Gita Sāra 11 - जहि शत्रुं महाबाहो कामरूपं दुरासदम्
Arjuna, wrestling with inner conflict, turns to Krishna asking it seems as though people are often propelled towards unethical actions, even when they don't wish to follow such a path. It's as if some invisible force seizes control, compelling them to commit wrongful deeds against their better judgment. What could be this insidious force that leads us down a path of moral compromise, coercing us even against our will?
Krishna explains that the powerful force driving individuals towards wrongdoing is the interplay of desires, particularly the force of Kāma or desire. Desires, if left unchecked, can lead to attachment and a relentless pursuit of sensory pleasures. Here, Kāma does not refer to noble aspirations that elevate us to higher peaks in life but denotes base desires that lead us into the dark caverns of worldly vices. When these desires are obstructed or unfulfilled, a surge of anger and frustration emerges, propelling us towards violent and harmful actions. Behind every malevolent act lies the stronghold of desire. Overcoming this formidable adversary requires relentless determination and steadfast devotion to the Supreme Being, who possesses the power to control all our desires.
This predicament arises from the entanglement of desire, which obscures our vision and hinders us from experiencing the presence of the Divine in our lives. It creates a barrier between us and the awareness of the Supreme being. A person entangled in the clutches of desire is unable to accomplish anything and remains in a state of turmoil. The victory over desire and anger is possible through an internal spiritual struggle, where Jnāna itself becomes our weapon. By gaining knowledge from scriptures and attaining self-awareness, we gradually establish mastery over our senses, mind, and intellect.
All the inert entities are governed by the all-pervading Sri Hari, who controls the movements and functions of each object in this universe. Abhimāni Devatas are responsible for regulating these objects and they act as the operators and overseers of the entire cosmos. Shri Hari is the ultimate controller and the omnipresent one who manages these deities and the intricate web of living and non-living entities. He is also known as the Antaryāmi, the inner controller, as He dwells within everything and governs them from within.
By understanding and revering these Devatas as well as their Antaryāmi, we can attain a higher level of control and mastery over our mind. The concept of "Devata Tāratamya" refers to understanding the powers, attributes, and forms of various Devatas like as Chandra, Surya, Varuna, Yama, Indra, Shiva, Vayu, Brahma, and others, as well as their interconnections and the way one divine power controls another. By comprehending these aspects, one gains knowledge of the hierarchy and mutual governance among these divine forces. By seeking the blessings and cooperation of these divine powers, we become capable of strongly confronting and subduing the demonic forces like Kāma and Krōdha. Through their grace, we attain the strength and ability to overcome these negative influences and temptations, making us capable of leading a righteous and virtuous life.
Shri Krishna explains that by wielding the divine weapon of knowledge, which arises from understanding the nature of the deities and the Supreme Being, we can engage in battle with our internal enemies. By gaining victory over these inner adversaries, we become capable of understanding our Varna Āshrama and walking the path of righteousness with profound knowledge of the Divine. Thus, the third chapter of the Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the importance of knowledge and wisdom in fulfilling our responsibilities and leading a purposeful life.
Comments
Post a Comment