OM
This page tells the fifteenth installment of an amazing story occurring in the midst of a battle field, long long ago. I am only re-writing (the translation of) this wonderful story on this blog. Originally written in Sanskrit, the Bhagavad Gita, even though conceived as a religious text, is an entire coded system in itself for any human being (irrespective of cast, creed, sex and religion) to become perfect. While the Bhagavad Gita has been been translated into English by many great authors, I have mostly referred to the version of Swami Chinmayanada Ji. This page - and the 17 others in this series/story - are dedicated, with great respect, to the author of the most amazing book (according to me) ever written, Sage Vyasa.
15.
Yoga of the Supreme Spirit
1)
SRI KRISHNA:
They (wise people) speak of the
indestructible Ashwattha tree as having its roots above and branches below,
whose leaves are the Vedas; he who knows it, is alone a Veda-knower.
2)
Below and above are spread its branches,
nourished by the Gunas; sense objects are its buds; and below in the world of
men, stretch forth the roots, originating in action.
3)
Its form is not perceived here as such, neither
its end, nor its origin, nor its foundation, nor its resting place; having cut
asunder this firm rooted Ashwattha tree with the strong axe of non-attachment…
4)
Then that Goal should be sought after, where
having gone, none returns again. I seek refuge in that primeval Purusha from
which streamed forth, from time immemorial, all activity (or energy).
5)
Free from pride and delusion, victorious over
the evil of attachment, dwelling constantly in the Self, their desires having
completely retired, freed from pairs-of-opposites – such as pleasure and pain –
the undeluded reach that Goal Eternal.
6)
Neither does the Sun shine there, nor the moon,
nor fire; to which having gone, they return not; That is My Supreme Abode.
7)
An eternal portion of Myself, having become a
living soul in the world of life, abiding in Prakriti, draws (to itself) the
(five) senses, with mind for the sixth.
8)
When the Lord obtains a body an when He leaves
it, He takes these and goes (with them) as the wind takes the scents from their
seats (the flowers).
9)
Presiding over the ear, the eye, the touch, the
taste and the smell, so also the mind. He enjoys the sense objects.
10)
Him, who departs, stays and enjoys, who is
united with Gunas, the deluded do not see; but they behold Him, who possess the
‘eye-of-knowledge’
11)
The seekers striving (for Perfection) behold Him
dwelling in the Self; but the unrefined and the unintelligent, even though
striving, see Him not.
12)
That Light which is residing in the Sun and
which illuminates the whole world, and that which is in the moon and the fire –
know that light to be Me.
13)
Permeating the earth, I support all beings by
(My) energy; and having become the liquid mood, I nourish all herbs.
14)
Having become (the fire) Vaishvaanara, I abide
in the body of beings, and associated with Prana and Apana, digest the
four-fold food.
15)
And I am seated in the heart in the hearts of
all, from Me are memory, knowledge, as well as their absence. I am verily that
which has to be known in all the Vedas; I am indeed the Author of Vedanta, and
the ‘Knower of Vedas” am I.
16)
Two ‘Purushas’ are there in this world, the
perishable and the Imperishable. All beings are the Perishable and the
‘Kootasthah’ is called the Imperishable.
17)
But distinct is the Supreme Purusha called the
Highest Self, the Indestructible Lord, who pervading the three worlds (waking,
dream and deep-sleep), sustains them.
18)
As I transcend the perishable and I am even
Higher than the Imperishable, I am declared as the Purushottama (the highest
Purusha) in the world and in the Vedas.
19)
He who undeluded, thus knows Me, the Supreme
Purusha, he, all knowing, worships Me with his whole being, O Bharata (Arjuna).
20)
Thus this most secret science (teaching), has
been taught by Me, O Sinless one. (Arjuna) On knowing this, (a man) becomes
‘wise’ and all his duties are accomplished, O Bharata (Arjuna).
Thus ends the 15th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita.
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