(Shrimad Bhagavad Gita Jayanti: 25th December) – Pujya Bapuji
Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is the book which contains, in lucid form, the essence of all the Vedas and Upanishads and is accessible to all people. The Bhagavad Gita has brought about a revolution. Shri Krishna awakened the inner consciousness of simple devotees with his devotional love. At the same time, for intellectuals he imparted such knowledge of the Gita in the battlefield, that a thinker of any sect or religion, who might have spoken on politics, religion, social reforms or on the path of Bhakti or Yoga, you will not find any world renowned orator who has not cited verses of the Gita in support of his doctrine. Every influential speaker in the world has adopted excerpts of the Gita in one form or another.
The Gita is not biased for any sect or religion. The Gita is not a book of any particular sect, cult, or religion.
The doors of the Gita are open to all.
Shri Krishna knew that worldly temporal pleasures are available to animals, birds and other creatures too, but these beloved souls of mine who are incarnated as human beings, they are in a human body which is very dear to me, if they remain contented with only worldly pleasures and waste their life in enjoyment of worldly pleasures, then when will they be able to get the joy of the Life-Giver? Therefore Shri Krishna never places any conditions, whereas the rest of the sects and religions place conditions. “If you have sinned, fast for 12 years, eat on alternate days. Observe Chandraayan fast every month. Do this for atonement of this sin and that for the other. Pray to God or Khuda….” Shri Krishna says instead
अपि चेदसि पापेभ्यः सर्वेभ्यः पापकृत्तमः
“Even if you are the worst sinner amongst sinners…” Even if you are the most sinful of all sinners… as we have positive, comparative and superlative degrees - loved, more loved and most loved similarly sinner, worse sinner and the worst sinner means the most sinful person, still you will cross over all the wickedness with the raft of Knowledge alone.
सर्वं ज्ञानप्लवेनैव वृजिनं सन्तरिष्यसि ।।
Sit in the boat of Brahmajnana and cross the ocean of metempsychosis.
The Bhagavad Gita is the only scripture in the world that gives sincere assurance to all beings. The Gita has invited even ignorant children, innocent cowherd girls and boys and uneducated people. The doors of the Gita are open to devotees, Yogis, Jnanis (men of Knowledge) and politicians too. It welcomes even those treading the path of selfless action; others performing action with desire are also welcomed if they want the knowledge of the Gita. In the way a mother’s heart is large, the educated child belongs to the mother and the uneducated child belongs to the mother; the rich child belongs to the mother and the poor child belongs to the mother. The stammering child belongs to the mother and the child who speaks beautiful refined words is also a child in mother’s view. Likewise the heart of mother Gita is magnanimous. Victory to Mother Gita! Victory! Victory!
What was the purpose of the revelation of the Gita?
See the glory of the Gita connected with its origin. It originated in the battlefield! It gives the drink of ambrosia to a warrior like Arjuna. The Gita is revealed to the inquisitive aspirant of knowledge like Sanjay, but it reaches even the abode of blind Dhritarashtra. War was not the purpose behind the revelation of the Gita. What was the aim then? The aim was to remove the big hurdles faced by the masses in the attainment of a life infused with Truth absolute, Knowledge absolute and Bliss absolute because lustful persons were holding the political power. Men like Duryodhana and Shakuni were very lustful and they were striving hard to fulfil their lust with deceit. Was Arjuna’s desire for war impelled by lust? No.
Duryodhana says: “These warriors are ready to sacrifice their lives for me.” Meaning, my desires should be satisfied and I should get the kingdom. This is the lust for power. Arjuna says: “O Krishna, of what avail to us are a kingdom, happiness or even life itself when all those for whom we may desire them are now arrayed on this battlefield? I do not see how any good can come from killing my own kinsmen in this battle, nor can I, my dear Krishna, desire any subsequent victory, kingdom, or happiness.”
The life of Arjuna reflects the objective of public welfare whereas Duryodhana’s life is full of desire.
Gitakara has not left out any subject
The person who imbibes the knowledge of the Gita is freed from frustration and disappointment. The Gita takes in her lap and consoles and encourages even disappointed and frustrated persons with its knowledge. It inspires Arjuna, to perform his duty, who had come to the field of action and then wanted to run away with thoughts like “I would rather beg than fight against my kinsmen.” At the same time, to remove the attachment to action, it encourages one to perform actions with non-attachment.
Gitakara (Lord Krishna) has not left anything in the Gita. What a wonderful book the Gita is! It’s anniversary is celebrated. It is good and appropriate to do it.
