Week 18, Chapter 6. (shloka 11 onwards)
As told by
Gyaneshwara- the chapter is the ‘essence’ of Geeta.
The narrative
that follows the description of fondness of Krishna for his friend Arjuna, tell
about the sacred knowledge that was only shared by a few enlightened yogis to
their disciples who they found worthy to receive the same. And this worthiness
is what Gyaneshwara is trying to find in Arjuna when he gets into awe.
Arjuna,
without serving Krishna, without doing hardships to attain the fortune he is
granted…The incarnation when was born (in tough condition), brought-up with
great difficulties faced by the parents and guardians…all the efforts to fight
the monsters and survival – the great fortune of all the labor came in the fate
of Arjuna…just like this!
Coming back
to shlokas— humble Arjuna, tells Krishna that he doesn’t even know the meaning
of the qualities explained by the incarnation nor can he visualize the same, but
he certainly desires to attain such a state. He asks if Krishna in his kindness
can grant him access to his enlightenment? For it's only Krishna who can
grant such a state if He desires, even to the most unsuitable ones. Affirms
Krishna that He will grant Arjuna his enlightenment thinking, how gradually the
dialogue is evoking a craving for true knowledge and enlightenment in Arjuna and
leading him towards detachment and that is exactly what is required for the fruition
of this farming that Krishna was doing all this time in the mindscape of
Arjuna. For the detachment and desire for enlightenment (the pure desire) when
once awakened leads one to the path of moksha.
Tells
Krishna—Listen O Arjuna, the path I will tell you is the best of all the paths
that lead towards moksha...for since ancient times even Shri Shiva is also
walking on this path. Many of the sages and yogis chose this path to attain their
moksha…and when one finds this path, one is no more aware of hunger or thirst,
day or night, such is the glory of the path I am going to tell you. And the
only prerequisite to be eligible to walk on this path is the stability of attention.
To begin practice this yoga, one should find a proper place where one can be seated restfully, which is pure and sacred and peaceful (describes Gyaneshwara elaborately the characteristics of such a place). Next one should detach oneself from his ego and remember his mentor who is God (Parbrahma- the supreme spirit) Himself. And till the mind becomes detached to the influence of the senses, and one forgets about the pleasures of the world…this is how the body will attain a kind of state that is proper for meditation.
Next, the text tells about the seating position called ‘Moolabandh’ or ‘Vajrasana’.
(shloka 12) to direct the movement of certain air element in the body. then He
talks about the next gesture, ‘Jalandharbandh’ to collect the vision spread
outside and to direct it inside the body—the gesture creates a proper state of
the organs of the body to help to collect the vision and attention. Next, He
talks about ‘Odhiyabandh’ (another gesture)—to begin the practice starting from preparing the physical body. The suggested gestures help to eliminate imagination, lust, and all the disorders of the mind. these gestures also detach the
yogi from the feel of hunger or thirst and sleep. Krishna also elaborates on various other benefits of these gestures that eventually help the yogi to
attain the next stage.
P.S. In
order not to make the notes too long or elaborative, I may take a pause here,
for the next shlokas cover the further technical aspect of yoga—that is the real essence of the cosmic song and something that every seeker should at least
be aware of.
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