Inter Caste Marriage: One POSITIVE Step

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Riddle of Bhagvad Geeta.


Geeta is without doubt one of the more important texts of Hinduism....infact for certain sect it is the most supreme text, so much so that even in the court today Hindus have to say "Main Geeta par Haath Rakh ke Kasam khata hoon...".Well but does this book pass the test of clarity/logic???

To begin with even the origin of Geeta is unknown.Every one knows that Geeta is a dialog between Arjuna and Krishna in the Mahabharata.But the question is that how did it reach us? The talk between Arjuna and Krishna was strictly verbal.No one except Arjun could see the "Virat roop" of Krishna because the latter had given him some sort of spiritual sight.But there is no mention of Arjuna taking down any notes on paper (or whatever writing material that was used at that time).The happenings on the battlefield were visible to only one another person in the whole world and that was Sanjay through the spiritual powers bestowed upon him by some sage.But again whatever he saw he narrated to Drhitarastra.There is no mention of him writing it down either.So naturally the question arises, who penned down the Geeta??When only 2 persons on this earth could possibly know what was happening there at kurukshetra and neither of them noted it down or assisted anyone to write it then just how the hell did Gita turn into a book?Even Ved Vyasa who wrote down the epic didnt include the contents of Gita in his Mahabharata. So in all probability Geeta in an latter inclusion to the epic, authenticity of which is unknown.And this doesnt end here.One can easily say if he studies gita that the composer is himself a confused man and probably so desperate to get a divine status to his creation that he didnt want to risk hurting anyone and hence included diametrically opposite things and argued that both are the truth.The result is that Gita is in itself full of contradictions.Just take a look at the amount of self contradictions:

At one point, Krishna tells Arjuna that action is the most important thing and without action one will be nowhere. But after that He tells him that action is all right but knowledge is better! Then Krishna says, ‘‘You must become a yogi and drop everything around you.’’ Then Krishna tells him: ‘‘He is intelligent who sees ‘action’ in ‘inaction’ and ‘inaction’ in ‘action’.’’ What does this mean? It means even if you don't do something you have acted — simply by ‘not doing’.
If you do something then too you have not acted, for in your not acting here, something else could have happened — you could have done something else. Even though you have acted, there is ‘inaction’; because you did this, you couldn't do something else. So every ‘action’ has ‘inaction’ and every ‘inaction’ has got an ‘action’ connected to it.

And then Krishna takes Arjuna towards Dhyana Yoga — meditation. In the sixth chapter of the Bhagvad Gita, he tells Arjuna that since he is confused, there is no use talking. He asks him to meditate. Finally, Krishna says, ‘‘Arjuna, he is the greatest amongst the yogis who keeps Me in his heart whether he meditates or not. He is the real yogi, because I am with him in whatever he is doing.’’

The contradictions don’t end there. At one juncture, Krishna says, ‘‘Arjuna, there is nobody dear to me, nobody whom I love.’’ And then gives a whole list of qualifications for those He really loves!

In another instance, Krishna tells Arjuna to act without looking for the fruit of action. Later He asks Arjuna to act properly, according to natural law. Then He tells him the way he ought to fight if he wants to win the war. So, at this point He is bringing Arjuna's attention to the fruit of action, but then He also tells him not to worry about the fruit of action.

Krishna was like a dear friend to Arjuna. In Bhagavat, you will see that except for Vidura and Udhava, nobody even thought he was enlightened; they all thought that he was just very smart. Of course, there were the Pandavas and the gopis who knew who Krishna was and how total He was from all angles. But many of them, including Arjuna, did not see him that way.

But then Krishna shows him, in one minute, that He is infinite. He tells Arjuna, ‘‘You can't see without the eye of knowledge; so now I will give you a special eye of knowledge, which I have haven't given anybody in ages. I am giving it to you now because it is time.’’ With that, He gives him a vision, a flash. For that one moment the universe appears as a manifestation of Krishna to Arjuna. Arjuna’s mind is shattered that moment. He sees all of creation, everything — the mountains and the rivers, the past, the present and the future — dissolving in Krishna. He sees that Krishna is that space, that infinity, into which everything is coming in and dissolving. For an instant, the whole life, the whole universe, all the memory and all that was associated with it just plays out like a movie and it frightens Arjuna.
Then Arjuna pleads, ‘‘Oh! Please show me your simple, natural and friendly face. I like your simple smile and I want to see my friend. I don't want to see anything beyond. It is too much for me.’’ This is called Vishva Roopa Darshana — the vision of the universal.

Thereafter, Krishna tells Arjuna about the yagyas and all the principles and the laws under which the society and universe works. Then He talks about sanyasa and how to be really centered.

For instance, an event or an instance should be seen as just that — an event, an instance or a happening. But it sticks to the mind and you try to get rid of it. The event assumes importance and the mind is caught up in it — ‘‘Oh! He said that, they said this, they didn't say this, etc.’’

Once the event goes away, then you feel a sense of great relief. You suddenly discover peace inside you.
Your very nature is peace. In the centre of you, you are peace. The moment this disturbance gets thrown out, you can actually feel it — all the brain cells, and the entire brain becomes so calm and settled the moment this garbage goes out.

And deep inside you can really smile as a flame of peace. Arjuna asks Krishna, ‘‘What you say is very magical and joyful. But it's not easy. This mind is difficult to control. It's like controlling air — can anybody control air?’’

Then Krishna says, ‘‘I agree with you. It is difficult but not impossible. Abhyasena tu Kaunteya — with practice, dispassion and by getting to the centre again, you will succeed.’’ You will see that Krishna tried everything.

Finally it was the display of the universal vision that worked on Arjuna. People cannot change just by visions also. Krishna does not really bring about the realization totally from outside — it needs something more.

That is why after Krishna led Arjuna to the infinite vision, he speaks on what is dear to him, on devotion, and then he comes on all the other things you know —about creation and even about food.

But when Arjuna says, ‘‘I give up,’’ Krishna says, ‘‘I can't do anything; you think and do whatever is best for you. First ponder on whatever I have said and then act.’’ Arjuna says, ‘‘No, now I am clear in my mind. I'll do whatever you will say.’’ So, Krishna had to speak through 18 chapters to get him to that point and interestingly gave all these knowledge in the middle of battle field. Krishna could have done it at the very first chapter. But it is beautiful the way(sic) this knowledge has flown.

Everything may appear to be all contradictory, if seen from all angles. But that is in fact reality.......and some of which is so fundamental ....for instance Krishna being the incarnation of Lord Himslef, is at least expected to be sure of things before giving sermons and yet there are numerous places where Krishna starts his dialog with "It appears that..." or "It seems so ...." or even "I think it is ...."

No wonder that poor Arjuna is more confused than what he was in the beginning and ends up saying to Krishna "Now I am clear in my mind(obviously about what to do)" and then says "I will do what ever you say(coz I dont have a clue as to what to do)"...Can anyone say this is logical????



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3 comments:

  • Unknown said...
     

    You dalits face persecution bcoz you arenworking against that religon which upholds you ...in chapter 5 verse 16 it says four varnas are made by me .you alcan get entitled to brahman even if born to shudra...you guys are a stain to hinduism

  • Unknown said...
     

    In which court have you seen a witness showers in the name of Gita? It is merely in cinemas only.

  • VISHNU said...
     

    Hare Krishna . Can I know from were you concluded everything you said above . I am sure u have listen somewhere or other .
    But I am sure you didn't listen from the acharyas (from the four sampradaya)
    First veda vyasa is incarnation of bagwan Vishnu . So there is no need of anyone for assisting him to write bagawat Gita and mahabarat .
    And second bagawat Gita and srimad Bhagwatham is really hard to understand because we humans use our brains to understand but not our hearts . Think for a minute . We are created by God and with this small brain we can't understand fully about God . So we need to understand about atma and paramatma , which is said in bagawat Gita . And yes many verses are contradicting the other because we are trying to use our brains logic . And if u try i can't feel bagawan and his words . So for that you should listen from acharya from any of the four sampradaya .
    I currently following ISCKON ( BRAMA SAPRADHAYAM) .
    I am not offending you and telling you that whatever you told is wrong . But just wanted to say you the way you can reach the real taste of bagwath Gita and his leelas and his words .
    Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna hare hare . Hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

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