Chapter 18: Bhagavad Gita Course with Swami Vishwananda

17 Aug 2014

Chapter 18: Bhagavad Gita Course with Swami Vishwananda

On August 16th, 2014 Swamiji covered Chapter 18 of the Bhagavad Gita, titled: Moksha Sannyaasa Yoga

In Chapter 18, Krishna speaks about the path of complete surrender. The path of attaining God's grace and letting go of the past completely. Krishna explains that whatever one does with an attitude of surrender, and performs their duty with full love, they become free. 

"Focus your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me, prostrate before Me and you shall come to Me alone. I promise you this verily, for you are dear to Me." (18.65)

General topics covered in the Chapter:

• Three types of faith
• Five causes of an action
• Path of surrender is the ultimate path to God
• The highest service to God, and the best charity 
• The grace of the Gita
• Both knowledge and action are needed
• Kārmic bondage and the free will

Excerpt commentary from Swamiji:

67

idaṃ te nātapaskāya
nābhaktāya kadācana
na cāśuśrūṣave vācyaṃ
na ca māṃ yo’bhyasūyasi

Never is this to be spoken by you to one without self discipline, not to one that is not devoted and not to him who does no service; nor yet to him who despises and belittles Me when I am lodged in the human body.

"Here Bhagavan Krishna is saying, ‘Don’t give this knowledge to people who don’t believe, to unbelievers, this will not make any effect. It’s no use giving this deep knowledge which will free oneself, to somebody who is not ready, who is not purified, who doesn’t have faith in God. For them, they will just hear it and it will not have any effect on them.’ 

If they are not ready, they will not understand anything what Bhagavan has been saying. ‘Not to one that is not devoted.’ Here Bhagavan is saying,‘Give it to the bhakta.’ This should be the main focus for a devoted soul: thinking, meditating continuously, talking about what the Lord has said. One has to study and drink this nectar. Here Bhagavan says, ‘Not to the one who doesn’t do service, who doesn’t have these spiritual practices.’ They wander into the world, left-right, left-right, getting attached to everything; they take something from here, from there – for them, they will never be able to drink this nectar itself, in deepness; they will not understand anything. So why should you give pearls to the pigs? That’s what Christ said, ‘Don’t give pearls to the pigs. What will they do? They will trample over it, not knowing the value of it.’ Here Bhagavan Krishna is reminding Arjuna the same,‘Don’t give this knowledge to anyone who is not devoted; not to the ones who don’t do service.’ Because here service is very important; the help that you render, what virtue one has, it is very, very important. 

That’s why He strictly said, ‘Give to the one which is ready.’ Because this knowledge frees oneself from the cycle of birth and death. Even once, if you hear the whole Gita – Bhagavan has assured that whoever hears only one time the whole Gita, and with the mind tries to understand, they will be free in this life itself. This is the secret of the Gita.  

Here Bhagavan Krishna has told Arjuna, how important it is, this knowledge. How important it is to fully absorb into what He has said. To have devotion to Him, to serve Him, because there is no one else than Him."

Testimony:

"I really enjoyed the last chapter because after giving all of these instructions to Arjuna about how to reach Him, and some of the things sound quite difficult, Krishna offered this merciful final verse about all you need to do is have faith. Forget about everything else, if all else fails, just listen to the Gita and put your faith in God, and all the impurities will be washed away. This final act of God's mercy is what I took from it." - Gerald, Kenya 

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Sri Swami Vishwananda has decided to give commentary on the Shreemad Bhagavad Gita, the eternal Word of Lord Sri Krishna. It will take place over 18 consecutive days, and each day will cover one chapter. Guruji will give his commentary with a particular Bhakti perspective.

For now, we will provide a small portion of the commentary on this blog for those who could not attend the course. At a later stage, we will offer the full length of the Gita commentary as a book and also as CD and DVD sets.

16 Aug 2014

Chapter 17: Bhagavad Gita Course with Swami Vishwananda

On August 15th, 2014 Swamiji covered Chapter 17 of the Bhagavad Gita, titled: Shraddhaatraya Vibhaaga Yoga

In Chapter 17, Krishna explains the three divisions of faith, thoughts, deeds, and even eating habits corresponding to the three gunas. Krishna also talks to Arjuna about "OM Tat Sat" and the importance of these three words on the spiritual path. 

"The formula OM, Tat, Sat, is the triple definition of the Brahman, by whom the Brahmanas, the Vedas and sacrifices were created of old." (17.23)

General topics covered in the Chapter:

• Three types of faith
• Three types of food
• Three grades of Spiritual Practice
• Three Kind of Tapas (Self-Discipline)
• Three types of austerity
• Three types of charity
• ‘OM TAT SAT’ the threefold name of Brahman 

Excerpt commentary from Swamiji:

12

abhisandhāya tu phalaṃ
dambhārtham api caiva yat
ijyate bharata-śreṣṭha
taṃ yajñāṃ viddhi rājasam

The sacrifice offered with a view to the personal rewards, and also for ostentation, O Arjuna, know that to be of a Rajasic nature.

"Bhagavan is saying here that when one is doing something for personal gain like, ‘Oh, God please, give me a car! Oh, God please, give me a husband! God please, give me a wife! God give me wealth! Oh, God give me a house, give me fame, give me prestige, give me victory, give me health, give me bliss, give me joy!’ You know, it’s only about give me, give me, give me, give me. So, Bhagavan is saying that these are the rajasic qualities which are always based on personal gain and motive. So, one is never free into that. 

The  person who loves the Lord does everything without a personal reward or personal gain and these people are free. Their reward is Bhagavan Himself. He will give Himself to you. This is the wonderful quality of a bhakta. A true bhakta has this deep longing, you know, and can’t stay even a moment without the beloved."

Testimony:

"When Swami was speaking today I could relate with many things from my own life. I also remembered many personal experiences I had with him that made more sense now. He is constantly showing us how to see life and how to live life." - Tobias, Switzerland 

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Sri Swami Vishwananda has decided to give commentary on the Shreemad Bhagavad Gita, the eternal Word of Lord Sri Krishna. It will take place over 18 consecutive days, and each day will cover one chapter. Guruji will give his commentary with a particular Bhakti perspective.

For now, we will provide a small portion of the commentary on this blog for those who could not attend the course. At a later stage, we will offer the full length of the Gita commentary as a book and also as CD and DVD sets.

15 Aug 2014

Chapter 16: Bhagavad Gita Course with Swami Vishwananda

On August 14th, 2014 Swamiji covered Chapter 16 of the Bhagavad Gita, titled: Daivaasurasampad Vibhaaga Yoga

In Chapter 16, Krishna identifies Divine and demonic characteristics. He tells Arjuna in order to attain liberation one must give up the demonic traits such as lust, anger and greed. One should constantly strive to discern between right and wrong action through self analysis. 

General topics covered in the Chapter:

• A list of major divine qualities that should be cultivated for salvation
• A list of demonic qualities that should be given up
• The destiny of the ignorant
• Lust, anger, and greed are the three gates to hell

Excerpt commentary from Swamiji:

17

atma-sambhavitah stabdha
dhana-mana-madanvitah
yahante nama yajnais-te
dambhenavidhi purvakam

They sacrifice and give not in the true order but from a self-regarding ostentation, from vanity and with a stiff and foolish pride.

"Here Bhagavan Krishna is saying that they appear very polite, very respectful due to their arrogance, ‘Excuse me, Sir’ [Swamiji says this in an affected voice making the people laugh]. So, all what they do is just a show, which is devout of faith, full of vanity, just to impress others. So it's just a show, just a makeup. Beautiful outside, hellish in the inside.  So it's said, this is the highway to hell.  So here for the man of tamasic qualities, they are digging the hole to hell in that way. Here it's said that they are faking themselves so much they can't perceive the truth. Foolish pride, you know. Due to their pride they become blind. They don't see the reality. 

So this is how it is for the world. You know, this is what Bhagavan Krishna is explaining.  Due to this pride, due to this foolishness, one becomes blind.  So this is due to the egoism, due to the pride, arrogance. Due to this vanity that one appears to impress others, they will do anything. And once the desire has been fulfilled they let go and they’re finished."

Testimony:

"I feel amazing throughout the entire course. Swami is revealing all the glories and pastimes of Krishna. I'm very lucky to get the opportunity to listen to His words." - Marina, Russia

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Sri Swami Vishwananda has decided to give commentary on the Shreemad Bhagavad Gita, the eternal Word of Lord Sri Krishna. It will take place over 18 consecutive days, and each day will cover one chapter. Guruji will give his commentary with a particular Bhakti perspective.

For now, we will provide a small portion of the commentary on this blog for those who could not attend the course. At a later stage, we will offer the full length of the Gita commentary as a book and also as CD and DVD sets.

14 Aug 2014

Chapter 15: Bhagavad Gita Course with Swami Vishwananda

On August 13th, 2014 Swamiji covered Chapter 15 of the Bhagavad Gita, titled: Purushottama Yoga

Chapter 15 deals with the yoga of unity to the Supreme Being. Krishna reveals Himself as being omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. 

Krishna also describes a symbolic tree (representing material existence), which has its roots in the heavens and its leaves on earth. Krishna explains that this tree should be cut with the "axe of detachment", after which one can attain liberation.  

General topics covered in the Chapter:

• Creation is like a tree created by the powers of Māyā
• How to cut the tree of attachment and attain salvation
• The embodied soul is the enjoyer

Excerpt commentary from Swamiji:

20

iti guhyatamaṃ śāstram
idam uktaṃ mayā’nagha
etad buddhvā buddhimān
syāt kṛtakṛtyaśca bhārata

Thus by Me the most secret shastra has been told, O sinless one. To know it absolutely is to be perfected in understanding and successful in the supreme sense, O Arjuna.

"Here Bhagavan Krishna is saying, ‘I don’t reveal myself to stupid people or to sinful people. Only the ones who have Divine virtues inside of them can have a glimpse of Me. They can be near to Me, they can enjoy My companionship but not everybody, only a few of them.’ Here Bhagavan says that it is Him, the almighty God Himself, giving the true knowledge to perfect oneself, to recognise Him everywhere and in everything that one does. Even if you are doing your normal duty which has been given to you by Himself. By realising this truth that whatever you do, wherever you are, however you are, it’s all the Lord Himself. You rise above Maya, when the true knowledge awakes, it will give you Self-Realisation, it will make you see Him at all times.

Bhagavan says that whoever has perceived Him everywhere, He is the one who takes full control of the bhakta and through different Leelas, through different pastimes that He enacts for each individual person, each one has his own personal relationship with Him. He manifests in certain aspects for that person and that’s how He makes Love grow. Love for God and Love for all. When you Love God truly, one perceives the Lord everywhere."

Testimony:

"Today Swami opened up the idea of the Soul's relationship to God. He was basically saying that there is the body and the eternal soul, but beyond the soul lies Krishna himself. He explained that the Bhakta through the love he has for God can attain the ultimate which lies even beyond the soul." - Senthilnathan, Sri Lanka

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Sri Swami Vishwananda has decided to give commentary on the Shreemad Bhagavad Gita, the eternal Word of Lord Sri Krishna. It will take place over 18 consecutive days, and each day will cover one chapter. Guruji will give his commentary with a particular Bhakti perspective.

For now, we will provide a small portion of the commentary on this blog for those who could not attend the course. At a later stage, we will offer the full length of the Gita commentary as a book and also as CD and DVD sets.

13 Aug 2014

Chapter 14: Bhagavad Gita Course with Swami Vishwananda

On August 12th, 2014 Swamiji covered Chapter 14 of the Bhagavad Gita, titled: Guntraya Vibhaaga Yoga

In Chapter 14, Krishna differentiates between the three gunas: Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. Krishna explains how important the good qualities are in a Bhakta. He tells Arjuna the good qualities are needed in order to advance on the spiritual path, but ultimately one has to rise above all three gunas.  

General topics covered in the Chapter:

• Characteristics of the three modes of nature
• Three modes are also the vehicles of transmigration for the individual soul
• Attain liberation after transcending three modes of material nature
• The process of rising above the three modes
• Bonds of the three modes can be cut by devotional love

Excerpt commentary from Swamiji:

11

sarva dvāreṣu dehe’smin
prakāśa upajāyate
jñānaṃ yadā tadā vidyād
vivṛddhaṃ sattvam ityuta

When into all the doors in the body there comes a flooding of light, a light of understanding, perception and knowledge, one should understand that there has been a great increase and uprising of the Sattwic Guna in the nature.

"So here Bhagavan is saying that when you are undertaken by an irresistible happiness, sometimes you have such a deep happiness, you don't even know where this happiness comes from. You feel sublime joy inside of you, you start laughing and crying at the same time,  you feel excited all of a sudden. This is when there is a flooding of light, a light of understanding when you know you have found your way, your path in life, you have found your Guru, you are not just somebody who is walking on the street. You have a sense of belonging somewhere and then due to that sense of belonging somewhere, you feel great joy that you are not alone in that path.

In this light one attains discernment, one attain discrimination and one understands what life itself is. What is the truth; one knows what is right and what is wrong. When the light of wisdom appears, the mind automatically is diverted from the outside world, but it is diverted inwardly. The mind starts running not outwards but inwardly. So when one starts running inwardly through your sadhana, through your meditation, automatically there will be a certain detachment to the outside world. 

Nothing in the outside really worries you, you don’t fear anything because your trust and love, your faith is strong."

Testimony:

"Yesterday's course for me was the most practical. I am an ayurveda therapist, and in my job I am very much involved with the three gunas. But yesterday I realised that I also have to let go a little bit and not be so attached the three gunas, and put it in the right place, so it was extremely practical for me." - Kalavati, Switzerland

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Sri Swami Vishwananda has decided to give commentary on the Shreemad Bhagavad Gita, the eternal Word of Lord Sri Krishna. It will take place over 18 consecutive days, and each day will cover one chapter. Guruji will give his commentary with a particular Bhakti perspective.

For now, we will provide a small portion of the commentary on this blog for those who could not attend the course. At a later stage, we will offer the full length of the Gita commentary as a book and also as CD and DVD sets.

12 Aug 2014

The Cashless Yuga is about to arrive...

The cashless age at Shree Peetha Nilaya is approaching fast...! Time to get detached more and more... ;)

If you plan to visit Shree Peetha Nilaya again, which we sincerely hope you do, then you should definitely read the latest blog post on the Shree Peetha Nilaya blog.

Chapter 13: Bhagavad Gita Course with Swami Vishwananda

On August 11th, 2014 Swamiji covered Chapter 13 of the Bhagavad Gita, titled: Kshetrakshetrajna Yoga

In the final 6 chapters, the topics examined in greater detail are: the essential nature of Prakrti (Material Nature) and of the Jivātman, and the basic features of the paths of Karma (Action), Jñana (Knowledge) and Bhakti (Devotion) and the ways of practicing these paths.

In Chapter 13, Arjuna asks to know more about the Lord. Arjuna tells Krishna that now he has seen Krishna's cosmic form, he wants to go deeper into the mystery of God. Krishna then explains to Arjuna what is matter and what is the spirit, what is the body and what is the Soul. 

General topics covered in the Chapter:

• The theory of creation
• God can be described by parables and not in any other way
• Faith alone can lead to liberation
• Attributes of the spirit

Excerpt commentary from Swamiji:

18

jyotiṣām api tajjyotis
tamasaḥ param-ucyate
jñānaṃ jñeyaṃ jñāna-gamyaṃ
hṛdi sarvasya viṣṭhitam

He is the light of all lights and luminous beyond all the darkness of our ignorance. He is knowledge and the object of knowledge. He is seated in the hearts of all.

"He is showing that the duty of man is to realise the Divine within themselves and to attain Him. Which means that whatever you do in life it is only to serve Him, to attain Him. So that´s why I said, ‘Do your dharma.’ When you do your dharma properly you embrace, you attune with that knowledge. When you learn to accept life, whatever God gives you in life whole-heartedly, this is the object of knowledge which God has given you to attain the perfection. When you embrace what He gives you in every moment you will see how easy it is.

He is seated in the hearts of men. Even if the Lord is present everywhere, everything is His manifestation, but the heart of man is a different reality, it is more superior than any other manifestation of Him. In the heart in human beings His light is shining much more. The heart of man is the manifestation of God, it is there where one can feel Him, meet Him, speak with Him. So this means that the heart which is inside the body is unique and that’s what makes a human being unique."

Testimony:

"It has been great so far. Swami's message is to have a calm mind, tell yourself that you are the soul and not the body, and that God is doing everything. The repetition of this message is absolutely necessary because we need to be reminded over and over again. Our goal is to just remember and practice in our daily lives what he teaches us." - Shez, U.K.

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Sri Swami Vishwananda has decided to give commentary on the Shreemad Bhagavad Gita, the eternal Word of Lord Sri Krishna. It will take place over 18 consecutive days, and each day will cover one chapter. Guruji will give his commentary with a particular Bhakti perspective.

For now, we will provide a small portion of the commentary on this blog for those who could not attend the course. At a later stage, we will offer the full length of the Gita commentary as a book and also as CD and DVD sets.

11 Aug 2014

Chapter 12: Bhagavad Gita Course with Swami Vishwananda

On August 10th, 2014 Swamiji covered Chapter 12 of the Bhagavad Gita, titled: Bhakti Yoga

In Chapter 12, Lord Krishna glorifies the path of devotion to God (Bhakti yoga). Krishna explains that Bhakti Yoga is the easiest and best path to follow. 

"The Supreme Lord said: I consider the best yogis to be those who are (desirous for being) forever united with me, who have supreme faith, and who worship me, and who focus their minds on me." 

General topics covered in the Chapter:

• Should one worship a personal or an impersonal God?
• Reasons for worshiping a personal form of God 
• The four paths to God
• Karma Yoga is the best way
• The attributes of a devotee

Excerpt commentary from Swamiji:

2

mayyāveśya mano ye māṃ 
nitya-yuktā upāsate 
śraddhayā parayopetās-te 
me yuktatamā matāḥ

Those who found their mind in Me and by constant union,  possessed of a supreme faith, seek after Me, I hold to be the most perfectly in union of Yoga.

"Here Bhagavan is saying, the ultimate and the most perfect form of Yoga is to have this longing for the Lord, to have this Love for the Lord, to have this reverence for Him. Through that one finds great delight in hearing the glory of Him, remembering Him through japam, continuous chanting of his Divine Names and through that faith grows. 

It’s like the food for the faith and the mind gets dwelled and absorbed (in the Divine). You see to hold one’s own effort is very difficult, its not that easy, you have to be very strong for that. But if one dwells and surrenders to the Lord and trusts in him, He looks after the welfare of the bhakta and carries him.

Bhagavan Krishna is saying, “I have a form and I have a name and the one who knows My name and My form by constant remembrance and chanting of My names and having My form installed deep into the mind, to him I reveal Myself. And that’s the greatest union because I reveal Myself within his own Self."

Testimony:

"Today Swami discussed the beauty of Bhakti Yoga. He explained that it's really simple, not easy, but simple. You don't have to know anything special, you don't have to be anything special, there is no big secret. You just have to be happy and in Love" - Pratab, Croatia

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Sri Swami Vishwananda has decided to give commentary on the Shreemad Bhagavad Gita, the eternal Word of Lord Sri Krishna. It will take place over 18 consecutive days, and each day will cover one chapter. Guruji will give his commentary with a particular Bhakti perspective.

For now, we will provide a small portion of the commentary on this blog for those who could not attend the course. At a later stage, we will offer the full length of the Gita commentary as a book and also as CD and DVD sets.

10 Aug 2014

A Surprise Blessing!

 

Yesterday night, everybody present at Shree Peetha Nilaya rejoiced when was announced that Sri Swami Vishwananda would give an individual blessing to all. It was a wonderful surprise! Again, He showed us all that God is constantly giving, giving, giving...

May we all be always open to receive the continuous blessings the Divine showers on us! In this way, His Divine Love will fully blossom in our hearts being spread naturally and effortless around the world.