The eighteen Adhyayas of the celestial song Sri Madbhagavat Gita may be divided into three levels of discourse.
The first level covers Adhyayas 1 to 9. In these Adhyayas we see Arjuna in a questioning mood. He is trying to assess the Lord's ability to answer all his queries. For His part, Lord Krishna is also apprising Arjuna's credentials for his suitability to learn the most sacred Book of knowledge directly from Lord Himself. It is only towards the end of Adhyaya 9, Lord is satisfied about Arjuna's suitability. Then only He proclaims " Manmanaa bhava madbhakto madhyaajiimaam namaskuru, Maamevaishyasi yuktvaivamaatmaanaam matparaayana". Hey Arjuna! fix your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me and make obeisance to Me; thus linking yourself to Me and trust Me, you shall come to Me. After ascertaining Arjuna's suitability, Lord Himself suggests that Arjuna trust Him!
The second level covers Adhyayas 10 to 15. The Lord presents before Arjuna His innumerable manifestations in this universe and it is only at the beginning of Adhyaya 11 that we see the mellowing of Arjuna: "Madanugrahaaya paramam guhyamadhyaatmasanjitam, Yattvayoktam vachastena mohoyam vigato mama". The keyword here is "Madanugrahaaya" Because of Your kindness and benevolence! This is the first time Arjuna acknowledges Lord's greatness. And he is ready to cmpletely surrender to the Lord.
The last level covers Adhyaya 16 to 18. Towards the end of Adhyaya 18, Lord again declares: "Manmanaa bhava madbhakto madhyaajii maam namaskuru, Maamevaishyasi satyam tee pratijaane pryiosi mee" After the full discourse, Lord declares: "Hey Arjuna! I promise you, you shall come to Me." Note the change from trust me to I promise you!". When Lord Hiself promises, there should not be any iota of doubt and this is what happens to Arjuna. He says "Nashto mohah smrutirlabdha tvatprsaadaanmayaachyuta...." And celestial song ends but for the epilogue of Sanjaya.
One has to transport on the mental plane to the battle field of Kurukshetra and completely visualise himself or herself to be a part there to understand the full meaning of BhagavadGita. And believe me it is possible and you will enjoy each and every sloka of the celestial text.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
A Re-Look at Sri MadbhagavtGita
Monday, February 5, 2007
That Taxi Driver
This incident happened about 30 years ago.
I had bought a flat in Konkan Bhavan node of the then New Bombay, a satellite township being develped by CIDCO of Maharashtra. I moved into the new flat and ordered for furniture. It was a sunday afternoon. I checked with the furniture fabricator located in Chembur and after having taken lunch was waiting for CIDCO bus to take me to New Bombay.
In those days we had to wait for prolnged times to get transport. Suddenly a taxi stopped and a head popped out of window. It was that of a Punjabi Sardar.
"Konkan Bhavan chalna hai sahib?" he enquired. "Probably going home", I thought.
"Chalna to Hai. Bhada kitana dena hai?" I asked out of curiosity.
"Panch rupia dena Sahib. Vaise to Ghar jaraha hun. Isliye kam loonga." He answered.
"Nahi baba, Mujhe kuchch kaam bhi nahi. Bus ka intajaar karunga. Vaise to CIDCO me sirf 75 paise leagte hai" I told him.
Theek hai Sahib. Sirf 2 rupia dijiye" he smiled and opened the door invitingly.
I was happy and immediately got into the Taxi.
On the way we got into conversation mode. It turned out that he also bought a flat from CIDCO and after a day's work he is returning home.
"CIDCO bada hi saitani kiya Sahib. Bahut sare cheeje promise ki lekin kuchh nahi diaya? pani nahi, light nahi dhang se road nahi" he went on complaining.
I agreed with him and added in good measure what I think of CIDCO.
So this CIDCO bashing continued until we reached Konkanbhavan.
'Kaunsa sector me rahate hai Sahib?" the Sardar enquired. "Sector 1" I replied.
"I will pay him Rs.5 now that he is taking me almost to my doorstep" I decided.
We reached our home. I began taking out my wallet.
"Rahane dijiye Sahib. aapka achcha company mila. Paise ki jarorat nahi" he smiled and went away.
I was stunned and ashemed. Here is a man who offered almost a free ride in his taxi for a pittance and I bargained shemelessly.
At the end he did not accept even that pittance!
But immedaitely that fleeting shame passed away.
I was once again feeling eleated that I had a free ride and saved on bus fare!
I had bought a flat in Konkan Bhavan node of the then New Bombay, a satellite township being develped by CIDCO of Maharashtra. I moved into the new flat and ordered for furniture. It was a sunday afternoon. I checked with the furniture fabricator located in Chembur and after having taken lunch was waiting for CIDCO bus to take me to New Bombay.
In those days we had to wait for prolnged times to get transport. Suddenly a taxi stopped and a head popped out of window. It was that of a Punjabi Sardar.
"Konkan Bhavan chalna hai sahib?" he enquired. "Probably going home", I thought.
"Chalna to Hai. Bhada kitana dena hai?" I asked out of curiosity.
"Panch rupia dena Sahib. Vaise to Ghar jaraha hun. Isliye kam loonga." He answered.
"Nahi baba, Mujhe kuchch kaam bhi nahi. Bus ka intajaar karunga. Vaise to CIDCO me sirf 75 paise leagte hai" I told him.
Theek hai Sahib. Sirf 2 rupia dijiye" he smiled and opened the door invitingly.
I was happy and immediately got into the Taxi.
On the way we got into conversation mode. It turned out that he also bought a flat from CIDCO and after a day's work he is returning home.
"CIDCO bada hi saitani kiya Sahib. Bahut sare cheeje promise ki lekin kuchh nahi diaya? pani nahi, light nahi dhang se road nahi" he went on complaining.
I agreed with him and added in good measure what I think of CIDCO.
So this CIDCO bashing continued until we reached Konkanbhavan.
'Kaunsa sector me rahate hai Sahib?" the Sardar enquired. "Sector 1" I replied.
"I will pay him Rs.5 now that he is taking me almost to my doorstep" I decided.
We reached our home. I began taking out my wallet.
"Rahane dijiye Sahib. aapka achcha company mila. Paise ki jarorat nahi" he smiled and went away.
I was stunned and ashemed. Here is a man who offered almost a free ride in his taxi for a pittance and I bargained shemelessly.
At the end he did not accept even that pittance!
But immedaitely that fleeting shame passed away.
I was once again feeling eleated that I had a free ride and saved on bus fare!
Saturday, February 3, 2007
My friend's daughter
Aishwrya is my friend's daughter. They were away in Europe for a couple of years. She was such a sweet girl (even now she is !!).
Aishwrya was then only 5 years when her grandfather fell ill. Along with her mother she flew to Bangalore. Her father could not accompany them. Unfortunately granpa passed away. There was lot of crying in the house and little aishwrya did not understand a bit. "what happened to Tata?" and "why is every one crying?". Her little mind was full of questions. She asked her amma. Mother replied that Tata has gone back to Sri Krishna and will not return.
Her father rushed to Bangalore on hearing the sad news. He felt miserable and was cursing himself for not having flown earlier to be with his father. "now he has gone away not to return for ever!" He broke down. Aishwrya was looking at him with expresive eyes. After a couple of days she told her father not to feel so sad.
"you remember, appa, when we were borrowing those books from library?, after reading them, we were expected to return them to library". Her father replied "yes Aish kutti."
"You see appa, that library is the real custodian. We are expected to borrow the books for only a limited time period and at the end of that time, we have to return them"
"Yes my dear" her father nodded.
"Lord Krihna is the real custodian of grandpa. Tata was with us for some time. Now He wanted the grandpa back. And Tata went back to Him. So no need to feel sad".
Her father was astounded. Aishwrya defined death in such simple terms.
Aishwrya was then only 5 years when her grandfather fell ill. Along with her mother she flew to Bangalore. Her father could not accompany them. Unfortunately granpa passed away. There was lot of crying in the house and little aishwrya did not understand a bit. "what happened to Tata?" and "why is every one crying?". Her little mind was full of questions. She asked her amma. Mother replied that Tata has gone back to Sri Krishna and will not return.
Her father rushed to Bangalore on hearing the sad news. He felt miserable and was cursing himself for not having flown earlier to be with his father. "now he has gone away not to return for ever!" He broke down. Aishwrya was looking at him with expresive eyes. After a couple of days she told her father not to feel so sad.
"you remember, appa, when we were borrowing those books from library?, after reading them, we were expected to return them to library". Her father replied "yes Aish kutti."
"You see appa, that library is the real custodian. We are expected to borrow the books for only a limited time period and at the end of that time, we have to return them"
"Yes my dear" her father nodded.
"Lord Krihna is the real custodian of grandpa. Tata was with us for some time. Now He wanted the grandpa back. And Tata went back to Him. So no need to feel sad".
Her father was astounded. Aishwrya defined death in such simple terms.
Myself
Hello everybody,
A very good morning to all of you. Thanks for visiting my blog. I hope you to bring you variety through this space.
First of all about myself:
I am Karanam Ramakumar. You may call me "Ramu" or "Ramanna" or simply "Ram"!
I live in Govandi, a suburb of Mumbai (nee Bombay).
Rest next time
A very good morning to all of you. Thanks for visiting my blog. I hope you to bring you variety through this space.
First of all about myself:
I am Karanam Ramakumar. You may call me "Ramu" or "Ramanna" or simply "Ram"!
I live in Govandi, a suburb of Mumbai (nee Bombay).
Rest next time
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