attachments to material objects, such modes of material Nature are the three
as a house, wealth, position, and power (12.19, 13.09); components of action. (18.18)
and (9) Sacrifice of wealth, prestige, and even life for a
noble cause and protection of righteousness (Dharma) THREE TYPES OF KNOWLEDGE
(2.32, 4.28).
Self-knowledge, action, and agent are said to be of
One who neither hates a disagreeable work, nor is three types, according to Sankhya doctrine. Hear
attached to an agreeable work, is considered a duly about these also. (18.19)
renunciant (Ty|gi), imbued with the mode of
goodness, intelligent, and free from all doubts The knowledge by which one sees one and the
about the Supreme Being. (18.10) same immutable, undivided divinity in all
creatures  such knowledge is in the mode of
Human beings cannot completely abstain from goodness. (See also 11.13, and 13.16) (18.20)
work. Therefore, one who completely renounces
selfish attachment to the fruits of all work is The knowledge by which one sees each individual
considered a renunciant. (18.11) as different and separate from one another 
such knowledge is in the mode of passion. (18.21)
The threefold fruit of works — desirable,
undesirable, and mixed  accrues after death to The irrational, baseless, and worthless knowledge
one who is not a renunciant (Ty|gi), but never to a by which one clings to one single effect, such as
Ty|gi. (18.12) the body, as if it is everything  such knowledge
is in the mode of darkness of ignorance. (18.22)
FIVE CAUSES OF ANY ACTION
THREE TYPES OF ACTION
Learn from Me, O Arjuna, the five causes, as
described in the Sankhya doctrine, for the Obligatory duty performed without likes and
accomplishment of all actions. They are: the dislikes and without selfish motives and
physical body, the seat of Karma; the modes of attachment to the fruit, is in the mode of
material Nature, the doer; the eleven organs of goodness. (18.23)
perception and action, the instruments; various
life forces; and the fifth, the presiding deities of Action performed with ego, with selfish motives,
the eleven organs. (18.13-14) and with too much effort, is in the mode of
passion. (18.24)
These are the five causes of whatever action,
whether right or wrong, one performs by thought, Action that is undertaken because of delusion,
word, and deed. (18.15) disregarding consequences, loss, injury to others,
as well as one’s own ability, is in the mode of
Therefore, the one who considers one’s body or ignorance. (18.25)
the Spirit (Atma, soul) as the sole agent, do not
understand, due to imperfect knowledge. (18.16)

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THREE TYPES OF AGENT balanced manner without any one of the three being
harmed by the other two attains salvation (MB 9.60.22).
The agent who is free from attachment, is non- A person completely involved in acquiring and
egotistic, endowed with resolve and enthusiasm, preserving material wealth and possessions has no time
and unperturbed in success or failure is called for Self-realization (MB 12.07.41). One can obtain all
good. (18.26) four noble goals by devotion to the Lord (VP 1.18.24).
One should first follow Dharma by doing one’s duty
The agent who is impassioned, who desires the righteously. Then one should earn money and make
fruits of work, who is greedy, violent, impure, and economic progress, fulfill all noble material and spiritual
affected by joy and sorrow, is called passionate. desires with the money earned, and progress towards
(18.27) salvation, the only noble goal of human birth.
As human beings are always afraid of death, a
The agent who is undisciplined, vulgar, stubborn,
rich person is always afraid of the tax collector, thieves,
wicked, malicious, lazy, depressed, and
relatives, and natural disasters (MB 3.02.39). There is
procrastinating is called ignorant. (18.28)
great pain in accumulating, protecting, and losing wealth.
The desire for wealth accumulation is never satisfied;
THREE TYPES OF INTELLECT
therefore, the wise consider contentment as the supreme
pleasure (MB 3.02.46). People are never satisfied with
Now hear Me explain, fully and separately, the
wealth and material possessions (KaU 1.27). One should
threefold division of intellect and resolve, based
always remember that we are just the trustees of all
on modes of material Nature, O Arjuna. (18.29)
wealth and possessions.
O Arjuna, that intellect is in the mode of goodness
That resolve is in the mode of ignorance by which
which understands the path of work and the path
a dull person does not give up sleep, fear, grief,
of renunciation, right and wrong action, fear and
despair, and carelessness, O Arjuna. (18.35)
fearlessness, bondage and liberation. (18.30)
THREE TYPES OF PLEASURE
That intellect is in the mode of passion which
cannot distinguish between righteousness And now hear from Me, O Arjuna, about the
(Dharma) and unrighteousness (Adharma), and threefold pleasure. The pleasure that one enjoys
right and wrong action, O Arjuna. (18.31) from spiritual practice results in cessation of all
sorrows. (18.36)
That intellect is in the mode of ignorance which
accepts unrighteousness (Adharma) as The pleasure that appears as poison in the
righteousness (Dharma) and thinks everything to beginning, but is like nectar in the end, comes by
be that which it is not, O Arjuna. (18.32) the grace of Self-knowledge and is in the mode of
goodness. (18.37)
THREE TYPES OF RESOLVE, AND THE One who enjoys the ocean of the nectar of devo-
FOUR GOALS OF HUMAN LIFE tion has no use for the sensual pleasures that are like
That resolve is in the mode of goodness by which water of a pond (BP 6.12.22). The river of material joy
one manipulates the functions of the mind, Pr|na dries up quickly after the rainy season if there is no
(Life forces, bioimpulses) and senses for God- perennial source of spiritual water. Material objects are
realization only, O Arjuna. (18.33) like straws to a Self-realized person.

That resolve is in the mode of passion by which

one, craving for the fruits of work, clings to duty, Sensual pleasures that appear as nectar in the
wealth, and pleasure with great attachment, O beginning, but become poison in the end, are in
Arjuna. (18.34) the mode of passion. (See also 5.22) (18.38)
Doing one's duty, earning wealth, material Two paths  the beneficial spiritual path and the
enjoyment, and attaining salvation are the four noble pleasant path of sensual pleasure  are open to us. The
goals of human life for the householder in the Vedic wise choose the former while the ignorant chooses the
tradition. Lord Rama said: One who is engaged only in latter (KaU 2.02). Sensual pleasures wear out the vigor
sense gratification, abandoning duty and earning wealth, of the senses and bring diseases in the end (KaU 1.26).
soon gets into trouble (VR 2.53.13). One who uses duty, Sensual pleasure is not the object of precious human
earning wealth, and enjoying sensual pleasure in a birth. Even heavenly enjoyment is temporary and ends in

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sorrow. Those who are attached to sensual delights are were called Shudras, and their nature was to serve the
like fools who choose poison in exchange for the nectar other three social orders.
of devotion (TR 7.43.01). The ignorant ones, due to
The Vedas compare human society with a person
delusion, do not think that they are taking poison while
whose four main limbs represent the four broad types of
drinking it. They only know after the result, and then it is
work and workers in society. The Vedas also state that
too late (VR 7.15.19). It is the natural tendency of the
their words are for all mankind, for all people (YV
senses to go easily toward external sensual pleasures as
26.02). There are only two types (or castes) of people 
water flows downstream. Regrets follow the fulfillment
the decent and the indecent (Gita 16.06).
of all sensual and material desires.
Worldly pleasure is like a mirage in the desert. Intellectuals who have serenity, self-control,
Thirsty persons reckon it as water until they come to austerity, purity, patience, honesty,
drink it and find nothing. Worldly happiness is transcendental knowledge, transcendental
temporary and flickering, whereas happiness derived experience, and belief in God are labeled as
from spiritual life is permanent and continuous. intellectuals (Br|hmans). (18.42)
Ramakrishna said: One does not feel intensely restless An intellectual is one who has the above-
for God until all worldly desires are satisfied. Manu is of mentioned qualities (MB 3.180.21). Anybody may be
the opinion that it may be easier to control the senses called 'intellectual' if he or she possesses the divine gift
after enjoying sense pleasure and discovering its of Self-knowledge (RV 10.125.05, AV 4.30.03).
uselessness and harmfulness (MS 2.96). Desirelessness Intellectualism is an acquirement  a quality or state of
comes easily after most of our desires are fulfilled. A mind  rather than a caste or creed. The illuminated
person may be healthy and wealthy but still unhappy ones who know the Absolute Truth and are in touch with
without a taste of spiritual pleasure. A spiritually mature the Supreme Being are the real Br|hmans and are next to
person does not miss worldly pleasures. God. All are born equal, but can become superior or
inferior by deeds only.
Pleasure that confuses a person in the beginning
Whenever a sector of any society gives predomi-
and in the end as a result of sleep, laziness, and
nance to caste, creed, race, religion, color, gender, or
carelessness, is in the mode of ignorance. (18.39)
place of birth over the ability of an individual, the seeds
of that society’s downfall and inefficiency are planted
There is no being, either on the earth or among the and begin to grow. The devil of discrimination knows no
celestial controllers in the heaven, who can national boundaries. It is unfortunately practiced by ig-
remain free from these three modes of material norant persons all over the world in one form or another.
Nature. (18.40) It is a human temptation and a manifestation of a
superiority complex. The wise should try to overcome all
DIVISION OF LABOR IS BASED
types and shades of bias. All are the children of God,
ON ONE’S ABILITY
equal in His eyes, and should be treated as such. A per-
son, for the progress of society, must be judged by his or
The division of human labor into four catagories is
her ability  not by any other standard.
also based on the qualities inherent in peoples’
nature or their make up. (See also 4.13) (18.41)
Those having the qualities of heroism, vigor,
In the ancient Vedic system, activities of human
firmness, dexterity, steadfastness in battle,
beings were categorized into four social orders, based on
charity, and administrative skills are called leaders
the three modes of material Nature. These four orders are
or protectors (Kshatriyas). (18.43)
often mistaken for the caste system of modern times in
The ideal protector possesses uncompromising,
India and elsewhere that is based on birth only. These
unrelenting opposition to evil-doers in society. The duty
four, universal, social orders of human society, as
(Dharma) of a protector is to fight all unrighteousness
described by Lord Krishna, relate to persons’ nature,
(Adharma) and injustice in society.
quality, and work, not their birth. Those who were
dominated by the mode of goodness and were peaceful
Those who are good at cultivation, cattle rearing,
and self-controlled were called Br|hmans. Those who
business, trade, finance, and industry are known
were controlled by passion and preferred to engage in
as business men (Vaishyas). Those who are very
administration and protective services were labeled
good in service and labor are classed as workers
Kshatriyas. Those under the mixed modes of passion and
(Shudras). (18.44)
ignorance, engaged in farming and trades, were called
A Shudra is a person who is ignorant of spiritual
Vaishyas. Those mostly in the lowest mode of ignorance
knowledge and identifies with the material body due to

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ignorance. According to Lord Krishna, these four bondage of Karma, attains Supreme Being, the
designations or types are not determined by birth. A goal of transcendental knowledge. (18.50)
Shudra-type person may be born in any family. The Endowed with purified intellect; subduing the
results of one's previous activities or Karma return as mind with firm resolve; turning away from sound
one's nature and habits. and other objects of the senses; giving up likes
and dislikes; living in solitude; eating lightly;
People are either born with certain qualities or
controlling the mind, speech, and organs of
develop them through training and effort. One who does
action; ever absorbed in yoga of meditation;
not have the requisite qualities of the four social orders
taking refuge in detachment; and relinquishing
of society, cannot be categorized improperly by virtue of
egotism, violence, pride, lust, anger, and
birth or position only.
proprietorship  one becomes peaceful, free from
the notion of ‘I, me, and my’, and fit for attaining
ATTAINMENT OF SALVATION THROUGH
oneness with the Supreme Being. (18.51-53)
DUTY, DISCIPLINE, AND DEVOTION
When the torch of meditation fuses Selfless
One can attain the highest perfection by devotion
service, Self-knowledge, and devotional love during the
to one’s natural work. Listen to Me how one
thoughtless state of trance, the rays of enlightenment
attains perfection while engaged in one’s natural
radiate, divine communion is perfected, the fog of
work. (18.45)
ignorance disappears, and all material and sensual desires
evaporate from the mind.
One attains perfection by worshipping the
Absorbed in the Supreme Being, the serene one
Supreme Being  from whom all beings originate
neither grieves nor desires. Becoming impartial to
and by whom all this universe is pervaded 
all beings, one obtains the highest devotional love
through performance of one’s natural duty
for God. (18.54)
dedicated to Him. (See also 9.27, 12.10) (18.46)
By devotion one truly understands what and who I
One’s inferior natural work is better than superior
am in essence. Having known Me in essence, one
unnatural work, even though well performed. One
immediately merges with Me. (See also 5.19)
who does the work ordained by one’s inherent
(18.55)
nature, incurs no sin (or Karmic reaction). (See
also 3.35, 5.10, 18.07, 18.09, 18.17, 18.23) (18.47) There is no doubt God can be known only
Obligatory or natural work that is not forbidden through faith and unswerving devotion (BP 11.14.21).
by the scriptures, and is done without selfish attachment There are numerous spiritual practices  not just one 
to the fruits and without the notion of doership, is sinless. prescribed in the scriptures to get that faith and
unswerving devotion. Knowledge and devotion are one
One’s natural work, even though defective, should and the same like a tree and its seed. The entire process
not be abandoned because all undertakings are of spirituality gets started by the spark of grace that
enveloped by defects as fire is covered by smoke, comes only as faith, and not by any other method.
O Arjuna. (18.48)
Delusion of Maya prevents people from knowing
Nothing in this world has only good or only bad
and seeing God. As one cannot see the ever-existing salt
qualities. There is no perfect undertaking. All ventures
in ocean water with the eye, but can taste it by the
have both good and bad aspects (MB 12.15.50). It is not
tongue, similarly, the Self can be realized only by faith
what you do  but how you do it  that is important.
and devotion, not by logic and reasoning. God may be
Work becomes worship when done with an attitude of
realized not only by meditation and Self-knowledge, but
adoration of the Lord.
also through ecstatic personal love and intense devotion
to one’s personal deity.
The person whose mind is always free from
selfish attachment, who has subdued the mind Only they know You to whom You make
and senses, and who is free from desires, attains Yourself known; the moment one knows You, one
the supreme perfection of freedom from the becomes one with You (TR 2.126.02). The knower of the
bondage of Karma by renouncing selfish Spirit becomes like Spirit (BrU 1.04.10, MuU 3.02.09).
attachment to the fruits of work. (18.49) The Kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17.21). No one
can enter the Kingdom of God unless one is born again
Learn from Me briefly, O Arjuna, how one who has (by realizing that one is not this body, but Spirit behind
attained such perfection, or the freedom from the the body) (John 3.03). Whoever does not receive the
Kingdom of God like a child, will never go there (Mark
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 The Bhagavad-Gita 75
10.15). The Father and I are one (John 10.30). To truly engaging in unwanted actions. Our free will is like the
understand God is to love Him and become one with very limited freedom of a dog on a leash. As a facilitator,
Him. Liberation or Mukti is a state of mind. God reciprocates with everyone according to their
desires and allows them to fulfill desires generated by
A KarmaYogi devotee attains the eternal free will. Lord uses His illusory kinetic energy called
immutable abode by My grace  even while doing Maya to engage the living entities in good and bad acts
all duties  just by taking refuge in Me (by according to their desires and their previously
dedicating all action to Me with loving devotion). accumulated good and bad Karma.
(18.56)
The Supreme Lord — abiding as the controller in
Sincerely offer all actions to Me; set Me as your the inner psyche of all beings, O Arjuna — causes
supreme goal and sole refuge. Always fix your them to revolve, by His power of Maya, like a
mind on Me and resort to KarmaYoga. (18.57) puppet mounted on a machine. (18.61)
Everything we use or eat should be first offered The Supreme Controller (Ishvara) is the
to the Lord, the giver of all things, before we put it to our reflection of the Supreme Spirit in the body. The
own use. This includes  but is not limited to  food, a Supreme Lord organizes, controls, supervises, and
new dress, a new car, a new house, and a new baby. directs everything in the universe. Jiva is like a puppet of
Offering everything to the Lord is the highest form of Karma mounted on a body which is the vehicle of
worship that one has to learn and practice every day. transmigration. The word revolve (or evolve) refers to
According to Swami Chidanand Saraswati (Muniji) this working out of one’s Karma. Thus we become the puppet
verse means to have His name in your heart and on your of our own Karma created by our free will.
lips, and to have His work in your hands.
The Lord has made Karmic laws as the controller
KarmaYoga saves one from being entangled in of all living beings. Therefore, one must learn to gladly
the wheels of transmigration and leads to liberation. endure all that fate imposes by taking refuge in Him and
KarmaYoga is recommended even for one who does not following the commandments (TR 2.218.02). Vedas
believe in God, who has no knowledge of God, who has declare that the Lord, using Karma, makes us dance as a
no faith and devotion, and consequently cannot follow juggler would make his monkey dance (TR 4.6.12).
any other spiritual path. Without the laws of Karma, the scriptural injunctions,
You shall overcome all difficulties by My grace prohibitions, as well as self-effort, would have no value
when your mind becomes fixed on Me. But if you at all. Karma is the eternal justice and the eternal law. As
do not listen to Me due to ego, you shall perish. a result of the working of eternal justice, there can be no
(18.58) escape from the consequences of our deeds. We become
the product of our own past thinking and action.
KARMIC BONDAGE AND THE FREE WILL Therefore, we must think and act wisely at the present
moment, using the scriptures as a guide.
If due to ego you think: I shall not fight, your
The doctrine of Karma and reincarnation is also
resolve is vain because your own nature will
found in the following two verses of the Koran: Allah is
compel you to fight. (18.59)
He who created you and then sustained you, then causes
you to die, then gives life to you again (Surah 30.40). He
O Arjuna, you are controlled by your own nature-
may reward those who believe and do good works. No
born Karmic impressions. Therefore, you shall do
one is able to escape His law of consequences (Surah
 even against your will  what you do not wish
30.45). People cannot escape from the consequences of
to do out of delusion. (18.60)
their deeds, for as we sow, so we reap. Cause and effect
The mind often knows right and wrong, but it
cannot be separated because the effect exists in the cause
runs after evil  reluctantly  by the force of Karmic
as the fruit exists in the seed. Good and evil deeds follow
footprints. The wise should always keep this in mind
us continually like our shadows.
before finding fault with others.
The Bible also says: Whosoever shedeth man’s
WE BECOME THE PUPPETS OF blood, by man shall his blood be shed (Genesis 9.06). It
OUR OWN FREEWILL is believed that all references to Karma and reincarnation
were taken out of the Bible during the second century
To satisfy the free will of the ignorant, with the noble aim of encouraging people to strive hard
overwhelmed by the three modes of material Nature, the for perfection during this very life. Those who believe in
good Lord creates an environment conducive for reincarnation must avoid laziness and procrastination,

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stress intense spiritual discipline, and try their best to get In order to be free from pious or impious results
Self-realization in this very life as if there were no that bind one to this material world, it is necessary to
reincarnation. Live as though this is your last day on this offer every action to God. When a devotee sincerely
earth. One cannot achieve anything through laziness and works for God, God protects that devotee from the touch
procrastination. of Maya, the external energy of the Lord. If one
voluntarily depends on the supreme Lord under all
One cannot take wealth, fame, and power from
circumstances, then the good and bad results (sins) of
here to hereafter; but one can convert these into good or
work automatically go to Him, and one is free from sin.
bad Karma and carry it to the next life. Even death
cannot touch one’s Karma. Those who have acted very A true devotee perceives: O Lord, I remembered
piously in the past life achieve fame in this life without You because You remembered me first. One breaks
much endeavor. away every yoke of bondage and becomes free in this
very life as soon as one gains the knowledge and a firm
Seek refuge in the Supreme Lord alone, with conviction that everything is done by the will of God,
loving devotion, O Arjuna. By His grace you shall that it is His world, His sport, and His battle, not ours,
attain supreme peace and the Eternal Abode. and regards oneself as a mere actor in the divine play and
(18.62) the Lord as the great director in the cosmic drama of the
soul on the stage of creation. Surrendering of individual
Thus, I have explained the knowledge that is more will to divine will is the culmination of all spiritual
secret than the secret. After fully reflecting on practices, resulting in joyful participation in the drama of
this, do as you wish. (18.63) joys and sorrows of life. This is called liberation, or
Mah|y|na in Buddhism. One cannot see God as long as
PATH OF SURRENDER IS THE one does not completely get rid of desire, attachment,
ULTIMATE PATH TO GOD and the notion of doership or ego. The miracle of grace is
triggered when ego realizes: One is not the doer, and
Hear once again My most secret, supreme word. through no human effort alone can desire be completely
You are very dear to Me; therefore, I shall tell this erased. Lord arranges for the science of Self-realization
for your benefit. (18.64) to be revealed to such a surrendered soul and the gate of
Nirvana opens up.
Fix your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, offer Surrendering to God does not involve leaving the
service to Me, bow down to Me, and you shall world, but realizing that everything happens in
certainly reach Me. I promise you because you are accordance with His laws and by His direction and
My very dear friend. (18.65) power. To fully recognize that everything is controlled
and governed by a divine plan is to surrender to Him. In
Setting aside all duties, take refuge in Me alone. I surrender one lets the divine plan rule one’s life without
shall liberate you from all sins. Do not grieve. giving up one’s best effort. It is the complete
(18.66) renunciation of individual existence or the ego. It is the
The meaning of abandoning all duties and taking feeling: O my beloved Lord, nothing is mine, everything
refuge in the Lord is that a seeker should perform all — including my body, mind, and ego — is Yours. I am
duties without selfish attachment as an offering to the not God, but a servant of God; save me from the ocean of
Lord and totally depend only on the Lord for help and transmigration. I tried to get out of the ocean of the
guidance. The Lord takes full responsibility for a person material world using all the methods given in the
who totally depends on Him. If you find a good solution scriptures, and failed. Now I have discovered the
and get attached to it, the solution will soon become your ultimate process — the process of seeking divine grace
next problem. The scripture says: The wise should not be through prayer and surrender. God can be discovered by
attached even to righteous deeds for their entire life, but seeking His help in discovering Him and not by spiritual
should engage their mind and intellect in contemplation practices alone. Thus, one should start the spiritual
of the Supreme Being (MB 12.290.21). One should journey as a dualist, experience monism, and again come
develop a spirit of genuine self-surrender to the Lord by back to dualism. A successful journey begins and ends at
offering everything to Him, including the fruits of the same place.
spiritual discipline. We should connect all our work with The process of surrender may be called the fifth
the divine. The world is controlled by the laws or will of or the ultimate path of yoga  the other four being the
God. One has to learn to abide by His will. Be thankful path of selfless service, metaphysical knowledge,
in prosperity and resigned to His will in adversity. devotion, and meditation. The Good Lord directs the
mind and senses of the living entities according to their

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Karma-born desires. But in case of surrendered devotees, makes one understand. Guru Nanak said: O Beloved;
however, He controls the senses directly according to His only they to whom You give the divine knowledge,
desires and in the best interest of the devotee. Let Him be obtain it.
the driver of your spiritual journey and you just enjoy the
According to the Bible: Do not give what is holy
ride. Muniji beautifully explains this process. He says:
to dogs. Do not throw your pearls in front of pigs. They
Every pain, every ache, every discomfort becomes His
will only trample them under their feet (Matthew 7.06).
gift and grace when you lay it in His lap. If you put the
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me
reins of your life-chariot in His hands, you will be ever
draws him or her to me (John 6.44). The recipient of
happy, ever peaceful. This is the lesson of ultimate
knowledge must have spiritual inclination and sincerely
surrender.
seek it. Knowledge given without being asked for serves
It is the divine grace or power that comes in the no purpose and should be avoided. There is a time for
form of self-effort. The divine grace and self-effort, as everything under the heaven. We cannot change the
well as dualism and monism, are nothing but two sides of world; we can change only the lives of a few sincere
the same coin of Reality. The grace of God is always souls whose time for a change has come by His grace.
available — one has to collect it. To win the grace is not
easy. One has to earn it by sincere, spiritual discipline THE HIGHEST SERVICE TO GOD,
and effort. Grace is the cream of that effort — our own AND THE BEST CHARITY
good Karma. It is said that self-effort is absolutely
necessary, but the last rung of the ladder to the Supreme One who shall propagate this supreme secret
is not self-effort, but praying for His grace in the spirit of philosophy  the transcendental knowledge of
surrender. When everything is surrendered to Him and the Gita  amongst My devotees, shall be
one truly understands that He is the goal, the path, the performing the highest devotional service to Me
traveler, as well as the obstacles on the path, vice and and shall certainly come to Me. No other person
virtue become powerless and harmless as a cobra with shall do a more pleasing service to Me, and no
fangs removed. one on the earth shall be more dear to Me. (18.68-
69)
According to Shankara, if any object other than
the Supreme Being — the Cosmic Energy Field — Ignorance is the mother of all sins. All negative
appears to exist, it is unreal like a mirage or like the qualities, such as lust, anger, and greed, are nothing but a
presence of a snake in the rope. When one firmly manifestation of ignorance. The giving of the gift of
understands that there is nothing else except the Supreme knowledge is the best charity. It is equivalent to giving
Being and His sport, all Karma gets exhausted; one the whole world in charity (MB 12.209.113). The best
surrenders to His will, and attains salvation. Yukteshwar welfare is to help others discover their real nature that is
said: Human life is beset with sorrow until we know how the source of everlasting happiness rather than to provide
to surrender or tune in with the divine will that baffles material goods and comforts for temporary happiness.
our intellect. The Koran says: Whoever follows My The Bible says: Whoever obeys the law, and teaches
guidance, no fear shall come upon them; neither shall others to do the same, will be great in the Kingdom of
they grieve (Surah 2.38). The Upanishad says: The Heaven (Matthew 5.19). Happiness is not attained
knower of the Supreme goes beyond grief. through wealth and sense gratification, but through
fidelity to a worthy cause (Helen Keller).
This knowledge should never be spoken by you to
one who is devoid of austerity, who is without GRACE OF THE GITA
devotion, who does not desire to listen, or who
speaks ill of Me. (18.67) Those who study our sacred dialogue shall be
To speak of wisdom to a deluded person, to performing a holy act of propagation and
glorify sacrifice to a greedy person, to advise sense acquisition of self-knowledge. This is My promise.
control to an irascible person, and to discourse on Lord (18.70)
Rama’s exploits to a lecher, is as useless as sowing seed God and His words are one and the same. The
on barren ground (TR 5.57.01-02). It is not for any soul study of the Gita is equivalent to worship of God. Life in
to believe, save by the permission of Allah. You should modern society is all work and no spirituality. Swami
not compel one to believe (Surah 10.100-101). Anyone Harihar says: “Daily study of only a few verses of the
to whom God has not granted the light (of knowledge) Gita will recharge mental batteries and add meaning to
will have no light (Surah 24.40). The study of Gita is the dull routine life of modern society.” For serious
meant only for sincere persons. According to students, daily study of one chapter of the Gita or several
Ramakrishna, one can understand Him as much as He

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verses from the forty selected verses given in the end of Though engaged in the performance of worldly
this book is highly recommended. duties, one who is regular in the study of the Gita
becomes happy and free from Karmic bondage. All the
In verses 18.68-70 Lord Krishna declares that
sacred centers of pilgrimage, gods, sages, and great souls
studying, teaching, and propagating the spiritual
dwell in the place where the Gita is kept and read. Help
knowledge of the Gita itself to be the highest form of
during troubles comes quickly where the Gita is recited,
KarmaYoga, BhaktiYoga and Jn|naYoga all combined
and the Lord dwells where it is read, heard, taught, and
in one easy to practice process. This alone can take a
contemplated. By repeated reading of the Gita, one
seeker to enlightenment.
attains bliss and liberation. One who contemplates the
teachings of the Gita at the time of death becomes free
Whoever hears this sacred dialogue with faith and
from sin and attains salvation. Lord Krishna personally
without cavil becomes free from sin, and attains
comes to take such a person to His Supreme Abode 
heaven  the higher worlds of those whose
the highest transcendental plane of existence.
actions are pure and virtuous. (18.71)
A summary of the Glory of the Gita as The grace of the Gita cannot be described. Its
elaborated in the scriptures is given below. Reading this teachings are simple as well as abstruse and profound.
Glory of the Gita generates faith and devotion in the New and deeper meanings are revealed to a serious
heart that is essential for reaping the benefits of the study student of the Gita, and the teachings remain ever
of the Gita. inspirational. The interest in a serious study of the Gita is
not available to all but only to those with good Karma.
The goal of human birth is to master the mind
One should be very earnest in the study of the Gita.
and senses and reach one’s destiny. A regular study of
the Gita is sure to help achieve this noble goal. One who The Gita is the heart, the soul, the breath, and the
is regular in the study of the Gita becomes happy, voice of the Lord. No austerity, penance, sacrifice,
peaceful, prosperous, and free from the bondage of charity, pilgrimage, vow, fasting, or continence equals
Karma, though engaged in the performance of worldly the study of the Gita. It is difficult for any ordinary
duties. Sins do not taint those who regularly study the person, or even for the great sages and scholars, to
Gita, just as water does not stain a lotus leaf. The Gita is understand the deep, secret meaning of the Gita. To
the best abode of Lord Krishna. The spiritual potency of understand the Gita completely is like a fish trying to
the Lord abides in every verse of the Gita. The fathom the extent of the ocean, or a bird trying to
Bhagavad-Gita is the storehouse of spiritual knowledge. measure the sky. The Gita is the deep ocean of the
The Lord Himself spoke this supreme science of the knowledge of the Absolute; only the Lord has a complete
Absolute containing the essence of all the scriptures for understanding of it. Nobody, other than Lord Krishna,
the benefit of humanity. All the Upanishads are the cows; should claim authority on the Gita.
Arjuna is the calf; Krishna is the milker; the nectar of the
Gita is the milk; and persons of purified intellects are the O Arjuna, did you listen to this with single-minded
drinkers. One need not study any other scripture if one attention? Has your delusion born of ignorance
seriously studies the Gita, contemplates the meaning of been completely destroyed? (18.72)
the verses, and practices its teachings in one’s daily life.
Arjuna said: By Your grace my delusion is
The affairs of the world are run by the first
destroyed; I have gained Self-knowledge; my
commandment of the Creator — the teachings of selfless
confusion with regard to body and Spirit is
service — so beautifully expounded in the Gita. The
dispelled; and I shall obey Your command. (18.73)
sacred knowledge of doing one’s duty without looking
When one realizes Him by His grace, the knots
for a reward is the original teaching that alone can lead to
of ignorance are loosened, all doubts and confusions are
salvation. The Gita is like a ship by which one can easily
dispelled, and all Karma is exhausted (MuU 2.02.08).
cross the ocean of transmigration and attain liberation. It
The true knowledge of the Supreme Being comes only
is said that wherever the Gita is chanted or read with love
by His grace.
and devotion, Lord makes Himself present there to listen
and enjoy the company of His devotees. Going to a place
Sanjaya said: Thus, I heard this wonderful
where Gita is regularly chanted or taught is like going to
dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna,
a holy place of pilgrimage. One who regularly reads,
causing my hair to stand on end. (18.74)
recites to others, hears, and follows the sacred knowledge
contained in the Gita is sure to attain liberation from the
bondage of Karma and attain Nirvana. By the grace of sage Vyasa, I heard this most
secret and supreme yoga directly from Krishna,
the Lord of yoga, Himself speaking to Arjuna

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 The Bhagavad-Gita 79
before my very eyes of clairvoyance granted by request, gave the essentials of Self-realization (BP 11.06-
sage Vyasa. (18.75) 29) for the modern age as follows:

O King, by repeated remembrance of this (1) Do your duty, to the best of your abilities, for
marvelous and sacred dialogue between Lord Me without any selfish motive, and remember Me at all
Krishna and Arjuna, I am thrilled at every moment. times — before starting a work, at the completion of a
(18.76) task, and while inactive. (2) Practice to look upon all
creatures as Myself in thought, word, and deed; and
Recollecting again and again, O King, that mentally bow down to them. (3) Awaken your dormant
marvelous form of Krishna, I am greatly amazed, Kundalini power and perceive  through the activities
and I rejoice over and over again. (18.77) of mind, senses, breathing, and emotions  that the
power of God is within you at all times, and is constantly
BOTH TRANSCENDENTAL KNOWLEDGE AND doing all the work, using you as a mere instrument.
ACTION ARE NEEDED FOR A BALANCED
LIVING Yogi Mumtaz Ali says: One who fully knows
oneself as a mere instrument and a playground of mother
Wherever there will be both Krishna, the Lord of Nature, knows the Truth. Cessation of all desires by
yoga (or Dharma in the form of the scriptures), and realizing the true essence of the world and the human
Arjuna with the weapons of duty and protection, mind is Self-realization. Hariharananda Giri says: God is
there will be everlasting prosperity, victory, in everything as well as above everything. So if you want
happiness, and morality. This is my conviction. to realize Him, you must seek and see Him in every
(18.78) atom, in every matter, in every bodily function, and in
every human being, with an attitude of surrender.
Where there is Dharma (righteous duty), there is
the grace of Lord Krishna; where there is the grace of Muniji says: You must be God's gardener,
Lord Krishna, there will be peace and victory (MB carefully tending the garden, but never becoming
6.43.60). Everlasting peace and prosperity in the family attached to what will blossom, what will flower, what
are possible only by performing one’s duty with full will give fruit or what will wither and die. Expectation is
metaphysical knowledge of the Absolute. Peace and the mother of frustration, and acceptance gives peace.
prosperity of a nation depend on mastering both the
knowledge of scriptures and the knowledge of the use of Lord Krishna also summarized the essence of God-
weapons of protection, as well as science and realization (BP 2.09.32-35) as follows:
technology. It is said that science and technology without The Supreme Lord Krishna said: One who wants
spirituality are blind, and spirituality without technology to know Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
is lame. should only understand that I existed before creation; I
exist in the creation, as well as after complete
This book is offered to Lord Shri Krishna. May dissolution. Any other existence is nothing but My
He bless us all with Goodness, illusory energy (Maya). I exist within the creation and at
Prosperity, and Peace. the same time outside the creation. I am the all-pervading
Supreme Lord who exists everywhere, in everything, and
EPILOGUE at all times.
The Farewell Message of Lord Krishna
OM TAT SAT
Lord Krishna on the eve of His departure from
the arena of this world, after finishing the difficult task of
establishing righteousness (Dharma), gave His last
parting discourse to His cousin brother Uddhava, who
was also His dearest devotee and follower. At the end of
a long sermon comprising more than one thousand verses
Uddhava said: O Lord, I think the pursuit of yoga as You
narrated to Arjuna, and now to me, is very difficult,
indeed, for most people because it entails control of the
unruly senses. Please tell me a short, simple, and easy
way to God-realization. Lord Krishna, upon Uddhava’s

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