JNANA YOGA PART1

 

             Krishna's elucidation of karma Yoga raises many more doubts in Partha and he wants clarifications for them. He questions  the Lord  whether  he had given upadesa of Karma and Jnana Yoga to any one else earlier. Krishna replies that he had instructed these two Yogas to Surya at the beginning of creation. Surya passed it on to Manu Vaivaswata and he delivered it to the great king Ikshvaku. Arjuna, strangely and ignorantly asks how that was possible as krishna was born recently while Manu and Ikshvaku belonged to the bygone ages. Krishna replies that he had taken many births earlier!

        &nbs p;     The differences between the Jivatma-individual Soul and the Paramatma- the Absolute Soul are explained clearly by the Lord. Death has no influence on the Individual Soul or Jivatma. It cannot be divided even mentally. Paramatma or the Absolute Soul is all pervading and all permeating-- the indweller of all beings in the universe.The Individual has birth and death. Paramatma has no such thing. He is called ' avyayatma'  When he enters the  physical body it is called ' avatar or incarnation. When he leaves the body it is called ' nirguna' Paramatma overrides all illusion or maya. The individual is steeped in  maya. Paramatma knows the past, present,and the future. Ordinary mortal is incapable of knowing either the past, present or the future.

          ;       If God is omnipresent where is the need for an ' avatar'? The lord explains that whenever Dharma declines and Adharma or Evil raises its ugly head he takes human form to protect  Dharma and punish the evil doers. The sufferings of the avatars are only the divine sports or leelas.exhibited for the edification of human beings! They should leave their ivory tower, mix and mingle with all and spread their message and teachings. Those who realize their birth are released from rebirth and attain emancipation The Lord tells Arjuna that those who worship Him as paramatma shall be granted whatever they desire.

          ;       Common folk crave for sons and other worldly gifts and the Gods satisfy their desires. For emancipation  one has to worship Paramatma. They have to perform their prescribed duties according to their faith. it is very difficult to understand the complex caste system in India. The Puranas and the Itihasas have glorified and worshipped many belonging to the lowest class. one cannot claim to be a brahmin simply because he is the son of  Brahmin parents. It is only his character , conduct and karma that defines him as a brahmin,or kshatriya, vaisya or sudra. It is in this JNANA YOGA that the Lord affirms how he created this system. Krishna clarifies:  " It is according to their character and action that  people are created in the four castes or Varnas. Though I create them, Iam not responsible for their creation as it is based on their past Karma.

                   The statement of the Lord requires proper explanation and understanding. When Satwa Guna predominates without Tamas, Brahmins are born. Kshatriyas are born when Rajo Guna is prominent.  In Vaisyas Tamoguna is dominant. In Sudras TamoGuna is inexcess and greater than RajoGuna  All these births depend on one's past Karma-- their good and bad deeds in their previous birth!

(Continued)