BhagavadGita

Introduc)onTheBhagavadGitaisascriptureonthetopicofSelfrealiza8on. Selfrealiza8onisthehardandfastunderstandingthatthereisonlyoneSelfandthatitisfreeofthecrippling senseof limita8on imposedupon itbyamind condi8oned tobelieve inincompleteness, separateness, and inadequacy. An individual inwhom this non-dualvisionisestablishedisuntouchedbyexisten8alsufferingasheorshelooksoutthroughanever-changingbodyatanever-changingworld.TheGitaisoneofVedanta’sthreesourcetextsalongwiththeUpanishadsandtheBrahma Sutras. Vedanta is an experience based means of Self knowledge, asystema8candprofoundbodyofteachingsthatprovidesadetailedmapofthewellworn road to libera8on pa8ently removing doubt about the nature of the Self.Although it appearedaHer theVedicAge ithas the statusofanUpanishad. TheUpanishads are texts appended to eachVeda that are humankind’smost ancientdocumentsconcerningthenon-dualnatureofreality.IntheUpanishadstheSelfispresentedinitsessen8alnatureasnamelessandformlessAwareness.IntheGitaitispersonifiedandappearsasapersonwithnon-dualvisionwhoiswillingtorevealit toArjuna, thequintessen8alhumanwhoseneedforSelfknowledge is revealedduringanexisten8alcrisis.Arjuna is thegeneralofanarmyof righteousmenconfrontedwithanunsolicitedcivilwar. Whenhesees teachers, friendsandrela8ves in theopposingarmyandrealizes he will have to destroy them he breaks down and turns to his lifelongfriend, Krishna, the personified Self, for advice. The seven hundred verses thatfollow offer a subjec8ve solu8on to the eternal innerwar that each of uswageswith the army of self-limi8ng thoughts that compromise our happiness in thisworld.

TheGita’s versesare set toward theendof theMahabharata, anepicpoem thatdescribesthecausesofthewar,theevents leadingupto itandlater,aHerArjunagetshismindclear,thewaritself. IhavenotrenderedthefirstChapterinEnglishbecause it describes in detail the baQlefield and the warriors whose names andcomplexpastswouldonlybeappreciatedbyaloveroftheMahabharataitself.Thefirst verse, however, is significant because it lets us know that the baQlefield onwhichthiswarisabouttobefoughtisthefieldofdharma. DharmaistheSelf in

theformofthecomplexandintricatewebofphysicalandmorallawsthatmakeuptheworldinwhichwelive.Itisthedharmaordutyofeachindividualtoappreciatethismoralandphysicalorderandrespondappropriately…ifheorshewishestobehappy.Transla8onsoftheGita fall roughly intotwocategories…thoseof intellectualsandthoseofSelfrealizedsouls.Althoughbothmostlyagreeonthebasicideas…excepttheliteralistswhodonotseetheGitaasascriptureonlibera8on...mosttransla8onsare done by Indians for whom English is a second language and an English thatevolvedinatransplantedVictorianenvironmentatthat.CharmingasIndianEnglishis,itisnottheEnglishoftoday.One encounters problems with the transla8ons of both the yogis and theintellectuals. AlthoughtheintellectualstendtobewellversedinEnglishtheyarerarelySelfrealizedandoHenmisstheimpliedmeanings. Andwhiletheyogistendto understand the true meaning, they are almost invariably not writers. Theirinterpreta8ons and commentaries on the verses are inevitably transcribed fromdiscourses.Thosewhodothetranscrip8onsarecertainlywellmeaningbutarenotalways endowed with the highest understanding nor are they par8cularly goodwriters. Extreme reverence for the scripture also compounds the problem andresults in s8lted, unfeeling and inaccurate transla8ons; most feel uncomfortablealteringevenasinglewordofthetextorofthemaster’scommentary.IamnotaSanskritscholarbuthaveheardtheBhagavadGitainEnglishbytwoSelfrealizedyogiswhowereSanskritscholarsandspokeexcellentEnglish. IhavereadmanyEnglishtransla8onsandhavebeenastudentofVedantaformorethanthirtyfiveyears,havingstudiedindepthscoresofmajorandminorVedan8cworks. Theexcellent two thousand page transla8on and commentary by Swami DayanandaSaraswa8, a tradi8onal Vedan8c sage and the most highly respected scripturalmaster in India today en8tled ‘Bhagavad Home Study Course’ has been the finalarbiterwhenIhadadoubtaboutthemeaningofaverse.Selfrealiza8ondoesnotgenerallyhitonelikeaboltoflighteningbutisusuallytheresult of a long process of Self inquirywhich is definitely facilitated by scripturalknowledge. This isnottosaythatonlythosewithSanskritknowledgewhostudyVedan8cscripturesgetenlightened. TheteachingsthatremoveSelfignoranceareideasbeforetheybecomespokenorwriQen. ItisthemeaningofthewordsthatremovesdoubtaboutthenatureoftheSelf,themindandtheworld,notthewords

themselves. None of the ideas of the science of Self realiza8on are par8cularlydifficult to understand for anyone with a reasonably clear mind. The difficultlycomes when one tries to apply them to one’s mind because…oddly…truth is socounterintui8ve. The mind’s beliefs and opinions seem quite natural while thetruth…whichshouldbeeasy…seemsdifficulttograsp.It so happens that since the Six8esmanyWesterners have put their feet on thespiritualpathandhavedonegoodwork. TheywillnevergotoIndia,sitatthefeetofaVedan8csageandrealizetheSelf…whichiss8llpossibletoday. ThisisnottosaythattheyshouldbedeprivedofthewisdomoftheEastforwantofaccessibility.Therefore,IhavetriedtomaketheBhagavadGitaavailabletotheminclearmodernEnglish.

Chapter2

Suffering1. ToArjunawhowasoverwhelmedbycompassion,distressedandtearful,Krishnaspokethesewords,“tobehavelikethisisnotbecomingforarighteousman.ItdoesnotenhanceyourreputaAon,nordoesitleadtoheaven.Asuccessfulwarriordoesnotgiveintounmanliness.Itdoesnotbenefityou. OvercomethisemoAonalstate,getupandfight!”4.Arjunareplied,“OhDestroyerofDemons,howcanIfightagainstthesemenwhoareworthyofworship?ItwouldbebeIertobegforfoodthantokilltheseexaltedmenwhotaughtmeeverythingIknow. WhateverwealthandpleasureIwillgainfrom thiswarwould be stainedwith blood. It is impossible to tell whether it isbeIerifweshouldconquerthemortheyshouldconquerus.HowcanweconAnuetoliveoncewehaveslainthesebravemenfacingus?EvenifIweretoobtainanunrivalledandprosperouskingdombywinningthiswarIdonotseeanythingthatwill takeawaythispainthatdisturbsmysenses.Youareright. IamemoAonalandconfused. Iamyourstudent. Itakerefugeinyou. TellmewhatIshoulddo.” Thenthegreatwarriorsaid,“Ishallnotfight”andfellsilent.

SelfKnowledgeStandingbetweenthetwoarmies,Krishna,asifsmiling,replied,11.“Thewisegrieveneitherforthedead,norfortheliving.TherewasneveraAmethatIdidnotexist,noryounorthesekings. Norwillanyofusceasetoexistinthefuture.Becausethosewholiveinabodyexperiencebirth,childhood,youth,oldageandthegainingofanotherbodyit isfoolishtogrieve. Sensecontactsgiverisetoever-changingsensaAonsofheatandcold,pleasureandpain. Youhavenochoicebuttoexperiencethem.OnlyarespectablepersonunaffectedbypleasureandpainisfitforliberaAon.16. What is unreal does not exist. What is real never ceases to exist. Thisknowledge will set you free. Know That to be indestrucAble which pervades thisenAre universe. No one can bring about the destrucAon of That which neverchanges. The Self…which is not an object of knowledge…is indestrucAble eventhoughitlivesindyingbodies.AnyonewhothinksthattheSelfkillsorthatitcanbekilleddoesnotknowthetruth.Itisnotbornsohowcanitdie?ItiseverpresentandnotsubjecttoAme. Whenthebodydiesitdoesnotdie.HowcanyousaythatyouareakillerifyouknowtheSelfasitis?JustasapersonchangesoldclothesfornewtheIndwellergivesupitsoldbodyforanewone.23. WeaponscannotdestroytheSelf. Firecan’tburnit,norcanwaterwetit. Thewindcannotdryit.Itischangeless,allpervading,immovable,andeternal.Knowingthatitisnotanobjectofthought,andnotsubjecttochange,youshouldnotgrieve.EvenifyouseetheSelfcaughtinaconstantcycleofbirthsanddeathsyoushouldnotgrievebecausewhatisborndiesandwhatdiesisreborn. Itisfoolishtoworryaboutwhatcannotbechanged.28.All beingsareunmanifest in thebeginning, becomemanifest in themiddleoftheirlifecyclesandreturntotheunmanifestcondiAonintheend. Whatistheretogrieveabout,Arjuna?29.SomepeopleseetheSelfasawonder.Othersspeakofitasawonderandsomehearofitasawonder.Yet,evena^erhearingaboutItpeopledonotunderstandItat all. This Self, the one who dwells in the bodies of all beings, is alwaysindestrucAble.Thereforeyououghtnottogrieveforthesepeople.

31. Also,ifyouconsiderthissituaAonfromthestandpointofyourduty,youshouldnotwaver. Nothing ismoreauspicious forawarrior thana righteouswar. Onlyluckywarriorsaregiventheopportunitytofightanunsolicitedwar. It isanopengate to heaven. But if you forfeit your honor and refuse to do your duty youwillincur sin. Peoplewill speak of your unending infamy. For the honorable person,dishonorisworsethandeath.Yourpeers,thegreatwarriors,whoesteemyounow,willseeyouasacoward. Theywillmockandridiculeyou. TheywillbeliIleyourtalentsandsayunforgeIablethings.Whatcouldbemorepainful?Considerthis:ifyoudieyouwillgainheaven. Ifyouwinyouwillenjoytheworld. Therefore,standupandfight! Seepleasureandpain,gainandloss,victoryanddefeatinthesamelightandprepareforbaIle.Youwillincurnosin.

KarmaYoga39.SofarIhavetoldyouthewisdomofSelfknowledge.Nowlistentothewisdomof yoga which will free you from bondage to ac)on. In this yoga, no effort iswasted, nor are any unsuitable results produced. Even very liIle karma yogaprotectsonefromgreatfear.

41. You shouldhavea clearunderstandingabout thenatureof liberaAon. Thosewho lack discriminaAon entertain many erroneous noAons. Full of desire andbelieving there is nothing beIer, non-discriminaAngpeople engross themselves inritualsforthepurposeofgainingpleasureorpowerorheaven. TheyuIerflowerywords concerningvariouspracAces thataremeant tomake themhappy.Becausethose seeking power and pleasure are easily led astray by the promises of ritualacAviAes,discriminaAondoesnottakeplace.45. ThesubjectmaIeroftheritualisAcporAonoftheVedasisrelatedtothethreequaliAes. Realize yourself to be free from the three-fold qualiAes and from thesorrowthatarisesfromcontactwiththepairsofopposites. BeeverestablishedinsaIva,freefromtheanxietytoacquireandprotect. Beamasterofyourself. FortheonewhoknowstheSelftheVedasareofasmuchuseasasmallpuddlewhenthelandisflooded.47.YoucanchoosewhichacAonsyouwishtoperformbutyouhavenocontrolovertheresults. Don’tthinkofyourselfastheauthoroftheresultsofyouracAonsanddon’tbeaIachedtoinacAon.RemainsteadfastinyogaandactwithoutaIachmenttotheresults.Remainthesameinsuccessandfailurealike.Thissteadinessofmind

iscalledyoga.49. Desire prompted acAon is inferior to acAon performedwith the karma yogaahtude.Takerefugeinthisahtude.ThosewhoperformacAononlyforthedesiredresultaremisers.

50. Thekarmayogaahtudecausessteadinessofmindandfreesoneofgoodandbadkarmainthisworld.Therefore,commityourselftokarmayoga.KarmayogaisdiscreAon in acAon.With the karma yoga ahtude thewise, no longer concernedwith the resultsof theiracAonsand free fromthebondageof rebirth,accomplishtheresultthatisfreefromlimitaAon.52. When your intellect is no longer deluded you will become dispassionateconcerningwhathashappenedandwhatwillhappen.Whenyourmindisnolongerconcernedwith the results promised in theVedas it remains steadyandbecomesestablishedintheSelf.ThisleadstoSelfknowledge.”

TheSelfRealizedPerson

54. Arjunasaid,“OhKrishna,willyoupleasedescribeapersonofsteadywisdom,onewhosemindisnotdisturbedbyanythingandabidesintheSelf? Howdosuchpeopleinteractwiththeworld?”55. Krishnareplied,“Whenapersongivesupdesiresastheyappear inthemind,Arjuna,andremainshappywithonlyinhisorherSelf,heorsheisadiscriminaAngperson.Theonewhoisunaffectedbyadversity,whodoesn’tyearnforpleasureandis free from longing, fear and anger, is one of steady wisdom. A discriminaAngpersonisunaIachedtotheoutcomeofallsituaAonsanddoesnotrejoicewhenthecircumstancesarepleasant.NorisheorsheuncomfortableinunpleasantsituaAons.Andifapersonisabletowithdrawhisorhersenseorgansfromthesenseobjectslikeaturtlewithdrawsitslimbs,hisorherknowledgeissteady.59.Foronewhodoesnotfeedthesenses,thesensescomebacktotheSelf,leavingthe longingbehind.WhentheSelf isknowntobeone’sselfeventhe longinggoesaway.EvenforapersonwhopracAcesyogaandwhosegoalisclearthesensescanpullthemindawayfromtheSelf. Keepyoursensesundercontrolandcontemplateon Me with a discriminaAng mind. Self knowledge becomes established in adiscriminaAngcontrolledmind.

62,63.WhenyoudwellonobjectsaIachmentarises.AIachmentcausesdesireandwhen desire is obstructed anger arises. An angry mind is easily deluded anddelusion leads to the loss of memory. When memory goes the mind isincapacitated. And when the mind no longer funcAons properly one’s life isdestroyed.64.EvenwhenyoumoveintheworldofobjectsitispossibletoaIaintranquilityifthe sense organs are controlled and you standapart from your likes and dislikes.Self knowledge, easily established in a tranquil mind, destroys existenAal sorrow.ButfortheagitatedmindthereisnoSelfknowledge.ContemplaAondoesnottakeplaceandwithoutcontemplaAonontheSelfthereisnopeace.Withoutpeacehowcan there be happiness? Self knowledge will not sAck in a mind distracted bychangingsensaAons. Theycarryitawayjustasastrongwindcarriesasmallboatacross thewater. Therefore,Arjuna, theSelfknowledgeofonewhosesensesarefreeoftheirrespecAveobjectsissteady.69. Inthatdarkdaylightworld inwhichallbeingssleep,thewisepersonwhohasmasteredthesenses,isawake.Justaswaterflowsintoanoceanleavingtheoceanunchanged,objectsarisinginthemindofaSelfrealizedpersonleaveitunchanged.Butthedesirerofobjectsisneverpeaceful. Theonewhoabandonsthebeliefin‘I’and‘mine’andmovesthroughlifewithoutlongingispeaceful.ThisissteadinessinTheSelf.TheSelfrealizedarenotdeludedappearances.AmindthatisfixedontheSelfattheAmeofdeathisfreed.

Chapter3

KarmaYoga1.Arjunasaid,“YousaythatknowledgeissuperiortoacAon,butifthisistruewhydo you encourage me to do this gruesome deed? You are confusing me withseemingly contradictory words. Decide what is best and reveal the one path toliberaAon.”3. Krishnasaid,“Iordainedatwo-foldlifestyleforbeingsinthisworld…thepathofknowledgeforrenunciatesandthepathofacAonfordoers.YoucannotgetfreeofacAon merely by the nonperformance of acAon. Nor can you aIain liberaAonsimplybyrenunciaAon.Indeed,youcannotavoidacAonevenforasecondbecause

saIva,rajasandtamascompelyoutoact.6. A person who controls the sense organs yet sAll craves sense pleasures isconfused. It is beIer to control the senses and act with the karma yogaunderstanding.BecauseacAonissuperiortoinacAonyoushoulddowhathastobedone.ItisevenimpossibletomaintainthebodywithoutacAon.

KarmaYogaSpirit9. AcAons other than those done in a sacrificial spirit bind you to karma. TheCreatorinsAlledthisspiritinthebeginningandsaid,“BysacrificeyoushallmulAply.Itwill fulfill your desires.” Honor lifewith this spirit and itwill honor you. Thisahtudeleadstofreedom. Whenyouhonor life itsuppliesdesirablethings…but ifyouenjoyitsgi^swithoutofferingsomethinginreturnyouareathief. Thosewhoeattheremnantofthesacrificeincurnoguiltbutthosewhoeatonlyforthemselvesverilyeatguilt.14. Living beings are born of food, food comes from rain, rain comes from theeffectsofsacrificeandsacrificeisbornofacAon. TheVedasencourageasacrificialreligiousahtudeand theVedascome fromthe imperishableSelf. If youkeep thisahtudeyouarealwaysinharmonywiththeSelf.Thelivesofthosewhodonotliveinharmonywiththecosmicorderbutpursuesensepleasuresinsteadarewasted.17. Nothingneedbedonebythosewhodelight intheSelf,aresaAsfiedwiththeSelfaloneandwhoselivesarecenteredontheSelf. Theyhavenoreasontodoornottodo…nordotheydependonobjectsfortheirhappiness.Dowhatistobedonewellwithout aIachment and youwill aIain the highest good. Not onlywill youaIain liberaAon by acAng in this spirit youwill inspire others to act in this way.Becausewhateverarolemodeldoesisdonebyothers.Ineednotact.AsfarasIamconcernedeverythinginthethreeworldsisperfectsothereisnothingformetodo. YetIactbecauseif Ibecomelazyandrefusetoactpeoplewouldfollowmyexample.Theywouldbecomeconfused. Thesocialbondsthatkeepasocietyhealthywouldunravelanditwoulddeteriorate.24,25. JustastheunwisewhoareaIachedtotheresultsoftheiracAonsactonlyforthemselves,thewiseshouldperformacAonwithoutaIachmentforthegoodofothers. They should not lecture the unwise concerning acAon and its results.

Insteadtheyshouldencouragethemtoactintherightspiritbyexample.27.Itisadelusiontothink“Iamthedoer”becauseacAonsarecausedbythegunasinfluencing the body,mind, and senses. Thewise, however, remain free becausetheyunderstand thatbodymind-sense-complexengages itsobjectsautomaAcally.ThoseunawareofhowthegunasaffectacAongetcaughtup intheacAonsofthebody-mind-sense-complex. One who knows the Self should not disturb theunderstandingoftheundiscriminaAngoneswhodon’t.30. With a discriminaAngmind free of anger, expectaAonanda senseof ‘I’ and‘mine’ offer your acAons to me and fight! If you faithfully follow this teachingwithoutfindingfaultyouwillbefreedfromtheresultsofyouracAons.Butifyouaredoubmulanddonotfollowityouwillnotprogress.Itiswisetoactinharmonywithyourownnature. BecauseallbeingsfollowtheirownnaturesautomaAcallywhatuseiscontrol?34. AIachmentandaversiontosenseobjectsareyour intractableenemies. It isbeIer to die imperfectly performing one’s duAes according to one’s own dharmathan to live performing the dharma of another well. The dharma of another isfraughtwithdanger.

ThePowerofDesire36. Arjunasaid,“WhatisthatterribleforcethatcausesselfinsulAngacAonseventhoughthereisastrongdesiretothecontrary?”37. Krishnasaid: “Rajasproducesdesireandanger. It isagreatgluIonandaninveterate sinner. Know it be an intractable foe. Just as fire is o^en coveredbyclouds of smoke, as amirrormay be covered by dust or a fetus is hidden in thewomb, Self knowledge is hidden by Desire. The insaAable fire of Desire is theconstant enemy of the wise because it prevents Self knowledge. Situated in thesenses,mind,and intellect, itdeludes thepersonandobscureshisorherwisdom.Therefore,Oh!Arjuna,control thesensesat theoutsetanddestroy this force, thekillerofwisdom. 42.Thesenseorgansaresubtlerthanthebody;themindissubtlerthanthesenseorgans;theintellectissubtlerthanthemindandtheSelfissubtlerthantheintellect.KnowThatwhichisbeyondtheintellect,steadyyouremoAonsanddestroy

thishiddenenemy.

Chapter4

KnowledgeandtheRenunciaDonofAcDon

GivingupKarmabyKnowledge

1. Krishna said, “I taught this eternal yoga to Visvasanwho taught itManuwhotaught it tothekinglysages. ItwashandeddownfromgeneraAontogeneraAonbutasAmepassed ithasbeenalmostcompletely forgoIen. BecauseyouaremyfriendIwillrevealthissecretpathtoyou.”

The purpose of this verse is to praise the sampradaya, to point out that selfknowledgecamefromIsvara,thatitisnotahumaninven8on.

Italsounfoldsthestyleofteaching…friendship.

This avatar idea is a literary device employed by Vyasa tomake the idea of thesampradaya understandable to common people. It is a personifica8on of animpersonalperennialprocessofknowledge.4. Arjunasaid,“YouwerebornrecentlybutVisvasanlivedthousandsofyearsago.Itdoesn’tseemlikelythatyoutaughtVisvasaninthebeginning.”

Arjuna is surprised thathehasneverheardof this knowledgebeforebecausehedoes not understand that it only comes into one’s life when one is ready for it.Arjuna had known Krishna for a long 8me but never knew that Krishna had theknowledge because he was not ready to hear it. The qualifica8on for selfknowledgeistheimpliedmeaningofthisverse.

Vedanta is a secret knowledge, not because it is deliberately kept from you bysomeone or something else but because you are not prepared to understand it.One should be very careful to whom one teaches because it is very easy tomisunderstandowingto the fact that theknowledgecontradictsone’sexperienceofone’sself.

Thepointof thisques8on is to state that theGita isa conversa8onbetween Jiva

andIsvara,notbetweentwospecifichumanbeings. Evenifitistakenasaliteralconversa8onbetweentwohumanbeings,themeaningisthesame.5. TheLordreplied,“Manybirthshavepassedforbothofus,Arjuna!Iknowthemallbuttheyareunknowntoyou.EventhoughIamtheunbornLordofallbeingsandmySelfknowledgeisunshakableIseeminglycomeintobeingthroughthepowerofmy own Maya. Whenever there is a decline in right living and people becomeaddicted to corrupt ways I assume a physical body and appear in the world toestablish dharma by encouraging and protecAng those commiIed to it anddestroyingthosewhoviolateit.

“Iknowthemall”meansthat Isvara isomniscient,that jivaonlyknows its limitedspecificlife.ItmeansthatIsvaraisnotadoerorenjoyersubjecttorebirthbasedontheresultsofIt’sac8on,asisjiva.Jivaisadoer/enjoyeren8tyoflimitedknowledgethat isrebornoverandoverasaresultof itsno8onthat it isonlyadoer/enjoyersubject to vasanas. The omniscience of Isvara is not mind-based as is jiva’sknowledge.Itisknowledgethatcreateseverythingbybringingthemindintobeing.

“Seemingly come into being”means that what Arjuna is seeing…a friend namedKrishna…is only a projec8on ofMaya, ignorance. It means that a jiva that seesotherjivasasrealdoesnotunderstandthateveryoneisjustIsvara.KrishnaisaboveMaya and Arjuna is below it. From Isvara’s point of view, the body is only aprojec8on,fromArjuna’sitisreal.

AvataraisIndia’sideaofimmaculateconcep8on.Itisnotaphysicalbirth.

“Decline of right living”means that owing to an abuse of freewill adharma hascreatedasitua8onwhereitisnotpossibletoworkoutone’skarma.Sincejiva’sarehere toworkout theirkarma, this isnotanacceptablesitua8on. Therefore theydesire for things to return tonormal i.e.dharma. Because thefieldofdharma isconscious, it responds to the collec8ve desires arising in it, and ‘creates’individuals…avatars, jnanis,etc.…wholiveandteachthevalueofdharma,thusre-establishing it. These avatars are not do-gooders mo8vated by personaldissa8sfac8on looking for evil to fight. They only respond to situa8ons that arealreadypresentand thenwithoutaQachment. Theyarenotangry self righteouspeople. Theyknowthat thedharmafieldrespondstotheirac8onsappropriatelyandthereforetheyareagentsofchangewithouttheideaofdoership.

Dharmaisjustthedesireforalevelimpersonalplayingfieldinwhichjiva’scanworkouttheirkarma.

“Destruc8ion..”means conversionof valuesbypreceptandexample,notphysicaldestruc8onofbadpeople(adharmis).9.Thosewhounderstandtherealityofmydivinebirthandmypurposehere,letgoof aIachment to the body, realize who I am and are not born again. Free ofcraving, fearandanger, happywithonlyMeandpurifiedby thedisciplineof SelfknowledgemanycomebacktoMe.

An avatar is someonewhose body andmind are empirically, apparently real butwhoisbornwithouttheforceofindividualkarma. Itissomeonewhoappearsonthebasisoftheneedsofthetotalmindtosolveadharma/adharmaproblem. Butsolvingadharma/adharmaproblemdoesnotrequireanavatar. A jnanicansolvesuchproblems,eventhoughheorshe isapparentlyundertheforceofprarabdhabecausethereisnoiden8fica8onwiththedoerandthereforewiththeprarabdha.Thisverseifmeanttorevealthefactthatcollec8veaswellasindividualkarmacancausebirth. However,thisisallwithintherealmoftheapparentrealityandofnopar8cularsignificanceinsofarasthepurposeoftheteachingistoestablishthejivaasparamatma,theonly‘factor’beyondtheapparentrealityi.e.Maya. Jnani’scandowhatAvatarsdoinsofarasestablishingdharmaissimplyamaQerofmodelingtherightvaluesand/orrevealingtheselfthroughameansofselfknowledge. Anavatarplaysacertainrole, likeanactor,asdo jnani’sbecausetheyknowthatthebody/mind/sensecomplexisnotreal.

“Comeback tome”means thatone’s senseof individualitydissolvesand the jiva‘become’s’Isvara,non-separatefromthethetotal.11. InwhateverwaypeopleworshipMe Ibless themaccording to theirworship.Peoplefollowmypathinmanyways. IftheydesiretheresultsoftheiracAonstheyworshiptheworld.Intheworldresultscomequickly.

Invoking Isvara has nothing to dowith the presence of an avatar. It is simply amaQerofperformingac8onsappropriatetothedesiredresultinsofarasthefieldofac8onisIsvara.Ifajivawantsmoksaitshouldapproachateacherandexposeitsmindtotheteaching.Ifitwantmoney,itshouldgetajoborrobabank.Ifitrobsabankitwillbeblessedwithaprisonsentence.Asyousow,soshallyoureap.

“quickresults…” Peopledon’tworshiptheselfbecausetheywantquickresults. Iftheresultyouwantistheself,thenyoumayhavetowaitun8lyourmindismatureenoughtorealizethatyouwantyourself.

Injus8ce lieswith the jiva, notwith Isvara because Isvara can only deliver resultsappropriatetojiva’sac8ons.Onejivadoesnotgetanotherjiva’skarma.13. ThefoursocialdivisionsbasedonqualiAesandduAesiscreatedbyMe. EventhoughIamitsauthor,knowMeasachangelessnon-doer. AcAonsdonotaffectMenordoIlongforresults. IfyouknowMeclearlyyouwillnotbeboundbyyouracAons.BelikethosewhoknowMeandperformacAon.

Isvara,thegunas,createsthefieldthatstructuresthekarmaofindividualsbutitisnot responsible for specific karmas accruedby individuals. “Injus8ce” is broughtaboutbythechoicesofindividuals.Isvaraisjustbecauseitdoesnotmakechoices.16. Even sagesare someAmes confusedaboutacAonandacAonlessness. If youunderstand my teaching about acAon you will be released from samsara. Youshould knowwhich acAons are sancAoned andwhich are forbidden by scripture.YoushouldalsounderstandacAonlessness.Karmaisdifficulttounderstand.

TheSelfRealizedPerson

18. TheonewhoseesacAonlessnessinacAonandacAoninacAonlessnessiswiseandhasdoneeverythingthatistobedone.Withreferencetoac8onthewisecansee inac8onandwithreferenceto inac8onthewiseseeac8on. Intheabsenceofac8onthewiseseeac8on(boat)andintheso-called ac8on they see inac8on (train). As an ego/doer,when you are doingnothing,youaredoingsomething(boat)…itisimpossibleforthebody/mindnottoactbecausetheselfilluminesthevasanas.Andwhenyouaredoingsomething,youaredoingnothing(train)becauseyouareactuallythenon-dualself…itisimpossiblefor you to do because you have no instruments of ac8on and you pervadeeverything. Where will you move to, in so far as you are already alwayseverywhere.So,ac8ng,theenlighteneddon’tact.

Because the wise know then are not doers, they know that when ac8on ishappeningitisonlyhappeningforthedoer,notfortheself.Thisisinac8on,i.e.noac8onfortheselfandnoactualac8onforanythingelsebecausethere isnothingotherthantheself.Ac8onisapparent,notreal.

The verse means that the wise know the difference between satya and mithya.Realityisonlyconsciousnesssothereisnoactualac8on. ButifMayaistakenintoaccount,theselfappearstoact.Theactoristheselfbuttheselfisnotanactor.

Vedantaistheknowledgeofkarmaandknowledge. Whenbothareunderstoodintheirnuances,youarefree.

19.ThesagessaythatapersoniswiseifhisorheracAonshavebeenburnedinthefire of Self knowledge. Such people act without desire for the results of theiracAons. Consequentlytheyarecontentbecausetheydonotdependonresultstomakethemhappy.

Ac8onsarelikeroastedseeds;theycannotgerminate(createpunyaandpapa)buttheycanbeenjoyed.

Theyarefreeofdoershipevenwhentheyact. ThosewhoarefreeofexpectaAons,whosebodies,mindsandsensesarewelldisciplined,whoarefreeofaIachmenttopossessionsandactonlytosustainthebodyarehappywithwhatcomesbychance,unaffectedbytheopposites,withoutenvy,even-minded insuccessandfailureandfree of the need to act while acAng. The karma of those who are free fromaIachment,whosemindshavebeenliberatedbySelfknowledgeandwhoperformacAonasanofferingiscompletelycleared.

“whosebodies,mindsandsensesarewelldisciplined…”TheyarenotdrivenbytheirlikesanddislikesandthereforetheirlivesarenotchaoAc.Theyunderstandthefactthat life isorderlyandtheyalignthemselveswith Isvara’spsychologicalorder;therespecAveinnercenters…mind,intellectandego…areinanharmoniousrelaAonship,servingthesamemaster,theself.

Thesix-foldproblemsare:karma-desire,krodha-anger,lobha-greed,moha–delusionorfalsevalues,mada-vanity,andfinallyjealousy-matsara.Thejnanihas

noneofthese.

SacrificialSpirit24.ThemeansofofferingistheSelf.TheofferingistheSelfofferedbytheSelfintothesacrificialfire…whichisalsotheSelf.TheSelfisindeedobtainedbytheonewhoseeseverythingastheSelf.

Everything is consciousness/awareness. Themeansof knowledge is thevisionofnon-dualitygainedbyexposingone’smindtoVedanta.

Wesee,then,thatallthekarakasarecoveredhere.Thefirstkaraka,thekarta,theonewhooffers,isBrahman;thesecondkaraka,thekarmaorobject,isBrahman;thethirdkaraka,thekaranaorinstrument,isBrahman;thepurposethattakesthefourthcaseisBrahman;andthefiHhkaraka,fromwheretheac8oncomes,isBrahman.Becausethesixthkaraka,thepossessiveorgeni8vecase,generallydoesnotrelatetoanac8on,itdoesnotgenerallyrepresentoneofthesixkarakas.Thesixthkaraka,whichtakestheloca8vecaseisalsohereintheverse.Here,itissaid,'inthefireofBrahman,brahmagnau.'Therefore,thefireintowhichtheofferingismadeisalsoBrahman.

25. Karma yogis perform rituals to invoke the deiAes, while contemplaAverenunciatesoffertheirlivesintothefireofSelfknowledge.

Worldlypeoplewhoperformritualsforanythingotherthanpurifica8onofthemindarecalledkamya-yogis,desirepromptedyogis.Yogimeanssomeonewhowantstogainsomething.

Otherssacrificetheirsensestotheideaofselfcontrolorthesenseobjectsintothefireof the senses. SAllothersoffer theacAviAesof the sensesand theorgansofacAonintothefireofself-masteryignitedbySelfknowledge.Somesacrificewealthand some commit to religious disciplines like the pracAce of yoga while othersdevote themselves to the studyof sacred texts.Thereare those commiIed to thecontrol of the mind though the breath who stop the flow of inhalaAon andexhalaAonandoffertheoutgoingbreathintotheincomingbreathandtheincomingbreath into the outgoing breath. To control the intake of food others offer theirdesiretoeatintothedigesAvefires.IrrespecAveofthetypeofdisciplineonefollowsthesacrificialahtudeburnstheimpuriAesofthemind.

Thesacrificesmen8onednowarenotrituals.Theyaredisciplineswhosepurposeistoaccomplishmoksabypurifica8onsotheyareconsideredsacrificesinsofarasthedoercandosomethingelse.Thesecanaccomplish1)acertaincomposureandsteadinessofmindand2)maturity,afreedomfromlikesanddislikes.31.ThosewhodrinkthenectarofthesacrificerealizetheeternalSelf.

Theresultofdisciplineisapuremindandsincethesepeoplewantmoksatheynowhavethemeansinhand.

Nothingtrulybeneficial isgainedinthisworldwithoutthespiritofsacrifice. Howthencananythingbegainedinthenext?VariousreligiousdisciplinesareofferedintheVedas. Knowingthattheyarebornofkarma liberates.SacrificemoAvatedbySelfknowledgeissuperiortosacrificewithmaterialobjectsbecauseacAonitself isresolvedbySelfknowledge.

“knowingtheyarebornofkarma…”indicatesthattheyhavealimitedresult,unlikeknowledge because the need to act is resolved by self knowledge. The impliedmeaningisthattheselfisakarta.Selfknowledgenegatesthedoer.TheValueofSelfKnowledge34.RealizetheSelfthroughprostraAng,inquiringandservice.

“prostra8on..” apprecia8ng thevalueof self knowledgeaboveandbeyondone’sownpersonalknowledge/experience,keepinganopenmind,

Thewise…whohavethevisionofthetruth…willteachyouSelfknowledge.Whenitremoves your Self ignorance you will see all beings in yourself and inMe. Selfknowledgecanredeemeventhegreatestsinner.

Some8mes sinners realizewho they are quite easily because sin is suffering andsuffering can become a powerful mo8vator. But self knowledge is available toanyoneatany8mebecauseitisjustknowledgeoftheselfandeveryonehas/istheself.

JustasfirereduceswoodtoashesthefireofSelfknowledgereducestheresultsofacAonstoashes.

Exceptprarabdha, karma already in the pipeline,which plays out. No sanchitaremainsbecauseajnanidoeskarmawithoutdoership.Agamikarmaislaidtorestcompletely,meaningthatyouarenotdrivenbywhathappenedinthepast.

ThereisnopurifierequivalenttoSelfknowledge.PreparethemindwiththekarmayogaahtudeandSelfknowledgewillautomaAcallyariseinit.39.Selfknowledgecomeswhenyoursensesarecontrolled,youarecommiIedtoitandyouhave faith in the teachingsof scriptureand thewordsof the teacher. Itbringscompletepeace.

Butthepeacereferredtohereisnotastateofmind.Itisratherthenatureoftheselfwhichisalwayssilentregardlessofthestateofmind.

Becausetheserviceyouperformtotheteachermaybenothingmorethananact.Therefore,outwardservicemustbebackedbyfaithintheteachingandtheteacher.WithoutitVedantadoesnotwork.

But if you lack faith in the scripture you will not succeed because there is nohappiness fordoubters. OArjuna,acAondoesnotbind thepersonwhosedoubtsaboutthenatureofrealityhavebeenremovedbySelfknowledge.Therefore,taketokarmayoga,takeupthesharpswordofSelfknowledgeandslaythisdeeplyrooteddoubtaboutyourself.

SummaryChapter4–RenunciaAonthroughknowledge.

Thetopicisgivingupone’ssenseofdoershipbecauseoneunderstandsthattheselfisnotadoerandperformingac8oneventhough it isknowntobeunreal. Whentheac8onlessnatureoftheself isappreciatedeverythingassociatedwithac8on…the factors that produce ac8on…are sublated, resolved. They are: the karta, theagent,karma,theobject,karana,themeansorinstrument,thepurpose,apadana,thesourcefromwheretheac8onisproduced,andadhikarana,theloca8onoftheac8on.

Chapter5

RenunciaDonofAcDon

1. Arjunasaid,“OKrishna,youpraiserenunciaAonofacAonandkarmayoga.TellmedefinitelywhichisbeIer.”Thereisnochoicebecausekarmayogaisthemeans(purifica8on)andrenuncia8onofac8on (in termsofknowledge) is thegoal. Arjuna is thinkingonly in termsofwhattodoi.e.lifestyle. Hewonderswhyheshouldpurifywithkarmayogawhenjnanayogaisthebestpurifier.

Karmayogaismorecomplicatedthansanyassbecausetherearemanyrolestoplaywhereassanyassarequiresasinglerole…inquirer.

The renuncia8onofac8onand theperformanceofac8oncanonlybeperformedserially because they are mutually exclusive. Krishna does not praise lifestylesanyass,onlysanyassasameanstomoksaandthefruitofmoksa.

Karma Yoga is right for Arjuna because he has likes and dislikes and thereforekarma.Heisnotindifferenttotheresultsofac8on.Asanyassiisindifferenttotheresultsofac8onirrespec8veofhislifestyle.

Bothkarmayogisandsanyassisareknowledgeseekers.

2. Krishnareplied,“BothrenunciaAonofacAonandtheperformanceofacAonasyoga lead to liberaAon. But the performance of acAon as yoga is beIer thanrenunciaAonofacAon. Arenunciateisfreefromlikesanddislikesandthereforeisfreeofbondage.

Theverseisnotpraisingonelifestyleoveranother.Itpointsoutthatwhilesanyassasalifestyleisapparentlysimplerandmoredirect,itisnottheappropriatemeansforArjunaowingtohisrajasictemperamentandhiscomplicatedlife.Renuncia8onisfreedomfromlikesanddislikes,notlifestylewithliQletodo.Youaredefinitelyarenunciate when you are happy because you don’t need anything to make youhappy.Sanyassdoesnotworkifitisanescape.Youhavetofaceyourlife.4. SomearguethatSelfknowledgeandkarmayogaaredifferentbutbothleadto

liberaAon. Thereforethewiseseekarmaandknowledgeasone. RenunciaAonofacAonisdifficultwithoutkarmayogabutifyouarediscriminaAngandcommiIedtokarmayogayouwillquicklyrealizeyourlimitlessnature. Ifyoursenseorgansarerestrained,yourmindispurifiedbykarmayogaandyouknowthatyourSelfistheSelfinallbeingsyouwillnotbeaffectedbykarma.

“karmayogaandknowledgeareone”becausetheybothleadtomoksa.

“you will quickly realize your limitless nature” because karma yoga will havepreparedyou.

“senseorgansrestrained”sothataminimumofvasanasareexpressed…torestrainthemcompletelyisrepression.

“mindpurifiedbykarmayoga…”onlyacAonsinharmonywithdharmaaredone.

Thereisnoconflictbetweenthinkinganddoingifone’sgoalisclear. Karmayogiscandiscriminateandsanyassiscanperformac8on.Thepurposeofthisdiscussionistoelucidatetherela8onshipbetweenkarmaandknowledge.8. The organs automaAcally contact their objects so you should not think “I amdoing”whileyouareseeing,hearing,touching,smelling,eaAng,walking,sleeping,breathing,talking,releasing,grasping,openingandclosingtheeyes.

Thegunasdoeverything.10.Ifyouacta^eryouhaveofferedyouracAonstoMeyouwillnotbeaffectedbyagitaAon, just as a lotus leaf is untouched by water. Karma yogis let go ofaIachmenttoresultsandactwiththebody,mindandintellecttopurifythemind.The lifeofkarmayoga leads to inner freedomwhilea lifemoAvatedbydesire forworldlyobjectsleadstobondage.

TheSelfnotaDoer13.WhentheIndwellerisselfcontrolledandindifferenttotheresultsofitsacAons,itliveshappilyinthebody,neitheracAngorcausingotherstoact.

‘liveshappilyinthebody’topointoutitsloca8onbecausemanypeoplethinkthey

live insomeexternalplaceandthattheself issomewhereotherthanwheretheyare.Infactthebodyisintheself.

Itdoesn’tcauseac8onbecauseitisfreeofdesire.

TheSelfdoesn’tcreateasenseofdoership,norisItdirectlyorindirectlyresponsiblefor the resultsofyouracAons. The idea thatyouare incompleteand inadequatecausesdoershipandwillfulacAon. TheSelf is indifferenttogoodandbadkarma.BecauseSelfknowledgeiscoveredbyignoranceyoutakeyourselftobeadoer.

Karmayogaisnotatechnique,anac8on.Itisanajtude.16. Justas the sun revealsobjectspreviouslyhidden indarkness, Self knowledgedestroysSelfignoranceandrevealstheSelftobelimitlessandcomplete.Whentheintellect isawareof the limitlessnatureof theSelfand issolelycommiIedtoSelfrealizaAonitsimpuriAesareeventuallydestroyedbySelfknowledgeandyouwillnolongerbetroubledbyselflimiAngthoughts.

“Selfknowledge…”Iamwholeandcompleteac8onlessnon-dualawareness.

TheSelfRealizedPerson18. Those who see no difference between a humble Brahmin endowed withknowledgeandacow,anelephant,adogoradogeaterarewise. WhenthemindisrootedintheSelfthecycleofbirthsanddeathsisneutralized. Thewiseabideinthe Self alone because it is free of defect and always the same. Thosewho areestablishedintheSelfastheSelfbyvirtueofhardandfastSelfknowledgedonotrejoicewhentheirdesiresaresaAsfiednoraretheydisturbedbyundesirablekarma.

“Thecycleofbirthsanddeaths…” the incessantunconscious recyclingofdesiresandfearsthatmo8vatethejivatoact”

“Abideintheselfalone…” awisepersonalwaysunderstandsthatheorshelacksnothingbecauseastheselfheorsheisalwaysfull. Iftherewereanydefectintheself,one’sthoughtswouldgoelsewhere.21. When the mind no longer tries to connect the sense organs with theirrespec)ve objects it becomes permanently fulfilled. Pleasure arising from the

contact of the organs and their objects is a source of pain because it begins andends. The wise do not celebrate it. The karma yoga ahtude brings happinessbecauseitpurifiesdesireandanger.

But the purifica8on never ends because desire lasts un8l death. Selfmastery isaccomplishedbyhavingadisciplined life,a soundvalue structureandaprayerfulajtude.24.IfyouareawaketotheSelf,revelintheSelfandaresaAsfiedwiththeSelfaloneyouarefree.WhenyourimpuriAesareremoved,yourdoubtsresolvedandyouarehappilyengagedinservingallbeingsyouwilleasilygainliberaAon. Amindfreeofdesireandanger is liberatedhereandherea^er. If thesensesareshutdownandinhalaAonandexhalaAonarebalancedliberaAonhappensforthemeditaAvepersonwho isnota slave to thebody-mind-sense complexand forwhom freedom is theonlygoal. KnowMeas thesustainerof ritualsanddisciplines, theLordofall theworlds,friendofallbeings,andbefree.

“will easily gain…” The verse treats the characteris8cs of thewise as ameans ofknowledge.

Wise people are non-compe88ve because they appreciate the dharma of non-injury.

Knowingthatthedoer,theenjoyerandtheresultsofac8onareIsvarafreesthejivaof thebelief that it isadoer,enjoyer. It thenunderstands that it isnotseparatefrom Isvara. Isvara is a friendbecause It giveswhat youneed according to yourac8ons.Ac8onsareprayerstoIsvara.

Chapter6

MeditaDon

1. If you renounce proscribed rituals but perform no other acAons you are not akarma yogi. A karma yogi does acAon without aIachment to the result.RenunciaAon is actually karma yoga because you can’t become a karma yogiwithoutgivingupaIachmenttoresults.

Theversejustmeansthatapersonwhoiswillingtosacrificehisorherlikesand

dislikestoconformtothedharmaofagivensitua8onisbothakarmayogiandarenunciate,notjustsanyassiswhohavenoresultstogiveup.Theyhavenoresultstosurrenderbecausetheydon’twantanythingexceptlibera8on.Doingwhathastobedoneirrespec8veofone’slikesanddislikesisrenuncia8onandkarmayoga.

Thedifferencebetweenkarmayogaandsanyassais:karmayogishavetoperformcertainreligiousritualsandplayavarietyofrolesbutsanyassisdon’t.Asanyassiplaysonlytheroleofaninquirer.2.KarmayogaisrenunciaAonbecauseyouhavetogiveupdesiresforobjectswhichproducelimitedresults.

Akarmayogigivesupthevasanasbutkeepsperformingac8ontopurifythemind.Ifonlytheac8vi8esaregivenupandnotthevasanas,thepersonisahypocrite,neitherakarma-yoginorasannyasi.Akarma-yogirenounceslikesanddislikesthatareopposedtodharmaandadharma.AsanyassigivesupboththevasanaandtheacAonbygivingupthenoAonofdoership.

3.ForadiscriminaAngpersonwhowishestoobtainacontemplaAvedisposiAonkarmayogaisthemeans.ForsomeonewhoisalreadycontemplaAve,completerenunciaAonisthemeans.Karmayogaispar8alrenuncia8onbecausethedoerremains.Sanyassaiscompleterenuncia8onbecausethedoerisrenouncedbyknowledgeofthenatureoftheselfandthekarakas.Theseversesarejustsayingthatlibera8onisunderstandingtherela8onshipbetweenawarenessandac8on.

Youcangiveupspecificac8onsbutnotac8on. Youcangiveupthedesiretoact.Youcangiveuptheoneforwhomac8onisaproblembyunderstandingthenatureofac8onandac8onlessness.Completerenuncia8onisaQainedonlybyknowledge.Itissynonymouswithselfknowledgei.e.knowledgeofsatyaandmithya.

TheSelfRealizedPerson

4. You have aIained liberaAon when you are no longer aIached to the senseobjectsortoacAonandyouhaveremovedthecauseofdesire.

Li^yourselfupbyyourself. Donotdestroyyourself. Youareyourbestfriendifyoumaster yourself. If not, you are your worst enemy. The self-controlled mind iscomposedinthefaceofheatandcold,pleasureandpain,praiseandcriAcism.

Youarethebeneficiaryandthebenefactor. Youhaveachoicewhethertoprac8cemedita8on/contempla8onor not. To get out of the samsaric pickle youneed toques8onyourlifeandyourvaluestructure.Togetoutyouhavetoappreciateyourhelplessnessincertainsitua8ons,nottrytofixthembydoing.Don’tlookdownonyourself. Youhavethesepowerstouse:thepowertothink,togatherinforma8on,inquire,will,etc.8. YouareSelfrealizedwhenyounolongertrytoconnectthesenseswiththeirobjectsandthemindsitss)llbecauseitknowsthatitistheSelf. Thismindseesnodifferencebetweenaclodofearthandalumpofgold. Exaltedisthemindthatseesnodifferencebetweenafriendandanenemy,asaintandasinner.

KnowledgeaQainedfromthescriptureiscalledjnana.Vignanaistotallyassimilatedknowledgei.e.thebindingvasanashavebeenneutralized.10. Themeditatorwho is free of longing for objects should remain relaxed andalone and constantly unite his or her mind with the Self. To meditate for thepurificaAon of themind one should keep the senses in check, sit in a clean quietplaceonafirmseatandfocusthemindontheSelf.Whenthemindispure,fearlessandfocusedonthesilence,conAnuallycontemplateontheSelf.Libera)onhappenswhenthemindiscompletelyabsorbedintheSelf.Themindisquietenedbymedita8on,whichcanbeeithercontempla8vemedita8onorpurelyprayerfulmedita8on.Prayerfulmedita8onisonBrahmanwithquali8es,saguna-brahma,whereascontempla8vemedita8onisonBrahmanwithoutquali8es,nirguna-brahma.

Thenatureofatmaisrevealedeitherbysayingthatsatya-jnana-anantaisBrahmanorbysayingthatsat-cit-anandaisatma.Itisthesamerevela8oninthatbothareoneandthesame.Thewordsthatrevealthenatureoftheselfortheparamatmabyimplica8onarealwaysthesame.Butthereisalsotheequa8onbetweenthejivaandIsvara,theequa8onitselfbeingtheupadesa,theteaching.

Thus,therearethesetwotypesofvakyas-vastu-svarapa-para-vakya,astatementrevealingthenatureofatma,andekatva-para-vakya,astatementrevealingtheiden8tybetweentheindividualandtheLord,suchas,'YouarethatBrahman-tattvamasi,'orIamBrahman-ahambrahmaasmi.

16. MeditaAon does not work for gluIons, fasters, insomniacs and excessivesleepers. However, it destroys the sorrowofapersonwithmoderatehabitswhodoesnotworktoomuchoristoolazy.ThemindofanaccomplishedmeditatordoesnotlongforobjectsbecauseithasgainedcomposurethroughitscontemplaAonontheSelf. Justasacandleprotectedfromthewinddoesnotflicker,themindofanaccomplishedmeditatordoesnotwaver.20.WhenthemindismasteredbythepracAceofmeditaAonitabidesintheSelf.Itrejoices in the Self alone. Andwhen the happiness that is beyond the senses isrecognized,theintellectbecomesrootedintheSelfandnevermovesawayfromIt.

Fortherecogni8onofatmaalso,theremustbeavrh.ThisvrhiscreatedbytheSastra and it destroys self-ignorance. And this vrh is brought back by thecontemplatorinnididhydsana.Intherecogni8onofthesvariipaoftheself,thevrhassumes the very svariupaofatma,without objec8fying it. This is not similar toknowinganobject suchas thepot. In the recogni8onof thesvaripaof theatmathereisonlyoneopera8oninvolved;whereasintheobjec8fica8onofapot,therearetwoopera8ons.Oneopera8onisthevrhassumingtheformofthepotandthesecondopera8onistherecogni8onofthatvrh,therebyrecognisingthepot.Oneistheobjec8fica8onoftheobject(bythevrh)andtheotheristherecogni8onofthevrh.Theobjec8fyingvrh is recognisedby anothervrh,which is thedrasta, theseer.Ibecometheseer,theknowerofthepot.Therefore,thisI-thought,theahamvrh,assuming thestatusof theknower, recognisesanobject throughavrh, theghata-vrh,andsays,'Thisisapot–ayamghatah.'

Anypieceofknowledge-wherethereisthispeculiarconnec8on,atmaanatma-sambandha,betweentheself,theknower,you,andtheobjectthatisobjec8fiedbythatknower-takesplacebythesetwoopera8ons.Thatis,theobjectisobjec8fiedbythevrhandyoucognisethevrh.Thisiswhyyoucansay,'Thisisapot.'But,youcannotsay, 'This isatma.'Whoistheretosayit?Iamtheonewhohastosayitand,ifitweretobeso,then,theself,atma,wouldbecomeanobjectoftheselfwhoisobjec8fyingit.Therefore,itwouldbecomeanatma,notatma.,justlikeanyotherobjectofyourknowledge.

SEEINGATMAISDIFFERENTTHANSEEINGANOBJECT

Naturally,then,whenKrsnasaid,'seeingatma,'inthelastverse,somedifferencewasdefinitelyimplied.Thedifferenceisthatinthenumberofopera8onsinvolved.Seeingatmaimpliesonlyoneopera8on;thereisnosecondopera8onatallasthereiswhenoneseesanobject.Onlythefirstopera8onisthere,thevrhthatobjec8fiesatma,thatassumestheveryformofatma.IfIsayatmaispureconsciousness,kevala-caitanya,Suddha-caitanya,andtherecogni8onofthisfacttakesplace,thatrecogni8onimpliesthatthevrhassumestheveryformofconsciousnessandthereisnootherobjectinvolved.Thatpar8cularformdestroystheignorancewithreferencetothesvarilpaoftheatmaandthendisappears.This,then,istheonlyopera8onthattakesplace,meaningthatthereisnosecondopera8onintheformoftherecogni8on,'Thisisatma,'asthereisinthecogni8onofotherobjects.Theoneopera8onthatdoestakeplaceisonlywithreferencetoone'sconfusionaboutoneself,theself-ignorancethatwasthere;thatignoranceisdestroyedbythevrh.Thisiswhathappensinself-knowledge,inknowingtheself,moreofwhichweshallseelater.

A^ergainingthishappiness,ifyoudonottrytoaIainagreaterhappinessandareevenunaffectedbytragicevents,thistranscendenceofsorrowisyoga. Pursuethisyogawithunflinchingclarityofpurpose.24.Withallthought-moAvateddesiresrenouncedandthesensesrestrainedbythemind,holdthemindontheSelfwithgreatperseveranceandthinkofnothingelse.GaincontrolofthemindbybringingitbacktotheSelfoverandoveragain.27. Indeed, themostexaltedhappinessarises in themeditatorwhobecomes theSelf through Self knowledge. All impuriAes are reduced to ash in the fire of Selfknowledgeandlifeisseentobefreeofdefects. Ifyouremainfreefromconflictsproduced by improper contactwith theworld and constantly reconnect themindwith the Self unAl you realize the non-separaAon of the mind and the SelfuncondiAonedhappinessarises.

29. One whosemind is resolved by the contemplaAon on the Self sees the SelfabidinginallbeingsandallbeingsintheSelf. TheonewhoseesMeinallbeingsandseesallbeingsinMeisMe. ThisvisionremainsnomaIerwhatyoudo. With

thisvisionyouwillregardpainandpleasureequally.”33. Arjunasaid,“MymindisamessandIdonotseethisyogaofnon-dualityyouspeakof. Themind isnothingbutagitaAon,Krishna,anentrenched tyrant. It isimpossibletocontrol.”35.“Yes,yogaisdifficult”Krishnareplied,“ifthemindisnotmasteredbyrepeatedpracAceandobjecAvity.”

Acceptanceofthemindisthefirststep,nottryingtochangeit.

Theprac8ceistheprac8ceofyogajustdiscussedbyKrsna,throughwhichacertaindistance is gained between yourmind and yourself. This distance enables you tolookatyourselfposi8vely,toseeyourselfexactlyasyouare,toseewhatthenatureof 'I' is. In thisway,youcometounderstandthateverythought isyou,nodoubt,but that you are free from thought. Seeing this par8cular fact more and more,seeing it inside very clearly, is what is meant by abhydsa, prac8ce. Seeing thispar8cularsitua8on-thoughtbeing'I,'while'I'isnotanythought-iswhatiscallednididhyasana.Anddoingthesamethingagainandagainiscalledabhydsa,whichenablesyoutogainmasteryoveryourmind-abhyasenagrhyate.Objec8vityisknowingthatanobjectisjustanobject.

RebirthYogis37. ThenArjunasaid,“WhathappenstomeifIhavefaithinthescripturesbutamunsuccessful keeping my mind fixed on the Self? Am I not lost if I can neitherunderstandwhoIamthoughSelfknowledgeoramunabletokeepmymindfixedontheSelf?Youaretheonlyonewhocaneliminatethisdoubt.”40.“Youarenotlost,Arjuna,becauseanyonewhoperformsacAonsforyoganeverreachesabadend. SuchpeoplegototheworldwheresuchpeoplegoandenjoyunAltheyarerebornintofamiliesofculturedpeoplecommiIedtodharma.Ortheyarebornintoafamilyofwiseyogis.Suchabirthisdifficulttogaininthisworld.Inthenewlifethevasanasfromyourpreviouseffortsatyogawillsproutandyouwillstriveforsuccess inyogaoncemore. ThemomentumfromyourpreviouspracAcewillcarryyousmoothlyalong,justassomeonewhoseesthelimitaAonsofritualismisleadtoSelfknowledge.

45. If you persevere in your pracAce yourmindwill become pure and youwilleventuallyrealizetheSelf. AyogiissuperiortothosewholivealifeofmeditaAon,superior to the scholars and superior to those who perform acAon. Therefore, OArjuna,beayogi! TheonewhohasfaithandwhosemindisabsorbedinMeisthemostexaltedyogi.ThisisMyvision.

Yogi…onewhohastheknowledgeSuperiortomeditators…thosedoingtapaswhoareseekingmoksaasanexperienceSuperiortothescholars….thosewithintellectualknowledgeSuperiortothosewhoperformac8on…doers TopicsforChapter71. How does the yogi become the one whose mind is absorbed in ISvara?2. What is the nature of Krsna, the Lord?

Chapter7

DirectandIndirectKnowledge1. O Arjuna, if youwish to knowMewithout doubt, commit yourmind toMe,surrendertoMeandtakerefugeinyoga. Iwillteachyouindirectknowledgeandimmediateknowledge,knowingwhichthereisnothingmoretoknow.Amongmanythousands of people, only a rare person seeks freedom. And among thosewhomakeanefforttobefree,anequallyrarepersoncomestoknowMeinreality.In the verses that follow, Krsna unfolds the two typesof prakrti to prove that iAvara is everything and his svaripa is you

PRAKRIYA - A TEACHING MODELUsing a particular model like this to teach the nature of the creation is using asrsti-prakriyd. A prakriyd is a particular discussion which is useful for understandingthe vision. The intention of using any prakriyd is only to point out that there is nothingother than param brahma. So, the intention of a prakriyd dealing with creation, srsti, isnot to reveal the creation but to establish that there is nothing other than Brahman.

4. Earth,water,fire,air,space,mind,intellectandthesenseofdoershipconsAtutethe eight principles ofmy lower nature. Other than this ismy essenAal nature…which is also the nature of the individual… bywhich thisworld is sustained. Allbeings and the insenAent elements come from the union of these two natures.

Therefore I am the one fromwhom this enAreworld comes and I am the one inwhomeverythingresolves.OArjuna,thereisnosourceotherthanMe.EverythinghasitsbeinginMe.

Everythingcomesfromconsciousness.Itistheonlysourceoftheobjects.

8.Iamthetasteinthewater;Iamthelightinthemoonandthesun;IamOminalltheVedas;Iamsoundinthespaceandthevitalityinhumanbeings.Iamthesweetfragranceintheearthandtheheatinfire.Iamtheverylifeforceinallbeings.IamdisciplineinanasceAcandtheresultofdiscipline. KnowMeastheeternalseedinallbeings.IamthecapacityofdiscriminaAonintheintellectandthebrillianceinabrilliantmind. I am the strength that is free fromdesireandaIachment. Inallbeings,Iamthedesirethatisnotopposedtodharma.

Consciousness is the essence of every object. It is desire without need, purecrea8vity.Allbeau8fulandgoodthingscomeaboutthroughignorance-freedesire.Desiresagainstdharmabelongtoaselfignorantjiva. Mayatwistspuredesireintoanuglygraspingforcethatiscapableofviola8ngdharma.

12. ThethingsandbeingsthatcomefromsaIva,rajas,andtamascomefrommealone.TheyareinMebutIamnotinthem.TheenArehumanworldisdeludedbythemodificaAonsbroughtonbythesethreechangingqualiAes. ConsequentlyIamnot known to be separate from them. My projecAon, the gunas, is difficult topenetrate. Only thosewhoseekMecan remove it. UndiscriminaAngpeopleoflimited capacity deluded by myMaya become condiAoned to negaAve behavior,revelinthepleasuresofthesensesandconsequentlydonotseekMe.Whenever we use the word Paramesvara, it covers both the svarilpa of the Lord as well as his status of being sarva-karana, the cause of everything.

Throughout the sastra, the jiva is never said to have been created - a very importantthing to understand. The physical body, the mind, the senses are all created because theyare assembled. But thejiva is never created. It is the changeless atma, the very atma ofevery being. After the entire process of creation, atma remains the same as the 'I' ofeverything. And that 'I' is independent of all the three gunas.

Typesofseekers16. However,fourtypesofgoodpeoplecometoMe:thedistressed,thoseseekingsecurityandpleasure, thosewhowant toknowmeand thosewhoknowmeas I

am.Amongthem,theonewithnon-dualdevoAonwhoknowsmeasIamisalwaysunitedwithMe. WeuncondiAonally loveeachother. Allareexalted,buttheonewhoknowsMeisMealone.WithamindabsorbedinMeheorshereachesme,theendbeyondwhichthereisnootherend. Attheendofmanybirths,theonewithSelfknowledgereachesMebyknowingthatIameverything.Suchwisepeopleareveryrare.All of them have sufficient recognition of Isvara to be devotees but among them there is a gradation. The degree of recognition, their attitude, approach, prayers, etc., all determine the four types.

The distressed: So, whenever he wants to accomplish something, he invokes the grace of Isvara to control certain factors that he cannot control or even know. He will perform rituals in order to invoke Isvara's grace to help him gain whatever he wants. This is kamya-karma, a karma done with a desire to accomplish a given end within samsara. The one who does kImya-karma is an artharthi. But he is also an irta, adevotee in trouble.

Pleasure seekers: kamis

Knowledge seeker: He wants to know the truth of Isvara, the ultimate cause of everything. And thisjijihsu is a great devotee. He is a karma yogi

Jnani: The jnani's devotion is what we call sadhya-bhakti. There are two types ofbhakti. One is sidhana-bhakti, a devotion to Isvara as a means. This is the devotion ofa jijiisu. But the bhakti of one who understands Isvara, who recognises the truth ofTIvara as dtmd, is sadhya-bhakti. It is a bhakti that has fulfilled itself, a devotion in theform of absolute love -parama-prema-svari pa-bhakti.

What is this absolute love? Between the object of love and the person who loves,there is no difference at all. Love consumes all the differences. That is what we callabsolute love and it is only in the form of knowledge. The non-difference is alreadyaccomplished because Isvara is atmd. This is a fact which has only to be recognised.When there is already non-difference, its recognition is called ananya-bhakti

HOW THE SASTRA REVEALS IDENTITYBADHAYAM SAMANADHIKARANYAMTo reveal this, aistra uses a linguistic method called badhya.mtsamanadhikaranyam. The word samana means 'the same.' The word adhikaranameans 'locus.' When two things have the same locus, then one is said to be a samana adhikarana with reference to the other. The condition in which two objects enjoy thesame locus is called samanadhikaranya.' There are two types of samdnddhikaranya.In a blue pot, both the blue colour and the pot are in the same locus; they have the sameadhikarana. Similarly, when you say, 'Rama is a musician,' both Rama and theproperty of being a musician reside in the same locus. Rama is the musician and themusician is Rama. A is B and B is A. Therefore, there is samanadhikaranya betweenA and B.

But when we say the world is Brahman, the situation is different. The world is

Brahman alright but Brahman is not the world. A is B but B is not A. This kind ofsamanadhikaranya is called badhaydm samanadhikaranyam. To illustrate, let usconsider the following situation. Suppose a stump of a tree is mistaken for a person.Then someone who knows that it is not a person, points out that it is not a person but astump of a tree. He says, 'sthanuh ayam purusah - this person is a stump of a tree.' Itmeans - what you see as the person is a stump of a tree. In Sanskrit, both the word'person,' purusa, and the word 'stump,' sthanu, have the same case ending. Thisindicates that they have the same locus. But are there two things here? No. What isreferred to as a person, purusa, is the stump of a tree, sthanu. First you see it as theperson and then the person resolves into the stump. The person does not qualify thestump, like blue qualifies the pot; the person resolves into the stump. This kind ofsamanadhikaranya in which one is negated, that is, one resolves in to the other iscalled badhaydam samanadhikaranyam. And the Sdstra uses this technique ofbadhaydm samanadhikaranyam to explain the fact that what we perceive as thepluralistic world is in fact one non-dual Brahman.

WorshipofForms

20. WhenyouaredrivenbyyourlowernaturedesiredestroysyourdiscriminaAonandyouworshipgods. IfyouworshipagodwithfaithIwillfulfillyourprayerstomakeyourfaithfirmirrespecAveofyourmoAvaAon.

This kind ofworship leads to inquiry because you become curiouswho the Lordthatgivesyouallthesethingsis. Youneedfaithforinquirybecausetheteachingsarecounterintui8ve.

What comes through the gods comes only from Me. Worship with limitedunderstandingbrings limited results.But if youworshipMeyouwilldefinitelygetMe. Althoughmynatureislimitless,changelessandformlessandthereisnothingotherthanit,theundiscriminaAngonlyseemeinaform.25. BecausemyMayacoversthe intellectsofnearlyeveryoneIamnotknownasunbornandchangeless.Iknowallthingsthathavehappened,arehappening,andwillhappenbutalmostnooneknowsMe.Desireandaversioncreatetheopposites.The opposites delude. But those commiIed to freedom seek Me. Bring yournegaAvetendenciestoanendthoughkarmayogaandyouwillbereleasedfromthespelloftheopposites.IfyouseekfreedomfromchangeandtakerefugeinMeyouwill cometoknowmeasyourownself. Youwillalsounderstandkarma inall itsnuances.EvennatureloverswhoseeMeinthephysicalworld…orthosewhoinvokeMethroughritualsaimedatothergods…eventuallycometoknowMe.

Chapter8

TheUnchangingSelf

1. Arjunasaid, “OKrishna,What is theSelfandwhat is the individual? What iskarmaandhowdoesitrelatetobeings?Whatarethegods?Whatistheobjectofreligiousrituals?Andhowareyouknownatdeathbythosewithsteadyminds?”

3. Krishnareplied,“TheSelfislimitlessandunchanging. Associatedwithabodyitiscalledan individual. Karma isanofferingthatcreatesbodies forbeings. Theindividual issubjecttochangebutthegodsarerelaAvelyeternal. Ialoneamtheobjectofallrituals.

5. Ifan individualdiesthinkingofMe,heorsherealizesnon-differencefromMe.Thereisnodoubtaboutthis.ButifatthatAmesomethingelseentersthemind,heorshegoesthere.7. OfferyourheartandmindtoMeatallAmesandfight! ThereisnodoubtthatyouwillreachonlyMe. Ifyoureflectontheteachingsofnon-dualitywithamindforAfied by yoga…amind that does notwander to other objects…youwill realizeyourlimitlessself-effulgentnature.Ifyoucontemplateonwhatisallknowing,mostancient, the ruler and ordainer of everything, subtler than the subtlest, ofinconceivableform,andbeyondknowledgeandignoranceyouwillrealizeyourtruenature. If yourmind is steadywith thedevoAonal strengthgained throughyogaand you place your breath properly between your eyebrows, you will reach thelimitlesseffulgentSelf.

11. IwilltellyoubrieflyabouttheSelfwhichisthetopicoftheVedasandwhichisrealizedbyrenunciateswhopursuealifeofselfstudyanddiscipline.12. Shut down the sense organs, withdraw the mind into the heart, place yourbreathatthetopofyourheadandholdittherebyyogawhilechanAngthesyllableOm…which istheSelf. Ifyouthen letgoofthebodyyouwill realizeyour idenAtywith Me.. A mind that constantly sees no other easily realizes Me. If yousuccessfullyrealizeMeyouwillnottakeanothermiserablelimitedbirth. Uptothelevel of the Creator youwill come back to earth from anyworld inwhich beingsexist.ButyouwillnotbereborntoSelfignoranceifyouknowwhoIam.

TheUnmanifest

17. OneoftheCreator’sdayslastsathousandeons,asdoesoneofitsnights. Atthe beginning of the day all things and beings arise from the Unmanifest andbecome manifest. And when night begins they are again resolved into theUnmanifest.ButeternalConsciousnessisbeyondthemanifestandtheUnmanifest.Itdoesnotchangewhenallbeingsaredestroyed.Itiswhatistobeknown.WhenyourealizeItyounolongerseeyourselfasalimitedbeing.TheSelfislimitlessandcan be obtained by a devoAonwhich knowsno otherness. It is that inwhich allbeingsarerootedandbywhomallarepervaded.

TwoPaths

23.Oh,ArjunaIwillexplaintoyouthepathsofreturnandnoreturnbywhichyogisgo.24.MeditatorsontheSelftravelforsixmonthsthroughthelandsofthegodoffire,thegodoflightandAme,thegodofthedayandthegodofthelightfortnightandarriveattheabodeoftheSelf.Buttheyogiwhosemindiselsewheretravelsforsixmonthsthroughthelandsofthedeityofsmoke,thedeityofnight,thedeityofthedarkfortnight,whenthesunisinthesouth.Heorshegainstheworldofthemoonandreturnstoearth. Itiswellknownthatboththedarkandthebrightpathsareeternal. Bythebrightpathonegains liberaAonanddoesnotreturn,bytheotherone returns again to bondage. Knowing these two paths, be not deluded.Therefore, at all Amesmay you be in yoga, Arjuna. The onewho knows this nolongerneedstofollowtheinjuncAonsintheVedasconcerningtheresultsofacAons,rituals,disciplinesandchariAesandaIainsmysupremeabode.

CHAPTER9

TheKingofSecrets

1. Krishnasaid, ‘Becauseyourheart ispure Iwillexplainclearlyand indetail thesecretandimmediateknowledgewhichwillreleaseyoufrominauspiciousness.Thiseasily accomplished knowledge, the king of all knowledges and secrets, is notopposed to dharma. It is the greatest purifier. Those who lack faith in Selfknowledge,donotrealizeMeandremaincaughtinthewhirlpoolofsamsara.4. I cannot be experienced yet I pervade thewhole universe. Everythinghas its

beinginMebutIamfreeofeverything. NobeingsexistinMe. Suchismynaturethatalthough Icreateandsustainall thingsandbeings, I standapart fromthem.Asthewindtravelseverywhereinspace,allbeingsliveandmoveinme.

TheUnmanifest7. At the endof the creaAon cycleall beings return tomyUnmanifest and IwillthemtoemergefromitagainatthebeginningofthecreaAoncycle.WiththeaidoftheUnmanifest,whichIcontrol,IcreateallbeingsoverandoverirrespecAveoftheirwishes. O!Arjuna,nokarmasbindMe. Iamunconnectedandindifferenttothem.Because I shine on the Unmanifest, senAent beings and insenAent objects arecreatedandaresubjecttoconstantchange.

WorshipofForms11. When I am in a body people do not realize that I am the limitless Lord ofeverything.12.Aggressive,godless,self-centeredpeople,theirfacesturnedfromthesun,hopein vain that the fruits of their acAonswill fulfill them; lacking discriminaAon theypursueinnumerablekindsofknowledge. ButnoblesoulswithspiritualtendenciesfixtheirmindsonmeandwholeheatedlyseekMebecausetheyknowthatIamtheimperishable source of everything. Because they appreciate Me as I am theywholeheartedlyworshipMe,surrenderingandconsistentlymakinganefforttounitewithMe. NotonlydotheyworshipandseekmeastheOnebuttheyworshipmymanifoldforms,knowingthattheseformsarenotseparatefromme.16. I am the sacrificial ritual and the sacredfire. I am theofferings, the sacredchantsandtheoneswhochant. Iammotherandfatheroftheuniverse. Iamtheuncausedcause.Isustainandnourisheverything.Iamwhatistobeknownandthegreatpurifier. IamOmandIamtheVedas. Iamthenourisherandsustainerofeverything. I am the results of all acAons and the giver of the results. I am thewitnessandthatforwhicheverythingstrives. Iamtherefugeandthefriendofall.FrommethewholecreaAonevolvesandintoMeit isresolved. EverythinghasitsbeinginMe. Iamtheimperishableseed. Iamtheheatinthesun. Iwithholdandrelease the rains. I amdeathand immortality. I am the causeand theeffect,O!Arjuna.

20. Those who propiAate me by religious rituals, who offer the soma and arepurified of their sins go to heavenly realmswhere they enjoy the results of theirmeritoriousdeeds.TheyenjoyunAltheirgoodkarmaisexhaustedandthenreturnback tosamsara, theworldofcomingandgoing. But thosewho inquire intoMeandunderstandthattheyarenon-separatefromMe,realizetheiridenAtywithMe.Iprotectwhattheyacquireandvalue.24.Arjuna,eventhosewhofaithfullyworshipothergodsunknowinglyworshipme.IreceivetheofferingsofallritualsbecauseIamtheonlyLord.Becausetheydonotknowwhotheyreallyworship,theydonotcometoMe. Iftheyworshipthegodstheyreachtheworldofthegods.Iftheyworshiptheancestorstheyreachtheworldoftheancestors.SpiritworshippersgainthespiritworldbutthosewhoworshipandseekMe,getMe.27.IhappilyreceiveapureheartedofferingnomaIerhowhumble:aleaf,flower,fruit,evenadropofwater. Whateveryoudo,whateveryoueat,whateverritualsyouperform,whateveryougive,orwhateverreligiousdisciplineyoufollow,Arjuna,please do it as an offering to Me. This will release you from desireable andundesireablekarmas.ThiskarmayogaahtudewillendowyourmindwiththespiritofrenunciaAonandyouwillcometoMe.29.Iamthesameinallbeings.IdislikenoonenordoIplayfavorites,butthosewhodevotedlyseekmerealizethattheyexistinmeandIinthem.Evensinnerswhoknowtheyarenon-separatefrommeshouldberespectedbecausetheirunderstandingisclear.Withthisnon-dualunderstandingthemindquicklyconformstodharmaandbecomespeaceful.Youcanknowforcertainthatanyonesincerelydevotedtomewillneverbedestroyed.Indeed,evenwomen,businesspeople,thelowercastesorthosebornintofamiliesofimproperconductwhotakerefugeinmeulAmatelyrealizewhoIam.NottomenAonhoweasyitisforthosewhohavefortunatebirths.IfyoufindyourselfinthisimpermanentunhappyworldmayyouseekMe.MayyoudevoteyourselftorealizingwhoIam,offeryouracAonstome,andsurrenderthefruitsofyouracAonstoMe.IfyouunderstandthatIamtheonlydesirablegoalandprepareyourselfinthisway,youwillreachonlyMe.

Chapter10

TheGloriesoftheSelf

1. Krishna said, “Since you are pleasedwithmywords I will revealmy limitlessglories. Because I am the uncaused cause neither the gods nor the sagesunderstand how I manifest my glory in this world. The undeluded mortal whoknowsMeasunborn,beyondcauseandeffect,andasthelimitlessLordoftheworldisreleasedfrommeritanddemerit.4,5. Thecapacitytounderstand,knowledge,freedomfromdelusion,theabilitytoaccommodate, composure, truthfulness, restraint inbehaviour, theability to thinkclearly, pleasure, creaAon, destrucAon, fear and fearlessness, harmlessness,equanimity, saAsfacAon, religious discipline, charity, fame, and infamy come fromMealone.6.Thesevenancientseersandthefourprogenitorswhosemindsareresolvedinmearebornofmymind. Allthelivingbeingsissuefromtheirminds. IfyouseethesegloriesofminehereinthisworldthereisnodoubtthatyourvisionofMeissteady.YouarewiseifyouseeMeasthecreatorandsustainerofeverything.9. ThosewhosemindsarefixedonMe,wholivebywhattheysee,whoteachoneanother and talk conAnually aboutMe are always saAsfied because they revel inMe. I grant the vision of non-duality to thosewho seekmewith love and deepcommitment. Outofcompassion IexAnguishthedarkthoughtsof limitaAonwiththeshininglampofSelfknowledge.”12. Arjuna said, “O! Krishna, youare limitlessAwareness, the light of lights, thegreat purifier. The sages and the gods say you are their source…eternal,transcendent,unbornandallpervasive…asyouyourselfhavesaid.Ibelieveallthatyouhavetoldmesofar. Neitherthegodsnorthedemonsknowwhoorwhatyouare. Youknowwhoyouarewithyourownmind. Indeedyouarethemostexaltedbeing,thecreatorandrulerofallbeings,includingthegods.Onlyyouarecapableof revealing the extent of your extraordinary glories. What is the best way tomeditateonyou,Ogreatestofyogis?BecauseIamsAllnotsaAsfiedpleasedescribeingreaterdetailyourwondersandglories.”19. Krishnasaid,“BecausethereisnoendtothemIwillonlyenumeratethemostimportantones.20.Iamthemasterofsleep,O!Arjuna.MeditateonMeasyourownSelfbecauseI

am the one who dwells in the hearts of all beings, creaAng, sustaining anddestroyingeverything. AmongtheAdityas IamVisnu;amongthe luminaries, theSun,theonewhohasrays.AmongtheMaruts, IamMarici;amongthenocturnalluminariesIamtheMoon.AmongtheVedasIamtheSamaveda;amongthegodsIamIndra;amongthesenseorgansIamthemind,andintheSubtleBodyIamtheintellect. Among the Rudras I am Sankara; I am Kubera among the yaksas andksasas.AmongtheVasusIamFire.IamMeruamongthesnow-cappedmountains.Arjuna,mayyouknowMetobeBrhaspaA,thechiefamongthepriests.Amongthecommanders-in-chiefIamSkanda;amongbodiesofwaterIamtheocean.Amongthesages IamBhrgu,amongthewords IamthesyllableOm,amongrituals Iamjapaandamongthemountains,theHimalayas.Iamthesacredbanyanamongthetrees and among the celesAal sages, I amNarada. Among the gandharvas, I amCitraratha and among the siddhas I am the sage Kapila. May you know MeUccaisravas among the horses and Airavata among the elephants who bothappearedwhenthemilkyoceanwaschurnedbythegodsandthedemons.Amongmen I am the kings. Among theweapons I amVajra; among the caIle I am thewish-fulfillingcow. IamKandarpa, theGodof love,whocauseschildren. Of thepoisonoussnakesIamVasuki.AndIamAnantaamongthemanyheadedsnakes.Iam Varuna among water gods; among the ancestors I am Aryama; I am Deathamong thosewhoenforcediscipline. And I amPrahladaamong thedaityas, theasurasbornofDiA.Amongthingsthatthink,IamTimeandamongwildanimalsIamthe lion. Iamtheeagleamongthebirds.Amongthepurifiers, Iamair. IamRamaamongthewarriors. AndamongthefishIamshark;amongtheriversIamGanga.Iamindeedthebeginning,themiddle,andtheendofthecreaAon,Arjuna.Amongthedisciplinesofknowledge,IamtheknowledgeoftheSelf.Ofthosewhoreason,Iamthereasoningthatleadstotruth.AmongtheleIersIam`a'andIamthedvandvaamongthecompounds;IamindeedeternalAme.IamtheallpervasivegiveroftheresultsofallacAons. IamDeaththattakesawayeverythingandIamthecauseofprosperityforthoseyettobe.AmongthefemininewordsIamfame,wealth, speech,memory, intelligence, forAtude,andequanimity. So too, Iamthebrhatsama among the samas, gayatri among the metres; among the months,Margairsa,andamongtheseasons, thespring. Iamthegameofdiceamongthethings that deceive; of the brilliant I am the brilliance. I am the victory of thevictorious.Iamtheclarityinclearthinkers.OfthosewithcontemplaAvedisposiAonsIamsaIva. AmongtheYadavas, IamKrishnaandamongthePandavas,Arjuna.Amongtheseers IamVyasaandthepreceptorUsanaamongthesages. Iamthedisciplineintheenforcers.Iamthedharmicorderthatmakessuccesspossible.Iamsilenceamongthesecrets.Ofthosewhohaveknowledge,Iamthatknowledge.And

Iamthecauseofallthings.NothingsenAentorinsenAentcanexistwithoutme.40. There is no end tomy extraordinary glories, Arjuna. I have listed only a fewimportantones.Whatevergloriousthingthereis,whateverisendowedwithvalue,disAnguishedormightyrevealsonlyamerefracAonofmyglory. Strictlyspeaking,Arjuna,whatuseissuchashortlistbecauseIpervadetheenArecreaAonwithonlyoneAnyrayofmyAwareness.

Chapter11

VisionoftheCosmicForm1. Arjunasaid:“YourcompassionatewordsconcerningthenatureofthesupremeSelfhavedispelledmydelusion,MyLord. YouhavedescribedindetailthecreaAonanddissoluAonofthingsandyoureternalmajesty.Iamcertainyouhavedescribedyourself correctly but now Iwould like to see your divine form as the Lord of allthings and beings. If it is possible to reveal your imperishable Self please do sonow.”8. Krishnareplied,“SinceitisimpossibletoforyoutoseewithordinaryeyesIwillnowgiveyouanextraordinaryeye,onethatwillallowyoutoseeallmyglory!”9. TheOnewhosegracedestroysallsorrowshowedhistranscendentformasthesovereign Lord of everything and said, “Behold hundreds, and thousands of myvarious divine forms in many shapes and colors! See all the elemental powers:earth,wind,fireandsky.Observethesun,moonandstarsandallthesubtleforcesplaying in the universe, myriad wonders never revealed before! See everythingmovingandunmovingunited inmy limitlessbody…andanythingelse youwish tosee.”10. Arjuna sawKrishna’s infinite body smearedwith sandal paste, adornedwithcelesAalmalasandshiningornaments.HeobservedcountlessfaceslookingineverydirecAon,eachwithcountlessmouthsandeyes.Hesawmillionsofhandsheldalo^gripping wondrous objects and extraordinary weapons. Should a thousand sunsburst forth simultaneously in the sky it would be but a faint reflecAon of theradianceoftheSelf.13.ArjunasawaninfinitediversityofobjectsunitedasoneinthebodyoftheLord.Overcomewith awe, his head bowed, hair standing on end and hands clasped insalutaAonhespokethefollowingwords.“Inyourbody,O!Lord,Iseethepowersofnature, the myriad creatures of the world, the Creator on his lotus throne, thecelesAalsagesandshiningangels. Youhaveinfiniteformswith infinitearms, legsandmouthsandeyes looking ineverydirecAon. There isnobeginning,middleorendtoyourcosmicform. IseeyouwithabejeweledgoldencrownholdingamaceandadiscusinablazeofAwarenesssobrilliantIcanhardlylookatyou.Youcannotbeknownasoneknowsobjects.

18. Inowcompletelyappreciateyouastheimperishable,limitless,Self,theonetobeknown. Youaresupportofthewholeuniverseandyetunaffectedbyit. Youlaydown and protect the eternal moral and physical laws by which the creaAonoperates.Youareeternalcompletebeing. Youhavenobeginning,middleorend.Your endless arms embrace everything. The sunand themoonare your eyes andyour face, radiant with the fire of Awareness, illumines the whole cosmos. YoupervadethespacebetweenheavenandearthandeverydirecAon.Thethreeworldstrembleatthesightofthiswondrousfrighteningformofyours.21. Indeed,theheavenlyhostsenter intoyou.Somearefrightenedandpraywithjoinedpalms. Greatsagesandyogispraiseyouprofusely. Thefiveelements,thesun, moon and stars, the angels, guardians of the universe, divine healers, thefathers, theSelf realizedandevenatheists stareat youwithamazement. Seeingyourincredibleformwithmanyfaces,eyes,handsandfeetcausespeoplegreatfear,Omightyarmedone…parAcularlyme!

24. You cannot imagine how terrifying it is to see someone so huge that theysurpasstheheavens,someonewithmillionsofdevouringmouthsandeyesburningwith thefireofConsciousness. It isdeeplydisturbingand I cannotcollectmyself.Theseawesomemouthswithhugeprotrudingfangsdestroyingeverything insightcompletelydisorientme.Please,Lord,bemerciful!26. Your voracious mouths eagerly devour all the sons of Dhritarastra, Bhisma,Drona,andKarnaandalltheotherkings.Some,theirheadscrushedbyyourmightymolars, sAck between your teeth. As flood-swollen rivers flow into the ocean orconfusedmoths incinerate themselves in a fire, these great heros…and indeedalllivingbeings…mindlesslyflingthemselvesintoyourdevouringmouths.Youswallowthemallandlickyourchopsoverandoveragainastheuniverseisscorchedbyyourbrilliantcruelflames. SalutaAonstoyou,Oh,Exaltedamongthegods! Pleasetellmewhowears this terrible form. Be gracious and remove this vision. I do notunderstandwhyyougavemethisexperience.”32. Krishnareplied,“IamTime.Ilaywastetotheworlds. Evenwithoutyoutokillthem, thewarriors standing in theopposingarmyaredoomed. Therefore, standand conquer! Destroy your enemies and enjoy a prosperous kingdom. Be theinstrumentofmydestrucAon. Drona,Bhisma,Jayadratha,andKarnaandalltheirfightersareasgoodasdead.Fearnotandfight!”

36.Arjuna,hispalmsfoldedandhislimbstrembling,salutedKrishnaandspokeinavoicechokedwithemoAon.“Itisquitenatural,Krishna,thattheworldrejoicesandsingsyourpraises.Demonsflyinfearandthesaintsextolyourglories.OLord,theyshouldsurrendertoyoubecauseyouareevengreaterthantheCreator.YouaretheGodofgods,theone inwhomtheworldsexists,beyondcauseandeffect. BeforecreaAonyouwerehereandnowyoufill itwithbeing. Everythingresolves inyou.YouaretheknowerandwhatistobeknownandtheulAmateabode.Yourformsareendless.39. YouaretheLordoftheWinds,LordofDeath,Lordoffire,LordofWater, thepresidingdeityofthemoon.YouaretheCreatorandtheuncreatedCreatoroftheCreator.HonorandglorytoyouathousandAmes!SalutaAonsathousandAmes!Ibowinfrontofyou. Ibowinbackandonallsides.Youhave infiniteallpervadingpower.Youareeverything.41. PleaseforgiveanyrashstatementsorslightsorinappropriatejestsImayhavemadewhenIdidnotknowwhoyouwere.Youaredifficulttoknow.Yourgloriesareunrivaled. Youarethefatherofeverythingmovableandimmovable. Youarethefirst teacher. In the three worlds no one equals you, nor is anyone superior.Thereforeblessmeand forgivemeasa father forgivesa son,a frienda friend,aloveralover.45. OLord, Iamhappytohaveseenwhatnoonehasseenbeforebut Iamalsooverwhelmedwithfear. Pleaseassumethatpleasingformofyoursonceagainandappearbeforemewearingyourcrownwiththescepteranddiscusinyourhands,Ohyouofcountlessforms!”47. Krishnasaid, “Becauseyouaremy friend Ihave revealedmyoriginal radiantformforthefirstAme. NotbystudyoftheVedasorreligiousrituals,norbycharityorsevereausteriAescananyoneotherthanyouseemeinthisform,ObravestoftheKurus.Donotbefrightenedandconfusedbythisawesomeformofmine.Nowseemeinmynormalform.”50. ThenKrishnareappearedinhishumanformandArjunabecamecheerfuloncemore.52. KrishnaconAnued,“Youhaveseenwhatisverydifficulttosee. Eventhegods

desirethisvision.AsIjustmenAonedIcannotbeseeninthisformthroughstudyoftheVedas,asceAcpracAces,charity,orworship.YoualonehaveseenMeinthisway.ButwithdevoAoninwhichthereisnoother,itispossibletoseeandknowandenterintoMe.ThosewhodedicatetheiracAonstoMebecauseIamtheironlygoal,thosewhoarefreefromaIachmentandenmitycometorealizewhoIam.

Chapter12

DevoDon

1. Arjuna said,Whichdevoteehas thebestundersandingofYoga: theonewhomeditatesonYouasapersonal god in yourdivine formor theonewho sees youimpersonally,notsubjecttodeclineandunavailableforobjecAficaAon?2. Krishna replied, “Thosewhoalwayskeep theirmindsandheartsfixedonmewithunflinchingconcentraAonandfaitharethebest.”3.Assumingtheyhavemasteryoverthesenses,vieweverythingwithequalvision,and take delight in the welfare of all beings, those who contemplate upon Thatwhich is not subject to decline, indescribable, unavailable for objecAficaAon, allpervasive,notanobjectofthought,whichabidesunmovinginMayaandiseternalalsorealizeMe.ButtheyencountergreaterhardshipsbecauseofidenAficaAonwiththebody.6. However, theway is easier for thosewhowantonlyMe, consistently offer alltheiracAonstoMeandkeeptheirmindsfixedonlyonMe. Iliberatethemquicklyfrom the ocean of life and death. If your heart clings to me and your intellectconAnually inquires intoMe, there isnodoubt that youwill come toabide inMealone.

9. If,however,youareunabletokeepthemindconAnuallyabsorbed inMe,thenseektoreachmethroughtheyogaofconstantpracAce. IntheeventthatyoudonothavethecapacitytopracAceyoga,devoteyourselftomyservicebyofferingallyouracAonstoMe.Youwillsucceed.Evenifyouareunabletodothis,takerefugeinMeandtrainyourmindtogiveuptheresultsofallyouracAonstoMe.12.KnowledgeisbeIerindeedthanacAonandmeditaAonissuperiortoknowledgebut renunciaAon of the results of acAon is beIer thanmeditaAon because peace

comesimmediatelywhenresultsarerenounced.

TheSelfrealizeddevotee13. The one who has no hatred for others, who is kind, compassionate andaccommodaAng, free of pride, posessiveness, and the `I noAon', the same inconduciveandunconducivecircumstances,who is saAsfiedwithwhatheor she isandhas,whosemindiscontrolled,andwhoseintellectconstantlyinquiresintoMe,ismybeloved.15. TheonebecauseofwhompeopledonotgetdisturbedandwhodoesnotgetdisturbedbypeopleandwhoisunaffectedbyelaAon,intolerance,fearandanxiety,isbelovedtoMe.16.Theonefromwhomtheworlddoesnotshrink,norwhoshrinksfromtheworld,who is independentand stable, uninclined to iniAate self-centeredacAons,who isnot carried away by joy, anger or fear, is unmoved by good and bad karma andindifferenttothesaAsfacAonofhisorherworldlydesiresisbelovedtoMe.18. Theonewhotreatsenemiesandfriendsalike,seessuccessandfailure in thesame light, remains unchanged when honored or disgraced, views pleasure andpain,heatandcoldequally,andstandsfreeofobjectsisbelovedtoMe.19. Thosewhoaredisciplined in speech, saAsfiedwithwhatever comes,havenoplace to call their own,whose Self knowledge is firmand are devoted toMe arebelovedtoMe.20. Thosefaithfuloneswhose livesare inharmonywithdharmaandwhose livesarecenteredonMeareexceedinglybelovedtoMe.

Chapter13

TheKnowerandtheKnown1. Arjunasaid:Whatisthefieldandwhatistheknowerofthefield? Whatisthemeansofknowledgeandwhatistobeknown?

2. Krishnasaid,ThisbodyismaIerandiscalledthe`field'. TheSelf,Awareness,isthe knower of the field. I am the Knower of the body and of all bodies. SelfknowledgeisknowingboththefieldandtheKnower.4.Iwillnowbrieflydiscussthenatureofthefield,themodificaAonsthattakeplaceinitandwhereitcomesfrom.IwillalsoexplaintheKnoweranditspowers.ItistobeknownthroughthemantrasoftheVedicseers inmanyways. And it is indeedexplained by the sentences of the sutras on Brahman which clearly reveal It byimplicaAonandreason.6. Thefivesubtleelements,ego, intellectandtheUnmanifest, themind,thetensensesandtheirobjectsconsAtutethestructureofthefield.ModificaAonsthattakeplace in the field are desire, aversion, pleasure, pain, the physical body andcogniAon.Other than the followingmodificaAons all else is ignorance: forAtude, absence ofconceit,absenceofhypocrisy,harmlessness,accommodaAon, straighmorwardness,reverencefortheteacher,cleanliness,steadfastness,self-discipline,dispassionwithreferencetothesenseobjects,absenceofpride,seeingclearlythedefectsofpain,birth, death, old age and disease, absence of ownership, absence of excessiveaffecAonregardingfamily,sexandhome,evennessofmindregardinggainandloss,unswervingdevoAontoMe,loveofsolitude,indifferencetosociallifeandconstantpursuitofSelfknowledge.12.TheSelf,pureAwareness,beginningless,limitless,neitherexistentasanobject,nor non-existent, is what is to be known. Everywhere are its hands and feet,everywhereithaseyesthatsee,mindsthatthinkandmouthsthatspeak. Itlistenseverywhere. Itdwells ineverythingandpervadeseverything. ThoughfreeofthesensesItshinesthrougheverysenseorgan. Itisconnectedtonothingbutsupportsandsustainseverything.Itstandsapartfromthethreegunasyetitenjoysthemall.15.ThisSelftobeknowniswithinallbeingsyetoutsidethemtoo.Itmoveswithoutmoving. Toosubtletobeperceiveditisthenearestofthenear. Itisindivisiblebutseemstobemadeofparts.Itcreates,sustains,anddevoursallbeings.Thelightoflights, it is beyond ignorance. It is what is worth knowing. It is knowledge, themeansofknowledgeandtheobjectofknowledge. It ispresent intheheartsandmindsofallbeings.

18.Ihavenowbrieflyexplainedthefield,theKnowerofthefieldandwhatistobeknown. Theonewhounderstandsthisclearlyand isdevotedtoactualizing itwillrealizeMe.Youshouldalsoknowthatthefieldandtheknowerhavenobeginningand that themodifica)ons taking place in thefield are born of thefield alone.The field generates the physical body and its instruments. The Knowermakes itpossible toexperiencepleasureandpain. Because theexperiencerobtains in thefield, it enjoys the modificaAons and aIributes of the field. AIachment to theaIributesisthecauseforbirthsinhigherandlowerwombs. TheoneobtaininginthebodyisthelimitlessSelf,theseer,permiIer,sustainer,andenjoyer.23. IrrespecAveofyour lifestyleyouwillnotbebornagain ifyouunderstandthenatureofthefieldanditsknower.Some,withtheaidofapurifiedmindrealizetheSelf by meditaAon, some by inquiry guided by the means of knowledge, somethroughkarmayoga. Butothers,byapplyingwhattheyhaveheardfromqualifiedteachers, also realize the Self. Living and non-living things are born because theKnowerilluminesthefield.27. TheonewhoseestheSelfunchanginginthemidstofthechangingfield,alonesees. IfyouseetheSelf inallthingsequallyyouwillnotfall fromthepathwhichleads to Self realizaAon. If youunderstand that thefield alone is responsible foracAonandthattheSelfisnotadoeryouknowthetruth.LiberaAonisseeingclearlythat themanifoldbeingsandobjects in thefieldareaprojecAonof thenon-dualSelf.Thoughitobtainsinthebody,theSelf,limitlessAwareness,doesnotact. Justas subtle all-pervasive space is unaffected by what takes place in it, the Self isunaffected by themodificaAons taking place in it. Just as the sun illumines theenAreworldtheSelfilluminestheenArefield.TheknowledgethatdisAnguishesthefieldfromtheKnowerisliberaAon.

Chapter14

TheThreeGunas

1. Krishnasaid,“SelfknowledgeisthemostexaltedformofknowledgebecauseitfreestheSelffromaIachmenttothebody. ThosewhohaverealizedMynon-dualnaturedonot come intobeingwhencreaAonhappens,nordo theydiewhen theworldisdissolved.

3. When I illumine theUnmanifest all beingsare created. Inwhatevermaterialwombbeingsareborn,Arjuna,theUnmanifestisthemotherandIamthefather.5. ThreequaliAescolortheUnmanifestandbindtheSelftothebody:saIva,rajas,andtamas.6. SaIva,ofthenatureofAwareness,bindsbyaIachmenttobliss,purity,beautyandknowledge. Rajas,colorsthemindwithpassionandaIachment,afflicAngtheSelfwithabindingneedtoact. TamasthechildofignoranceconfusesanddeludestheIndweller. Itstupefiesthemindandbindsbysleep,indolence,indifferenceandsloth.SaIvacausesbondagetopleasure,rajastoacAon,andtamastoapathy.10. WhensaIvapredominatesrajasandtamasrecede. WhenrajaspredominatessaIvaandtamasrecede.AndwhentamaspredominatessaIvaandrajasrecede.11. When the senses and themind are parAcularly aware and capable of clearknowledge saIva is predominant. When rajas predominates the Indweller isovertaken by extroversion, greed, restless craving, and an intense desire forenjoyment. Darkness, inacAvity, confusion and lethargy are experienced whentamaspredominates.14. If saIva is predominant when the body dies, the Indweller enters the pureworldsofthosewhoknowthetruth.Ifrajasifpredominantwhenthebodydies,theIndwellerisrebornasadoer,commiIedtokarma.IftamaspredominatesatdeaththeIndwellerisrebornwithoutdiscriminaAon.

16. SaIva is the cause of virtuous acAviAes, moAvated by a pure mind free ofdistress. Painandsorrowistheresultofrajasand ignorance iscausedbytamas.From saIva is born knowledge andwisdom, from rajas greed. Apathy, ignoranceanddelusioncomefromtamas. ThosewhoculAvatesaIvaevolveupward, thosewhoculAvaterajasremainthesame,andthosewhoculAvatetamasdegenerate.19. When the Seer sees thegunasas thedoerand realizes that it is beyond thegunas,itaIainsfreedom. Goingbeyondthethreegunaswhichcauseofthebody,TheEmbodiedOneisreleasedfrombirth,death,oldageandsorrowandrealizesitsimmortalnature.

TheSelfRealizedPerson21. Arjunasaid,“Howdoyourecognizepeoplewhohavetranscendedthegunas,O!Lord?” 22.Krishnareplied,“Suchpeoplearenotaversetoanystateofmind…eventamas…whenitpredominates.Nordotheylongforanystateofmindwhenitisgone.23. They are not affected by their tendencies but stand fast in Awareness,understanding that the gunas are causing the acAons. They view conducive andunconducivecircumstancesequally,standfastinAwarenessasAwareness,andseenodifferencebetweenaclodofearthandalumpofgold. TheynolongeriniAateundertakings,areunaffectedbypraiseandblameandseenodifferencebetweenafriendandanenemy. ThosewhoseekandworshipMewithunswervingdevoAontranscendthegunasandarequalifiedtorealizetheSelf.27. Indeed, Iamthehomeofthe limitless immortalSelf, theeternaldharmaandthathappinessthatisnotsubjecttodecay.

Chapter15

SupremeBeing1.Krishnasaid,“MayaislikeagreatimperishabletreewithitsrootsinAwareness,itsbranchesstretchingfarbelowintotheworldofmen. TheVedasare its leaves.TheonewhoknowsitisaknoweroftheVedas. Nourishedbythegunasitsfoliagespreadsbothupwardsanddownwards. Thesenseobjectsareitsbuds. Secondaryrootsstretchdownintotheworldofmenbindingthemtothekarmicwheel.3.Inthisworlditisnotpossibletounderstanditsnaturebecauseithasnoendandnobeginningandseeminglynosource. Cutitswellentrenchedrootswiththefirmaxeofnon-aIachmentandthepathfromwhichthereisnoreturn…Selfinquiry…willopen to you. To succeed on that path surrender to that Being from whom thiseternalcreaAonisprojected.5.TogainthatimperhishableendfromwhichthereisnoreturnfixyourmindontheSelf and free yourself from the need for respect, fromaIachment to objects and

fromthepushandpulloftheopposites.Donotfeedyourdesireforobjects.6. Neither the sun, normoon, nor fire, illumines That fromwhich one does notreturn.ThatisMylimitlessabode.7. IntheworldapartofMeexistsastheIndweller,theeternal individual. WhentheIndwellerleavesthebody,itgathersthefivesensesandthemindandentersanewbody, justas thewind carries the fragranceofaflower farafield. Presidingover the ear, the eye, the senses of touch, taste, and smell, and the mind, thiseternalpersonexperiencesthesenseobjects.10.Thedeludeddonotseetheguna-drivenoneexperiencingthroughthebodynoworwhen itdeparts. But thosewiththeeyeofwisdomsee. Bymakinganeffortyogis apprehend this Self shining in the mind. But immature people who lackdiscriminaAondonotseetheSelfshiningthere…eveniftheymakeaneffort.12. Thelightbecauseofwhichthesunandthemoonshine,thelightilluminingallthe worlds isMe. I also enter the earth and sustain beings withmy energy. Inourish all vegetaAon and am the essence, the soma, of all things. I am thedigesAvefireinthebodiesofalllivingbeingsandIcookthefood.Ihaveenteredthehearts of all beings. Because I am in them they gain knowledge, remember andforget. IaloneamtheobjectofVedicknowledge. IamtheauthoroftheVedantasampradayaandtheknoweroftheVedas.16. Twoselves,oneperishableandtheotherimperishable,existintheworld. TheconsciousbeingsandmaIerareperishable, theUnmanifest is imperishable. Butother than these is theSelfbeyond theselves, the limitlesschangelessAwarenessthathasenteredthethreeworldsandsustainsthem.BecauseIambeyondchangeandchangelessnessIamindestrucAble. ThereforeIamrenownedasthesupremebeing. Ifyouknowmeinthiswayyoubecomeaknowerofeverything,theSelfofall.20.O!Arjuna,thisisthemostprofoundteaching.Knowingthisyouareenlightenedandhaveaccomplishedallthatneedstobeaccomplishedinthislife.

Chapter16

HelpfulandUnhelpfulMentaliDes

1-24.Krishnasaid,“Inthisworld,twobasicdisposiAonsprevail,thesaIvicandtherajasic/tamasic. The saIvic inclines one to freedom, the rajasic/tamasic tobondage.Know the saIvic personality by the following signs: fearlessness, clarity ofmind,steadiness in contemplaAon, charity, judicious restraint, performance of sacredrituals, loveofknowledge,loveofausterity,alignmentofthought,wordanddeed,absenceofhurAng,truthfulness,renunciaAon,abilitytoresolvenegaAveemoAons,absence of calumny, compassion, absence of ardent longing, so^ness, modesty,absenceofphysicalagitaAon,brilliance,composure,forAtude,cleanliness,andlackofexaggeratedself-opinion.Now I will describe in detail the impulses and thoughts of a sunless personality:hypocrisy with reference to dharma, a tendency toward anger and frustraAon, aneed for respect from others, a lack of discriminaAon, an inability to knowwhatneedstobedone,aninabilitytoremoveoneselffromunconducivesituaAons,innerturmoil,atendencytowardimproperunbecomingconduct.ThesepeoplearebornoutoflusmulunionsandareconsequentlydrivenbypassionandliIleelse. Theybelievetheuniversewasanaccident,thatitservesnopurposeandthatthereisnoGod.Materialiststothecore,theyseethemselvesasthebodyandbelievethatcreaAonismerelyamaIerofasperminseminaAnganegg.Ethicsmeannothingtothem;theyplayfastandloosewiththetruthandaresoobsessedwithwhattheywanttheyreadilybendtherulestosuittheirpurposes.Theseenemiesoftheworldareincapableofreasonandexhibitatendencytowarddeceit and cruelty. Because theyarepretenAousandgrandiose theydesire thingsthat are nearly impossible to obtain and are therefore conAnually frustrated anddisappointed.Filledwithpride,theydemandrespectfromothers.They liveonhopeandengage themselves in thepursuit ofmaterial goals for thepurposeofsenseenjoyment.Willfultothecore,theyfeelthatwhattheyhaveistheresultoftheirownclevernessanddependfortheirselfesteemonwhatevermaterialgoodstheyhavemanagedtoaccumulate. TheythinkofthemselvesasmastersoftheuniverseandrevelinthedestrucAonofthosewhostandintheirway.“Iaman

enjoyer, a big success, powerful and happy. I am from a good family, a classyculturedperson.Iamgenerous.Iwillperformactsofcharitytoshowtheworldhowgood Iam,” ishow they think. Becauseof theirarrogant self-glorifyingdelusionstheyconAnuallysufferpain.These hateful and cruelwrongdoers are the barely human and birth a^er birth Irepeatedlydispatchthemintothelowestandmostpainfulwombs.AslongastheyconAnuetothinkthisway,theywillneverrealizewhoIam.Thethreedoorwaystothismentalityaredesire,angerandgreed. Impelledbytheseunholyurgesandcontemptuousofthescriptures,thesesoulsrarelymature.Nordotheyfindhappinessintheworld,muchlessahigherlife.But the onewho avoids these three gates to darkness followswhat is good andreaches a higher life. Should you have a doubt aboutwhat to do in this life letscriptureguideyouinwhatistobedone.”

Chapter17

ThreeReligiousDisposiDons1. O!Krsna,what is thebasisof theprioriAesandvaluesofpeoplewhoperformritualsaccordingthescripture?Isitthethreegunas?2. SriBhagavansaid:People’sprioriAesandvaluesdependonwhethertheirmindsaresaIvic,rajasicortamasic.PeopleareliIlemorethantheirprioriAesandvalues.4. People in whom saIva predominatesworship for knowledge of God and thepurificaAonofthemind.Rajasicpeopleworshiptogaincertainthingsintheworld.Tamasicpeopleworshipoutoffearortoachieveignobleends.5. ThosewithsunlessdisposiAonsareriddledwithpretensionandselfimportance,moAvated by passion and longing, lack discriminaAon and perform physicallyharmfulreligiousdisciplinesnotenjoinedbythescriptures.Notonlydotheyviolatetherulesofthebodytheyinjurethemselvesspiritually.7. The way one eats, performs religious rituals, disciplines one’s self and gives

charitydependsonthepredominanceofaparAcularguna.8. Foods, which increase longevity, mental clarity, strength and health and arepleasing to taste and look at are loved by saIvic people. BiIer, sour, salty, hot,pungent,astringent,andburningfoodsthatgivepainandregretandcausehealthproblems are sought a^er by rajasic people. Le^overs, putrid and inadequatelycookedfoodfromwhichtheenergyhasgoneandisunfitasanofferingispreferredbytamasicpeople.11. Rituals enjoined by the scripture performedduAfullywithout expectaAon of aresultother than the feelingofpurity theyengender is saIvic. Ritualsoffered togainsomethinginthisworldortoproclaimone’sreligiosityarerajasic. RitualsnotsancAoned by the scripture whose mantras are not properly recited and do notinvolvethedistribuAonoffoodandwealtharetamasic.14. Physical discipline involves serving wise spiritual teachers, keeping the bodycleanandhealthy,andnon-injurytoothers.SpeechwhichdoesnotcauseagitaAonto oneself and others, which is true, pleasing and beneficial…including dailyrepeAAonofone'sownVeda…comprise speechdiscipline. Cheerfulness, lackofacompulsiontospeak,masteryofthemindthroughobservaAon,andstraighmorwardintentarecalledmentaldiscipline.17.SelfdisciplinethatisobservedbythosewhoexpectnoresultotherthanmentalpurityiscalledsaIvic. Inconsistentandshort-livedselfdisciplineordisciplinedoneostentaAouslytoobtainthehighopinionofothersisrajasic.DisciplinedonefromadeludedstateofmindthatinvolvesbodilyafflicAonorwhoseintentistodestroyistamasic.20. CharityduAfullygivenattheappropriateplaceandAmetoaworthyrecipientwithout expectaAon of return is saIvic. Charity that is painful to give and isintended to benefit oneself is rajasic. Charity given contemptuously atinappropriateAmesandplacestounworthyrecipientsistamasic.

23.`Omtatsat,'arethreewordsuIeredinthebeginningbytheCreatorthatrevealtheSelfandcreated theVedasand their ritual sacrifices. ThereforeVedic rituals,chariAes,andreligiousdisciplinesalwaysbeginwithOm.25. A^er saying ‘tat’ rituals, religious disciplines and charitable acAviAes areperformedbythosewhowant liberaAonwithout theexpectaAonofa resultotherthanapuremind.Theword`sat'isusedtohelpcreatearighteouslifeandsancAfyone’s karma. Performanceof ritual, religiousdiscipline, andgiving is called `sat,'andacAonsdoneforthesakeoftheSelfarealsocalled`sat.'‘Asat’referstorituals,disciplinesandcharityperformedwithoutfaiththatproducenoresultsnoworlater.

Chapter18

LiberaDonandRenunciaDon1. Arjuna said: “I would now like to know the truth concerning sannyasa andtyaga.”2. Krishna replied: “Thewise say sannyasa is renunciaAon of acAons for desiredobjectsandthattyagaistherenunciaAonoftheresultsofacAon.3.SomeofthewisesaythatacAon,whichisinherentlydefecAve,istobegivenup,andothersthatritualandcharitableacAonsandreligiousdisciplinesshouldnotbegivenup.ItismyconsideredopinonthatritualandcharitableacAonsandreligiousdisciplinesshouldnotbegivenupbecausetheypurifythemind.ButtheseacAonsshouldbedonewithoutaIachmenttotheresults.7.ItistamasictogiveupscripturallyenjoinedobligatoryacAon.ItisrajasictogiveupscripturallyrecommendedacAonoutoffearofphysicaldiscomfort. IfonedoessoheorshewillnotgaintheresultofrenunciaAon. It issaIvictodoscripturallyrecommended karma without the idea of personal gain but simply because thescripturerecommendsit.10.TheonewhodoesnothesitatetoperformadisagreeableacAonnorisaIachedtodoingagreeableacAonsisatruerenunciatebecauseheorsheisfreeofconfusionconcerning thepurposeof renunciaAon. As longas youhaveabody you cannot

avoid performing acAons, but renunciaAon is lehng go of the results of one’sacAons. If you do not renounce the fruits of your acAons the results will bedesirable, undesirable and a mixture of the two. But there are no results forrenunciates.13. VedantasaysfivefactorsarenecessarytoproducetheresultofanacAon:thephysical body, the doer, organs of acAon, the five physiological funcAons and thevasanas.TheacAviAesthatapersonundertakeswiththebody,speechormindwillbetheresultofthesefivefactors.WhensomeoneisignorantoftheactualcausesofacAonheorshebelieveshisorherselftobethecauseofacAon…ortakestheSelf,which is free of acAon, to be the cause of acAon. The onewho has no sense ofdoershipdoesnotkilleventhoughhekills. AndtheresultsofthoseacAonstonotaffecthimorher.18. Knowledge,thethoughtcorrespondingtoanobject,theobjectofknowledge,andtheknowerarethecauseofacAon.Thedoer,theinstrumentsusedbythedoerandtheacAonitselfarethethreefoldconsAtuentsofacAon.

19.Knowledge,acAonandthedoerarecondiAonedbythegunas.20. Thatnon-dualknowledgebywhichthemanybeingsareunderstoodtobetheonebeingissaIvic. Thatknowledgebywhichnon-dualbeingisunderstoodtobemanydifferentbeingsisrajasic. AndthatunreasoningdogmaAcknowledgewhichtakesonelimitedthingamongthemanytobeeverythingistamasic.23. An acAon done without aIachment and not moAvated by one’s likes anddislikeswithnobindingdesirefortheresultissaIvic.Butintenseeffortdonewithasenseofself importanceandabindingdesirefortheresult israjasic. ThatacAondoneonawhimwithoutconsideringtheconsequences…losstooneselforinjurytoothers,forexample…orone’sowncapacityistamasic.26. The doer who is free from aIachment and egoism, who is endowed withresolve, enthusiasm and confidence, and is unperturbed in success and failure, issaIvic.TherajasicdoerisaIachedtoresults,greedy,aggressiveandimpulsive.HeorsheiscapableofhurAngothersandsubjecttoelaAonanddepression.Atamasicdoer is undisciplined, vulgar, immature, irreverent, decepAve, cruel, lazy,procrasAnaAngandgiventodepression.

29.Nowpleaselistentohowthegunasaffecttheintellectandone’sresolve.30. The intellect which knows the difference between the pursuit of happinessthroughkarmaandtherenunciaAonofkarma,whichknowswhatistobedoneandwhatisnottobedone,whatistobefearedandwhatisnottobefeared,andthedifferencebetweenbondageandfreedomissaIvic.Thatintellectwhichisconfusedaboutwhat is rightandwhat iswrong,what is tobedoneandwhat isnot tobedone is rajasic. Theperverse intellect that thinks thatwhat iswrong is rightandtakesacontrarystandoneveryissueistamasic.33. The paAent resolvewithwhich one controls the acAviAes of themind, one’senergylevel,andtheorgansofacAonandknowledgeissaIvic. Whereas,Arjuna,the opportunisAc resolve with which a result oriented person changes the mindaccordingtoprevailingcircumstancesinthepursuitofreligiousmerit,pleasureandsecurityisrajasic. ThatclingingpersistentresolvemoAvatedbyimproperthinkingwhich refuses to give up sleep, fear, sorrow, depression and harmful habits istamasic.36. Listen toMe now, Arjuna, concerning the threefold happiness. That gradualhappiness that comes from the applicaAon of Self knowledge to the mind andtransforms suffering into sweet nectar is saIvic. That happiness arising from thecontact with desired objects that is laden with pleasure in the beginning butgraduallybecomespainfulisrajasic. ThatsensualnarcoAchappinesswhichisbornofsleep,lazinessandindifferenceandisself-deludingfromstarttofinishistamasic.40.NobeinganywhereinthecreaAonisfreeofthesethreegunas.41.TheduAesofthespiritual,warrior,commercialandserviceclassaredeterminedbythepredominateguna.42. Because of a predominance of saIva it is the duty of spiritual types to becomposed,restrained,religious,clean,accommodaAng,andstraighmorward. Theyshould accept the truths contained in scripture and be commiIed to the readyassimilaAonofknowledge.43.BecauseofapredominanceofrajasandsomesaIvaintheirmindsitisthedutyof the warrior and poliAcal class to protect dharma. They should providecourageousself-confidentleadership,beresolved,fair-minded,generousandadroit.

Theyshouldnotavoidconflict.44. Because of preponderance of rajas and some tamas it is the duty of thecommercialclasstoprovideandpreservewealthforthesocietythoughagricultureandcommerce. Becauseofapreponderanceoftamasintheirminds…whichlimitstheirabilitytothinkclearlyandiniAateacAons…itisthedutyoftheworkingclasstoserve.45.OneactualizeshisorherfullpotenAalbydoinghisorherdutywithenthusiasm.Listentohowthishappens.46.ByworshipfullydedicaAngone’sacAonstotheCreator,theOnebywhomallthisispervaded,ahumanbeingbecomessuccessful.47.One'sownduty,devoidofmerit,isbeKerthanthedutyofanother,well-done.DoingacAonenjoinedaccordingtoone'snature,oneincursnoblame. Thekarmathat comes as a result of following your nature should not be abandoned eventhoughitisnottoyourliking…becauseeveryacAonisimperfect.49. The one whose mind is free from aIachment and longing and who hassublimated the impulses of themind into the quest for Self realizaAon gains themostexaltedend…freedomfromacAon…throughrenunciaAon.

50.NowbrieflyhearhowtheonewhohasgainedapuremindbecomesulAmatelyestablishedinSelfknowledge.51. WithfirmandpaAentresolveonesublimatesthedesireforsensegraAficaAonintomasteryofthemindbypurifyingone’slikesanddislikes. OnelivesaquietlifecommiIedtoselfinquiry,eatslightly,disciplinesthebody,speechandmindandnolongerexpectsobjecAvecircumstancestocompleteone’sself. Asoneletsgoofthevain ideas of doership, ownership and the quest for power over objecAvecircumstances the mind becomes increasingly confident in its innate wholeness,completenessandnon-separaAonfromMe. Thischeersthemindanditnolongergrieves or longs concerning things overwhich it has no control. At this Ame thelimitlessvisionofnon-dualityarisesinthemindanditgainsthedevoAoninwhichthereisnootherness.ThisintensedevoAonsAmulatesconAnuousinquiryintowhoIamwhichleadstothehardandfastrealizaAonthatthe‘I’isnon-dual.

56. When the totality of one’s acAons are dedicated to the pursuit of SelfknowledgethoughkarmayogaonegainsSelf realizaAonbyMygrace. Mayyourmind always rest in the non-dual understanding that I am you and you areMe.With this kindofmind life becomes freeand easy. But if youdonot always liveaccordingtothevisionofnon-dualiltyyouwillsuffer.

59. ThisresolveofyoursnottofightisegoicandmoAvatedbyyourdisposiAon. IfyoustubbornlysAcktothisrefusaltodoyourdutywhichhasarisenfromyourownnatureyouwillendupdoingwhatyoudonotwanttodo.61.TheSelfisseatedintheHeartofallallbeings,Arjuna.ByitsMayaitcausesthemtohelplesslydanceasiftheywerepuppetsonastring.62. WholeheartedlysurrendertotheSelfalone,Arjuna. By itsgraceyouwillbecompletelyfulfilled.63.Ihavenowtoldyouthesecretofsecrets.Thinkaboutitcarefullyanddoasyouwill.64. Because youaredear tome Iwill repeat the secretbywhich youwill aIainwhatisalwaysgood.65. IfyoufixyourmindandheartonMewithadevoAonthatknowsnoothernessyouwillrealizeyouridenAtywithMe.Thisismypromise.

66.GiveupallkarmasandtakerefugeinonlyMe.Iwillreleaseyoufromallkarma.Fearnot.