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. 

Class Summary for Nov 8, 2020 - BG - Chapter-4 Slokas 13-15

 Summarized by: Bala Dhandapani

Class started with Pranayama, meditation and summary of Chapter 4 slokas 1-12. 

Chapter 4 Slokas 13, 14 and 15 was chanted, summary of the slokas are given below  

13 – Krishna says that Varna, the four categories of occupations (Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vysia and Sudra) were created by him according to people’s texture/quality of the mind (Guna – Satvik, Rajasik and Tamasic) and karma (activities).  Although he is the creator of this system, we need to recognize that he is a non-doer and immutable.   

14- Krishna declares that Actions do not taint him nor does he desire the fruits of the action.  One who knows him in this way is not bound by the karmic reactions of work. 

15- Krishna further advises Arjuna that Karma Yoga was practiced by intelligent/ancient seekers and he should also follow this action.   

Discussion/Theme 

• Based on the texture of the mind the combinations of the Gunas – Satvik, Rajasic and Tamasic can keep changing even within a day.   
• Krishna says he created the Varna Ashrama  - Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vysia and Sudra based on the quality of thinking and capabilities  
• Krishna declares that he is above Varna, one can be in any Varna to seek knowledge.  Varna is based on thoughts.  Birth alone will not determine Varna.  Unfortunately overtime Varna became misidentified with birth.   
• The four Ashramas – Brahmacharya, Grahasta, Vanaprastha and Sanyasa (Samnyasa) were discussed.  
• Brahmacharya, Vanaprastha and Sanyasa depend on the Grahastas for food.  Vanaprastha is done is isolation and does not contribute to the society.  Grahasta does actions for the family and society.  One can be a Sanyasi while being a Grahasta.   
•  The following point was brought up for discussion.  In olden days, boys stayed at the  Gurukulam to obtain knowledge from the Guru, how did girls obtain knowledge ?.   
• Girls were taught differently and learnt life lessons from elders in the home -mother and grandmothers.  Also learnt from a combination of the elderly women in the community and Guru Mata. 
• Example – Janaka taught Sita and her sisters.  Kapila muni taught his mother.   
• Over time – caste system (castism) came into play and it abused the Varna system.   
•  Krishna is above all this. 
• Karna example was discussed – he did not use his free will wisely.  Life started off as an unfair situation for him but he surrendered his free will and sided adharma. 

Subjective Analysis:  Learn to recognize ONENESS and practice letting GO.   

Gurudev’s video on verse 13 was viewed by the class 

• Every human being has 3 colors (Gunas: Satvik – white, Rajasic-red, Tamasic-black) leads to 4 types of personalities (Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vysia and Sudra).   
• Guna may be based on Prarabdha, Action is due to Free Will. 
• Krishna says he is the author of the classification, but he does not function.   
• One can plug their BMI to Narayana and become a saint.   
• Example of Gas in a Vehicle, it can take you where-ever you want, but where you want to go is based on your free will.   

Class Summary for Nov 8, 2020 - BG - Chapter-4 Slokas 7-12

Summarized by: Angila Singh

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

Important points clarified /discussed-

 Should our spiritual journey be restricted by unavailability of appropriate answers ?

NO.

- Sometimes valid questions will not get satisfactory answers but that should not change the course of learning /seeking. We evolve to such understanding overtime . Faith keeps us going.

- We can learn from anyone irrespective of his evolvement.

Shankaracharya Story -

- Apparently, Shankaracharya was going to the Ganga to bathe when he came upon the chandala.

In those days, Brahmins were supposed to be "defiled" by the very presence of those of this caste, and the disciples of Shankara asked the "outcaste" to move out of the way. However, the chandala retorted by asking the question: "How do differences such as "This is a chandala and this is a Brahmin arise in the Advaitic doctrine? After all, it is the same Atman that is present in all bodies, irrespective of their castes"

Shankaracharya was taken aback by this response, and promptly exclaimed that anyone who sees Brahman as the sole reality and recognizes the Atman as the same in all is worthy of respect.

All other distinctions are false, said Shankaracharya, and the chandala, who has realized the unity of the supreme consciousness, is akin to my guru.

 Sai Sir clarified the verse “Sambhavami Yuge Yuge “

- Lord appears as and when needed as opposed once in a Yuga to protect the dharma and dharmic people.

- To try to change the A-Dharmic or in the last option eliminate if needed.

Then we continued to the shlokas 7- 12 .

Theme: The struggle against religion of ir-religion/adharma -

 We watched the videos of verses 7-12 .

 Swami Chinmayananda jee’s extract for the verses below .

Verse 7-8 : Whenever there is a decline in righteousness and an increase in unrighteousness, O Arjun, at that time I manifest myself on earth.

To protect the righteous, to annihilate the wicked, and to reestablish the principles of dharma I appear on this earth, age after age.

Swami jee’s key points from the video-

- Less evolved is always frighted by the higher evolution.

- Whenever adharma reaches a point where dharmic people are afraid of the wicked, Lord shall manifest 

Verse 9 : Those who understand the divine nature of my birth and activities, O Arjun, upon leaving the body, do not have to take birth again, but come to my eternal abode.

Verse 10 : Being freed from attachment, fear, and anger, becoming fully absorbed in me, and taking refuge in me, many persons in the past became purified by knowledge of me, and thus they attained my divine love.

Swami jee’s key points from the video-

Should Truth Be Substantiated with Logic ?

- Talked about logic, how certain truths/facts cannot be explained by mere logic.

As logic is only at the intellect layer, it is limited by relative truth.

- Lord Krishan says if we make certain adjustment we can move beyond – M (Mind) and I ( Intellect) limitations. That adjustment/preparation is called “Spiritual Sadhana”

Verse 11 : In whatever way people surrender unto me, I reciprocate with them accordingly. Everyone follows my path, knowingly or unknowingly, O son of Pritha.

Swami jee’s key points from the video-

- Consciousness is pure energy can be used for good or evil.

- Bhraman is fueling sinner and saint both its up to an individual how to channelize that energy. Swami jee gave an example of Gas/Petrol used in cars . Petrol does not control how it will be used whether a terrorist uses it to rampage people or its used for noble causes.

We also talked about Prarabdha .

- One should not resort at the extremities of Prarabdha for all things happening in the World.

- As we don’t know what’s happening ,is it an effect of the past karma or it will become the cause for a future effect. We can not simply put it on Prarabdha alone. We still need to act based on our Swadharma.

- We should only focus on our current action/free will without worrying about if its an effect of the past karma .

Verse 12: In this world, those desiring success in material activities worship the celestial gods, since material rewards manifest quickly.

Swami jee’s key points from the video-

Running after Immediate Pleasures

- Majority wants joys , emotional satisfaction, or intellectual satisfactions but all immediate.

- Path of spiritual seeking is difficult by nature but worth the journey , the gains are high .

Subjective analysis- Develop faith as opposed to belief . Belief is based on intellect, but Faith is

Constant.

Class Summary for Nov 1, 2020 - BG - Chapter-4 Slokas 7-12

 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 the first 6 verses of chapter 4. 

We went through Verses: 7-12

Theme: The struggle against religion of ir-religion/adharma

• We saw the definition of “Religion” from Self-unfoldment, which is mentioned as a form of self-

discipline. The moment “self” is taken away from it and applied to others, it starts causing

problems.

•  Ir-religion/adharma can be defined as anything which is against the nature
• Lord SriKrishna is mentioning that, when dharma is forgotten and adharma reaches to its peak,

He would come down as an Avtar and perform 3 things

• Punish adharmis i.e, one who do not follow their swadharma
• Protect dharmis
• Re-establish dharma

• When Swadharma is not followed, it leads to adharma.

 Ex: If farmers stop doing what they are supposed to do (farming) i.e not following

swadharma, it could lead to production of artificial food, thus causing imbalance in the

nature.

• Yuga ends/Mahapralya occurs, when the gross baggage (karmic bondage) of everyone in the

universe becomes extremely negative. When yuga ends, along with the vedas, sages and prominent dharma followers will be preserved to continue the yugas

•  In the context of ending of Yugas, a question was discussed: Why would Lord even allow

adharma to increase to an extent to end the Yuga?

• God originally created everyone with free will to perform Yagna karmas, with the goal of

attaining him. However, due to the misuse of free will, humans start acquiring karmic

bondage, thus eventually performing adharmas

• What God has given us is under his control, but due to free will, what we do with what

we got from Him is purushartha (Ex: Sishu paal’s story about how he committed 100 sins

due to his free will)

• Religion vs Spirituality: Religion gives discipline (dos and don’ts) whereas Spirituality is seeking

one’s own self; Recognizing the drstha (SEER) in us and not the kartha (DOER)

•  One needs to give up the fear, anger and attachment to be able to fully emerge in Lord. In this

context, one has to be really thirsty to acquire the ultimate knowledge

•  Example: A boy selling water at train station and how one of the passengers first

enquires about the price of the water bottle before purchasing unlike others, which

indicates that he isn’t as thirsty as others for water. This example was given in the

context to emphasize the fact that, one really needs to be thirsty of attaining the

knowledge.

•  Another example was given in this same context; as one desperately holds onto a stick

while drowning in a river

• The Supreme Lord reciprocates to all paths of seeking him (Bhatki, Gyana or Karma)
•  Before punishing the bad, the Lord first tries to teach, negotiate and then oppose before finally punishing (Bhishma/Drona/Karna accept the punishment after recognizing that Krishna tried allthe other 3 methods)

• Sloka 12’s summary: a lot of people perform rituals to get materialistic benefits, but Lord

explains that this shouldn’t be the ultimate goal, but one should strive to acquire the knowledge

to grow beyond actions.

•  Lord affirms that, even if a worst sinner can have HOPE to be liberated.
• A story was narrated about a King with 2 sons and how the younger son follows a wrong path, but later on comes back to his family and the King celebrates his comeback, to lead the right path again.

Subjective Analysis: Develop FAITH as opposed to BELIEF

Class Summary for Oct 11, 2020 - BG - Chapter-4 Slokas 1-6

 Summarized by: Vidya Shivkumar

We started the class with our Prayers, Meditation , Pranayama . Did a recap of our 1^st class which gave the summary of the chapter 4. 

We went through Verses  1-6

Theme : Brahma Vidya Knowledge

Supreme Lord gave knowledge  to Vivasvan  (Sun God) -> Vivasvan taught it to Manu -> Manu taught it to  Iksvaku (Rama’s lineage ). 

1.     This shows the path of knowledge flow through parampara of Kshatriya . 

2.     Krishna emphasizes why Arjuna is a kshatriya ,Krishna’s devotee friend. 

3.     For the First time Krishna talks like/As Brahman , Else HE has always referred to himself as Sakka (Friend) . 

4.     Arjuna diplomatically poses a question – right way to inquire from Guru.

5.     Direct reference to reincarnation  / rebirth ( Eg Small child not knowing about his future) . 

6.     To experience the result of out past actions we have to take rebirth. 

7.     Lord talks about He being Unborn , Understructable who has manifested & hence can remember everything in his own maya . 

8.     Differentiation between Human birth & Avatara. 

*Humans fall helplessly out of ignorance , Avatara descends purposely to dispel ignorance . 

*Humans are made of Paanch Bootha , Avatara is made of Maya . 

* Humans as born to exhaust karma , Avatara is born to protect Dharma . 

* Human rebirth is based on Papa & Punya where as Avatara is getting reincarnated by HIS Will Choice). 

Avatara are not bound by the cycle of papa and punya. 

Jeevatma doesn’t have choice they have to take rebirth.

Arjuna has never seen this side of Krishna , He is in Awe. Arjuna tells Krishna that his Equipment is not able to understand how is it possible for Krishna to give this Yoga to Sun God . (How not to talk down to)

We went through few examples of how to ask question to Guru & about Rebirth.

Eg : 1 Guru & 2 Disciples : You can meditate anywhere . One Shisya ask Can I smoke when I Meditate? Guru replied “No”

Other one ask Can I Meditate even When I smoke? Guru replied “Yes “

Context is how you are asking the question. 

Eg 2: In our Gmail we delete the old emails . Similar to our lives we do not remember our old lives . Lots of things has happened in our past . Human brains is designed in such as way that lot of things are not remembered, designed for forgetting . 

 

Subject Anaysis : Growing beyond/ out of action is what we strive for .