Lessons from Bhagavadgeeta

(Based on the discourses of Poojya Sri Swamiji)

(Compiled by Swami Datta Pada Renu)

The Lord has hitherto explained in detail how Karma Yoga or actions dedicated to God lead to liberation through the stages of purification of heart, attainment of knowledge and renunciation of all actions. Now the Lord gives instruction on the yoga of meditation which is the proximate discipline for ultimate realisation.

"Keeping out external objects, fixing the gaze on the centre of the eyebrows, controlling the incoming and outgoing breaths equally; controlling the senses, mind and intellect, free from desire, fear and wrath, the sage with Moksha(liberation) as the supreme goal, is emancipated for ever. (27 & 28-V)

To one who does not pay attention to the external objects like form, sound etc. brought to the mind through eyes, ears etc., the objects verily become kept outside. This is the idea expressed in the opening line of this verse, that is 'keeping out external objects'. Boycotting enjoyment of sensual objects like form, sound, taste, smell and touch is the basic discipline needed to get concentration in meditation.

Having turned away from all sense contacts the ascetic fixing his gaze between the eyebrows equalises, rather regularises the outgoing and incoming breaths that move through the nostrils.

For most people, the flow of breath in and out may not be regular or balanced. But it can be regularised by the practice of Pranayama which would be a great help in the concentration of the mind. As the mind and the vital breath (prana) are inter-linked when breath is controlled, the mind also automatically comes under control. (But practice of breath control has to be done only under the direct supervision of an expert Yoga teacher. Otherwise it may lead the practitioner to some serious mental disorder.)

Thus by regularising the outgoing and incoming breaths and then by controlling his sense organs, mind and intellect, the ascetic should be fully intent on liberation (Moksha). That is , keeping the body in the above said posture, the silent ascetic (Muni) should have liberation itself as the supreme goal (Moksha paraayanah) He should be free from desire, fear and anger (vigata ichchaa bhaya krodhah). The ascetic who lives thus is indeed liberated.

"Knowing Me as the enjoyer of Yajnas and austerities, as the Lord of all the worlds, as the friend of all beings, man attains peace" (29-V)

How can a man attain peace ? Only by knowing the nature of the Lord, that is the supreme self and making Lord's nature one's own, a man can attain the peace of the Lord. The individual self and the supreme self although appear different, are identical in nature. But because the individual self is clouded in ignorance due to its preoccupation with the material world it has forgotten its identity with the Lord. Therefore its vision is limited and it acts selfishly. But as a man meditates on the qualities of the Lord, his vision gets widened and he starts emulating those qualities. Slowly his mind gets merged in the Lord. Thus he attains complete peace of mind or the bliss of the Lord.

Although the Lord has innumerable qualities, only a few are given here. But these few are suggestive of many others.

The Lord is the enjoyer of all Yajnas (sacrifices) and other austerities. The Lord is the supreme self pervading the entire universe and it is only He who dwells in all living beings as the individual self. Therefore it is only He who enjoys the fruit of all ritualistic and altruistic actions done by human beings. Secondly, He is the supreme Lord of all the worlds. The many Gods and Goddesses that we find are all diverse light rays of the same supreme Lord. Therefore there is no power higher than Him or even equal to Him. Thirdly, the Lord is the friend of all beings. He is always devoted to the good of all beings. Doing good is his very nature.

Meditation on these excellent qualities of the Lord, and an endeavour to emulate His example in being the friend of all beings will certainly lift man to the status of the Lord.

"Having known Me, he attains peace" - says the Lord. The idea is, having known the self or the Atman, one attains peace. The knowledge that one's own self is a part and parcel of the Lord (the supreme self) elevates man and enables him to reach the highest spiritual level
.