3.Intent and Purport of the Gita

CHAPTER THREE

THE INTENT AND PURPORT OF BHAGAVAD-GITA

    As a part of Mahabharata, Bhishma parva (Cantos 23- 40), the Bhagavad-Gita is well-known as the Fifth Veda/ Panchama Veda that has all the Vedas in a summary form. It is treated as the Vedantasara. What is so special about the Mahabharata epic is that it is a voluminous scripture that cannot be understood even by the Creator Lord Brahma. There are a 100 000 Verses in Twenty Eight Cantos and each word in each verse has a dozen meanings! It is humanly impossible to understand these verses and it is left to the wild imagination of the readers. However, there are learned scholars who can interpret these verses to ordinary people in a way they can understand; to that extent it serves as a suitable guide to sane and sensible living. It played a very important role in educating the rural folks at a time when there were no schools to teach them the alphabets. So far the great epic Mahabharata has remained a mysterious giant that is a jumble of intricate stories woven within stories tracing genealogy of our ancestors to the Creator Brahma and his mansa putrah Atharva, Narada, Skanda, Sanaka, Sanatsujata, and the assumed or presumed as the first Manus who come at the beginning of each Yuga Manvantara or eon. 

       Mahabharata is written in a very lucid style and it is very easy to understand as long as it is considered a simple story for spending time in the memory of God, a pastime, or Katha Kalakshepa, as it is popularly known. But, the moment one wants to find a true spiritual meaning in it, it becomes deep and mysterious! The very story of Bheeshma, the Grand Sire Gangeya, is a mysterious one, born as the son of the sacred River Ganga! The story of Pandu, the father of the Pandavas who died under mysterious circumstances, and Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas is another intriguing part of the main story. Similarly, the blind King Dhrutarashtra and Gandhari, his blind-folded queen, is yet another story depicting them as the main characters of the whole drama of Mahabharata.

      Further, the events that gradually brought the cousins Kauravas and the Pandavas to a great war involving four million soldiers is a wonderful story woven by the ingenious mind of Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa. The entire episode of the Bhagavad-Gita is another great mysterious plot designed by Vyasa, a story within a story depicting the dilemma, reluctance and despondence of Arjuna to fight the war just after the blowing of the Conches, Drums and Bugles declaring the start of the war! Why should Krishna preach Arjuna to sit in padmasana (crossleg) on a slightly elevated platform with closed eyes, or eyes focusing on the tip of the nose or between eyebrows and meditate in the midst of the rumblings of the first day of the Great War cannot be easily understood by ordinary people. Krishna is the Yoga teacher and he teaches Yoga to Arjuna in the battlefield of Hastinapura! In a sense, it is simply ridiculous that a person like Krishna, the Incarnate Lord Vishnu, is here encouraging Arjuna to fight his revered teacher Dronacharya and his Grand-father Bheeshma, and, of course, his cousins- the Kauravas, who refused to part with their legitimate share of the Kingdom. What is further intriguing is that even the Lord Vishnu, Paramatman or Parabhrahman Shree Krishna could not amicably settle the dispute between the cousins! Further, a simple family wrangle conflagrated into a ‘Great War of Righteousness’, Dharma Yuddha and the Lord could not restore Righteousness at the end! The Satvik / pious people still suffer and where is the question of restoring Dharma when kaliyug sets in? It (adharma) further aggravated in this Kaliyug and people know no greater atrocities than what is going on with wicked people in power. It is also unfortunate that innocent persons suffer at the hands of the unscrupulous persons who advocate war for personal or selfish ends on grounds of faith, religion, and God!

     It is so unfortunate that finally, Shree Krishna departed from the earth after the War, saying to his friend Uddhava that the ‘job for which He descended on earth is over’ although lawlessness and unrest prevailed everywhere! He said, “Let them fight amongst themselves and die! These wicked people are under the spell or ‘curse’ for their “Brahma Dvesh” and nobody can help it!  If God could not help it, who else could save?  Several such questions rise in the minds of people who do not understand the spiritual context in which the gitopadsha is revealed to Aruna. It is not to solve the problems of mundane existence that the God descends on earth; it is to redeem them. These problems exist as dulaities inherent in the earthly existence. But, the ultimate reality is culmination in unity consciousness.

   Now, it is obvious that, as a logical conclusion to what is kaala dharma, the worst part of the story continues even today. Ultimately, by the end of Kaliyug, the wicked will bite the dust, as also, the wise and the good, since in the kingdom of God there is neither good nor bad. The entire creation is an illusion, ‘bhrame’, maya, just a cosmic drama on the mind screen, at that! It needs no serious thought and deserves no better attention than to close the eyes and witness the drama, ‘Lila of the Lord’, that’s all.

    Thus, it is well assured that when the Satya Yuga dawns, at the close of the present Kaliyug, the principles of satyam (Truth), dharma (Righteousness), and ‘Ritam’ (Order) shall be firmly established. This is the story in brief of both the stories- Mahabharata, the story of the Pandavas and the Kauravas and the Shreemad Bhagavatam, the story of Lord Krishna. Here, the Bhagavad-Gita paves the way for Satya Yug and prepares well in advance at least a few noble and the right-thinking wise people to practice the principles of Yoga- Satyam, Dharma and Ritam to be fit enough to enter the next yuga/eon with a pure soul. This is the secret of the teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita. It reveals step by step, how to cleanse all the blemishes of the soul that has enmeshed and made the pristine pure soul to get embodied in a physical body of the elements, and suffer the misery in the name of enjoyment in this Mrutyu Lok, the Planet Earth where Death is certain of all living creatures. It imparts true knowledge, knowledge of the Self.

      Shreemad Bhagavad-Gita is complete knowledge that covers all the three branches- Physical Science, Philosophy and Religion and Spirituality. It is like the confluence of the three rivers of knowledge; there are the three Rivers- the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the Sarasvati. Of these rivers, the Ganga is swift flowing, and the Yamuna is slow; the third one is the subterranean stream that appears as a spring. All the three Rivers meet at Sangam (confluence) in Prayag, near Allahabad, India. Here, the R. Ganga is comparable to the swift-flowing river of Knowledge of the sciences and the R. Yamuna stands for Philosophy (Darshan Shastra); the third one is the subterranean eternal stream of Spiritual knowledge referred to as the R. Sarasvati. Incidentally, Sarasvati, Consort of Creator Brahma, also known as the Goddess of Learning is the Veda Maata, ‘Srujasvati’. Literally, the Veda emanated from the breath of Brahma, i.e., Sarasvati/ Vaak Devi / Deity of Sound. Vani or Sound is vibration prior to the formation of sound syllable and word. Sarasvati stands for the Creative Energy / ’chittavritti’ emanating from the Creator Brahma / Srushti karta Purusha whose ‘cit’ Will / Resolution/ Sankalp is the cause of creation.. Creator Brahma is different from Parabhrahman, supreme Consciousness that is the supreme Spirit behind all creation. Thus, it is the ‘cit’/ Knowledge and the ‘citta -vritti’/ Thought-force that is Purusha and Prakruti (Super Man and His Prowess) that is the cause of creation. Shree Krishna stands for the supreme Consciousness, as Paramatma in Bhagavad-Gita whose breath is the word, the Divine Song.

       Brahma is the first of the manifested creation, rather, similar to radiation of Energy from the Eternal and the Absolute. Just as the solar energy radiates from the source, the Sun, the creative power of Brahma is the energy that radiates from an unknown source called Parabhraman. The knowledge of the physical sciences is limited to our ability to perceive matter, our perception by the Body– the five Senses with a focused mind. We also need mechanical devices like the telescope, the microscope, the X-Ray Machines, the Doppler machines and Cameras, ear phones, etc. to assist the senses. However deep we go into the study of ‘matter’, it remains an outcome of something that is always manifest and relative. Hence, our knowledge of sciences is always incomplete. Philosophy relates to Mind and it is mostly based on logic an as such that too remains incomplete. It is only the knowledge of Spiritual Science which emanates from the deep-seated ‘Soul’ / ‘Atma’ that is ever perfect and needs no further proof of any sort. This Atma / Soul is a perennial spring of all knowledge that encompasses the entire gamut of human existence and nothing can ever surpass this. This is Samhita- “The Vedanta”-‘Knowledge Supreme’.*

   As already stated in the introduction to the study, it is extremely difficult to understand the meaning and purport of the Bhagavad-Gita unless one gets the nature of the land (geography) and its people (history, culture, and philosophy). The ancient Indian history is shrouded in mysticism and dates back to the Vedic period and no one knows the exact place, date and times of these people. We don not know whether these people really existed here on earth. There are symbolic references to the stars and galaxies / ‘Shveta dveep’ or ‘Go-lok’ and the entire Cosmos / Brahmanda when it comes to some characters narrated here. The aspect of mysticism gets deeper when the Mantras / Shlokas / aphorisms are interpreted with spiritual (adhyatmic) insight references. One encounters the deeper philosophic and spiritual meaning of terms when one tries to understand the meaning of the utterances of the Lord. At every step, we need to contemplate on the sayings and go deep into trance and realize the truth! This is not expected of an ordinary reader and hence the difficulty in really understanding the Bhagavad-Gita. Even the Holy Scripture of the Christians, the Muslims (Islam), the Persians, or any other religious faiths, for that matter, cannot be understood by any ordinary readers, that way!

         The Ancient Indian history speaks of the Aryans who inhabited the rich and resourceful Sindhu River Valley /the Indus Valley, now partly in North-western India and mostly in Pakistan. The climate has changed and the rivers have gone dry over these thousands of years and it is very difficult to reconstruct the past geography of these regions. .First of all, we do not know whether these people originated here or they are the immigrants from a far off place. The life style of the Aryans, as seen from the history of India during the Vedic period, definitely does not support the theory of local origin, and it calls for a different theory. A lot of corroborative studies are necessary. One theory is that these immigrants might have come from a different region like the Arctic and they represent the Nordic Race. Changing climate has been the cause of migration. These Vedic people must have come from. region of long cold dark nights and very cold days of extremely longer period known to us in the Tropics because of the simple reason that their prayer* to the Sun God lasted for hours and hours at a stretch. In fact, in the Tropics, the days and nights are equal on the day of the ‘equinox’ on March 21 and September 22. The rest of the days and nights are of unequal duration. But in the regions beyond the Arctic Circle, the days and nights re of six months duration at a stretch and the Sunrise and Sunset is seen once on the day of the beginning of the six-month long day on March 21 and the beginning of the six-month long night on September 22. The same practice of prayer to Sun God called trikaala sandhya / three time prayer is prevailing even now amongst a section of the people living here. In India, the prayer- ‘Trikaala Sandhyaa’ consists of chanting of the Gayatree Mantra, preferably with Pranayama (Breathing exercise), at least for One hundred and eight times, three times a day as prescribed –  at the time of Sunrise in the morning, at noon and at the time of Sunset in the evening. [See Bal Gangadhar Tilak: The Arctic Home of the Aryans, Pune].

   Although it is very relevant and  pertinent to go into the details of the life of Aryans during the Vedic Period, their history and  culture as well as the geography of the region where they lived, the temptation is dropped in view of the greater importance given here  to the mind and the spirit of the people. 

      As regards the philosophy and religious aspects of the Bhagavad-Gita, it is very important to note the high standard of education prevailing during the Vedic Period. The level of intellectual studies and discussions are praise-worthy. They focused attention on 18 branches of study that included astronomy, mathematics (including geometry), logic (including ethics), Veda and Upanishads, Brahma Sutra, Darshana Shastra (Philosophy), ethics, grammar, ayurveda- medicine and surgery, warfare and archery, etc. In fact, the Rk Veda recognizes forty qualities of Intelligence that could be acquired from the study of the forty branches of Vedic Literature (including Rk Veda). It is very difficult to understand the Bhagavad-Gita without, at least, an elementary knowledge of these various subjects like upanishads, yogashastra, and Samskrutam. Normally, the people of East and South-Eastern Asia had this sort of background. It is found in the early part of Indian history that people were conversant with Samskruta bhasha as a spoken Language. People gradually lost touch with their ancestral learning traditions (gurukula) and rich cultural and spiritual heritage and lost the ancient scriptures to the West. Even today, some of the original Texts of the Vedic Literature are found in the Libraries in Germany and England. Indian philosophy, too, has got diluted in recent decades and the students have lost interest in it. As regards, Religion, the central theme of the Bhagavad-Gita, it is extremely important to note that it is a part of the practical philosophy that is completely different from the religious practices that are in vogue today. If Religion is the body, spirituality is the soul. Today, the religions are devoid of spirit of true devotion and jnyan. Obviously, it has become almost irrelevant. The younger generation has no interest in the Religion and do not know what Spirituality is. Moreover, the religious practices have become irrational and unscientific due to aberrations that has corrupted the meaning and purpose of Religion. The central ideal of religion is to establish the supremacy of the Soul / the Atma over the overpowering body and mind and bring forth the hidden potentialities of the human beings. Bhagavad-Gita drives this aspect more powerfully than any other ancient scriptures.

      The Bhagavad-Gita shows the way. But, it is very essential to know the central theme as enunciated in it. Unless, a person has a scientific, philosophical, and religious knowledge- all the three in one as the Samhita, the Spiritual Science of Bhagavad-Gita remains a partial study, either of blind belief or of religious practice- one of ignorance. Recent advancements in biological and physical sciences help us to understand better about matter and energy aspects of creation. It will also give us an insight into the fundamentals of the process of creation in a scientific way. Without a scientific understanding of matter – both atom and cell as the basis of energy and life, respectively, the spiritual study will not be convincing to the modern mind. In fact, the Bhagavad-Gita is the study of human Mind par excellence, especially, the mind as energy and matter; it may be, well, said to be a guide to psychosomatic study and an Encyclopedia of Mind.

    Thus, the modern youth need a very rational and scientific approach to the study of Bhagavad-Gita while the elderly people need an in-depth analysis of the devotional aspect; but there are knowledgeable people who have taken to yoga and svadhyaya, nidhidhyas look to spiritual aspect in the Gita. Mere philosophy and mythology may turn out to be a wasteful exercise in the absence of both spiritual and scientific analysis. However, the central theme of the study is Self-Realization. Thus, the principles enunciated in the Bhagavad-Gita are very scientific and enlightening.

     But, it is difficult to comprehend the central idea of the Bhagavad-Gita without all the three- the scientific, philosophical, and the spiritual, approaches in a comprehensive way. The human mind is capable of such a comprehension only when there is proper guidance. But, there are no teachers of this stature today barring a few. Unfortunately, science is divorced to philosophy in the Indian education system, and, philosophy is divorced to religion in the practical / private life of the people. Thus, both ways, we are handicapped. Under these circumstances, it is not easy to get the full benefit of the study of Bhagavad-Gita and enrich our life. Actually, a person who understands the Principles of the Bhagavad-Gita can tap the spiritual strength and shine in His glory! He will be redeemed from the shackles of earthly bondage and metempsychosis of rebirth.                                

The Body, Mind, and the Soul

      There are two principles here. First, “Nature abhors vacuum” and, second, there is a Supreme Order in Nature. The first one recognizes that there exists some underlying factors of Energy and Force and there exists a supreme Law, Natural Law or Dharma, that maintains an orderly functioning in this universe. These two fundamental Principles are basic to our understanding of the personality of the Parabhrahman. It helps us to understand the all-pervading energy and Consciousness principle and the Natural Law / Dharma that control this universe. These two principles are enunciated in great detail in the Bhagavad-Gita.

       Whatever is the Parabhrahman is also reflected in the miniscule particles of this universe and Man is not an exception to this rule. So, man is a reflection of Parabhrahman, the energy and force that pervades the universe but of an order of reduced scale. This concept is explained by the Principle of “Tat tvam asi” / “Thou art that”, Arjuna. This is what Krishna ordains Arjuna to know. “Know thy Self”. The Lord has created man in His own Image, a thought process. Hence, Man is just a thought or thought-reflection, a mirror reflection, a pratibimba of the Primordial “One” supreme personality /Purusha. All the religions of the world recognize this fundamental principle, and as such everybody looks up to HIM for guidance.

     Now the constitution of the human body is also strictly in accordance to these basic principles. There is an extraordinary orderliness in the behavior of the cells in the human body. In fact, the entire human physical body is made of these countless number of ‘cells’ behaving in an orderly way. Even before these cells take a shape in their solid, semi-solid, liquid or gaseous forms they exist in a subtler form that no human beng can ever imagine. This is where the question of the basis or cause of ‘origin of life’ comes up. The cells are being studied by cell biologist and today we know more about it! Practically there exists nothing like what we call the subtlest form of these living cells. We do not know where the cells get their energy, force, knowledge, information and ability to understand, coordinate, cooperate, translate, transform and the like. We do not know the purpose for which these cells came into existence and the fate after their exit. We do not even know whether they exist or not in their subtle form. But, they are there.

        Man is, thus, a bundle of living and vibrating cells. Man exists and functions as long as these cells are living and vibrating. But the mystery is that these cells are born in millions every fraction of a second and die out, rather expand and disappear, every moment and perform the ‘miracles of life’. This is where we come to the nature of the Soul and its existence.

    Man does not exist but for the Soul, the Will of God. The Soul is Truth, Knowledge and Anand- “Sat-chit-anand”. Sachidanand is Parabhrahman. Krishna says, “I am That” that supreme personality, “Purusha”, the Kshetrajnya- the Knower of all, the Omniscient One. The human soul is covered by an elemental cover, matter.          

        Matter and Energy are interchangeable. It is Energy that transformed into material objects by its dissipation and, this is seen in the low level of energy present and the vibrations that operate at low level. Similarly, the matter can be converted into energy by special techniques. We do experience these things in our day to day life. But we do not understand how enormous energy exists in the cells of our physical body. The yogins say that the subtle Kundalini power exists at the mooladhara plexus and it is so enormous that we cannot withstand it when activated. We are equipped with Consciousness and the Mind that are energy and matter, respectively. Mind is matter that is capable of becoming energy at high velocity of its movement. We are a bundle of energy by any test and all this energy comes from one single source, the Sun. We have physical energy that is normally exercised by our muscles. W has psychic energy that is expressed by our Mind. And we have abundant spiritual energy, stored in our Soul that we do not know at all. Thus the three major constituents of man- the gross body (sthoola shareera), mind (the subtle aspect of Mind) and the soul (the energy or Spirit) are a bundle of enormous energy. It is very important here to know how we are tapping this potential energy and the ways and means of availing of this is explained in the Bhagavad–Gita. Modern science and technology can provide answers, to some extent, to the questions pertaining to the physical content of human body. But, it is only a partial one and the two other major subtler aspects (of mind and soul) remain to be answered. The answer to the question of the other two, i.e., the mind and the Soul can be found in Spirituality. This Spirituality should not be confused with Religion. Religion is founded on the basis of Spirituality. The foundation is the same but the superstructure is of different forms, size and shapes similar to our houses. The house should not be confused with the foundation. The foundation should be strong enough to support the structure and the super structures built on it. In other words, our, ideas, beliefs, faiths, science and technology, art and culture, etc should be firmly established based on this “Spirituality”. Shree Krishna stands for this Spirituality in the Bhagavad-Gita. He is the foundation of this universe.

  “I am’, “so’ ham”, or “I am That”/ “Aham Bhrahmasmi” is the Principle, Mahat Tatva, here. All these connotations represent only one meaning: The Soul is one. The Supreme Soul is reflected in the myriads of individual souls as the sun is reflected in myriads of glass pieces or the same moon is seen reflected in a thousand pools.

    The Soul is Energy and it goes without saying that “the Supreme Soul is supreme energy”. The soul is consciousness (individual- Jeevatman) and the supreme soul is supreme Consciousness (Parabhrahman or Paramatman).  

     The time has come to tap this source of energy and Consciousness since the very survival of mankind is in jeopardy and the solution lies in ‘spirituality’. Now, there is an urgent need for tapping this eternal source of energy for betterment of mankind and his survival. And, it is not an easy task in this mad competitive materialistic world! However, it is essential to make an immediate earnest effort in this direction in order to save man from total extinction. [*See “The Future of Mankind”- the Bhagavad-Gita Doctrine-  Paper presented to the World Religions after 9 / 11 Congress at the Mc Gill University, Montreal, Canada, given in the Appendix II]. The Bhagavad-Gita is the most appropriate guide to mankind and its relevance in today’s world is discussed here in great detail.

      The essence of the spiritual study of the Bhagavad-Gita is the ‘Adhyatmic Geeta’, the ‘Song of the Soul’. It is the elixir, ‘Ananda’ that sprouts of joy experienced by the Soul on enlightenment. It is the ardent desire of every Yogi or a spiritual seeker to experience this supreme Bliss; hence, all efforts are directed in this direction. In fact, by the time a spiritual seeker comes to the last Chapter of the Bhagavad–Gita, he finds the beauty of the well-laid plan, the divine plan, and experiences the thrill. First, it was Karma- sheer hard work. It may be physical or mental labor with total devotion; and then, it was Bhakti- a real devotion to the supreme power; it is total surrender and abnegation of the self. And, finally, it is knowledge / Jnyan, or intellectual understanding, pertaining to the power behind all this cosmic drama that lead to emancipation. It is knowledge of the self that brings about salvation. Thus, the cravings of the body, mind and soul are fulfilled.

    Scientific inquiry helps to a great extent in the spiritual inquiry. “Without science, religion is blind, and without spirituality, science is lame.” It is the scientific inquiry into Religion and Spirituality that awakens the hidden energy sources and kindles the fire of true knowledge which will finally burn all the blemishes of the soul. It leads to emancipation. Philosophy on the other hand is merely an intellectual inquiry that lacks any substance in the absence of experimentation. A tonne of material knowledge is not equal to even an iota of spiritual experience.

     Although India made rapid progress in intellectual fields of learning in the past, it lacks practical application to life and, hence suffers from material progress; to that extent, it has not helped us in attaining to the main goal of purushartha sadhane or ‘fulfillment’. It is lack of rational and scientific inquiry on the one hand, and failure to make material progress on the other, that scuttled real progress of the people in India and, as a consequence, they suffer poverty, hunger, and misery. Real progress lies in a balanced approach to science, religion and philosophy, and spirituality. In fact, the western countries that have made rapid progress in the field of science and technology also suffer from inadequacies; in spite of wealth and material prosperity, there is an under-current of dissatisfaction, lack of contentment, and a clamor for something soul-satisfying, that can bring real happiness, joy; they sing and dance all night long and fall sick! In fact, it is a sick society that lacks spirituality, a soul-less society that cries for real love.

     Today, Science has reinforced Philosophy and Spirituality although it is yet to reshape Religion and Religious Faiths. Modern Science, particularly progress made in the field of Quantum Physics and Cellular Biology and Genetics, has placed us in a more advantageous position and has enabled us to understand the spiritual aspects better. The knowledge of atom and the cell has given us a better understanding of the power of the supreme Lord. Scientific inquiry has revealed the hidden secrets of creation and the power behind the entire process, and we can now easily trace it to the invisible hand of GOD. It is this invisible power that makes Hydrogen and Oxygen ‘what they are’, possessing different qualities, and it is not very difficult to understand ‘how they remain what they are’; despite the fact that water has come out of the union of oxygen and hydrogen, the two elements still remain as what they were! This Principle is explained in the Vedic Mantra /Formula or Sutra. It is a Maha Mantra. It reads:

       pUrNamadah  pUrNamidam pUrnAt pUrNamud uchyatE

        pUrNasya pUrNamAdAya pUrNam evAvasishyate ||

   Meaning, “This is pUrnam” / wholeness / Full / Complete or Perfect is the fundamental principle, moola tattva.  The Veda holds the key. Every atom is complete in its structure, composition and function. So also, every cell is complete, fully knowledgeable and functions. The child in the mother’s womb is as complete as the mother and father, the parents themselves. Nothing is incomplete, nothing is imperfect here. That is the reason why it is said, “Child is the Father of man”. “God is man by proxy”.

     The secret of the cosmic entity, the universe, is very beautifully explained by Krishna in a simple Mantra or Formula or Sutra. “I am That”. This means that there is nothing other than Krishna as supreme Consciousness in this cosmos, the universe or the material world. It is the “One”, appearing as ‘many’; it is the ‘One becoming many’, that we see as the world.

   The Verses 3 and 4 in Chapter 14 make it clear. The ancient scripture ‘Nasadeeya Sukta’ of the Veda says, “Originally, there was desire, a ‘cosmic will’; that is all what we can say. So far, nobody has explained the cause of the universe. “Let there be Light; there was Light”. I am alone, I will be Many, so said the Lord. There was the cycle of creation in motion. The mystery of creation is remains a mystery for all times to come. However it is revealed to a few fortunate Sages. [See Chapter 10 Verse 7] Still, they say, “For God alone can know Himself how He has brought this world into existence, the force of Time; whether at all He brought forth things, or whether He is still alone.”

      In Shreemad Bhagavatam, as related to the story of Krishna, it is clearly stated that, “Space, Time and cause are objective and their Consciousness is Subjective.”

     Thus, “experience is fabric knits’ subject and object and things depart”. One cannot see the thread in the cloth, gold in the chain or pendant, and the clay in the jar. More often, everybody ‘mistakes the rope for the snake’ and this is avidya.”[Swami Krishnananda].

   The world is not real, in principia, for purposes of the knowledge of ‘Reality of Existence’ since it is transient and limited by time and space. All the phenomenal objects of this universe are subject death and decay; even the stars die! Solids are not solids since they are gaseous and much subtler in their primordial state. This has been proved modern science as well. “One appearing as ‘many’ is a mass of energy getting pressurized at different points ‘in space and time continuum’. We are all pressure points in space and time.” The same primordial thing- energy or matter or matter and energy, the unicellular amoeba expanded and divided itself into many and we are all the products of the same endless expansion of Narayana. Even our souls are not real! They are mere shadows; or, simply ‘they are many- a- reflection of the One original Supreme Soul’, as we have already noted. The solids are not real; they are mere a bundle of cells vibrating with energy. Our perceptions are the reflexes, sometimes it is the conditioned reflexes that leads to perceptions of objects, action, and reaction.  We perceive objects by touch smell, sound, smell etc by this in built mechanism. The Mind screen projects these impressions of these electrical repulsions and reflexes.

     Thus, what we see and experience are the electrical repulsions. Vibration of sound of the sacred Mantra holds the key to the understanding of this secret. When we chant a Mantra, a secret word or group of words, the sound vibrations excite and break these pressure points that are just concretized energy particles; it is like bombarding an atom and releasing its potential energy. It disintegrates the proton, the electrons and neutron that held them as a centre of cohesion. The Proton is our ‘ego’, clinging to and holding together all the objects of the world and creating this illusion If an atom is a bundle of energy, so also every one of us.

     A very simple instance will do to substantiate this scientific version. May be, It is anybody’s experience. One day, early in the morning a small black dot like thing was observed in the sky. It soon assumed larger and larger sixe and finally appeared like a huge solid black mass of object in the sky falling as it were; but it was slowly expanding, dispersing, and each one of the components of the mass moving away from each other. Finally, it turned out to be a group of small black birds in congregation that later on dispersed in the sky, leaving no trace of their presence in that point of space and time. I noticed it as a solid block. This is reality of this world. ‘It is there this moment. It is not there the very next moment. This is not an illusion but reality that can be well substantiated. But it is all Maya, a trick, a magical episode in the drama of life. Krishna makes this point very clear here.

    One should know the reality of this world. Jnyana Yoga Rahasya reveals this process of discriminating objective reality and the subjective Truth. This needs a harmonious blend of the human body, mind and soul. It needs a vibrating energy of Consciousness constantly circulating in the person with a choice less awareness of its Self. 

     Thus, it is very clear that there should be a balanced growth and development of the individual- his body, mind and soul performing function in a homogeneous synchrony, making life a symphony of divine orchestra in this world of noises. Similarly, the individual and the society function with a proper blend of science, philosophy and religion, and spirituality. The Bhagavad-Gita gives a technique of art of performing action called the Yoga, ‘karma koushala’ or the ‘intelligent way to develop a healthy body, mind and soul- in order to perform function in a harmonious balanced way. It is through the principles enunciated in this ‘Divine Song’ that one can develop a sweet and attractive (madhuram) loving Personality like that of Krishna. The techniques of mind management are beautifully narrated by the Lord as a Yoga Teacher. The entire Bhagavad-Gita is a Yogopanishad and a ‘Bhrahma Vidya’- a secret knowledge. It is a suitable guide for all ages.

The Vaishnava Cult

     Shreemad Bhagavatam is supposed to be the last of the Eighteen epics written by the learned Sage Veda Vyasa who is none other than Bhagavan Shree Krishna only. It is the story of Lord Krishna who is the Deity of the Vaishnava community devoted to Him. It is the Bhakti cult in practice since time immemorial. Thus, the Gita depicted here as ‘His spoken words’ dear to the hearts of His devotees. It is this devotion or Bhakti that forms the central theme of Bhakti Yoga in Bhagavad-Gita. The description of ‘Devotion’, expressed in the ‘Rasa Leela’, ‘Romance of the Lord Krishna’ with His Devotees unmindful of age, sex, class or sect is the beauty of this ancient scriprure. The Devotees praise Him here as:

   “acyutam anAdim anantam Adipurusham gOvindamtam aham bhajaami”. He is “Adyanta rahita’, meaning beginningless and endless. He is ‘unborn, eternal and knows no dimension’ “I praise You, the Immortal Beginningless Endless Earliest Being, the Supreme Power”.  [Brahm Samhita].

     There are some basic tenets or Principles of Vaishnava Philosophy enunciated in the Bhagavad-Gita and some of these are presented here.

 Pramana: Criteria for evaluation and comprehension.

  “vedyam pavitram omkara rik sama yajur eva ca”  [ Chapter 9, verse 17]

Meaning, “Lord Krishna is the goal of all knowledge, the purifying, transcendental sound vibration Om, and the Rig Veda, Sama Veda and Yajur Veda.”

   tasmac chastram pramanam te karyakarya-vyavasthitau

    jnatva sastra-vidhanoktam karma kartum iharhasi” [16, 24]

Meaning, “Therefore the injunctions of the Vedic scriptures are the sole authority in ascertaining what is to be done and what is not to be done. Thus knowing the ordinances of the Vedic scriptures as prescribed one should perform actions in this world in accordance to them as a matter of duty.”

I (a) Prameya: Principles of the proof.

“raja-vidya raja-guhyam pavitram idam uttamam pratyaksa vagamam dharmyam susukham kartum avyayam” [ 9 . 2]

Meaning, “This knowledge is the king of all wisdom, the king of all that is confidential, the topmost in righteousness, purifying, able to be perceived by direct realisation, very joyous to perform and everlasting.”

“evam parampara-praptum imam rajarsayo viduh” [4. 2]

Meaning, “This supreme science is received through disciplic succession and the saintly kings understood it in this way.”

I (b). Sambandha: Eternal relationship with the Supreme Lord Krishna.

 “aksaram paramam brahma svabhavo'dhyatmam ucyate” [8, 3]

Meaning, The Supreme indestructible reality is the ultimate truth and its eternal nature is the soul.

“aham sarvasya prabhavo mattah sarvam pravartate

iti matva bhajante mam budha bhava-samanvitah” [10. 8]

Meaning, “Lord Krishna is the original generating cause of all causes; everything emanates from Him; realising this, the spiritually intelligent endowed with devotional sentiments become devoted to Him”.

II  Krishna-tattva: Truth about the Supreme Lord Krishna.

“mattah parataram nanyat kincid asti dhananjaya

mayi sarvam idam protam sutre mani-gana iva” [7. 7]

Meaning, “There is nothing equal to or greater than Lord Krishna. Everything rests in Him and nothing can exist independently. Just as a cluster of pearls are strung on a thread.”

III Krishna-sakti: The Potencies of the Supreme Lord Krishna.

bhumir apo nalo vayuh kham mano buddhir eva ca

ahankara itiyam me bhinna prakrtir astadha  [7. 4]

Meaning, Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, spiritual intelligence and false ego, these eight fold divisions comprise Lord Krishna's external energy.

“apareyam itas tv anyam prakritim viddhi me param

jiva-bhutam maha-baho yayedam dharyate jagat“ [7. 5]

Meaning: The external energy is inferior but superior to this is Lord Krishna's marginal energy comprising the conscious embodied souls of all living entities by which the material creation is utilised.

“etad yonini bhutani sarvanity upadharaya

aham krtsnasya jagatah prabhavah pralayas tatha” [ 7. 6]

Meaning:Understand that all living beings, moving or stationary in existence in all of creation are manifested by these two energies of Lord Krishna, who is the creator and the terminator of all the worlds.

IV Krishna-rasa: Divine sentiments for the Supreme Lord Krishna.

“avyaktam vyakam apannam manyate mam abuddhayah

param bhavam ajananto mam avyayam anuttamam” [7. 24]

Meaning: Unable to comprehend Lord Krishna's supreme, imperishable and exalted state of being; the spiritually deficient regard Him as being of the material nature coming into existence from the unmanifest.

“avajananti mam mudha manusim tanum asritam

param bhavam ajananto mama bhuta-mahesvaram” [9. 11]

Meaning: Fools blaspheme Lord Krishna when he descends in His divine form, unable to realise His paramount position as the Supreme Lord of all beings and all creation.

V. Jiva-tattva: Truth about all living entities.

 “mamaivamso jiva-loke jiva-bhutah sanatanah” [15.7]

Meaning: All embodied living entities in the material creation are Lord Krishna's eternal, separate, infinitesimal parts.

VI. Baddha-tattva: Truth about conditioned living entities.

“sariram yad avapnoti yac capy utkramatisvarah

grhitvaitani samyati vayur gandhan ivasayat” [15. 8]

Meaning: “Whatever new body the eternal infinitesimal portion enters into, it carries the subtle body with it from whatever old body it departed, just as air carries fragrance from a flower.”

na mam duskritino mudhah prapadyante naradhamah

mayaya pahrta-jnana asuram bhavam asritah [7. 15]

Meaning: “The foolish, the depraved, the deluded and the demoniac, whose discrimination is degraded by the illusory energy; do not surrender unto the Supreme Lord Krishna.”

VII. Mukta-jiva tattva: Truth about liberated living entities.

“mam upetya punar janma duhkhalayam asasvatam

napnuvanti mahatmatmanah samsiddhim paramam gatah’ (8. 15) Meaning: “The great souls having achieved ultimate perfection take refuge in Lord Krishna never again to enter the miserable cycle of birth and death.”

“daivi hy esa gunamayi mama maya duratyaya

mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te” (7. 14)

Meaning: This divine illusion of Lord Krishna, consisting of the three modes of the external material energy is very difficult to overcome; but those who surrender unto Lord Krishna, only they are able to surmount this illusory energy known as maya.

VIII.  Maya-Illusion, Jivas-Living Entities, Isvara-Tatva:

Supreme Lord  Shree Krishna Incarnation of Shree Hari Narayana.

“maya tatam idam sarvam jagad avyakta-murtina

mat-sthani sarva bhutani na caham tesu avasthitah” [9. 4]

Meaning: “All of creation is pervaded by Lord Krishna in an imperceptibly subtle manner and all that is conceivable is situated within Him; but He is not situated within it and He is completely independent of it.”

 “na ca mat-sthani bhutani pasya me yogam aisvaram

bhuta-bhrn na ca bhuta-stho mamatma bhuta-bhavanah” (9. 5)

Meaning: “Behold Lord Krishna's extraordinary, unparalleled, unfathomable majestic opulence. His omniscient self is the maintainer of all living entities in creation and the preserver of all these living entities; but He is uninfluenced by them being transcendental to material nature.”

IX Abhidheya-tattva: Devotion to the Supreme Lord Krishna.

 “mahatmanas tu mam partha daivim prakritam asritah

bhajanty ananya-manaso jnatvabhutadim avyayam” (9. 13)

Meaning: “The great souls having taken refuge of the divine nature render loving, devotional service unto Lord Krishna with unalloyed minds, knowing Him to be the imperishable origin of all creation.”

“satatam kirtayanto mam yatantas ca drdha-vratah

namasyantas ca mam bhaktya nitya-yukta apasate” ( 9. 14)

Meaning, “Always eulogising the Supreme Lord Krishna's glories with joy and humility, resolute with unfailing determination; beings who desire an eternal relationship with Lord Krishna worship Him in loving devotion.”

X  Prayojana-tattva: The Ultimate Attainment

“ananyas cintayanto mam ye janah paryupasatetesam nityabhiyuktanam yoga-ksemam vahamy aham” (9. 22)

Meaning, “Those who desire Lord Krishna's eternal association, precluding all else, meditate upon Him exclusively in loving devotion and He insures communion with Him supplying what they lack and preserving what they have.”

“samo'ham sarva-bhutesu na me dvesyo' sti na priyah

ya bhajanti tu mam bhaktya mayi te tesu capy aham “ (9. 29)

Meaning, “Lord Krishna is equally disposed to all living entities, there is neither friend or foe for Him; but those who with loving sentiments render loving, devotional service unto Him, as they are attached by affection for Him, in that same way He is attached by affection for them.’

    The above Ten Principles are enunciated by by Bhaktivinode Thakura of Brahma Madhva Gaudiya Vaisnava Sampradaya.

      However, there are separate Principles as enunciated by Shree Madhvacharya of Udupi, Karnataka, who vigorously propagated the Dvaita Siddhanta to the effect that some Vaishnavites of South India even today believe that Parmaatma and Jeevatma can never get united in Brahm Sayujya, which negates the very Principles of Ekatvam, Advaita. It is the very pupose of Spiritual practice to attain to this state of unity consciousness, ekatvam/sayujya or Moksha (Fulfillment) or Salvation and Immortality which Madhvacharya flatly refuses to concede to his followers. This is due to his firm conviction that his disciples were not yet fit for that stage of spiritual attainments. This is a negative attitude that reduces a section of mankind to eternal bondage and servitude at the mercy of the Master. “Follow Me” is the Rule here. Dasya (Servitude) system is alright as far as it leads to total surrender to the supreme Lord Krishna, but not to a human being who is enjoying stupidity keeping others in constant ignorance. It is not advisable to be a disciple at the feet of the spiritual leader forever. Unless you let go the teacher, you cannot attain to his position. Shree Ramana Maharshi admirably treated all his disciples as friends. Eternal bondage to teacher is a hindrance to expansion of one’s spiritual field, arena of activities. To bind the disciples by ritualistic tradition is to curb their freedom of thought and action. This is also an abuse of spiritual power to condemn others to eternal slavery and bind them in ignorance. Even today, people express the belief that there is no salvation for those who are born as humans on this earth. Then, one may have to ask to whom is this Bhagavad-Gita administered and what is that Krishna taught and what for are the sermons of the Lord?

    Freedom is the essential nature of the Soul. Eternal freedom of the Soul is the aim. Freedom of the Soul is the real freedom. Hence, nobody should be in eternal bondage to anything, be it the sacred Mantra, the Guru, the word or teachings, the Veda, or the siddhanta (Philosophy). That is the reason why Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to transcend Gunas; He says, “traigunya vishayaa vedaa, nistraigunyo bhavaarjunaa”. One should clearly understand this mahat tatva of essential nature of the Soul and strive for it. This does not preclude the guidance of a Guru. One should not stick on to the ladder while climbing up the stairs. Most of the people get stuck at some level or the other and never make any further effort or progress towards emancipation. This will not bring the much needed ultimate ‘Fulfilment’ or Purushartha.

   The Madhva Principles are enunciated in his Commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita. The Brahma Vaisnava Sampradaya Shishya (Disciplic) Succession to Madhvacarya is traced first to LORD KRISHNA i.e., SHREE HARI NARAYANA and, then onwards to: Brahma, Narada Muni, and Shree Krishna DwaipayanaVyasa. Madhvacarya is believed to be the same Hanuma of the Treta Yuga and Bheema of Dvapara Yuga and as such directly related to Vayu Jeevottama and Hari Sarvottama. It is said that he had God –visioning and he used to meet Shree Hari Narayana in the form of Shree Narayana Guru at Badrinath through out his life. His revered teacher was Shree Achyuta Preksha. [See Life and Teachings of Madhvacharya]

     Madhvacarya's commentary on Bhagavad-Gita, authorized by the auspices of disciples and succession is, in his own words:

     “OM. Adoring the Supreme Lord Krishna, the eternal preceptor, devoid of any defect, complete in Himself. The commentary known as “Bhasya” of Srimad Bhagavad-Gita, in brief, is given by Acharya. In his Introduction to the Bhasya, he says: “Being compassionate to all the people of this Earth, who are afflicted by a lack of righteousness in this world, as well as having little knowledge of their eternal constitutional position and the understanding of how to achieve it; due to the prayers of Brahma and Shiva; Visnu descended down to the material existence and incarnate as the resplendent Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa for the purpose of disseminating the Ultimate Truth.”

          Consequently for propagating the means of acquiring what is of spiritual benefit and avoiding what is of no spiritual benefit and for elucidating the meaning of the Vedas in relation to human existence in the material world as well as for the sake of those not entitled to the knowledge of the Vedas- such as the Sudra, Mlechas, Chandalas, and the many other tribal clan are deemed sub-human species that predominate in all the countries of this Earth. This is not to denigrate any human being. It is due to the low level of Consciousness and past karma that they are condemned to this lower way of life. Most of them cut dead animals, remove hides and skins, clean garbage and rarely take bath. Due to their uncleanly habits, they are kept away from the social circles and they are made to live away from villages. It is partly a crime committed by man against man and unpardonable. Now many Governments are working in removing these social blemishes.

     Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa knowing that salvation is only possible through inner realizations manifesting from a living entities consciousness situated in pure righteousness and considering this the magnanimous one, the writer of the words spoken in the Vedas which contain the Ultimate Truth which leads to the Ultimate Consciousness which reveals the Ultimate Personality, who is completely inconceivable by the mind and transcendental to the senses; compiled the Mahabharata by citing historical examples full of wisdom and practical instructions to enable humanity to have the direct revelation of the Supreme Lord Krishna's form, qualities, attributes and pastimes.

       The administrators of the material worlds are the demigods and they for the sake of all living entities in the material existence besieged by the three fold miseries of old age, disease and death; devoid of knowledge of the Ultimate Truth even though entitled to it, beseeched Brahma to offer prayers to Vishnu the protector of the demigods and preserver of all the worlds. Vishnu being pleased incarnated as the resplendent Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa and in other forms as well to illuminate the enlightened meaning of the Vedas to be perceived in a manner not normally accessible through the senses in the form of the fifth Veda, the best of the Vedas, the Mahabharata. Thus along with the Mahabharata, Pancharatra, Ramayana, the Puranas, Srimad Bhagavatam and many other excellent scriptures were compiled.

In the Narayanashtaksharakalpa it is stated:

   “Even Brahma does not know it fully; others know it but partially. Even the Rishis/ Yogis/ Sages declare that verily the Mahabharata has multiple meanings of understanding it.”

     In the Narada Purana it is stated:

     “Beseeched by Brahma and Siva, Vishnu narrated the Mahabharata which has ten different interpretations which cannot be perceived and understood by all living entities. Transcendentally and ingenuously composed the Mahabharata was declared as the fifth and best Veda, containing the ten-fold meanings, propagating in all parts the glory of the Supreme Lord Krishna. For the realization of the Supreme Lord Krishna is verily better than even the study of the Vedas for it is by the studying of the Vedas that eventually knowledge of the Supreme Lord Krishna is to be known.”

     In the Skanda Purana it is stated:

     “Even if a twice born, Bhrahmana (Brahmin) knows all the four Vedas and the Upanishads; but does not know the Puranas then he cannot be considered well- versed. Along with the historical accounts of Ramayana and Mahabharata the Puranas must also be accepted as authority. The personified Vedas reflecting, considered that in the future there might be some deception and concealment of the true meaning and goal of Vedanta, which is ultimately to understand the Supreme Lord Krishna. In order to ensure that the Vedas would be protected the Mahabharata was written for the common man, the faithful and for the Supreme Lord, respectively. For this reason the Mahabharata has been composed.”

      In ancient times before the manifestation and division of time by the four eons/Yugas the Mahabharata and the Vedas were weighed on scales by Brahma, the demigods and the rsis the Mahabharata weighed heavier. Because it carries the weight of superior principles it is regaled and exalted as the Mahabharata. What is contained in Mahabharata is found in other Vedic scriptures; but what is not contained in Mahabharata is not to be found in any other Vedic scriptures. The Anushasanika Parva which contains the thousand names of Vishnu known as the Vishnu Sahasranama and the Udyoga Parva which contains the Bhagavad-Gita are paramount, being the very essence of Mahabharata.

     According to Nirkuta, the Vedic Literature the Mahabharata is a destroyer of all inauspiciousness. Thus considering the above references, views and traditions of the seers the greatness of Mahabharata can be perceived. Who else other than the Supreme Lord incarnate as Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasadeva could have composed the Mahabharata. This is the definitive understanding of all the Puranas and scriptures as spoken and by Narada and others. How else is it possible that all reactions due to offences are dissolved by the knowledge of even one of the intrinsic meaning of the 100,000 verses of the Mahabharata; but this is true.

    Why are other scriptures unable to grant this? This fact is fully and unequivocally confirmed by the Mahabharata itself; but not for the sake of its own praise but solely for the sake of the salvation of humanity. This is an established fact and there is no need to have any doubts about it or any need to question its veracity. The Mahabharata has all the essential ingredients to evolve and protect humanity and Bhagavad-Gita is the epitome of the Mahabharata being its essence just as ghee is the essence of milk and pollen is the essence of flowers.

    In the Kurma Purana it is stated:

   “Amongst all scriptures the Mahabharata is the best, amongst the 100,000 verses of the Mahabharata, Bhagavad-Gita is the best and should be contemplated thoroughly with its wisdom incorporated into ones everyday life. The thousand names of Vishnu, also included within the Mahabharata, should also be studied as well. Verily, this is the essence of righteousness capable of revealing the Ultimate Truth, achieving communion with the Ultimate Consciousness and the realization of the Ultimate Personality, the Supreme Lord Krishna within the heart of every living entity.”

    Thus ends the introduction to the Bhashya or commentary to Bhagavad-Gita by Madhvacharya. The detailed version of the ‘Commentary on selected verses of the Bhagavad-Gita’ is given in a separate Volume.

     Before concluding the above two versions of Vaishnava sampradaya, it is important to note that Shree Krishna delivers his His Sankhya Yoga at the very beginning of the Bhagavad-Gita. The Sankhyayoga of Krishna enunciates the fundamentals of creation, sustenance and dissolution based on the Twenty-three (23) Principles with Himself as Maha Purusha or Purushottama, beyond all these. The Sankhya also recognizes ‘Prakruti’ as His own Self and all other manifestations are subtle expressions of His thought Waves, Chitta Vritti. There is no doubt about all these subtler aspects in Vedanta. However, certain aberrations have come about in the interpretation according to other schools. Ultimately, what counts is the ability of the embodied soul to identify itself with its Master, the Supreme Soul and this, the human beings have to attain by Self-Realization through austerity, Svadhyaya (Self-study), Satsanga (company of pious persons) and Dhyana and Mouna, i.e., Meditation and Silence.

Secrecy and Sanctity

     All religious scriptures are declared to be sacred, and, hence, considered to be a secret document. The scriptures contain spiritual aspects that re not easily understood by common man and, even the learned persons fail to grasp the meaning and purport of the terms expressed in these scriptures due to the transcendental nature of the terms that can be only experienced. Moreover, these are considered for the austere pious and the other-worldly people rather than that of the worldly people engaged in sensual enjoyments. These scriptures, including the Bhagavad-Gita, are not for common man in this sense of the terms. However, it does not preclude any body from making an effort to study and understand this full faith and devotion to Lord. There is also the fear (among the traditional conservative Brahmins) that the doctrines expressed in these scriptures are subjected t mockery and jokes in the hands of non-believers. Hence they try to hide them away from them. No spiritual aspirant will tolerate this sort of humiliation since he knows that it is Para Vidya, not amenable to the worldly (Loukika) people. Further, these ancient scriptures, in order to be useful to the readers, need a special training in the absence of which it is useless. The spiritual seekers, however seriously interested in these, must have an initial spiritual training and practice (sadhane) under an able Guru (Teacher). It is just similar to a Lawyer or Advocate who needs an introduction under a Senior Advocate or Law Practitioner.

    So, there is nothing much secret about the secrecy and sanctity, except that the entire Vedic Literature, including the Bhagavad-Gita, is a ‘Rahasya’ (eternal secret) and remains the same for ever.

Decoding the Secret

   The Secret aspect mentioned in the Bhagavad-Gita is worth a careful understanding. Every Chapter conscludes with the statement: “. . . thus, the secret of Brahma vidyayAm,  YogavidyAyAm.”

What is this secret?

    The secret as revealed by the Bhagavad-Gita is the secret of the Eternal, Unborn, Unmanifested, and the Omniscient (the Brahman) is the Seed, a hard nut to crack. It is this ‘seed’ called the’“Andanda’ (egg within egg or seed within seed); it is the seed of creation. It is a multi-layered, hard-covered nut, never ever amenable to access to anything that emanates from it! It repels and rebounds whatever that tries to reach IT. Every seed that emanates from it is much harder and impregnable; but it sprouts and sheds off its hard shell under appropriate conditions and it is left to the Will of God to sprout or not. This core of the seed, however, remains a secret for ever. It is this core of the seed of the Universe that the material scientists are searching for in their objective world. It forms the subject of their research and the main objective here is to find the Truth. On the other hand, the spiritual scientists are also in search of this truth and their main objective is to search for the Subject behind all these objective worlds. Both the scientists know that this core of the subject matter or the object is an elusive one. The material scientists know that the ultimate Truth is beyond matter, and the spiritual scientists know that it is beyond Spirit. It is the self-effulgent, omniscient ONE that lies beyond matter and spirit, giving rise to both the spiritual and the material world. It is the ‘causeless cause’, ‘Karanasya kaaranah’. That is why Krishna says that, “I am in everything and nothing is in Me.” I am in every atom of the universe and, yet nobody knows Me. Fools think I do not exists, and the wise know that I am ‘That’, ‘Sahasraksha’ (not just Thousand-eyes only but innumerable), ‘Sahasrabaahu (not just Thousand arms only but innumerable)’. [Rk Veda, Mandala X]

    During the Eighteenth Century, before Dalton, many scientists were of the opinion that the atom was the tiniest particle that is beyond anybody’s ability to decode or split. But, later scientists efficiently decoded the secret and harnessed its immense potentialities in the many and varied forms, of course, some detrimental to human interest. Similarly, many spiritual scientists like Maharshi Mahesh Yogi, Aurobindo Gosh, Shree Ramana Maharshi, Maharshi Yogananda, Sri Shivananda, Sri la Prabhupada, Shree Satya Sai Baba, have been successful in decoding the secret of the Bhagavad-Gita to some extent. The methodology is now well developed. One can go to the “Garland of Letters” by Sir John Wudroff, or the Yoga Upanishads, or deep into this present volume in your hand- the Bhagavad-Gita, where the supreme Lord Krishna Himself is helping you to decode it. Certain preconditions are also there and these have to be fulfilled first.

      The first pre-requisite of a spiritual seeker who wants to decode the secret spiritual science of the Eternal, the Atman, is ‘purity’- purity of the body (by diet), Mind (by Meditation) and purity in thoughts, words and actions (by right attitude).

    The second pre-requisite is unfailing interest and steadfastness in the practice of svadhyaaya (study of scriptures) and Yoga.

    The third pre-requisite is Japam (Chanting of the Lord’s name). This works wonders! Meditation is the Key. The technique of converting the ‘Mantra power’ to spiritual awakening is very simple. Every word of the Mantra needs to be chanted with contemplation on its meaning and purport at least 100 000 times. For instance, the First Mantra “Om” should be chanted in contemplation as the ‘Ekaakshara Brahma’ 100 000 times converting the sound waves into electric current and absorbing its shock. This will purify the Soul that is blemished with desire, resolve and karma-phala (prarabdha and sanchita/fruits of previous and present actions). However, this will not bring ‘Atma Jnyan’ / Knowledge of the Self that is very essential in decoding the secret.

     The Sacred Gayatree Mantra helps to some extent in this respect. Chant the Gayatree Mantra (in isolation and solitude) with full awareness of its meaning and purport at least 2400 000 times (Twenty-four hundred thousand times at the rate of 100 000 times each per word of the Mantra!). This will definitely produce the required effect in our physical and mental system to the extent of ‘God-Realization’ and ‘God-visioning’. Still the main secret is elusive. That key Mantra Is the Savitree mantra that should be chanted more than 36000000 times (Thirty-six hundred thousand times!). That will bring ‘redemption’, but not reveal the secret. That is why, the Veda says that ‘Bhrahman’, or Krishna for that matter, is far, far, beyond our reach; He /IT /THAT is ‘knowable not known’. IT is the Infinite and the Absolute Abstract. It cannot be perceived by the infinite and the concrete. However, it is possible to merge with it when the we discard of the gross and transform the finite existence into an infinite level of or state of pure Consciousness by means of transcendental Meditation(™). This technique is explained in the last pages.

     It is true that we are mortals, and, as such, we are subject to numerous weaknesses. We are incapable of fulfilling even one of the above conditions and we want Salvation, Mukti. The worst part of the tragedy is that we are in no mood to pause and look back where we are going! This reality of the situation prompted Shree Madhvacharya to the statement that the Jeevatma and Paramatma are two separate- entity and non-entity, and we are condemned to our fate here. Any doubt in this statement?The ‘Advaitins’, particularly the followers of the Shankara school of philosophy, however, do not agree with this. They offer a carrot before the horse. They affirm that it is possible to attain to Brahm Sayujya by rigid spiritual practices. They have firm faith in the potentiality of human Mind and ability of man to harness it. But, they ignore the fact that the Mind and the senses are oriented to a out-ward going sensuous life and that does not allow this reverse process.  

     The advice given by all the learned sages is one and the same; it is worth following it with firm faith. Find out a true Guru who is willing to part with his spiritual power to you; but, first prove your worthiness to him to deserve his special attention and grace. If he finds you are too intelligent and perverted and look to his weaknesses rather than strong points, he will not help you. And, it is difficult to go alone in this respect since it needs a helping hand and proper guidance. Test whether you are prepared to surrender your freedom and ego to somebody who you think is of some use to you. If you always look for profit and pleasure, forget it. You will never make it. It depends on ‘abnegation of self’. Nothing comes free and everything comes with a price tag here in this material world.

      Born as human beings, we are at different stages of progressive evolution and attained certain level of Consciousness. All human beings are not the same in this respect. Almost all of the human population live and work at lower level of Consciousness, at the Mooladhaara plexus. Only a few have successfully risen to higher levels of Consciousness (Anahata plexus). A very small number of these spiritual seekers have reached the pinnacle of ‘Advaita’, and, have realized the ‘secret’. They are the ‘Munis’, silent Babas, beyond our reach and, hence, of no use to us. But, there are some spiritual seekers are still on way to attainment and they, as teachers, fall short of our expectations. It is not possible to achieve our spiritual goal with their help. The only possibility is to trust Him, the supreme Lord, fully and surrender unconditionally to Him so that He will redeem us. Shree Krishna has promised that He would definitely come to our help. So, now it is very clear that Sreemad Bhagavad-Gita is a very useful guide in this respect. It makes all these points very clear. If you are born a Sage Ashtavakra or Raikva you have acquired everything by birth; you do not need any Scriptures, Guru, or even God, for that matter, because you are already THAT; tatvamasi| (‘thou art that’).