(From the discourses of Pujya Sri Swamiji)

Compiled by Swami Datta Pada Renu

"Deluded by these states, the modifications of the three Gunas (qualities of Satva, Rajas and Tamas) the whole world does not know Me, who am beyond them and imperishable" (13-VII)

When a man sleeps or is given to sloth or idleness, the Tamas element dominates over him. When he is given to work or some activity, the Rajas element is dominating. And when he is full of peace and joy, it is the Sattva element that is influencing him.

These three elements have their sway on each and every man. And in keeping with the predominance of one or the other of these Gunas, the actions and inclinations of people fall into three categories. Thus, all people are tied down by these Gunas and they cannot move an inch from their respective places or positions, so much so, it is difficult for them to attain the Supreme Lord who is beyond the three Gunas.

These three Gunas have their origin and sustenance in the Lord. And unless one attains the Lord, the Supreme Self, one cannot get eternal peace and happiness. But people who are under the clutches of the three Gunas cannot realise this truth as they are immersed in the enjoyment of earthly pleasures impelled by the force of the Gunas. They are in a state of delusion and self-forgetfulness.

But then, how to cross over this divine Maya constituted of the three Gunas? The Lord says: "Indeed, this divine illusion (Maya) of Mine, constituted of the Gunas is hard to cross over. Those who surrender themselves exclusively to Me cross over this Maya" (14-VII)

Maya, the Cosmic Illusion, is divine as it is the power of the Lord. It is constituted of the three Gunas (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas). Therefore, it is called ëGunamayií. This Maya, with its three Gunas deludes the individual soul (Jeeva) with body-consciousness. Consequently the soul identifies itself with the body and not with the divine spirit within. This is what is called ignorance, which leads to the soulís involvement in the transmigratory cycle. It is only by Godís grace this ignorance can be overcome which He bestows on a person who takes absolute shelter in Him.

Therefore, only when a man takes refuge in the Lord he is able to cross the ocean of birth and death. And then alone he becomes enlightened which is the state of God-realisation.

"Evil doers, the deluded, the lowest of men, deprived of discrimination by Maya, have taken to demonical nature, do not take refuge in Me" (15-VII)

Those who do not have devotion and faith in the Lord are demonical beings. And the divine beings are those who love the Lord with all their heart and soul. In the previous verse, it has been stated that those who surrender exclusively to the Lord go beyond the influence of Maya. And in this verse the Lord says that those who do not take refuge in Him reach the state of demonic beings and get themselves deluded by Maya as they are deprived of wisdom they them become perpetrators of cruel deeds (Dushkritinah) and veritable wretches among human beings (Naraadhamaah). This degradation of the demonic beings happens as thy do not worship the Lord nor resort to Him due to their lack of faith and devotion to Him. As a result, they act wickedly and get themselves more and more degraded.

In the following verse, the Lord speaks about His true devotees. He says:

"O! Arjuna, four kinds of virtuous men worship Me ‚ the distressed, the seeker of knowledge, the seeker of wealth and the man imbued with wisdom". (16-VII)

The Lord here classified His devotees into four categories. First comes the class of the distressed devotees. The ëAartaí, the one who is suffering from some incurable disease or who has incurred heavy loss in business transactions or who suffers from poverty or any other mental or physical agonies. Such a distressed person will want to get rid of his ailments and agonies by devotion and worship of the Lord. So he worships the Lord and becomes devoted to Him.