The – Part Four

ABOVE: The Yadus and Kauravas All images made available by Mandala Publishing. www.mandala.org

Bhagavad Gita Part Four

This is the final article in the four part series outlining the significance of the ancient sacred Indian text the Bhagavad Gita. The Gita is a model that teaches us how we can be fully effective in the world as spiritual beings on this human journey. It teaches us how to live life here on earth in the highest way possible.

by Trish Brown 1 australian life The Bhagavad Gita – Part Four

The first six chapters are about one’s In previous issues of Australian Yoga Life relationship with one’s higher self; the we visited the first 10 chapters where second six chapters are about one’s Arjuna discovered: relationship with the world and the final six • the secret of wisdom in action about one’s relationship with God. God in • non-attachment to the results of this instance represents the supreme reality, his actions or whatever forms of divinity you personally • how to bring the mind to stillness through relate to. meditation The message of the Bhagavad Gita is for • the sacred knowledge to awaken to truth every man, woman and child on this planet, • the nature of death – death of the ego as it does not require you to form allegiance • his ‘true nature’ through the divine secret to any religion. Quite simply, it is about each • the oneness and interconnectedness of all of us as a human being understanding who creation we are and why we are here. Living the Gita is essentially an active process. It is the Arjuna has arrived at that place where he practical application of knowledge that can no longer be a spectator, but must brings about inner change. When you know actively take on the greatest of all human how to apply the knowledge you will find quests – the quest of self-discovery – in that the Gita can answer your every order to realise his true nature and purpose question about living life skilfully. in life. Krishna, his dearest friend and teacher, is the epitome of kindness and The story revolves around Arjuna, the most patience on this journey. We too are faced distinguished warrior prince (representing with this same challenge – to discover our you and me) and his charioteer and great true nature. Our higher self guides us on friend, Krishna (representing our highest this journey just like Krishna guides Arjuna. self). Together they enter the battlefield of Kurukshetra (the battlefield of life) with their army called the Pandavas (representing our highest, most noble qualities) ready to meet the Kauravas (representing our negative selfish tendencies). Here they hope to resolve the long-standing dispute of kingdom and honour. When we personally take up this battle we choose what aspects of ourselves we will allow to rule our lives. We are faced with asking ourselves: will it be the noble or the selfish parts of myself that I will follow?

Now Arjuna arrives at that special To assist Arjuna, Krishna reveals moment when Krishna “lights the lamp the fullness of his unlimited cosmic of wisdom from within” so that he can form. But this form is so vast that Arjuna witness momentarily how it is to be free becomes frightened. He not only sees from the prison of egoism. Like a beauty as Krishna expands himself, but blind man suddenly glimpsing the also terrifying images – the archetypal nbrilliant light of day, everything instantly energies that live inside us, which are became crystal clear. Even though often referred to as the ‘shadow side’ of Arjuna sees the true nature of his ourselves (chapter 11:31-34) These are own and has received the great and the Kauravas representing the myriad wondrous gift of divine vision, he still facets of our lower human nature. feels fear, which indicates he has not Many spiritual teachers, yet found complete union. Still the ego counsellors, psychologists and healers hangs on! believe it important to understand our

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shadow side and not be afraid of it. friend in front of him, so he sincerely challenged to fight those aspects or Hopefully then we are able to develop and humbly asks for forgiveness. Having ourselves that prevent us from being the the capacity to be a friend to ourselves overwhelmed Arjuna with the greatness essence of love. Love is also the most and face those aspects of us that we are of his being, in chapter twelve Krishna powerful weapon we can use to not happy with, gently replacing them brings him back to see that the only way overcome our less desirable traits and behaviours. In most instances we do not experience our inherent nature as love and contentment. Why? Because it is the …we are able to develop the capacity to nature of the mind to be filled with disturbing thoughts and feelings. be a friend to ourselves and face those To discover a love that does not come and go – an abiding love, one that aspects of us that we are not happy with. is constant – we must first develop an abiding mind. To develop an abiding mind we need to develop certain values and attitudes that create the ‘right’ with goodness – generosity, gratitude, to discover himself, his real self, is conditions for love. We can so easily be kindness, compassion, love, humility. through a heart full of devotion. This misled through the media to believe that Perhaps then these less appealing self, whose nature is absolute love and we will experience a peaceful loving behaviours simply disappear! contentment, is the real meaning of the contented heart when we find the word ‘I’. The Bhagavad Gita is full of KRISHNA THEN RESPONDS TO ARJUNA’S ‘perfect’ partner together with a number plea to return to his familiar gentle form. paradox, as in the midst of war Krishna of ‘perfect’ children; our ideal home, as Now Arjuna, like a man waking up from is teaching about love while encouraging well as financial security etc. This an incredible dream, is aware once again Arjuna to take up arms and kill his formula has the potential to be a recipe that he is standing on the battlefield with enemies! However this makes more for disappointment. the two armies on either side of him. He sense when we realise that we are being In Dru Yoga we talk about opening realises how he has been so totally encouraged to take up arms and battle the heart because we want to access the ignorant of the greatness of this dear our own lower nature. We are being power of love that is already there. Many

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of the movements are specific to activate the energy of the heart centre, anahata . This is why this form of yoga has proven to be a potent emotional healer and therefore perfect for today’s society. Mahatma Gandhi said that love formed the basis of his satyagraha movement. What did he mean by love? Surely he wasn’t talking about sentimental love or the warm fuzzy feeling we often call love. He was referring to the great power of love within the heart centre that has the wisdom and power of the universe as its foundation. In the Gita, Krishna says in chapter twelve, that love can only be recognised as such when it flows out of us, not in. Many people try to ‘get’ love from an outside source, which is like trying to catch the wind. The attempt is inevitably doomed to failure!

WE HAVE NOW COME TO A VERY CRUCIAL point in the Bhavagad Gita. We have arrived at the Amritastakam – the ‘Eight Verses of Nectar’. These eight special verses in chapter twelve (numbers 13-20) describe the thirty-six noble attitudes embraced by a seeker. They reveal the six significant qualities of someone dedicated to following the path of a spiritual warrior – compassion, unconditional love, equanimity, selflessness, self-control and trust. In these stanzas Krishna is painting the picture of someone who has achieved spiritual perfection. There is nowhere else in the Gita that can compare to the ABOVE: Ganesha All images made available by Mandala Publishing. www.mandala.org beauty of these verses and it is said that if we chant them, we will awaken the qualities within. a new journey awakens and more knowledge given in this chapter has the “Do you know, Arjuna,” Krishna knowledge can be revealed. potential to create a significant shift in says, “the only reason I have taken on Chapter thirteen, ‘The field and the . It challenges our this human body is so that I can have knower’, is in many ways a revelation. experience of a physical reality known in these two eyes to see my devotee; so that Here Krishna explains the mystery of the the Gita as ‘the field’. It pushes us to go I can have arms that can embrace him immortal soul dwelling within the mortal beyond our core beliefs about what we and a heart that can feel the depth of my frame we call the body. Arjuna tells think reality is. Is reality the shapes and love for him?” He closes his eyes as two Krishna, “I want to learn about spirit and forms that make up the world we see liquid pearls gently travel down his matter – and prakriti.” This before us? The ‘knower’ of the field cheeks. Arjuna, with head bowed and question is, as far as Krishna is concerned, knows with full awareness that the palms folded together, is greatly moved a very worthy one, containing the power physical world is on one level illusory and by Krishna’s tears. Only one thought to take them both into the very depths of is merely a playground for the soul. The enters his mind – to become that the great mystery of life itself. “Most paradox is that even though the physical devotee. It is at this exquisite moment in people exist at the level of the world, or world is illusory we still have to live in it. the Bhagavad Gita that we too may feel a prakriti,” says Krishna “but are trying to However, we can learn to master our calling to love God in whatever form is understand spirit, or purusha. This is like physical reality by understanding and most precious to us. And from this point the finite trying to grasp infinity.” The adhering to the basic laws that govern it.

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Life also becomes a lot more meaningful rise above all these qualities through our the same form’. If you look around and when we align ourselves with the higher spiritual practice we become free from realise what a privilege it is to be in this spiritual reality while we do this. birth and death, old age and sorrow. moment because it will never come again, Arjuna asks Krishna to describe then you will have some appreciation of THIS LEADS US INTO CHAPTER FOURTEEN, someone who has achieved this the symbolism of this tree. We don’t where Krishna gives the secret to success wondrous state and Krishna paints a know if we will be here tomorrow! This is in both worldly and spiritual life. He picture of a completely equanimous a significant reminder to appreciate the summarises the three modes of nature, person whose mind is never disturbed by preciousness of every moment. The the gunas. The gunas, the three qualities pain or pleasure, praise or blame, success ashvattha tree, or ‘Tree of Life’, which is of inertia (tamas), activity (rajas) and or failure. This is someone who looks on described in many traditions of the harmony (sattva), are the building clay and gold as the same – they are world, refers to the human body and blocks of the entire creation, including neither attracted to the gold nor do they mind. Cutting down this firmly rooted ourselves. They arise from the creative reject the clay. The person who has gone tree with the weapon of non-attachment energy (prakriti), just as waves are part beyond the gunas is said to be “a man of (15:3), having no preferences, removes us of the ocean and are inseparable from it. steady wisdom” and the perfect devotee. from the cycle of suffering. An effective way to achieve this state of detachment is by acting selflessly, out of pure love for the divine and all people. This will Is reality the shapes and forms that make nurture the roots we wish to keep, while up the world we see before us? allowing the others to wither and die through neglect. Soon we will find we are no longer feeling attracted to those things that pull us down. In fact the gunas are the very energy of Krishna then goes on to present the

prakriti – matter. The gunas are states of entire universe in one of the most KRISHNA THEN BECOMES PARTICULARLY being that influence our thoughts, magnificent images, the holy fig or practical. He breaks down the main feelings and actions because they are ashvattha tree 15:1. Ashvattha means qualities that will either help or hinder constantly moving within us. Once we ‘that which will not be here tomorrow in progress on the spiritual path. The

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twenty-six qualities that Krishna powerful, and sat – truth, the creator. In the last moments of the Gita, enumerates are all important steps that A living formula by which we can Krishna and Arjuna look at each other take us towards the divine nature we all dedicate all to the creator and bring knowing that their divine partnership have within us. They include such completeness to everything we do. and their infinite trust and love for one qualities as fearlessness, purity, giving, In a triumphant conclusion in another have prepared the ground for a forgiveness, gentleness, yoga, and chapter eighteen, Krishna summarises great victory. And this auspicious victory humility. Krishna clearly outlines to everything he has taught Arjuna. Many is one that we too can achieve. Arjuna the qualities he needs to develop and those that should be avoided. He tells Arjuna that the divine qualities are like a garland of beautiful flowers that, Mahatma Gandhi…was referring to the even if we choose to work in depth with only one, will give rise to all the others great power of love within the heart centre and lead to ultimate freedom. that has the wisdom and power of the IN CHAPTER SEVENTEEN WE ARE GIVEN tremendous insight into ourselves as universe as its foundation. Krishna responds to Arjuna’s question about the importance of faith (shraddha). Shraddha is governed by the gunas. The great scholars consider verse 66 of that The whole purpose of the Gita is to kind of faith we have can define our chapter to be the most important in the help us to understand, through Arjuna’s whole attitude to life, our body, our Bhagavad Gita, containing the whole of predicament, that we must not run away relationships, the food we eat, the way its message. It certainly summarises the from our duty in life just because it is we dress – everything. The real meaning essence of renunciation. “Letting go of painful or inconvenient. This is not a of shraddha is believing in something everything else, with your whole heart noble thing to do. As long as we are in a and then applying our will towards it. take refuge in me. I will free you from body we must act. The secret is to act This determines our thinking, everything that causes you pain. There is with pure motive and without understanding, value structure, beliefs, no need for fear or worry”. The selfish attachment. Gandhi said that the myth of convictions and priorities. ego has died. This is now the sublime the atomic age is that we think we have to If we have a sattvic (balanced, moment when Arjuna moves fully into change the world, but all we really have to harmonious) nature we focus our energies his , his duty in life, with no do is to change ourselves. The Gita offers on that which is pure and we have an resistance whatsoever to doing what he us a way to do this and there is only one abiding faith that God will support us as was born to do. It is the ultimate way you can understand how this works; we do this. If we express ourselves with surrender. Once we also surrender in that is to simply experience it for yourself. more rajasic tendencies (energetic, active) this way, we become available to be an For me, having the privilege of writing we are more likely to place our focus on ‘instrument of peace’. Life becomes a these articles has certainly further fuelled wealth or power and to have faith that seamless flow of selfless actions my love for the Bhagavad Gita and fired those are the things that will support us. performed only for the highest purpose my enthusiasm to excite you to explore People who are tamasic (grounded, and in ways that benefit the whole. this ‘riveting story’ for yourself. lethargic) do not know where to obtain appropriate support. These people often reach for whatever addictive substances I wish to acknowledge with enormous these articles. Another major source of can help them to numb their suffering and gratitude my inspiring teachers of this material was the Dru Gita they put their faith in whatever stops the divine text, who truly walk their talk in Correspondence Course, a home study unease in their lives. So our whole attitude the world, expressing the knowledge program developed by Yamuna Loyal to life determines the quality of our and wisdom residing within the Gita. and Chris Barrington. If you would like shraddha and what we have faith in. Some of them – Dr Mansukh Patel, further information on any of these Chris Barrington, Savitri McCuish and resource materials, please contact KRISHNA ALSO REVEALS TO ARJUNA IN John Jones are the authors/translators of Trish Brown on 02 6161 1462 or chapter seventeen a secret in the form of the three volumes of the Dru Bhagavad www.druyoga.com.au a sacred . “There are three words Gita, which has been the inspiration for that have been used since the beginning of creation to represent the Absolute. The spiritual wisdom, the scriptures and Trish Brown has taught yoga for over 20 years and has teaching diplomas with IYTA and DRU yoga. sacrifice were created out of Om Tat She is a senior tutor on the DRU teacher training program and has been studying the ancient Sat.” Om – the creating, to initiate a scriptures with master teachers in Australia, UK and India. Contacts: process, tat – that which is created; to [email protected]; 61 (02) 6161 1462; www.druexperience.com make it permanent, present and

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