BHAGAVAD GEETA: 76 - Swami Advayananda.
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==================================================================================BHAGAVAD GEETA
Chapter - 2
Discourse – 2 (72 Slogas)
“Yoga of the SUPREME SELF”
Sri Veda Vyasaji
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Tuesday 04, June 2024 06:20.
2.11 THE GLORY OF KARMA YOGA
(Slogas 49-53, 5 No.)
Post - 76.
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Slogam 52: The First Milestone: Nirvedam (Indifference):
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Yadaa te moha-kalilam = The mire of delusion – as much as your
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buddhih vyati-tarishyati; = intellect crosses beyond it;
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tadaagantaasi NIRVEDAM = so much you shall attain to indifference as to
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shrotavyasya shrutasya cha. = what is yet to be ‘heard’ and what has been ‘heard’.
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This and the next slogam describe two key milestones in the life of a Karma Yogi. In
this verse the first milestone he reaches is Nirvedam or “indifference” (see note below). The
pre-condition for it is crossing over the mire of delusion. Essentially, Nirvedam is a measure
of the purity of heart and of dispassion that has been gained.
Mohakalilam: “The mire of delusion”. Delusion is seen at two levels:
i) Dharma Moha:
At local level, this refers to the quandry Arjuna has about his
Swadharma. The test that proves the removal of this delusion is Nirvedam or indifference to
what one experiences. It is the first milestone, and is covered in this slogam.
Arjuna’s dilemma as to his duty was due to this Moha. In Arjuna, this Dharma Moha
led to his refusal to do his duty on the battlefield. The delusion manifested as an
overwhelming sense of self-pity and grief.
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ii) Brahma Moha:
At cosmic level, this refers to the overall power of Maya which
veils us from the Self. The first Moha is an effect of this second Moha. The test that proves
its removal is Samadhi or abidance in the Self for long periods. It is the second milestone,
and is covered in the next slogam.
Overcoming delusion at the root or cosmic level calls for a lot more work. Karma
Yoga alone is not sufficient. Jnana Yoga, i.e. Saankhya Yoga, is needed to achieve this. It
means the intellectual enquiry has to extend deep into the Self, not remain only at the level
of action or thought.
Nirvedam & Steps Leading to It:
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The Geeta uses the word Nirvedam, which in practice is equivalent to Vairagya,
which in turn is seen as equipoise or balance under all conditions. Nirvedam is indifference
to worldly pleasure, without any feeling of revulsion for it; it is a more neutral word than
Vairagya. One simply observes the world-show without being judgemental about it.
The steps to attain Nirvedam were detailed for us by Acharyaji as follows:
Step 1: The Karma Yoga
Step 2: Chitta Shuddhi begins; or purity of heart is gained;
Step 3: Attachment goes;
Step 4: With it Raga and Dwesha (likes and dislikes) also go;
Step 5: Then the “mire of delusion” leaves;
Step 6: One gains Nirvedam as the Phala of Karma Yoga.
The first milestone, the attainment of Nirvedam, is a big achievement, but it is not
yet the goal of spiritual life. It is an entry-point for proper Vedantic Sadhana. More work is
still needed. Nirvedam opens the way for the mind to be directed fully towards the Divine.
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‘Heard’ and ‘yet to be heard’ refer to experiences through all the five senses.
Indifference or non-attachment to all experiences leads to Equipoise; i.e. Nirvedam is a
quality that precedes
the stage of Equipoise or perfect Balance of mind . . .
*****
Next
Slogam - 53: The Second Milestone: Self-Abidance
Continued
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