STUDY OF

GITA

Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar

November 4, 2009, 10:30 am

GURURBRAHMA GURURVISHNUHGURURDEVO MAHESHVARAHGURUH SAKSHAT PARABRAHMATASMAISHRI GURAVE NAMAH

I salute my Guru, who is Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh called Gunamaya i.e. the penultimate truth; and the Parabrahma; i.e. the ultimate truth.

Apparently I wanted to study something world famous and ultimate in every sense; and hence I began the study of Gita. But now it appears that there was much more to it than this. Whether I studied Gita or Gita herself made me study her, is a moot question and I feel; the latter may be truer.

When I seriously began to study Gita; about twenty years ago, I found many contradictions in her.

For example, in 4th chapter, Krishna says in the same verse, (Chaturvarnayam maya srustam…) that he created four VARNAs and also he did not create them. Also, even as Krishna advocates the war (tasmat uttishtha kaunteya yuddhaya kruta

nishchaya…2nd chapter, nirashi nirmamo bhootva yuddhaya kruta nishchaya.. 3rd chapter), he also upholds nonviolence and control of mind in most of the chapters e.g. (ahinsa satyamakrodham.. 16th chapter, moodhagrahenamatnoyat …17th chapter, ) as a virtue.

Similarly, Krishna disapproves Arjuna’s arguments in 1st chapter about VARNA SANKAR, which means indisciplined and unrestricted marriages directed by mere attraction; in different groups, (ashochyana va shochastvam prajnya vadanscha bhashase.. 2nd chapter.. ) he uses the same argument (yadi hyaham na varteyam …and utside yurime lokam… 3rd chapter).

In 2nd chapter his argument (akirtim cha pi bhutani….and bhayat ranat uparatam… etc) about “what people would say”, appears to be too superficial and enlightening or philosophical.

One can quote many such contradictions, but that is not the purpose of this writing. The purpose of this writing is; to share my experiences and perceptions as I went on studying Gita.

Apparently; the reason why I kept on studying and by hearting inspite of contradictions was; I realized the

need to contemplate on the vast canvas of all 700 verses at any given point of time and possibly resolve the contradictions; even while traveling or walking and without having to refer a book! But in reality, I have not quite understood why I kept on reciting and by hearting Gita, inspite of the contradictions! It appears now, that the light in Gita consumed my consciousness, without me being aware of it and kept on absorbing my being in her!

The persistence inspite of pains and agony of disagreement, being beyond my desire or voluntary will, may be because of the roots it has in my previous birth. All this may be a continuation of what I had to leave half way in my last birth. You don’t have to believe in this; but I must not hesitate to state it! Life is ANUBANDHA and NITYAGA i.e. linked up and continues; and the continuity is evident in such phenomena. One may appreciate this or discard as a flight of imagination! I leave it to one’s own perceptions and experience!

I had tried to write on Gita about ten to twelve years back, but later I stopped as I was not quite satisfied and was not at ease; with my own interpretations.

Now I am convinced that Gita enlightens us for the journey that beings from ignorance, individuality and

timed and mortal existence and heads towards the self realization; universality and trans-temporal immortal consciousness respectively!Gita deals with various physical, instinctual, emotional and intellectual activities at individual level, the relationship of these with the universe and the relationship of all these with past, present and future; and the all encompassing nature of our cosmic being.

Gita deals with the principles involved in what happens in an individual, society, and in universe, from all eternity to all eternity, which may be termed cosmic dynamics or cosmic orchestra!

I have realized that I may not understand Gita, I may misunderstand Gita or I may partially understand Gita. In any case it is useful; because; that kick starts the exciting voyage of enlightenment and blossoming! Complete understanding of Gita is impossible, because it is trans-intellectual i.e. beyond the three levels of consciousness (SWPANA, SUSHUPTI and JAGRUTI) and four modes of communication (VAACHA viz. PARA, PASHYANTI, MADHYAMA and VAIKHARI). However, I have the freedom to keep on studying Gita and merge with my own cosmic consciousness and be empowered enough to quit “my” intellectual,

instinctual, emotional and instinctual realms, “my” material possessions and “my” body, at appropriate time; smoothly and diligently akin to a blossoming flower that emanates its pleasant fragrance!

Now before I go ahead, I must state here, that NAMASMARAN enabled the much necessary paradigm shift for understanding Gita and Gita made it possible to adhere to apparently meaningless and unglamorous activity such as NAMASMARAN. But most importantly it is the cosmic consciousness (Guru) that has made all this possible for the benefit of everyone!

I am planning to write on individual chapters as and when it becomes feasible. But in as much as I don’t want to keep any copyrights; so that anybody in the world; could utilize these shared perceptions freely, I would also like to clarify that; just as well meaning use of these would aid in universal blossoming; the plagiarism of this material in any form with vested interests and mercenary motives; would prove detrimental to the plagiarists and their readers; and hence to everyone.

November 4, 2009, 4:30 pm.

Amidst the cacophony of needs, wants, passions, infatuations, goals, dreams and aspirations, which I was conscious of, there was inexplicable undercurrent that seemed to give sometimes incomprehensible twists and turns to my life beyond my tolerance and forbearance. These twists and turns seemed to shake and stir me from deep within! Study of Gita even as it appeared to create turmoil within my intellectual and emotional framework; I could not get rid of it, till today. This is why, I feel it has link to my past life! The cosmic consciousness (guru) i.e. the field; guides throughout different contingent lives.

It is just in recent times that I have started appreciating that Gita has the nectar of immortality that is beyond individual consciousness. But I must share with you that Gita kills one’s subjectivity, which is like a dying experience! This is why I felt it was brutally frightening to study and internalize Gita! But even then, Gita immersed me herself, which is why I feel it has link with my past life! Again, you may not believe this!

Many worship Gita and many condemn it, but without studying it! They merely use some quotations from Gita for proving their point! I used to do it as well; to impress the audience and feel good with

myself. But now I know that it is like eating and either enjoying or hating the skin of the fruit!

The words of Gita are so simple that often they appeared to be ridiculously simple! I never quite understood then, why Gita enjoyed such a coveted position and reigned supremacy in world literature!

In India, Gita is recited, chanted, by hearted by many. Earlier I thought this was stupidity or slavish mentality. At times I thought this was blind belief. But I confess frankly that I was wrong.

Today I feel Gita can benefit all the children in the world to develop and tone up their central nervous system (including the speech areas) and enhance their evolution during this life! This is true not merely for a child but for any and every person of any age in the world.

As a student of physiology, I am sure that; by hearting of certain facts, meaningful hymns, philosophical or scientific sutras (e.g. those from Ayurveda, Gita, and Arithmetic), without questioning; lets the child build; the edifice of knowledge and then work on it. Up to a certain age there is no capacity in us to analyze and comprehend certain aspects of life and hence insistence of

clarification should not be encouraged. It can lead to arrogant and belligerent behavior detrimental to the building of the edifice of knowledge and grooming of any individual at any stage.

After studying Gita I realized that questions should not be discouraged. They should always be asked. But it must also be clear that all questions may not be answered and if answered, the answers may not be understood. Hence respect and patience are very important. Hidden meanings are not understood by casual reading and/or egocentric approach under spell of egalitarian, utopian or any such philosophical thought. It can not be appreciated by individualistic trends hidden under the guise of analytical fervor and scientific temper.

Patience (which is born from honesty, commitment and readiness to go beyond individual subjectivity and paradigms of every kind) opens the doors to enlightenment and blossoming at individual and global levels!

Now I realize that study of Gita can empower a serious student of Gita to live with unconditioned acceptance, love and respect for every moment and situation, and work in consonance with nature; to one’s complete fulfillment and greatest satisfaction.

Gita enables one to blossom in such a way, that subjectivity gets shed off smoothly; while global unity and harmony begin to pulsate in one’s heart!

It is worthwhile to share with you here; that opportunity to study Gita is the greatest treasure in my life for me.

November 4, 2009, 9:45 pm.

During my first few years of study of Namasmaran, Vishnusahasranama and Gita, I was instinctively or intuitively convinced that the essence of the teachings of saints and philosophical literature was not in opposition to the idea of social justice and material abundance explicit in socialistic and leftist way of thinking. I felt that inequality and exploitation were aberrations and not teachings of saints and Hindu philosophy.

During those days equality meant a lot to me; because inequality seemed to symbolize exploitation. But gradually it became clear that being not equal can mean merely being different and complimentary (and not necessarily unequal in the sense of constituting antagonistic relationship of exploiter and exploited)!

Hence I was possessed by only one question: How to show that Hindu philosophy acceptable in the mainstream society; is in favor of the essence of socialism and communism in terms of welfare of all? I was obsessed by only one concern: Showing that the philosophy of Hindu dharma and teachings of saints advocated more appropriate, more humane and more progressive complementarity and so I wrote my comments or interpretations on all these with this view in mind.

But as the time passed, I started realizing that my efforts were honest but were subjective, incomplete and not absolute.

I was really frustrated because I didn’t quite understand the subtle difference between subjective and objective perspectives. I was unable to see how my efforts; admired by most readers; could make no impact whatsoever on the society!

My contention however did not dwindle. I still felt quite strongly that real spiritualism; if it is real; then must blossom the universe in every possible way. Gradually I began to realize that it was useless or counterproductive to simply despise both; my own short comings as well those present in what ever was being marketed under the guise of spiritualism;

constituting mainly devotional songs, dances and eating good food. There was no sense in getting frustrated i.e. blaming myself; or accepting defeat or blaming the “spiritual” activities, which many times were tarnished by a variety of accusations and allegations.

What is required, is blossoming together and empowering one another; through the study and practice of NAMASMARAN and Gita. Everyone would then realize that being “spiritual” in absence of global blossoming is actually not being really spiritual but being actually escapist and/or schizophrenic. This conviction would enable everyone to grow from within; rather than remaining in fool’s paradise of so called spiritualism! Such blossoming would lead to intellectual, emotional, instinctual and physical actions; in terms of globally nurturing and blossoming policy making, planning, administration and implementation would ensue.