by BS Murthy
6
What thou forego if thee cease Deeds selfless make acts forsake.
7
Such one realized Self-willed, dutiful Within self remains Without ever engaged.
8
Privy to this will realize On his body as it works Say hath he none to name one.
9
Wise do realize needs physical Urges are they driven by genes.
10
Spreads on lotus leaves as water Sticks none sin of deeds duteous.
11
Wise in selfless work engage Forego while they self-purify.
12
Wise ever stay cool never in want Bog down but naive ever in want.
13
Covetous not 'n ever laid back Wise in tune with Supreme lay.
14
It's his nature, not the Spirit M akes man act by wants induced.
15
Takes not Supreme credit or fault Grasp none have of this uncouth.
16
He that keeps his bias at bay Sun-like he shines being wise.
17
In clear conscience 'n fairness Gives man freedom faith in Him.
19
Keeps who equity ever in thought Faultless being attains he Brahman.
20
In state Brahman,
Gloats never man as smiles fortune Nor loses heart when things go wrong.
21
Joys induced all tire one soon Stay self-joyous all blissful souls.
22
End as in grief joys of flesh
Go not wise for pleasures such brief.
23
Subdue lust 'n rein in wrath Leads that to thy state of joy.
24
Live in ease the true knowing Enjoy they all within themselves.
25
With pure intent sans ill-will Realized all reach State Supreme.
26
Unmoved by his mind subdued Stays ever free the self-realized.
Ends thus:
Art of Renunciation,
The Fifth Chapter Of Bhagavad-Gita,
Treatise of self-help.
Chapter 6
Practice of Restraint
This chapter of 47 slokas, known as atma samyama yoga, Self Restraint, deals with all aspects of self-control needed for renunciation in action. Here Arjuna's queries as to what would be the fate of man were he to fail midway, in his efforts at self- control (s37). Even if it were the case, assures the Lord, still one wouldn't come to grief here or hereafter (s40). What is more, after being born many times over, eventually he attains moksha (s45). Further in s46, the Lord asserts that such a man is superior to the ritualistic character, and concludes in s47 that he remains His most blessed devotee.
Seen in this background, s 41 and s42 are clearly interpolations not only for affecting the continuity of the text but also for what they contain. S41 would have it that those who perform the asvamedha (ritualistic horse sacrifice) would reach heaven to be born again rich.
Likewise s 42 would have us that, or such would be born in learned homes. It would seem that s46-s47 are digressions, but in effect they carry forward the Lord's discourse from s32, at which point Arjuna interrupted Him with his queries.
S10-sl7 deal with aspects of ascetic practice and do seem to be interpolations, even going by what is stated in the very opening verse, besides breaking the continuity in the proposition.
1
Thus spoke the Lord:
Forego none if forsake chores Eye not gain 'n thou be freed.
2
If thou let go its godly M akes that hard thy self-interest.
3
Uphill though the way forsake As 'n when thou make it there Stay thus put with no more strain.
4
Reining senses sans motive Wise on selfless deeds focus.
5
Noble or naughty it's thy make Self thus thine but shapes thyself.
6
M ind if reined, it's thy friend Foe it turns, let when loose.
7
Overcome if vicissitudes Vibe thee well with M e Supreme.
8
Valuable or be otherwise Treat all alike self-realized Thus they remain ever even.
9
Wise is one, folks who treats None the fear 'n sans favour.
18
With no longing freed of want It's then thou reach yogic state.
19
Rooted in self yogi true Lamp he likens in still air.
20
Restrain mind in self-focus Beatitude of life that makes.
21
Transcends senses if thy mind It's then thou reach state of bliss.
22
Rooted so on peak of bliss Wise not bother lows of life.
23
So to live in yogic state Untie wise from life's bothers.
24
Wise keep tabs on self-impulse Affects to without are they immune.
25
Wed wise focus with calm mind Makes that life of theirs tranquil.
26
Pulled by wants as trips the mind Gain ground wise by self-leverage.
27
Passions languid, mind tranquil Keep man ever on blissful course.
28
M ind that's pure with self-control Leads that man to State Brahman.
29
Espy wise in right outlook Others in self 'n vice versa.
30
Discern Mein what they see Ever they find M e nearby them.
31
Me who sees in all beings He's the one that dwells in M e.
32
He's the yogi self-feels who Joys of others 'n grief as well.
33
Thus spoke Arjuna:
Frail being man, fail I see
Yoga Thou espouse, lasting in practice.
34
Can one ever tame his mind Like the wind that yields to none?
35
Thus spoke the Lord:
Calm 'n custom bring in ropes Tough ask though to subdue mind.
36
Fail keep going unruly Persevere self-willed all the way.
37
Thus spoke Arjuna:
What if one Throws up all Lacks who zeal Hath though faith?
38
Resolve if dissolves in mid-course Won't that be like scattered clouds?
39
Kindly dispel all my doubts Think I none of else for that.
40
Thus spoke the Lord:
Strives if one to enrich self Ends not in grief here or there.
43
Harnessed habit, of births past Helps man strive to self-realize.
44
With the reason thus imbibed Realized outwit scholars there.
45
Awareness of births of yore Helps the striving gain moksha.
46
Ahead in protocol comes yogi Learned, ascetics, as all sticklers for rituals.
47
He's the yogi of yogis Self-inner who fills with M e.
Ends thus:
Practice of Restraint,
The Sixth Chapter Of Bhagavad-Gita,
Treatise of self-help.
Chapter 7 Know the Spirit
This chapter of 30 slokas, known asgjnana vigjnana yoga, Spiritual knowledge and Secular intelligence, is about understanding the nature of the Supreme through knowing and meditation.
However, s20-s23 besides breaking the continuity in the character of the discourse, would advocate worship of gods for boon seeking that Krishna chastises is s42-s44, ch.2. And thus these slokas undoubtedly are interpolations.
1
Thus spoke the Lord:
How to retain Me in mind He in yoga comes to know.
2
M ake thee privy that knowledge Leaves that no scope for some more.
3
Rarely beings seektheirself Of them but a few M e grasp.
4
Earth 'n ether, fire 'n air Water, mind, sense 'n s
elf Elements are of M y Nature.
5
It'sthis Nature holds all worlds But above 'n apart is M y Nature.
6
While M y Higher Nature brings Ends all that Low Nature M ine.
7
Better than M e none exists On M e hinges whatever exists.
8
I'm that what is sapid in water I'm the glow of sun and moon I'm the thunder above in skies Verily I'm the virility of males.
9
Odour of this earth is Me Heat of fire 'n life in being As well wisdom in forsake.
10
I'm the seed of all beings Intellect as well man's valour.
11
It's M e strength of even life As well ardour of sex in order.
12
Virtue, passion so too delusion Send I forth though all of them Come to dwell in none of them.
13
Spellbound by M y these natures Knows not man M y true nature.
14
If thee forsake well and true To M e then thou come 'n grasp Natures these M ine illusions.
15
Who in Supreme hath no faith Gripped are by these illusions And thus go on path wayward.
16
Distressed, desirous 'n knowing Such pious are those Me worship.
17
Of these but the steadfast man With pure intent gets M y nod.
18
Nobleasall worship Me The knower true is selfsame M e.
19
Once in a while Births after many,
Born who knows I pervade worlds.
24
Unmanifest Am State Supreme But saddle M e with form uncouth.
25
Dull in delusion won't perceive M e that's unborn veiled from them.
26
Am privy to what goes on But man hath no grasp of M e.
27
Illusions dual, want and wrath Ever in delusion keep they man.
28
Pure minded sans illusions On Me such of virtue lean.
29
Seek all those who M y refuge See they Brahman ever in self.
30
Me Be-All 'n End -All grasps M e he ponders on deathbed.
Ends thus:
Know the Spirit,
The Seventh Chapter Of Bhagavad-Gita Treatise of self-help.
Chapter 8 Cycle of Creation
This chapter of 28 slokas, known asakshara parabrahma yoga - The Indestructible Brahman - emphasizes the need of un-wavered devotion to the Supreme so as to attain Him. It also describes the science of meditation to reach the Supreme by understanding the nature of the Brahman. And s 22 is a seemingly concluding statement of the Lord that only through un-swerved devotion the Supreme could be reached from which there is no return (s 21).
Then appear s23 to s28 which if literally taken would imply that if one dies when the moon is on the ascent he would go to heaven and, to hell if it's other way round. Needless to say, these slokas spelling superstition in an otherwise thought-elevating treatise are but interpolations.
It is worth noting that Sir Edwin Arnold dismissed these as the work of some vedanti and thought it fit, justifiably at that, not to include them in his 'Song Celestial'. In this connection it may be noted that the relationship between the state in which a person dies and his imminent rebirth is covered in s 14 and sl5 of cl4, which seem to be authentic.
It can be seen that s5, places the cart before the horse. Besides, s9-sl4 too, are interpolations going by their content that's out of context. It is worth noting that sl-s4, s6-s8 and sl5-s22, if read together would bear an unmistakable continuity of argument that the interpolations deprive.
1
Thus spoke Arjuna:
0 Lord appraise what's Brahman Lies what within 'n backs action Nature of deities besides the beings.
2
What is that guides bodily acts,
What makes yogis realize Thee?
3
Thus spoke the Lord:
Self-Imperishable is Brahman But dwells it yet there in beings Brings that forth is Act Supreme.
4
Perish as beings all in time Spirit that lasts of them is M e.
6
In the end the way one tends Charts that future course he takes.
7
If thou act with this in mind In the end thou gain M e true,
By M y word now opt for war With thy strength 'n skill I gave.
8
M e they reach whoso keep On M e focus as they work.
15
Having come to stay with M e Get they rid of births and deaths.
16
Journey to Brahman holds return ticket Journeys back none abode from M ine.
17
Wise all realize days Brahman Ages thousands make with nights.
18
By day as He brings beings Un-manifests He all by night.
19
It's all rebirths through His day But with nightfall cease they all As He wakes up puts He back.
20
M y State Supreme that never ends Un-manifested it's above Brahman.
21
It's M y Abode that Supreme For man to reach not to leave.
22
It's through devotion that thee gain State Supreme that pervades worlds.
Ends thus:
Cycle of Creation,
The Eighth Chapter Of Bhagavad-Gita,
Treatise of self-help.
Chapter 9 The Sacred Secret
This chapter of 34 slokas, known as raja-vidya raja-guhya yoga, Supreme Knowledge and Supreme Secret, describes various ways of attaining the Supreme that lends itself readily for interpolations.
In sl3, it is stated that the realized man constantly and single-mindedly remains devoted to the Supreme and in sl4 it is averred that such ever remain united with Him in meditation. But it is only in s22 that the protection of the Supreme to those engaged in His service in true devotion is assured.
While s23 states that those who worship other gods with faith, worship Him only, albeit defectively, s25 pictures varied outcome of worshipping other gods, a contradiction of s3,ch,12. And in s24, He is the Enjoyer and the Lord of all Sacrifice, an anathema to the philosophy of the Gita.
Also sl5 is but a digression to facilitate sl6-s21 and s23-s25. What is more, there could be some omissions from the original, given the seemingly incomplete exposition of the promised dharma in s2.
Further, in s 30 and s 31, it is said that even a reformed sinner is dear and valuable to Him. Then in s 32 it is stated that women, Vaisyas and Sudras could win His favor through devotion, sounding as if they are all in an inferior league. Leave aside the Lord's averment in many a context in this text that the Supreme Spirit lies in all beings, it is specifically stated in s34 of ch.10 that He symbolizes all that is glorious in woman. Given this, and the background of interpolations, s32 surely is a case of trespass.
S33 of this chapter is but a jointing medium of the said obnoxious verse and in itself is patronizing in nature towards the virtuous Brahmans. S7, that contravenes sl5-sl6 of ch.8 and echoes the interpolative sl8-sl9 of this, is an interpolation. S34, which falls into a separate category, is seemingly an interpolation, for reasons explained in 'All about Interpolations'.
1
Thus spoke the Lord:
Unenvied as thou I would tell The art of leading fruitful life.
2
Supreme secret that's sacred Profound dharma for mankind Fair and simple, practicable.
3
Fail who follow thisdharma Pay they price in recurring births.
4
Whatever is there I pervade
In My ambit lay beings
Though it's not the other way round.
5
Fail if thou to grasp it thus Feel as though I'm confined in What I bring forth 'n sustain.
6
Skies in rooted wind as spreads Dwell in M e though disperse all.
8
It's I make the Nature bring Beings hapless in their scores.
9
Since I function not in passion Bound Am none by acts all these.
10
It's the Nature ruled by M e Takes the world the way it goes.
11
Though Am Lord of all beings Give M e human form the naive And thus they do belittle Me.
12
Vile in delusion lead their lives In vainness they waste their time.
13
With Me in mind well-meaning See they beings sourced in M e.
14
With right intent 'n focus Such M e worship with true faith.
22
Those as meditate 'n worship Them I take M y wings under.
26
Hold I dear a leaf even Offered when by pure minded.
27
Act thou throughout in good faith Thus thou make M e feel honored.
28
Rid be thou of all that binds Freed be thus thou come to M e.
29
None I favor; slight I none Devout M ine all gain M e true.
30
Start as wicked My worship Take them all as well realized.
31
Tend I them then turn even Devout M ine none go restive.
Ends thus:
The Secret Sacred,
The Ninth Chapter Of Bhagavad-Gita,
Treatise of self-help.
Chapter 10 Discern the Divine
This intriguing chapter of 42 slokas, known asvibhooti yoga, Glories of the Supreme, characterizes the Omnipresence of the Supreme Spirit. Well, for general human understanding, Lord Krishna identifies the best in heaven and earth that represent all that is glorious about Him.
One might note that His averment thatSama Veda and tapo yagjna, meditative prayer, symbolize the glory of the Supreme was cited in the introduction to the third chapter. In the context of what Lord Krishna enumerates as symbolic of the 'Glory of the Supreme Spirit', it is interesting to note that He's the sovereign in humans in s27 but not Rama as one would have expected. However, Lord Rama enters the Hall of Fame as the first amongst the archers (s31).
Going by the dispassionate outlook towards life that Lord Krishna expostulates, it is but natural that Lord Rama who personifies attachment to the values of his time is not reckoned as the Glory of the Supreme Spirit. It is another matter that in the Hindu religio-cultural ethos, Lord Rama is revered as purushottama, the noblest human.
1
Thus spoke the Lord:
Earthy lend My words peerless Bound they regale as thee gain.
2
Sourced though gods 'n seers in M e Grasp they have none of M y source.
3
Me as Lord of all who sees Turns his back on wrongdoings.
4
Sourced in Me all faculties State of mind of beings too.