Assignment response

Summarized by: Bala Dhandapani

1)      What are the 4 basic objects to worship the Lord with.  What is their significance

a.       God accepts anything that is offered with a loving heart, it is the bhakti of the devotee that is pleasing to God and not the worth of the offering.  Attitude of giving is the key.  All aspects of your life is an offering.

b.       Four objects are:

             i.      Fruits – Result of Action

            ii.      Flower - Vasanas

           iii.      Leaf - Attitude

           iv.      Water-  Body/Life

 

2)      What is the difference between Unattached and Indifferent? Explain

a.       Lord is Unattached (Udasena), Example a Dr is (should be) unattached to the patient, we need to be like that vs – Indifferent (Udasinavat) , not caring.

b.       Example:  Unattached – movie screen is unattached to the happenings of the movie that is projected.  Indifferent – not concerned, lack of interest etc.  don’t care much, lack of empathy.

 

3)      What is Yoga and Kshema as explained in this chapter? Explain

Lord says Not only will I help you to acquire ((Yoga)  but also sustain (kshema).  To those people who have turned their mind entirely to me, remember me sincerely, I shall look after their Yoga and Kshema.

Yoga – Spiritual Growth, Acquire, Wealth

Kshema – Material Success,  Preserver, Happiness

 

4)       What is the significance of Abhyasa Yoga? Explain

a.       Abhyasa yoga is constant practice. 

b.       To attain Moksha a single pointed focus on Brahman is needed.

      i.      Fix a higher goal, surrender to that goal

     ii.      Work hard on the goal without attachment to the result

    iii.      Surrender the result

    iv.      Remain in a state of meditation. 

    v.      Constant awareness maintained diligently is the key to success.

  vi.      More you seek the higher, the more peaceful you are. 

Class Summary for May 18 2025 - Bhagavad Gita Chapter-9 Slokas 31-34

Summarized by: Shailesh Vyas

Started with meditation, anulom vilom.

Recap & Initial Q&A 

• Theme (from last class)
• Krishna is talking about actions
• Any desire based action produce bondage (Kamya v/s Niyatam karma).
• Renunciation of lower action/ desire, while uniting or attaching with higher. e.g. Climbing ladder or pole vault.
• Atman is present in everybody irrespective of good or bad or varnas, e.g. electricity. We are all dimmers (resistance to the flow of electricity or atman energy). Resistance is desires and ego.
• Samyag Vyavasito (word from verse 30) - Decided correctly or resolved correctly.
• Subjective Analysis - Better late than never.
• Video - 
• Title - Nor I love anyone - Chapter 9, verse 29
• Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thGSKu_m2lw
• They are in me, and I am in them.
• All these are in me, and I am not in them.
• Like when river merge with ocean, it becomes one.
• e.g. Ganga and Ocean
• Water evaporate and cause rain.
• Question - Maya is also created by God. So how can God say I am not in you?
• You are in me, and I am not in you. When entire consciousness is God.
• This is the same way - You are son to your Dad or Dad to Son at the same time.
• Question - Same applies to free will. Once you merge, then there is no free will. How can be that true?
• There are no actions that are desired based.  All actions become Dharmik.
• These realized soul are in Ananda state. You will be drawn to them. Its like tejas (that attract others).

Verse 31, 32, 33, 34

• Verse 31 
• tkṣhipraṁ bhavati dharmātmā śhaśhvach-chhāntiṁ nigachchhati
  kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśhyati
• Translation
• Quickly they become virtuous, and attain lasting peace. O son of Kunti, declare it boldly that no devotee of Mine is ever lost.
• Verse 32
• māṁ hi pārtha vyapāśhritya ye ’pi syuḥ pāpa-yonayaḥ
  striyo vaiśhyās tathā śhūdrās te ’pi yānti parāṁ gatim
• Translation
• All those who take refuge in me. whatever their birth, race gender or caste, even those whom society scorns, will attain the supreme destination.
• Verse 33
• kiṁ punar brāhmaṇāḥ puṇyā bhaktā rājarṣhayas tathā
  anityam asukhaṁ lokam imaṁ prāpya bhajasva mām
• Translation
• What then to speak about kings and sages with meritorious deeds? Therefore, having come to this transient and joyless world, engage in devotion unto Me.
• Verse 34
• man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru
  mām evaiṣhyasi yuktvaivam ātmānaṁ mat-parāyaṇaḥ
• Translation
• Always think of Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me, and offer obeisance to Me. Having dedicated your mind and body to Me, you will certainly come to Me.

Theme/Discussion

• Caste is not referred here by birth, but by actions (varnas).
• Vaishya - they do more good for themselves
• Kshatriya - They do some good for others.
• Shudra - Lazy or say its all due to God's will, what can I do?
• Brahman - who seeks knowledge.
• Even if we are in this journey, it's still not easy. Imagine someone who is not in this journey, ignorance will be very high. Ignorance has nothing to do with which caste you are born in.
• You have to keep cleaning jar like pickle jar using Nishkama Karma.
• e.g. If you are serving food in temple but deep down you want to open a restaurant and looking for prospect customers in temple, than its not Nishkam Karma.
• Theme 
• Reducing desires
• Scan with intellect
• Reduce the quantity - Karma Yoga
• Improve quality - Bhakti Yoga
• Change direction - Jnana Yoga
• (Substitution and Sublimation)
• Substitute useless desire with useful desire.
• When a person is focussed with his intent with single pointedly, he attains Moksha very soon. Inward looking focus.
• This shloka shows that this knowledge is open for anybody. Women is just a reference to those who are attached.
• Reference being made to Rajarshi - King who were internally sages. e.g. Raja Janak.
• World = impermanent and does not give happiness/joy.
• This is the final summary of this secret - Fix a higher goal, surrender to this goal. Work hard for this goal without attachment to the result. Surrender the results. Remain in a state of meditation. e.g. While driving - Even if we are talking, listening to music, we can still drive.
• It's important to handle from all angles while we are progressing if we get a desire, we come down two steps.
• Subjective Analysis - Can we live like Rajarshi?
• Take home points
• Yajnas - Means to enjoy
• Three Yogas - Success, happy, growth.
• Niyatam Karma
• Donation matters (direction of thoughts -> depends on desires -> depends on vasanas).

Videos

1. Video 
1. Title - My devotee never peris - Chapter 9 Verse 31
   
2. Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkwLNPZam40
3. Summary - Swamiji highlights the power and importance of devotion in spiritual life. Once you have decided and turns towards me, in no time, he becomes more righteous men in the world. You function without egocentric desires. More like a satvic person (kind, merciful, ready to sacrifice your benefit for the joy of others). Mind and intellect becomes quieter. This peace is not a satisfaction of the desired object (like drinking cold water during thrist). This is everlasting. It offers reassurance to those who are striving on the path of bhakti (devotion) and emphasizes that even imperfect devotees are protected and uplifted by the grace of the Supreme Lord
2. Video
1. Title - Conclusion - Video 276 - Verse 33, 34
2. Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWJlRobBZ98
3. Summary - Swamiji talks about - What is the purpose of this existence? - Always remembers the second line of the verse. All the joy in this life are like lightening flashes, constantly changing. There are joys in life but they are unsatisfactory. Happiness is not the object, its state of mind. The more you seek higher, the more peaceful you are. More you are able to quietened in your mind.

• 
  

Ended class

 

Class Summary for May 11, 2025 - Bhagavad Gita Chapter-9 Slokas 28-30

Summarized by: Rajesh

We saw three videos from Gurudev.

Ch 9 v28 video - The Lord says ‘I hate no one”

I am equally present, in all living beings.

In fact, ‘ have no hatred for anyone (not for criminals, not for Stalin, etc.)

Ch9 v29 video - Lord says ‘Nor do I love anyone either’

If you are seeking me, you will reach me.  If you are not seeking me, I will not run after you.

Ch9, v30 video

Even the greatest sinner who surrenders to me completely, he will reach me & should be considered sacred.

Subjective Analysis:

Better late than NEVER

Class Summary for April 27, 2025 - Bhagavad Gita Chapter-9 Slokas 28-30

 Summarized by: Vidya Shivkumar

The class started off with our Omkar routine, followed by prayers, Pranayama, and

meditation.

We started our class by reminding ourselves of the importance of the Sadhana Package

and doing our Nidhidhyasam. Each must find their Karma yoga path to cleanse their

mind / dilute their Vasanas.

We then started reciting verses 28, 29 & 30 of chapter 9.

Verse 9.28:

Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that by offering all actions to God and not being attached to

the outcomes, whether good or bad, one becomes free from the bondage of karma.

This is the essence of karma yoga: performing duties with detachment and devotion.

Such a person, aligned with divine consciousness, ultimately attains moksha.

Verse 9.29:

God is impartial and beyond likes and dislikes. He does not favor or despise anyone.

The Lord, being the Supreme Self, is equally present in all beings. However, those who

approach Him with sincere devotion (bhakti) establish a deeper personal relationship

with Him. Their devotion draws His presence into their lives, and He abides in them as

they abide in Him.

For example, the sun’s rays shine equally on everything, but if there’s a veil blocking

them, we won’t feel the warmth. Similarly, the Lord is present in all beings. However, His

grace may seem hidden or absent when it is obscured by the veil of our ignorance, past

actions, and the choices we make through our free will.

If you can truly surrender, the false sense of self, the pseudo-person, dissolves.

However, these identification patterns are deeply ingrained and can be difficult to let go

of.

Verse 9.30:

This verse is a testament to the transformative power of pure devotion (bhakti). It

teaches that what matters most is the direction of one’s inner intent, not past conduct. If

a person turns to the Lord with exclusive, wholehearted devotion, that very act indicates

a righteous resolve. Even if such a person was previously sinful, their present direction

toward Truth makes them noble.

For example, a thief goes to a pious person’s house and steals a valuable plate. When

the police catch him and bring him before the man, instead of accusing him, the pious

man tells the police that the plate was not stolen—it was a gift. This unexpected act of

compassion deeply moves the thief and becomes the catalyst for his inner

transformation.

Summary of Verses 28, 29 & 30

 Verse 28: Selfless action and renunciation of results lead to Moksha.

 Verse 29: The Lord is impartial, but devotion brings mutual closeness.

 Verse 30: Devotion has the power to redeem even the gravest sinner when the

resolve is sincere.

Theme:

Nityam: Earning

Kamya: Borrowing

Nishidha: Bankruptcy

 Lord Krishna is talking about Actions. Any desire-based action produces

bondage.

 Renunciation of lower actions/desires while uniting or attaching with the higher.

 Atman is present in everybody, irrespective of good or bad.

 Samyavyasilo = Decided correctly or resolved.

Class Summary for April 13, 2025 - Bhagavad Gita Chapter-9 Slokas 24-27

Summarized by: Shivkumar Natarajan

The class started off with our Omkar routine followed by prayers and Pranayama & meditation. We then did a brief recap of the previous class

We then continued discussion on V24-27
We went through a story of Lord Krishna/Arjuna and their meeting with the rich and poor man-
One day, Lord Krishna and Arjuna were walking through a forest; as the day turned to night, they started to look for a place to stay. They happened upon a large house obviously belonging to a very rich man. They knocked at his door, and asked to be allowed to spend the night at his home, with the promise that they would depart at daybreak. The rich man rudely refused, and contemptuously asked them leave immediately. 
Lord Krishna blessed the man and departed, saying, "You are already a very wealthy man, may you acquire more and more wealth."
A short while later, they came across a dilapidated little hut. Again they knocked at the door, and asked for shelter for the night. The poor old man who live there, took them in happily, and told them that his entire family had passed away, and he was alone in the world. Other than this hut, and one sickly cow, he had nothing else left. He served both Lord Krishna lovingly through the night, and shared with them the little that he had.
The next morning, as they were leaving, Lord Krishna said to the man, "May your hut burn down, and may your cow die a natural death."
Arjuna was aghast as he heard this, and asked Lord Krishna why he would bless a rich man who had been so rude to them, with even greater wealth? And why then did he virtually curse a poor old man, who had served them with such an open heart?
Lord Krishna's  explained this as follows: "I did this for the good of both. The rich man was intoxicated with his wealth. I wanted to give him so much wealth so that all his material desires would be satisfied. It is only when he reaches that pinnacle, that he will realize that money cannot buy happiness. It is only then, that he will start introspecting, and begin his search for something more meaningful and enduring. In the process, he will become a better person.
And this poor old man....he is already very detatched from this world. There are only two things that are standing in the way of his complete detachment. This hut, and his cow. Once these two are taken away from him, he will be totally free. Therefore, I blessed, not cursed him to be free of both of them. Then he will be liberated! 

We also discussed some real life instances of folks with exactly similar misfortune in life and their attitude in dealing with the same

We then watched the remaining 2 videos on verses 27 of Gurudev.

We finally discussed the Theme of verses
1. Bhokta = Jivatma (true enjoyer of all experience)
2. This is UBS (Uniterrupted Bhramhan Supply)
3. We will obtain whatever we pursue with full devotion. So we need to choose wisely
4. Lord provides a very simple method- A leaf, A flower, A fruit or just water. He never mentions or desires anything expensive like gold or coins as such.
5. Symbolically- Leaf represents our attitude, Flowers are like our vasanas, Fruits are the results of all of our actions and water stands for life/body 
6. Attitude of GIVING is the key aspect.
7. All aspects of our life we should treat it as an offering to the LORD.

Subjective Analysis : Can we increase Giving ? Giving more than what we consume