Summary:
Lesson 83 starts by Arjuna asking Krishna to reveal His glories. Krishna starts with how you are sat-cit (Existence-Awareness, I AM). Then continues with glories of various devatas presiding over sun, moon, wind. Also glory of musical sāmaveda.
Source: Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 10: Verse 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
Revision:
- Verse 1-11:
- Spoke of Īśvara’s svarūpa. This svarūpa is called yoga/māyā. Māyā has capacity to manifest vibhūti (jagat).
- This capacity (called māyā) is both intelligent (nimitta-karaṇam) & material (upādāna-karaṇam) cause – whether in unmanifest potential OR manifest vibhūti.
- For this reason, Īśvara is also defined as: sarva-jñānam & sarva-śakti.
- This capacity (called māyā) is both intelligent (nimitta-karaṇam) & material (upādāna-karaṇam) cause – whether in unmanifest potential OR manifest vibhūti.
- And because the One is the substance of entire universe, no separate effort needed to appreciate the One.
- This vision is called: virāt-bhakti OR viśva rūpa-bhakti.
- Consequence is:
- Rāga/dveṣa is neutralized. Mental disturbances reduce. Sattvik mind.
- Sattvik mind begins innocently feeling attracted to nirguṇa Īśvara jñānam.
- Īśvara’s grace (out of compassion) brings bhakta in contact with śāstra/ācārya.
- Leads to: aparokṣa-jñānam.
- Spoke of Īśvara’s svarūpa. This svarūpa is called yoga/māyā. Māyā has capacity to manifest vibhūti (jagat).
- Verse 12-18:
- Arjuna requests: I want to hear more viśva-rūpa Glorious ones. Known & unknown.
- EG: Elephant playing VS. cockroach. Both Īśvara, but elephant easier to adore.
- Why does Arjuna request this?
- Because antaḥkaraṇa is limited to meditating or devoting-to ONE object at a time.
- Thus show me some finite symbols which can expand my devotion.
- Arjuna requests: I want to hear more viśva-rūpa Glorious ones. Known & unknown.
- What is devotion (bhakti-yoga)? Knowing the essence behind the devoted.
- EG: Some are regular “devotees” of colorful/tasty soda-drinks. But essence of all is water (attributeless).
- Thus when know essence BEHIND all vibhūtis, only then 3 definitions of Devotion are free of likes/dislikes.
- Difference between dvaita VS advaita bhakti-yoga:
- Dvaita: 3 words applied to particular object.
- Advaita: 3 words apply to TOTAL.
- NEXT VERSE 16: Arjuna acknowledges Bhagāvan alone is qualified to speak of vibhūtis…
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 10 – Verse 16:
vaktumarhasyaśeṣeṇa divyā hyātmavibhūtayaḥ |
yābhirvibhūtibhirlokānimāṃstvaṃ vyāpya tiṣṭhasi ||You should completely narrate (those) divine glories of Yours by which glories you remain pervading these world.
- Vaktum arhasi aśeṣeṇa: Puruṣottama, you alone are capable of revealing ātma-vibhūtis (glories).
- Ātma is reflexive pronoun. Meaning it refers to both vibhūti-objects and ātma (self).
- Hints glories also belong to self, because “I AM” not away from Bhagavān.
- Ātma is reflexive pronoun. Meaning it refers to both vibhūti-objects and ātma (self).
- What kind of glories?
- Divyā, not of this world. Alaukika.
- Yābhiḥ vibhūtibhiḥ lokān imān tvaṃ vyāpya tiṣṭhasi: Only you (Īśvara) are eligible to talk, because you pervade all.
- The more I listen to these nectar like words, expressing ānanda (limitlessness), the more I want to know.
- In other words: For those who can’t DIRECTLY appreciate you, what are places/things where your glories are pronounced, that it can become an object of meditation (in the limited mind)…
- VERSE 17-18: Arjuna requests Krishna to reveal His glories…
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 10 – Verse 17:
kathaṃ vidyāmahaṃ yogiṃstvāṃ sadā paricintayan|
keṣu keṣu ca bhāveṣu cintyo'si Bhagavānmayā ||Oh Lord of all powers! Constantly thinking of you, how can I know ((your true nature)? In what all objects are you to be meditated upon by me, Oh Lord?
- Sadā paricintayan katham vidyām: How can I have permanent vision of your glories, when all I see is objects?
- ANSWER: Must see behind the perceived object.
- Vision is of buddhi. It’s not vision of physical eye, but eye of wisdom.
- So what does “meditating on Īśvara” mean?
- I see glories of Īśvara through eye of knowledge (essence behind vibhūtis).
- IE: By meditating on ornaments, I am only ever meditating on Gold.
- I see glories of Īśvara through eye of knowledge (essence behind vibhūtis).
- ANSWER: Must see behind the perceived object.
- Keṣu keṣu ca bhāveṣu cintayaḥ asi: Which specific objects are to be meditated upon, which STANDS OUT in creation.
- EG: Some people become popular through own dharmic karmās. Glory which made them popular is Īśvara. Such person becomes focus of meditation for other aspirants. EG: Ramaṇa Maharṣi.
- Definition of Īśvara glory:
- Revering something which has value.
- VALUE: excludes imagined/superimposed value.
- EG: Gold has 2 values:
- Intrinsic: Rare, rust proof, malleable.
- Superimposed: monetary value, status symbol.
- EG: Gold has 2 values:
- Meaning to treasure Īśvara glory:
- Object’s intrinsic value MINUS superimposed value.
- The intrinsic value is what bhakta contemplates upon.
- EG: I contemplate Ramaṇa Maharṣi not because his mind is pure. But purity itself is Īśvara’s
- NEXT VERSE: V18 expands further…
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 10 – Verse 18:
Vistareṇa tmano yogaṃ vibhūtiṃ ca janārdana |
bhūyaḥ kathaya tṛptirhi śṛṇvato nāsti me'mṛtam ||Oh Krishna! Tell (me) again about Your power and manifestation in detail, because there is no satisfaction for me who is listening to the nectar (of words).
- Vistareṇa ātmanaḥ yogam vibhūtim ca: Please describe your (ātma) yoga/māyā potential, and vibhūtis in detail.
- NOTE: Krishna already listed some glories in: 7.8, 9.16, 17
- Why is yoga equated to māyā?
- Yoga: combination.
- Māyā: combination of 3 guṇās.
- Yoga: combination.
- Can we directly know māyā?
- No. Because potential remains unperceived (avyakta).
- We can only infer (anumāna) māyā’s infinite potential, on bases of manifestations (vibhūti).
- EG: How to know if person has potential to sing? Person sings!
- In same way, universe itself is testimony of Bhagavān’s infinite māyā power.
- Janārdana: 2 definitions from root: √ard
- Definition 1: Going (gamana)
- One who makes all asuras – go to unpleasant places, by law of karma. (EG: Narakādi loka)
- Who are asuras?
- Benevolent power-hungry devas.
- Inhere both dharmic/adharmic qualities.
- Unpredictable. One moment benevolent, another malevolent.
- Guṇa composition:
- Raja > tama > sattva (OR) Raja > sattva > tama.
- Compared to rākṣasa:
- Villains (evil/wicked).
- EG: Bhīma's son, Ghaṭotkaca (in Mahābhārata), who actually fought for Truth, against Kauravas. So even rākṣasa can show acts of dharma. Symbolism of this is, there is not such thing as 100% evil in universe. Because all is composed of 3 guṇās. Thus everyone has some sattva-guṇa (responsible for dharmic thoughts).
- Guṇa composition:
- Tama > Raja > Sattva.
- Villains (evil/wicked).
- Definition 2: Asking for (yācana)
- One who is propitiated (appeased) by all people, for receiving either:
- Limited results: sakāma-bhaktās. Believes seeker is different from sought.
- Infinite result: niṣkāma-bhaktās. The seeker and sought are not-two.
- One who is propitiated (appeased) by all people, for receiving either:
- Janārdana (Krishna), narrate to me, because descriptions are like amṛta (nectar) to my ears.
- Definition 1: Going (gamana)
- VERSE 19-39: Krishna narrates His glories…
Verse 19-39: Krishna narrates His glories…
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 10 – Verse 19:
śrī bhagavān uvāca
hanta te kathayiṣyāmi divyā hyātmavibhūtayaḥ |
prādhānyataḥ kuruśreṣṭha nāstyanto vistarasya me ||The Lord replied — well, Oh Arjuna I shall tell you the main divine glories of Mine, because there is no limit to My manifestation.
- Krishna is happy with Arjuna’s request. And will explain these special heavenly glories.
- Nāsti antaḥ vistarasya me: No end to My glories, because they include all 14 lokās.
- Prādhānyataḥ: For this reason, I will list few important ones.
- NEXT VERSE: Nirguṇa vibhūti (glory) of sat-cit.
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 10 – Verse 20:
ahamātmā guḍākeśa sarvabhūtāśayasthitaḥ |
ahamādiśca madhyaṃ ca bhūtānāmanta eva ca ||Oh Arjuna I am the Self residing in the heart of all beings. I am the beginning, the middle, as well as the end of all beings.
- Glory 1: Nirguṇa glory, respect to cit (Consciousness)
- Krishna (who is always speaking as Īśvara) says, aham ātmā: Because I am ātma (consciousness reflected in the buddhi), then meditate upon ātma (self).
- What is consciousness?
- Consciousness is not a part, property or product of the body-mind.
- Independent principle pervading and enlivening the body-mind.
- Survives when body dissolves (ajñāni). Or body-mind dissolves (jñāni).
- Consciousness is not a part, property or product of the body-mind.
- By meditating on self, one need not meditate on any glory. Why?
- Since self is not away from Īśvara (cause of material universe), then meditating upon self, one is simultaneously including on all vibhūtis.
- What is consciousness?
- Guḍākeśa: refers to Arjuna.
- 2 Definitions:
- One who mastered sleep/tamaḥ. Hence ALERT. Sattvic mind.
- Matted hair.
- 2 Definitions:
- Aham ātmā guḍākeśa sarva bhūtāśaya-sthitaḥ: Arjuna, I am ātmā, the self obtaining in (your) very buddhi.
- I aware > ahaṅkāra’s “I AM”.
- I aware > buddhi’s thoughts / absence of.
- Meaning:
- In Arjuna, is Bhagavān. Not limited to just Arjuna.
- “Arjuna” is a temporary superimposition (upādhi) owning to māyā.
- Arjuna is saguṇa name/form. Arjuna aparā-prakṛti.
- SUMMARY: If you seek most powerful contemplation upon Īśvara, contemplate on ātmā. Nididhyāsanam.
- 2nd alternative: continue śravaṇam / mananam.
- Krishna (who is always speaking as Īśvara) says, aham ātmā: Because I am ātma (consciousness reflected in the buddhi), then meditate upon ātma (self).
- Glory 2: Nirguṇa glory, respect to sat (existence: IS-ness)
- Aham ādiḥ bhūtānām: I am efficient (nimitta-kāraṇam) and material cause (upādāna-kāraṇam) of jagat.
- Meaning manifestation, sustenance and dissolution enjoy their IS-ness (their existence), because of Me.
- Thus IS-ness of anything refers to Īśvara’s material cause… put together by the efficient cause.
- EG: Bange IS, necklace IS, ring IS, etc. IS-ness possible because of one Gold.
- In other words, cause (yoga) is always manifest IN the effect (vibūti), as the VERY existence of the effect.
- How to can invoke Īśvara in any object?
- Extract the intrinsic value from the object. Then appreciate what’s left, as Īśvara’s vibhūti.
- EG: “I love sugar” is personal value.
- But intrinsic value being: “sweetness IS”.
- Then contemplate on the sweetness, as Īśvara’s
- EG: “I love sugar” is personal value.
- Extract the intrinsic value from the object. Then appreciate what’s left, as Īśvara’s vibhūti.
- Aham ādiḥ bhūtānām: I am efficient (nimitta-kāraṇam) and material cause (upādāna-kāraṇam) of jagat.
- 2 Glories combined (sat + cit) = I AM.
- I: exit.
- AM: as awarenesss.
- I: exit.
- NEXT VERSE: Saguṇa vibhūtis are listed…
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 10 – Verse 21:
ādityānāmahaṃ viṣṇurjyotiṣāṃ raviraṃśumān |
marīcirmarutāmasmi nakṣatrāṇāmahaṃ śaśī ||I am viṣṇuḥ among the Adityas, (I am) the radiant sun among the luminaries, I am mariciḥ among the Maruts, I am the moon among the luminaries of the night.
- Ādityānām aham viṣṇuh: Āditya is a devata related to Sun.
- There are 12 āditya-devatās (in pitṛ-loka), obtaining in 12 months of the year.
- Even though Sun is one, it has 12 faces, from standpoint of Earth’s rotation around it.
- Who is Viṣṇu?
- Īśvara, when viewed from standpoint of sustenance.
- Therefore, I am Viṣṇu, the sustainer of all 12 ādityas.
- There are 12 āditya-devatās (in pitṛ-loka), obtaining in 12 months of the year.
- Jyotiṣām raviḥ aṁśumān: Among luminous bodies in sky, I am the sun, with it’s brilliant powerful rays.
- I am the sun, which is the center of our solar system.
- I energize the solar system, and give life to earth… whom all dwell upon.
- This is why in Vedic tradition, we wake up before sun rises. To welcome the Lord, because He is coming to bless us, for one more day.
- Marīciḥ marutām asmi:
- There are 49 devatās called marut. Divided into 7 groups. Each group preside over an aspect of vāyu (wind).
- Among these 49, I am Marīci, presiding deity of tender, pleasant, cool breeze. Which all enjoy.
- Opposite is: Cyclone.
- nakṣatrāṇām ahaṃ śaśī: Amongst the luminaries at night (like stars, planets), I am the brightest one, the moon.
- Therefore we can even acknowledge the moon, as manifestation of Lord.
- 2nd interpretation:
- Nakṣatra: place one goes (after death). IE: loka.
- And candra-loka is a better one.
- NOTE: Candra (moon) in this 2nd interpretation is not referring to “physical moon”.
- And candra-loka is a better one.
- Nakṣatra: place one goes (after death). IE: loka.
- Point is, even the greatest-devatās we worship, lend their glory from Īśvara.
- If one knows this, then won’t fall for worshipping, entertaining or wasting time on researching: angels, star children, channeled beings, aliens, NWO, poltergeists, illuminati, freemasons, pseudoscience, etc…
- NEXT VERSE: I am glories, continues…
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 10 – Verse 22:
vedānāṃ sāmavedo'smi devānāmasmi vāsavaḥ |
indriyāṇāṃ manaścāsmi bhūtānāmasmi cetanā ||I am Samaveda among the Vedas, I am Indra among the Gods; I am the mind among the senses and I am the intelligence in all the beings.
- vedānām sāma vedaḥ asmi: I am Sāma Veda.
- Vedās are texts which are revealed by ṛṣi’s.
- Considered most sacred texts in Vedic tradition, wherefrom karma-kāṇḍa and upaniṣads are found.
- Most glorious is Sāma Veda. Because it is musical in nature. Other 3 are chanted.
- Beautiful to listen to. So most attractive.
- Also “Tat Tvam Asi” found in Sāma.
- Devānām asmi vāsavaḥ: Among various devās (gods), I am Indra.
- Just how 1 manu (L80) governs 1/14th of Brahmāji’s day (4.32Bil), there is also Indra alongside, who governs all other devatās of various aspects of creation (EG: fire, wind, etc).
- Indra is like tax auditor, ensuring other devatās continue honest duty.
- Noteworthy, all devatās are saṃsāri jīvās – holding big titles because of earthly puṇya-karma. Once exhausted, back to earth.
- indriyāṇām aham asmi manaḥ: Amongst all sense-organs, I am the mind.
- Jñāna-indriyāni are also Īśvara.
- Each jñāna-indriya is limited to functioning in one field.
- Whereas mind is behind all sense-organs.
- Mind is bases where knowledge of all 5 sense-organs is cognized.
- Meaning mind can function in all 5-fields. Thus it’s superior.
- Learn to see own mind as greatest manifestation of Īśvara.
- Bhūtānām asmi cetanā: I am buddhi, the faculty of cognition. The capacity to enquire/understand.
- Meaning, I give that capacity which makes person say: “Ah! It’s clear now!”
- 2nd interpretation: I am the very life-sentiency in every being.
- Therefore practice ahimsa throughout all your actions.
Keywords: acarya, acharya, aditya, ajnani, amrita amrta, anta karana, antahkarana, anumana, apara-prakriti prakrti, aparoksha aparoksa, atma, bhagavan, brahmaji, cetana, devatas, divya, gudakesa gudakesha, indiryani, ishvara, janardana, jnani, karma kanda, karmas, marici, maya, naksatra nakshatra, narakadi, nididhyasanam, nimitta-karanam, nirguna, nishkama niskama, pitr pitri loka, purushottam purusottama, raga dvesa dvesha, raksasa, rakshasa, rakshashas, ramana maharishi maharshi, rsi rishi, saguna, sakama, samsari jivas, sarva-jnana, sarva-shakti sakti, shastra sastra, sravana shravana, svarupa, upadana-karana, vayu, vibhuti, virat, vishva visva rupa, visnu vishnu, yacana
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Credit for help in Bhagavad Gita teaching given to Swami Dayananda (Arsha Vidya), Paramarthananda & Chinmaya Mission
Recorded 18 Feb, 2020