BG 4.42 – Hear the Gita from a Self Realized Soul

Giriraj Swami: 

oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya
oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya
oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya

Reading from Bhagavad-gītā, Chapter Four, “Transcendental Knowledge,”

TEXT 42

tasmād ajñāna-sambhūtaṁ
hṛt-sthaṁ jñānāsinātmanaḥ
chittvainaṁ saṁśayaṁ yogam
ātiṣṭhottiṣṭha bhārata

TRANSLATION

Therefore the doubts which have arisen in your heart out of ignorance should be slashed by the weapon of knowledge. Armed with yoga, O Bhārata, stand and fight.

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada

The yoga system instructed in this chapter is called sanātana-yoga, or eternal activities performed by the living entity. This yoga has two divisions of sacrificial actions: one is called sacrifice of one’s material possessions, and the other is called knowledge of self, which is pure spiritual activity. If sacrifice of one’s material possessions is not dovetailed for spiritual realization, then such sacrifice becomes material. But one who performs such sacrifices with a spiritual objective, or in devotional service, makes a perfect sacrifice. When we come to spiritual activities, we find that these are also divided into two: namely, understanding of one’s own self (or one’s constitutional position), and the truth regarding the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One who follows the path of Bhagavad-gītā as it is can very easily understand these two important divisions of spiritual knowledge. For him there is no difficulty in obtaining perfect knowledge of the self as part and parcel of the Lord. And such understanding is beneficial, for such a person can easily understand the transcendental activities of the Lord.

COMMENT

So, there are two types of sacrifice mentioned in the Fourth Chapter of the Bhagavad-gītā: one of the sacrifices one’s material possessions and the other is knowledge of the self. So, one may sacrifice one’s material possessions for spiritual cause or for material cause. One who has no transcendental knowledge, they sacrifice his possessions for material cause and therefore, that sacrifice is material and its result is material. But one who sacrifices his possessions for spiritual cause gets the spiritual results. For spiritual knowledge is more important than sacrificing material possessions. Spiritual knowledge also comes in two categories. One is knowledge of self and other is knowledge of the supreme self. One may have the knowledge of soul as distinct from the body, but still, he may not have knowledge of the Supreme Soul and the relationship between the individual soul and the Supreme. Thus, he will not be able to engage in devotional service.

But the knowledge of the supreme soul and relationship between the individual soul and supreme is complete knowledge. And one who has such knowledge can engage in devotional service. Only one who engage in devotional service can understand supreme and be establish in his constitutional position as the eternal servant of Lord Krishna, who is the supreme. And when one understands Krishna through devotional service, he is liberated. He doesn’t have to take birth again in this miserable material world but go to back home back to Godhead. Once Srila Prabhupada was asked about what is most important verse in Bhagavad-gītā? He would quote the verse from Forth Chapter,

janma karma ca me divyam
evaṁ yo vetti tattvataḥ
tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma
naiti mām eti so ‘rjuna

One who understand the transcendental nature of Krishna’s appearance and activities in the world, he never has to take birth again because he goes to back to Godhead. But to understand Krishna is possible only through His devotees. And therefore, in order to realize transcendental knowledge and attend the success in human life we should become devotees of Krishna. And the method by which we can become devotees of the Lord is shown here by the devotees in ISKCON. There are various rules and regulations that devotees follow and that is practiced by devotees here. So, you come and associate with the devotees here and follow the examples of devotees here, you can also become devotee. Srila Prabhupada said that very few people will actually be able to live in the temple. Most people will live at home, but the temples are there to show the examples of how to be devotees of Krishna even at home or how make a home in to a temple and serve the Lord there. Still, although we may practice Krishna consciousness at home, we should gradually come in temple and associate with devotees and get pure knowledge and inspiration. This Krishna consciousness movement is not meant only for us to become conscious personally, but it is meant for us to do good for others by spreading Krishna consciousness all over the world.

So, how much can each of us spread Krishna consciousness alone? Not very much, but if we combine together to preach the message of Bhagavad-gītā, the teaching of Lord Chaitanya, we can have great impact on the people of Mauritius and ultimately of the world. And therefore, the association of devotees and other devotees and the people in general is essential. In fact, saṅkīrtana means chanting the glories of the Lord together. Saṅ means complete and kirtan means glorification. So, saṅkīrtana means the complete glorification of the Lord. Complete glorification means glorification of name, form, qualities, and the pastimes of the Lord. The complete gratification also means when everyone joins together to glorify the Lord. That is saṅkīrtana. So, we need each other to perform saṅkīrtana. Therefore, Srila Prabhupada has created the association of devotees in ISKCON. And we should consider the association of the devotees most precious, most valuable. If we take their association granted, we may get deprived from their association. The association of devotees is very rare and valuable, so we should value it and treasure it and guard it very carefully. But if we take the association of devotees for granted, do not appreciate the devotees, become offensive to the other lose, we may lose their association. And when we realize what we lost, it is not that easy to get it back.

PURPORT (continued)

In the beginning of this chapter, the transcendental activities of the Lord were discussed by the Supreme Lord Himself. One who does not understand the instructions of the Gītā is faithless, and is to be considered to be misusing the fragmental independence awarded to him by the Lord. In spite of such instructions, one who does not understand the real nature of the Lord as the eternal, blissful, all-knowing Personality of Godhead is certainly fool number one. Ignorance can be removed by gradual acceptance of the principles of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Kṛṣṇa consciousness is awakened by different types of sacrifices to the demigods, sacrifice to Brahman, sacrifice in celibacy, in household life, in controlling the senses, in practicing mystic yoga, in penance, in forgoing material possessions, in studying the Vedas and in partaking of the social institution called varṇāśrama-dharma. All of these are known as sacrifice, and all of them are based on regulated action. But within all these activities, the important factor is self-realization.

COMMENT

So, what is the difference between human life and animal life? Can anyone answer? Nobody knows? He said that human life has developed consciousness and animal life does not. So, developed consciousness is relative. Some animals have more developed than others. And certainly, human consciousness is more developed than animal. So, what is the specific name that possible for the human being which is not possible for animals?

Devotee: Human being can distinguish between good and bad.

Giriraj Swami: Yes. What is the difference between good and bad? Yes. You are going to do something?

Devotee: Human being can perform austerities.

Giriraj Swami: Human being can perform austerities. So, animals also can perform austerities.

Devotee: Human being can do self-realization.

Giriraj Swami: Yes, only human being can do self-realization. Actual difference is that animal can just live naturally. Human being can distinguish between good and bad. Activities performed according to rules and regulations of the scriptures are good and activities that are performed against the scriptures or violation of the scripture are bad. So, fact is the difference between animal and humans is that the human beings follow religious prescription. And the whole purpose of following scripture is to realize the God or realize the self.

Dharmeṇa hīnāḥ paśubhiḥ samānāḥ, that the without the dharma, the human being is no better than the animals, there is no difference. If human being does not follow religious principles, he is no better than animals. In fact, sometimes he Is worse human beings. Human being is meant for self-realization or God-realization. When we come to human form of life, we should engage in such activities. If we do not engage in such activities, we are no better than animals. So, different types of practices are mentioned in Bhagavad-gītā here in the Fourth Chapter, but they are meant to culminate in these self-realizations. Then they have meaning to meet perfection. So, all these sacrifices and activities are based on action. In other words, we do not do regulated activities, we are like animals. It is that regulated activities that make us human, but within all these activities the self-realization is important.

PURPORT (continued)

One who seeks that objective is the real student of Bhagavad-gītā, but one who doubts the authority of Kṛṣṇa falls back. One is therefore advised to study Bhagavad-gītā, or any other scripture, under a bona fide spiritual master, with service and surrender. A bona fide spiritual master is in the disciplic succession from time eternal, and he does not deviate at all from the instructions of the Supreme Lord as they were imparted millions of years ago to the sun-god, from whom the instructions of Bhagavad-gītā have come down to the earthly kingdom.

COMMENT

So, there is a difference between theoretical knowledge and practical applications. We may have theoretical knowledge that I am not the body. We can even give the whole lecture I am not the body, but practically we may identify with the body, and we may see others in terms of the body. Just like in South Africa, one Indian Gujarati bhāgavata reciter came and I am sure in theory, he knows that I am soul and I am not the body. But at the end of the recitation, he appealed to the audience that they should build a temple of Lord Krishna. So, someone from audience said that ISKCON devotees have already build the temple of Lord Krishna. Then he replied that yes, but we do not have Gujarati temple of Lord Krishna.

So, there is a big difference between theoretical knowledge and practical applications. Once, one of my best life members from Bombay visited London and various cities on the way to Los Angeles, and when he finally got to Los Angeles, he met Srila Prabhupada and I happen to be there. So, he was telling Srila Prabhupada about his visit to London. He said that although we have built first Radha-Krishna Temple in London, but now since ISKCON came to England, there was another Radha-Krishna temple also, which was called Hindu Radha-Krishna temple. So, Srila Prabhupada was little disturbed about Hindu Radha-Krishna temple. He said, “What is the meaning of Hindu Radha-Krishna? Is it means that there is Muslim Radha-Krishna temple?”

So, I sure every Indian or every Hindu knows that I am not the body but spirit soul, but in practice, we may identify with the body. I am Indian, I am Hindu, I am Christian, I am Mauritian, I am South-African, these are all bodily designations. So even though we may have theoretical knowledge, we don’t apply the knowledge in practical life and therefore we suffer. But when we actually realize the knowledge by sincere practice of Krishna consciousness, we become liberated from such designations. And until we are liberated from such designations, we cannot actually engage in devotional service.

sarvopādhi-vinirmuktaṁ
tat-paratvena nirmalam
hṛṣīkeṇa hṛṣīkeśa-
sevanaṁ bhaktir ucyate

Bhakti is possible when one is free from all material designations or one gives up the idea that I am Hindu, I am Muslim, I am Christian, I am Mauritian, I am South-African, I am American, I am this and that. As long as we identify ourselves as there false designations, we won’t be able to serve Krishna, but we will serve our designations. If we think I am Mauritian, I think I must serve the cause of the Mauritius. If I think I am African, I think I must serve the cause of the African. We are not able to serve Krishna. We are always serving the cause with which we identify. So, when we identify with the body or any designation of the body, then we will serve those designations, and only when we are free from bodily designations, not just in theory but in practice, will we be able to serve the supreme spirit Lord Krishna. And that is called bhakti, otherwise it is not bhakti. We may be able to perform activities that lead to bhakti, but it is not bhakti unless we are free from designations.

PURPORT (continued)

One should, therefore, follow the path of Bhagavad-gītā as it is expressed in the Gītā itself and beware of self-interested people after personal aggrandizement who deviate others from the actual path.

COMMENT

So there are many persons with selfish motives who have presented Bhagavad-gītā not as it is but with their own interpretation. They don’t really want to serve Krishna or engage which lead us in the service of Krishna. They want to make money and become famous or get power, they don’t actually want to serve Krishna. They are materialistic people with materialistic motives and they just want to take advantage of the popularity of Bhagavad-gītā of their own selfish purposes.

Sometimes political leaders in India have their pictures taken with Bhagavad-gītā, especially elder ones. They just stand with Bhagavad-gītā and have pictures take. But what was their motive? Their motive was to drive the British out of India. They used to have big meetings on how to drive the British out of India and for meeting they would with them a Bhagavad-gītā. So, Srila Prabhupada commented that they are very proud and happy that they have picture taken with Bhagavad-gītā and they do not even know the first instruction of Bhagavad-gītā, which is that you are not body, dehino ‘smin yathā dehe kaumāraṁ yauvanaṁ jarā. So, they are quoting from Bhagavad-gītā but they don’t know first line of Bhagavad-gītā, which is that you are not the body. And therefore, they want to drive the British out. Why? Because they identify with the body, and they think we are Indian and they are British, so we should drive them out. So we should not hear Bhagavad-gītā from people who used Bhagavad-gītā up for material purposes. The Gītā is not meant for materialistic purposes; it is meant for self-realization, so we should hear the Gītā from the self-realized souls. Then it will be valuable.

PURPORT (continued)

The Lord is definitely the Supreme Person, and His activities are transcendental. One who understands this is a liberated person from the very beginning of his study of Bhagavad-gītā.