8th May 2010, here I was, surrounded by yet another crowd gathered in Arosa, a town which would best represent the heaven. In the midst of snow covered mountains, was the meditation hall called Krishna hall (by AOL people), where the modern day Krishna, our Gurudev, was sitting, for a discourse on the 6th Chapter of Bhagavad Gita.
Gurudev begun by explaining-
Gita means a song. Krishna sung the Gita to Arjuna .
Unimaginable isn’t it! In the middle of a battle field, live in greatest war ever witnessed by mankind at that time, surrounded by war weapons, bravest warriors ready for blood bath, tensions, nervousness…. & our dear Krishna right in the middle of all this singing the Gita.
Only one who has mastered the five senses, the intellect, the memory & the ego, who rests only in the self, for the one for whom all is a play is capable of such ease, such poise, such strength of mind.
When I look at Gurudev I see all of these divine qualities express in him effortlessly. The ease with which he carries himself through one role to another, whether it’s addressing a conglomerate, a group of students, politicians, Homemakers or his own devotees for whom only love & no reason exists… He is completely rested & so aware. A quality which is to aspire for.
He continued to explain as babies we were free, but as we grew we were surrounded by conflicts. Conflicts between choices, and sometimes these choices can be very Very VERY confusing (like being in Mahabharata yudh) that is where having an enlightened master, who demonstrates the highest possibility of human consciousness through his actions, can help in showing the right path.
Chapter-6 Dhyana-yoga
Sanskrit:
English Book Translation: One who is unattached to the fruits of his work and who works as he is obligated is in the renounced order of life, and he is the true mystic: not he who lights no fire and performs no work.
Krishna says – One who acts without expecting fruit of action is a Yogi. Gurudev revealed how exactly one can achieve this. There are two attitudes while performing any action. 1. Performing an action expecting joy out of it. 2. Performing an action as an expression of joy.
I have observed this many a times in myself. It’s a very thin line but makes a big difference to the quality of mind and how one feels while in midst of that action. As in the 1st case the mind may become feverish, restless, sometimes greedy and as a result the speech or the action may become pervert & leave you empty handed.
Yogi is one who’s actions are an expression of joy.
He explained, you do care about the result “Thats why you are performing” but you are not dependent on the result to give you joy.
An action is fruitful in both cases- An action giving adverse result can help you in improving or enhancing some skills in you. And if result is of your choice it gives you satisfaction.
That’s like a double edged sword! Never thought of it, this way. Meaning if we perform our duty its only win win no matter what the results may be. So Chillax and perform yaar ☺.
Para – 2 Sanskrit:
English Book Translation: Arjuna, you must know that what they call sannyasa is no other than yoga; for none becomes a Yogi, who has not abandoned his “Sankalpas” (thoughts of the world)
Sankalpas keep coming to our mind, that is natural. But holding on to it does not let us rest. Before sleeping you anyway drop all sankalpas, So that you can rest. Golden principal of meditation – which is wakeful rest is 1. I want nothing 2. I do nothing 3. I am nothing. This is mental renunciation, running away from the world does not make one a Yogi. The actions become effective when you are centered.
“What a great management principle, no B- school could deliver this point so effectively, and impact-fully.
Signing off with some pictures now, for more on Bhagavad Gita notes let’s remain connected with this space as more is awaited soon…
Vasudha Jhunjhunwala
Photographs courtesy -Siddharth Jhunjhunwala