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Srimad Bhagavad GitaCha ter 4Cha ter 4
Professor B Mahadevan
January 31, 2011
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, ctuwaeR=Xyay>,, ctuwaeR=Xyay>,, ctuwaeR=Xyay>,, ctuwaeR=Xyay>,}an}an}an}an-kmRkmRkmRkmR-ssss
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Chapter 4Important transitions
Lord Krishna reveals himself as not the cousin
of Arjuna but as the Divine incarnation
Chapter 3 focused on the need to engage in
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Chapter 4 focuses on reaching higher planesof}an through kmRand y} Attaining joy out of work
Transitioning from work to knowledge
Transition from one level of thought to another is a measure of evolution & progress.
It is also a natural process for all of us.
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Imd!-gvItaChapter 4
Main messages in the chapter
Relevance of
Avtar pu;> Practical Steps to enjoy work and attainfreedom from drudgery of work
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Deeper ideas on the concept ofy} Knowledge Work: The connection, evolution
Some interesting concepts: Raja Rishi, }an tps! Varna, Unity in Diversity
Various aspects of knowledge
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Imd!-gvItaChapter 4
In a nutshell
4.1 4.3 Krishna takes Arjuna back in time
4.4 Arjuna seeks clarification on this 4.4 4.8 Krishnas reply
4.9 4.13 Ways of reaching the Divine 4.10 The concept of}an tps!
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4.13 4.23 I eas on wor , ree om rom wor etc. 4.13 Ideas on 4 varnas 4.14 4.18 Some deeper ideas about work
4.19 4.23 12 steps to discover joy of work
4.24 4.33 Concept of Yajna explained in detail Conceptual ideas, different types of Yajna, subtler meaning etc.
4.34 4.42 The Path of Knowledge How to seek knowledge
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Slokas 1 2Krishna takes us back in time
IIII----gvanuvac,gvanuvac,gvanuvac,gvanuvac,#m< ivvSvte yaeg< aeKtvanhmVyym!,ivvSvaNmnve ah mnuirvakve=vIt!. 4.1.
mnu kul jata> manva>
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I taught this Yoga to Vivaswan, who in turn taughtto Manu and Manu to Ikshvaku
@v< prMpraaPt< #m,s kaleneh mhta yaegae n> pr - Adi Shankaracharya
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Relevance of GitaPower practical issues of handling it
Easy to hold power, difficult to handle it properly
A little power can create inebriation
Mahabharata on Power and inebriation
iv*a mdae dan md> t&tIyae=i-}anaemda>,
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@t md Av lPtana< @t @v sta< dma>. Signs of bad handling of power
Very lowly behaviour towards other holding less or no
power People who come into contact feel loss of dignity & self
respect
Once stripped of power, everything goes out of purview
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raji;concept
Key for management, Administration
rajan \;y #it raji;R> Issue is one of acquiring power (Raja) and
handling power (Rishi)
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a a w ou s a u e as un ges e power Mahabharata on Raja Dharma:
iy Apu;a magR< svaRl, in-Rya> itp*Nte yda r]it -Uimpa>.
rajteivrajte#it raja
SvLpmPySy xmRSy aytemhtae-yat!.2.40.
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Relevance of GitaCardinal ideas behind building inner strength
Dharma and Incarnation are very relevant
principles of long term sustainability &stability
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Switching on the Psychological refinery helps
us building great character and inner strength
We have no business to compete with animals! Unity in Diversity is a great enabler of
creativity and progress
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Religious Angle or is it? yda yda ihxmRSy Glain-Rvit -art,
A_yuTwanmxmRSy tdaTman< s&jaMyhm!. 4.7. pira[ay saxUna< ivnazay c :ktam!,
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xmsSwapnaway s-va m yug yug. 4.8. When there is a deterioration of the Dharma and rise
of the evil forces, I incarnate and protect good
people, destroy evil forces and restore DharmaStability and long term sustainability of the system happens because there
are regenerative points in the system. When the system attains
disequilibrium and shows signs of being unstable and going out of control
corrective measures are taken to restore equilibrium in the system.
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Dharma
Governing principle Does not change with
time, place, person or context
Key pillar of sustainability
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su or s or o s v ry ng
! It ensures stability in the long run A lens through which we plan & perform
interactions with the world (xmR-AwR-kam-mae]a>) The overall impact is great amount of
goodness
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Avtar pu;>The Concept A strong purpose/cause
Dharma needs to be restored Some great good has to be done to humanity
How does it manifest?
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Enormous energy (world transforming energy) flows
World moving force they can touch 1000s of living beings
directly & indirectly
Buddha spoke to 5 disciples in the 6th
Century BC Christ spoke to his set of disciples 2000 years ago
Krishna spoke to Arjuna on the battlefield
They defeat the logic of time As time passes by they become known more
Unless we have spiritual development we cant understand the greatness of incarnationIt is not a zero one concept
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Slokas 9 10Ways of reaching God
jNm kmR c me idVy< @v< yae vei tvt>,TyKTva deh< punjRNm nEit mameit sae=juRn. 4.9.One who knows about my divine birth and action
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.
vItrag-yaexa> mNmya mamupaita>,bhvae}antpsa pUta mavmagta>. 4.10.Freed from attachment, fear, anger and absorbed inme, taking refuge in me, purified by the fire of
knowledge, many have attained me.
This is not an utopian idea. Many have done it before!
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Relevance of GitaHow is the inner-self & character weakened?
kam>
maeh>Strengthening
Force
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rag>
md> lae->maTsyR>aex>-y>e;>
Mental
Response
External
Responses Behavioural
Responses
rag -y aexa>contain enormous energy. How do wechannelize it properly? That is where }an tps!comes in
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What is Tapas? A psychological refinery for the body mind complex
Enables us to transcend sensory level Animal body ismeant for physical comfort & pleasures we cant
compete with them on this
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oncen ra on o e m n sense organs
Experience is the ultimate a mechanism to
transcend beyond knowledge
Internal focus rather than the external focus (refineyour thoughts & emotions)
Ones own activity No outsourcing possible
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Slokas 11 12Universal Path & Options for us
ye ywa ma< p*Nte ta pawR svRz>. 4.11.I manifest myself to people in whatever way they
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ka']Nt> kmR[a< isi< yjNt #h devta>,i]< ih manu;e laeke isi-Rvit kmRja. 4.12.Longing for success in action in this world, people
worship Gods since results of action are quickly
attained in the human world
Variety is the essence of life. Vedanta acknowledges thisRig Veda proclaims: @k bhuxabhuxabhuxabhuxa vdiNtvdiNtvdiNtvdiNt,,,,
Electric plug cook,
cool, radio, TV
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Shanti MantraAll roads lead to the same God
y< vEidka mNd&z> pura[a> #N< ym< matirZvanmahu>,
vedaiNtnae=invRcnIymek< y< zBden ivinidRziNt.
E < e < E: : N
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! u ubutwahRiit baE jEna> sCD+I Akaleit c isOosNt>,
zaSteit keict!kitict!kumar> SvamIit mateit ipteit -KTya,y< awRyNte jgdIiztar< s @k @v -uritIy>/.Aae< zaiNt> zaiNt> zaiNt>
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Sloka 13Varna Concept
catuvR{y mya s&,tSy ktaRrmip ma< iv(ktaRrmVyym!. 4.13.The four fold varna system was devised by me on
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. -
doer and changless
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Varna SystemTime to clear misconceptions
Based on Guna & Karma No reference to heredity!
Acknowledging the principle of diversity (Father &Son need not have same composition of Guna)
A mechanism to enable freedom of choice
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Important principle in Management First knownpiece of work in Orgn. Structure Design/Orgn. Theory
It is all but natural
It is dynamic (can evolve over time!)
Do you know the caste of 63 Nayanmars and 12 Alwars?
Do you know that they are worshipped as Gods?
Have you read their divine compositions?
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Sloka 18The paradox of Karma
kmR{ykmR y> pZyet!AkmRi[ c kmR y>,s buimaNmnu:ye;u s yuKt> kTSnkmRkt!. 4.18.One who sees action in inaction and inaction in
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, ,
You see several examples in real life
Work done with a deep sense of devotion
Work done with selfless love (Mother attending to a child) Work done with enormous passion (Dr. V of Aravind Eye Hospital)
In a nutshell, all greatest achievers in this world will be part of this list!
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Relevance of GitaFreedom from work: Practical guidelines
Twelve Principles to be diligently practiced
and followed Enable us to have holiday while engaging in heavy
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Lead us to get liberated from all effects of doing
work
Karma dissolves and it does not taint us in anyway
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Discovering Joy of WorkChecklist & Practical Guidelines
}anai dGx>}anai dGx>}anai dGx>}anai dGx>- Burnt by the fire of knowledge kam s
- Devoid of sensual desire & desire for results
kmR )l Aas-Forsaking the clinging to fruits of action inTy t&Pt>-Ever satisfied inray>- Depending on nothing
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yt icTtaTmayt icTtaTmayt icTtaTmayt icTtaTma- Controlled mind/body inrazI>- Without any ambition Ty svR pirh>- Relinquishing personal possessiveness
yd&Cda la- sNtu:q>- Content with what comes without effort
ivmTsr>- Free from envoy N AtIt>- Transcending the world of dualities
is AisaE c sm>- Even minded in success & Failure
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Is this an Utopian idea? kam s- Devoid of sensual desire & desire for results
Service to someone who was responsible for what you are today Bhakti &
Shraddha
kmR )l Aas-Forsaking the clinging to fruits of action Mother attending to a child with pure love
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& - A person attending to any work with a feeling of fullness of life
inray>- Depending on nothing One who believes that his/her work is Gods Work Those who work with a
great social cause and divine perspective
Ty svR pirh>- Relinquishing personal possessiveness People who feel that they have no premium for life Poor people in any
society have great propensity to take risk and participate in common good
yd&Cda la- sNtu:q>- Content with what comes without effort The pleasure of a 2 year old child can never be matched by anyone else
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Is this an Utopian idea or a
gateway to evolution of the self? We do have examples in real life but in varying
degrees we practice it Post-man delivers news without emotions
A mother attending to her infant
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A dedicated social worker A devotee at the pinnacle of bhakti
Thomas Alva Edison with 100s of failed inventions
Great leaders who made an impact on the society Deep sleep do we not practice this daily?
Avatara Purshas: Rama, Krishna, Jesus
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Relevance of GitaSubtler concepts pertaining to Yajna
Practising Yajna is well beyond the normal
ritualistic part that we are used to. Observing the ritualistic aspects in some detail
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There are multiple ways we need to practice
Yajna in our life
It is a way of life that prepares an individual tohigher planes of existence
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Slokas 24 - 25Deeper concepts of Yajna
apR[< hiv> aaE [a tm!,Ev ten gNtVy< kmR smaixna. 4.24.Process is Brahman, offered is Brahman, offered by
A{f ip{f@k -av>
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, , ,
to be reached in the Samadhi of Brahman
dEvmevapre y}< yaeign> pyuRpaste,
aavpre y}< y}enEvaepjuit. 4.25.Some yogis perform yajna to devas, while othersoffer Brahman (the self) as sacrifice in the fire of
Brahman
External Orientation
Internal Orientation
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Sacrifice as a ritualSignificance
Medium (AiAiAiAi)Doer (ktaRktaRktaRktaR)
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Offering (vStuvStuvStuvStu)Receiver (devtadevtadevtadevta)Effect-Sm>(total annihilation), melting awayGiving away, parting off (n mm)Developing a sense of detachment over time
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5 types of YajnaAn evolutionary path to self-development
p y}a>vy y}> - Wealth as offeringtpae y}> - Austerity as offering
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yag y}> - Self-restraint as offering SvaXyay y}> - Deeper study as offering
}an y}>- Knowledge as offering
At each stage we transcend it and see existence (& the meaning) beyond that
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5 types of YajnaFrom a perspective of our duties
p y}a> y}> - Study of Vedas (SvaXyay) dev y}> - Worship of God, making offerings
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&- er ngs o paren s an ances ors
mnu:y y}> - Offering to fellow human beings -Ut y}> - Offering to other living creatures
There is a larger principle of thanks giving, showing gratefulness
to the larger system of beings in existence
Taittriya Upanishad:
SvaXyayaNma md>, sTyaNn midtVym!, xmaRNn midtVym!, kuzlaNn midtVym!,-UTyE n midtVym!, SvaXyayvcna_ya
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Relevance of GitaAction leads to Knowledge
Performing everything with y} -av>completely liberates us from (absolves us of)all sins
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leads to knowledge
Making special efforts to acquire knowledge is
a worthwhile exercise
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Slokas 29 - 30Different types of Yajna
Apane juit a[< a[e=pan< twa=pre,a[apangtI va a[ayampray[a>. 4.29.Some offer outgoing breath as sacrifice to incoming
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between they practice pranayama
Apre inytahara> a[aNa[e;u juit,
sveR=Pyete y}ivd> y}]iptkLm;a>. 4.30.With proper food habits sacrifice pranas intopranas. By knowledge of Yajna they obliterate their
sins through Yajna
A
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y}]iptkLm;a>Why does it happen? Everything is Brahman, including offering, process
etc. (4.24) Senses, sense organs, sense objects are all offered inYajna (4.26)
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ct ons o sense organs, pranas o ere n t e a nakindled by spiritual knowledge (4.27)
Five different types of Yajnas are offered with self-restraint (4.28)
Breath control, Food habits are all done in the spiritof Yajna (4.29 4.30)
Spirit of Yajna is to give Not mine, Not mine, Detachment
From a mere act of pouring ghee, how far we have gone in understanding Yajna concept!
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Relevance of GitaKnowledge Vs Doubting mind
Knowledge obliterates every aspect pertaining to
action Pre-conditions for acquiring knowledge
Humilit
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Attitude Shradda (Faith or Devotion)
A doubting mind is the villain for acquiring
knowledge
Knowledge & Yoga will eliminate doubts, enable us
achieve freedom from work
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Relevance of GitaDeveloping character thro spirituality
What does it mean to develop character?
Strength & Gentleness must coexist
Great Broadmindedness develops along with
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Intense fearlessness and intense compassion
A-y< vE aPtaeis jnk> (Brihadaranya Upanishad)
ySmat!n %ijet laeka> laekat!n %ijet c y>(Gita chapter 12)
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Chapter 4 on Knowledge Reach ultimate (}an tpsa md!-avmagta> - 4.10) Sages call him wise (
}anaiGn dGx>-
tmahu> pi{ft< buxa>- 4.19)
Fire of Self-control is kindled by knowledge (AaTms
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Knowledge How to seek? Humility
Devotion or Faith
Attitude
Inquisitiveness
Why do we need?
All actions lead to
knowledge only
Only means to cross
the ocean of sins
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What it does ?
Understand oneness
Burn action to ashes Ultimate Purifier
Help reach ultimate
Fire of self-control is kindled
Sages call Jnani as wise
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