Class Summary for Dec 15, 2019 - Chapter-3 Slokas 28- 31

Summarized by :  Shilpa Sail

We started the class with opening prayers, pranayam, and meditation.

This week we discussed 3rd chapter verse 30 and 31. Also, watched swamiji's video.
A brief summary of verse 30-
This verse delves into energy generation and preserving the generated energy. It explains how we generate energy and how we should conserve it. The key is to not dissipate the generated energy..
To generate energy, be focussed on your goal. Work towards your goal with laser focus.
The energy generated gets dissipated through three ways-
1.Worrying about our past. Past errors or missteps should not clout our current vision else we will lose focus towards the goal. Past is done and cannot be altered. Worrying about past will disturb you further and lead to a restless mind.

2. Anxiety for the future. Worrying about the future will not help in anyway. It will only lead to an agitated mind.

3. Excitement about the present prevents you from seeing what is in front of you.

We should develop ways to prevent energy dissipation.
Try not to delve on past mistakes or over think about the future. Use the intellect to hold the mind in the present.Focus on your current task. Work  with all your energy on the current task.

Swamiji's analysis on verse 31 - dynamic religion.
When we plant a sapling, a cement fence is built around it to prevent the cattle from grazing it and for the soil to stay at the roots and not erode away. After a while when the sapling grows into a tree it needs space and encompasses into the cement fence into it as it becomes a part of the tree.
The same way religion should change with time. It should embrace the change and then it will grow. There are multiple examples of some older religions that were not able to withstand the pressure of time.
On the other hand Hindu religion has thrived due to it’s embracing nature.
A dynamic religion that changes based on the needs and demands of the society continues to grow.
The above rule also applies to parenting. When the kids are young they need your support as they grow the fence around them should be more elastic.

Five key factors to become Karma Yogi
1) Focus=> Primary goal should always be spiritual
2) Perform=> dedicate all ACTIONS as an offering to the Lord by giving your 100%
3) Niraashi=> Hare Prasada buddhi towards  the results of our action.

4) NIRMAMAHA = Humility - Don't claim full credit for result

5) VIGATHAJWARAHA - Maintain mental balance/equanimity (Samathvam)

Class Summary for Dec 8, 2019 - Chapter-3 Slokas 28- 31

Summarized by :  Shivkumar Natarajan

We started the class with a review of the prior class lesson and continued discussion on the same. Few points from the same : 

1. Meditation keeps the mind in check : In Self unfoldment Gurudev advises doing various forms of Japa to concentrate their mind,(It can be any mantra Om, Om Namah Shivaya, or think about your Ishta Devta, or by doing Nadi Shodhana (Pranayam).  

2. Don't preach spirituality. Just because you come into some perspective others need not also get there . Its been said that in Kali Yuga you will only get 25% success.

3. In Carnatic music a shruthi box keeps the singer balanced to the rhythm. A good singer may go up or down in pitch but always is able to come to the even pace with the help of the shruthi box. Same for dancers.

Similarly in Karma Yoga you have to come back to the baseline : no attachment. It can be the Gita 360 App or Nadi Shodhana..

4. We went through Lord Krishna example. A Gnyani: evolved person he was aware of attachment. But when Satyabhama was upset about the Parijata flower he went to heaven and brought the Parijata flower. He did not preach, he played the role of a good husband.

We then watched the following videos of Gurudev:

Verse 25: A spoonfull of salt makes a water in glass salty. That same salt makes a wider vessel (tumbler, a lake) etc and the water progressively less salty. 

 In the same way desire is not bad. Only when it is selfish desires can be made.

When Masters and Prophets of the world  embarked on big tasks , there is no selfish desire.

Verse 26:Lead by Example 

Currently ignorant people all are going about beautifully. Dont stop them from working. Prompted by their desires and ego. Wise men to teach them do not sit in crystal palace. You must mingle with all the people. Do your duty as beautifully as possible without a touch of Ego .Others notice you are not cribbing

They imitate via osmosis. Slowly entire community follows it.

5. Example of Real Heroes of India (restraunt that Mani Sir visited). Pictures of ordinary people :heroes..

• A person who used his personal savings to fill pothole in the city.
• Lady that plants trees daily
• Person who donated his entire retirement savings and continues working.

All folks who went against the  tide and now other people are joining them.

We then chanted verses 28 to 31.

Themes

• Vasanas are typically linked to Gunas which drive the senses and attachments through them.
• These makes the ignorant get attached to the results of action. The knowledgeable  should not try to change the ignorant
• Path to perfection
• Generate the energy
• Focus the intellect on an IDEAL
• Surrender the mind to an IDEAL
• Make the body act dynamically
• Mind is focused on 80% Past and 15% Future . . Energy is getting dissipated in both and low energy left for Present.
• 6C's to Success
• Core Interest : Swadharma
• Cooperation:: Team spirit, union, focus on strength of others
• Commitment :Not giving up
• Consistency: Intelligent focus on the ideal
• Competence: Intelligence + Hard Work
• Concentration: Mind focused on task at hand
• Subjective Analysis  
• Knowledge to Wisdom; Information -> Transformation; Tution -> Intution; Sight -> Insight;  Speak-> Live

Class Summary for Nov 24, 2019 - Chapter-3 Slokas 25 - 27

Summarized by :  Sree Sekhar Palaparthy

Q: What is the goal of the course OR by the end of Chapter 3 classes, what would we plan to achieve?
Everyone is moving at their own pace in their spiritual journey and hopefully these classes can move everyone closer towards the final truth
Swami Paramanantha mentioned that , there is one way to measure how one is progressing in their journer i.e "Reduction in FIR"

F ->  Frequency with which you get upset
I ->  Intensity with which you get upset
R ->  How quickly you recover from upsetness

This is a way to practically apply Gita in our daily lives

Without Saadhana, just listening to Gita wouldn't help much. For instance, we can't pour milk into a bottle filled with pickle. We need to first clean the bottle thoroughly and then pour milk. The knolwedge in Gita is like milk. We need to clean our bodies by practicing Saadhana , for understanding and applying knoweldge in Gita

Saadhana can be defined as "dedication of doing things repetitively with discipline"

One of the key takeaway, we all should remember is , if one understands what the real truth is, they shouldn't preach but they should practice it and be a role model

One shouldn't follow leaders blindly, by looking at their external qualities and without knowing their inner qualities (Ex: Virat Kohli, Indian cricket captain). He looks aggressive outside, but is apparently a very calm/focussed personality in his real life

Always try to attach yourself to the higer ideal; Don't be a Bogi, but be a Yogi

Don't be shy to swim against the tide -> Do not feel shy to practice learnings from Gita in real life by looking at others; You never know when others might follow your path , after realizing that your actions are more ideal

Question with reference to sloka# 27: Am I not the doer from accountibility perspective?
The way one should look at this is , I'm an "instrument" /"medium" for all my actions (leaving ego). But I'm still responsible/accountable. One cannot run away from accountability saying that I'm not the doer

Duryodhana was able to realize that, what he was doing is wrong but wasn't able to stop himself from doing so. However, Vikarna, was able to change and join Paandavas

What you are facing is "Prarabdha"; How you face it is "Free Will"
Reality is between Prarabdha and Free will (Need additional points to clarify this)

As long as one asscociates himself with BMI and Vaasanas, their ego will go up; 

Class Summary for Nov 16, 2019 - Chapter-3 Slokas 20 - 24

Summarized by :  Sudha 

• Opening Prayers & Meditation.
• Review of previous class verses followed by discussion of its applications in real life:
• Performing actions with a level of abstraction/detachment (I, We, Small team, Large Team, Universe)
• Discussion of 3 types of action:
• Don’t contribute/act, but take full credit.
• Act with a selfish motive.
• Act without being attached to our actions.
• Discussion among individuals regarding goals versus results.
• Gurudev’s videos pertaining to Verses 15, 16 and 18:
• Our ability to function is a gift given by the Creator.
• Gurudev refers humans to two legged animals, when they simply follow and don’t think and act in an appropriate manner! Such people’s lives are not straight but full of disorder!
• Actions caused by external pressure is not a trait of a realized man. We have to work to purify our mind, thereby exhausting our vasanas to reach the higher goal. On the other hand, realized men work out of pure compassion to the human kind.
• Chanting of verses 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 with detailed explanation as follows:
• Lord Krishna changes his tactics in dealing with Arjuna, as he shifts from the ‘highest order perspective’, to a ‘direct order’ approach.
• He emphasizes that if Arjuna doesn’t perform the right action and runs away from the battle ground, there will be total chaos!
• Lord Krishna emphasizes the general adage behind human development, and tells Arjuna, that his followers will simply imitate his actions whatever it may be, and therefore asks him to be a role model, a leader, thereby setting an example to the society.
• He starts giving Arjuna examples of exemplary individuals like King Janaka, a Sage King who performed his duties with great fervor and a sage like attitude.
• We discussed teachings of Gandhiji, who said, “Be the change, you want to see in the world”.
• Talked about the difference between a Bhogi (One who performs action for the fruits of his action) and a Yogi (One who performs action for self-purification).
• Krishna then brings in a special example of leader among men.. Himself! He says the world would come to a halt, if he did not continue to work without relaxation – men would simply follow Him and plunge into an unproductive existence!
• Lord Krishna reiterates that the entire universe survives and lives by mere action alone!
• Ended the class by watching Gurudev’s video pertaining to verse 21.
• He gives an example wherein the kid would likely take up to reading if he saw his parents spending their time reading.

• Closing Prayers

Class Summary for Nov 3, 2019 - Chapter-3 Slokas 14 - 19

Summarized by :  Ramya Balasubramanian

Verses 8- 13

Continuing on verses 8-13 from the previous week, we watched two videos of Swami Chinmayananda on creating/balancing the Vasanas and BMI. Actions taken by individuals, playing a specific role such as role of a parent or spouse, also different roles played during a day in your life. How are we treating the roles? Every action has to be performed with the right attitude, so that happy and fulfilled in any action you do. Action without right attitude leads to bondage. Take away the “I”ness away. For eg: as a parent, we are instruments to bring the child to the world. Think of yourself as being a part of a bigger puzzle. If we have the attitude of being grateful to be given the opportunity and not expecting anything in return. The key is to maintain gratitude sort of approaching every action performed, which will take the “I” part away, which in turn helps us get out of the vicious cycle of vasanas. The Action itself should give happiness. When you are attached to the result, and results don’t happen to go your way, the attachment manifests as disappointments that in turn eventually leads to downfall. 

Chapters 14-19

Food <- Rain <- Yagna <- Action <- Creator <- Brahman

This is an agricultural metaphor. Out of Brahman comes Lord Brahma or the creator of the universe. Brahma is symbolic of ignorance or vasanas. Vasanas manifest as action. Yajna is refined or purified action which gives rise to rain or a conducive mind-set. Rain yields food or products which sustains all living beings, creates prosperity. Yagna is the physical form. which brings down the noise in the mind  so we can focus on absolute reality and work more towards it,. With this sacrificial approach, you feel refreshed since there is no expectation. One who does not follow the principle of yajna which seems to pervade the entire universe merely lives a sensual, indulgent life, oblivious of a higher purpose. Every Action of ours without the Yagna spirit makes us stuck in our vasanas and stops us from self realisation. The choice is ours, whether we perform the Actions for  materialistic reasons or with no expectations. Indriya Rama vs Aatma Rama( Stick vs Gnana Mudra depicted by Krishna). Ātmārāma - one who enjoys in the spiritual atmosphere, Indriyarama - sense indulgence. 

If we are delighted/contented with what you have, you will automatically be exempted by expectations. Do not be dependent on the world, but should be able to transact with the world. Inaction is not an option, we have to be happy with our current state but still be able to perform actions expected of you. 

Example discussed - Man sitting on a tree branch vs bird 

Try and imagine the mindset of the man vs the bird. The man is attached to the branch, whereas the bird can fly away whenever it wants. We have to still perform all action but not be attached. Your attitude should be like that of a bird, such that you should be able to leave the tree whenever you want. 

Class Summary for Oct 27, 2019 - Chapter-3 Slokas 8-13

Summarized by :  Neelima Turaga

We started the class with opening prayers, pranayam and meditation.
After a brief recap of last week's class we watched three videos of Gurudev related to the verses 4, 5 and 6 of chapter 3.

Summary -
 By giving up all activities or by not undertaking any activities that will benefit the society, a person does not reach a state of actionlessness or naishkarmya as indicated by the rishis and vedas. A person escaping from the world cannot reach religion or spirituality.  One has no right to renounce the world. The world is not yours to give it up. You can only give up what is yours and that is your attachment. No living organism can remain without activity. As long as there is life there is response to external stimuli. Life is expressed in action. Never can a living organism keep quiet or without activity even for a moment.
Naishkarmya is a state accomplished where one becomes actionless, or all actions become totally spontaneous,  There are no more desires, thoughts or vasanas.

Nothing can be without action. It was even been scientifically proven, that every cell in the body of a living organism is performing an activity all the time. Inaction is not an option.

We then chanted Shlokas 8,9,10, 11,12 and 13
We discussed how a person's action can be compared to a yagna or sacrifice.

The field of activity in which a person operates (ex - doctor, soldier) is the yagna kund. The talent or ability a person puts to use is equivalent to the ahuti or offering to the sacrificial fire. The fire then shoots up with the offering, which is like the profits or results received. Even though the yagna is performed by one person, the prasad at the end of the sacrifice is distributed to everyone, Similarly, the profits or the fruits of a person's action should be distributed to everyone.

As long as a person performs one's duty, there is peace. The moment he/she starts thinking in terms of rights, there are bound to be disagreements or fights.

It is important to perform one's duties and accept the result, whatever it is, as a prasadam.

There was a discussion about the application of these principles of duties and rights in daily life. The examples of Buddha giving up his duty as a prince and renouncing the world, and Rama sending his pregnant wife to the forest were briefly discussed. The concluding point was that although these examples can be perceived as a deviation from duty, a deeper insight into such topics will help us understand that there is a higher goal and a greater good involved.

Other points discussed -
Prescribed vedic duties are based on your dharma and how you perform them makes a difference. It can be classified as Satvik, Rajasik or Tamasik based on the reason for the action, obligatory, desire driven or prohibited. (ex - a soldier in a war vs an active shooter, both using weapons, but for completely different reasons).
Nitya karma  encompasses the duties a person has to perform everyday, no matter what.
Naimitya karma includes actions that need to be performed due to certain circumstances.

Action without the right attitude will result in bondage, whereas, action with devotion is equivalent to a yagna and will free one from bondage.
Harmonious living with the right attitude is the way to sustain the world. There needs to be harmony and balance, whether it be in the workplace or elsewhere. The underlying attitude is what matters the most. Whether the action is performed for a selfish motive or is it for the greater good is what determines this.

The world and the body are God's gifts to us. What we do with them is our gift back to God. It is important to take appropriate action as per the circumstances.

A  grateful and thankful attitude is very important.

Class Summary for Oct 20, 2019 - Introduction to Chapter-3

Summarized by :  Bala Dhandapani

Notes from Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 Class

Oct 20, 2019

Class started with a high level summary of Chapter 1 and 2 after meditation and prayer.

Chapter 2 recap on slokas

1-10: Arjuna surrender to God

11-46: Sankya -Gnana Yoga/knowledge (Consider as a Surgery for a cure)

47-60: Karma Yoga (second medicine)

61-70: Bhakti Yoga (supplement medicine)

71-72: Renunciation/Sanyasa Yoga (Cured person)

Introduction to Chapter 3 – Unfoldment through Action

Slokas in Chapter 3 are divided into the following:

1-2: Arjuna’s dilemma

3-19: Logic of Action

20-24: Emotional Motivation (for doing action)

25-35: Analysis of Action (different types of action and how they fit in)

36-39: Obstacles to right action – Karma Yoga

40-43: How to remove obstacles

Recap on Karma Yoga, Bhakti and Gnana Yoga:

Example: Clean Up of Hard Disk (Karma Yoga),  Decluster (Steadfast single action, Bhakti Yoga), this will result in Improved Performance.

• Bhakti Yoga is also needed to perform Karma Yoga.
• Removal of false notion is Gnana Yoga
• In the current state all 3 yogas are needed – Karma, Bhakti and Gnana
• Do Karma Yoga to perform Gnana Yoga

Benefits of Karma Yoga  (Chapter 3)

• Relate to world and be good
• Earn wealth and be happy
• Control sense indulgence
• Emotion in relationships (minus selfishness-pure love)
• Clarity in thinking
• Spiritual benefits – not to burden but to set free

Discussion on Bhagavad Gita, some of the points were

• Bhagavad Gita is not just a spiritual journey, but also helps us deal with day to day activities

Scenario to think about – if your company informs that they cannot pay for the next 2 months what will one do………..

Sloka 1 and 2 were chanted and discussed

Summary: Arjuna asks the Lord, why do you ask me to fight in the war – brining out his dilemma

Sloka 3-7

Summary: Krishna advises,

• One cannot do Gnana yoga without eliminating the attachments (vasanas)
• While doing Karma yoga one would also receive Gnana Yoga – depending on the vasanas

Interesting discussion on Situation and problem/experience

Situation – an accident that we see

Problem/Experience – When the same accident happens to us.

Theme of Slokas 1-7

• Arjuna gets a doubt on why do Karma Yoga after hearing details on Gnana Yoga
• Gnana Yoga needs preparation of the mind and that is provided by performing Karma Yoga
• It is like washing hands before eating
• Action has to be performed as per the Gunas/temperament of the person (active person vs. contemplative person)
• Inaction or abstaining from one’s duty is not an option
• The path also depends on the ashrama one is in.
• Karma of a student is to study
• Grahashram – earn for your family – duty towards your family

Class concluded with Gurudev’s video on Chapter 3 verse 3

-Every individual is unique and each one thinks independently

-Sankyaya  yoga – contemplative person seeking why why why

-Karma Yoga is for a dynamic (restless) person

Class Summary for Mar 24 2019 - BG Chapter-2 Conclusion

Summarized by :  Indrajeet Harer

We started the class with the usual routine of Anulom - Vilom & prayers. We then had a group discussion about the ways to improve the experience of Adult study group so that more people can see the value in joining the spiritual journey.

Some of the ideas floated were :

1. Conduct sessions to target specific human challenges like stress management etc.
2. Have a lemon booth in the parking lot to attract the audience that never enter Chinmaya premises & hand them fliers.
3. Chinmaya hand book to be enhanced to provide more information on the adult study group such as audience, topic covered, what you will get of it etc. similar to the courses offered by IT companies. This will help the new comers to choose the right course.
4. Chinmaya mission should have a standard procedure for conducting adult study groups. Some of the participants shared bad experiences in other sessions they has attended in the past.

Everyone agreed that currently Chinmaya mission does not do enough to guide/retain the new entrants and we are short on qualified moderators. The Adult study group sessions offered will be re-structured after discussions with Swami Shantanandaji.

We then summarized the shlokas 69 to 72

Karma yoga - cleans the mind.

Bhakti yoga - helps declutter the mind

Gyana yoga - Helps REALIZE

Analogy of travel packing was discussed to drive the point home. Finding the bag and cleaning it is Karma yoga. Collecting what you need is Bhakti Yoga and packing the stuff you need and making it travel ready is Gyana yoga.

We then discussed the mental tiredness of white collar employees who feel tired without doing considerable physical work during the day. We can conserve mental energy by maintaining the meditative state.

We also had a brief discussion about the book "What they don’t teach you at Harvard Business School" . It describes Corporations as one huge ego walking around with couple of arms and legs sticking out. Most of the higher level execs are fired because of lack of interpersonal skills. When a new CEO joins an organization, he often brings in his own army of loyal execs. Ego, inflexibility and lack of interpersonal skills are the reasons why people cant adjust to the changes happening at the work place. Be such that you can fit into any pack. Don’t just suppress Ego… Let it Go !

If you suppress the ego, it will eventually find a way to express itself. We need emotions to process information and make decisions.

The class was then divided into 4 groups and the following topics were assigned to each group for presenting their views in the next class :

1. Gyana yoga is the way to go
2. Who is Stith Pragnya ?
3. Argue that Bhakti yoga is the most superior
4. Karma yoga is the way to go

We were also told to analyze our own nature and see which of the following category we fall belong to :

Type D : Not Happy with what we have and don’t want to do anything

about it

Type C : Not Happy with what we have but are willing to put in effort

to change it.

Type B : Happy with what we have and don’t want to change anything.

Type A : Happy with what we have and are willing to put effort to

change/improve further.

Class Summary for Mar 17, 2019 - Chapter-2: 69 to 72

Summarized by :  Partha Turaga

Chapter-2:V69 to 72

In these verses the Lord continues his description of how the "Man of Steady Wisdom" perceives the world.

The ch2 v69 talks about these contrasting perceptions. The Sage (Muni) perceives the day as night and the night as day. The day for a common man is the plethora of sense objects that he desires for. In the night, when he is sleeping he is all alone oblivious to all these desires. For the Muni, who realizes the futility of all the sense objects, the day - with all its trappings, is dark as night.  The night where there are no distractions for the man, he sees the possibility of getting closer to his true Self - this to the Muni is Day.

Gurudev in his video, describes the day as crowded with aspects that affect BMI (Body, Mind & Intellect) by PFT (Perceiver, Feeler & Thinker) using OET (Objects, Emotions & Thoughts). So, the common man who is wallowing in these senses thinks of this as Day. The evolved one considers all these as distractions and thinks of this as Night. He considers Night as Day because then none of these exist.

Muni can also be considered as the one who as the equanimity of inner vision. When his focus is always on the true self. So, daytime has a lot of sense distractions to the true self. These distractions to him are Night and the night time that does not have any distractions is day.

It is point of perspective that one develops.  The waves bubble up at a distance from the ocean, grow larger as they come closer and in a roaring burst dissolve into the ocean again.

A person who is on the beach can see the innumerable multitudes in the waves rising and falling. He sees them as many independent short-lived and different. However, another person who thinks of ocean as a single entity realizes that waves are nothing but manifestations of the ocean. They are rising from the ocean and dissolving into it. They are not distinct from the ocean.

ch2 v70 then continues to take the example of ocean to show that even as the rivers from everywhere join the ocean and do not affect (flood) the ocean. The enormous depth and breadth of the ocean are undisturbed by the gush from the rivers. So, too the emotions of a wise man are not affected by sense distractions from various sources.  His depth and his realization of his Self makes him so stable that any sense distractions has no effect on him.

This stability could be a result of his Happiness as defined by (Desires fulfilled / Desires Entertained). When the realized Man has close to zero Desires Entertained then his Happiness is close of Infinity. So, sense objects that are normally there for increasing happiness has no meaning for such a person of steady wisdom.

ch2 v71 continues this theme of reducing the desires. That man attains peace, who having abandoned the desires, moves without longing, without the sense of "I-ness" and "My-ness".

This shloka and the subsequent one are considered the verses that summarize the "path of renunciation" in line with the general summary that ch2 provided of the entire Bhagwat Gita. This shloka is describing how a Sanyasi moves about with peace, abandoning all desires. It is important to understand the Sanyasi here does not mean abandonment of your dependents but abandonment of the desires. It also requires you to go beyond your ego or sense of "I-ness".

ch2 v72 then talks about what is achieved when you are in this state. This is the ultimate state of human existence. At this state, there is no delusion. And continuing to be in this stage till the end we reach the state of oneness with Brahman - all-pervading and Eternal.

The theme here is about using Karma Yoga to clear the senses, Bhakti Yoga to declutter and focus And Gyana Yoga to help realize Self. The last 2 verse are the culmination of this journey as summarized in Ch2.

Class Summary for Mar 3, 2019- Chapter-2: 61 to 64

Summarized by :  Shilpa

We continued our discussion on verse 61 to 64. 

The key is to control one's senses. To control our senses one needs to control the mind.

The sense organs in itself do not perform any actions. It is the mind who is triggering the action. 

How to control the mind? Bhagwan advises us to attach to a higher goal.

According to Swami ji, the sense organs demand and we give in to those demands as we don’t have control over our mind.

In kali yuga, to control one's mind we need to practice all the three forms of Yoga,

Gayna yoga, Karma Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga. Together when practiced in balance it will help us calm our mind.

The path of Bhakti Yoga

1) Mediate on God / focus on your goal

2) Reduce rajasic and tamasic thoughts. Increase satavic thoughts.

3) Destroy likes and dislikes 

4) Try to control senses

5) Stay away from sensual experience including mind should be under control.(not suppress but  control)

6) Keep mind under control

7) we will get clarity of mind

8) This will help get atma darshan

9) This will enable bhakti 

10) This will finally rid us of all worldly sorrows and hardship and remain in peace

Then one can attain the ultimate knowledge and obtain Mukti.

Item 2 to 6 are related to Karma Yoga 

Item – 8,9 and 11 are Gayna yoga related 

Other discussions

Why some events occur?

The sraphs given by sages.

The theory is those are given to initiate a sequence of events that are a benefit to mankind.

For e.g., Kaikeyi told Rama to go to vanvasa so Rama can go to Lanka and destroy Ravana.

Certain things are set to motion by these events.

Some members of the study group asked why does Bhagwan make us perform the wrong deeds. 

There is no right or wrong answer here. One of the explanation is - we are in this samsara and all of this is MAYA!

ReplyForward

Class Summary for Feb 24, 2019 - Chapter-2: 61 to 64

Summarized by :  Prarthana

We began the class with videos of Gurudev.

The following messages were part of Gurudev’s videos.

1. We are all happy when things are going our way and are unhappy when things are not

conducive. A sthitaprajna is one who is equanimous in both situations.

2. A sthitaprajna’s mind can be compared to a tortoise that can instinctively withdraw its limbs

under its shell when there is danger around it. So also his mind can detach from good and bad at

will. He can also bring out his senses to function in society adequately.

3. We spoke about the role of the sense organs and the interpretation of the mind. The sense

organs have been created to be well controlled in function. It is the mind that travels beyond

the realm of the sense organs themselves. Gurudev gave the example of how the mind can be

completely occupied by a thought of someone or something even though you may try to

deliberately look away or steer the sense organs away from it.

4. The interplay of temptations and the tempted mind. Once the mind is made up to avoid

something, those particular temptations slowly leave your life as well and will stop presenting

themselves to you. Gurudev gave the example of his habit of smoking and how everyone

stopped bringing him cigarettes once he quit and the temptation disappeared.

We reviewed shlokas 61-64.

In shloka 61 The Lord begins to reveal himself to Arjuna.

We also discussed the pathways to reach the state of a Sthitaprajan.

1.Use the concept of substitution of Rajasik and Tamasik with Saatvik tendencies.

2.Also use substitution to manage( and sharpen) our motivation to perform our actions. Working for a

higher goal is always better than working on a Rajasik or Tamasik goal.

3.We also discussed relationships as being Saatvik, Rajasik or Tamasik based on our level of attachment to the person.

We began the discussion of the flow of our mind from perceptions of objects to the stage of ruin.

Objects -->> Senses perceive -->> Attachment -->> Desire -->> Anger (when unfulfilled) -->>Clouding of judgement -->> Loss of memory -->> Loss of discrimination -->> RUIN

Desires are of 2 types – things that we want and things that we don’t want.