Skip to main content

Ananya Bhakti (the singularity)

Week 32, Chapter 11, Shloka 32-55

Tremendous form of Krishna, as seen by Arjuna shows everything and every one of the mortal world rushing towards the fire-filled mouth of Shri Krishna- like the moths rushing towards the fire are consumed by the fire, the same way Arjuna can see the warriors of the mortal world and the army of the battlefield rushing towards the tremendous fire of destruction in the mouth of Krishna.

Having been witnessed this universal form, trembling with fear, Arjuna requests Krishna to return back to his gentle human form.

Says Krishna—

The universal form that you saw cannot be attained by studying Vedas or scriptures…nor by charity, penance, sacrifices can the universal form be attained.

भक्त्या त्वनन्यया शक्य अहमेवंविधोऽर्जुन |
ज्ञातुं द्रष्टुं च तत्त्वेन प्रवेष्टुं च परन्तप || 54||

bhaktyā tv ananyayā śhakya aham evaṁ-vidho ’rjuna
jñātuṁ draṣhṭuṁ cha tattvena praveṣhṭuṁ cha parantapa

The only way to attain my universal form is through ‘Ananya Bhakti’. When the drops of rain falls, they have no other option but to fall towards the earth. When the river collects small streams on its way and naturally gravitates towards the ocean (as it has no other option).

When the wood burns and transforms into the fire (and loses its identity) and the sky lit up by the presence of the sun and/or the moon, the same way the darkness of ignorance and ego is lost once my universal form is attained. And thus, the seeker attains singularity.

He offers his karmas to me and is not fascinated by anything other than me. Through this temperament, he gravitates towards me.

Seeing both the forms of Shri Krishna, Arjuna prefers his worldly form as is easy for him to behold as his heart is free of fear and is at peace. Though Krishna does not accept Arjuna’s choice.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The universal being

Chapter 12, shloka 15-20 The way the ocean remains unaffected if the number of sea creatures increases or decreases nor is it annoyed by their activities…also the sea creatures remain unaffected by the roar of the ocean. In the same way, the one who is unaffected by other people’s behavior; has overcome the ideas of mine and others, has overcome the ideas of pleasure and sorrow, remains devoted to me and so is always the one who is most dear to me. He who has overcome his lust and greed, is a being so full of purity and his company is so auspicious like the rays of the sun –the mere presence is sufficient to remove all the darkness (that lies within). Such a being is fearless and is contained with ‘samadhaan’(the most peaceful state). The one who has assumed his position as a universal being is uninterested in anything other than the joy of the spirit. Does not rejoice nor despair the worldly gains or losses. The one who is equipoised in pleasure and sorrow and considers everyone e...
Post a Comment
Read more

The 'sadbuddhi' (some more reflections on Buddhi- yoga)

    As Krishna continues talking about the buddhi- yoga , that is, when the heart is calm in both success and failures, pleasures and pains. Also, when the mana and buddhi are coordinated (are on the same page). One may say that buddhi- yoga is superior to  karma- yoga but on the contrary, buddhi- yoga cannot be attained till one perform karmas with detachment. The supreme state of karma ( uttaravastha ) is a natural state of yoga. By not desiring the outcome of the karmas, one gets liberated from the cycle of birth and death. And eventually, they also get liberated from the buddhi- yoga and attains their salvation- the state of brahmananda (shloka-51). I feel when Krishna talks about sadbuddhi , he talks about the pure desire of a seeker that consistently lights his path towards accepting that (deeds) which will lead him towards his enlightenment, and at the same time gives him wisdom to not accept those deeds that are prohibited or that are futile in ord...
Post a Comment
Read more