Saturday, June 28, 2014

Yoga of ParaBrahma




THE YOGA OF IMPERISHABLE BRAHMAN

(Akshara Brahma Yoga)

 

Arjuna asked: What is that Brahman  What is Self-knowledge  What is action, O
Purushottama  What is declared to be the knowledge of the elements  And, what is Adhidaiva  .

Who and how is Adhiyajna here in this body, O Madhusudana (destroyer of Madhu)  And how at the time of death, are you to be known by the self-controlled   .

The Blessed Lord said:  Brahman is the Imperishable, the Supreme; His essential nature is called self-knowledge; the offering to gods which causes the origin, existence and manifestation of beings and also sustains them is called action . Adhibhuta or knowledge of the elements pertains to My perishable nature and the Purusha or the Soul is Adhidaivata; I alone am the Adhiyajna here in this body, O best of the embodied .

Whosoever, leaving the body, goes forth remembering Me alone at the time of death, he
attains My Being; there is no doubt about this . Whosoever at the end leaves the body, thinking upon any being, to that being alone he goes, O Kaunteya (O son of Kunti), because of his constant thought of that being .

Having closed all the gates, having confined mind in the heart, having fixed the life-breath in the head, engaged in the practice of concentration, uttering the one-syllabled Om, the Brahman, and remembering Me, he who departs, leaving the body, attains the Supreme Soul.

I am easily attainable by that ever-steadfast Yogi who constantly remembers Me, daily, not thinking of another (with a single mind) O Partha! What is called the unmanifested and Imperishable, That, they say is the highest goal (path). They who reach It return not. That is My highest abode (place or state).

That Highest Purusha, O Partha, is attainable by unswerving devotion to Him alone, within Whom all beings dwell, by Whom all this is pervaded.

Fire, light, daytime, the bright fortnight, the six months of the northern path of the sun (the northern solstice) then departing men who know Brahman go to Brahman. This is the path of Devayana or the path of light.

Smoke, night time, the dark fortnight also, the six months of the southern path of the sun
(the southern solstice) attaining by these to the lunar light, the Yogi returns. This is the path of Pitriyana or the path of darkness.

Whatever fruit of merit is declared in the scriptures to accrue from the study of the Vedas, the performance of sacrifices, practice of austerities and gift beyond all this goes the Yogi, having known this, and attains to the Supreme Primeval or first Abode.

 

CHAPTER 8, VERSE 3

sri-bhagavan uvaca

aksaram brahma paramam

svabhavo 'dhyatmam ucyate

bhuta-bhavodbhava-karo

visargah karma-samjnitah

 

The Supreme Lord said, The indestructible, transcendental living entity is called Brahman, and his eternal nature is called the self. Action pertaining to the development of these material bodies is called karma, or fruitive activities.

 

CHAPTER 8, VERSE 4

adhibhutam ksaro bhavah

purusas cadhidaivatam

adhiyajno 'ham evatra

dehe deha-bhrtam vara

 

Physical nature is known to be endlessly mutable. The universe is the cosmic form of the Supreme Lord, and I am that Lord represented as the Supersoul, dwelling in the heart of every embodied being.

 

CHAPTER 8, VERSE 5

anta-kale ca mam eva

smaran muktva kalevaram

yah prayati sa mad-bhavam

yati nasty atra samsayah

 

And whoever, at the time of death, quits his body, remembering Me alone, at once attains My nature. Of this there is no doubt.

 

CHAPTER 8, VERSE 6

yam yam vapi smaran bhavam

tyajaty ante kalevaram

tam tam evaiti kaunteya

sada tad-bhava-bhavitah

 

Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, that state he will attain without fail.

 

The process of changing one's nature at the critical moment of death is here explained. How can one die in the proper state of mind  Maharaja Bharata thought of a deer at the time of death and so was transferred to that form of life. However, as a deer, Maharaja Bharata could remember his past activities. Of course the cumulative effect of the thoughts and actions of one's life influences one's thoughts at the moment of death; therefore the actions of this life determine one's future state of being. If one is transcendentally absorbed in Krishna's service, then his next body will be transcendental (spiritual), not physical. Therefore the chanting of Hare Krishna is the best process for successfully changing one's state of being to transcendental life.

 

CHAPTER 8, VERSE 7

tasmat sarvesu kalesu

mam anusmara yudhya ca

mayy arpita-mano-buddhir

mam evaisyasy asamsayah

 

Therefore, Arjuna, you should always think of Me in the form of Krishna and at the same time carry out your prescribed duty of fighting. With your activities dedicated to Me and your mind and intelligence fixed on Me, you will attain Me without doubt.

 

In this verse the importance of God consciousness is stressed. Anyone who quits his body remembering Lord Krishna is at once transferred to the transcendental abode of the Supreme Lord. The word smaran ("remembering") is important. Remembrance of Lord Krishna is not possible for the impure soul who has not practiced God consciousness in devotional service.

 

To remember Lord Krishna one should chant the maha-mantra, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, incessantly. In such a way one will be able to depart from the body successfully remembering Lord Krishna and so attain the supreme goal.

 

 

CHAPTER 8, VERSE 8

abhyasa-yoga-yuktena

cetasa nanya-gamina

paramam purusam divyam

yati parthanucintayan

 

He who meditates on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, his mind constantly engaged in remembering Me, undeviated from the path, he, O Partha [Arjuna], is sure to reach Me.

 

In this verse Lord Krishna stresses the importance of remembering Him. One's memory of Krishna is revived by chanting the maha-mantra, Hare Krishna. By this practice of chanting and hearing the sound vibration of the Supreme Lord, one's ear, tongue and mind are engaged. This mystic meditation is very easy to practice, and it helps one attain the Supreme Lord.

 

The devotees can constantly think of the object of worship, the Supreme Lord, in any of His features--Narayana, Krishna, Vasudevayah, Rama, etc., by chanting Hare Krishna. This practice will purify him, and at the end of his life, due to his constant chanting, he will be transferred to the kingdom of God.

 

CHAPTER 8, VERSE 9

kavim puranam anusasitaram

anor aniyamsam anusmared yah

sarvasya dhataram acintya-rupam

aditya-varnam tamasah parastat

 

One should meditate upon the Supreme Person as the one who knows everything, as He who is the oldest, who is the controller, who is smaller than the smallest, who is the maintainer of everything, who is beyond all material conception, who is inconceivable, and who is always a person. He is luminous like the sun and, being transcendental, is beyond this material nature.

 

CHAPTER 8, VERSE 10

prayana-kale manasacalena

bhaktya yukto yoga-balena caiva

bhruvor madhye pranam avesya samyak

sa tam param purusam upaiti divyam

 

One who, at the time of death, fixes his life air between the eyebrows and in full devotion engages himself in remembering the Supreme Lord, will certainly attain to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

 

In this verse it is clearly stated that at the time of death the mind must be fixed in devotion on the Supreme Godhead Aum Namoh Bhagavateh Vasudevayah. For those practiced in yoga, it is recommended that they raise the life force between the eyebrows, but for a pure devotee who does not practice such yoga, the mind should always be engaged in God consciousness so that at death he can remember the Supreme by His grace. Without practice of yoga one cannot come to this transcendental state of being at the time of death. One cannot suddenly remember the Supreme Lord at death unless he is practiced in some yoga system, especially the bhakti-yoga, chanting/singing and praising the glories of the Lord. Since one's mind at death is very disturbed, one should practice transcendence through yoga during one's life.

 

CHAPTER 8, VERSE 12

sarva-dvarani samyamya

mano hrdi nirudhya ca

murdhny adhayatmanah pranam

asthito yoga-dharanam

 

The yogic situation is that of detachment from all sensual engagements. Closing all the doors of the senses and fixing the mind on the heart and the life air at the top of the head, one establishes himself in yoga.

 

To practice yoga, as suggested here, one first has to close the door of all sense enjoyment. This practice is called pratyahara, or withdrawing the senses from the sense objects. Sense organs for acquiring knowledge, such as the eyes, ears, nose, tongue and touch, should be fully controlled and should not be allowed to engage in self-gratification. In this way the mind focuses on the Supersoul in the heart and the life force is raised to the top of the head. The best process is Krishna consciousness. If one is always able to fix his mind on Krishna in devotional service, it is very easy for him to remain in an undisturbed transcendental trance, or in samadhi.

 

CHAPTER 8, VERSE 13

om ity ekaksaram brahma

vyaharan mam anusmaran

yah prayati tyajan deham

sa yati paramam gatim

 

After being situated in this yoga practice and vibrating the sacred syllable OM, the supreme combination of letters, if one thinks of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and quits his body, he will certainly reach the spiritual planets.

 

CHAPTER 8, VERSE 15

mam upetya punar janma

duhkhalayam asasvatam

napnuvanti mahatmanah

samsiddhim paramam gatah

 

After attaining Me, the great souls, who are yogis in devotion, never return to this temporary world, which is full of miseries, because they have attained the highest perfection.

 

Since this temporary material world is full of the miseries of birth, old age, disease and death, naturally he who achieves the highest perfection and attains the supreme planet, Krishnaloka, Goloka Vrndavana, does not wish to return.

 

CHAPTER 8, VERSE 18

avyaktad vyaktayah sarvah

prabhavanty ahar-agame

ratry-agame praliyante

tatraivavyakta-samjnake

 

When Brahma's day is manifest, this multitude of living entities comes into being, and at the arrival of Brahma's night they are all annihilated.

 

CHAPTER 8, VERSE 20

paras tasmat tu bhavo 'nyo

'vyakto 'vyaktat sanatanah

yah sa sarvesu bhutesu

nasyatsu na vinasyati

 

Yet there is another nature, which is eternal and is transcendental to this manifested and unmanifested matter. It is supreme and is never annihilated. When all in this world is annihilated, that part remains as it is.

 

CHAPTER 8, VERSE 24

agnir jyotir ahah suklah

san-masa uttarayanam

tatra prayata gacchanti

brahma brahma-vido janah

 

Those who know the Supreme Brahman pass away from the world during the influence of the fiery god, in the light, at an auspicious moment, during the fortnight of the moon and the six months when the sun travels in the north.

 

CHAPTER 8, VERSE 25

dhumo ratris tatha Krishnah

san-masa daksinayanam

tatra candramasam jyotir

yogi prapya nivartate

 

The mystic who passes away from this world during the smoke, the night, the moonless fortnight, or in the six months when the sun passes to the south, or who reaches the moon planet, again comes back.




CHAPTER 9, VERSE  18

gatir bharta prabhuh saksi

nivasah saranam suhrt

prabhavah pralayah sthanam

nidhanam bijam avyayam

 

I am the goal, the sustainer, the master, the witness, the abode, the refuge and the most dear friend. I am the creation and the annihilation, the basis of everything, the resting place and the eternal seed.


CHAPTER 9, VERSE  22

ananyas cintayanto mam

ye janah paryupasate

tesam nityabhiyuktanam

yoga-ksemam vahamy aham

 

But those who worship Me with devotion, meditating on My transcendental form--to them I carry what they lack and preserve what they have.


CHAPTER 9, VERSE  26

patram puspam phalam toyam

yo me bhaktya prayacchati

tad aham bhakty-upahrtam

asnami prayatatmanah

 

If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.

 

What do these signify? Your body and the bodily senses is the leaf; your heart is the flower/buds; your mind is the fruit and the tears of transcendental bliss is the water offering to Lord Krishna. By offering yourself to Lord Krishna, the body/mind and soul is purified.

 

CHAPTER 9, VERSE  27

yat karosi yad asnasi

yaj juhosi dadasi yat

yat tapasyasi kaunteya

tat kurusva mad-arpanam

 

O son of Kunti, all that you do, all that you eat, all that you offer and give away, as well as all austerities that you may perform, should be done as an offering unto Me.

 

CHAPTER 9, VERSE  34

man-mana bhava mad-bhakto

mad-yaji mam namaskuru

mam evaisyasi yuktvaivam

atmanam mat-parayanah

 

Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, offer obeisances and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me.


Chapter 9, Verse 58

yada samharate cayam

kurmo 'nganiva sarvasah

indriyanindriyarthebhyas

tasya prajna pratisthita

 

When one can completely withdraw the senses from sense objects, as a tortoise withdraws its limbs into the shell for protection, then the intellect of such a person is considered steady.


sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
moksayisyami ma sucah

Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear.

The Lord has described various kinds of knowledge, processes of religion, knowledge of the Supreme Brahman, knowledge of the Supersoul, knowledge of the different types of orders and statuses of social life, knowledge of the renounced order of life, knowledge of nonattachment, sense and mind control, meditation, etc. He has described in so many ways different types of religion. Now, in summarizing Bhagavad-gita, the Lord says that Arjuna should give up all the processes that have been explained to him; he should simply surrender to Krishna. That surrender will save him from all kinds of sinful reactions, for the Lord personally promises to protect him.

With faith and love, one should surrender unto Him. According to the devotional process, one should simply accept such religious principles that will lead ultimately to the devotional service of the Lord. Serve, Love, Sacrifice, Pray, Meditate, Give and Purify youself by offering your Self to the Lord.


yatra yogesvarah krsno
yatra partho dhanur-dharah
tatra srir vijayo bhutir
dhruva nitir matir mama

Wherever there is Krishna, the master of all mystics, and wherever there is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be opulence, victory, extraordinary power, and morality. That is my opinion.


Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto

Mad-yaji mam namaskuru

Mam evaisyasi satyam te

Pratijane priyo 'si me

Absorb your mind and heart in Me, become My devotee, offer propitiation to Me, just give humble obeisance unto Me, and surely you will come to Me. I promise this in truth to you, being very dear to Me.


Om.Asato Maa Sadgamaya.
Tamaso Maa Jyotirgamaya.
Mrityormaa’mritam Gamaya.

Om Santi! Santi! Santi!

Oh lord, lead me from untruth to truth, from darkness to light, from death to immortality.


Aum Sarva Manggala Maangalye
Shive Sarvaartha-Saadhike
Sharannye Tryambake Gauri
Naaraayanni Namostu Te

Salutations to Goddess Durga You are the Auspiciousness in All the Auspicious, Auspiciousness Yourself and Complete with All the Auspicious Attributes,
You are the Giver of Refuge, You have Three Eyes (spanning the Past, Present and Future; and containing within them the Sun, Moon and the Fire), You are Gauri (the Shining One); Salutations to You O Narayani.

Aum Namo Narayanaya
Aum Namo Narayanaya
Aum Namo Narayanaya

Best of Jnana Yoga

 

Best of Jnana Yoga

 


THE YOGA OF WISDOM

(Jnana-Vibhaga Yoga)

 
Lord Krishna said, O Bharata! Whenever righteousness declines and unrighteousness
becomes powerful, then I Myself come to birth. For the protection of the good, for the
destruction of evil-doers, for the sake of firmly establishing righteousness I am born from age to age.

In whatever way men approach Me, so do I reward them: men follow in every way My path, Oson of Pritha. He who sees inaction in action and action in inaction, he is wise among men, he is a Yogi, even while performing all actions. Whose undertakings are all destitute of desires and purposes and whose actions have been burnt by the fire of knowledge him the wise have called a Saint.

Without hope, with the mind self-controlled, having abandoned attachment to the fruit of
actions, all greed and envy, always content with whatsoever he obtains without effort, free from the pairs of opposites, balanced in success and failure, with his thoughts established in Brahman, he is not doing anything, although doing actions; he is not bound, though acting.

 
Brahman is the oblation; Brahman is the clarified butter; by Brahman is the oblation
poured into the fire of Brahman; Brahman verily shall be reached by him who always sees Brahman in action.

Some Yogis perform sacrifice to Devas; while the Jivanmuktas offer the Self in the fire
Brahman. Some again offer hearing and other senses in the fire of restraint. Others again sacrifice all the functions of the senses and the breath in the fire of Yoga of self-restraint kindled by knowledge. Others again offer wealth, austerity, study of scriptures and knowledge as sacrifice.

Others offer as sacrifice the outgoing breath in the incoming and the incoming in the outgoing. Superior is knowledge-sacrifice to the sacrifice of objects. All actions in their entirety, O Partha, culminate in knowledge.

Know that by long prostration, by question and service; the wise who have realised the
Truth will instruct thee in that knowledge. Even if you art the most sinful of all sinners, yet you shalt verily cross all sins by the raft of knowledge. Just as the blazing fire reduces fuel to ashes, O Arjuna, so does the fire of knowledge reduce all actions to ashes.

The man who is full of faith, who is devoted to it, and who has subdued the senses and
obtains this knowledge and having obtained knowledge he goes at once to the Supreme Peace.

The ignorant, the faithless, the doubting self goes to destruction; there is neither this world, nor the other, nor happiness for the doubting. Therefore, with the sword of knowledge cut asunder the doubt of the Self born of ignorance, residing in the heart and take refuge in Yoga. Arise, O Bharata.



CHAPTER 4, VERSE 7

yada yada hi dharmasya

glanir bhavati bharata

abhyutthanam adharmasya

tadatmanam srjamy aham

 

Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion--at that time I descend Myself.

 

CHAPTER 4, VERSE 8

paritranaya sadhunam

vinasaya ca duskrtam

dharma-samsthapanarthaya

sambhavami yuge yuge

 

In order to deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I advent Myself millennium after millennium.


CHAPTER 4, VERSE 27

sarvanindriya-karmani

prana-karmani capare

atma-samyama-yogagnau

juhvati jnana-dipite

 

Those who are interested in self-realization, in terms of mind and sense control, offer the functions of all the senses, as well as the vital force [breath], as oblations into the fire of the controlled mind.


CHAPTER 4, VERSE 13

catur-varnyam maya srstam

guna-karma-vibhagasah

tasya kartaram api mam

viddhy akartaram avyayam

 

According to the three modes of material nature and the work ascribed to them, the four divisions of human society were created by Me. And, although I am the creator of this system, you should know that I am yet the non-doer, being unchangeable.


Chapter 4, verse 18

karmany akarma yah pasyed

akarmani ca karma yah

sa buddhiman manusyesu

sa yuktah krtsnakarmakrt

 

One who sees inaction in action and action in inaction, is a wise person. Such a person is a yogi and has accomplished everything.

 

 

CHAPTER 4, VERSE 24

Brahmarpanam brahma havir

brahmagnau brahmana hutam

brahmaiva tena gantavyam

brahma-karma-samadhina

 

A person who is fully absorbed in Krishna consciousness is sure to attain the spiritual kingdom because of his full contribution to spiritual activities, in which the consummation is absolute and that which is offered is of the same spiritual nature.

 

CHAPTER 4, VERSE 29

apane juhvati pranam

prane 'panam tathapare

pranapana-gati ruddhva

pranayama-parayanah

apare niyataharah

pranan pranesu juhvati

 

And there are even others who are inclined to the process of breath restraint to remain in trance, and they practice stopping the movement of the outgoing breath into the incoming, and incoming breath into the outgoing, and thus at last remain in trance, stopping all breathing. Some of them, curtailing the eating process, offer the outgoing breath into itself, as a sacrifice.


CHAPTER 4, VERSE 39

sraddhaval labhate jnanam

tat-parah samyatendriyah

jnanam labdhva param santim

acirenadhigacchati

 

A faithful man who is absorbed in transcendental knowledge and who subdues his senses quickly attains the supreme spiritual peace.

 


CHAPTER 4, VERSE 41

yoga-sannyasta-karmanam

jnana-sanchinna-samsayam

atmavantam na karmani

nibadhnanti dhananjaya

 

Therefore, one who has renounced the fruits of his action, whose doubts are destroyed by transcendental knowledge, and who is situated firmly in the self, is not bound by works.



Chapter 5, Verse  7

yoga-yukto visuddhatma

vijitatma jitendriyah

sarva-bhutatma-bhutatma

kurvann api na lipyate

 

One who works in devotion, who is a pure soul, and who controls his mind and senses, is dear to everyone, and everyone is dear to him. Though always working, such a man is never entangled.


Chapter 5, Verse  8-9
naiva kincit karomiti
yukto manyeta tattva-vit
pasyan srnvan sprsan jighrann
asnan gacchan svapan svasan
 
pralapan visrjan grhnann
unmisan nimisann api
indriyanindriyarthesu
vartanta iti dharayan
 
A person in the divine consciousness, although engaged in seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, eating, moving about, sleeping and breathing, always knows within himself that he actually does nothing at all. Because while speaking, evacuating, receiving, opening or closing his eyes, he always knows that only the material senses are engaged with their objects and that he is aloof from them.
 
Chapter 5, Verse 13
sarva-karmani manasa
sannyasyaste sukham vasi
nava-dvare pure dehi
naiva kurvan na karayan
 
When the embodied living being controls his nature and mentally renounces all actions, he resides happily in the city of nine gates [the material body], neither working nor causing work to be done.
 
Chapter 5, Verse  18
vidya-vinaya-sampanne
brahmane gavi hastini
suni caiva sva-pake ca
panditah sama-darsinah
 
The humble sage, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater [outcaste].
Chapter 5, Verse  27-28
sparsan krtva bahir bahyams
caksus caivantare bhruvoh
pranapanau samau krtva
nasabhyantara-carinau
 
yatendriya-mano-buddhir
munir moksa-parayanah
vigateccha-bhaya-krodho
yah sada mukta eva sah
 
Shutting out all external sense objects, keeping the eyes and vision concentrated between the two eyebrows, suspending the inward and outward breaths within the nostrils--thus controlling the mind, senses and intelligence, the transcendentalist becomes free from desire, fear and anger. One who is always in this state is certainly liberated.
 
After explaining the above principles of liberation in the Supreme, the Lord gives instruction to Arjuna as to how one can come to that position by the practice of the mysticism or yoga, known as Kriya-yoga, which is divisible into an eightfold procedure called yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi.
 
1.         Yama (The five "abstentions"): non-violence, non-lying, non-covetousness, non-sensuality, and non-possessiveness.
2.         Niyama (The five "observances"): purity, contentment, austerity, study, and surrender to god.
3.         Asana: Literally means "seat", and in Patanjali's Sutras refers to the seated position used for meditation.
4.         Pranayama ("Suspending Breath"): Prana, breath, "ayama", to restrain or stop. Also interpreted as control of the life force.
5.         Pratyahara ("Abstraction"): Withdrawal of the sense organs from external objects.
6.         Dharana ("Concentration"): Fixing the attention on a single object.
7.         Dhyana ("Meditation"): Intense contemplation of the nature of the object of meditation.
8.         Samadhi ("Liberation"): merging consciousness with the object of meditation.
 
Chapter 5, Verse  29
bhoktaram yajna-tapasam
sarva-loka-mahesvaram
suhrdam sarva-bhutanam
jnatva mam santim rcchati
 
The sages, know Me as the ultimate purpose of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all the Worlds, the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities. They attain eternal peace from material miseries by renunciating the fruits of their actions to the Supreme Lord.
Short Story on how SUKA attained Highest State of Bliss.
 
Raja Rishi Viswamitra said to Lord Rama: "You know all that should be known. You and Rishi Suka are full of spiritual wisdom. Both of you have attained equally the highest wisdom, but you need to acquire the state of quietness and stillness."
 
Lord Rama: "O, please inform me how Brahm Rishi Suka achieved wisdom without quiescence of mind, and how he secured that blissful state?"
 
The Master: "Rishi Suka had absolute spiritual wisdom which is the only sword to cut the rope of re-birth. Once he tried to inquire of the origin of things, as you are doing, and he then became doubtful of his wisdom. The object of his mind became disturbed, but he was free from sensual desires. Rishi Suka went to the Himalaya Mountains to his father, who was one of the Masters there, and asked for instruction that he might not lose his faith.
 
Thus he said to his father: 'O Father, from whence came all this Maya (illusion), which produces misery and darkness? How did it originate? How may it be destroyed?' What part does it play in the origin of the universe?' His father replied with wisdom, as he did unto all others, but his answer did not dispel his son's doubt. Suka said to his father: 'I know all that'. And alas! his father was unable to remove his doubt. His father then requested him to go to King Janaka, who was the highest being in spiritual wisdom of his time.
 
"Rishi Suka left the Himalaya Mountains and later approached the golden gates of the King's palace. Although the King was aware of Brahm Rishi's (Suka) arrival, he refused to go forth and meet him. He requested that the Rishi should not be admitted into his palace, as he wanted to test the sincerity of his mind. Rishi Suka waited full seven days at the golden gate.
 
At last he was conducted into a magnificent hall where beautiful women were indulging in worldly enjoyments. But Suka's mind did not lose its balance. He was not affected by the unjust act of the King in making him wait seven days at his gate, nor was he moved by the disgraceful conduct of worldly association.
 
The King came and addressed him thus: 'O, Brahm Rishi (there are three kinds of Rishis), you have reached the highest state. The worldly joys and sorrows do not affect thee. I beseech you to tell what has brought you here?' Rishi Suka asked: 'What has caused my illusion? How does it generate? How can it be destroyed? Please instruct me.' The King gave him the same explanation that his father had given him.
 
Rishi Suka returned: 'I know that, and my father gave me the same information. If Maya (illusion) which is produced by a differentiation of one Atma as breath, etc.) and merged again into the Atma, then no benefit can be derived from this perishable Maya (illusion). O Highest Guru, Please tell me how to dispel this delusion of my mind! Please enlighten me on this matter.'
 
"The King: ‘You have known what should be known, but still you ask me—although your father has instructed you alright. The enlightenment we have given to you is the real one. Atma alone, is that which is everywhere, just as the ether pervades all space and atmosphere. Wisdom is bound by nothing else but its own thought. Freeing yourself from sensual thoughts, is freeing yourself from bondage. You have clearly realized the Atmic wisdom for you have given up all longing for sensual objects. You have by your own efforts, through the higher mind, reached the highest Brahmic State; You have become a Jivanmukta (the state of emancipated embodiment).
 
But one thing you have yet to accomplish—that of giving up the delusion of the illusion which has arisen through doubt in your mind. When you have accomplished this, then you will be free.' King Janaka thus initiated Rishi Suka into the Atmic mysteries, where he acquired the highest state of wisdom, and was freed from all misery, doubt, death and rebirth. He lived for 1000 years, then merged into that higher wisdom, which is Brahm. As water returns to the ocean, so the light which departs from the "I", returns to the higher light (Atma), and becomes Brahm. Thus Rishi attained that liberation, which is above all else. O Rama, you should follow the same path.
 
"To become a slave of desire is bondage; to master it, is liberation. Master your desires and become indifferent to worldly enjoyments; become a Jivanmukta (emancipated embodiment), without the assistance of austerities of religions; follow the path of wisdom and you will realize the reality. O Rama, there is but one person who can remove the doubt from your mind, and that is the Omniscient Vashishta, who knows the past, present, and the future. He is the Guru (spiritual teacher) of all mankind."
 
Chapter 5, Verse  29

bhoktaram yajna-tapasam

sarva-loka-mahesvaram

suhrdam sarva-bhutanam

jnatva mam santim rcchati

 

The sages, know Me as the ultimate purpose of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all the Worlds, the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities. They attain eternal peace from material miseries by renunciating the fruits of their actions to the Supreme Lord.


Chapter 6, Verse  8

jnana-vijnana-trptatma

kuta-stho vijitendriyah

yukta ity ucyate yogi

sama-lostrasma-kancanah

 

A person is said to be established in self-realization and is called a yogi [or mystic] when he is fully satisfied by virtue of acquired knowledge and realization. Such a person is situated in transcendence and is self-controlled. He sees everything--whether it be pebbles, stones or gold--as the same.

 

CHAPTER 6, VERSE 17

yuktahara-viharasya

yukta-cestasya karmasu

yukta-svapnavabodhasya

yogo bhavati duhkha-ha

 

He who is temperate in his habits of eating, sleeping, working and recreation can mitigate all material pains by practicing the yoga system.

 

Extravagance in the matter of eating, sleeping, defending and mating--which are demands of the body--can block advancement in the practice of yoga. As far as eating is concerned, it can be regulated only when one is practiced to take and accept prasadam, offered to Lord Krishna first.


CHAPTER 6, VERSE 26

yato yato niscalati

manas cancalam asthiram

tatas tato niyamyaitad

atmany eva vasam nayet

 

From whatever and wherever the mind wanders due to its flickering and unsteady nature, one must certainly withdraw it and bring it back under the control of the Self.

 

CHAPTER 6, VERSE 34

cancalam hi manah Krishna

pramathi balavad drdham

tasyaham nigraham manye

vayor iva su-duskaram

 

For the mind is restless, turbulent, obstinate and very strong, O Krishna, and to subdue it is, it seems to me, more difficult than controlling the wind.


CHAPTER 6, VERSE 46

tapasvibhyo 'dhiko yogi

jnanibhyo 'pi mato 'dhikah

karmibhyas cadhiko yogi

tasmad yogi bhavarjuna

 

A yogi is greater than the ascetic, greater than the empiricist and greater than the fruitive worker. Therefore, O Arjuna, in all circumstances, be a yogi.

 

CHAPTER 6, VERSE 47

yoginam api sarvesam

mad-gatenantar-atmana

sraddhavan bhajate yo mam

sa me yuktatamo matah

 

And of all yogis, he who always abides in Me with great faith, worshiping Me in transcendental loving service, is most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. 


 

CHAPTER 7, VERSE 2

jnanam te 'ham sa-vijnanam

idam vaksyamy asesatah

yaj jnatva neha bhuyo 'nyaj

jnatavyam avasisyate

 

I shall now declare unto you in full this knowledge both phenomenal and noumenal, by knowing which there shall remain nothing further to be known.

 
Complete knowledge includes knowledge of the phenomenal world and the spirit behind it. The source of both of them is transcendental knowledge. The knower, the knowable and the known – everything is Lord Krishna.


CHAPTER 7, VERSE 3

manusyanam sahasresu

kascid yatati siddhaye

yatatam api siddhanam

kascin mam vetti tattvatah

 

Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavor for perfection, and of those who have achieved perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth.

 

CHAPTER 7, VERSE 4

bhumir apo 'nalo vayuh

kham mano buddhir eva ca

ahankara itiyam me

bhinna prakrtir astadha

 

Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego--all together these eight comprise My separated material energies.

 

CHAPTER 7, VERSE 8

raso 'ham apsu kaunteya

prabhasmi sasi-suryayoh

pranavah sarva-vedesu

sabdah khe paurusam nrsu

 

O son of Kunti, I am the taste of water, the light of the sun and the moon, the syllable om in the Vedic mantras; I am the sound in ether and ability in man.

 

CHAPTER 7, VERSE 9

punyo gandhah prthivyam ca

tejas casmi vibhavasau

jivanam sarva-bhutesu

tapas casmi tapasvisu

 

I am the original fragrance of the earth, and I am the heat in fire. I am the life of all that lives, and I am the penances of all ascetics.

 

CHAPTER 7, VERSE 10

bijam mam sarva-bhutanam

viddhi partha sanatanam

buddhir buddhimatam asmi

tejas tejasvinam aham

 

I am the original seed of all existences, the intelligence of the intelligent, and the prowess of all powerful men.

 

CHAPTER 7, VERSE 14

daivi hy esa guna-mayi

mama maya duratyaya

mam eva ye prapadyante

mayam etam taranti te

 

This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Me can easily cross beyond it.

 

CHAPTER 7, VERSE 30
sadhibhutadhidaivam mam
sadhiyajnam ca ye viduh
prayana-kale 'pi ca mam
te vidur yukta-cetasah
 
Those who know Me as the Supreme Lord, as the governing principle of the material manifestation, who know Me as the one underlying all the demigods and as the one sustaining all sacrifices, can, with steadfast mind, understand and know Me even at the time of death.
CHAPTER 7, VERSE 19

bahunam janmanam ante

jnanavan mam prapadyate

vasudevah sarvam iti

sa mahatma su-durlabhah

 

After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.

 

Best of Karma Yoga

 

 

Best of Karma Yoga


Chapter 2, Verse 38

sukha-duhkhe same krtva

labhalabhau jayajayau

tato yuddhaya yujyasva

naivam papam avapsyasi

 

Do your fight for the sake of fighting, without considering happiness or distress, loss or gain, victory or defeat - and, by so doing, you shall never incur sin.



Chapter 2, Verse 47

karmany evadhikaras te

ma phalesu kadacana

ma karma-phala-hetur bhur

ma te sango 'stv akarmani

 

You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.

 


Chapter 2, Verse 48

yoga-sthah kuru karmani

sangam tyaktva dhananjaya

siddhy-asiddhyoh samo bhutva

samatvam yoga ucyate

 

Be steadfast in yoga, O Arjuna. Perform your duty and abandon all attachment to success or failure. Such evenness of mind is called yoga.

 

Chapter 2, Verse 56

duhkhesv anudvigna-manah

sukhesu vigata-sprhah

vita-raga-bhaya-krodhah

sthita-dhir munir ucyate

 

One who is not disturbed in spite of the threefold miseries, who is not elated when there is happiness, and who is free from attachment, fear and anger, is called a sage of steady mind.

 

Chapter 2, Verse 61

tani sarvani samyamya

yukta asita mat-parah

vase hi yasyendriyani

tasya prajna pratisthita

 

One who restrains his senses and fixes his consciousness upon the Lord, is known as a man of steady intelligence.


Chapter 2, Verse 63

krodhad bhavati sammohah

sammohat smrti-vibhramah

smrti-bhramsad buddhi-naso

buddhi-nasat pranasyati

 

From anger, delusion arises, and from delusion bewilderment of memory. When memory is bewildered, intelligence is lost, and when intelligence is lost, one falls down again into the material pool.

 

Chapter 2, Verse 71

vihaya kaman yah sarvan

pumams carati nihsprhah

nirmamo nirahankarah

sa santim adhigacchati

 

A person who has given up all desires for sense gratification, who lives free from desires, who has given up all sense of proprietorship and is devoid of false ego--he alone can attain real peace.


Chapter 3, Verse 8

niyatam kuru karma tvam

karma jyayo hy akarmanah

sarira-yatrapi ca te

na prasiddhyed akarmanah

 

Perform your prescribed duty, for action is better than inaction. A man cannot even maintain his physical body without work.


Chapter 3, Verse 14

annad bhavanti bhutani

parjanyad anna-sambhavah

yajnad bhavati parjanyo

yajnah karma-samudbhavah

 

All living bodies subsist on food grains, which are produced from rains. Rains are produced by performance of action, and action is born of prescribed duties.


Chapter 3, Verse 20

karmanaiva hi samsiddhim

asthita janakadayah

loka-sangraham evapi

sampasyan kartum arhasi

 

Even kings like Janaka and others attained the perfectional stage by performance of prescribed duties. Therefore, just for the sake of educating the people in general, you should perform your work.


Kings like Janaka and others were all self-realized souls; consequently they had no obligation to perform the prescribed duties in the Vedas. Nonetheless they performed all prescribed activities just to set examples for the people in general. Janaka was the father of Sita, and father-in-law of Lord Sri Rama. Being a great devotee of the Lord, he was transcendentally situated, but because he was the king of Mithila (a subdivision of Bihar province in India), he had to teach his subjects how to fight righteously in battle. He and his subjects fought to teach people in general that violence is also necessary in a situation where good arguments fail.


Chapter 3, Verse 21

yad yad acarati sresthas

tat tad evetaro janah

sa yat pramanam kurute

lokas tad anuvartate

 

Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.


Chapter 3, Verse 28

tattva-vit tu maha-baho

guna-karma-vibhagayoh

guna gunesu vartanta

iti matva na sajjate

 

One who is in knowledge of the Absolute Truth, O mighty-armed, does not engage himself in the senses and sense gratification, knowing well the differences between work in devotion and work for fruitive results.


Chapter 3, Verse 30

mayi sarvani karmani

sannyasyadhyatma-cetasa

nirasir nirmamo bhutva

yudhyasva vigata-jvarah

 

Therefore, O Arjuna, surrendering all your works unto Me, with mind intent on Me, and without desire for gain and free from egoism and lethargy, fight.


Chapter 3, Verse 35

sreyan sva-dharmo vigunah

para-dharmat svanusthitat

sva-dharme nidhanam sreyah

para-dharmo bhayavahah

 

It is far better to discharge one's prescribed duties, even though they may be faultily, than another's duties. Destruction in the course of performing one's own duty is better than engaging in another's duties, for to follow another's path is dangerous.


One should therefore discharge his prescribed duties in full God consciousness rather than those prescribed for others. Prescribed duties complement one's psychophysical condition, under the spell of the modes of material nature. Spiritual duties are as ordered by the spiritual master, for the transcendental service of Lord Krishna.

 

Chapter 3, Verse 42

indriyani parany ahur

indriyebhyah param manah

manasas tu para buddhir

yo buddheh paratas tu sah

 

The working senses are superior to dull matter; mind is higher than the senses; intelligence is still higher than the mind; and he [the soul] is even higher than the intelligence.

 

Chapter 3, Verse 43

evam buddheh param buddhva

samstabhyatmanam atmana

jahi satrum maha-baho

kama-rupam durasadam

 

Thus knowing oneself to be transcendental to material senses, mind and intelligence, one should control the lower self by the higher self and thus--by spiritual strength--conquer this insatiable enemy known as lust.