144. Heart and Mind

The Bhagavad Gita was a live conversation where Krishna was observing Arjuna in totality. Krishna must have observed an expression of doubt or disbelief on Arjuna’s face when Krishna mentioned ‘to remember Him all the times and fight’ (8.7) as Arjuna was resisting the ‘work at hand’ (Kurukshetra battle). This tendency of resistance to the ‘work in hand’ is still prevalent in us.

Krishna immediately describes Himself as the omnipresent, eternal, the great ruler, subtler than the finest atom, supporter of all, of inconceivable form, shines like the Sun, beyond darkness (8.9). When existence has to describe itself, even words fall short.

Krishna gives two paths to remember Him - one is the path of awareness, and another is the path of devotion. Regarding the path of awareness He says, “He attains the Supreme Effulgent Lord whose mind, stabilized by yoga, is immovably fixed on the thought of Him” (8.8).

The mind evolved to divide the sense inputs brought by senses and this division is the birthplace of polarities of pleasure and pain (2.14). Though useful for physical survival, this ability needs to be kept under control. Krishna suggests the path of awareness i.e. yoga of equanimity to attain this state.

The second path is a technique based on devotion. Krishna says, “One who, at the time of death, fixes his prana (life breath) between the eyebrows and in full bhakti (devotion) engages himself in remembering the Supreme Lord, will certainly attain Him” (8.10). Though this path appears easier than the first path of controlling the ever-wandering mind, devotion or bhakti is the prerequisite for it.

Bhakti and shraddha are the common threads in the Gita. Bhakti is unconditional love flowing from our hearts irrespective of outer conditions like the fragrance of a flower. Shraddha is accepting anything coming our way as the blessings of the Paramatma without any resistance.


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