Silverbook | Gita Society

Do your duty to the best of your ability, O Arjuna, with your mind attached to the Lord. Give up worry for and selfish attachment to the results. Remain calm in both success and failure, because one has no control over the results. The calmness of mind is the fruit of Nishkāma-Karma-yoga. (2.48)

All works are done by the forces (or Gunas) of Nature. Due to ignorance, people assume themselves to be the doer and suffer from karmic bondage. We all are just a divine instrument and should help each other. (3.27)

As a blazing fire reduces wood to ashes, similarly, the fire of Self-knowledge removes all our past Karma and demonic qualities. Spiritual knowledge is the best purifier. It opens up the gates of Nirvana for us. (4.37)

Samnyāsa or giving up the feeling of doership and ownership (Kartā and Bhoktā), is difficult to attain without Nishkām-Karma-Yoga (selfless service, Sevā). We are just a trustee of God-given wealth. Sevā gradually leads to Self-knowledge, faith, deep devotion, and Mukti. (5.06)

One who sees Me everywhere and in everything, and sees everything in Me, is not away from Me, and I am not away from him. Such a person loves all and hates no one. (6.30)

After many births the wise ones surrender to My will by realizing that everything is, indeed, another form of Brahman. The One has become all these. Such a great soul is very rare. (7.19)

Always remember Me before starting any work and do your duty. Thus you shall certainly remember Me at the time of death and come to Me if your mind and intellect are ever focused on Me. (8.07)

Whosoever offers Me a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water with faith and devotion ¾ even mentally; I accept and eat the offering of devotion by the faithful. (9.26)

O Creator and Lord of all, God of gods, the Supreme person, and Lord of the universe, only You know Yourself. No one can know God, the Source of creation. (10.15)

The devotee who offers all his or her work as a worship to Me, who has detached-attachment or no deep attachment to anything, who is My devotee and depends on Me, and who is free from enmity toward any creature, reaches Me. (11.55)

Lord Krishna said: I consider the best yogis to be those devotees who worship with supreme faith by fixing their mind on My personal form. (12.02)

Dislike for sensual pleasures, absence of “I and my”, thinking about pain and suffering in birth, old age, disease and death leads to Self-knowledge and Nirvana. This world is called the house of misery. (13.08)

One who is always God-conscious and depends on My will and, remains calm in pain and pleasure, censure and praise, to whom a clod, a stone, and gold are alike, and to whom the dear and the unfriendly are alike and is full of devotion, attains Me. (14.24)

Moksha is attained by those who are free from pride, desires and delusion (Moha); who have controlled the evil of attachment, who are always God conscious and remains calm in gain and loss, victory and defeat. (15.05)

Lust (for wealth, power, and sensual pleasures), anger, and greed are the three gates of hell leading to the downfall (or reincarnation) of the individual soul. Uncontrolled sensual desire is the root of all evils and misery. Therefore, one must learn to give up these three. (16.21)

The faith of each is according to one’s own nature or Samskāra. One is known by one’s faith. One can become whatever one wants to be (if he constantly thinks about his goal with a burning desire and deep faith in God). All we are is the result of our thoughts. (17.03)

Sensual pleasures, appear as nectar in the beginning but become poison in the end, are in the mode of passion. One should not get attached to sense pleasures. (18.38)

One who shall study and help propagate this supreme secret philosophy to My devotees, shall be doing the highest devotional service (Bhakti) to Me, shall be very dear to Me and shall certainly come to Me. The gift of knowledge is the best gift. (18.68-69)

INTRODUCTION

The Gita is a doctrine of universal truth. Its message is universal, sublime, and non-sectarian although it is a part of the scriptural trinity of San|tana Dharma, commonly known as Hinduism. The Gita is very easy to understand in any language for a mature mind. A repeated reading with faith will reveal all the sublime ideas contained in it. A few abstruse statements are interspersed here and there, but they have no direct bearing on practical issues or the central theme of Gita. The Gita deals with the most sacred metaphysical science. It imparts the knowledge of the Self and answers two universal questions: Who am I, and how can I lead a happy and peaceful life in this world of dualities? It is a book of yoga, the moral and spiritual growth for mankind, based on the cardinal principles of Hindu religion.

The message of the Gita came to humanity because of Arjuna’s unwillingness to do his duty as a warrior because fighting involved destruction and killing. Nonviolence or Ahims| is one of the most fundamental tenets of Hinduism. All lives, human or non-human, are sacred. This immortal discourse between the Supreme Lord, Krishna, and His devotee-friend, Arjuna, occurs not in a temple, a secluded forest, or on a mountain top but on a battlefield on the eve of a war and is recorded in the great epic, Mah|bh|rata. In the Gita Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to get up and fight. This may create a misunderstanding of the principles of Ahims| if the background of the war of Mah|bh|rata is not kept in mind. Therefore, a brief historical description is in order.

In ancient times there was a king who had two sons, Dhritar|shtra and P|ndu. The former was born blind; therefore, P|ndu inherited the kingdom. P|ndu had five sons. They were called the P|ndavas. Dhritar|shtra had one hundred sons. They were called the Kauravs. Duryodhana was the eldest of the Kauravas.

After the death of king P|ndu the P|ndavas became the lawful king. Duryodhana was a very jealous person. He also wanted the kingdom. The kingdom was divided into two halves between the P|ndavas and the Kauravas. Duryodhana was not satisfied with his share of the kingdom. He wanted the entire kingdom for himself. He unsuccessfully planned several foul plays to kill the P|ndavas and take away their kingdom. He unlawfully took possession of the entire kingdom of the P|ndavas and refused to give back even an acre of land without a war. All mediation by Lord Krishna and others failed. The big war of Mah|bh|rata was thus inevitable. The P|ndavas were unwilling participants. They had only two choices: fight for their right as a matter of duty or run away from war and accept defeat in the name of peace and nonviolence. Arjuna, one of the five P|ndava brothers, faced the dilemma in the battlefield whether to fight or run away from war for the sake of peace.

Arjuna’s dilemma is, in reality, the universal dilemma. Every human being faces dilemmas, big and small, in their everyday life when performing their duties. Arjuna’s dilemma was the biggest of all. He had to make a choice between fighting the war and killing his most revered guru, very dear friends, close relatives, and many innocent warriors, or running away from the battlefield for the sake of preserving the peace and nonviolence. The entire seven hundred verses of the Gita is a discourse between Lord Krishna and the confused Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra near New Delhi, India, in about 3,100 years BCE. This discourse was narrated to the blind king, Dhritar|shtra, by his charioteer, Sanjaya, as an eye-witness war report.

The central teaching of the Gita is the attainment of freedom or happiness from the bondage of life by doing one’s duty. Always remember the glory and greatness of the creator, and do your duty efficiently without being attached to or affected by the results, even if that duty may at times demand unavoidable violence. Some people neglect or give up their duty in life for the sake of a spiritual life while others excuse themselves from spiritual practices because they believe that they have no time. The Lord’s message is to sanctify the entire living process itself. Whatever a person does or thinks ought to be done for the glory and satisfaction of the Maker. No effort or cost is necessary for this process. Do your duty as a service to the Lord and humanity and see God alone in everything in a spiritual frame of mind. In order to gain such a spiritual frame of mind, personal discipline, austerity, penance, good conduct, selfless service, yogic practices, meditation, worship, prayer, rituals, and study of scriptures, as well as the company of holy persons, pilgrimage, chanting of the holy names of God, and Self-inquiry are needed to purify the body, mind, and intellect. One must learn to give up lust, anger, greed, and establish mastery over the six senses (hearing, touch, sight, taste, smell, and mind) by the purified intellect. One should always remember that all works are done by the energy of nature and that he or she is not the doer but only an instrument. One must strive for excellence in all undertakings but remain calm in success and failure, gain and loss, and pain and pleasure.

The ignorance of metaphysical knowledge is humanity’s greatest predicament. A scripture, being the voice of transcendence, cannot be translated. Language is incapable and translations are defective to clearly impart the knowledge of the Absolute. In this rendering, an attempt has been made to make it easy to read and understand. We have tried to improve the clarity by adding words or phrases within parentheses in the English translation of the verses. The translations of one hundred and thirty-three (133) key verses are printed in underlined-bold and/or hilighted for the convenience of beginners. We suggest that all our readers ponder, contemplate, and act upon these verses. The beginners and the busy persons should first read and understand the meaning of these key verses before delving deep into the bottomless ocean of transcendental knowledge of the Gita. It is said that there is no human mind that cannot be purified by a repeated study of the Gita— just one chapter a week.

This book is dedicated to all my gurus whose blessings, grace, and teachings have been invaluable. It is offered to the greatest Guru, Lord Krishna, with love and devotion. May the Lord bless those who repeatedly read this with peace, happiness, and the true knowledge of the Self.

OM TAT SAT

Ramananda Prasad, Ph.D.

Fremont, CA (USA)

Revised in June, 2020

1. ARJUNA’S DILEMMA

(All 700 verses of the Gita)

(visit: www.gita-society.com/explanationRead.html

for explanation)

King Dhritarāshtra said: O Sanjaya, assembled in the holy field of Kurukshetra and eager to fight, what did my people and the Pāndavas do? (1.01) Sanjaya said: Seeing the battle formation of the Pāndava’s army, King Duryodhana approached his guru and spoke these words: (1.02) O master, behold this mighty army of the sons of Pāndu, arranged in battle formation by your other talented disciple. There are many great warriors, valiant men, heroes, and mighty archers. I shall name a few of them for you. (1.03-06) Also know, O best among the men, the distinguished ones on our side.

Introduction of the army commanders

I shall name the commanders of my army and many other heroes who have risked their lives for me. They are armed with various weapons, and all are skilled in warfare. (1.07-09) Our army is invincible, while their army is easy to conquer. Therefore, all of you, occupying your respective positions on all fronts, protect our commander, Bhishma. (1.10-11) The mighty Bhishma, the eldest man of the Kuru dynasty, roared as a lion and blew his conch loudly, bringing joy to Duryodhana. (1.12) After that,

conches, kettledrums, cymbals, drums, and trumpets were sounded together. The commotion was tremendous. (1.13) Then Lord Krishna and Arjuna, seated in a grand chariot yoked with white horses, blew their celestial conches. (1.14) Krishna blew His conch; then Arjuna and all other commanders of various divisions of the army blew their respective conches. The tumultuous uproar, resounding through earth and sky, tore the hearts of the Kauravas. (1.15-19)

Arjuna wants to inspect the army

Seeing the Kauravas standing, and the war about to begin with the hurling of weapons, Arjuna, whose banner bore the emblem of Lord Hanumāna, took up his bow and spoke these words to Lord Krishna: O Lord, please stop my chariot between the two armies until I behold those who stand here eager for the battle and with whom I must engage in this act of war. (1.20-22) I wish to see those who are willing to serve and appease the evil-minded Kauravas by assembling here to fight the battle. (1.23) Sanjaya said: O King, Lord Krishna, as requested by Arjuna, placed the best of all the chariots in the midst of the two armies facing Bhishma, Drona, and all other Kings, and said to Arjuna: Behold these assembled Kauravas! (1.24-25) There, Arjuna

saw his uncles, grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, and comrades. (1.26)

Arjuna's dilemma

Seeing fathers-in-law, companions, and all his kinsmen standing in the ranks of the two armies, Arjuna was overcome with great compassion and sorrowfully said: O Krishna, seeing my kinsmen standing with a desire to fight, my limbs fail and my mouth becomes dry. My body quivers and my hairs stand on end. (1.27-29) The bow slips from my hand, and my skin intensely burns. My head turns, I am unable to stand steady, and O Krishna, I see bad omens. I see no use of killing my kinsmen in battle. (1.30-31) I desire neither victory, nor pleasure nor kingdom, O Krishna. What is the use of the kingdom, or enjoyment, or even life, O Krishna? Because all those—for whom we desire kingdom, enjoyments, and pleasures—are standing here for the battle, giving up their lives and wealth. (1.32-33) I do not wish to kill teachers, uncles, sons, grandfathers, maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law, and other relatives who are about to kill us, even for the sovereignty of the three worlds, let alone for this earthly kingdom, O Krishna. (1.34-35)

O Lord Krishna, what pleasure shall we find in killing the sons of Dhritarāshtra? Upon killing these felons, we shall incur only sin. (1.36) Therefore, we should not kill our cousin brothers, the sons of Dhritarāshtra. How can we be happy after killing our relatives, O Krishna? (1.37) Though they, blinded by greed, do not see evil in the destruction of the family, or sin in being treacherous to friends, why should not we, who clearly see evil in the destruction of the family, think about turning away from this sin, O Krishna? (1.38-39)

Arjuna describes the evils of war

Eternal family traditions and codes of conduct are destroyed with the destruction of the family. Immorality prevails in the family due to the destruction of family traditions. (1.40) And when immorality prevails, O Krishna, the women of the family become corrupted; when women are corrupted, many social problems arise. (1.41) This brings the family and the slayers of the family to hell because the spirits of their ancestors are degraded when deprived of ceremonial offerings of rice-ball and water. (1.42) The everlasting qualities of social order and family traditions of those who destroy their family are ruined by the sinful act of illegitimacy. (1.43) We have been told, O Krishna, that people whose family traditions are destroyed necessarily dwell in hell for a long time. (1.44)

When the going gets tough, even tough ones can get deluded

Alas! We are ready to commit a great sin by striving to slay our relatives because of greed for the pleasures of the kingdom. (1.45) It would be far better for me if the sons of Dhritarāshtra should kill me with their weapons in battle while I am unarmed and unresisting. (1.46) Sanjaya said: Having said this in the battlefield and casting aside his bow and arrow, Arjuna sat down on the seat of the chariot with his mind overwhelmed with sorrow. (1.47)

2. KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

Sanjaya said: Lord Krishna spoke these words to Arjuna whose eyes were tearful and downcast, and who was overwhelmed with compassion and despair. (2.01) The Supreme Lord said: How has the dejection come to you at this juncture? This is not fit for a person of noble mind and deeds. It is disgraceful, and it does not lead one to heaven, O Arjuna. (2.02) Do not become a coward, O Arjuna, because it does not befit you. Shake off this trivial weakness of your heart and get up for the battle, O Arjuna. (2.03)

Arjuna talks against the war

Arjuna said: How shall I strike Bhishma and Drona, who are worthy of my worship, with arrows in battle, O Krishna? (2.04) It would be better, indeed, to live on alms in this world than to slay these noble gurus because by killing them, I would enjoy wealth and pleasures stained with their blood. (2.05) We do not know which alternative— to fight or to quit— is better for us. Further, we do not know whether we shall conquer them or they will conquer us. We should not even wish to live after killing the sons of Dhritarāshtra who are standing in front of us. (2.06)

My senses are overcome by the weakness of pity, and my mind is confused about duty (Dharma). I request You to tell me, decisively, what is better for me. I am Your disciple. Teach me who has taken refuge in You. (2.07) I do not perceive that gaining an unrivaled and prosperous kingdom on this earth, or even lordship over the celestial controllers (Devas), will remove the sorrow that is drying up my senses. (2.08) Sanjaya said: O King, after speaking like this to Lord Krishna, the mighty Arjuna said to Krishna: I shall not fight, and became silent. (2.09) O King, Lord Krishna, as if smiling, spoke these words to the distressed Arjuna in the midst of the two armies. (2.10)

Teachings of the Gita begins

The Supreme Lord said: You grieve for those who are not worthy of grief; and yet speak words of wisdom. The wise grieve neither for the living nor for the dead. (2.11) There was never a time when these monarchs, you, or I did not exist, nor shall we ever cease to exist in the future. (2.12) Just as the living entity (Atmā, Jeeva, Jeevātmā) acquires a childhood body, a youth body, and an old age body during this life; similarly, it acquires another body after death. The wise are not deluded by this. (See also 15.08) (2.13) The contacts of the senses with the sense objects give rise to the feelings of heat and cold, pain and pleasure. They are transitory and impermanent. Therefore, learn to endure them, O Arjuna, (2.14) because a calm person— who is not afflicted by these sense objects, and is steady in pain and pleasure— becomes fit for immortality, O Arjuna. (2.15)

The spirit is eternal, body is transitory

The invisible Spirit (Sat, Atmā) is eternal, and the visible world (including the physical body) is transitory. The reality of these two is indeed certainly seen by the seers of truth. (2.16) The Spirit (Atmā) by which all this universe is pervaded is indestructible. No one can destroy the imperishable Spirit. (2.17) Bodies of the eternal, immutable, and incomprehensible Spirit are perishable. Therefore, fight, O Arjuna. (2.18) One who thinks that Spirit is a slayer, and one who thinks Spirit is slain, are both ignorant. Because Spirit neither slays nor is slain. (2.19) The Spirit is neither born nor does it die at any time. It does not come into being, or cease to exist. It is unborn, eternal, permanent, and primeval. The Spirit is not destroyed when the body is destroyed. (2.20) O Arjuna, how can a person who knows that the Spirit is indestructible, eternal, unborn, and immutable, kill anyone or cause anyone to be killed? (2.21)

Death and transmigration of soul

Just as a person puts on new garments after discarding the old ones; similarly, the living entity acquires new bodies after casting away the old bodies. (2.22) Weapons do not cut this Spirit, fire does not burn it, water does not make it wet, and the wind does not make it dry. Spirit cannot be cut, burned, wet, or dried. It is eternal, all-pervading, unchanging, immovable, and primeval. (2.23-24) The Spirit is said to be unexplainable, incomprehensible, and unchanging.

Knowing this Spirit as such, you should not grieve. (2.25) Even if you think that this living entity or body takes birth and dies perpetually, even then, O Arjuna, you should not grieve like this. Because, death is certain for one who is born, and birth is certain for one who dies. Therefore, you should not lament over the inevitable. (2.26-27) All beings, O Arjuna, are unmanifest— invisible to our physical eyes— before birth and after death. They manifest between the birth and the death only. What is there to grieve about? (2.28) Some look upon this Spirit as a wonder, another describes it as wonderful, and others hear of it as a wonder. Even after hearing about it very few people know it. (2.29) O Arjuna, the Spirit that dwells in the body of all beings is eternally indestructible. Therefore, you should not mourn for anybody. (2.30)

Lord Krishna reminds Arjuna of his

duty as a warrior

Considering also your duty as a warrior, you should not waver. Because there is nothing more auspicious for a warrior than a righteous war. (2.31) Only the fortunate warriors, O Arjuna, get such an opportunity for an unsought war that is like an open door to heaven. (2.32) If you will not fight this righteous war, then you will fail in your duty, lose your reputation, and incur sin. (2.33) People will talk about your disgrace forever. To the honored, dishonor is worse than death. (2.34) The great warriors will think that you have retreated from the battle out of fear. Those who have greatly esteemed you will lose respect for you. (2.35) Your enemies will speak many unmentionable words and scorn your ability. What could be more painful to you than this? (2.36) You will go to heaven if killed (in the line of duty), or you will enjoy the kingdom on the earth if victorious. Therefore, get up with a determination to fight, O Arjuna. (2.37) Treating pleasure and pain, gain and loss, and victory and defeat alike, engage yourself in your duty. By doing your duty this way, you will not incur sin. (2.38)

Importance of Karma-yoga, the

selfless service

The wisdom of transcendental knowledge has been imparted to you, O Arjuna. Now listen to the wisdom of Karma-yoga, the selfless service (Sevā), endowed with which you will free yourself from the bondage of action (Karma). (2.39) In Karma-yoga, no effort is ever lost and there is no adverse effect. Even a little practice of this discipline protects one from the great fear of birth and death. (2.40) A Karma-yogi has a resolute determination for God-realization, O Arjuna, but the desires of one who works to enjoy the fruits of work are endless and many-branched. (2.41)

The Vedas deal with both material and spiritual aspects of life

The misguided ones who delight in the melodious chanting of the Vedas— without understanding the real purpose of the Vedas— think, O Arjuna, as if there is nothing else in the Vedas except the rituals for the sole purpose of obtaining heavenly enjoyment. (2.42) They are dominated by material desires and consider the attainment of heaven as the highest goal of life. They engage in specific rites for the sake of prosperity and enjoyment. Rebirth is the result of their action. (2.43) The resolute determination of Self-realization is not formed in the minds of those who are attached to pleasure and power and whose judgment is obscured by such ritualistic activities. (2.44) A portion of the Vedas deals with three modes or states (Gunas) of the material Nature. Become free from pairs of opposites; be ever balanced and unconcerned with the thoughts of acquisition and preservation. Rise above the three states, and be Self-conscious, O Arjuna. (2.45) To a Self-realized person, the Vedas are as useful as a small reservoir of water when the water of a huge lake becomes available. (2.46)

Theory and practice of Karma-yoga

You have control over your respective duty only, but no control or claim over the results. The fruits of work should not be your motive. You should never be inactive. (2.47) Do your duty to the best of your ability, O Arjuna, with your mind attached to the Lord, abandoning worry and attachment to the results, and remaining calm in both success and failure. The calmness of the mind is called Karma-yoga. (2.48) Work done with selfish motives is inferior by far to selfless service or Karma-yoga. Therefore, be a Karma-yogi, O Arjuna. Those who work only to enjoy the fruits of their labor are, in truth, unhappy. (because one has no control over the results). (2.49)

A Karma-yogi becomes free from both vice and virtue in this life itself. Therefore, strive for Karma-yoga. Working to the best of one’s abilities without becoming attached to the fruits of work is called Karma-yoga. (2.50) Wise Karma-yogis are freed from the bondage of rebirth by renouncing attachment to the fruits of all work and attain a blissful divine state. (2.51) When your intellect completely pierces the veil of confusion, then you will become indifferent to what has been heard and what is to be heard from the scriptures. (2.52)

When your intellect, that is confused by the conflicting opinions and the ritualistic doctrine of the Vedas, shall stay steady and firm on concentrating on the Supreme Being, then you shall attain union with the Supreme Being in trance (Samādhi). (2.53) Arjuna said: O Krishna, what are the marks of an enlightened person whose intellect is steady? How does a person of steady intellect speak? How does such a person sit and walk? (2.54)

Marks of a Self-realized person

The Supreme Lord said: When one is completely free from all desires of the mind and is satisfied with the Eternal Being (Brahma) by the joy of Eternal Being, then one is called an enlightened person, O Arjuna. (2.55) A person whose mind is unperturbed by sorrow, who does not crave pleasures, and who is completely free from attachment, fear, and anger, is called a sage of steady intellect. (2.56) Those who are not attached to anything, who are neither elated by getting desired results, nor troubled by undesired results, their intellect is considered steady. (2.57) When one can completely withdraw the senses from sense objects, as a tortoise withdraws its limbs into the shell for protection, then the intellect of such a person is considered steady. (2.58) The desire for sensual pleasures fades away if one abstains from sense enjoyment, but the craving for sense enjoyment remains. The craving also disappears from one who has known the Supreme Being. (2.59)

Dangers of unrestrained senses

Restless senses, O Arjuna, forcibly carry away the mind of even a wise person striving for perfection. (2.60) One should fix one’s mind on Me with loving contemplation after bringing the senses under control. One’s intellect becomes steady when one’s senses are under complete control. (2.61) One develops attachment to sense objects by thinking about sense objects. Desire for sense objects comes from attachment to sense objects, and anger comes from unfulfilled desires. (2.62) Delusion or wild ideas arise from anger. The mind is bewildered by delusion. Reasoning is destroyed when the mind is bewildered. One falls from the right path when reasoning is destroyed. (2.63)

Attainment of peace and happiness through sense control and Self-knowledge

A disciplined person, enjoying sense objects with senses that are under control and free from likes and dislikes, attains tranquility. (2.64) All sorrows are destroyed upon attainment of tranquility. The intellect of such a tranquil person soon becomes completely steady and united with the Eternal Being. (2.65) There is neither Self-knowledge nor Self-perception to those who are not united with the Eternal Being. Without Self-perception there is no peace, and without peace there can be no happiness. (2.66)

The mind, when controlled by the roving senses, steals away the intellect as a storm takes away a boat on the sea from its destination— the spiritual shore. (2.67) Therefore, O Arjuna, one’s intellect becomes steady when the senses are completely withdrawn from sense objects. (2.68) A yogi, the person of self-restraint, remains wakeful when it is night for all others. It is night for the yogi who sees when all others are wakeful. (2.69) (While most people sleep and make dream plans in the night of the illusory world, a yogi keeps awake or detached from the world while living in it.)

One attains peace when all desires dissipate within the mind without creating any mental disturbance, just as river waters enter the full ocean without creating any disturbance. One who desires material objects is never peaceful. (2.70) One who abandons all desires, and becomes free from longing and the feeling of “I” and “my”, attains peace. (2.71) O Arjuna, this is the superconscious (Brāhmi) state of mind. Attaining this state, one is no longer deluded. Gaining this state, even at the end of one’s life, a person attains Brahma-Nirvāna (or becomes one with the Absolute). (2.72)

3. PATH OF DUTY (KARMA-YOGA)

Arjuna said: If You consider acquiring transcendental knowledge is better than working, then why do You want me to engage in this horrible war, O Krishna? You seem to confuse my mind by apparently conflicting words. Tell me, decisively, one thing by which I may attain the Supreme. (3.01-02) The Supreme Lord said: In this world, O Arjuna, a twofold path of spiritual discipline has been stated by Me in the past— the path of Self-knowledge (JnānaYoga) for the contemplative, and the path of unselfish work (Sevā, Karma-yoga) for the active. (3.03) One does not attain freedom from the bondage of Karma by merely abstaining from work. No one attains perfection by merely giving up work. (3.04) Because no one can remain actionless even for a moment, everyone is driven to action— helplessly indeed— by the forces of nature. (3.05) The deluded ones, who restrain their organs of action but mentally dwell upon the sense enjoyment, are called hypocrites. (3.06)

Why one should serve others?

One who controls the senses by a trained and purified mind and intellect, and engages the organs of action to selfless service, is superior, O Arjuna. (3.07) Perform your obligatory duty because working is indeed better than sitting idle. Even the maintenance of your body would be impossible without work. (3.08) Human beings are bound by work that is not performed as a selfless service. Therefore, O Arjuna, becoming free from attachment to the fruits of work, do your duty efficiently as a service to Me. (3.09)

To help each other is the first commandment of the creator

Brahmā, the creator, in the beginning created human beings together with selfless service (Sevā, Yajna, sacrifice) and said: By Yajna you shall prosper, and Yajna shall fulfill all your desires. (3.10) Nourish the celestial controllers (Devas) with selfless service, and they will nourish you. Thus nourishing one another, you shall attain the Supreme goal. (3.11) The celestial controllers, nourished by selfless service, will give you the desired objects. One who enjoys the gift of Devas without offering them anything in return is, indeed, a thief. (3.12) The righteous who eat the remnants of selfless service are freed from all sins, but the impious who cook food only for themselves (without first offering to Me, or sharing with others), in truth, eat sin. (3.13) The living beings are born from food grains; grains are produced by rain; rain comes (as a favor from Devas) if duty is performed as a selfless service. (See also 4.32). Duty is prescribed in the Vedas. The Vedas come from Brahma (Eternal Being). Thus the all-pervading Brahma is ever present in Sevā. (3.14-15) One who does not help to keep the wheel of creation in motion by sacrificial duty (Sevā), and who rejoices sense pleasures, that sinful person lives in vain, O Arjuna. (3.16) For a Self-realized person, who rejoices only with the Eternal Being, who is delighted with the Eternal Being and who is content with the Eternal Being, there is no duty. (3.17) Such a person has no interest, whatsoever, in what is done or what is not done. A Self-realized person does not depend on anybody (except God) for anything. (3.18)

Leaders should set an example

Therefore, always perform your duty efficiently and without any attachment to the results, because by doing work without attachment one attains the Supreme Being. (3.19) King Janaka and others attained perfection (or Self-realization) by selfless service (Karma-yoga) alone. You should also perform your duty with a view to guide people, and for the universal welfare of society. (3.20) Whatever noble persons do, others follow. Whatever standard they set up, the world follows. (3.21) O Arjuna, there is nothing in the three worlds (heaven, earth, and the lower regions) that should be done by Me, nor there is anything un-obtained that I should obtain, yet I engage in action. (3.22) If I do not engage in action relentlessly, O Arjuna, people would follow the same path in every way. These worlds would perish if I do not work, and I would be the cause of confusion and destruction of all these people. (3.23-24) As the ignorant work, O Arjuna, with attachment to the fruits of work, so the wise should work without attachment, for the welfare of the society. (3.25) The wise should not unsettle the minds of the ignorant, who are attached to the fruits of work, but should inspire others by performing all works efficiently without attachment. (See also 3.29) (3.26)

All works are the works of Nature

All work is done by the energy and power of nature, but due to delusion of ignorance, people assume themselves to be the doer. (See also 5.09, 13.29, and 14.19) (3.27) One who knows the truth, O Arjuna, about the role of the forces of nature and work, does not become attached to work, knowing very well that it is the forces of nature that work with their instruments— our organs. (3.28) Those who are deluded by the illusive power (Māyā) of Nature become attached to the work done by the forces of nature. The wise should not disturb the mind of the ignorant whose knowledge is imperfect. (See also 3.26) (3.29) Do your duty— dedicating all work to Me— in a spiritual frame of mind, free from desire, attachment, and mental grief. (3.30) Those who always practice this teaching of Mine— with faith (or full attention and sincerity) and free from cavil— are freed from the bondage of Karma. But those who carp at My teaching and do not practice should be considered ignorant of all knowledge, senseless, and lost. (3.31-32) All beings follow their nature. Even the wise act according to their own nature. What, then, is the value of sense restraint? (3.33) The answer comes:

Two major stumbling blocks on the path of perfection

Likes and dislikes for sense objects remain in the senses. One should not come under the control of these two because they are, indeed, two major stumbling blocks on one’s path of Self-realization. (3.34) One’s inferior natural work is better than superior unnatural work. Death in carrying out one’s natural work is useful. Unnatural work produces too much stress. (See also 18.47) (3.35)

Lust is the origin of sin

Arjuna said: O Krishna, what impels one to commit sin as if unwillingly and forced against one’s will? (3.36) The Supreme Lord said: It is lust (or intense desire for material and sensual pleasures), born out of passion, that becomes anger when unfulfilled. Lust is insatiable and is a great devil. Know this as the enemy. (3.37) As the fire is covered by smoke, as a mirror by dust, and as an embryo by the amnion, similarly Self-knowledge becomes obscured by lust. (3.38) O Arjuna, Self-knowledge becomes covered by this insatiable fire of lust, the eternal enemy of the wise. (3.39) The senses, the mind, and the intellect are said to be the seat of lust. Lust— by controlling the senses, the mind, and the intellect— deludes a person by veiling Self-knowledge. (3.40) Therefore, O Arjuna, by controlling the senses first, kill this devil of material desire that destroys Self-knowledge and Self-realization. (3.41)

How to control lust

The senses are said to be superior to the body; the mind is superior to the senses; the intellect is superior to the mind; and Spirit is superior to the intellect. (See also 6.07-08) (3.42) Thus, knowing the Spirit to be superior to the intellect, and controlling the mind by the intellect (that is purified by spiritual practices), one must kill this mighty enemy, lust, O Arjuna. (3.43)

4. PATH OF RENUNCIATION

WITH KNOWLEDGE

Karma-yoga is an ancient law

The Supreme Lord said: I taught this Karma-yoga, the eternal science of right action, to King Vivasvān. Vivasvān taught it to Manu. Manu taught it to Ikshvāku. Thus handed down in succession the saintly Kings knew this (Karma-yoga). After a long time the science of Karma-yoga was lost from this earth. Today I have described the same ancient science to you because you are my sincere devotee and friend. Karma-yoga is a supreme secret indeed. (4.01-03) Arjuna said: You were born later, but Vivasvān was born in ancient time. How am I to understand that You taught this Karma-yoga in the beginning of the creation? (4.04)

The purpose of incarnation of God

The Supreme Lord said: Both you and I have taken many births. I remember them all, O Arjuna, but you do not remember. (4.05) Though I am eternal, immutable, and the Lord of all beings, yet I manifest myself by controlling My own material Nature, using My divine potential energy (Yoga-Māyā). (See also 10.14) (4.06) Whenever there is a decline of Dharma (Righteousness) and a predominance of Adharma (Unrighteousness), O Arjuna, then I manifest Myself. I appear from time to time for protecting the good, for transforming the wicked, and for establishing world order (Dharma). (4.07-08) The one who truly understands My transcendental appearance and activities (of creation, maintenance, and dissolution), attains My supreme abode and is not born again after leaving this body, O Arjuna. (4.09) Many have become free from attachment, fear, anger, and attained salvation (Mukti) by taking refuge in Me, becoming fully absorbed in My thoughts, and becoming purified by the fire of Self-knowledge. (4.10)

Path of worship and prayer

With whatever motive people worship Me, I fulfill their desires accordingly. People worship Me with different motives. (4.11) Those who long for success in their work here on the earth worship the celestial controllers. Success in work comes quickly in this human world. (4.12) The four divisions— based on aptitude and vocation— of human society were created by Me. Though I am the author of this system of the division of labor, one should know that I do nothing and I am eternal. (See also 18.41) (4.13) Work or Karma does not bind Me, because I have no desire for the fruits of work. The one who fully understands and practices this truth is also not bound by Karma. (4.14) The ancient seekers of liberation also performed their duties with this understanding. Therefore, you should do your duty as the ancients did. (4.15)

Attached, detached, and

forbidden action

Even the wise ones are confused about what is action and what is inaction. Therefore, I shall clearly explain what is action, knowing that one shall be liberated from the evil of birth and death. (4.16) The true nature of action is very difficult to understand. Therefore, one should know the nature of attached (or selfish) action, the nature of detached (or selfless) action, and also the nature of forbidden action. (4.17)

A Karma-yogi is not subject to

the Kārmic laws

The one who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is a wise person. Such a person is a Yogi and has accomplished everything. (See also 3.05, 3.27, 5.08 and 13.29) (4.18) (To see inaction in action and vice versa is to understand that the Lord does all the work indirectly through His power by using us. He is the inactive actor. We are actively inactive because we cannot do anything without the flow of His power. Therefore, we are not the doer, just an instrument in His hands.) A person, whose desires have become selfless by being roasted in the fire of Self-knowledge, is called a sage by the wise. (4.19) The one who has abandoned attachment to the fruits of work, and remains ever content and dependent on no one but God, such a person— though engaged in activity— does nothing at all and incurs no Kārmic reaction, good or bad. (4.20) The one who is free from desires, whose mind and senses are under control, and who has renounced all proprietorship, does not incur sin— the Kārmic reaction— by doing bodily action. (4.21) Content with whatever gain comes naturally by His will, unaffected by pairs of opposites, free from envy, calm in success and failure, though engaged in work, such a Karma-yogi is not bound by Karma. (4.22) The one who is free from attachment, whose mind is fixed in Self-knowledge, who does work as a service (Sevā) to the Lord, all Kārmic bonds of such a philanthropic person (Karma-yogi) dissolve away. (4.23) Brahma, the eternal Being, shall be realized by the one who considers everything as a manifestation or an act of Brahma. (Also see 9.16) (4.24)

Different types of spiritual practices

Some Yogis perform the service of worship to celestial controllers (Devas, guardian angels), while others study scriptures for Self-knowledge. Some restrain their senses and give up their sensual pleasures. Others perform breathing and other yogic exercises. Some give charity and offer their wealth as a sacrifice. (4.25-28) Those who are engaged in yogic practices, reach the breathless state of trance (Samādhi) by offering inhalation into exhalation and exhalation into inhalation as a sacrifice by using yogic techniques. (4.29) Others restrict their diet and offer their inhalations as sacrifice into their inhalations. All these people are the knowers of sacrifice, and are purified by their sacrifice. (4.30) Those who perform selfless service obtain the nectar of Self-knowledge as a result of their sacrifice and attain the Eternal Being. O Arjuna, even this world is not a happy place for the non-sacrificer, how can the other world be? (See also 4.38, and 5.06). (4.31) Many types of spiritual disciplines are described in the Vedas. Know them all to be born from Karma or the action of body, mind, and senses. Knowing this, you shall attain salvation (Moksha, Nirvāna). (See also 3.14) (4.32)

Acquiring transcendental knowledge is a superior spiritual practice

The acquisition and propagation of Self-knowledge are superior to any material gain or gift, O Arjuna. Because all actions in their entirety culminate in knowledge. (4.33) Acquire this transcendental knowledge from a Self-realized person by humble reverence, by sincere inquiry, and by service. The wise ones who have realized the Truth will teach you. (4.34) After knowing the Truth, O Arjuna, you shall not again become deluded like this. By this knowledge you shall behold the entire creation (first) within Me, the Supreme Being, then within your own higher Self (and then see Me alone in everything). (4.35) Even if one is the most sinful of all sinners, one shall yet cross over the ocean of sin by the raft of Self-knowledge alone. (4.36) As the blazing fire reduces wood to ashes; similarly, the fire of Self-knowledge reduces all bonds of Karma to ashes, O Arjuna. (4.37)

Transcendental Knowledge is revealed to a Karma-yogi

In truth, there is no purifier in this world like the true knowledge of the Supreme Being. One who becomes purified by Karma-yoga discovers this knowledge within, naturally, in course of time. (See also 4.31, and 5.06, 18.78) (4.38) The one who has faith and is sincere in yogic practices and has control over the senses, gains this transcendental knowledge. Having gained this knowledge, one at once attains supreme peace. (4.39) The irrational, the faithless, and the disbeliever (atheist) perish or take repeated birth and death. There is neither this world, nor the world beyond, nor happiness for the disbeliever. (4.40)

Both transcendental knowledge and Karma-yoga are needed for Nirvāna

Work (Karma) does not bind a person who has renounced work by renouncing the fruits of work, and whose doubts about the Self are completely destroyed by Self-knowledge, O Arjuna. (4.41) Therefore, cut the ignorance-born doubt (about the Supreme Being) abiding in your mind by the sword of Self-knowledge, resort to Karma-yoga, and get up for the war, O Arjuna. (4.42)

5. PATH OF RENUNCIATION

Arjuna said: O Krishna, You praise transcendental knowledge and also performance of selfless service. Tell me, definitely, which one is the better of the two. (See also 5.05) (5.01) The Supreme Lord said: The path of Self-knowledge and the path of selfless service both lead to the supreme goal. But, of the two, selfless service is superior to Self-knowledge. (5.02) A person should be considered a true Samnyāsi (renunciant) who neither likes nor dislikes. One is easily liberated from Kārmic bondage by becoming free from the pairs of opposites, O Arjuna. (5.03)

Both paths lead to the Supreme

The ignorant— not the wise— consider the path of Self-knowledge (or renunciation) and the path of selfless service (Karma-yoga) as different from each other. The person who has truly mastered one, gets the benefits of both. (5.04) Whatever goal a Samnyāsi reaches, a Karma-yogi also reaches the same goal. Therefore, the one who sees the path of renunciation and the path of unselfish work as the same, really sees. (See also 6.01 and 6.02) (5.05) But, true renunciation, O Arjuna, is difficult to attain without Karma-yoga. A sage equipped with Karma-yoga quickly attains Brahma. (See also 4.31, and 4.38) (5.06) A Karma-yogi whose mind is pure, whose mind and senses are under control, and who sees one and the same Eternal Being in all beings, is not bound by Karma though engaged in work. (5.07)

A Karma-yogi works for God

The wise (or Samnyāsi) who knows the truth thinks: "I do nothing at all". In seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, eating, walking, sleeping, breathing; and speaking, giving, taking, as well as opening and closing the eyes, a Samnyāsi believes that only the senses are operating upon their objects. (See also 3.27, 13.29, and 14.19) (5.08-09) One who does all work as an offering to the Lord— abandoning attachment to the results— remains untouched by Kārmic reaction or sin as a lotus leaf never gets wet by water. (5.10) The Karma-yogis perform action— without attachment— with their body, mind, intellect, and senses only for the sake of self-purification. (5.11) A Karma-yogi attains Supreme Bliss by abandoning attachment to the fruits of work; while others, who are attached to the fruits of work, become bound by work. (5.12)

The path of Self-knowledge

A person who has completely renounced the fruits of all works, lives happily, neither performing nor directing any action. (5.13) The Lord neither creates the urge for action, nor the feeling of doership, nor the attachment to the results of action in people. All these are done by the powers of Nature. (5.14) The Lord does not take the responsibility for the good or evil deeds of anybody. The Self-knowledge becomes covered by the veil of ignorance; thereby people become deluded (and do evil deeds). (5.15) Transcendental knowledge destroys the ignorance of the Self and reveals the Supreme, just as the sun reveals the beauty of objects of the world. (5.16) Persons whose mind and intellect are totally merged in Brahma (Eternal Being), who are firmly devoted to Brahma, who have Brahma as their supreme goal and sole refuge, and whose impurities are destroyed by the knowledge of Brahma, do not take birth again. (5.17)

Additional marks of an

enlightened person

An enlightened person (by perceiving the Lord in all) looks at a learned and humble priest, an outcast, even a cow, an elephant, or a dog with an equal eye. (See also 6.29) (5.18) Everything has been accomplished in this very life by the one whose mind is set in equality. Such a person has realized the Eternal Being because the Eternal Being is flawless and impartial. (See also 18.55) (5.19) One who neither rejoices on obtaining what is pleasant, nor grieves on obtaining the unpleasant, who has a steady mind, who is undeluded, and who is a knower of Eternal Being, such a person eternally abides with Eternal Being. (5.20) Such a person who is in union with the Eternal Being becomes unattached to external sensual pleasures by discovering the joy of the Self through contemplation, and enjoys transcendental bliss. (5.21) Sensual pleasures are, in truth, the source of misery, and have a beginning and an end. Therefore the wise, O Arjuna, do not rejoice in sensual pleasures. (See also 18.38) (5.22) One who is able to withstand the impulse of lust and anger before death is a yogi, and a happy person. (5.23) One who finds happiness with the Eternal Being, who rejoices Eternal Being (Brahma) within, and who is illuminated by Self-knowledge; such a yogi attains Brahma-Nirvāna, and goes to the Supreme Being. (5.24) Seers whose sins (or imperfections) are destroyed, whose doubts have been dispelled by Self-knowledge, whose minds are disciplined, and who are engaged in the welfare of all beings, attain the Supreme Being. (5.25) They who are free from lust and anger, who have subdued the mind and senses, and who have known the Self, easily attain Brahma-Nirvāna. (5.26)

The third path— the path of devotional meditation and contemplation

A sage is, in truth, liberated by renouncing all sense enjoyments, fixing the mind between the eye brows, equalizing the breath moving through the nostrils, keeping the senses, mind, and intellect under control, having salvation (Mukti) as the prime goal, and becoming free from lust, anger, and fear. (5.27-28) My devotee attains peace by knowing Me (or Krishna, the Supreme Being) as the enjoyer of sacrifices and austerities, as the great Lord of all the universe, and the friend of all beings. (5.29)

6. PATH OF MEDITATION

A Karma-yogi is also a renunciant

The Supreme Lord said: One who performs the prescribed duty without seeking its fruit (for personal enjoyment) is a renunciant (Samnyāsi) and a Karma-yogi. One does not become Samnyāsi merely by not lighting the fire, and one does not become a yogi merely by abstaining from work. (6.01) O Arjuna, what they call renunciation (Samnyāsa) is also known as Karma-yoga. No one becomes a Karma-yogi who has not renounced the selfish motive behind an action. (See also 5.01, 5.05, 6.01, and 18.02) (6.02)

A definition of yoga and yogi

For the wise who seeks to attain yoga (of meditation, or the calmness of mind), Karma-yoga is said to be the means. For the one who has attained yoga, the calmness becomes the means of Self-realization. A person is said to have attained yogic perfection when he or she has no desire for sensual pleasures or attachment to the fruits of work, and has renounced all personal selfish motives. (6.03-04)

Mind is both a friend and an enemy

One must elevate— and not degrade— oneself by one’s own mind. The mind alone is one’s friend as well as one’s enemy. The mind is the friend of those who have control over it, and the mind acts like an enemy for those who do not control it. (6.05-06) One who has control over the lower self— the mind and senses— is tranquil in heat and cold, in pleasure and pain, and in honor and dishonor, and remains ever steadfast with the supreme Self. (6.07) A person is called yogi who has both Self-knowledge and Self-realization, who is calm, who has control over the mind and senses, and to whom a clod, a stone, and gold are the same. (6.08) A person is considered superior who is impartial towards companions, friends, enemies, neutrals, arbiters, haters, relatives, saints, and sinners. (6.09)

Techniques of meditation

A yogi, seated in solitude and alone, should constantly try to contemplate the Supreme Being after bringing the mind and senses under control, and becoming free from desires and proprietorship. (6.10) One should sit on his or her own firm seat that is neither too high nor too low, covered with sacred Kusha grass, a deerskin, and a cloth, one over the other, in a clean spot. Sitting there in a comfortable position and concentrating the mind on God, controlling the thoughts and the activities of the senses, one should practice meditation for self-purification. (6.11-12) One should sit by holding the waist, spine, chest, neck, and head erect, motionless and steady; fix the eyes and the mind steadily in front of the nostrils, without looking around; make your mind serene and fearless; practice celibacy; have the mind under control; think of Me; and have Me as the supreme goal. (See also 4.29, 5.27, 8.10, and 8.12) (6.13-14) Thus, by always practicing to keep the mind fixed on Me, the yogi whose mind is subdued attains peace of Brahma-Nirvāna and comes to Me. (6.15)

This yoga is not possible, O Arjuna, for the one who eats too much or who does not eat at all; who sleeps too much or who keeps awake. (6.16) But for the one who is moderate in eating, recreation, working, sleeping, and waking, the yoga of meditation destroys all sorrow. (6.17) A person is said to have achieved yoga, the union with the Eternal Being, when the perfectly disciplined mind becomes free from all desires and gets completely united with Brahma in Samādhi (trance). (6.18) A lamp in a spot sheltered (by the Eternal Being) from the wind (of desires) does not flicker; this simile is used for the subdued mind of a yogi, practicing meditation on the Eternal Being. (6.19)

When the mind, disciplined by the practice of meditation, becomes steady, one becomes content with the Eternal Being by beholding Him with purified intellect. (6.20) One feels infinite bliss that is perceivable only through the intellect and is beyond the reach of the senses. After realizing the Eternal Being, one is never separated from the Absolute Reality. (6.21) After Self-realization (SR), one does not regard any other gain superior to SR. Established in SR, one is not moved even by the greatest calamity. (6.22) The state of severance of union with sorrow is called yoga. This yoga should be practiced with firm determination and without any mental reservation. (6.23) One gradually attains tranquility of mind by totally abandoning all desires, completely restraining the senses from the sense objects by the intellect, keeping the mind fully absorbed in the Eternal Being by means of a well-trained and purified intellect, and thinking of Me. (6.24-25) Wheresoever this restless and unsteady mind wanders away during meditation, one should just witness it under the watchful eye (or supervision) of the self. (6.26)

Who is a yogi?

Supreme bliss comes to a Self-realized yogi, whose mind is tranquil, whose desires are under control, and who is free from sin (or faults). (6.27) Such a sinless yogi, who constantly engages his or her mind and intellect with the Eternal Being, easily enjoys the infinite bliss of contact with Brahma. (6.28) Because of perceiving the omnipresent Eternal Being abiding in all beings, and all beings abiding in the Eternal Being; a yogi, who is in union with the Eternal Being, sees every being with an equal eye. (See also 4.35, 5.18) (6.29) Those who perceive Me in everything and behold everything in Me, are not separated from Me, and I am not separated from them. (6.30) The non-dualists, who adore Me as abiding in all beings, abide in Me irrespective of their mode of living. (6.31) One is considered the best yogi who regards every being like oneself and who can feel the pain and pleasures of others as one’s own, O Arjuna. (6.32)

Two methods to subdue the mind

Arjuna said: O Krishna, You have said that the yoga of meditation is characterized by the calmness of mind, but due to restlessness of mind, I do not perceive the steady state of mind. Because the mind, indeed, is very unsteady, turbulent, powerful, and obstinate, O Krishna. I think restraining the mind is as difficult as restraining the wind. (6.33-34) The Supreme Lord said: Undoubtedly, O Arjuna, the mind is restless and difficult to restrain, but it is subdued by constant vigorous spiritual practice with perseverance, and by detachment, O Arjuna. (6.35) In My opinion, yoga is difficult for the one whose mind is not subdued. However, yoga is attainable by the person of subdued mind by striving through proper means. (6.36)

Destination of unsuccessful yogi

Arjuna said: The faithful who deviates from the path of meditation and fails to attain yogic perfection due to unsubdued mind— what is the destination of such a person, O Krishna? (6.37) Does he not perish like a dispersing cloud, O Krishna, having lost both (Yoga and Bhoga, the heavenly and worldly pleasures), supportless and bewildered on the path of Self-realization? (6.38) O Krishna, only You are able to completely dispel this doubt of mine because there is none, other than You, who can dispel this doubt. (See also 15.15) (6.39) The Supreme Lord said: There is no destruction, O Arjuna, for a yogi either here or hereafter. A transcendentalist is never put to grief, My dear friend. (6.40)

The unsuccessful yogi is reborn in the house of the pious and prosperous after attaining heaven and living there for many years, or such a yogi is born in a family of enlightened yogis. A birth like this is very difficult, indeed, to obtain in this world. (6.41-42) There he or she regains the knowledge acquired in the previous life and strives again to achieve perfection, O Arjuna. (6.43) The unsuccessful yogi is instinctively carried towards the Eternal Being by virtue of the impressions (Samskāra) of yogic practices of previous lives. Even the inquirer of yoga— the union with God— surpasses those who perform Vedic rituals. (6.44) The yogi who diligently strives, becomes completely free from all sins (or imperfections) after gradually perfecting through many incarnations, and reaches the Supreme Abode. (6.45)

Who is the best yogi?

The yogi is superior to the ascetics. The yogi is superior to the (Vedic) scholars. The yogi is superior to the ritualists. Therefore, O Arjuna, be a yogi. (6.46) I consider the yogi-devotee— who lovingly contemplates Me with supreme faith, and whose mind is ever absorbed in Me— to be the best of all the yogis. (See also 12.02 and 18.66) (6.47)

7. KNOWLEDGE AND ENLIGHTENMENT

The Supreme Lord said: O Arjuna, listen how you shall know Me fully without any doubt, with your mind absorbed in Me, taking refuge in Me, and performing yogic practices. (7.01) I shall impart you Self-knowledge, together with enlightenment, after comprehending that nothing more remains to be known in this world. (7.02) Scarcely one out of thousands of persons strives for perfection of Self-realization. Scarcely one among those successful strivers truly understands Me. (7.03)

Definitions of matter, consciousness,

and spirit

The mind, intellect, ego, ether, air, fire, water, and earth are the eightfold transformation (or division) of My material energy (Prakriti). (See also 13.05) (7.04) The material energy is My lower Nature. My other higher Nature is Spirit (Purusha) by which this entire universe is sustained, O Arjuna. (7.05) Know that all creatures have evolved from this twofold energy; and I— the Supreme Being (ParaBrahma, Krishna)— am the source of origin, as well as dissolution of the entire universe. (See also 13.26) (7.06)

The Supreme spirit is the

basis of everything

There is nothing higher than Me, O Arjuna. Everything in the universe is strung on Me, the Supreme Being, like jewels are strung on the thread (of a necklace). (7.07) O Arjuna, I am the sapidity in the water, I am the radiance in the sun and the moon, the sacred syllable ‘OM’ in all the Vedas, the sound in the ether, and potency in human beings. I am the sweet fragrance in the earth. I am the heat in the fire, the life in all living beings, and the austerity in the ascetics. (7.08-09) O Arjuna, know Me to be the eternal seed of all creatures. I am the intelligence of the intelligent and the brilliance of the brilliant. (See also 9.18 and 10.39). I am the strength of the strong who is devoid of lust and attachment. I am lust (Cupid) in human beings that is in accord with righteousness (Dharma) (for the sacred and sole purpose of procreation after marriage), O Arjuna. (7.10-11) Know that three modes (Gunas) of material Nature— goodness, passion, and ignorance— also emanate from Me. I am not dependent on, or affected by, the Gunas, but the Gunas are dependent on Me. (See also 9.04 and 9.05) (7.12) Human beings are deluded by the various aspects of these three Gunas of material Nature; therefore, they do not know Me, who is eternal and above these Gunas. (7.13)

Who seeks God?

This divine power (Māyā) of Mine, consisting of three Gunas of material Nature, is very difficult to overcome. Only those who surrender unto Me easily cross over this Māyā. (See also 14.26, 15.19, and 18.66) (7.14) The evil doers, the ignorant, the lowest persons who are attached to demonic nature and whose power of discrimination has been taken away by divine illusive power (Māyā) do not worship or seek Me. (7.15)

Four types of virtuous ones worship or seek Me, O Arjuna. They are: The distressed, the seeker of Self-knowledge, the seeker of wealth, and the enlightened one who has experienced the Supreme. (7.16) Among them the enlightened devotee, who is ever united with Me and whose devotion is single-minded, is the best, because I am very dear to the enlightened, and the enlightened is very dear to Me. (7.17) All these seekers are indeed noble, but I regard the enlightened devotee as My very Self. One who is steadfast becomes one with Me and abides in My supreme abode. (See also 9.29) (7.18) After many births the enlightened one resorts to Me by realizing that everything is, indeed, My (or Supreme Being’s) manifestation. Such a great soul is very rare. (7.19) Persons whose discernment has been carried away by various desires, impelled by their Kārmic impression (Samskāra), resort to celestial controllers and practice various religious rites. (7.20)

God can be seen in an image of any desired form of worship

Whosoever desires to worship whatever deity (using any name, form, and method) with faith, I make their faith steady in that very deity. Endowed with steady faith, they worship that deity and obtain their wishes through that deity. Those wishes are, indeed, granted only by Me. (7.21-22) Such material gains of these less intelligent human beings are temporary. The worshipers of celestial controllers go to celestial controllers, but My devotees certainly come to Me. (7.23)

The ignorant ones— unable to understand My immutable, incomparable, incomprehensible, and transcendental form (or existence)— assume that I, the Supreme Being, am formless and take forms. (7.24) Concealed by My divine power (Māyā), I do not reveal Myself to the ignorant ones, who do not know and understand My unborn, eternal, and transcendental form and personality (and consider Me formless). (7.25)

I know, O Arjuna, the beings of the past, of the present, and those of the future, but no one really knows Me. (7.26) All beings in this world are in utter ignorance due to delusion of pairs of opposites born of likes and dislikes, O Arjuna. But persons of unselfish deeds, whose Karma or sin has come to an end, become free from the delusion of pairs of opposites and worship Me with firm resolve. (7.27-28) Those who strive for freedom from the cycles of birth, old age, and death by taking refuge in Me fully comprehend Brahma (or Eternal Being), the nature of Brahma, and Karma, the power of Brahma. (7.29) The steadfast persons who know Me alone as the basis of all— mortal beings, Divine Beings, and the Supreme Being— even at the time of death, attain Me. (See also 8.04) (7.30)

8. THE ETERNAL BEING

Arjuna said: O Krishna, who is the Eternal Being? What is the nature of the Eternal Being? What is Karma? Who are the mortal beings? And who are Divine Beings? Who is the Supreme Being, and how does He dwell in the body? How can You be remembered at the time of death by those who have control over their minds, O Krishna? (8.01-02)

Definition of supreme spirit, spirit, individual soul, and Karma

The Supreme Lord said: The immutable Atmā (Spirit) is called Brahma (Eternal Being). The nature (including the inherent power of cognition and desire) of Brahma is called Adhyātma. The creative power of Brahma that causes manifestation of the living entity is called Karma. (8.03) Mortal beings are changeable. Various expansions of the Supreme Being are called Divine Beings. I, the Supreme Being reside inside the physical bodies as the supreme enjoyer and divine controller (Ishvara), O Arjuna. (8.04)

Theory of reincarnation and Karma

The one who remembers Me exclusively, even while leaving the body at the time of death, attains Me; there is no doubt about it. (8.05) Remembering whatever object one leaves the body at the end of life, one attains that object, O Arjuna, because of the constant thought of that object (one remembers that object at the end of life and achieves it). (8.06)

A simple method of God-realization

Therefore, always remember Me and do your duty. You shall certainly attain Me if your mind and intellect are ever focused on Me. (8.07) By contemplating on Me with an unwavering mind that is disciplined by the practice of meditation, one attains the Supreme Being, O Arjuna. (8.08) One who meditates on the Supreme Being— as the omniscient, the oldest, the controller, smaller than the smallest (and bigger than the biggest), the sustainer of everything, the inconceivable, the self-luminous like the sun, and as transcendental or beyond the material reality— at the time of death with steadfast mind and devotion; making the flow of bioimpulses (life forces, Prāna) rise up to the middle of two eye brows (or the sixth Chakra) by the power of yoga and holding there, attains Krishna, the Supreme Divine Person. (See also 4.29, 5.27, 6.13) (8.09-10) I shall briefly explain the process to attain the supreme abode that the knowers of the Veda call immutable; into which the ascetics, freed from attachment, enter; and desiring which, people lead a life of celibacy. (8.11)

Attain salvation by meditating on God at the time of death

When one leaves the physical body by controlling all the senses, focusing the mind on God and Prāna (life forces) in the cerebrum, engaged in yogic practice, meditating on Me and uttering OM— the sacred monosyllable sound power of Eternal Being— one attains the supreme abode. (8.12-13) I am easily attainable, O Arjuna, by that ever steadfast yogi who always thinks of Me and whose mind does not go elsewhere. (8.14) After attaining Me, the great souls do not incur rebirth in this miserable transitory world because they have attained the highest perfection. (8.15) The dwellers of all the worlds— up to and including the world of Brahmā, the creator— are subject to the miseries of repeated birth and death. But, after attaining Me, O Arjuna, one does not take birth again. (See also 9.25) (8.16)

Everything in the creation is cyclic

Those who know that the day of the creator (Brahmā) lasts one thousand Yugas (or 4.32 billion years) and that his night also lasts one thousand Yugas, they are the knowers of day and night. (8.17) All manifestations come out of the primary material Nature (Adi-Prakriti) at the arrival of the day of Brahmā, the Creative Power, and they again merge into the same at the coming of Brahmā’s night. (8.18) The same multitude of beings comes into existence again and again at the arrival of the day of the creator (Brahmā); and are annihilated, inevitably, at the arrival of Brahmā’s night. (8.19)

There is another eternal transcendental existence— higher than the changeable material Nature (Prakriti)— that does not perish when all created beings perish. This is called the Eternal Being (or Brahma). This is also said to be the supreme abode. Those who attain My supreme abode do not take birth again. (8.20-21) This supreme abode, O Arjuna, is attainable by unswerving devotion to Me, within which all beings exist and by which all this universe is pervaded. (See also 9.04 and 11.55) (8.22)

Two basic paths of departure

O Arjuna, now I shall describe different paths departing by which, after death, the yogis do or do not come back. (8.23) Passing gradually, after death, through celestial controllers of fire, light, daytime, the bright lunar fortnight, and the six months of the northern solstice of the sun, yogis who know the Self attain supreme abode (and do not come back to earth). (8.24) Passing gradually, after death, through celestial controllers of smoke, night, the dark lunar fortnight, and the six months of southern solstice of the sun, the righteous person attains heaven and comes back to earth again. (8.25) The path of light (of spiritual practice and Self-knowledge) and the path of darkness (of materialism and ignorance) are thought to be the world’s two eternal paths. The former leads to salvation (Mukti, Nirvāna), and the latter leads to rebirth. (8.26)

Transcendental knowledge leads

to salvation

Knowing these two paths, O Arjuna, a yogi is not bewildered at all. Therefore, O Arjuna, be steadfast in yoga with Me at all times. (8.27) The yogi who knows all this goes beyond getting the benefits of the study of the Vedas, performance of sacrifices, austerities, and charities, and attains My Supreme Eternal Abode. (8.28)

9. SUPREME KNOWLEDGE AND

THE BIG MYSTERY

The Supreme Lord said: I shall reveal to you, who do not disbelieve, the most profound, secret, transcendental knowledge, together with transcendental experience. Knowing this, you will be freed from the miseries of worldly existence. (9.01)

Knowledge of the nature of the supreme is the biggest mystery

This Self-knowledge is the king of all knowledge, is the most secret, is very sacred, can be perceived by instinct, conforms to righteousness (Dharma), is very easy to practice, and is timeless. (9.02) O Arjuna, those who have no faith in this knowledge do not attain Me and follow the cycles of birth and death. (9.03) This entire universe is an expansion of Mine. All beings depend on Me. I do not depend on them (because I am the highest of all). (See also 7.12) (9.04) Look at the power of My divine mystery; in reality, I— the sustainer and creator of all beings— do not depend on them, and they also do not depend on Me. (9.05) (Like a gold chain depends on gold, and the milk products depend on milk. In fact, the gold chain does not depend on gold; the chain is nothing but gold. Similarly, matter and energy are different as well as non-different). Perceive that all beings remain in Me (without any contact or without producing any effect) as the mighty wind, moving everywhere, eternally remains in space. (9.06)

The theory of evolution and involution

All beings merge into My Adi-Prakriti (primary material Nature) at the end of a cycle of just over 311 trillion solar years, O Arjuna, and I create them again at the beginning of the next cycle. (See also 8.17) (9.07) I create the entire multitude of beings again and again with the help of My material Nature. These beings are under control of the modes of material Nature. (9.08) These acts of creation do not bind Me, O Arjuna, because I remain indifferent and unattached to those acts. (9.09) The divine kinetic energy (Māyā)— with the help of material Nature— creates all animate and inanimate objects under My supervision; thus, the creation keeps on going, O Arjuna. (See also 14.03) (9.10)

The ways of the wise and of

the ignorant

Ignorant persons despise Me when I appear in human form because they do not know My transcendental nature as the great Lord of all beings (and take Me for an ordinary human), and they have false hopes, false actions, false knowledge, and delusive qualities (See 16.04-18) of fiends and demons (and are unable to recognize Me). (9.11-12) But great souls, O Arjuna, who possess divine qualities (See 16.01-03), know Me as immutable, as the material and efficient cause of creation, and worship Me single-mindedly with loving devotion. (9.13) Persons of firm resolve worship Me with ever steadfast devotion by always singing My glories, striving to attain Me, and prostrating before Me with devotion. (9.14) Some worship Me by acquiring and propagating Self-knowledge. Others worship the infinite as the One in all (or non-dual), as the master of all (or dual), and in various other ways. (9.15)

Everything is a manifestation

of the Absolute

I am the ritual, I am the sacrifice, I am the offering, I am the herb, I am the mantra, I am the clarified butter, I am the fire, and I am the oblation. (See also 4.24). I am the supporter of the universe, the father, the mother, and the grandfather. I am the object of knowledge, the sacred syllable ‘OM’, and also the Rig, the Yajur, and the Sāma Vedas. I am the goal, the supporter, the Lord, the witness, the abode, the refuge, the friend, the origin, the dissolution, the foundation, the substratum, and the immutable seed. (See also 7.10 and 10.39) (9.16-18) I give heat. I send, as well as withhold, the rain. I am immortality, as well as death. I am also both the absolute and the temporal, O Arjuna. (The Supreme Being has become everything. See also 13.12) (9.19)

Attaining salvation by devotional love

The doers of the rituals prescribed in the Vedas, the drinkers of the nectar of devotion, whose sins are cleansed, worship Me by doing good deeds for gaining heaven. As a result of their meritorious deeds, they go to heaven and enjoy celestial sense pleasures. (9.20) They return to the mortal world— after enjoying the wide world of heavenly pleasures— upon exhaustion of their good Karma. Thus following the injunctions of the three Vedas, persons working for the fruit of their actions take repeated birth and death. (See also 8.25) (9.21)

I personally take care of both the spiritual and material welfare of those ever-steadfast devotees who always remember and adore Me with single-minded contemplation. (9.22) O Arjuna, even those devotees who worship the deities with faith, they also worship Me, but in an improper way. (9.23) Because I— the Supreme Being— alone am the enjoyer of all sacrificial services (Yajna) and Lord of the universe. But people do not know My true, transcendental nature. Therefore, they fall (into the repeated cycles of birth and death). (9.24) Worshippers of the deities go to the deities; worshippers of ancestors go to the ancestors, and worshippers of the ghosts go to the ghosts; but My devotees come to Me (and are not born again). (See also 8.16) (9.25)

The Lord accepts and eats the offering of love and devotion

Whosoever offers Me a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water with devotion, I accept and eat the offering of devotion by the pure-hearted. (9.26) O Arjuna, whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer as oblation to the sacred fire, whatever charity you give, whatever austerity you perform, do all that as an offering unto Me. (See also 12.10, 18.46) (9.27) You shall become free from the bondage— good and bad— of Karma by this attitude of complete renunciation (Samnyāsa-yoga). Becoming liberated, you shall come to Me. (9.28)

There is no unforgivable sinner

The Self is present equally in all beings. There is no one hateful or dear to Me. But those who worship Me with love and devotion are very close to Me, and I am also very close to them. (See also 7.18) (9.29) If even the most sinful person resolves to worship Me with single-minded, loving devotion, such a person must be regarded as a saint because of making the right resolution. (9.30) Such a person soon becomes righteous and attains everlasting peace. Be aware, O Arjuna, that My devotee shall never perish or fall down. (9.31)

The path of devotional love is easier

Anybody— including women, merchants, laborers, and the evil-minded— can attain the supreme abode by just surrendering unto My will with loving devotion, O Arjuna. (See also 18.66) (9.32) It should then be very easy for holy priests and devout royal sages to attain the Supreme Being. Therefore, having obtained this joyless and transitory human life, one should always worship Me with loving devotion. (9.33) Fix your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me, and bow down to Me. Thus uniting yourself with Me by setting Me as the supreme goal and the sole refuge, you shall certainly come to Me. (9.34)

10. MANIFESTATION OF GOD

The Supreme Lord said: O Arjuna, listen once again to My supreme word that I shall speak to you, who are very dear to Me, for your welfare. (10.01)

God is the origin of everything

Neither the celestial controllers (Devas), nor the great sages know My origin because I am the origin of all Devas and great sages also. (10.02) One who knows Me as the unborn, the beginningless, and the Supreme Lord of the universe, is considered wise among the mortals and becomes liberated from the bondage of Karma. (10.03) Discrimination, Self-knowledge, non-delusion, forgiveness, truthfulness, control over the mind and senses, tranquility, pleasure, pain, birth, death, fear, fearlessness, nonviolence, calmness, contentment, austerity, charity, fame, ill fame— these diverse qualities in human beings arise from Me alone. (10.04-05) The seven great sages, four Sanakas, and fourteen Manus, from whom all the creatures of the world were born, originated from My potential energy. (10.06)

One who truly understands My manifestations and yogic powers, is united with Me by unswerving devotion. There is no doubt about it. (10.07) I am the origin of all. Everything emanates from Me. Understanding this, the wise adore Me with love and devotion. (10.08) My devotees remain ever content and delighted. Their minds remain absorbed in Me and their lives surrendered unto Me. They always enlighten each other by talking about Me. (10.09)

God gives knowledge to His devotees

I give knowledge and understanding of metaphysical science— to those who are ever united with Me and lovingly adore Me— by which they come to Me. (10.10) I, who dwell within their inner psyche as consciousness, destroy the darkness born of ignorance by the shining lamp of transcendental knowledge as an act of compassion for them. (10.11) Arjuna said: You are the Supreme Being, the Supreme Abode, the Supreme Purifier, the Eternal Divine Being, the primal God, the unborn, and the omnipresent. All sages have thus acclaimed You. The divine sage Nārada, Asita, Devala, Vyāsa, and You Yourself tell me that. (10.12-13)

Nobody can know the real nature

of Reality

O Krishna, I believe all that You have told me to be true. O Lord, neither the celestial controllers nor the demons fully understand Your real nature. (See also 4.06) (10.14) O Creator and Lord of all beings, God of all celestial rulers, Supreme person, and Lord of the universe, You alone know Yourself by Yourself. (10.15) Therefore, You alone are able to fully describe Your own divine glories— the manifestations— by which You exist pervading all the universes. (10.16) How may I know You, O Lord, by constant contemplation? In what form of manifestation am I to think of You, O Lord? (10.17) O Lord, explain to me again, in detail, Your yogic power and glory because I am not satiated by hearing Your nectar-like words. (10.18)

Everything is a manifestation of

the Absolute

The Supreme Lord said: O Arjuna, now I shall explain to you My prominent divine manifestations because My manifestations are endless. (10.19) O Arjuna, I am the Spirit abiding in the inner psyche of all beings. I am also the beginning, the middle, and the end of all beings. (10.20) I am the sustainer, I am the radiant sun among the luminaries, I am the supernatural controllers of wind, I am the moon among the stars. (10.21) I am the Vedas, I am the celestial rulers, I am the mind among the senses, I am the consciousness in living beings. (10.22) I am Lord Shiva, I am the god of wealth, I am the god of fire, and the mountains. (10.23) I am the priest and the army general of the celestial controllers, O Arjuna. I am the ocean among the bodies of water. (10.24) I am sage Bhrigu among the great sages; I am the monosyllable cosmic sound, OM, among the words; I am the silent repetition of mantra (Japa) among the spiritual disciplines; and I am the Himalaya among the mountains. (10.25)

A brief description of divine

manifestations

I am the holy fig tree among the trees, Nārada among the sages, and I am all other celestial rulers. (10.26) Know Me as the celestial animal among the animals and the King among men. I am the thunderbolt among weapons, and I am Cupid for procreation. (10.27-28) I am the water god and the manes. I am the controller of death. I was that great devotee of Mine, Prahlāda. I am death among the healers, lion among the beasts, and the king of birds among birds. (10.29-30) I am the wind among the purifiers and Lord Rāma among the warriors. I am the crocodile among the sea creatures and the holy Gangā river among the rivers. (10.31)

I am the beginning, the middle, and the end of all creation, O Arjuna. Among knowledge I am knowledge of the supreme Self. I am logic of the logician. (10.32) I am the letter ‘A’ among the alphabets. I am the dual compound among the compound words. I am the endless time. I am the sustainer of all, and have faces on all sides (or I am omniscient). (10.33) I am the all-devouring death and also the origin of future beings. I am the seven goddesses or guardian angels presiding over the seven qualities— fame, prosperity, speech, memory, intellect, resolve, and forgiveness. (10.34) I am Brihatsāma among the Vedic hymns. I am Gāyatri mantra among the Vedic mantras. I am November-December among the months, I am the spring among the seasons. (10.35)

I am gambling of the cheats, splendor of the splendid, victory of the victorious, resolution of the resolute, and goodness of the good. (10.36)

I am Krishna among the Vrishni family, Arjuna among the Pāndavas, Vyāsa among the sages, and Ushanā among the poets. (10.37) I am the power of rulers, the statesmanship of the seekers of victory, I am silence among the secrets, and the Self-knowledge of the knowledgeable. (10.38) I am the origin of all beings, O Arjuna. There is nothing, animate or inanimate, that can exist without Me. (See also 7.10 and 9.18) (10.39)

The manifest creation is a very small fraction of the Absolute

There is no end of My divine manifestations, O Arjuna. This is only a brief description by Me of the extent of My divine manifestations. (10.40) Whatever is endowed with glory, brilliance, and power— know that to be a manifestation of a very small fraction of My splendor. (10.41) What is the need for this detailed knowledge, O Arjuna? I continually support the entire universe by a small fraction of My divine power (Yoga-Māyā). (10.42)

11. VISION OF THE COSMIC FORM

Arjuna said: My illusion is dispelled by the profound words of wisdom You spoke out of compassion for me about the supreme secret of Eternal Being. (11.01) O Krishna, I have heard from You in detail about the origin and dissolution of beings and Your immutable glory. (11.02)

The vision of God is the ultimate

aim of a seeker

O Lord, You are as You have said, yet I wish to see Your divine cosmic form, O Supreme Being. (11.03) O Lord, if You think it is possible for me to see Your universal form, then, O Lord of the yogis, show me Your transcendental form. (11.04) The Supreme Lord said: O Arjuna, behold My hundreds and thousands of multifarious divine forms of different colors and shapes. Behold all the celestial beings and many wonders never seen before. Also behold the entire creation— animate, inanimate, and whatever else you would like to see— all at one place in My body. (11.05-07) But you are not able to see Me with your physical eye; therefore, I give you the divine eye to see My majestic power and glory. (11.08)

Lord Krishna shows His cosmic form

Sanjaya said: O King, having said this, Lord Krishna, the great Lord of the mystic power of yoga, revealed His supreme majestic form to Arjuna. (11.09) Arjuna saw the Universal Form of the Lord with many mouths and eyes, and many marvelous visions with numerous divine ornaments, holding many divine weapons, wearing divine garlands and apparel, anointed with celestial perfumes and ointments, full of all wonders— the limitless God with faces on all sides. (11.10-11) If the splendor of thousands of suns were to blaze forth all at once in the sky, even that would not resemble the splendor of that exalted being. (11.12) Arjuna saw the entire universe, divided in many ways, but standing as (all in) One (and One in all) in the transcendental body of Krishna, the Lord of celestial rulers. (See also 13.16, and 18.20) (11.13)

One may not be prepared or

qualified to see God

(Upon seeing the cosmic form of the Lord) Arjuna was filled with wonder; and his hairs standing on end, bowed his head to the Lord and prayed with folded hands. (11.14) Arjuna said: O Lord, I see in Your body all supernatural controllers and multitudes of beings, all sages, celestial serpents, Lord Shiva, as well as Lord Brahmā seated on the lotus. (11.15) O Lord of the universe, I see You everywhere with infinite forms, with many arms, stomachs, faces, and eyes. O Universal Form, I see neither your beginning nor the middle nor the end. (11.16) I see You with Your crown, club, discus, and massive radiance, difficult to behold, shining all around like the immeasurable brilliance and blazing fire of the sun. (11.17)

I believe You are the Supreme Being to be realized. You are the ultimate resort of the universe. You are the Eternal Being and protector of the eternal order (Dharma). (11.18) I see You with infinite power, without beginning, middle, or end; with many arms; with the sun and the moon as Your eyes; with Your mouth as a blazing fire, scorching the entire universe with Your radiance. (11.19) O Lord, the entire space between heaven and earth in all directions is pervaded by You. Seeing Your marvelous and terrible form, the three worlds are trembling with fear. (11.20) Hosts of supernatural rulers enter into You. Some with folded hands sing Your names and glories in fear. A multitude of perfected beings hail and adore You with abundant praises. (11.21) All the celestial beings amazingly gaze at You. Seeing your infinite form with many mouths, eyes, arms, thighs, feet, stomachs, and many fearful tusks; the worlds are trembling with fear, and so do I, O mighty Lord. (11.22-23)

Arjuna is frightened to see

the Cosmic form

Seeing Your effulgent and colorful form touching the sky; Your mouth wide open and large shining eyes; I am frightened and find neither peace nor courage, O Krishna. (11.24) Seeing Your mouths with fearful tusks, glowing like fires of cosmic dissolution, I lose my sense of direction and find no comfort. Have mercy on me, O Lord of celestial rulers, refuge of the universe! (11.25) All my cousin brothers, along with the hosts of other kings and warriors on the other side, together with chief warriors on our side, are also quickly entering into Your fearful mouths with terrible tusks. Some are seen caught in between the tusks with their heads crushed. (11.26-27) These warriors of the mortal world are entering Your blazing mouths as many torrents of the rivers enter into the ocean. (11.28) All these people are rapidly rushing into Your mouths for destruction as moths rush with great speed into the blazing flame for destruction. (11.29) You are licking up all the worlds with Your flaming mouths, swallowing them from all sides. Your powerful radiance is filling the entire universe with effulgence and burning it, O Krishna. (11.30) Tell me who You are in such a fierce form? My salutations to You, O best of all celestial rulers, be merciful! I wish to understand You, O primal Being, because I do not know Your mission. (11.31)

We are only a divine instrument

The Supreme Lord said: I am death, the mighty destroyer of the world. I have come here to destroy all these people. Even without your participation in the war, all the warriors standing arrayed in the opposing armies shall cease to exist. (11.32) Therefore get up and attain glory. Conquer your enemies, and enjoy a prosperous kingdom. All these warriors have already been destroyed by Me. You are merely My instrument, O Arjuna. (11.33) Kill all these great warriors who are already killed by Me. Do not fear. You will certainly conquer the enemies in the battle; therefore, fight! (11.34)

Arjuna’s prayers to the Cosmic form

Sanjaya said: Having heard these words of Krishna, the crowned Arjuna, trembling with folded hands, prostrated with fear and spoke to Krishna in a choked voice. (11.35) Arjuna said: Rightly, O Krishna, the world delights and rejoices in glorifying You. Terrified demons flee in all directions. The hosts of perfected ones bow to You in adoration. (11.36) Why should they not— O great soul— bow to You, the original creator who is even greater than Brahmā, the creator of material worlds? O infinite Lord, O God of all celestial rulers, O abode of the universe, You are both Sat (eternal) and Asat (temporal), and the Supreme Being that is beyond both Sat and Asat. (See also 9.19, and 13.12) (11.37)

You are the primal God, the most ancient Person. You are the ultimate resort of all the universe. You are the knower, the object of knowledge, and the supreme abode. The entire universe is pervaded by You, O Lord of the infinite form. (11.38) You are the controller of death, the fire, the wind, the water god, the moon god, and Brahmā, the creator, as well as the father of Brahmā. Salutations to You a thousand times, and again and again salutations to You. (11.39) My salutations to You from front and from behind. O Lord, my obeisances to You from all sides. You are infinite valor and boundless might. You pervade everything; therefore, You are everywhere and in everything. (11.40)

Considering You merely as a friend, and not knowing Your greatness, I have inadvertently addressed You as O Krishna, O Yādava, O friend, etc., merely out of affection or carelessness. (11.41) In whatever way I may have insulted You in jokes while playing, reposing in bed, sitting, or at meals; when alone or in front of others, O Krishna, the immeasurable One, I implore You for forgiveness. (11.42) You are the father of this animate and inanimate world, and the greatest Guru to be worshipped. No one is even equal to You in the three worlds; how can there be one greater than You, O Being of incomparable glory? (11.43)

Therefore, O adorable Lord, I seek Your mercy by bowing down and prostrating my body before You. Bear with me as a father to his son, as a friend to a friend, and as a husband to his wife, O Lord. (11.44) I am delighted by beholding that which has never been seen before, and yet my mind is tormented with fear. Therefore, O God of celestial rulers, the refuge of the universe, have mercy on me and show me Your four-armed form. (11.45)

One may see God in any form

I wish to see You with a crown, holding mace and discus in Your hand. Therefore, O Lord, with thousand arms and universal form, please appear in the four-armed form. (11.46) The Supreme Lord said: O Arjuna, being pleased with you I have shown you— through My own yogic powers— this particular, supreme, shining, universal, infinite, and primal form of Mine that has never been seen before by anyone other than you. (11.47) O Arjuna, neither by study of the Vedas, nor by sacrifice, nor by charity, nor by rituals, nor by severe austerities, can I be seen in this cosmic form by anyone other than you in this human world. (11.48)

Do not be perturbed and confused by seeing such a terrible form of Mine as this. With fearless and cheerful mind, now behold My four-armed form. (11.49) Sanjaya said: After speaking like this to Arjuna, Krishna revealed His four-armed form. And then assuming His pleasant human form, Lord Krishna, the Great One, consoled Arjuna who was terrified. (11.50) Arjuna said: O Krishna, seeing this lovely human form of Yours, I have now become tranquil and I am normal again. (11.51)

God can be seen by devotional love

The Supreme Lord said: This (four-armed) form of Mine that you have seen is very difficult, indeed, to see. Even celestial controllers are ever longing to see this form. (11.52) This four-armed form of Mine that you have just seen cannot be seen even by study of the Vedas, or by austerity, or by acts of charity, or by the performance of rituals. (11.53) However, through single-minded devotion alone, I can be seen in this form, can be known in essence, and also can be reached, O Arjuna. (11.54) One who dedicates all works to Me, and to whom I am the supreme goal, who is my devotee, who has no attachment, and is free from enmity towards any being— attains Me, O Arjuna. (See also 8.22) (11.55)

12. PATH OF DEVOTION

Should one worship a personal or an impersonal God?

Arjuna said: Which of these has the best knowledge of yoga— those ever-steadfast devotees who thus worship You (as Krishna, Your personal aspect), or those who worship Your impersonal aspect, the Eternal Being? (12.01) The Supreme Lord said: I consider the best yogis to be those ever steadfast devotees who worship with supreme faith by fixing their mind on Me as their personal god. (See also 6.47) (12.02) They also attain Me who worship the unchangeable, the inexplicable, the invisible, the omnipresent, the inconceivable, the unchanging, and the immovable Eternal Being; restraining all the senses, even minded under all circumstances, and engaged in the welfare of all creatures. (12.03-04)

Reasons for worshipping a

personal form of God

Self-realization is more difficult for those who fix their mind on the impersonal, unmanifest, Eternal Being because comprehension of the unmanifest by embodied beings is attained with difficulty. (12.05) But for those who worship Me with unswerving devotion as their personal god, offer all actions to Me, intent on Me as the Supreme, and meditate on Me; I swiftly become their savior— from the world that is the ocean of death and transmigration— whose thoughts are set on My personal form, O Arjuna. (12.06-07)

The four paths to God

Therefore, focus your mind on Me, and let your intellect dwell upon Me alone (through meditation and contemplation). Thereafter, you shall certainly attain Me. (12.08) If you are unable to focus your mind steadily on Me, then long to attain Me, O Arjuna, by practice of (any other) spiritual discipline that suits you. (12.09) If you are unable even to do any spiritual discipline, then be intent on performing your duty for Me. You shall attain perfection just by working for Me (as an instrument, just to serve and please Me, without any selfish motive). (See also 9.27, 18.46) (12.10) If you are unable to work for Me, then just surrender unto My will and renounce (the attachment to, and the anxiety for) the fruits of all work with subdued mind (by learning to accept all results, as God's grace with calmness. (12.11)

Karma-yoga is the best way

The knowledge of scriptures is better than mere ritualistic practice; meditation is better than scriptural knowledge; Tyāga, or renunciation of attachment to the fruits of work is better than meditation; peace immediately follows Tyāga. (See more on renunciation in 18.02, 18.09) (12.12)

The attributes of a devotee

One who does not hate any creature, who is friendly and compassionate, free from the notion of "I" and "my", even-minded in pain and pleasure, forgiving; and the yogi who is ever content, who has subdued the mind, whose resolve is firm, whose mind and intellect are engaged in dwelling upon Me, who is devoted to Me— is dear to Me. (12.13-14) The one by whom others are not agitated and who is not agitated by others, who is free from joy, envy, fear, and anxiety, is also dear to Me. (12.15) One who is desireless, pure, wise, impartial, and free from anxiety; who has renounced the doership in all undertakings— such a devotee is dear to Me. (12.16) One who neither rejoices nor grieves, neither likes nor dislikes, who has renounced both the good and the evil, and is full of devotion— is dear to Me. (12.17) The one who remains the same towards friend or foe, in honor or disgrace, in heat or cold, in pleasure or pain; who is free from attachment; who is indifferent to censure or praise, quiet, content with whatever one has, unattached to a place (a country, or a house), calm, and full of devotion— that person is dear to Me. (12.18-19)

One should sincerely try to develop

divine qualities

But those faithful devotees are very dear to Me who set Me as their supreme goal and follow (or just sincerely try to develop) the above mentioned nectar of moral values. (12.20)

13. CREATION AND THE CREATOR

The theory of creation

The Supreme Lord said: O Arjuna, this physical body, the miniature universe, may be called the field or creation. One who knows the creation is called the creator by the seers of truth. (13.01) O Arjuna, know Me to be the creator of all the creation. The true understanding of both the creator and the creation is considered by Me to be the transcendental (or metaphysical) knowledge. (13.02) What the creation is, what it is like, what its transformations are, where its source is, who that creator is, and what His powers are— hear all these from Me in brief. (13.03)

The seers have separately described the creation and the creator in different ways in the Vedic hymns, and also in the conclusive and convincing verses of the Brahma-Sutra. (13.04) The primary material Nature, cosmic intellect, "I" consciousness or ego, five basic elements, ten organs, mind, five sense objects; and desire, hatred, pleasure, pain, the physical body, consciousness, and resolve— thus the entire field has been briefly described with its transformations. (See also 7.04) (13.05-06)

The fourfold noble truth as

means of Nirvāna

Humility, modesty, nonviolence, forgiveness, honesty, service to guru, purity (of thought, word, and deed), steadfastness, self-control; and aversion towards sense objects, absence of ego; constant reflection on pain and suffering inherent in birth, old age, disease, and death; (13.07-08) detached attachment with family members, home, etc.; unfailing calmness upon attainment of the desirable and the undesirable; and unswerving devotion to Me through single-minded contemplation, taste for solitude, distaste for social gatherings and gossips; steadfastness in acquiring the knowledge of Eternal Being, and seeing the omnipresent Supreme Being everywhere— this is said to be (the means of) Self-knowledge. That which is contrary to this is ignorance. (13.09-11)

God can be described by parables and not in any other way

I shall fully describe the object of knowledge— knowing which one attains immortality. The beginningless Supreme Being is said to be neither eternal (Sat) nor temporal (Asat). (See also 9.19, 11.37, and 15.18) (13.12) The Eternal Being has His hands, feet, eyes, head, mouth, and ears everywhere because He is all-pervading and omnipresent. (13.13) He is the perceiver of all sense objects without the physical sense organs; unattached, and yet the sustainer of all; devoid of three modes of material Nature, and yet the enjoyer of the modes of material Nature by becoming a living entity. (13.14) He is inside as well as outside all beings, animate and inanimate. He is incomprehensible because of His subtlety. And because of His omnipresence, He is very near— residing in one’s inner psyche; as well as far away— in the Supreme Abode. (13.15) He is undivided, and yet appears to exist as if divided in beings. He, the object of knowledge, appears as: Brahmā, the creator; Vishnu, the sustainer; and Shiva, the destroyer of all beings. (See also 11.13, and 18.20) (13.16)

The Supreme Person is the source of all light. He is said to be beyond darkness (of ignorance or Māyā). He is the Self-knowledge, the object of Self-knowledge, and seated in the inner psyche (or the causal heart as consciousness (See verse 18.61)) of all beings, He is to be realized by Self-knowledge. (See also 15.06 and 15.12) (13.17) Thus the creation as well as the knowledge and the object of knowledge have been briefly described by Me. Understanding this, My devotee attains My supreme abode. (13.18)

A description of the supreme spirit, spirit, and individual soul

Know that both the material Nature and the Spiritual Being are beginningless. All manifestations and three states of mind and matter, called modes or Gunas, are born of Prakriti. Prakriti is said to be the cause of production of the physical body and the eleven organs of perception and action. Purusha (Consciousness, Spirit) is said to be the cause of experiencing pleasure and pain. (13.19-20) Purusha enjoys three modes of material Nature (Prakriti) by associating with Prakriti. Attachment to the Gunas (due to ignorance caused by previous Karma) is the cause of birth of the living entity in good and evil wombs. (13.21)

Eternal Being (Brahma, Atmā, Spirit) in the body is also called the witness, the guide, the supporter, the enjoyer, the great Lord, and also the Supreme Self. (13.22) They who truly understand Spiritual Being (Purusha) and the material Nature (Prakriti) with its three modes (Gunas) are not born again, regardless of their way of life. (13.23) Some perceive the supersoul in their inner psyche through mind and intellect that have been purified either by meditation or by metaphysical knowledge or by Karma-yoga. (13.24)

The faith alone can lead to Nirvāna

Others, however, do not know the yogas of meditation, knowledge, and work; but they perform deity worship with faith, as mentioned in the scriptures by the saints and sages. They also transcend death by virtue of their firm faith in what they have heard. (13.25) Whatever is born, animate or inanimate, know them to be born from the union of the matter and Spirit, O Arjuna. (See also 7.06) (13.26) The one who sees the same eternal Supreme Lord dwelling as Spirit equally within all mortal beings, truly sees. (13.27)

Because of beholding one and the same Lord existing equally in every being, one does not injure anybody and thereupon attains the supreme abode. (13.28) One who perceives that all works are done by the powers (Gunas) of material Nature (Prakriti) alone, and thus does not consider oneself as the doer, that person truly understands. (See also 3.27, 5.09, and 14.19) (13.29) The moment one discovers the diverse variety of beings and their ideas abiding in One and coming out from That alone, one attains the Supreme Being. (13.30)

Attributes of the spirit

Because of being beginningless and unaffectable by the three modes of material Nature, the eternal supersoul— even though dwelling in the body as a living entity— neither does anything nor becomes tainted, O Arjuna. (13.31) Just as the all-pervading space is not tainted because of its subtlety; similarly, Spirit, abiding in all bodies, is not tainted. (13.32) Just as one sun illuminates the entire world; similarly, Eternal Being illumines (or gives life to) the entire creation, O Arjuna. (13.33)

They attain the Supreme, who perceive the difference between creation (or the body) and the creator (or the Atmā) with the eye of Self-knowledge, and know the technique (by using any one of the five paths— Selfless service, Knowledge, Devotion, Meditation, and Surrender) of liberation of the living entity (Jeeva) from the trap of divine illusory energy (Māyā). (13.34)

The Vedas and Upanishads say: The Creator has become the creation.

14. THREE MODES (GUNAS) OF NATURE

The Supreme Lord said: I shall further explain to you that supreme knowledge, the best of all knowledge, knowing which all the sages have attained supreme perfection after this life. (14.01) They who have taken refuge in this transcendental knowledge attain unity with Me and are neither born at the time of creation, nor afflicted at the time of dissolution. (14.02)

All beings are born from the union of spirit and matter

My material Nature is the womb of creation wherein I place the seed of consciousness from which all beings are born, O Arjuna. (See also 9.10) (14.03) Whatever forms are produced in all different wombs, O Arjuna, the material Nature is their body-giving mother; and I am the life-giving father. (14.04)

How three modes of material nature bind the soul to the body

Goodness, passion (or activity) and ignorance (or inertia)— these three modes (or ropes, Gunas) of material Nature (Prakriti) fetter the eternal individual soul (Jeeva) to the body, O Arjuna. (14.05) Of these, the mode of goodness is illuminating and good because it is pure. It fetters the living entity by attachment to happiness and knowledge, O sinless Arjuna. (14.06) Know that the mode of passion is characterized by intense craving and is the source of desire and attachment. It binds the living entity by attachment to the fruits of work. (14.07) Know, O Arjuna, that the mode of ignorance— the deluder of living entity— is born of inertia. It binds the living entity by carelessness, laziness, and excessive sleep. (14.08) O Arjuna, the mode of goodness attaches one to happiness (of learning and knowing the Eternal Being); the mode of passion attaches to action; and the mode of ignorance attaches to negligence by covering Self-knowledge. (14.09)

Characteristics of three

modes of nature

Goodness prevails by suppressing passion and ignorance; passion prevails by suppressing goodness and ignorance; and ignorance prevails by suppressing goodness and passion, O Arjuna. (14.10) When the light of Self-knowledge illuminates all the senses (or gates) in the body, then it should be known that goodness is predominant. (14.11) O Arjuna, when passion is predominant, greed, activity, undertaking of selfish work, restlessness, excitement, etc. arise. (14.12) O Arjuna, when inertia is predominant, ignorance, inactivity, carelessness, delusion, etc. arise. (14.13)

Three modes are also the vehicles of transmigration for the individual soul

One who dies when goodness dominates goes to heaven— the pure world of knowers of the Supreme. (14.14) One who dies when passion dominates is reborn attached to action (or the utilitarian type). One who dies in ignorance is reborn as a lower creature. (14.15) The fruit of good action is said to be beneficial and pure; the fruit of passionate action is pain; and the fruit of ignorant action is laziness. (14.16) Self-knowledge arises from the mode of goodness; greed arises from the mode of passion; and negligence, delusion, and slowness of mind arise from the mode of ignorance. (14.17) They who are established in goodness go to heaven; passionate persons are reborn in the mortal world; and the ignorant, abiding in the lowest mode of ignorance, go to lower planets or hell (or take birth as lower creatures). (14.18)

Attain Nirvāna after transcending three modes of material nature

When visionaries perceive no doer other than the three modes of material Nature and know the Supreme, which is above and beyond these modes, then they attain salvation (Mukti). (See also 3.27, 5.09, and 13.29) (14.19) When one transcends (or rises above) the three modes of material Nature that create (and/or originate in) the body, one attains immortality or salvation (Mukti) and is freed from the pains of birth, old age, and death. (14.20)

The process of rising above

the three modes

Arjuna said: What are the marks of those who have transcended the three modes of material Nature, and what is their conduct? How does one transcend these three modes of material Nature, O Lord Krishna? (14.21) The Supreme Lord said: One is said to have transcended the modes of material Nature who neither hates the presence of enlightenment, activity, and delusion; nor desires for them when they are absent; who remains like a witness without being affected by the modes of material Nature; who stays firmly attached to the Lord without wavering— thinking that only the modes of material Nature are operating. (14.22-23) And one who depends on the Lord and is indifferent to pain and pleasure; to whom a clod, a stone, and gold are alike; to whom the dear and the unfriendly are alike; who is of firm mind; who is calm in censure and in praise, and indifferent to honor and disgrace; who is impartial to friend and foe; and who has renounced the sense of doership. (14.24-25)

Bonds of three modes can be

cut by devotional love

One who offers service to Me with love and unswerving devotion transcends the three modes of material Nature and becomes fit for BrahmaNirvāna. (See also 7.14 and 15.19) (14.26) Because I am the basis of the immortal Eternal Being, of everlasting order (Dharma), and of the absolute bliss. (14.27)

15. THE SUPREME PERSON

Creation is like a tree created by

the powers of Māyā

The Supreme Lord said: Sages talk about an eternal, ever changing macrocosmic tree whose root is the Supreme Being and the trunk is Brahman. The Vedic knowledge are its leaves. One who truly knows this tree is wise. (See also 10.08) (15.01) The branches of the macrocosmic tree are spread all over the cosmos. The (other microcosmic) tree (of life) on earth is nourished by the energy of material Nature; sense objects are its sprouts; and below in the human world its roots of Karmic bondage are present. (15.02)

(Both the macrocosmic universe and the microcosmic tree of life on the earth are compared to an eternal tree in verses 15.01 and 15.02, respectively.)

How to cut the tree of attachment

and attain salvation

The beginning, the end, the existence, or the real form of this tree of life is not perceptible on earth. Having cut the deep roots of this tree by the sharp ax of (Self-knowledge and) detachment, the Supreme goal should be sought, reaching which one does not come back to the mortal world again. One should be always thinking: I take refuge in that very primal person from which this primal manifestation comes forth. (15.03-04) The wise reach that eternal goal, who are free from pride and delusion, who have conquered the evil of attachment, who constantly dwell in the Supreme Self with all desires completely stilled, and who are free from dualities of pleasure and pain. (15.05) The sun does not illumine My supreme abode, nor does the moon, nor the fire. Having reached there people attain permanent liberation (Mukti) and do not come back to this temporal world again. (See also 13.17 and 15.12) (15.06)

The embodied soul is the enjoyer

The eternal individual soul in the body of living beings is, indeed, My integral part. It associates with the six sensory faculties of perception— including the mind— and activates them. (15.07) Just as the air takes aroma away from the flower; similarly, the individual soul takes out the six subtle sensory faculties (or causal and subtle bodies) from the physical body it casts off during death to the new physical body it acquires in reincarnation (by the power of Karma). (See also 2.13) (15.08) The living entity (Jeeva) enjoys sense pleasures using six sensory faculties of hearing, touch, sight, taste, smell, and mind. The ignorant cannot perceive Jeeva departing from the body, or staying in the body and enjoying sense pleasures by associating with the modes of material Nature. But those who have the eye of Self-knowledge can see it. (15.09-10) The yogis, striving for perfection, behold the living entity (Jeeva) abiding in their inner psyche (as consciousness), but the ignorant and those whose inner psyche is not pure, even though striving, do not perceive Him. (15.11)

Spirit is the essence of everything

Know the light energy to be Mine that comes from the sun and illumines the whole world and is in the moon and in fire. (See also 13.17 and 15.06) (15.12) Entering the earth, I support all beings with My energy. Becoming the sap-giving moon, I nourish all the plants. (15.13) Becoming the digestive fire, I remain in the body of all living beings. Uniting with vital life forces (Prāna and Apāna), I digest all types of food. (15.14) And I am seated in the inner psyche of all beings. Memory, Self-knowledge, and removal of doubts and wrong notions (about the Eternal Being by reasoning or in trance (Samādhi)) come from Me. I am, in truth, that which is to be known by the study of all the Vedas. I am, indeed, the author of the Vedānta and the knower of the Vedas. (See also 6.39) (15.15)

What are the supreme spirit, spirit

and the created beings?

There are two entities (or Purushas) in the cosmos: the changeable or temporal Divine Beings (Kshara Purusha), and the unchangeable Eternal Being (Brahma, Akshara Purusha). All created beings are subject to change, but the Eternal Being does not change. (15.16) The Supreme Being is beyond both the Temporal Divine Beings and the Eternal Being. He is also called the Absolute Reality or Paramātmā, who sustains both the Temporal and the Eternal by pervading everything. (15.17) Because I am beyond both the Temporal and the Eternal, therefore, I am known in this world and in the Veda as the Supreme Being (ParaBrahma, Paramātmā, Purushottama, the Absolute, Truth, Sat, Supersoul, etc.). (15.18) The wise, who truly understand Me as the Supreme Being, know everything and worship Me wholeheartedly, O Arjuna. (See also 7.14, 14.26, and 18.66) (15.19) Thus, I have explained this most secret science of Self-knowledge, O sinless Arjuna. Having understood this, one becomes enlightened; one’s all duties are accomplished; and the goal of human life is achieved, O Arjuna. (15.20)

16. DIVINE AND THE DEMONIC QUALITIES

A list of major divine qualities that should be cultivated for salvation

The Supreme Lord said: Fearlessness, purity of the inner psyche, perseverance in the yoga of Self-knowledge, charity, sense-restraint, sacrifice, study of the scriptures, austerity, honesty; nonviolence, truthfulness, absence of anger, renunciation, calmness, abstinence from malicious talk, compassion for all creatures, freedom from greed, gentleness, modesty, absence of fickleness, splendor, forgiveness, fortitude, cleanliness, absence of malice, and absence of pride— these are the (twenty-six) qualities of those endowed with divine virtues, O Arjuna. (16.01-03)

A list of demonic qualities that

should be given up

O Arjuna, the marks of those who are born with demonic qualities are: Hypocrisy, arrogance, pride, anger, harshness, and ignorance. (16.04) Divine qualities lead to salvation (Moksha); the demonic qualities are said to be for bondage. Do not grieve, O Arjuna; you are born with divine qualities. (16.05)

There are only two types of human beings: the wise and the ignorant

Basically, there are only two types or castes of human beings in this world: The divine, and the demonic. The divine has been described at length. Now hear from Me about the demonic, O Arjuna. (16.06) Persons of demonic nature do not know what to do and what not to do. They have neither purity nor good conduct nor truthfulness. (16.07) They say that the world is unreal, without a substratum, without a God, and without an order. The world is caused by sexual union of man and woman alone and nothing else. (16.08) Adhering to this wrong, atheistic view, these degraded souls— with small intellect and cruel deeds— are born as enemies for the destruction of the world. (16.09) Filled with insatiable desires, hypocrisy, pride, and arrogance; holding wrong views due to delusion; they act with impure motives, (16.10) obsessed with endless anxiety lasting until death, considering sense gratification their highest aim, and convinced that sense pleasure is everything; (16.11)

Bound by hundreds of ties of desire and enslaved by lust and anger, they strive to obtain wealth by unlawful means to fulfill sensual pleasures. They think: (16.12) This has been gained by me today; I shall fulfill this desire; I have this much wealth and will have more wealth in the future; (16.13) that enemy has been slain by me, and I shall slay others also. I am the lord. I am the enjoyer. I am successful, powerful, and happy; (16.14)

I am rich and born in a noble family. Who is equal to me? I shall perform sacrifice, I shall give charity, and I shall rejoice. (16.15) Thus deluded by ignorance, bewildered by many fancies, entangled in the net of delusion, addicted to the enjoyment of sensual pleasures, they fall into a foul hell. (16.16) Self-conceited, stubborn, filled with pride and intoxication of wealth, they perform sacrifice (charity, Yajna etc.) only in name for show, and not according to scriptural injunction. (16.17) These malicious people cling to egoism, power, arrogance, lust, and anger; and they deny My presence in their own body and in others’ bodies. (16.18)

The destiny of the ignorant

I hurl these haters, cruel, sinful, and mean people into the cycles of rebirth in the womb of demons again and again. (16.19) O Arjuna, entering the wombs of demons, birth after birth, the deluded ones sink to the lowest hell without ever attaining Me. (16.20)

Lust, anger, and greed are the

three gates to hell

Lust, anger, and greed are the three gates of hell leading to the downfall (or bondage) of the individual. Therefore, one must (learn to) give up these three. (16.21) One who is liberated from these three gates of hell, O Arjuna, does what is best and consequently attains the supreme abode. (16.22)

One must follow the scripture

One who acts under the influence of his or her desires, disobeying scriptural injunctions, neither attains perfection nor happiness nor the supreme abode. (16.23) Therefore, let the scripture be your authority in determining what should be done and what should not be done. You should perform your duty following the scriptural injunction. (16.24)

17. THREEFOLD FAITH

Arjuna said: What is the mode of devotion of those who perform spiritual practices with faith, but without following the scriptural injunctions, O Krishna? Is it in the mode of goodness, passion, or ignorance? (17.01)

Three types of faith

The Supreme Lord said: The natural faith of embodied beings is of three kinds: Goodness, passion, and ignorance. Now hear about these from Me. (17.02) O Arjuna, the faith of each is in accordance with one’s own natural disposition (that is governed by latent Kārmic impressions or Samskāra). One is known by one’s faith. One can become whatever one wants to be (if one constantly contemplates or visualizes the object of desire with deep faith in God and a burning desire). (17.03) Persons in the mode of goodness worship celestial controllers; those in the mode of passion worship supernatural rulers and demons; and those in the mode of ignorance worship ghosts and spirits. (17.04) Ignorant persons of demonic nature are those who practice severe austerities without following the prescription of the scriptures, who are full of hypocrisy and egotism, who are impelled by the force of desire and attachment, and who senselessly torture the elements in their body and also Me who dwells within the body. (17.05-06)

Three types of food

The food preferred by all of us is also of three types. So are the sacrifice, austerity, and charity. Now hear the distinction between them. (17.07) The foods that promote longevity, virtue, strength, health, happiness, and joy are juicy, smooth, substantial, and nutritious. Such foods are liked by persons in the mode of goodness. (17.08) People in the mode of passion like foods that are very bitter, sour, salty, hot, pungent, dry, and burning; and cause pain, grief, and disease. (17.09) People in the mode of ignorance like foods that are stale, tasteless, putrid, rotten, refuse, and impure (such as meat and alcohol). (17.10)

Three types of sacrifices

Selfless service, enjoined by the scriptures and performed without the desire for the fruit, with a firm belief and conviction that it is a duty, is in the mode of goodness. (17.11) Selfless service that is performed only for show and aiming for fruit, is in the mode of passion, O Arjuna. (17.12) Selfless service that is performed without following the scripture, in which no food is distributed, which is devoid of mantra, faith, and gift, is said to be in the mode of ignorance. (17.13)

Austerity of thought, word, and deed

The worship of celestial controllers, the priest, the guru, and the wise; purity, honesty, celibacy, and nonviolence— these are said to be austerity of deed. (17.14) Speech that is non-offensive, truthful, pleasant, beneficial, and is used for the regular study of scriptures is called the austerity of word. (17.15) Serenity of mind, gentleness, calmness, self-control, and purity of thought— these are called austerity of thought. (17.16)

Three types of austerity

The above mentioned threefold austerity (of thought, word, and deed), practiced by yogis with supreme faith, without a desire for the fruit, is said to be in the mode of goodness. (17.17) Austerity that is performed for gaining respect, honor, reverence, and for the sake of show, yielding an uncertain and temporary result, is said to be in the mode of passion. (17.18) Austerity performed with foolish stubbornness or with self-torture or for harming others, is said to be in the mode of ignorance. (17.19)

Three types of charity

Charity that is given at the right place and time as a matter of duty to a deserving candidate who does nothing in return, is considered to be in the mode of goodness. (17.20) Charity that is given unwillingly, or to get something in return, or to gain some fruit, is said to be in the mode of passion. (17.21) Charity that is given at a wrong place and time to unworthy persons, or without paying respect to the receiver or with ridicule, is said to be in the mode of ignorance. (17.22)

Threefold name of God

‘OM TAT SAT’ is said to be the threefold name of the Eternal Being. Persons with good qualities, the Vedas, and selfless service were created by and from Brahma in the ancient time. (17.23) Therefore, acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity prescribed in the scriptures are always commenced by uttering ‘OM’ by the knowers of the Supreme Being. (17.24) Various types of sacrifice, charity, and austerity are performed by the seekers of salvation (Moksha) by uttering ‘TAT’ (or He is all) without seeking a reward. (17.25) The word ‘SAT’ is used in the sense of Reality and goodness. The word ‘SAT’ is also used for an auspicious act, O Arjuna. (17.26) Faith in sacrifice, charity, and austerity is also called ‘SAT’. Selfless service for the sake of the Supreme is, in truth, termed as ‘SAT’. (17.27) Whatever is done without faith— whether it is sacrifice, charity, austerity, or any other act— is called ‘ASAT’. It has no value here or hereafter, O Arjuna. (17.28)

18. MOKSHA BY GIVING UP EGO

Arjuna said: I wish to know the nature of Samnyāsa and Tyāga and the difference between the two, O Lord Krishna. (18.01)

Definition of renunciation and sacrifice

The Supreme Lord said: The sages call Samnyāsa (Renunciation) the complete renunciation of work for any personal profit. The wise define Tyāga (Sacrifice) as the sacrifice of, and the freedom from attachment to the fruits of all work. (See also 5.01, 5.05, and 6.01) (18.02) Some philosophers say that all work is full of faults and should be given up, while others say that acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity should not be abandoned. (18.03)

O Arjuna, listen to My conclusion about sacrifice. Sacrifice is said to be of three types. (18.04) Acts of service, charity, and austerity should not be abandoned, but should be performed because service, charity, and austerity are the purifiers of the wise. (18.05) Even these obligatory works should be performed without attachment to the fruits. This is My definite supreme advice, O Arjuna. (18.06)

Three types of sacrifice

Giving up one's duty is not proper. The abandonment of obligatory work is due to delusion and is declared to be in the mode of ignorance. (18.07) One who abandons duty merely because it is difficult or because of fear of bodily affliction, does not get the benefits of sacrifice by performing such a sacrifice in the mode of passion. (18.08) Obligatory work performed as duty, renouncing attachment to the fruit, is alone to be regarded as sacrifice in the mode of goodness, O Arjuna. (18.09) One who neither hates a disagreeable work, nor is attached to an agreeable work, is considered a sacrificer (Tyāgi), imbued with the mode of goodness, intelligent, and free from all doubts about the Supreme Being. (18.10) Human beings cannot completely abstain from work. Therefore, one who completely renounces attachment to the fruits of all work is considered a Tyāgi. (18.11) The threefold fruit of works— desirable, undesirable, and mixed— accrues after death to the one who is not a Tyāgi, but never to a Tyāgi. (18.12)

Five causes of an action

Learn from Me, O Arjuna, the five causes, as described in the Sāmkhya doctrine, for the accomplishment of all actions. They are: the physical body, the seat of Karma; the modes of material Nature, the doer; the eleven organs of perception and action, the instruments; various Prānas (bioimpulses, life forces); and the fifth is presiding deities (of the eleven organs). (18.13-14) These are the five causes of whatever action, whether right or wrong, one performs by thought, word and deed. (18.15) Therefore, the ignorant, who consider one’s body or the soul as the sole agent, do not understand due to imperfect knowledge. (18.16) One who is free from the notion of doership and whose intellect is not polluted by the desire to reap the fruit— even after slaying all these people— neither slays nor is bound by the act of killing. (18.17) The subject, the object, and the knowledge of the object are the threefold driving force (or impetus) to an action. The eleven organs of perception and action, the act, and the modes of material Nature are the three components of action. (18.18)

Three types of knowledge

Self-knowledge, action, and agent are said to be of three types, according to the Guna theory of Sāmkhya doctrine. Hear duly about these also. (18.19) The knowledge by which one sees a single immutable Reality in all beings as undivided in the divided, such knowledge is in the mode of goodness. (See also 11.13, and 13.16) (18.20) The knowledge by which one sees different realities of various types among all beings as separate from one another; such knowledge is in the mode of passion. (18.21) The irrational, baseless, and worthless knowledge by which one clings to one single effect (such as the body) as if it is everything, such knowledge is declared to be in the mode of darkness of ignorance (18.22)

Three types of action

Obligatory duty performed without likes and dislikes, attachment, and desire to enjoy the fruit, is said to be in the mode of goodness. (18.23) Action performed with ego, with selfish motives, and with too much effort, is in the mode of passion. (18.24) Action that is undertaken because of delusion, disregarding consequences, loss, injury to others, as well as one’s own ability, is said to be in the mode of ignorance. (18.25)

Three types of agent

The agent who is free from attachment, is non-egotistic, endowed with resolve and enthusiasm, and unperturbed in success or failure, is called good. (18.26) The agent who is impassioned, who desires the fruits of work, who is greedy, violent, impure, and gets affected by joy and sorrow, is called passionate. (18.27) The agent who is undisciplined, vulgar, stubborn, wicked, malicious, lazy, depressed, and procrastinating, is called ignorant. (18.28)

Three types of intellect

Now hear Me explain fully and separately, O Arjuna, the threefold division of intellect and resolve, based on modes of material Nature. (18.29) O Arjuna, that intellect is in the mode of goodness which understands the path of work and the path of renunciation, right and wrong action, fear and fearlessness, bondage and liberation. (18.30) That intellect is in the mode of passion which cannot distinguish between righteousness and unrighteousness, and right and wrong action, O Arjuna. (18.31) That intellect is in the mode of ignorance which, when covered by ignorance, accepts unrighteousness as righteousness and thinks everything to be that which it is not, O Arjuna. (18.32)

The four goals of human life

That resolve is in the mode of goodness by which one manipulates the functions of the mind, Prāna (bioimpulses, life forces) and senses for God-realization only, O Arjuna. (18.33) That resolve is in the mode of passion by which one, craving for the fruits of work, clings to duty (Dharma), earning wealth (Artha), and pleasure (Kāma) with great attachment. (18.34) That resolve is in the mode of ignorance by which a dull person does not give up sleep, fear, grief, despair, and carelessness, O Arjuna. (18.35)

Three types of pleasure

And now hear from Me, O Arjuna, about the threefold pleasure. The pleasure that one enjoys from spiritual practice results in cessation of all sorrows. (18.36) The pleasure that appears as poison in the beginning, but is like nectar in the end, comes by the grace of Self-knowledge and is in the mode of goodness. (18.37) Sensual pleasures that appear as nectars in the beginning, but become poison in the end, are in the mode of passion. (See also 5.22) (18.38) Pleasure that confuses a person in the beginning and in the end as a result of sleep, laziness, and carelessness, is in the mode of ignorance. (18.39) There is no being, either on the earth or among the celestial controllers in the heaven, who can remain free from these three modes of material Nature. (18.40)

Division of labor is based on

one’s ability

The division of labor into the four categories (or Varna)— Brāhmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra— is also based on the qualities inherent in people’s nature (or the natural propensities, and not necessarily as one’s birth right), O Arjuna. (See also 4.13) (18.41) Intellectuals who have serenity, self-control, austerity, purity, patience, honesty, transcendental knowledge, transcendental experience, and belief in God are labeled as Brāhmans. (18.42) Those having the qualities of heroism, vigor, firmness, dexterity, steadfastness in battle, charity, and administrative skills are called Kshatriyas or protectors. (18.43) Those who are good at cultivation, cattle rearing, business, trade, and industry are known as Vaishyas. Those who are very good in service and labor type work are classed as Shudras. (18.44)

Attainment of salvation through duty,

discipline, and devotion

One can attain the highest perfection by devotion to one’s natural work. Listen to Me how one attains perfection while engaged in one’s natural work. (18.45) One attains perfection by worshipping the Supreme Being— from whom all beings originate, and by whom all this universe is pervaded— through performance of one’s natural duty for Him. (See also 9.27, 12.10) (18.46) One’s inferior natural work is better than superior unnatural work even though well performed. One who does the work ordained by one’s inherent nature incurs no sin (or Kārmic reaction). (See also 3.35) (18.47) One’s natural work, even though defective, should not be abandoned because all undertakings are enveloped by defects as fire is covered by smoke, O Arjuna. (18.48) The person whose mind is always free from attachment, who has subdued the mind and senses, and who is free from desires, attains the supreme perfection of freedom from the bondage of Karma by renouncing all attachment to the fruits of work. (18.49)

Learn from Me briefly, O Arjuna, how one who has attained such perfection (or the freedom from the bondage of Karma) attains the Supreme Person, the goal of transcendental knowledge. (18.50) Endowed with purified intellect, subduing the mind with firm resolve, turning away from sound and other objects of the senses, giving up likes and dislikes; living in solitude; eating lightly; controlling the mind, speech, and organs of action; ever absorbed in yoga of meditation; taking refuge in detachment; and relinquishing egotism, violence, pride, lust, anger, and proprietorship— one becomes peaceful, free from the notion of "I” and “my", and fit for attaining oneness with the Supreme Being. (18.51-53) Absorbed in the Supreme Being, the serene one neither grieves nor desires. Becoming impartial to all beings, one obtains My Parā-Bhakti, the highest devotional love. (18.54) By devotion one truly understands what and who I am in essence. Having known Me in essence, one immediately merges with Me. (See also 5.19) (18.55)

A Karma-yogi devotee attains Moksha, the eternal immutable abode, by My grace— even while doing all duties— just by taking refuge in Me (by surrendering all action to Me with loving devotion). (18.56) Sincerely offer all actions to Me, set Me as your supreme goal, and completely depend on Me. Always fix your mind on Me and resort to Karma-yoga. (18.57) When your mind becomes fixed on Me, you shall overcome all difficulties by My grace. But, if you do not listen to Me due to ego, you shall perish. (18.58)

Kārmic bondage and the free will

If due to ego you think: I shall not fight, your resolve is vain. Because your own nature will compel you to fight. (18.59) O Arjuna, you are controlled by your own nature-born Kārmic impressions (or Samskāra). Therefore, you shall do— even against your will— what you do not wish to do out of delusion. (18.60) The Supreme Lord, Krishna, abiding as the controller in the inner psyche of all beings, O Arjuna, causes them to act (or work out their Karma) like a puppet (of Karma) mounted on a machine. (18.61) Seek refuge in the Supreme Lord alone with loving devotion, O Arjuna. By His grace you shall attain supreme peace and the Eternal Abode. (18.62) Thus, I have explained the knowledge that is more secret than the secret. After fully reflecting on this, do as you wish. (18.63)

Path of surrender is the ultimate

path to God

Hear once again My most secret, supreme word. You are very dear to Me; therefore, I shall tell this for your benefit. (18.64) Fix your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, offer service to Me, bow down to Me, and you shall certainly reach Me. I promise you because you are My very dear friend. (18.65)

Setting aside (doership and attachment, or ego) in all duties, just surrender (your ego) completely to My Will or Law (with firm faith). I shall liberate you from all sins, the bonds of Karma. Do not grieve. (18.66)

The meaning of abandoning all duties and taking refuge in the Lord is that one should perform duty without ego and attachment to results as a service to please the Lord, in the spirit of total surrender to His Will and totally depend only on Him for help and guidance. The Lord takes full responsibility for a person who totally depends on Him with a spirit of genuine self-surrender. Learn to accept all results as His grace or divine Will.

The highest service to God, and

the best charity

This knowledge should never be spoken by you to one who is devoid of austerity, who is without devotion, who does not desire to listen, or who speaks ill of Me. (18.67) The one who shall propagate (or help the propagation of) this supreme secret philosophy (of the Gita) amongst My devotees, shall be performing the highest devotional service to Me and shall certainly (attain the Supreme Abode and) come to Me. (18.68) No other person shall do a more pleasing service to Me, and no one on the earth shall be more dear to Me. (18.69)

The grace of the Gita

Those who shall study our sacred dialogue shall be performing a holy act of knowledge-sacrifice. This is My promise. (18.70) Whoever hears or reads this sacred dialogue in the form of the Gita with faith and without cavil becomes free from sin, and attains heaven— the higher worlds of those whose actions are pure and virtuous. (18.71) O Arjuna, did you listen to this with single-minded attention? Has your delusion born of ignorance been completely destroyed? (18.72) Arjuna said: By Your grace my delusion is destroyed; I have gained Self-knowledge; my confusion (with regard to body and Atmā) is dispelled; and I shall obey Your command. (18.73) Sanjaya said: Thus, I heard this wonderful dialogue between Lord Krishna and Mahātmā Arjuna, causing my hair to stand on end. (18.74) By the grace of (guru) sage Vyāsa, I heard this most secret and supreme yoga directly from Krishna, the Lord of yoga, Himself speaking (to Arjuna) before my very eyes (of clairvoyance granted by sage Vyāsa). (18.75) O King, by repeated remembrance of this marvelous and sacred dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna, I am thrilled at every moment, and (18.76) recollecting again and again, O King, that marvelous form of Krishna I am greatly amazed, and I rejoice over and over again. (18.77)

Both Knowledge and action are needed

Wherever there will be both Krishna, the Lord of yoga (or Dharma in the form of the scriptures) and Arjuna with the weapons of duty and protection, there will be everlasting prosperity, victory, happiness, and morality. This is my conviction. (18.78)

Thus ends the Bhagavad-Gita

OM TAT SAT

EPILOGUE

The Farewell Message of Lord Krishna

Lord Krishna, on the eve of His departure from the arena of this world, after finishing the difficult task of establishing righteousness (Dharma), gave His last parting discourse to His cousin brother Uddhava, who was also His dearest devotee and follower. At the end of a long sermon comprising more than one thousand verses, Uddhava said: O Lord, I think the pursuit of yoga as You narrated to Arjuna and now to me, is very difficult, indeed, for most people because it entails control of the unruly senses. Please tell me a short, simple, and easy way to God-realization. Lord Krishna, upon Uddhava’s request, gave the essentials of Self-realization for the modern age as follows:

(1) Do your duty to the best of your abilities for Me, without any selfish motive, and remember Me at all times— before starting a work, at the completion of a task, and while inactive. (2) Practice looking upon all creatures as Myself in thought, word, and deed; and mentally bow down to them. (3) Awaken your dormant Kundalini power and perceive— through the activities of mind, senses, breathing, and emotions— that the power of God is within you at all times and is constantly doing all the work using you as a mere instrument. The essence of God-realization is also summarized in the four verses of the Bhāgavata Mahā-Purāna as follows:

The Supreme Lord Krishna said: O Brahmā, the one who wants to know Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Shri Krishna, should only understand that I existed before creation; I exist in creation, as well as after dissolution. Any other existence is nothing but My illusory energy (Māyā). I exist within the creation and at the same time outside the creation. I am the all-pervading Supreme Lord, who exists everywhere, in everything, and at all times.

The Ten Commandments of Hinduism according to sage Patanjali (PYS 2.30-2.32), are: (1) Nonviolence, (2) Truthfulness, (3) Non-stealing, (4) Celibacy or sense control, (5) Non-greed, (6) Purity of thought, word, and deed, (7) Contentment, (8) Austerity or renunciation, (9) Study of scriptures, and (10) Surrendering to God with faithful loving devotion.

Compare these with the ten basic teachings of the Bible: (1) Thou shall not kill; (2) Do not lie; (3) Do not steal; (4) Do not commit adultery; (5) Do not covet; (6) Do not divorce your wife; (7) Do for others what you want them to do for you; (8) If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other cheek; (9) Love your neighbor as yourself; and (10) Love the Lord with all thy heart.

The Eightfold Noble Path of Buddhism is: Right view, right thought, right speech, right deeds, right livelihood, right effort, right resolve, and right meditation. Abstinence from all evil, performance of good acts, and purification of the mind is the doctrine of Buddha.

The five cardinal principles of Islam are: (1) Faith in God, His message, and His messengers; (2) Meditation and prayer on the glory, greatness, and the message of God for spiritual growth; (3) Helping others by giving charity; (4) Austerity for self-purification by fasting in the month of Ramadan; and (5) Pilgrimage to the holy places.

All great masters have given us Truth revealed by the Supreme. Krishna taught us to feel spiritual oneness by seeing divinity in each and everyone. Buddha taught us to purify ourselves and have compassion for all creatures. Christ asked us to love all beings as we love ourselves. Muhammad taught us to submit to the will of God and act like His instruments.

In some religions, however, only the members of one’s own sect are considered favorites of God, and others are considered infidels. The Vedas teach not only mere religious tolerance but the acceptance of all other religions and prophets as analogous to one’s own. The Vedas say: Let noble thoughts come to us from everywhere (RV 1.89.01). The dignity and welfare of humanity lie in the unity of races and religion (Swami Harihar). True knowledge of religion breaks down all barriers, including the barriers between faiths (Gandhi). Any religion that creates walls of conflict and hatred among people in the name of God is not a religion, but selfish politics in disguise. We have no right to criticize any religion, sect, or cult in any way. Differences in human interpretation of scriptures ¾ the transcendent voice ¾ are due to taking the literal meaning, prejudice, ignorance, taking lines out of context, as well as distortion, misinterpretation, and interpolation with personal selfish motives.