The Story so far:
Arjuna, the representative of Pandavas is arrayed for battle against his cousins Kauravas. Lord Krishna is his charioteer and so his victory is assured. Neverthess Arjuna is plagued by all kind of doubts and even considers a life of Sanyas as better than fighting against his own kinsmen. But Lord Krishna is nudging him on saying as a ksatriya he needs a kingdom which is realizable only if he fights and wins the battle. The Lord further advances the argument that in any case the souls of his cousins will live on even if they are dead.
Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, (but strangely) Arjuna had a blood relationship with Him. It also appears that Krishna has a teacher and a grandfather! One is often attached to family life, namely to wife, children and other members, on the basis of “skin disease.”A scholarly brähmana, expert in all subjects of Vedic knowledge, is unfit to become a spiritual master without being a Vaiñëava, or expert in the science of Kåñëa consciousness. But a person born in a family of a lower caste can become a spiritual master if he is a Vaiñëava, or Kåñëa conscious. Enlightened, perfect knowledge of self-realization, or Kåñëa consciousness, would make Arjuna fight.
Vaccillation at its zenith!
Since Chapter 2 very long , I thought it best to present it in portions for (relatively) easy consumption. I hope you can bite, digest and assimilate it. We are in 2b, dealing with Texts 11-20.
Lets’s dive in. (my remarks are given in red. As before, they spring from a normal human view; however the biblical perspective is also given where relevant). The Text in black is my condensed version of the Purport as given in the book of Gita.
Text 11
Arjuna argued that religious principles should be given more importance than politics or sociology, but he did not know that knowledge of matter, soul and the Supreme is even more important than
religious formularies. And, because he was lacking in that knowledge, he should not have posed himself as a very learned man.The body is born and is destined to be vanquished today or tomorrow; therefore the body is not as important as the soul.
religious formularies. And, because he was lacking in that knowledge, he should not have posed himself as a very learned man.The body is born and is destined to be vanquished today or tomorrow; therefore the body is not as important as the soul.
You cannot fault the conclusion
Text 12
The Supreme Personality of Godhead by His plenary portions (what does this mean?), is alive in the heart of every living entity. Only saintly persons who can see, within and without, the same Supreme Lord, can actually attain to perfect and eternal peace. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the supreme individual person, and Arjuna, the Lord’s eternal associate, and all the kings assembled there are individual, eternal persons. . It is not that they did not exist as individuals in the past, and it is not that they will not remain eternal persons. Their individuality existed in the past, and their individuality will continue in the future without interruption.
Confusing. If the Supreme Personality of Godhead is alive in the heart of every living entity, why can’t they all attain to perfect and eternal peace. Why only saintly persons? Who are these saintly persons anyway?
The Mäyävädé theory that after liberation the individual soul, separated by the covering of mäyä or illusion, will merge into the impersonal Brahman and lose its individual existence is not supported herein by Lord Kåñëa, the supreme authority. The Mäyävädé explanation of the Gétä is a most misleading
presentation of the whole truth. Lord Caitanya has forbidden us to read commentations made by the Mäyävädés and warns that one who takes to such an understanding of the Mäyävädé philosophy loses all power to understand the real mystery of the Gétä. If individuality refers to the empirical universe,
then there is no need of teaching by the Lord.
presentation of the whole truth. Lord Caitanya has forbidden us to read commentations made by the Mäyävädés and warns that one who takes to such an understanding of the Mäyävädé philosophy loses all power to understand the real mystery of the Gétä. If individuality refers to the empirical universe,
then there is no need of teaching by the Lord.
Houston, we have a problem! There seems to be some other theory that is contrary to the Gita within the Hindu scriptures!! And pray, what is the whole truth referred to above? There is no clarity.
Text 13
This individual soul finally changes the body at death and transmigrates to another body; and since it is sure to have another body in the next birth—either material or spiritual—there was no cause for
lamentation by Arjuna on account of death, neither for Bhéñma nor for Droëa, for whom he was so much concerned. Rather, he should rejoice for their changing bodies from old to new ones, thereby rejuvenating their energy. Such changes of body account for varieties of enjoyment or suffering, according to
one’s work in life.
lamentation by Arjuna on account of death, neither for Bhéñma nor for Droëa, for whom he was so much concerned. Rather, he should rejoice for their changing bodies from old to new ones, thereby rejuvenating their energy. Such changes of body account for varieties of enjoyment or suffering, according to
one’s work in life.
This is curious! How do we know at any one time what body is in operation – 1,2,3…….n – if the rebirth is material. Or if it is spiritual, is it even okay to talk about body? According to this purport, there seems to be a chance of either a material or a spiritual rebirth. What are the factors of this chance?
Any man who has perfect knowledge of the constitution of the individual soul, the Supersoul, and nature―both material and spiritual―is called a dhéra or a most sober man. If Arjuna is on the same level with Kåñëa, and Kåñëa is not superior to Arjuna, then their relationship of instructor and
instructed becomes meaningless. Under the circumstances, it is admitted that Lord Kåñëa is the Supreme Lord, superior in position to the living entity, Arjuna, who is a forgotten soul deluded by mäyä.
instructed becomes meaningless. Under the circumstances, it is admitted that Lord Kåñëa is the Supreme Lord, superior in position to the living entity, Arjuna, who is a forgotten soul deluded by mäyä.
And now……Supersoul! It looks like Arjuna has not climbed those heights and is a forgotten soul deluded by mäyä. His blood relationship with Krishna is obviously of no avail!
Text 14
According to Vedic injunction, one has to take his bath early in the morning even during the
month of Mägha (January-February). It is very cold at that time, but in spite of that a man who abides by the religious principles does not hesitate to take his bath. Similarly, a woman does not hesitate to cook in the kitchen in the months of May and June, the hottest part of the summer season. One has to
execute his duty in spite of climatic inconveniences.
month of Mägha (January-February). It is very cold at that time, but in spite of that a man who abides by the religious principles does not hesitate to take his bath. Similarly, a woman does not hesitate to cook in the kitchen in the months of May and June, the hottest part of the summer season. One has to
execute his duty in spite of climatic inconveniences.
The role of a woman in a family is clearly defined and it seems to be confined to the kitchen!
Similarly, to fight is the religious principle of the kñatriyas, and although one has to fight with some
friend or relative, one should not deviate from his prescribed duty. Arjuna is supposed to have a great heritage. A great heritage brings responsibility in the matter of proper discharge of duties; therefore, he cannot avoid fighting.
friend or relative, one should not deviate from his prescribed duty. Arjuna is supposed to have a great heritage. A great heritage brings responsibility in the matter of proper discharge of duties; therefore, he cannot avoid fighting.
Okay, okay …….please make up your mind. To fight or not to fight!
Text 15
Anyone who is steady in his determination for the advanced stage of spiritual realization and can equally tolerate the onslaughts of distress and happiness is certainly a person eligible for liberation. In the varëäçrama institution, the fourth stage of life, namely the renounced order (sannyäsa) is a
painstaking situation. But one who is serious about making his life perfect surely adopts the sannyäsa order of life in spite of all difficulties. The difficulties usually arise from having to sever family relationships, to give up the connection of wife and children. But if anyone is able to tolerate such
difficulties, surely his path to spiritual realization is complete. Similarly, in Arjuna’s discharge of duties as a kñatriya, he is advised to persevere, even if it is difficult to fight with his family members or similarly beloved persons. Lord Caitanya took sannyäsa at the age of twenty-four, and His dependants, young
wife as well as old mother, had no one else to look after them. Yet for a higher cause He took sannyäsa and was steady in the discharge of higher duties. That is the way of achieving liberation from material bondage.
painstaking situation. But one who is serious about making his life perfect surely adopts the sannyäsa order of life in spite of all difficulties. The difficulties usually arise from having to sever family relationships, to give up the connection of wife and children. But if anyone is able to tolerate such
difficulties, surely his path to spiritual realization is complete. Similarly, in Arjuna’s discharge of duties as a kñatriya, he is advised to persevere, even if it is difficult to fight with his family members or similarly beloved persons. Lord Caitanya took sannyäsa at the age of twenty-four, and His dependants, young
wife as well as old mother, had no one else to look after them. Yet for a higher cause He took sannyäsa and was steady in the discharge of higher duties. That is the way of achieving liberation from material bondage.
Swing again!
Text 16
That the body is changing every moment by the actions and reactions of the different cells is admitted by
modern medical science; and thus growth and old age are taking place in the body. But the spirit soul exists permanently, remaining the same despite all changes of the body and the mind. That is the difference between matter and spirit. By nature, the body is ever changing, and the soul is eternal. This
conclusion is established by all classes of seers of the truth, both impersonalist
and personalist. The living entities, therefore, are always subordinate to the Supreme Lord, as in the case of the master and the servant, or the teacher and the taught. Such clear knowledge is impossible to
understand under the spell of ignorance, and to drive away such ignorance the Lord teaches the Bhagavad-gétä for the enlightenment of all living entities for all time.
modern medical science; and thus growth and old age are taking place in the body. But the spirit soul exists permanently, remaining the same despite all changes of the body and the mind. That is the difference between matter and spirit. By nature, the body is ever changing, and the soul is eternal. This
conclusion is established by all classes of seers of the truth, both impersonalist
and personalist. The living entities, therefore, are always subordinate to the Supreme Lord, as in the case of the master and the servant, or the teacher and the taught. Such clear knowledge is impossible to
understand under the spell of ignorance, and to drive away such ignorance the Lord teaches the Bhagavad-gétä for the enlightenment of all living entities for all time.
The statement that the” living entities, therefore, are always subordinate to the Supreme Lord” is at variance with the Bible which talks about an evil force in the world. Please see the passage below:
Ephesians 2:2-4
King James Version
“2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us…”
Text 17
This soul is described as one ten-thousandth part of the upper portion of the hair point in size. The Çvetäçvatara Upaniñad confirms this. “When the upper point of a hair is divided into one hundred parts and again each of such parts is further divided into one hundred parts, each such
part is the measurement of the dimension of the spirit soul.” (Svet. 5.9) Similarly, in the Bhägavatam the same version is stated.There are innumerable particles of spiritual atoms, which are measured as
one ten-thousandth of the upper portion of the hair.” Therefore, the individual particle of spirit soul is a spiritual at here are innumerable particles of spiritual atoms, which are measured as
one ten-thousandth of the upper portion of the hair.”Therefore, the individual particle of spirit soul is a spiritual atom smaller than the material atoms, and such atoms are innumerable. This very small
spiritual spark is the basic principle of the material body, and the influence of such a spiritual spark is spread all over the body as the influence of the active principle of some medicine spreads throughout the body.
part is the measurement of the dimension of the spirit soul.” (Svet. 5.9) Similarly, in the Bhägavatam the same version is stated.There are innumerable particles of spiritual atoms, which are measured as
one ten-thousandth of the upper portion of the hair.” Therefore, the individual particle of spirit soul is a spiritual at here are innumerable particles of spiritual atoms, which are measured as
one ten-thousandth of the upper portion of the hair.”Therefore, the individual particle of spirit soul is a spiritual atom smaller than the material atoms, and such atoms are innumerable. This very small
spiritual spark is the basic principle of the material body, and the influence of such a spiritual spark is spread all over the body as the influence of the active principle of some medicine spreads throughout the body.
Hey, this is a new concept that the soul is atomic!! “There are innumerable particles of spiritual atoms, which are measured as one ten-thousandth of the upper portion of the hair.” So soul is measurable? This is strange indeed!
In the Muëòaka Upaniñad the measurement of the atomic spirit soul is further explained: “The soul is atomic in size and can be perceived by perfect intelligence. This atomic soul is floating in the five kinds of air [präëa, apäna, vyäna, samäna and udäna], is situated within the heart, and spreads its influence all over the body of the embodied living entities. When the soul is purified from the contamination of the five kinds of material air, its spiritual influence is exhibited.” (Muëò. 3.1.9) The haöha-yoga system is meant for controlling the five kinds of air encircling the pure soul by different kinds of sitting postures—not for any material profit, but for liberation of the minute soul from the entanglement of the material atmosphere. So the constitution of the atomic soul is admitted in all Vedic literatures, and
it is also actually felt in the practical experience of any sane man. Only the insane man can think of this atomic soul as all-pervading Viñëu-tattva. The influence of the atomic soul can be spread all over a particular body. According to the Muëòaka Upaniñad, this atomic soul is situated in the heart of every living entity, and because the measurement of the atomic soul is beyond the power of appreciation of the material scientists, some of them assert foolishly that there is no soul. The individual atomic soul is definitely there in the heart along with the Supersoul, and thus all the energies of bodily movement are emanating from this part of the body. The corpuscles which carry the oxygen from the lungs gather energy from the soul. When the soul passes away from this position, activity of the blood, generating fusion, ceases. Medical science accepts the importance of the red corpuscles, but it cannot ascertain that the source of the energy is the soul. Medical science, however, does admit that the heart is the seat of all energies of the body. Such atomic particles of the spirit whole are compared to the sunshine
molecules. In the sunshine there are innumerable radiant molecules. Similarly, the fragmental parts of the Supreme Lord are atomic sparks of the rays of the Supreme Lord, called by the name prabhä or superior energy. Neither Vedic knowledge nor modern science denies the existence of the spirit soul in thbody, and the science of the soul is explicitly described in the Bhagavad-gétä by the Personality of Godhead Himself.
it is also actually felt in the practical experience of any sane man. Only the insane man can think of this atomic soul as all-pervading Viñëu-tattva. The influence of the atomic soul can be spread all over a particular body. According to the Muëòaka Upaniñad, this atomic soul is situated in the heart of every living entity, and because the measurement of the atomic soul is beyond the power of appreciation of the material scientists, some of them assert foolishly that there is no soul. The individual atomic soul is definitely there in the heart along with the Supersoul, and thus all the energies of bodily movement are emanating from this part of the body. The corpuscles which carry the oxygen from the lungs gather energy from the soul. When the soul passes away from this position, activity of the blood, generating fusion, ceases. Medical science accepts the importance of the red corpuscles, but it cannot ascertain that the source of the energy is the soul. Medical science, however, does admit that the heart is the seat of all energies of the body. Such atomic particles of the spirit whole are compared to the sunshine
molecules. In the sunshine there are innumerable radiant molecules. Similarly, the fragmental parts of the Supreme Lord are atomic sparks of the rays of the Supreme Lord, called by the name prabhä or superior energy. Neither Vedic knowledge nor modern science denies the existence of the spirit soul in thbody, and the science of the soul is explicitly described in the Bhagavad-gétä by the Personality of Godhead Himself.
“This atomic soul is floating in the five kinds of air”. Really? This is a little too much to digest. And it looks as though we have to refer to yet another Vedic scripture to discover that according to the Muëòaka Upaniñad, this atomic soul is situated in the heart of every living entity, and because the measurement of the atomic soul is beyond the power of appreciation of the material scientists, some of them assert foolishly that there is no soul. The individual atomic soul is definitely there in the heart along with the Supersoul.
Ah….supersoul again!! The whole stuff is quite fantastic and strains credulity, to put it mildly.
Text 18
The material body is perishable by nature. The minute particle of the whole spirit acquires this
material body according to his work, and therefore observance of religious principles should be utilized. In the Vedänta-sütras the living entity is qualified as light because he is part and parcel of the supreme light. As sunlight maintains the entire universe, so the light of the soul maintains this material body. As soon as the spirit soul is out of this material body, the body begins to decompose; therefore it is the spirit soul which maintains this body. The body itself is unimportant. Arjuna was advised to fight and sacrifice the material body for the cause of religion.
material body according to his work, and therefore observance of religious principles should be utilized. In the Vedänta-sütras the living entity is qualified as light because he is part and parcel of the supreme light. As sunlight maintains the entire universe, so the light of the soul maintains this material body. As soon as the spirit soul is out of this material body, the body begins to decompose; therefore it is the spirit soul which maintains this body. The body itself is unimportant. Arjuna was advised to fight and sacrifice the material body for the cause of religion.
More of the same stuff, but what is interesting is that “Arjuna was advised to fight and sacrifice the material body for the cause of religion.” And we were informed earlier that he cannot lose because Lord Krishna was on his side. What is happening?
Text 19
When an embodied living entity is hurt by fatal weapons, it is to be known that the living entity within the body is not killed. The spirit soul is so small that it is impossible to kill him by any material weapon.
Killing the body of anyone without authority is abominable and is punishable by the law of the state as well as by the law of the Lord. Arjuna, however, is being engaged in killing for the principle of religion, and not whimsically.
Strangley, we are told that it is impossible to kill the spirit soul by any material weapon only because it is so small. The concept of soul being a dimensioned entity is peculiar!
Text 20
The changes of the body do not affect the soul. The soul is full of knowledge, or full always with consciousness. Therefore,consciousness is the symptom of the soul. There are two kinds of souls―namely the minute particle soul (aëu-ätmä) and the Supersoul (the vibhu-ätmä). This is also confirmed in the Kaöha Upaniñad . Kåñëa is the fountainhead of the Supersoul also,and Arjuna is the atomic soul, forgetful of his real nature; therefore he requires to be enlightened by Kåñëa, or by His bona fide representative (the spiritual master).
Yet another reference for the Supersoul. Time and again the Gita seems to be ineed of being bolstered by other Vedic scriptures, leading us yet again to the conclusion that it is not a complete revelation, to say nothing about its super complicated ramifications circling round and round the question of whether Arjuna should fight or not.
There is no talk about sin and its consequences and the way of redemption which are the corner-stone of the Christian faith. So far in our readings, Krishna has done nothing to deserve the title Lord. And it is difficult to understand why people worship him. But we are not done yet…….a long way to go and the journery is not easy for either You or me. But if you’ve always wanted to learn what it is that is spoken so highly about the Gita – as I have -, I would like you to travel with me please.
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