mayi sarvam idma protam
sutre mani-gana iva
Atman is the source, sustenance and end of everything. While He is the maker, he also holds in sustenance and everything is directed to Him. The whole reality is clung to Him just as myriads of pearls are threaded onto one string. The whole of reality is held by Him, the supporting string. The pearls threaded together may vary in colour and species but their support is one and the same. Apart from the string the pearls are scattered, order is destroyed and beauty is lost. Just like the pearl if may soul does not thread itself to the string I will be nothing. Apart from Me you can do nothing.
2.58 – yada samharate cayam
kurmo ‘ngani va sarvasah
indriyani’ndriyarthebhyas
tasya prajna pratisthita
Collecting oneself into the core of his/her being is a prerequisite for contemplation. To attain true wisdom one has to detach him/herself from the objects and obstacles of the world. The way to do it is beautifully explicated in the about simile. A tortoise that pulls its limbs into its shell feels safe and secure. In the same fashion, a man who wishes to be perfect bolts from within and sits indoors undisturbed and delights in the Atman. This is the path to the realization of the supreme. The sages of India have left us with the same model. The way in is the way to transcendence. This is the longest journey that anyone can venture into.
2.46 – yavan artha udapane
sarvatah samplut ‘ odake
tavan sarvesu vedsu
brahmanasya vijanatah
Demand is more where there is lack. One who lacks the wisdom of the Vedas requires them in a more urgent fashion. One who is already filled with the knowledge of the Brahman the use of Vedas and Scriptures is limited. Such a person can compared to one who is dwelling in the place of abundance. In a flooded situation where there is water all over, what is the use of a tank of water. Just as the tank is submerged in the flood, so also the Vedas are submerged in the enlightened soul. The following simile can be a parallel to the above simile – “it is the patient who needs doctor and not the healthy.” The enlightened soul is a healthy soul which does not need the doctor (Vedas).
5.10 – Brahmany adhyaya karmani
Sangam tyaktva karoti yah
Lipyate na sa papena
Padma-patram iv’ ambhasa
To be inside something and still be untouched by it is very difficult. To be in the world and yet remain unaffected by it is also difficult. But his is the way to salvation as taught by the Gita. In every thought, word, and deed detachment is expected. Such a detachment comes by dedicating all our deeds to Brahman. Consequently our detachment leads to attachment with Brahman. All of us are born with Karma and sustained by it. But a yogi is one, who while living with his Karma is not affected by it. He is compared to a lotus leaf which though constantly in touch with the water is not touched by it.
2.70 – Apuryamanam acala-pratistham
samudram apah pravisanti yadvat
tadvat kama yam pravisanti sarve
sa santim apnoti na kama-kami
The metaphor of the ocean beautifully describes the state of mind of a Jivan-mukta – a free Soul still being in his body. He is rightly compared to an ocean which does not undergo any change although the rivers keep pouring into it and the water keeps getting evaporated. The expanse of the ocean remains unaltered. The mind of the yogi is like the ocean. Everything gets dissolved in the ocean of his consciousness including the sensations carried in by the sense-organs. He is not subject to desires, aversions, feelings and thoughts. His state is identical with one who is in the world but not of the world. Still being in this world he has already attained mukti. That is why he is called the Jivan-mukta.to have one such soul is the society is a boon. People can look at him and be radiant
.10.39 – yac c’ api sarva-bhutanam
bijam tad aham Arjuna
na tad asti vina yat syan
maya bhutam car’ acaram
Nothing comes out of nothing. All that exists and lives, whether animate or inanimate has its source. That source is the Atman – the creator, sustainer and the goal of everything. He is rightly compared to the cosmic seed in this verse. Everything has emerged out of this seed. Apart from this seed (Atman) they have no being (existence).
3.16 – evam pravartitam cakram
n’ anuvartayati’ha yah
agh’ ayur indriy’ aramo
mogham Partha sa jivati
There is order in the created universe. Things live and move according to a particular rhythm. Order also reveals that everything has a purpose. The purpose is already set in motion at the creation. If a man does away from doing what is expected of him it would be better for him not to have been born. A life without purpose is not worth living. If any man fails to fulfill his purpose in life he frustrates the divine plan. He disrupts the order in nature. Each and every man has a vocation to fulfill in his or her life.
6.34 – Cancalam hi manah Krsna
pramathi balavad drdham
tasy’aham nigraham manye
vayor iva suduskaram
Wind is a very strong natural force. We are quite familiar with the effects of a strong wind. It destroys anything that comes on its way. It can even turn a ship upside down. In the above verse human mind is compared to the wind which is to a certain extent beyond our control. Human mind is as obstinate as the wind; it does not listen to anybody. Even if man has discovered ways an means to control the wind the mind is still a baffling reality before him. Controlling the mind is so very difficult. It is only Krishna who is endowed with the power to tame the human mind and keep it under control. It is our duty to surrender ourselves to him.
13.33 – yatha prakasayaty ehah
Krtsnam lokam imam ravih
ksetram ksetri tatha krtsnam
prakasayati Bharata
The light around us has a single source – the Sun. in the same way the paramatman who gives spiritual brilliance to the whole universe is single without a second. Everything without difference of any kind gets its light from the Atman. Just as the Sun shines on the righteous as well as the wicked, the light of the paramatman shines equally on the myriads of existing things in its true glory. His light is unchanging and unaffected by the merit or demerit of the individual souls. He remains in His glory forever while also providing life, light and love to all beings.
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