Class Summary for May 27, 2018 - Chapter-2: 26 too 29

Summarized by Deepa Kumar:

Krishna explains to Arjuna the concept of absolute reality in shloka 11-25 and from shloka 26 onwards he talks about relative reality.

When an object like a bullet or sword tries to cut the flow of water, it does not happen. Water just flows around it and the flow never gets affected. Similarly, Atma can never get affected by any action; hence it is AKARTHA and ABOKTHA. Atma is hence subtler than the subtler. We do have free will to continue our action in the journey of life.

Example from Upanishad: When a guru tried to drown his own student and held him under water, the student was surprised with the guru’s action and was constantly struggling to come out and breathe. When the guru let him out after sometime, he asked his student what was he thinking when he was drowning.  The student stated he was thinking about nothing other than resurfacing to breathe. The guru told the student that thinking about the lord in difficult times or in every action is required and this can only be practiced by doing more Shravanam and Mananam regularly. The urge to acquire is knowledge or attain this realization, should be just like the desire the student had to come out of water and breath. 

There are many beliefs that the Atma itself is being born again and again, or everything is limited to body, which is easier for everyone to understand. In Buddhism they believe that the Atma is born again and again. While in Christianity, they believe in body (or rather, what they see), and believe in going to heaven or hell after death. In either case, death is the final truth!

Benjamin Franklin said this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. He firmly believed that death is certain and inevitable.

We talked about the story in Mahabharata about the Yaksha Prashna. When the Pandvas where in exile and went to the river bank out of thirst, Yama himself appeared as Yaksha, and asked them questions before they could drink water.  Yudhisthira had patience to answer his questions, while others died without answering. One among the many questions where “What is most surprising?” for which Yudhisthira replies “ Day after day countless creatures are going to the abode of Yama, yet those that remain behind believe themselves to be immortal. What can be more surprising than this?”

In the materialistic realm each individual comprises of 3 types of body –Gross, Subtle and Casual.

The soul manifest with the gross body

Example 1: Kids manifest different characters in video games to accomplish their task in the virtual world, and un-manifest once completed

Example 2 : Sun’s reflection in the bucket of water

Example 3 : Dust visible when a ray of light falls on an object

Atma cannot be searched, it has to be realized.

Example 1 : Once a sanyasi was travelling, carrying his wealth to give to needy. Along with him travelled a thief who was waiting to take away his wealth, so the sanyasi was very cautious while he was awake. During the night fall, the sanyasi slept so peacefully while the thief was searching through all his possession. But the thief was disappointed every night as he couldn’t find anything. The last day of travel the thief asked the sanyasi where he hid his wealth while he slept every night, and sanyasi replied that he had it under the thief’s pillow, since he knew that he would not check there.

Example 2: Mother asked her kid to search for her lost ring near the front door. The kid searched near the neighbor’s front door since it was brightly lit as opposed to his own front door. Mother explained to the kid that he would never find the ring, since he is searching in the wrong place.

Class Summary for May 13, 2018 - Chapter-2: 23 to 25

Summarized by Sridhar V:

The class observed Pranayama followed by the recap of the last workshop session.(05/06)

Chapter 2- Verses 23/24 and 25 were discussed and explained to the class.

Analysis:

• Lord Krishna advises Arjuna that "Wepaons cannot shred the soul" nor "Fire can burn it". 

• The immutable "SELF" or JEEVA is being described by the Lord in terms of mutable and ever changing world which is familiar to Arjuna and all the normal human beings. In the world of change,objects come to their end either through death associating themselves with Fire/Water or Air.

• The soul cannot be made wet with water nor can the wind dry it.The soul is unbreakable and incombustible and it neither be destroyed or dampened. It is everlasting.

• We discussed the example of a "glass coffin" where in a study was conducted by a group of indiviuals who wanted to capture the process of death and observe anything that goes away from the human body when the event of death occurs. Despite employing all the possible scientific ways to capture the same they were not able to visually spot anything leaving the body during death .

• Lord Krishna further clarifies to Arjuna that everything in this world can be related to "MANIFESTATION" and "UNMANIFESTATION". The Lord explains that a thing is called manifested when we can perceive through one or other of our sense organs. That which is beyond all the five sense organs is called unmanifested that which cant be seen,heard,smelt,felt or tasted.

• Lord Krishna thus advises Arjuna to end his grief by re-iterating the fact that he who understands the eternal nature of the SELF can have neither the occassion to see himself as the slayer nor recognise others as the slain.

Related discussions and activities:

• Maniji recited a story about Ramdas mentioning to the class the choice between returning back to mankind to serve or being one with Bramhan.

• We also discussed that there is nothing in this universe called as "Creation" and its a fallacy of various theories. The real truth is "Manifestation" and " Unmanifestation".

• Mani-ji mentioned the story of Barbarika alias Shyam ,the grandson of Bhima (second of the Pandava brothers), and the son of Ghatotkacha. It was metioned that from his childhood, Barbarika was a very brave warrior and that he learnt the art of warfare from his mother. Krishna offered him Moksha in return for Barbarika being able to witness the entire Mahabharata from a global level(from the top of a mountain).  Once Barbarika was released from the vicious cycle of birth & death all he could envision was Lord Krishna everywhere/all across the battle field.(as he became one with Bramhan).

• 2 videos of Gurudev were played where in the concept of birth/rebirth  was explained in simple terms and Gurudev also emphasised that the soul(Jeevatma) has to acquire a gross body to exhaust all the impressions acquired from the previous birth(Prarabdham)

Class Summary for May 06, 2018 - Chapter-2: 19 to 22

Summarized by Shilpa Sail:

In this weeks class, we discussed chapter-2 verse 19 to 22.

Verse 19-22

Arjuna is pained by the thought that he will be held responsible for the killing of his elders, Bhishma and others.  Shri Krishna explains that the Atma/soul does not die. The body in which the soul dwells separates from the body, but the soul exists. The soul is eternal, ageless, omnipresent.

Shri Krishna further explains that the Atma/soul is not born nor does it die. It is ever existing. It is ageless.  

Shri Krishna explains to Arjuna that concept of rebirth by providing the analogy of clothes. When a garment becomes old and useless, we scrap the old ones and buy new ones, but when this activity is being done we don't change ourselves. Likewise, the soul changes the body, it discards the old body and starts dwelling in a new body when it takes birth. The soul is the same it does not change.

Atma/Soul is`----

* Akartha, it cannot do anything by itself. 

* Abhokta, it cannot experience any results of any action. 

* Nirvikara, it is free from change.

Other topics discussed in our session.

⦁ Prarthana said she attended a medical session which focussed on Yoga, Om, and Meditation.

Western culture is looking towards the east for ways to relieve chronic pain. They believe for chronic pain yoga and meditation are providing significant benefits. Scientific study has proven that people exposed to yoga or meditation are responding better to these treatments rather than medication.

The group had a discussion on how the western group is influencing Vedanta and spiritual study in India / amongst Indians.

Mani Sir was confident that our culture is so vast and that it will stay for years to come.

⦁ Thirteen days ritual after death in a family.

In most of the Hindu families, there is a twelve day morning period. It gives the grieving family time to accept the reality and give the Atma a force for transitioning into the next birth.

⦁ Can the jeevatma who has become one with the Paramatma ever get detached. 

The answer is yes if the jeevatma get distracted from its service to the Parmatma. Even an iota of separation comes at a virtual level also then the jeevatma separates from the Paramatma.

From a Advaita perspective, once the Jeevatma becomes one with Paramatma it does not come back or get separated. In special cases it can re-manifest itself during avataar of Paramatma etc., 

⦁ Why in some temples the prasad is not given in hand but appears that it is thrown.

It is not because of the untouchable practice that was followed. The people who are in the temple have strong magnetic/ energy if they touch you, may be the energy will transverse between you and the temple priest which some people might now be able to with-stand.

⦁ Prasad narrated a story about two monks.

One day they were two monks walking towards the monastery. They saw a beautiful lady hurt on the side of the road. The first monk went towards her and picked her.

 The second monk tried to explain to the first monk that we as monks should not touch any female. I will complain about you to the Head Monk. The first monk did not pay any heed to the second monk but went ahead in his duty to help the Lady and returned to the monastery. At the monastery, the second monk told the head what had happened. The first monk said I did not carry that in my mind it is you who have carried it.

⦁ Mani Sir told a story on similar lines about muni Vyasa and his son Shuka.

One day Vyasa was following his son to a lake. Some ladies were bathing in there. Shuka was in front of Vyasa the ladies did not bother to cover themselves when they saw him. Then, they saw Vyasa they hurried to cover themselves. Vyasa was puzzled. After returning to the ashram he asked his son why the ladies tried to cover them after seeing Vyvas but not Shuka. The reason is due to Shuka's complete lack of self-consciousness the ladies did not consider him to be any distraction.

Class Summary for March 25, 2018 - Chapter-2: 13 to 18

Summarized by Partha Turaga:

----- Chapter 2, Verses 13-18 -------------------

Krishna continues explaining what the existence of "beyond body" identity truly is. Just as this identity exists as the body passes from childhood, youth and old age so too this identity carries from one body to another body after death. The person who recognizes this is firm and does not grieve about this transition. Gurudev's video humorously talks about this identity renting a body. It needs rest for the body, 3 meals a day. If it is not taken for then this identity leaves. It will then look for another such body. 

The body feels all the pain and pleasure, heat and cold. It is always in contact with sense objects. And like all physical objects, it has a beginning and an end. These sensations need to be endured. We should always have the awareness that this too will pass away. The person who is not afflicted by these opposites, to whom pleasure and pain, is the firm one. 

This person is capable of realizing the immortality of the Self. The Self is the transcendental Truth or the eternal perfection. This is what is referred as immortality in these verses. So, if we associate with the body then there is 'death'. If we associate with the identity and realize the impermanence of the body then death has no meaning. We are then on the path to realize the Self, the transcendental Truth or the Eternal perfection. Continuing this concept Krishna says that what is temporary being is not real and what is non-being is real & permanent. This has been seen by knowers of truth. In the world of being, everything is changing. This is the constant cycle of life and death. However, this cycle exists on a changeless substratum. That substratum is real. Pursuit of Realization is the realization of this substratum. Men of knowledge have known this - "The essence". This essence is all pervading and indestructible. Nothing can cause the destruction of this essence. Thus, though the bodies of embodied Self have an end, the Self itself has no end. The Self is eternal, indestructible and incomprehensible. Thus, Krishna advises Arjuna to fight on. 

This principle can also be adopted in meditation as we try to reach that thoughtless state or atleast the in-between state. This approach can be approached in Advaita like way or in a Dvaita like way. In Dvaita, we can pray in front of the Pratima (dedicated image) of Radha-Krishna and have a Bhakta relationship with that Pratima. We could also meditate trying to realize the Brahman - all-pervading. Either path helps us progress in our spiritual journey. 

Aside: We also had a conversation about relationship between real & permanent. Does permanent necessarily mean real. Here, we talked about relative reality. The phase where things that are not necessarily real but appear real. So, this is phase of relative reality. A classic example if for a person mistaking a rope for a snake. That snake is real to him till he realizes that it is a rope. This state is called relative reality. 

Class Summary for March 18, 2018 - Chapter-2: 13, 14

Summarized by Srividhya Swaminathan:        

We discussed sloka 13 & 14 

Sloka 13

Like all verses in BG, Shri Krishna once again tries to open Arjuna's eyes, through the light of Knowledge. He gives multiple examples, to make Arjuna understand, that physical body is just a vehicle( to perform Sadhanas) & Atma is eternal. Arjuna so far was willing to give up & accept defeat & now has reached a stage of Saranagathi (total surrender) to Sri Krishna. Like us, Arjuna too has strong resistance to change. He is unable to overcome the grief or feeling of emptiness, in waging war against his own people.

            Just like how the Sun clears the mist, Sri Krishna Bhagwan, through his cutting insight , breaks through the Ignorance of Arjuna, by helping him face the truth/reality, removes the illusion & leading him to the path of enlightenment.

 Bhagwan further adds, that just as how we don't grieve about the natural transformation from childhood to old age, we must also not mourn about the transition of Atma from one physical body to another& hence persuades Arjuna to face reality. (This transition helps the Atma to evolve and hence there is no point in showing resistance to this change)

14th Sloka

In his attempt to make Arjuna understand the nature of Atma or knowledge of self, Bhagwan 1st gives him clarity on 'what it is not'

          In this sloka, Sri Krishna reinforces that worldly objects of pleasure & pain experienced through the sensory organs are not permanent. Just as we accept the climate change, we should also accept that nothing is consistent & by realizing this, we will remain unaffected in all situations, thus encourages Arjuna to endure it.

At good times its natural for any person to lose balance or 'to be carried away' & at not so good times, we tend to give up easily. Its a limited way of thinking. 

Like Arjuna, our awareness and thoughts are mixed up, and like how Gurudev suggests, by constant inquiry & inner reflection, we can try and achieve inner stillness & calm.This inquiry will help us decide, what thoughts to hold on to & ones that don't belong to the true self(we should remove that by Meditation & inner reflection)

Other topics discussed in class

1) Coping strategies to accept unexpected loss of loved ones.

2) Importance of 13days ritual.

    - how it helps the grieving family to accept reality slowly& thus Atma in its transition from 1 world to another or next Birth.

3) In some situation the Atma itself wants or  does not wan't to be trapped in its physical form & travel of the Atma in 

     Extreme cases of self - destruction.

4) We also discussed about how in our culture, people who are in last stages of life travel to "Kashi Labh - Mukti Bhawan". Its evident that we have 'burning desire for liberation'. (Mumukhshatvam)

To conclude the topic I would like to quote the following -

"If we accept death, we die only once, otherwise we die a million times. 

What we accept - from that we are free; what we do not accept- we remain entangled"   "