Gita Acharan

  T he fourteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is called ‘ Guna Traya Vibhag Yoga’ (Union through transcending three gunas -modes of nature) where gunas and guna-atheeth are explained. Krishna concludes the chapter by offering a solution to transcend gu n as and says, “Those who serve Me with unswerving ( a-vyabhicharen ) devotion rise above the three gunas ( guna-atheeth ) and come to the level of the Brahma (14.26). For, I am the basis of the Infinite, the Immortal, the Indestructible; and of eternal dharma , formless Brahma and absolute bliss” (14.27). Krishna uses the word vyabhicharen , which means multiple desires. ‘ A-vyabhicharen devotion’ is single pointed devotion. In a similar context, Krishna used a-vesya (12.2) to indicate the same. Essentially, it is transcending from multiple minds to single pointed devotion to Him which will make us guna-atheeth . Firstly, the guna-atheeth drops the sense of doership by realising that there is no karta (doer) for any k...

K rishna says, “This form of mine has not been seen before by anyone else than you (11.47). Neither by study of the Vedas , nor by yajnas , nor by gifts, nor by rituals, nor by severe austerities can I be seen in such a form (11.48). Be free from fear and with a cheerful heart, behold Me once again in My personal form” (11.49). Krishna comes to his original form (11.50) and Arjuna resorts to his nature (11.51). Krishna says, “Very hard to see this form of mine and even gods ever long to behold this form (11.52). Neither by the study of the Vedas , nor by penance, charity, or fire sacrifices can I be seen like this” (11.53). Our general belief is that charity gives us punya (virtue). But Krishna says charity can’t help us see his Vishwaroop . When our charity is driven by ahankaar , it then becomes a transaction of giving something of ours to get something like punya (virtue). This barter can’t take us to Paramatma as He can’t be bought. Immediately, Krishna offers a...