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The embodiment of singularity

 

Week 12, chapter 4- shlokas 1-5

Gyaneshwara, as he narrates what is about to happen next in Geeta, is overwhelmed and certainly in awe of Arjuna. As what Shri Krishna is going to tell him-- that can make greatest of sages, deities, ascetics, and even Shri Lakshmi (goddess companion of Shri Vishnu/Krishna) jealous of Arjuna. Gyaneshwara wonders at the fate of Arjuna, that amongst greatest of beings Krishna chose a friend-- a bond of trust and love. A love so deep that cannot be defined as Krishna is pleased and is revealing the sacred knowledge to Arjuna—the one who is capable of receiving and containing the blessings of the Divine.

So tells Krishna, that in ‘the beginning’ this knowledge (of karma-yoga and gnyana-yoga) was given to the Sun (Surya). And Surya has given this knowledge to Manu- the ancient human, Manu eventually has passed on this knowledge to one of his sons- Ikshavaku. And since then, this tradition of passing the sacred knowledge is carried on but is given only to a chosen few. Krishna pities the fate of humans that even though the knowledge was there since ancient times, there are very few who are capable of receiving it. Most of the humans in their ignorance have chosen the prohibited path and are indulgent—such that they do not even want to follow the righteous path—the one that leads to self-knowledge. Such is their love for their physical body they carry with them that they have completely forgotten the purpose of this precious human life given to them by the divine. And it is because of this ignorance and indulgence, that this knowledge cannot be passed on to the commoners. And thus, pities Krishna that so much time of humanity is wasted.

Krishna certainly adores Arjuna, as He says that since Arjuna is His closest friend, and it is mandatory that He (Krishna) should enlighten Arjuna by removing his ignorance and bless him with self-knowledge so that Arjuna can perform his swa-dharma by fighting this battle of righteousness with the Kauravas.

However, humbled Arjuna presents another doubt—He asks that Sun is ancient, but Krishna is contemporary, how is it possible that this sacred knowledge was given by Shri Krishna to the sun (at the same time Arjuna acknowledges that Krishna’s persona is beyond his understanding)? and on this Krishna reveals what humans in those times, those who knew Krishna (except a few enlightened ones) could not know about him. That He is the embodiment of ‘singularity' itself. That he has taken many births and remembers all of them since he is divine whereas, Arjuna has forgotten his births since he is human. And this revelation is what puts Gyaneshwara in awe of the blessings Arjuna was given by the divine by befriending him, giving him self-knowledge, and revealing to him- His divinity. Such a fate—such a blessing—too much of awe for those listening to this story of divine revelation.

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