Gīta Tātparya Introduction
"Having saluted Narayana, who is complete with all auspicious qualities and devoid of all faults, the essence of the Gita is explained."
Summary
Vyasa is the divine incarnation of Lord Narayana. The Mahabharata, composed by Vyasa, is authentic and superior even to the Vedas. It is capable of giving liberation to the aspirants. The Bhagavad Gīta and Vishnu-Sahasranāma are the essence of Mahabharata. Arjuna, being the incarnation of demigod Indra (Deva), is eligible to receive higher knowledge. He is being instructed to re-establish his deteriorated wisdom.
The primary message of the Gita is: one should perform one’s own duty, 'swa-dharma', as a worship to God. We should abandon anything opposed to our duties. The Bhagavan, the divine God, is different from everybody and everything else. Everything is under his control. He is not under the control of anything. He is superior to everything else. All auspicious qualities are complete in him. All scriptures are there to explain Him. Therefore, through His knowledge alone, one can get liberated. It is clarified that no one can remain actionless, even a jnanin. Everyone should follow their own unique duties, 'swa-dharma'. Only liberated souls, who can remain continuously in 'atman' forever, have no other duty to perform.
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“The Mahabharata is the essence of the scriptures. Within the Mahabharata, the Bhagavad Gita and the thousand names of Vishnu (Vishnu-sahasra-nāma) are the essence; through this knowledge, one is easily liberated.”
“When there is no scripture that is equal to the Mahabharata, how can there be anything that is superior? When the Bharata was compared with all the Vedas, the Bharata was found to be heavier.”
“Lord Brahma, the gods, and all the assembled sages analysed Mahabhartata, ordered by sage Vyasa. They called it Mahabharata (maha='significant', bharata='heavy') as it was most significant and heavy with principles. The one who knows this etymological meaning (of Mahabharata) overcomes all the sins.”
"Narayana himself, upon the request of the gods led by Brahma, Rudra, and Indra, took on the form of Vyasa and composed the Mahabharata, which is considered the fifth Veda, focusing solely on the determination of truth."
- stated thus in the Brahmanda Purana.
Here (in the Bhagavad Gita), Narayana is teaching affectionate Arjuna, who is the direct incarnation of Lord Indra, a very capable individual to receive higher knowledge. When Arjuna vacillates from the prescribed duty of a warrior because of attachment towards his relatives, the teaching is imparted to destroy his bondage towards dear ones.
The Lord Narayana teaches, "Performing one's own duty with devotion, as a worship to God, is the highest Dharma. Anything that is opposed to it is Adharma. Everything is under the control of God."
The above facts can be ascertained by following testimonials:
"But if you will not wage this righteous war, having disregarded your own duty (swa-dharma) and fame, you will incur sin." - B.G. 2-33
Such statements reiterate the importance of war as 'swadharma', one's own duty (for warrior Arjuna).
"From whom is the origin of all beings, by whom all this is pervaded, worshipping Him through one's own duty, a human being attains perfection." - B.G 18-46
"Performing one's own duty, even if imperfect, is better than doing another's duty well. By following one's natural duty, one does not incur sin." - B.G 18-47
"Listen once more to my supreme words, the most confidential of all. Because you are dear to me, I will speak to you for your benefit." - B.G 18-64
"Focus your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me, and offer obeisance to Me. You will certainly come to Me; I promise you this truthfully, for you are dear to Me." - B.G 18-65
"Abandon all other tendencies, come to me alone for refuge. I will liberate you from all sins; do not grieve." - B.G 18-66
Thus, it is established that the obligation is to worship the Lord through one's duty, and all other activities are to be renounced.
"I am not to be seen in such a form through the study of the Vedas, nor by austerity, nor by charity, nor by sacrifice. In the way you have seen me, I cannot be seen by those means. But by unwavering devotion alone, O Arjuna, I can be truly known, seen, and entered into in such a form, O scorcher of foes." - B.G 11-53,54
Thus, it is established that devotion to Lord Vishnu is the supreme means among all, and both indirect and direct knowledge, even for the wise, depend on it for liberation.
"He who acts for me, whose highest aim is me, who is devoted to me, free from attachment, and free from enmity towards all beings — he attains me, O Pāṇḍava." - B.G 11-55
These show that even the devotees must perform their duties and abandon the forbidden actions.
"Therefore, perform your duty as it was done by the ancients". (With that knowledge of me, duty was performed even by ancients who sought liberation. Therefore, do actions performed by ancients and handed down from time immemorial. - B.G 4-15)
Such statements show that even the enlightened (a jnanin) must continue to perform actions as a worship to the Lord.
"This form of mine, which you have seen, is very difficult to behold. Even the gods constantly yearn to see this form." - B.G 11-52
"Because you are dear to me, I will tell you what is truly beneficial for you." - B.G 18-64
"Divine qualities lead to liberation, while demonic qualities are considered to lead to bondage. Do not grieve, O son of Pandu, for you are born with divine qualities." - B.G 16-5
"But the great souls, O Pārtha, taking refuge in the divine Prakṛti, worship Me with undivided minds, having known Me as the imperishable origin of all beings." - B.G 9-13
"He showed Arjuna his supreme divine form." - B.G 11-9
These statements show Arjuna's highest qualification for 'aparokṣajñāna', i.e. direct knowledge, and is capable of attaining the transcendental knowledge.
"Neither the hosts of gods nor the great sages know My origin, for I am indeed the source of the gods and the great sages in every way." - B.G 10-2.
"He who knows Me as unborn, the cause of all, and the great Lord of the Universe - being undeluded, he is freed from all sins among mortals." - B.G 10-3.
"Intellect; knowledge; freedom from delusion; forgiveness; truth; restraint of the sense organs; intellect's steadfast devotion to the Lord; Pleasure and pain; birth and existence; fear and indeed fearlessness. Non-violence; equanimity; contentment; austerity; charity; fame and infamy. These various kinds of dispositions of beings arise indeed from Me." - B.G 10-4,5.
"The seven great sages and the four former Manus, who are My mind-born manifestations, from whom these creatures of the world have arisen." - B.G 10-6
"This glory and yoga of mine" ... (10-7) ("He who knows the principle behind this great manifestations and yogic power of Mine, is engaged with rigor and unwaveringly in Yoga - there is no doubt about it." - B.G 10-7)
"I am the origin of all; from Me everything proceeds. Knowing this, the wise worship Me, endowed with devotion." - B.G 10-8
"Out of compassion for them, I, abiding in them, destroy the darkness born of ignorance with the shining lamp of knowledge." - B.G 10-11
“O Arjuna, I quickly rescue those whose minds are absorbed in me from worldly existence and the ocean of birth and death." - B.G 12-7
"Knowing me as the ultimate enjoyer of sacrifices and austerities, the supreme lord of all worlds, and the friend of all beings, one attains peace or liberation." - B.G 5-29
"I shall declare to you this special knowledge concerning Me completely, knowing which there will be nothing further left to know in this world." - B.G 7-2
"Understand this entire Prakrti to be the womb of all creatures. But I am the cause of its origin and likewise its dissolution." - B.G 7-6
"O Dhananjaya (Arjuna), there is nothing else whatsoever superior to Me. All this (creation) is strung in Me, like beads of gems on a thread." - B.G 7-7
"I shall now declare to you the most secret knowledge, along with its realization, knowing which you shall be freed from all inauspiciousness (bondage)" - B.G 9-1
"Royal knowledge, royal secret ..." ("This is the king of knowledge and the king of secrets, the most sacred and supreme. It enables one to perceive directly the Dharma, easy to practice, and imperishable.") - B.G 9-2
"This entire universe is pervaded by Me in My unmanifest form. All beings exist in Me, but I do not dwell in them." - B.G 9-4
"I am the supporter of all beings, yet not situated in beings." (And yet, beings do not exist in Me - behold My divine mystical power! Though I sustain all beings, My self does not dwell in them, for I am the source of all beings. - B.G 9-5)
"There is none equal to you; how then could there be one greater than you?” (You are the father of the Universe, that is moving and unmoving; you are its venerable teacher and greatest. None is equal to you. Then how could there be anyone superior? Even in the three worlds, none matches your power. - B.G 11-43)
"I will now explain the supreme knowledge, the best of all knowledges, by knowing which all sages have attained the highest perfection here." - B.G 14-1
“My womb is the 'Great-Brahma' (mahadbrahma) i.e. Prakrti, and in it I place the seed of all creation. O Bhārata, from this union arises the birth of all beings.” - B.G 14-3
“I am indeed the ultimate foundation of the illusory energy of the Universe, of the immortals, of the imperishable, of the eternal, of the dharma, of the happiness, and also the ultimate liberated beings.” - B.G 14-27
“In this world, there are two types of beings: Kṣara i.e. the changing and Akṣaraḥ i.e. the unchanging. All creatures are Kṣaras i.e. the changing, but the imperishable insentient, i.e. Prakrti, is called the Akṣaraḥ i.e. the unchanging.” - B.G 15-16
“The highest person is said to be another, the Supreme Ātman, who, entering the three worlds, sustains, the Lord of the imperishable Paakrti.” - B.G 15-17
“I am known as the Supreme Person in the world and the Vedas because I transcend both the 'Kshara', subjected to change, and the 'Akshara', the unchanging.” - B.G 15-18
“O Bharata, the one who knows Me as the Supreme Person without any delusion worships Me with complete devotion.” - B.G 15-19
“O sinless one, I have imparted this most confidential teaching. By understanding this, one becomes wise and achieves all that is to be accomplished, O descendant of Bharata.” - B.G 15-20
“O Partha, surely there is nothing in the three worlds that I should do. There is nothing un-attained, nor to be attained by me. Yet I am ever engaged in action.” - B.G 3-22
From the above hymns of the Bhagavad Gita, we come to realise:
- The Bhagavan, the divine God, is different from everybody else
- Everything is under his control
- He is not under the control of anything
- He is superior to everything else
- all auspicious qualities are complete in him
- All scriptures are there to elucidate Him
- From His knowledge alone, one can get liberated.
"Oh Vishnu! Those who perform sacrifices, and those who are in pursuit of intellect, both must pray and worship you. Even those who have realised and seen the Supreme Being perform prescribed actions after deliberation for the sake of the God only and get increased bliss." (Rig 1.156.1)
“The supreme being satisfied from devotion gives the required knowledge. When a devotee worships further with pure devotion, having been satisfied, He grants his direct vision (darshana). When a devotee exerts himself further with qualified pure devotion, he grants him Moksha, the liberation.”
“The liberated are under the control of God and are always filled with qualified, pure devotion. The blissful devotion is their very nature and is no more a means to attain the goal.”
"Lord Vishnu is recognized as superior, independent, and faultless, with all virtues complete, and everything subordinate to him, even more so than Brahma, Rudra, Lakshmi, and others."
"Affection, known as devotion (bhakti), is considered the best of all means. It is through this alone that liberation is attained, not through any other vision or method."
"Those beings with death are of lower eligibility. The liberated seers are of medium eligibility. The 'devas' (gods) are of higher eligibility, and among them the Prana, the presiding deity of breath, is of highest qualified."
“Those who attain the status of gods (devas) will not be deprived of the direct vision of God. When their mind is distracted, they resort to ‘listening’ and other devotional activities. The Lord Brahma, who is devoid of such distractions and downfall, engages in devotional activities as a play. The gods (devas) were born in the warrior class as Pandavas on one such occasion of downfall. Instructed by sage Vyasa, they regained their stability of mind.”
“Rudra worshipped Lord Vishnu, the bestower of all wishes, the Lord of everything, with sacrifice and obtained the destroyer-ship. Oh Ashvins, similarly you got your power over food.” (Rig 7.40.5)
"In the beginning, there was only Narayana, neither Brahma nor Shankara. He became a sage and contemplated, and from that thought, these were born: the universe, Hiranyagarbha, Agni, Yama, Varuna, Rudra, and Indra."
"In the beginning, there was only Narayana, not Brahma or Ishana", "Before everything, there was Vasudeva, not Brahma or Shankara. Whoever Vishnu desires, he makes them Brahma, Shankara, Indra, Sun, Yama, or Skanda."
"Conveying the excellence and superiority in God of God's Lord Vishnu is the only higher purport. Finding the meaning of sacred texts in others can only be an intermediate purport. Aligning sacred texts meaning to Him (Lord Vishnu) only leads to the ultimate human good (purshartha, Moksha)."
- stated thus in the teaching of Paingi.
“You have grown your body beyond measure! No one can obtain such superior magnificence.” - Rig. 7.99.1
"The Lord Hari, possessing infinite qualities and greatness, is flawless. No one is equal to or greater than Him. There has never been, nor will there ever be, anyone beyond Him, as He is self-sufficient."
- there are other such Vedic testimonials.
The text 'yastvātmirēva' (B.G 3.17) is a subject related to those who are already liberated.
[One who rejoices in 'ātman' alone, is content with 'ātman' alone, and has his mind fixed in Atman alone, has no other duty to perform. -B.G 3.17]
"But the one who truly rejoices in the ‘ātman’, being liberated, has no duty. Therefore, Krishna, smiling, said to Arjuna that he should perform actions."
- stated thus as well, in the Skanda Purana.
In the hymn "jnānayogēna sankhyānām" (Gita 3.3) and others, they advised one to reduce the actions oriented towards external sensual pleasures only.
"Indeed, no one ever remains inactive even for a moment." - B.G 3.5
"Even the maintenance of your body would not be possible without work." - B.G 3.8
“O Partha, but even these acts should be performed without attachment and desire for fruits, as a duty. This is my decided view.” - B.G 18.6
Even the knowledgeable must continue to perform the prescribed duties with no desire. Abstaining from all action is never possible for anyone. By abstaining from external-oriented actions, we consider the ascetics as those who have given up.
"The wise, who are seers of the truth, will impart knowledge to you." - Gita 4.34
Thus, it (i.e. Bhagavad Gita) is for the purpose of re-establishing the lost wisdom (of Arjuna).
