Chinmaya Mission Tri-state Center - Bhagavad Gita Study Group (Sunday 1.00 pm): Class Summary for Oct 16, 2022

Summarized by Shailesh Vyas

Started with meditation, anulom vilom.

Recap & Initial Q&A

Question - If Arjuna's focus was good then why is he finding it hard to meditate?

Answer - Even though Arjuna was good with Abhyasha but Vairagya from relationship and desires may be missing.

Rajasic - Mind wandering is one of the common hindrances in meditation.
Unexpected vasanas that are suppressed deep inside can surface up causing a sudden shock.
Addiction to Silence - Folks start to enjoy silence. Even that is not the desired state. It has a beginning and an end. What we are seeking doesn’t have a beginning and an end.

Do not meditate full or an empty stomach or if you have done some heavy workout.
Before meditation, do a ritual like lighting a lamp. This helps prepare our mind that this is the time to focus and not to sleep.
Give a strong message to mind before starting the meditation that it's not a sleep time. It's rather focused.
Even though our focus is on Gyan Yoga, our scriptures give a lot of importance to Bhakti Yoga, Karma yoga. e.g. Pickle Jar. You cannot put milk in a pickle jar unless it goes through the thorough cleansing.

Some organizations directly teach methods of meditation like Raja Yoga without driving the path of Bhakti and Karma Yoga.

Shravanam, Mananam and Nidhidhyasham as well as Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga are required in this journey.

Verse 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42

Translation - Arjuna said - When a man, though possessed of faith is unable to control himself and his mind wanders away from Yoga to what end does he, having failed to attain perfection in Yoga.

Translation - Fallen from both, does he not, O mighty armed perish like a rent cloud, support less and deluded in the path of Brahman.

Translation - This doubt of mine, O Krishna, please dispel completely, because it is not possible for any one but you to dispel this doubt.

Translation - Lord said - O Partha, neither in this world, nor in the next world is there destruction for him, none, verily who strives to be good. O my son, ever comes to grief.

Translation - Having attained to the worlds of the righteous and having dwelt there for everlasting (long) years, he who had fallen from Yoga is born again in the house of the pure and the wealthy.

Translation - Or he is even born in the family of the wise Yogis; verily a birth like this is very difficult to obtain in this world.

Theme

Can we end up in Trishanku state? Somewhere caught in between the materialistic and spritualistic world.
Here we see Arjuna’s total confidence and surrender to the Lord.
Power of righteousness is cumulative in nature from lifetime to lifetime.
Efforts in this direction will never go waste and carries towards the future birth.
This will help being born in a conducive family and environment.

e.g. It was believed that Buddha lived 499 lives before being born as a Buddha, so his enlightenment was emiment.

Discussion

You cannot preach Bhagwat Gita to someone who has not eaten for a few days.
Being born in a safe environment where we have freedom to spend a couple of hours every Sunday. It's because we are better off and not worried about food or day to day hussle.
Rebirth - Sanchith/Prarabhdha/Agami Karma.

We are all born with the portion of Sanchit Karma as a Prarabhdha and we all have to live through it. Any new actions are going to create Agami Karma.

We briefly referenced the book “Many lives many Masters” that covers some of the similar philosophy.
Nishargdutta Maharaj - How did he suddenly get the wisdom? Based on his past life Karma’s he was ready and attained the realization without going through any formal education or process.
Reduction of FIR is a good measurement.
We briefly discussed an example of a tribe who used to live in a cave. There was a person who decided to go beyond the cave where no one else ever went. Before he reaches the light, there is a deep darkness and one can choose to return, however he may be just steps away from the light.
Arjuna is in a similar state, just a few steps away from enlightenment.
Devi Sita was in a similar state. She almost gave up so that no one would come to save her. Then Lord Hanuman came as a hope and renewed the belief.

Swamiji’s Video -

Few economists were discussing around the table including a few professors. They were reviewing data around national debt, national income. They all concluded that India’s end is near. No hope, no future. Their logical thinking took them to this conclusion. However they had utter sorrow as they didn’t want that conclusion.
They approach Swamiji and ask. Swamiji said, you are right this country has no future. However they didn’t want that answer.
Similarly Arjuna asked Mind is constantly restless, it cannot be controlled. Krishna says “You are right”.
By practice and by giving up your clinging attachment to the pleasures, senses and desires you can control your mind.
However sincere you may be in knowledge or studies, unless you bring your mind in control you cannot bring an unfoldment.

Arjuna asked Krishna “This is my doubt” and I don’t know how to get out. You must cut it out for me. This is a hopeless situation. Krishna must be like “Why me? You created this doubt”
e.g. Mother knitting cardigan, someone rings the bell and mother has to step out. Her toddler behind the scene entangled himself in the woolen thread. By the time the mother returns, the child starts crying for help. Mother sees all her effort is spoiled by her own child.
Similarly Arjuna got himself entangled and called for Krishna to help. You must release me from this.

Subjective analysis

Chinmaya Mission Tri-state Center - Bhagavad Gita Study Group (Sunday 1.00 pm)