Summary:
Lesson 54 describes what happens to one who failed in past life to attain liberation. What attitude should spiritual aspirant have towards spiritual pursuit? And what is best type of Yogi?
Source: Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 6, verse 43, 44, 45, 46, 47
Revision of Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 6 – Verse 43:
Arjuna's Pessimism and Krishna's Encouragement
Arjuna expresses doubt about his spiritual journey, viewing mind-mastery as an insurmountable challenge. Krishna reassures him that in spiritual pursuits, there's no permanent fall. Śankarācārya‘s commentary emphasizes that spiritual impressions (adhyātma saṁskāra) are indestructible.
Krishna compares a yoga-bhraṣṭa (spiritual aspirant who didn't get moksha in prior life) to a fire that appears extinguished but retains glowing embers beneath the ash. Though seemingly dormant, these embers need only a gentle breeze to burst back into flame, symbolizing how spiritual progress can quickly resume given the right conditions.
Continuity of Spiritual Progress
Even if one fails to achieve mokṣa in this life, the accumulated puṇya leads to favorable rebirth conditions for continuing spiritual pursuit. The Katha Upanishad mentions that of 14 lokās, only manuṣya loka (Earth) and brahma-loka are conducive to attaining knowledge, with Earth being the most realistic option.
Past Life Influences
The Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad states that the jīva carries all karmas (actions and their results), upasanas (meditations or worship practices), and vasanas (subtle impressions or tendencies) across lives. Explain child prodigies.
Nurturing Spiritual Inclinations
Text warns against complacency. It emphasizes the importance of actively nurturing and protecting these spiritual tendencies, comparing it to protecting a flame in a lamp.
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 6 – Verse 44:
पूर्व-अभ्यासेन तेन एव ह्रियते हि अवशः अपि सः ।
जिज्ञासुः अपि योगस्य शब्द-ब्रह्म अतिवर्तते ॥ ६-४४॥
pūrva-abhyāsena tena eva hriyate hi avaśaḥ api saḥ ।
jijñāsuḥ api yogasya śabda-brahma ativartate ॥ 6-44॥
Though not willing, he is drawn (towards Yoga) because of that very previous practice. Though a curious student of Yoga (initially) he soon goes beyond the Karma-kānda of Vedas.
Manifestation of Spiritual Inclination
Krishna explains that people who practiced spirituality in past lives are naturally drawn to it again. They find themselves interested in spiritual topics without planning it, sometimes surprising those around them. This happens automatically, as if they're pulled towards it without trying.
Aurobindo's Example
The text cites Sri Aurobindo‘s life as an example. Despite his parents‘ efforts to keep him away from Indian spirituality, Aurobindo was eventually drawn to India‘s culture, philosophy, and freedom movement, ultimately becoming a yogi in Pondicherry. This illustrates how a latent spiritual fire cannot be extinguished by external circumstances.
Rapid Spiritual Progress
In some cases, the yoga-bhraṣṭa‘s spiritual progress is so rapid that they may surpass their teachers in depth of understanding. This is likened to a small fire turning into a conflagration.
Transcending Karma Kānda
The seeker quickly transcends śabda-brahma, or the karma kānda (ritualistic portion) of the Vedas. Karma kānda is associated with finite results (anitya phalam), while the seeker moves towards jñāna kāndam (knowledge portion), which leads to mokṣa (liberation) and nitya phalam (eternal results).
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 6 – Verse 45:
प्रयत्नात् यतमानः तु योगी संशुद्ध-किल्बिषः ।
अनेक-जन्म-संसिद्धः ततः याति पराम् गतिम् ॥ ६-४५॥
prayatnāt yatamānaḥ tu yogī saṃśuddha-kilbiṣaḥ ।
aneka-janma-saṃsiddhaḥ tataḥ yāti parām gatim ॥ 6-45॥
Striving diligently, that Yogi who is refined through many births and who is free from impurities attains the supreme goal consequently.
Natural Inclination for Spirituality
Krishna explains that people who practiced spirituality in past lives (yoga bhraṣṭas) are naturally drawn to it again. This natural inclination is a sign of mental purity (saṃ-śuddha-kilbiṣaḥ).
Three Attitudes of Clarity
- Some try to do everything in one life, leading to frustration.
- Others prepare gradually while fulfilling worldly duties.
- For yoga bhraṣṭas, spiritual pursuits are most enjoyable, other things seem somewhat pointless.
Effortless Progress
Due to past efforts and current striving, yoga bhraṣṭas easily reach life's highest goal (yāti parāṃ gatim).
Dealing with Past Karma
Even if negative karma (sañcita pāpam) from past lives exists, strong spiritual habits in this life can keep it at bay. Focusing on spiritual practices can reduce worldly mishaps and postpone the effects of past karma.
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 6 – Verse 46:
tapasvibhyaḥ adhikaḥ yogī jñānibhyaḥ api mataḥ adhikaḥ ।
karmibhyaḥ ca adhikaḥ yogī tasmāt yogī bhava arjuna ॥ 6-46॥
Dhyana-yogi is greater than ascetics. He is considered even greater than jñānyogis. Dhyana-yogi is greater than Karma-yogis also. Therefore become a Dhyana-yogi, Oh Arjuna.
Types of Yogis
Krishna discusses five types of spiritual practitioners (sādhakās), all called yogis:
- Tapas-vibhaḥ: Ascetics practicing strict self-discipline and mental worship (upāsanā)
- Jñāni-bhyaḥ: Those committed to listening (śravaṇam) and reflection (mananam)
- Karmi-bhyaḥ: Those practicing karma yoga (physical worship)
- Those practicing nidhidhyāsana (self-inquiry)
- Enlightened jñānis (not mentioned in this verse)
Hierarchy of Yogis
Krishna ranks the self-enquirer (nidhidhyāsana practitioner) as the highest among these, as they are closest to liberation and have already crossed the first four steps.
Two Key Procedures for Mokṣa
- Śravaṇam (listening): The teacher's role is primary, while the student provides an open, empty mind.
- Nidhidhyāsanam (contemplation): The student's own effort to assimilate the teachings.
Beyond Mere Listening
The verse concludes by advising not to stop at mere listening, but to spend time recollecting, revising, thinking, and assimilating what has been heard.
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 6 – Verse 47:
योगिनाम् अपि सर्वेषाम् मत् गतेन अन्तर-आत्मना ।
श्रद्धावान् भजते यः माम् सः मे युक्ततमः मतः ॥ ६-४७॥
yoginām api sarveṣām mat gatena antara-ātmanā ।
śraddhāvān bhajate yaḥ mām saḥ me yuktatamaḥ mataḥ ॥ 6-47॥
Even among all dhyāna-yogis that faithful one who meditates upon ME with mind absorbed in Me is considered by Me as the best Yogi.
Focus of Meditation
Krishna clarifies that the best meditation on how Ishvara relates in your life. How Ishvara is manifesting as this world. How your life is dependent on Ishvara. And finally the truth of you and Ishvara is One.
Comparison to Other Yogis
Krishna states that this type of yogi (who doesn't meditate by stilling his mind, but ACTIVELY engages his mind in meditation to think about the Vedantic teachings) — is the greatest among all yogis.
Keywords: abyasena, acarya, adhyatma samskarasya nasha nasti, anekajanmasam, avanthara, avasha, bhagavan, bhashya, bhrashta, bhuloka, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, dhyana, ishvara, isvara, jijnasurapi, jnana, jnana-yoga, jnanam, Jnani bhya, kanda, manushya, manusya, moksha, nidhidhyasanam, nididhyasana, paramatma, Paramātman, Paramātmā, punya, purva, sadakas, sadhaka, samsara, samsiddhi, samskarasya, sanchita, sancita papam, sarvesham yoginam, sastra, shabda brahmati, shankaracarya, shastra, shravana, sravanam, tam buddhisamyoga, tasmad-yogi bhavarjuna, upasanas, vasanas, vedantic, vibha, yati param gatim
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Credit for help in Bhagavad Gita teaching is given to Swami Paramarthananda
Recorded 18 June, 2019
Fascinating lesson.
I especially resonated with the part of spirituality beginning early on.
When I was 17, 18 I viewed it more or less as a stepson – there is time for liberation, let me get my worldly sastisfaction.
This shifted more and more as to now, at 21, my whole focus is on spirituality. It’s my number 1 priority in life.
Thanks Andre for putting this work out there.
To help Felix jiva stay on track at 21, two suggestions that kept me going between 20-30 (usually most challenging times)…
1) Keep humble as #1 value in life. Meaning one acts as if “I don’t know”, until last breath. It keeps one in constant receptive/learning mode. Keeps one friendly, likable and teachable.
2) Successful people (whether those who attain finances, moksha, etc) do what’s necessary, whether they feel like it or not. Unsuccessful people do what’s necessary only when they feel like it (which is rare). Thus train Felix’es mind to keep going at least an extra 5 minutes when the internal voice says “enough”.
EG:
Meditation voice says “enough”. Immediately bring in mantra “5 more minutes”.
Self-inquiry voice says “enough”, ….
Then increase to 10, 15, 20min.
Reason is: Today’s world trained us to resort to comfort zone prematurely. Compared to hundred(s) years ago, we kept going.
Great advice, Andre. Thank you!
I’m sure it will be of immense use for other young people watching your content as well. Our comfort zone is indeed very limited nowadays compared to some centuries or even decades ago.