Gita Acharan

  A t the time of the creation of the universe, it was pure energy and matter formed subsequently. Scientifically, it is accepted that there were minor fluctuations in terms of temperature, density and the ratio of matter-antimatter in the very early universe. There is no scientific reason for these variations. These fluctuations are responsible for the creation of matter and science agrees that God does play dice to create the diversity we see around us today. In this regard, Krishna says that his lower nature ( prakriti ) is eightfold. Fire, earth, water, air and space are building blocks of the material world and mann (mind), buddhi (intellect) and ahankaar are for the living entities (7.4). Fire stands for the energy which has been in existence since the beginning. Energy was converted into matter which has a solid state (earth), a liquid state (water) and gaseous (air). Space is needed to hold all of them. In the case of living entities, logical thinking is needed for s...

K rishna says, “I shall explain jnana (knowledge) and vijnana (wisdom) to you. When you realise them, nothing more here remains to be known” (7.2). This is the path for mind-oriented people through knowledge and wisdom. Earlier Krishna had given a path to heart-oriented ( bhakti ) people to ‘realise all beings in the self; self in all beings and see Him everywhere’ (6.29) and nothing more remains to be known once this is known. The current scientific conclusion is that something like ‘the universe evolves out of nothing’. Our expanding universe was created in the Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago. Citing evidence from Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR), it is argued that there was a universe before the present one. It is estimated that the universe would spread very thin but ‘the energy of empty space’ would create another universe. It implies that it’s a cyclic process of creation and dissolution.   This background helps us to understand when Krishna says...

A two-dimensional map is used to represent a three-dimensional territory. It’s an easy, useful and convenient way, but has its limitations. We need to experience the territory to fully appreciate it. The same is the case with ‘words’ which attempt to describe a multidimensional life in terms of people, situations, thoughts, feelings and actions. But words also have many limitations, much like a two-dimensional map. Firstly, words are polar. To call one thing good is often implying that something else is bad. There are hardly any words which can describe a state beyond polarities. Secondly, the same word evokes different feelings in different people depending on their experiences and circumstances. That’s why some cultures use silence for spiritual communication to overcome these limitations of multiple interpretations. Thirdly, we tend to stop at word’s literal meaning which is like knowing about the truth but not being truthful. One such word is ‘I’ used by both Krish...

  K rishna says, “The yogi is superior to the  tapasvi  (ascetic), superior to the ‘ shastra jnani ’ (a person of learning), and even superior to the  karmi  (ritualistic performer). Therefore, O Arjuna, strive to be a yogi (6.46). Of all yogis , those whose minds are always absorbed in Me, and who engage in devotion to Me with great shraddha (trust/surrender), them, I consider to be the most equilibrated” (6.47). Yoga means union and yogi is the one who attained union with self. Krishna described various facets of yogi on different occasions. These include transcending polarities ( dwandwa-atheeth ); transcending guna s ( guna-atheeth ) realising that gunas are real karta and one is just a sakshi ; equanimity ( samatva ) to friend and enemy or praise and criticism; performing unmotivated actions ( nishkaam-karma ) like yajna ; dropping expectations of karma-phal (fruits of action). Above all, a yogi is content with himself. T...