Class Summary for Jan 24, 2021 - BG - Chapter-4 Slokas 31 - 36

 Summarized by: Shivkumar Natarajan

We began the class with a recap of previous week's lecture on yagnas. We discussed how gross form wood is sacrificed to make fire . 

 
we discussed the benifits of Ahara - Ekadashi Upwas .
we watched the Gurudev's video of Verse 28 in which the distinction between Prana & Svasa was mentioned . On how the Germans tralated it wrongly as our breath.
Prana - All physiological activities in living organism . The expression of our life through BMI .
Main Prana's(Expressions of life) are Prana , Samana , Apana, Udhanaya, Vyana
Swasa - means Breath .Controlling Swasa or Breath impacts in control our mind.

We then chanted verse 31 to Verse 36

From here the Lord takes it to the next level and starts Gnyan Yoga.

  
Theme :
1. Yagna is letting Go of Lower for Higher
2. Those who perform Yagna & wait for the Result/Prasad will get Moksha
3. All these Yagnas are given in the Vedas & are all in some form of Action (Karma). These are to help us learn detachment & purification of mind .
4. Student --> Physical --> Do Seva
  --> Mind     --> Prepare to surrender to Guru
  --> Intellect -> Ask Questions
5. Teacher gives the knowledge of Jeeva , Jagat , Ishwara.
6. This Knowledge is ultimate Happiness , Not removal of Sorrow.
7. This is the only knowledge that makes the GOD same as the Devotee. This is beyond Logic .
8. This knowledge takes you beyond the worst of sins (Liberates the worst of sinners).
9. Real knowledge should be devoid of Materialistic desires/gains (like Butter Floats).
Even a Jevan Mukth swami cannot get rid of Prarabdha .

We discussed the story of Birbal where when the emperor challenged him to make a line smaller without erasing the line, he drew a bigger line next to it.
Similarly we can dwarf our current problems by realizing the (Larger purpose) that we are Divine.

Class Summary for Jan 10, 2021 - BG - Chapter-4 Slokas 25 - 30

Summarized by: Sree Sekhar Palaparthy

We started the class with our Prayers, Meditation, Pranayama. Did a recap of our previous class which

gave the summary of verses 19-24 of chapter 4. 

Recap

 We reflected back on verse 24 and discussed few aspects in which we could put it into practice.

 not to just recite it before eating, but to be able to live up to it, by not complaining about taste

etc.

 Another perspective was to be grateful and thank everything and everyone involved in getting

the food to plate, by remembering brahman in all of them

Reaction vs Response (Verse 18)

Then we very broadly discussed about how to apply some of the concepts that we learnt so far and put

them into practice, especially when we encounter specific external situations which might affect our

emotions.

 In summary, we discussed that in such situations, one needs to respond more (if possible) than

just react,

 Reactions get triggered during the situation instantly and take control over us. It only adds

agitation at body, mind and intellect level

 If one can respond to the situation (in one’s control) and stand up for dharma, they should

pursue that

 Suppression is also not an option, instead one needs to substitute as we have seen in earlier

chapters. For instance, instead of ignoring the external situations, one should substitute with

actions of higher order – ex: take a break and do meditation and internalize/reflect on the

situation

 Every individual needs to take their own path/use tactics to handle such situations to reduce the

agitations (could be to completely dis-engage, meditate, respond and so on)

After this discussion we recited Verses: 25-30 and went over the details. In previous verses, Lord Krishna introduced the concept of Yagna and in these 6 verses, Krishna extrapolates the idea of Yagna, by providing practical ways of, how one can perform various types of Yagna/ offerings at different levels of spiritual maturity

Theme: 12 types of Yagna or offerings

1. Daiva yagna:

a. This is the common understanding of “yagna” which we all have. (Ex: Ganesh homam,

and so on).

b. The offerings are not just physical materials like flowers and such, but also one’s BMI is

expected to be offered while performing yagna.

c. Here we are choosing one deity as representative of Brahman

2. Brahma Yagna: Sacrificing one’s life for a greater cause (Brahman) – Ex: Gandhi, Buddha

3. Dhama: Controlling one’s sense; Sacrificing the experiences coming from senses

4. Shama: Controlling one’s mind. Sacrificing the experiences coming from external objects

5. Dhravya yagna: Sacrificing wealth, time or any form of one’s own possessions for higher good

cause

6. Tapo Yagna: Disciplining oneself and minimizing energy dissipation

7. Yoga Yagna: This is to practice Ashtanga Yoga, for controlling 5 koshas of one’s self

8. Svadhyaya Yagna: Reading scriptures and sacrificing/offering ignorance

9. Gnana Yagna: Giving spiritual knowledge and offering the ignorance

10. Prana/Apana Yagna: Sacrificing inhalation for exhalation and vice versa

11. Pranayama: Sacrificing breath to HOLD.

a. Inhalation ( Puraka) -> Retention Holding ( Kumbhaka) -> Exhalation ( Rechaka) ->

Retention Holding ( Kumbhaka)

12. Aahara Yagna: Sacrificing intake of food for higher cause (ex: Ekadasi vrat and so on)

We also looked at a perspective of linking all the above 12 in reverse order, to work through our way to

get to higher order

In next class, we will continue to look at the subjective analysis, where we will discuss how to at least

practice 5 yagnas.

Class Summary for Dec 20, 2020 - BG - Chapter-4 Slokas 19-24

 Summarized by: Shilpa Sail

Started the class with meditation. This helps us calm our minds and prepares us for the class.

Discussed verses 19 to 24 and more specifically delved deeper into the "Action Inaction" concept.

Continuing further on our discussion about action and inaction. There is another perspective about "Inaction during an action."

How can we attain that state?

We have to keep the BMI fully engaged in our action but try to dissociate the Atma/Brahman.

We need to understand and keep reminding ourselves that the real me is not the BMI, and it is beyond the BMI, and that real me should be just watching.

Without the support of real me, the BMI is not useful. For example, in a car, gas is essential. The steering wheel, the engine, tires, etc., perform the real action.  Gas is just an enabler, but all the parts are fully engaged.

That's the state we need to achieve. 

For an action to be fully efficient, it requires BMI's complete engagement,  but Atma should be in the Sakshi mode.

Meditation and reflection will help us differentiate that Atma is beyond BMI. 

During the state of detachment, the human tendency may divert to not giving our 100%. We need to be watchful of this attitude as it will fall into a vicious cycle.

We know that by performing nishkaama karma we can cleanse our minds and exhaust our vasanas, but some deep-rooted vasanas may not be exhausted through karma yoga.  Some of those vasanas can get burned through meditation. These vasanas may manifest during meditation; we need to let them go and deplete them.

Key takeaways-

Perform all actions for the common identity as an offering.

Inculcate the Yagna attitude - various actions performed as a sacrifice for the greater good; this helps us eliminate/reduce attachments.

Sarvam Brahma Mayam - Laddle, the item, the fire, offered to, offered by. 

Brahman the infinite is limited in expression by each of our equipment.

We watched Gurudev's videos - Chapter 4, verses 20 and 24.

Verse 20 - Explains about attachment and detachment.

Verse 24 - Explains about the One everywhere. 

Additionally, we shared some stories - 

1) Tale about the King and his minister 

There was once a King who had a wise advisor. The advisor followed the King everywhere, and his favorite advice was, "Everything happens for good." One day the King went hunting and had a little accident. He shot an arrow at his foot and was injured. He asked the advisor what he thought about the accident, to which the advisor replied, "Everything happens for good." This time the King was agitated and ordered for his advisor to be put in prison. The King asked his advisor, "Now, what do you think?" The advisor again replied, "Everything happens for good." So the advisor remained in prison. The King continued with the hunting trip, this time without the advisor. Some tribe then captured the King. He was taken to the tribals' camp as a sacrifice. The tribe saw the wound on the King's foot and decided to throw him back into the jungle. According to the tribe's tradition, they would not sacrifice anything imperfect. As a result, the King was spared. The King suddenly realized what his advisor said was true. The advisor also escaped death because had he not been in prison, he would have followed the King on the hunting trip, and the tribes would have sacrificed him.

2) In Mahabharat, after the war, the winning army began an argument about who was the best warrior, and it was decided to put the question to Barbarika. As he saw the whole war from the top of the mountain. He answered that he saw  Krishna everywhere. He said Krishna alone was responsible for the victory: his advice, his presence, his gameplan. 

3) As parents, we need to find a balance between attachment and detachment with our kids. The group shared some of their experiences with the kids.  As parents, we should be caring/loving to our kids but not force our desires on the kids. The kids should be allowed to follow their path. We should always be there to guide them/ enable them, not to push our views on them.

Class Summary for Dec 13, 2020 - BG - Chapter-4 Slokas 19-24

 Summarized by: Angila Singh

We started the class with our Prayers, Meditation, Pranayama.

Class started with a discussion on Inaction in Action topic, Verse 18 – “One who sees inaction in

action, and action in inaction, he is wise among all people, he is well integrated and

accomplishes his actions”

Key points for understanding above Shloka-

- Once we stop associating with B , M , I layer ( Body, Mind and Intellect) we are in Inaction mode.

- Inaction does NOT mean just sitting down and doing nothing.

- The definition of Inaction is relative to a “Realized “ and a “Non- Realized” person.

- For a Realized being Inaction is equated to “being with Brhaman” . This is Right kind of Inaction.

- For a Non -Realized being Inaction is equated to “ Inertness” . This is Wrong Inaction.

- Experience the action but do not be the experiencer rather be the Witness to that action.

Later watched Gurudev’s videos of Verse 17 and 18.

There are 4 ways that help in the Journey.

- Shravanam/Mananam- Reading, listening to Spiritual texts and contemplating.

- Dhanam- Helping others giving time, knowledge etc.

- Sadhana(Work)- Doing your duties , rituals .

- Maunam- Quietness of the mind.

Subjective interpretation from Verse 16,17,18- Substitution followed by sublimation are the tools to be used for training mind.

Chapter 4 Verse 19,20 , 21, 22, 23, 24.

Read commentary and recited these verses.

Ch4 , verse 19- The enlightened sages call those persons wise, whose every action is free from the desire for material pleasures and who have burnt the reactions of work in the fire of divine knowledge.

Renounce selfish actions for material pleasures and dedicates all actions to God, the works performed produce no karmic reactions.

Ch4, verse 20 - Such people, having given up attachment to the fruits of their actions, are

always satisfied and not dependent on external things. Despite engaging in activities, they

do not do anything at all.

Ch 4, verse 21- Free from expectations and the sense of ownership, with mind and

intellect fully controlled, they incur no sin, even though performing actions by one’s body.

Ch 4, verse 22- Content with whatever gain comes of its own accord, and free from envy, they are

beyond the dualities of life. Being equipoised in success and failure, they are not bound by their actions,

even while performing all kinds of activities.

Ch 4, Verse 23- They are released from the bondage of material attachments and their intellect is

established in divine knowledge. Since they perform all actions as a sacrifice (to God), they are freed

from all karmic reactions.

Ch 4, verse 24- For those who are completely absorbed in God-consciousness, the oblation is Brahman,

the ladle with which it is offered is Brahman, the act of offering is Brahman, and the sacrificial fire is also Brahman. Such persons, who view everything as God, easily attain him.

Key points for understanding above Shlokas -

- Person who is practicing Inaction in action will be freed from Sanchita and Aagami karmas.

- Arrow example- One is who is acting without desires or expectations is simply acting based on

Prarabdha is compared to an arrow that has been shot.

- Disassociate from the fruits of the action. Of course, same can NOT be applied for the wrong

action.

- Take the Seer association not the doer association.

- Being CONTENDED in the dualities of the World.( success/failure)

- Perform all actions as an offering to God , Yagna bhava.

Class Summary for Dec 6, 2020 - BG - Chapter-4 Slokas 16-18

  Summarized by: Sridhar.V

The class started off with our Omkar routine followed by prayers and Pranayama & meditation.

We did a recap from our last class  where in verses 13,14 and 15 from Chapter 4 were discussed.

The verses 16,17 and 18 were chanted and the summary of the 3 shlokas are as below -

Verse 16: Lord Krishna says “What is action and what is inaction” and even the most learned person is confused in understanding the same. He further states that he will explain the secret of action post which a human being can get himself free from the bondage of material world.

Verse 17: Lord Krishna says that one needs to understand the meaning and nature of all three types of Action viz recommended action, forbidden action and Inaction. It is very hard to understand the truth about these 3 and difficult to comprehend.

Verse 18: Lord Krishna says that those who see action in inaction and inaction in action are truly wise amongst human beings. Although they perform actions all the time,,such people are yogis and master of all their actions.

Excerpts of verses 16,17 and 18:

Analysis:

Vasanas are the root cause for Desires which in turn triggers a Thought and ultimately resulting in an Action.

Actions can be classified further under 3 categories and we need to understand it:

1.     Nithya Karma-Daily routines

2.     Naimitya Karma- Obligatory Karma e.g software professional, pharma research guy doing his job; ,performing last rites for elders etc.

3.     Vikarma means wrong action or forbidden action.

 

The result of performing an ACTION  brings either a positive or negative KARMA baggage i.e either Paapa or Punya and a human being accumulates the same in his entire lifetime.

The result of INACTION is not accumulating any Karma baggage(neither positive or negative) and AKARMA(Inaction) cannot be equated with INERTNESS.

It is imperative that we know these three as only the human being has been blessed with a choice of action. Since we have the choice we must know how to choose wisely. The choice is between actions that take us to the highest state of Perfection and those that take us down to decline and moral decadence.

The secret to free ourselves from this material bondage is to accumulate only Punya and not Paapa and surrender the fruits to the LORD. This is the only way to nullify all KARMAS.

A person needs to experience action in inaction and inaction in action which is very difficult to comprehend even for a wise man since inaction cannot be equated with inertness(lack of action).

If we are objective, we cultivate saakshi bhava. On Realisation we become totally objective. Until then there are grades of objectivity. An actor on stage is a witness of all the happenings on stage, himself remaining untouched and unaffected. He plays his role brilliantly. He never forgets that he is the actor playing the role.ever

Transfer of credits or punya to another person is allowed- For e.g Gandhari; but to transfer Paapa or Sins to someone else, the receiver has to volunteer and then only it can happen.

As an analogy, we discussed the example of a Bank account closure where in a person needs to clear all his debts/payables before he can close the account but where as if a person has credit balance and doesn’t owe anything he can close his account irrespective.

We also discussed an example where in a thief keeps chanting “Rama Rama”(his sons name) at his deathbed and that prevented him from going to hell as this action helped moderate his sins as a thief.

The truth is that he didn’t go to heaven and had to take birth again in order to exhaust his paapa or debits.

 

We will continue with verses 19,20 and 21 from Chapter 4 in our next class.