Bhakti Yoga
(coverage report by Star of Mysore)
September 11, 2013
Bhagavadgeetha is the ‘Song of God’: Sri M
Mysore, Sept. 8 – The language of Bhagavadgeetha is very simple. Being the ‘Song of God’ and not prose, by reading it we are transported beyond the boundaries of limited thought. The 12th chapter begins with Arjuna asking Lord Sri Krishna: ‘Who is better versed in yoga — the ones who worship You in constant devotion with your forms or the ones who worship You as the formless?’ The Lord enlightens Arjuna saying: ‘Those who fix their minds on me and worship me with steadfast love and faith, I consider them as perfect in Yoga and closest to me,’ explained Sri M, Founder- President, Satsang Foundation, Madanapalle (Andhra Pradesh).
He was delivering a discourse on Bhakthi Yoga (Chapter12) on the first day in a four-day series sponsored by Vijay Foundation in association with P.R. Hariharan Memorial Charitable Trust and Star of Mysore yesterday at Sri Prasanna Parvathi Kalyana Mantap in V. V. Mohalla here.
It is impossible to undertake a spiritual journey without Bhakthi, Sri M remarked, adding that Bhagavadgeetha forms an important part of Prasthanathraya comprising Geetha, Upanishads and Brahamasutra. Veda includes Samhita, Brahmanas, Aranyaka and Upanishads. The first translations and commentary on Geetha are credited to Adi Shankara.
Each of its chapter at the end proclaims that it is part of Upanishads and also Yoga Shastra, the science of the study of truth. Geetha is the earliest text that proclaims there are many paths to know the truth, the speaker said.
The first chapter of Bhagavadgeetha, titled Arjuna Vishaada Yoga finds the Pandava warrior in deep sorrow and undecided on what to do in the battle field. The dialogue between the Lord and Arjuna enlightens us about the root of all sorrow and how to remove that root. That is the cream of Bhagavadgeetha, Sri M explained.
Arjuna, who listens to the Lord is fully aware that Lord Krishna is much more than what he sees in front him. In chapter 10 of the Bhagavadgeetha, the Lord discloses to Arjuna about himself saying, “I am Kaplia among the Munis, I am Saamaveda among the Vedas, I am the Meru among the mountains….” Arjuna praises the Lord in chapter 11 while chapter 12 is the only one which begins with Arjuna seeking enlightenment from the Lord on Bhakthi (which even the intelligentsia think that it is only for the primitive people or women). The Lord explains to Arjuna that the desired qualities of a Yogi are (a) Control on the senses, (b) Balance of mind and (c) Feeling of welfare of all at heart. The Lord assures Arjuna saying, “I’ll lift you from a death-bound existence to a state of immortality,” Sri M explained.
People resolve to various measures when experiencing pain or troubled by sadness. Some do it by viewing TV, others resolve to analgesics in the form of pills. There are also some who take Spiritual Analgesic, but their spirit comes in bottles, said Sri M in a lighter vein.
Given the limitations of linear thinking, it is difficult for us to have direct communication with the Lord, He being in abstract form, observed Sri ‘M’ on day two of his four-day discourse on Bhakthi Yoga. However, it is possible to overcome the difficulty even for normal human beings through constant practice (Abhyaasa Yoga), Lord Krishna enlightened Arjuna, Sri ‘M’ added. The Pandava wizard in archery was further told by the Lord: I will lift those who have abandoned all the fruits of their actions and worship Me as the sole refuge from the ocean of life bound by death, the speaker explained.
If you are unable to do constant practice, be intent on doing all actions for Lord’s sake and you will attain perfection, Lord Krishna told Arjuna. The agency for such actions is the Lord Himself, Sri ‘M’ remarked, adding that the benefit of the actions come to the devotee in the form of peace of mind and happiness.
We cannot argue that there are no eyes because we cannot see our own eyes (except in the mirror) although we perceive every thing through our eyes. Similarly, proof of the Lord is that He is witness to everything, Sri ‘M’ explained.
Drawing an analogy between Abhyaasa yoga and Pathanjali’s Yoga Shastra, Sri ‘M’ delineated the following eight components of Ashtaanga Yoga.
1. Yama-Niyama (Rules to be followed by a Yogi, such as moderation in sleep, diet, entertainment and so on);
2. Ahimsa (eschewing violence to other beings);
3. Aparigraha (simple living including non-acceptance of gifts, which come always loaded with aspirations);
4. Brahmacharya (any activity that leads to the Brahman, a state of life not necessarily confined to physical activities);
5. Aasana (posture, based on fact that muscles that contract and loosen subsequently bring more energy to the body and mind);
6. Praanayama (An important part of Abhyaasa yoga. Regulating the function of breathing, recommended in cases of inability to concentrate. There is a link between breathing and mind);
7. Pratyaahaara (capacity to withdraw oneself from any situation at will by Yogi. Mind behaves according to the way it is trained);
8. Dhyaana- Dhaarana- Samaadhi (Attention on one thing to the exclusion of others through meditation.
While one is reciting Gayatri Mantra during thrikaala sandhya (morning at sunrise, mid-day when shadows begin to elongate and evening at sunset) balancing praana and apaana maximises the effect of chanting, observed Sri ‘M’ while delivering his third day’s discourse on ‘Bhakti Yoga’ of Chapter 12 in Srimad Bhagavad Gita. This chapter provides an opportunity for venting public voice while the other chapters mostly present the divine message from the Lord addressing Arjuna, the speaker explained.
Lord Krishna, elaborating on His guidelines to Arjuna, tells him: ‘If abbhyaasa yoga (constant practice of worshipping with full concentration) is not possible, you can do all your actions for my sake and dedicate yourself to selfless service in your day-to-day life.
We practise many rituals such as bathing in the morning, lighting the hearth, offering worship to the Lord, cooking food (as prescribed by Manu) and so on. It is more important to understand why we are performing the rituals. Still more important is to practice dhyaana marked by fixed attention and not chanting simply by rote. Surrender yourself to me in love, not worrying about the fruits of your actions for endless happiness and peace, was Lord Krishna’s message to Arjuna, explained Sri ‘M’.
Self-control under all circumstances, not getting disturbed while confronting difficulties in life and being friendly and compassionate to all as well as being free from possessiveness without arrogance (attitude of who do you think I am?) are the qualities that distinguishes a true Yogi from others, the speaker explained, citing the real life example of Pava Hari Baba who lived in a cave near Ghazipur, whose only possession was his Kamandalu without coveting anything.’
Of the 20 Shlokas in chapter 12 of Bhagavadgeetha, the last one presents a beautiful statement that even those who seek to follow the path set forth by the Lord are dear to Him, explained Sri M during his discourse on the final day of the four-day programme on Bhakthi Yoga.
Recapitulating the answers given by Lord Sri Krishna to Arjuna to the question posed by the latter as to who is a greater yogi between the one who worships the Formless or the one who worships Him with a Form, Sri M narrated the qualities of a true yogi as explained by the Lord adding that a devotee’s qualities are more important than how he worships Him. Control over one’s mind, a balanced outlook to both happiness as well as sorrow and compassion with unalloyed love for all beings are those qualities, Sri M observed.
We are all body oriented. Therefore form and name become important in our life. Only devotion to the Lord leads to lasting joy, remarked Sri M, adding that freedom from possessiveness and arrogance is a sterling quality of a yogi. Also, a true yogi is always contented and steadfast in his conviction (Dhrida Nischaya), the speaker said. Lord Krishna told Arjuna that a yogi’s heart and mind are dedicated to Him, Sri M explained.
One who causes fear to none nor fears anyone, since one has nothing to hide or protect for one’s sake, is a true yogi. Such a person who is not affected by moods resulting from either euphoria or depression, identified in society as a sthitha prajna is also dear to the Lord, Sri M said, interpreting Lord Krishna’s message to Arjuna. Modern youth refer to a sthitha prajna as ‘cool dude,’ Sri M remarked on a humourous note.
Desireless, resourceful, unattached, unworried and selfless are the qualities of a yogi dear to the Lord, Sri M said. The joy of being devoted to the Lord is upper-most in a true yogi’s mind, he added. Even kings seek guidance from a yogi on what course of action is to be adopted under trying situations, the speaker remarked.
Our minds are caught up by objects of this world. When somebody or something comes in the way of our achieving our objects, anger results. An angry person becomes mad and he or she doesn’t see reason in the action dictated by anger, Sri M explained.
A true yogi doesn’t get elated when praised or flattered, remarked Sri M, reminding the listeners about the lines ‘Meeti meeti baathonse butchna zarra…’ sung by Lata Mangeshkar in a Hindi movie many years ago. He also narrated the parable of the snake that got battered by people because it gave up its natural practice of stinging on the advise of a yogi, who enlightened the reptile saying: ‘I asked you to desist from biting but not to desist from hissing.’ Sometimes, hissing may be necessary but without causing hurt to animal, Sri M remarked. He concluded his discourse with shanthi mantra, reminding the audience on the importance of the Lord’s prescription of remaining same towards all.
