Summarized by Sridhar V:
We did a recap from our last class where in verses 1 to 6 from Chapter 7 were discussed.
What is the difference between Ithihasa and Purana?
Puranas are, by definition, the narrations of incidents that occurred in the remote past. The Itihasas (the epics) on the other hand, is by definition, the narratives of incidents that happened during the lifetime of the narrator.
Valmiki composed the Ramayana during the lifetime of Rama. Vyasa, the author of the Mahabharata, lived during the time of the five Pandava’s and was witness to the events narrated by him in his epic
Story No 1: Valmiki and Ramayana’s story
Once Valmiki was visited by the Devarishi (divine sage) Narada. Since Narada was knowledgeable on a great many subjects, Valmiki asked him a question about whether there is any man in the world today who possesses the most illustrious qualities:
And Narada told Valmiki that it's almost impossible for one man to have all these traits, but it turns out there is such a man living today, possessing these good qualities and so many more: the present king of Ayodhya, by the name of Rama. Narada gave a brief description of Rama's characteristics and life story, but Valmiki wanted to know more.
Lord Brahma subsequently getting pleased with Valmiki, gave the boon that he would know the whole life of Rama, that everything Valmiki wrote in his epic poem would be accurate, and that his poem would endure forever. And sure enough, after Brahma disappeared and Valmiki started meditating, he saw entire life of Sri Rama through the palm of his hands and could stop, playback and revisit as he wanted so that he could pen his story.
Story No 2: Brahmastra and Nuclear Bomb
We also discussed the story of how the desert area in Rajasthan area was formed due to Brahmastra being released by Lord Rama and its relevance to the radioactive waves(akin to nuclear bomb) that were found during some construction activity in recent times.
Story No 3: Spacecraft and Hindu Scriptures :
The modern sightings that created our perception of UFOs and spacecrafts look very similar to the Vimanas that can be found in our scriptures.
One study revealed that the 3d printing of certain parts of our scriptures resembled a spacecraft which was tested to be viable even in today’s world.
The verses 7,8 and 9 were chanted and the summary of the shlokas are as below -
Excerpts of verse 7
Analysis:
Lord Krishna says “there is nothing whatsoever higher than me O Dhananjay, All this is strung on me as clusters of gems on a string. I am the invisible thread that holds all the pearls of a necklace strung together.
There is a point of view from the lower and distinctly different from the point of view from higher.
Just as in clay, there are none of the different shapes and colors of the pots, so too in the pure consciousness there are none of the worlds of objects or feelings. Besides Lord Krishna there is nothing else. This predominantly indicates that we all have a lower nature which is married to our own self but lord is the one that is present in all of us as the common factor and hence everything starts from him and end with him. There is nothing beyond him.
Excerpts of verses 8
Analysis:
Lord Krishna states “I am the sapidity in the waters, O sun of Kunti, I am the light in the moon and the sun. I am the syllable OM in all the Vedas, sound in space and virility in men.
Krishna states that he is the SELF that gives each and every things of this world the very existence. In short the SELF is the life of all things.
Excerpts of verses 9
Analysis:
The supreme self can be the thread upon which the pearls consisting of individual plurality are strung together to become the necklace of the harmonious universe.
The higher Prakriti or the principle of consciousness is the womb of all beings and that beyond that there is naught.
That which remains in a substance from its existence to its end ever constantly and without which the thing cannot maintain its identity is called its DHARMA.
Subjective Analysis and other topics discussed:
Martin Luther King’s statement on street sweepers: “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, 'Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.”
Brahman’s meaning:
· Lord of senses
· Enlivening Principle
· Penance in ascetics
Expressions of Brahman is mentioned in these 3 versions:
· Brahman here means he is the Uttam Purush.
· The fragrance which arises which the first showers produce.
· Water by itself doesn’t have any taste but when it mixes with others the taste arises.
The puppet & string theory:
· Puppets: Lower Prakriti
· String: Higher Prakriti
· Puppeteer: Brahman
The visualization and the understanding of the above between a child, an older kid, and an adult is different.
All the senses are experienced by one spirit and this spirit is also the one that feels the emotions.
We also discussed on the types of karma and the attitude with which we should be performing them to get maximum benefits.
Niyata Karma – Our Obligatory Duties
Kamya Karma -- Desire driven duties
Nishiddha Karma - Forbidden action like killing, drinking etc.
Eg” Story of a woman who was in need of financial help as she was falling short of funds to get her family member treated in a hospital, where in an unknown person comes unexpectedly and offers help without hesitation and expectation that the lady should return the money back to him.
It so happened that this woman had helped this man in the past with a portion of a prize money that she had won in a contest and helped him complete an unfinished task without any expectation which subsequently enabled him to become a successful man setting up a huge empire. He never forgot that gesture and helped this lady when she was in distress.
We also watched Swamiji’s video on Verses 7-9 where in he explains the essence of Brahman and Krishna’s omnipresence in all beings.
We would be moving ahead with Shlokas 10-14 from Chapter 7 next class onwards.
