Sri Ramakrishna and Bhagavad Gita - 8

 

                                     

                                             

                                            

                                                         MOKSHA SANYASA YOGA 

                                  THE YOGA OF LIBERATION BY RENUNCIATION

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

काम्यानां कर्मणां न्यासं सन्न्यासं कवयो विदु: |

सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं प्राहुस्त्यागं विचक्षणा: || 2||

BG 18.2: The Supreme Divine Personality said: Giving up of actions motivated by desire is what the learned understand as sanyās. Relinquishing the fruits of all actions is what the wise declare to be tyāg.

Sri Ramakrishna :

The aspirant endowed with satwa  guna need not do any karma. In fact all activities drop off from them, of their own accord. Any endeavor on their part to retain karma proves itself futile. The Lord Himself releases them from all duties. The   domestic duties of a pregnant woman are reduced as her   pregnancy advances. After delivery she has no work except looking after the baby. Such is the case with those imbued with sattva. But others who are not sattvikas should necessarily engage themselves in their allotted duties. As the servant of a rich man does the work assigned to him, the devotees of the Lord should discharge their duties, holding them all as the Maker’s mandate. The Lord’s name ought to be repeated mentally while the activities are going on at the physical level. At the appointed times meditation on the Lord may also be carried on. This is the gist of the Karma Yoga.

                                       एतान्यपि तु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलानि च |

                      कर्तव्यानीति मे पार्थ निश्चितं मतमुत्तमम् || 6||

BG 18.6: These activities must be performed without attachment and expectation for rewards. This is  My definite and supreme verdict, O Arjun.

 

Sri Ramakrishna :

Those who want to make progress in spirituality and those who want to realize Iswara have to protect   themselves   first from base desires. Attainment of perfection is impossible without purity of mind.

                      यस्य नाहङ् कृतो भावो बुद्धिर्यस्य न लिप्यते |

                      हत्वाऽपि स इमाँल्लोकान्न हन्ति न निबध्यते || 17||

BG 18.17: Those who are free from the ego of being the doer, and whose intellect is unattached, though they may slay living beings, they neither kill nor are they bound by actions.

Sri Ramkrishna :

Purusha is free from karma. No vibration of any kind takes place in him. Prakriti is the doer of all karma, while purusha is merely the witness to it. But for the presence of the Purusha , no action is possible for the Prakriti. So say the scriptures.

                                               सर्वभूतेषु येनैकं भावमव्ययमीक्षते |

                      अविभक्तं विभक्तेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि सात्त्विकम् || 20||

BG 18.20: Understand that knowledge to be in the mode of goodness by which a person sees one undivided imperishable reality within all diverse living beings.

Sri Ramakrishna :

Though the air carries fragrance and foul smell alike, it is not affected by them. Such is even the case with Paramatman , the Basis of the varying universe.

                                             पृथक्त्वेन तु यज्ज्ञानं नानाभावान्पृथग्विधान् |

                      वेत्ति सर्वेषु भूतेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि राजसम् || 21||

BG 18.21: That knowledge is to be considered in the mode of passion by which one sees manifold living entities in diverse bodies as individual and unconnected.

Sri Ramakrishna :

Seeing unity is knowledge; seeing diversity is ignorance.

                                             अनुबन्धं क्षयं हिंसामनपेक्ष्य च पौरुषम् |

                      मोहादारभ्यते कर्म यतत्तामसमुच्यते || 25||

BG 18.25: That action is declared to be in the mode of ignorance, which is begun out of delusion, without thought to one’s own ability, and disregarding consequences, loss, and injury to others.

Sri Ramakrishna :

It is only after the practice of intense tapas that men are freed from guile and stinginess. God vision comes to them who are free from crookedness and cunning. But in the name of simplicity man should not become a simpleton. It is good to be a devotee, but bad to be a dullard. Know what is right and do what is good.

                                              मुक्तसङ्गोऽनहंवादी धृत्युत्साहसमन्वित: |

                      सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योर्निर्विकार: कर्ता सात्त्विक उच्यते || 26||

BG 18.26: The performer is said to be in the mode of goodness, when he or she is free from egotism and attachment, endowed with enthusiasm and determination, and equipoised in success and failure.

Sri Ramakrishna :

That soft soil alone which   is free from pebbles and stones is favorable for seeds to sprout. Similarly, the mind of that devotee alone untainted by perversion and conceit, is best suited for the Lord to reveal Himself in.

                                                 रागी कर्मफलप्रेप्सुर्लुब्धो हिंसात्मकोऽशुचि: |

                        हर्षशोकान्वित: कर्ता राजस: परिकीर्तित: || 27||

BG 18.27: The performer is considered in the mode of passion when he or she craves the fruits of the work, is covetous, violent-natured, impure, and moved by joy and sorrow.

Sri Ramakrishna :

Cunning is no virtue. Nobody is more cunning than a crow. It steals artfully. It is ever alert lest it should be caught. It exploits the helplessness of little children. All the same, it is ever out to eat filth. There are people of this nature of crow. They are deceitful, calculative and cunning. But their one concern day and night is to grab low and vulgar things. Such people are incapable of taking to the path of spirituality.

                         अयुक्त: प्राकृत: स्तब्ध: शठो नैष्कृतिकोऽलस: |

                         विषादी दीर्घसूत्री च कर्ता तामस उच्यते || 28||

BG 18.28: A performer in the mode of ignorance is one who is undisciplined, vulgar, stubborn, deceitful, slothful, despondent, and a procrastinator.

Sri Ramakrishna :

A fisherman cast his net and caught fish in a river. Many among the catch lay within the net, making no effort to escape. Some of them made unsuccessful attempts. But a few somehow managed to escape jumping out of the net. Likewise, men  of  the world are of three types: 1. Those who make no effort for emancipation 2. The aspirants who seek deliverance   3. The liberated souls.

                                                   बुद्धेर्भेदं धृतेश्चैव गुणतस्त्रिविधं शृणु |

                        प्रोच्यमानमशेषेण पृथक्त्वेन धनञ्जय || 29||

BG 18.29: Hear now, O Arjun, of the distinctions of intellect and determination, according to the three modes of material nature, as I describe them in detail.

Sri Ramakrishna :

Dolls may be made of sugar, cloth and stone. The sugar doll soaked in water dissolves away. The cloth doll absorbs plenty of water, but does not lose its individuality. The stone doll does not allow water to  percolate . Men who are prepared to merge their individuality in Paramatman are like the sugar doll. Devotees that imbibe bliss and wisdom from the Lord are like cloth doll. The hard baked worldly man who is proof against godliness is like the stone doll.

 

                                                 यया तु धर्मकामार्थान्धृत्या धारयतेऽर्जुन |

                       प्रसङ्गेन फलाकाङ् क्षी धृति: सा पार्थ राजसी || 34||

BG 18.34: The steadfast willpower by which one holds on to duty, pleasures, and wealth, out of attachment and desire for rewards, O Arjun, is determination in the mode of passion.

Sri Ramakrishna :

If drinking water  and nice eatables be kept in the room occupies by a patient from malignant fever, would he refrain from partaking  of those things? Will a sensuous man contain himself when he finds himself in the midst of several objects of senses left at his disposal? He is sure to deviate from the path of devotion and indulge in sense pleasure.

 

                                                  यदग्रे चानुबन्धे च सुखं मोहनमात्मन: |

                       निद्रालस्यप्रमादोत्थं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् || 39||

BG 18.39: That happiness which covers the nature of the self from beginning to end, and which is derived from sleep, indolence, and negligence, is said to be in the mode of ignorance.

Sri Ramakrishna :

The hemp smoker believes that his inebriation is a form of spiritual ecstasy. But it is nothing of the kind. He deludes himself in his indolence into such a belief.

                                                   भक्त्या मामभिजानाति यावान्यश्चास्मि तत्त्वत: |

                        ततो मां तत्त्वतो ज्ञात्वा विशते तदनन्तरम् || 55||

BG 18.55: Only by loving devotion to Me does one come to know who I am in Truth. Then, having come to know Me, My devotee enters into full consciousness of Me.

Sri Ramakrishna :

It is possible for the  Jeevatman to merge with Paramatman.  He can then state,  “ I and my Lord are one “ . A devoted servant of a master may in long run be treated by him as a member of   his family. Being quite pleased with  his  earnest  service, the master may also install the servant in his place and empower him to execute the domestic concerns in his stead. But the installed man declines that high office with compunction. Still the master insists on his assuming that status. It is in this wise that Iswara claims the ardent devotee as His own. He first reveals His attributes and glories to the Bhakta and then absorbs him in union.

                                                   चेतसा सर्वकर्माणि मयि सन्न्यस्य मत्पर: |

                         बुद्धियोगमुपाश्रित्य मच्चित्त: सततं भव || 57||

BG 18.57: Dedicate your every activity to Me, making Me your supreme goal. Taking shelter of the Yog of the intellect, keep your consciousness absorbed in Me always.

Sri Ramakrishna :

If you happen to be blessed with  a vision of the Lord, what would you ask of Him? Would you appeal to Him to provide you with facilities to build hospitals, schools, water tanks and alms houses?

                                                  मच्चित्त: सर्वदुर्गाणि मत्प्रसादात्तरिष्यसि |

                         अथ चेत्वमहङ्कारान्न श्रोष्यसि विनङ्क्ष्यसि || 58||

BG 18.58: If you always remember Me, by My grace you shall overcome all obstacles and difficulties. But if, due to pride, you do not listen to My advice, you will perish.

Sri Ramakrishna :

However much you try you will not achieve anything if you do not get the grace of the Lord. That grace again, is not easily obtained. All egoism ought to be wiped out as a prelude to it. If the egoistic feeling, ‘ I am the doer ,’  takes possession of your heart, that attitude would alienate you from Iswara. The Lord remains hidden in that heart which is tainted by egoism.

                                                  स्वभावजेन कौन्तेय निबद्ध: स्वेन कर्मणा |

                        कर्तुं नेच्छसि यन्मोहात्करिष्यस्यवशोऽपि तत् || 60||

BG 18.60: O Arjun, that action which out of delusion you do not wish to do, you will be driven to do it by your own inclination, born of your own material nature.

Sri Ramakrishna :

The vessel in which garlic is kept, takes in that strong smell. However much the vessel may be washed, the pungent smell would not disappear. Egoism is very much like the smell of garlic. It is   adamant and would not easily be obliterated.

                                                ईश्वर: सर्वभूतानां हृद्देशेऽर्जुन तिष्ठति |

                       भ्रामयन्सर्वभूतानि यन्त्रारूढानि मायया || 61||

BG 18.61: The Supreme Lord dwells in the hearts of all living beings, O Arjun. According to their karmas, He directs the wanderings of the souls, who are seated on a machine made of material energy.

Sri Ramakrishna :

Poison within the teeth of a snake causes no harm to it. But that poison injected into others causes death to them. Similarly Maya that is in Iswara causes Him no harm. Rather, it is an adorable attribute of His. And this Maya keeps  all   beings in bondage.

                                              सर्वगुह्यतमं भूय: शृणु मे परमं वच: |

                      इष्टोऽसि मे दृढमिति ततो वक्ष्यामि ते हितम् || 64||

BG 18.64: Hear again My supreme instruction, the most confidential of all knowledge. I am revealing this for your benefit because you are very dear to Me.

Sri Ramakrishna :

How does the devotee behold the Lord? He beholds Him as his own, even as the Gopis of Brindavan beheld Sri Krishna. Those milkmaids cared not for the cosmic powers of that Great Being. Krishna was their darling and they were satisfied with that. Krishna was their daring and they were satisfied with that. To the Bhakta , the Lord is his innermost Self and he is absorbed in that feeling.

                                               सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज |

                      अहं त्वां सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुच: || 66||

BG 18.66: Abandon all varieties of dharmas and simply surrender unto Me alone. I shall liberate you from all sinful reactions; do not fear.

Sri Ramakrishna :

What   is  the state of complete self-surrender? It is like louging and taking rest after the days’s   hard toil. It is free from care and grief. Undefinable Bliss emanates from it.

                                                य इदं परमं गुह्यं मद्भक्तेष्वभिधास्यति |

                       भक्तिं मयि परां कृत्वा मामेवैष्यत्यसंशय: || 68||

BG 18.68: Amongst My devotees, those who teach this most confidential knowledge perform the greatest act of love. They will come to Me, without doubt.

Sri Ramakrishna :

Bhagavan, Bhagavatha and Bhaktas are all  identical .

 

                        न च तस्मान्मनुष्येषु कश्चिन्मे प्रियकृत्तम: |

                        भविता न च मे तस्मादन्य: प्रियतरो भुवि || 69||

BG 18.69: No human being does more loving service to Me than they; nor shall there ever be anyone on this earth more dear to Me.

Sri Ramakrishna:

The drain pipes on the roof of the house are fixed with open mouths of tigers and lions. The rain water coming from the sky therefore seems to jet out from the mouths of  these  beasts. Similar to this, the utterances of the holy men appear to be their own, while actually they all descend from the Most High.

                                                                       अर्जुन उवाच |

                         नष्टो मोह: स्मृतिर्लब्धा त्वत्प्रसादान्मयाच्युत |

                         स्थितोऽस्मि गतसन्देह: करिष्ये वचनं तव || 73||

BG 18.73: Arjun said: O Infallible One, by Your grace my illusion has been dispelled, and I am situated in knowledge. I am now free from doubts, and I shall act according to Your instructions.

Sri Ramakrishna :

The tadpole can live both in water and on land after it sheds its tail. The tail of ignorance drops off from man when he gets enlightened in Brahma jnana. He then becomes a jeevamukta- liberated soul. He simultaneously  lives in the world and rests in Brahman.

                        यत्र योगेश्वर: कृष्णो यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धर: |

                        तत्र श्रीर्विजयो भूतिध्रुवा नीतिर्मतिर्मम || 78||

BG 18.78: Wherever there is Shree Krishna, the Lord of all Yog, and wherever there is Arjun, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be unending opulence, victory, prosperity, and righteousness. Of this, I am certain.

Sri Ramakrishna :

The sunlight falls uniformly and equally on all objects. But it is not revealed in its original grandeur by all things. Water glass and polished metals receive and reflect it brilliantly. Such is also the case with brilliance of the Divine Grace. It is available to all equally and without partiality. Still It gets best reflected in the hearts of the good and holy and best availed by those blessed ones.

The Lord incarnates on earth for the guidance of the good, the devoted and the virtuous ones. Those apostles that accompany an Incarnation of Divine are either the already perfected ones or those that are born for the last time before their liberation.

                                                🙏  *  SRI KRISHNARPANAM *🙏