BHAGAVAD GEETA: 96 - Swami Advayananda.

========================================================================================

BHAGAVAD GEETA
Chapter - 2
Discourse – 2 (72 Slogas)
“Yoga of the SUPREME SELF”
Sri Veda Vyasaji

======================================================================================

Sunday 01, December 2024, 10:00.
Discourse 2 | Yoga of the Supreme Self  
2.13   THE SADHANA FOR PERFECTION 
(Slogas - 68-72, 5 No.) 
Slogam- 72: The Final Prize – A “Peaceful” Mind 
Post - 96.

=======================================================================================

Slogam - 72: PEACE – Passport to the Brahmic State:  

1 

Eshaa braahmee sthitih, Paartha = This is the Brahmic State, O Son of Pritha. 

2 

na enaam praapya vimuhyati; = Attaining this, none is deluded.

3 

sthitvaa asyaam antakaale api = Established therein, even at the end of life, 

4 

brahma-nirvaana mricchhati. = one attains to Oneness with Brahman. 

======================================================================================

1

 The Brahmic state spoken of here is with reference to the immovable, steady state of wisdom which Sri Krishna had mentioned in verse 53, which prompted Arjuna’s question. In this way there is closure on this topic from verse 54 to verse 72. When features like this are incorporated into a text, it is a sign of professionalism in the writing and a credit to the writer, Sri Veda Vyasaji. 

2

 This state is irreversible. It takes one beyond delusion once and for all. Moha or Delusion has other names used for it such as Avidya or Nescience, and Maya or illusion. The purpose of the entire Geeta is to rid Arjuna of this delusion which stands in the way of the performance of his duty. 

3

 One can attain this state at any time during one’s lifetime, even just before death. Taking this thought up, Sri Shankaracharya makes a poignant remark. If it is possible to attain this state even at the time of one’s death, then what doubt is there for those who renounce earlier in life and become renunciates from the time of their Brahmacharya training itself? Those who take to this path from an early age, foregoing the intermediate Ashramas, should have no doubt in their mind of being successful on this path.  The line may also read to understand with emphasis that illumination is something which takes place during one’s lifetime and not after one die. One has to be conscious in the body in order to become enlightened. Even the moment just before death is part of one’s life, and therefore good enough to attain enlightenment; it is never too late! A third point emphasised by this line is that one should never lose hope of realsing the Truth. One cannot say, “I am too old for it.” Nor can he say, “I don’t think I have the time for it.”

4

 Nirvana comes from the ‘Va’ Dhatu and means “blown away by knowledge”. Avidya is blown out once and for all; there is total cessation of Avidya, Kama and Karma. The final statement is of that Brahmic state – Nirvana – the state of Supreme Peace attained through absorption in the Self; the state for which the passport is the steady mind obtained through renunciation; the state which is non-dual; and where there is Oneness in Brahman, i.e. complete identity of the individual with the Universal. 

This Pada, which ends the second Discourse, may also be taken as the Mahavakya of the Geeta – the statement which declares the Oneness achieved between the individual and he Universal Self. 

This is no temporary solution to one’s sorrows. Once and for all the Geeta goes to the root of all sorrow and eliminates it through knowledge. Any other solution will be temporary relief only. The cause of sorrow will return. With Self-knowledge, the cause itself – namely, Ignorance – is destroyed.  

END OF DISCOURSE - 2: “THE YOGA OF THE SUPREME SELF”

Next

Chapter - 3.

Continued

=================================================================================================