Bhagvad Gita Treatise Of Self Help By BS Murthy
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Whatever exists in this world Designs Spirit in Nature's womb.
27
Sees he well, who would see What doth perish is just the frame End there none to Spirit therein.
28
Realize if thou Spirit in thee Same as one that dwells in all Hurt thou never thine own self Thereby attain M e Supreme.
29
Beings act per their nature Thus the Spirit that lay in them Hath no hand in deeds of theirs.
31
Having none its attributes Apart being from nature Spirit hath no qualms of its own.
32
As with ether, spread all over None the sullied, exposed being So is the case with Spirit in thee.
33
Sun as one lights all three worlds It's one Spirit that glows all frames.
34
Aware if thee of Spirit 'n frame Frees that thou from all bindings M aking way to reach Supreme.
Ends thus:
Field and Farmer,
The Thirteenth Chapter Of Bhagavad-Gita,
Treatise of self-help.
Chapter 14 Proclivities to Know
This diagnostic chapter of 27 slokas, known asgunatraya vibhaga yoga, Differentiation of Qualities Three, details the three human proclivities - virtue, passion and delusion. It concludes with the identification of the realized spirit.
Flowever, it may be noted that s3, s4 and si9 that deal with the Nature and the Spirit are digressions, and thus are interpolations.
1
Thus spoke the Lord:
Pass I now thee that knowledge With which sages free themselves.
2
Knows whoso this reaches M e Keeps thus births 'n deaths at bay.
5
To tie the Spirit 'n body tight Uses Nature as its threads Virtue, passion as well delusion.
6
Spirit as well gets well enticed By the charms of life well-led Steeped in wisdom and virtue.
7
Frames of passion as it weds Spirit gets fond of joys of life.
8
It's in delusion Spirit with sloth Doth go in tow on wrong path.
9
Gives man virtue life of ease Grinds him passion in despair Deprives delusion him of reason.
10
Of the trio often
Takes as lead role one of these
Others to sidelines are confined.
11
Wearing wisdom on his sleeve Radiates virtuous throughout life.
12
Plain greedy, or ever restive It's the way all passionate live.
13
Dull in mind And perverted In work lethargic He's but deluded.
14
Peaks as virtue dies as one Ascends he the State Highest.
15
Dies if one with passion on hold Comes he back to resume things, Lives who deluded all his life Gets he none better in rebirths.
16
Virtuous sully never their lives
Rue passionate as chase joys Go down deluded drain of life.
17
Gives as virtue wisdom true Renders passion unto grief Leads as delusion into sloth.
18
Echelons virtuous reach higher Remain 'as is where' passionate Go down ladder ever the deluded.
20
Out of orbit if thou go Of Nature that grips thy mind Freed be thou of recurring births.
21
Thus spoke Arjuna:
Can man ever, rein in matter,
Is there regimen that reins it?
22
Thus spoke the Lord:
With no let or ever hindrance Whatever it be he lets go,
Takes he things all as they come With none fondness or distaste.
23
Seeing it all nature's work From the fringes of conscience Detached he watches goings on.
24
It's in fairness that he weighs Affairs of life in fine balance.
25
Sans self, ego, self-realized Works his way to state tranquil.
26
It's by capping his nature Wavers he not from the path That which truly leads to M e And in end he turns Brahman.
27
It's M e Immortal self of Brahman Dharma eternal that's All-Blissful.
Ends thus:
Proclivities to Know,
The Fourteenth Chapter Of Bhagavad-Gita,
Treatise of self-help.
Chapter 15 Art of Liberation
This unique chapter of 20 slokas, is known as purushottama prapti yoga, Realization of the Supreme. S9, sl2, sl3, sl4 and sl5 being digressions are clearly interpolations.
Beginning with the parable of world as a fig tree, it later deals with the indwelling spirit and the Supreme Spirit, and the perishable man and the imperishable Purusha (Supreme Spirit).
1
Thus spoke the Lord:
Wise see Nature as fig tree huge Roots its planted in high skies Branching down with Vedic leaves Helps which man reach State Supreme.
2
So to feed on their organs With its downward roots it ties Beings all to mundane things,
With man being charged by wants Supplies he the feed it needs Through the knots of threefold ways.
3
M an as fails to lay his hands Roots on those that entwine him Helps dispassion sunder them.
4
Roots as sundered, one gets freed To reach the Vedic branch in reach, Grasps as he the truth there all Goes he up from branch to branch To end up on the root utmost On which Abode Supreme lies.
5
Freed of pride, desire 'n delusion Climbs as he, in self he dwells,
Feels he same of pleasure 'n pain Detached he reaches thus Supreme.
6
Sun too doth pale nears it when Seat of moksha, Abode of M ine.
7
Spirit as lies in beingsall Gets it rubbed with one's nature.
8
Wind as carries scent of flowers While leaving them as is where,
In like fashion Spirit from frames M oves its awareness to rebirths.
10
Know not fools in lifetime theirs Nature of Spirit thus lies in them But ever on move from frame to frame.
11
This by striving wise realize Fail though naive in spite of it.
16
Perish all beings though in time Perishes not the Spirit in them.
17
Self M ine Highest that sustains Is but different from that One.
18
Since I transcend that perishes Apart 'n above the eternal One Vedas vouch M e Soul Supreme.
19
Who aver M e as Soul Supreme In M y worship bring they faith.
20
Grasps who nuances of this science Turns he wise 'n accomplished thus.
Ends thus:
Art of Liberation,
The Fifteenth Chapter Of Bhagavad-Gita,
Treatise of self-help.
Chapter 16 Frailty of Thought
This chapter of 24 slokas, known asdaivasura sampad vibhaga yoga, The Characteristics of Virtuous and the Vile, deals with all aspects of virtue and evil including how they affect human life.
S19 which implies that the Supreme Spirit condemns to hell those who hate Him is an obvious interpolation that contravenes Lord's affirmative statement in s29 ch.9, 'None I favour; slight I none / But devout M ine all gain M e true' and other such averred in many a context in this text.
Be that as it may, when He is the indweller in all beings as postulated by the Lord himself, won't the interpolative proposition of sl9 amount to self-condemnation!
1
Thus spoke the Lord:
Pure in heart 'n courage to boot Even mind with helping hand Works who hard 'n tries to grasp Austere, upright, and well-read
2
Even tempered, loves he peace Liberal minded with kind heart Calm 'n truthful, well mannered Fickle he not or calumnious M odest natured covets he not
3
Free of bias he's fair-minded Strong in will, he stalls envy Humble, and he forgives too He's virtuous thus earmarked.
4
Make all vile, rude guys all Vainglorious 'n haughty too,
Besides being indignant No less are they indulgent.
5
Gives as virtue man freedom Keeps him vileness ever constrained.
6
World is as of good 'n bad Serves thee to know latter too.
7
Conduct of theirs lacks virtue Bear they demeanour that's impure.
8
Branding beings sexual products Reckon not such in God 'n truth.
9
These small minds, of ruined souls Wreck they world with acts of wrath.
10
Pride 'n lust, long wish list Vile in conceit live impure.
11
Seeing life as one to gloat Vile by impulse go to lengths.
12
Seek vile creatures ever shortcuts On way to wants, they ill-get wealth.
13
Think all vile, in like terms This is mine so let me keep Why not have I more of it.
14
Foe this mine I've truly floored Won't I tackle the rest of them Sure I'm Lord of mine own world.
15
Note all vile, gloat as such Besides wealthy, I'm well-born Won't I give and enjoy too.
16
To their hurt in illusion vile End up slaves of joys of flesh.
17
In vainglory live all vile
And for show-off spend they well.
18
Blinded by pride, lustful lot M e they ill-treat lay in them.
20
Live all deluded far from M e Depraved ladder they go down.
21
Detours, lust, wrath 'n greed Self-destruct to go hell-ward.
22
Steer if clear, perils these men See they then the path perfect.
23
In their impulse vile impinge Upon the scriptures that hold good And thus keep ever from Supreme.
24
Ordain scriptures rights 'n wrongs It's now left to choose thy course.
Ends thus:
Frailty of Thought,
The Sixteenth Chapter Of Bhagavad-Gita, Treatise of self-help.
Chapter 17 Science of Devotion
This chapter of 28 slokas, known as sraddha traya vibhaga yoga, Threefold Devotion, deals with the spiritual and temporal aptitudes of man. Sll-sl3 that deal with the virtuous, the passionate and the deluded in ritualistic sense and s 23 -28 concerning Om, Tat, Sat and Asat of the Vedic hymns are clear interpolations for reasons the reader is familiar with.
However, s7
slO that deal with the food habits of the virtuous, the passionate and the deluded would pose a problem in determining whether or not they are interpolations. Can eating habits be linked to the innate nature of man in an infallible manner? Perhaps, some future research and analysis might resolve the universality or otherwise of this averment, and till then, it is appropriate to reserve the judgment on these.
1
Thus spoke Arjuna:
None the regard for scriptures Who tend to manage life their well What Thou say of such of beings Virtuous, passionate or merely deluded.
2
Thus spoke the Lord:
It's one's nature that tends him To be virtuous, passionate, or deluded.
3
Beings all have faith in some It's one's nature that shapes it.
4
Virtuous seek gods in worship Opt passionate to humour ghosts Turn all deluded towards the Hades.
5
Hoping for there all to gain Indulge vain in austerities Though not endorsed by scriptures.
6
It's in delusion they all fast Emaciating frames of theirs,
Thus in foolishness they all Famish M ine own Self in them.
7
As with habits so with palates Come to tend all in three ways.
8
Opt virtuous all recipes fine Sustain health 'n enhance strength.
9
Hot 'n spicy, and pungent,
Prefer food passionate that ill-suits.
10
Food of deluded isall stale Long in storage, and impure.
15
Rings with truth 'n laced with warmth It's speech austere that's well-meaning.
16
Simple 'n stoic Kind and candid It's mind austere With self-control.
17
Wanting none Never in turn,
Done in concern Deed it's austere.
18
It's in pretension passionate live Eye they have on name 'n fame.
19
With troubled mind all deluded live Hurt themselves 'n others as well.
20
Virtuous deed is that extends Helping hand to one in need Guided by the zeal to serve.
21
Deed passionate is quid pro quo Ever done with some end in mind.
22
Aiding dubious with disdain It's deed deluded that lacks goal.
Ends thus:
Science of Devotion,
The Seventeenth Chapter Of Bhagavad-Gita,
Treatise of self-help.
Chapter 18 Thy Looking-glass
This chapter of 78 slokas, known as moksha sanyasa yoga, Realization through Abnegation, describes such aspects of human behaviour based on the three natures virtue, passion, and delusion - and the path of selfless action. And in the end, the relevance of, and the reverence to, the Gita is described. One can note that sl2 breaks the continuity between sll and si3 with hyperbolic averments, and s56 combines what is stated in the preceding and the succeeding slokas, and thus both are seemingly interpolations.
S41- s48 that describe the allotted duties of man on the basis of his caste are clearly interpolations. In essence, the discourse till s 40 is about the human nature and how it affects man. As can be seen, the duties on caste lines detailed in the said interpolations have no continuity of argument. As in earlier chapters, the text acquires continuity if only these verses are bypassed.
S61 avers that the Supreme dwells in humans and deludes them all by his maya. This is contrary to what is stated in sl4, ch.5, 'It's his nature, but not Spirit / M akes man act by wants induced'.
Thus, s61 clearly is an interpolation as it contravenes the neutrality of the Supreme Spirit in the affairs of man affirmed throughout by Lord Krishna.
1
Thus spoke Arjuna:
Pray Thee tell, for my grasp All about sanyas, path forsake And self-denial that's tyaga.
2
Thus spoke the Lord:
Lack inclination, it's sanyas Sans wants work what makes tyaga.
3
Fault some sages effort perse Others give nod to deeds noble.
4
M ake thee privy of three ways By which, men all give up well.
5
Effort, gift 'n austerity Take men all on road forsake.
6
Forsake I this vouchsafe when Acts man with no axe to grind.
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Avoid obligation, it's no abnegation Boils it down to, give up of delusion.
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Forgo made easy passionate opt Desist from duties that strain them.
9
Indulge virtuous in their work With no thought of its outcome.
10
With no illusion but diligence Carries renunciant his duties Agreeable or otherwise too.
11
Needs one work to sustain life Relinquients avoid, overloads all.
13
Factors five all deeds engulf Know them well to free thyself.
14
Prone are acts to these aspects Body to sustain, ego that goads Senses thy lure, life to guard Faith in deities that tends thee.
15
Be well orso be ill
In word, thought 'n deed as well
Sourced are acts
in these aspects.
16
Ignoramus in vain ascribe Acts of theirs to Spirit in them.
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It's for thee to realize now That by killing these Kauravs Slay thee none of them thyself.
18
Aspects knowable, known 'n knower Lead to duty, deed 'n doer, in that order.
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Knowable as well deeds 'n doers Bracket those freed in three groups.
20
Lay indivisible in frames divisible Realize virtuous Spirit not perishable.
21
Spirit in them 'n others that lies Apart 'n unique feel passionate.
22
Failing to see beyond the self Deluded think like frog in well.
23
Illusions of life virtuous See in light of limitations Thus thou carry businesslike Duties that their life ordains.
24
In want passionate come to live Bogged down by, what they eye.
25
Deluded work in reckless ways Harm their cause 'n others' as well.
26
Taking well and ever at ease Senses honed 'n ego evened Detached virtuous ever engage.
27
M ind as covetous 'n thought impure Crave passionate all things mundane Which them excite as well pull down.
28
Verily deluded, vulgar 'n vacillate Arrogant, dishonest, ignorant 'n malicious Indolent being remain they gloomy.
29
By natures of these beings Features intellect theirs vary.
30
Deal virtuous in measures equal Weigh they fine all deeds their fair.
31
Perspective lack passionate right In weird ways they tend their lives.
32
Given their state of perversion Go all deluded in wrong path.
33
Virtuous ever in self-control Steady they wavering mind of theirs.
34
Things that seem to bring joys Passionate all with zeal pursue.
35
Proud 'n arrogant, doubting 'n grieving Bog down deluded in despair.
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M ake a note of these three ways Pains which banish 'n fetch bliss.
37
What fail sprint 'n serve long run Virtuous know keep woes at bay.
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It's the way with thy passion To jump at all that what might tempt Which would turn sour in due course.
39
Ever in day-dreams
End up deluded in dreamlands.
40
Beyond the pale of these natures None ever exists in three worlds.
49
With no want Allegiant to none,
Freed from action Thou forsake.
50
Leads how forsake to Brahman Know that Wisdom Supreme now.
51
With pure mind 'n will that's strong Wants thou void and firm thy self