The sacred knowledge (Yogasanas for meditation)

 

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.