Class Summary for Jan 12, 2025 - Bhagavad Gita Chapter-9 ver 7-10 (contd.) and 15-17

Summarized  by  Rajesh

What is Chinmaya Mission to you?  
“MY UNFOLDMENT THROUGH STUDY OF SCRIPTURES & SEVA”
- we need to do Seva, otherwise the ‘little i’ keeps increasing
- we need to look for opportunities to doing consistent Seva
- meditation is part of Unfoldment
Replace ‘I’ve been doing’ with ‘Through the grace of God, I’ve been able to …”

Additional reading reference:

• Many Lives, Many Masters

• Same Soul, Many Bodies

• Mahabharata 

In 2026, Chinmaya Mission Tri-State Center is hosting the annual Mahasamidhi Camp at the Sheraton in Parsipanny, residential camp for 5 days (30July-4Aug26)

Recap of last class (24Nov24!)
Subjective Analysis - Identify and focus 

Story #1:  Nachiketa’s story
Yama comes late to receive Nachiketa at the entrance of Yamaloka.  For keeping his guest waiting, Yama gives him 3 boons.  Nachiketa asks for:

• For his family, he asks that when he returns, that his dad won’t think he is a ghost (slyly making sure that both he and his father are going to be ok)

• For the common good for everyone, welfare to society - this becomes Nachiketa’s Yagna

• For himself, he asks what is beyond death?  Yama tries to distract him with many things including rule over Yamaloka, but Nachiketa had single-pointed focus.

2 lessons:

• maintain single point of focus toward reaching Moksha

• but do this while doing our duties and our Dharma

Story #2
A young woman who wasn’t married till late in her life, is given advice to do penance.  She does that and she finds a groom and she gets married.
Then she feels sad that she doesn’t have kids and she follows advice to do further penance, resulting in kids
Then the kids don’t get married, so she gets the same advice about doing penance.  But this time, she says she doesn’t know what she wants and neither does anyone else.  She meets a Guru who asks her to meditate and that allows her to reach Moksha as she gives up on materialistic goals.

Ch9 - verses 15-17
Verse 15:  Others, engaging in the Yagna of cultivating knowledge, worship Me by many methods.  Some see Me as undifferentiated oneness that is non-different from them, while others see Me as separate from them. Still others worship Me in the infinite manifestations of My cosmic form.
In verse 15, Bhagavan says that whether path we believe in (like advaita, dvaita & Vishista Advaita), we can all reach Him.  Similar.y, when asked who are you in relation to Rama, Hanuman-ji says:

• in the physical sense, this body is Rama’s servant

• In the jiva sense, I am part of Rama

• In the Atma sense, we are the same

Verses 16 & 17:  It is I who am the Vedic ritual, I am the the sacrifice, and I am the oblation offered to the ancestors.  I am the medicinal herb, and I am the Vedic mantra.  I am the clarified butter, I am the fire and the act of offering.  Of this universe, I am the Father; I am also the Mother, the Sustainer, and the Grandsire.  I am the purifier, the goal of knowledge, the sacred syllable Om.  I am the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, and the Yajur Veda
Theme - Krishna is like Electricity saying that it is powering all the appliances

• Yagna of knowledge - Ignorance being offered as a sacrifice to gain the right knowledge of the Brahman

• You see Brahman in everything like you see your reflection in every reflecting surface

• Verse 16 -> pointer to Atman starts here

• Like GOLD saying all ornaments are ME; Cotton telling that all clothes are ME; Krishna is saying all of creation is ME

• FATHER = spirit; MOTHER = matter

• Like a child attracted and bound to the toys; we spiritual children are attached to materialistic thing around us

We stopped before we saw the videos.

Class Summary for Nov 17, 2024 - Bhagavad Gita Chapter-9 ver 7-10 (contd.) and 11-14

 

Compiled by Prasanna Nov 17 2024 PM

The class started off with our Omkar routine followed by prayers and Pranayama & meditation.

We did a recap from our last class on the below topics 

Concept of relation less relationship.

Example of Space & Air: Space is independent, Air is dependent on Space. What happens to the Air does not affect Space at all. The air can be hot or cold, Space is not concerned. Air can be moving or still, Space is unconcerned. Air could be polluted or clean, Space is unaffected.

We can also take the example of Film screen and the film that's being played. The film screen is untouched by the violence / comedy that's being played.

In the same way the actions and thoughts of beings do not affect the Substratum, Brahman. The superimposed beings do not affect Brahman at all.

State of deep sleep

According to Vedanta, states of deep sleep represent conditions of consciousness where experiences are suspended, akin to a union with the highest Self/brahman. These states, such as deep sleep, or trance (samadhi), involve a lack of duality perception due to the mind's inactivity. Although the Self remains present in these conditions, it does not display consciousness or awareness. This understanding highlights the nature of deep sleep as a profound state beyond ordinary perception. The individual is closer to Brahman in this state

We then moved on to the following topics

Yuga and Kalpa

A Kalpa consists of 1,000 Mahayugas, making it a significant measure of cosmic time. And there are four Yugas:

• Satya Yuga: The age of truth and righteousness, lasting 1,728,000 years.

• Treta Yuga: The age of virtue, lasting 1,296,000 years.

• Dvapara Yuga: The age of duality, lasting 864,000 years.

• Kali Yuga: The age of darkness and decline, lasting 432,000 years.

During a Kalpa, the process of creation (Srishti) unfolds, guided by the will of Brahma, who manifests the universe and all its inhabitants. This creative process is followed by periods of maintenance and eventual destruction (Pralaya), overseen by the deity Shiva.

 According to Vedic texts, the creation and destruction of the universe is a cyclic process which repeats itself forever. Each cycle starts with the birth and expansion (lifetime) of the universe which equals to 311.04 trillion years followed by its complete annihilation which also prevails for the same duration of 311.04 trillion years.

The cycle of creation and destruction is crucial in Hindu beliefs, teaching the transient nature of life:

• Brahma: The creator, who initiates the cycle of creation.

• Vishnu: The preserver, who maintains cosmic order during the Yugas.

• Shiva: The destroyer, who dissolves the universe at the end of a Kalpa, allowing for regeneration.

Pralaya, or dissolution, marks the end of a Kalpa, after which a new cycle of creation begins, demonstrating the eternal rhythm of existence.

Jeevatma Paramatma

We are just an instrument and the body of ours needs god to direct our actions, just like a pen by itself can’t write and is just an instrument in our hands. The Jivatma is the body of Paramatma: Paramatma is the soul of the Jivatma. The relationship between the Jivatma and Paramatma is similar to the relationship between the light and the source of light, namely, fire or sun. In one way, the light is a part of the fire or sun. 

Gita does indeed ask one to be balanced in one’s actions – that however is not indifference, but detachment. 

Such detachment ensures that our emotions don’t take over our judgement and become the sole basis of our actions. The Gita urges us to recognize that the emotions that come over us are not always our emotions. To the contrary, they frequently are default emotional responses to external stimuli that if we observe with indifference will pass. Detachment is about letting go of attachment for the sake of a possibly improved situation, whereas indifference often implies apathy or a don't care attitude.

Think of ourselves as the uncut diamond and with this knowledge we should not get upset by setbacks and adversity. Just like a diamond only shines after undergoing the painful cuts to become a shiny diamond from an uncut one. It's OK to be sad and down but we are capable of getting up, taking the next step and moving on.

 We watched a couple of videos of Gurudev on verse 11 and 12 and here is the  meaning.:

Gita  9.11: 

avajānanti māṁ mūḍhā mānuṣhīṁ tanum āśhritam

paraṁ bhāvam ajānanto mama bhūta-maheśhvaram

When I descend in My personal form deluded persons are unable to recognize Me. They do not know the divinity of My personality, as the Supreme Lord of all beings.

Gita 9.12:

moghāśhā mogha-karmāṇo mogha-jñānā vichetasaḥ

rākṣhasīm āsurīṁ chaiva prakṛitiṁ mohinīṁ śhritāḥ

 With futile hopes, futile actions and futile knowledge, the ignorant people with their minds distracted, only adopt the demoniac, monstrous and delusive nature.

Class Summary for Nov 10, 2024 - Bhagavad Gita Chapter-9 ver 7-10

Summary by Srii

The class started off with our Omkar routine followed by prayers and Pranayama & meditation.

We did a recap from our last class of verses 3,4 and 5 of Chapter 9.

We watched a couple of videos of Gurudev on verse 5 and 6 and discussed the explanation & meaning.

Message and Key Pointers from the videos:

Continuing the strain of His arguments in the previous stanza here He says, “NOR DO THINGS EXIST IN ME,” although “I DWELL NOT IN THEM.” Now here he says that in the Infinite, never has the finite ever risen!

The Self “BRINGS FORTH AND SUPPORTS ALL BEINGS” just as the ocean gives birth to, supports and nourishes all the waves in it. “AND YET,” says Krishna “I, MYSELF NEVER DWELL IN THEM.” Just in the same way the ocean can cry that “I am never the waves.” The mud is the womb of all pots, the sustainer of their shapes, the nourisher of their forms, and yet, none of the pots, nor all the pots put together, can ever define or give a total knowledge of the mud.

Concept of relation less relationship.

Example of Space & Air: Space is in the position of a substratum to Air. The air is superimposed on Space. Space is independent, Air is dependent on Space. What happens to the Air does not affect Space at all. The air can be hot or cold, Space is not concerned. Air can be moving or still, Space is unconcerned. Air could be polluted or clean, Space is unaffected.

In the same way the actions and thoughts of beings does not affect the Substratum, Brahman. The superimposed beings do not affect Brahman at all.

Lord sys O ARJUNA, that the winds curl, swirl and whirl around everywhere in space; the space supports and envelopes them everywhere, and yet, they do not ever limit the space.

 This beautiful example, when meditated upon by any seeker, if he has at least an average amount of intellectual comprehension, will enable him to define, in his own mind, the right relationship that exists between the Self and the non-Self. The Real supports the unreal; the unreal seemingly lives… through its history of misery and sorrows, fleeting joys and passing pleasures… in the Real and yet, the unreal can never condition the Real.

When the wind is moving, the space need never move. None of the qualities of the wind is the quality of the space (Akasha). Compared with the outstretching Infinite space, in which the universes keep on revolving, at a speed measured in light years, the atmospheric disturbances are only up to the height of a few miles off the surface of the globe.

In the infinite vastness of the Real, the arena of disturbances caused by Its flirtations with Its own assumed self-ignorance, is only a negligible area… and even there, the relationship between the false and the Real is the relationship between the fickle breeze and the Infinite space.

We then recited the verses 7 8,9 and 10 :

Subjective Analysis:

The underlying message is about how God is not responsible for actions performed by beings, even though no action can take place without God's presence: 

 

• Verse 7: Explains that God manifests beings again at the beginning of each creation 

When a cosmic cycle ends, all living beings dissolve into Krishna's original material energy, and at the start of a new creation, he again manifests them according to their inherent nature 

• Verse 8: Explains that God generates beings in accordance with their natures 

Krishna emphasizes that he is the presiding power over this material energy, generating diverse forms of life repeatedly through this energy. 

• Verse 10: Explains that God does not directly create life forms, but instead uses His energies and appointed souls to do so 

Explains that the material world operates under Krishna's direction, with various energies and souls performing their roles as per his will, similar to how a government functions through its appointed official

Key Points:

•  Cosmic cycle:The verses allude to the concept of "Kalpa" - a cosmic cycle where creation, preservation, and destruction occur repeatedly.  
• Non-duality: Krishna is portrayed as the ultimate reality behind all manifestations yet remains distinct from them. 
• Divine play:The idea of Krishna "playing" with creation, signifying his creative power while maintaining a detached perspective.

Verses 7-10 essentially explain that Krishna, as the supreme being, is the source of all creation, and at the end of a cosmic cycle, everything merges back into his primordial energy, only to be manifested again during the next cycle of creation; highlighting that he is the underlying force behind the entire universe, overseeing its continuous cycle of creation, preservation, and dissolution, without directly engaging in the act of creation himself, but through his divine energy

Class Summary for Oct 20, 2024 - Bhagavad Gita Chapter-9 ver 1- 6

Summarized by Rajesh: 

Rajavidya Rajaguhya Yoga (The Yoga of Royal Knowledge & Royal Secret)

Introduction

• The Royal Secret                  01-03
• Atman - Within and Beyond Universe        04-10
• Deluded Ignore Atman, Wise Worship 11-15
• Pointer to Atman         16-19
• You get What you Want/Pursue 20-28
• Realization PEN to all, Even wicked 29-34

Recap of previous class:

• What is Bhakti?
• Started Chapter 9
• Royal secret/knowledge
• revealing to Arjuna since he is qualified
• knowledge is easy to grasp - follows Dharma and Shraddha
• Krishna says that he’s in everything but everything else isn’t in Him
• Absolute Reality, Relative Reality and Non-Reality
• Maya is the sum total ignorance; Brahman + Maya = Iswara

Shravanam, Mananam and Nidhityasanam are mostly applicable to Jnana Yoga but we need Karma and Bhakti Yoga as well.

V1-6

Theme:

• First qualification for this secret is being FOCUSSED and BALANCED.

Theme continued:

• Inherent contradiction Ch7 V3 vs Ch9 V2 - is it hard or easy?
• Is an IIT entrance exam hard or easy?  Depends on if people are qualified and have prepared for it.  Similarly for this secret knowledge.
• Second contradiction - Aneka roopa Ishwara was ultimate - and now Aroopa Ishwara?  How to reconcile?
• Eka roopa Ishwara- for our simple mind - easy to worship and focus our attention.  Very relatable.  We can see our ishta devata like Hanuman, etc. as God.
• Aneka roopa Ishwara - more evolved minds - tougher to understand, more abstract.  Difficult to comprehend that even mosquitoes can be Ishwara.  We can see God everywhere (all the idols, every living thing, elephants, etc.)
• Aroopa Ishwara- most evolved minds - very difficult to accept.  Rises above good and evil.  Contains both good and evil - seemingly.  A-roopa = without form.  No form, no shape, no color, no thing.
• Eka roopa -> Aneka -> Aroopa, more subtle from left to right
• Ishwara is limiting (Eka roopa and Aneka roopa) while Aroopa Ishwara is unlimited Brahman.  In Bhagavad Gita, Krishna doesn’t ever use the word Brahman (it comes from the Upanishads), he refers to himself as Ishwara.

The class also discussed about Dvaita and Advaita in decent detail.

Gurudev says Religion is a form of self-discipline in Self-Unfoldment.  Spirituality is beyond Religion - it uncovers who we really are.

We watched 2 videos

Video verse 1

• No audience is interested to listen, it is the speaker’s responsibility to keep the attention of the audience.

Video verse 2 

- story about Naseruddin and the Mullah who could predict the future.

Class Summary for Sep 29, 2024 - Bhagavad Gita Chapter-9 ver 1- 6

 Summarized by Shailesh Vyas: 

Started with meditation, anulom vilom.

Recap & Initial Q&A 
Bhakti - Krishna never called out Bhakti separately.
Bhakti - Love, devotion, faith
Faith in me (per chapter 8)
e.g. Story of tree and cow - 
Student was told you will get to write an essay on tree. However in exam, question came to write an essay on Cow. He writes Cow has four legs and cow is tied to a tree and than he explains everything about tree.

Similarly, Bhakti is the underlying essence.
Fact that we attend Sunday class is faith (in a way Bhakti).
Bhakti is underlying fabric, but do not compromise on Gyan.

Creation - Misconceived English term. People assume something came from nothing.
Real term is manifest/un-manifest - Nothing is created or destroyed. Energy is transformed from one form to another.
Individual are manifest, and upon death we un-manifest.
Combined manifestation is called ISHWARA.

Absolute Reality - This "is". From the perspective of absolute, all the world does not exit.
Relative Reality - We see each other.
Non Reality - Something that doesn't exist, but we may believe in out of ignorance. e.g. Snake and rope.

Maya - Ignorance we all have. Gross of all ignorance is Maya.
Both non-reality and relative reality are due to ignorance (different level of ignorance).

Chapter 9 (Raja Guhya Yog - Royal Secret) 
Intro
Chapter 1 - 3 - Royal Secret
Chapter 4 - 10 - Atman beyond universe.
Chapter 11 - 15 - Deluded ignore atman, wise worship.
Chapter 16 - 19 - Pointer to Atman.
Chapter 20 -28 - You get what you want/pursue. I have given you free will (purusharth), you have to choose your path.
Chapter 29 - 34 - Realization open to all, even wicked.

Verse 1 
śhrī bhagavān uvācha
idaṁ tu te guhyatamaṁ pravakṣhyāmyanasūyave
jñānaṁ vijñāna-sahitaṁ yaj jñātvā mokṣhyase ’śhubhāt
Translation
O Arjuna, because you are not envious of me, I shall now impart to you this very confidential knowledge and wisdom, upon knowing which you will be released from the miseries of material existence.

Verse 2
rāja-vidyā rāja-guhyaṁ pavitram idam uttamam
pratyakṣhāvagamaṁ dharmyaṁ su-sukhaṁ kartum avyayam
Translation
This knowledge is the king of sciences and the most profound of all secrets. It purifies those who hear it. It is directly realizable, in accordance with dharma, easy to practice and everlasting in effect.

Verse 3
aśhraddadhānāḥ puruṣhā dharmasyāsya parantapa
aprāpya māṁ nivartante mṛityu-samsāra-vartmani
Translation
People who have no faith in this dharma are unable to attain in me, o conqueror of enemies. They repeatedly come back to this world in the cycle of birth and death.

Verse 4
mayā tatam idaṁ sarvaṁ jagad avyakta-mūrtinā
mat-sthāni sarva-bhūtāni na chāhaṁ teṣhvavasthitaḥ
Translation
This entire cosmic manifestation is pervaded by me in my un-manifest form. All living beings dwell in me, but I do not dwell in them.

Verse 5
na cha mat-sthāni bhūtāni paśhya me yogam aiśhwaram
bhūta-bhṛin na cha bhūta-stho mamātmā bhūta-bhāvanaḥ
Translation
And yet, the living beings do not abide in me. Behold the mystery of my divine energy! Although I am the creator and sustainer of all living beings, I am not influenced by them or by material nature.

Verse 6
yathākāśha-sthito nityaṁ vāyuḥ sarvatra-go mahān
tathā sarvāṇi bhūtāni mat-sthānītyupadhāraya
Translation
Know that as the mighty wind blowing everywhere rests always in the sky, likewise all living being always rest in me.

Theme/Discussion
First qualification for this secret knowledge is being ready/beloved/open.
Shravanam - Knowledge from external source (it could be Satsang, Gita or even YouTube video).
Mananam - Internal understanding.
Nidhidhyasanam - Internalization (realization of knowledge).
This knowledge strengthens what you know and also enables to overcome your ignorance. This knowledge is easy to practice and result is guaranteed. It is imperishable.
Shraddha - Intellectual and mind fully focussed. Without Shraddha, one cannot get this knowledge. Shraddha is critical for materialistic achievements too.
Grosser element rest in the subtler. Air/Wind in Space/Sky.
Shraddha v/s Bhakti - Shraddha with Divinity is Bhakti.
Gnana Yoga (Realization) <-> Bhakti Yoga (Single pointed focus)
|                                                               |
Shravanam/Mananam/Nidhidhyasanam.      Karma Yoga (Cleansing of mind)
Even after you get this knowledge, you have to keep practicing it.
While doing Karma Yoga (cleaning of mind), we need to have single pointed focus (Bhakti) to get realization (Gyan Yoga).
Varnas are based on combination of Gunas. This knowledge is applicable to all Varnas and ashrams.
We are breathing while talking. Similarly, we need Bhakti while doing Gyan Yoga.
More you practice, you build intuition. 
No one can measure other person's Nidhidhyasanam, you will know when you practice more.

Ended class