Thoughts on the Bhagavad Gita: (Chapter 13: Verses 21

Transcript

WEBVTT

00:00:02.000 --> 00:00:07.320
Hello and welcome to The Bearded Mystic Podcast and I'm your host, Rahul N Singh.

00:00:07.620 --> 00:00:12.769
Thank you for taking out the time today to either watch or listen to this podcast episode.

00:00:13.339 --> 00:00:32.747
If you are really interested in supporting The Bearded Mystic Podcast, and you've found great benefit in listening or watching these episodes, then please do support this podcast on Patreon where you can get ad free and bonus episodes along with other benefits depending on the tier that you select.

00:00:32.774 --> 00:00:42.817
Your support means everything, and it really does help the podcast keep running efficiently and smoothly, and also widens the audience that this message can reach to.

00:00:42.905 --> 00:00:47.524
If you would like to know more about it, the details are in the show notes and video description below.

00:00:47.787 --> 00:00:56.188
On Saturdays at 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time there is a free virtual meditation session along with discussion and Q&A.

00:00:56.857 --> 00:01:03.508
If you're interested in meditating with us as a community, then you can find out the details in the show notes and video description below.

00:01:03.740 --> 00:01:13.253
Please do like, comment, and subscribe if you're watching this on YouTube and if you're listening to this on your favorite podcast streaming app, then please do give this podcast a five star rating.

00:01:13.253 --> 00:01:27.606
It helps the podcast get up in the charts and allows the algorithm to bring this podcast to new listeners and also do review the podcast if you can and make sure you do follow or subscribe to keep getting future episodes.

00:01:28.072 --> 00:01:37.421
Today we will be continuing on with my thoughts on the Bhagavad Gita and we will be looking at chapter 13, verses 21 to 24.

00:01:37.825 --> 00:01:39.025
Verse 21.

00:01:39.454 --> 00:02:01.114
It is said that Prakriti defines the causal principles behind action, the kind of actions needed to be done, the necessary instruments by which they are accomplished, and the kind of doer needed to conduct the actions, but only the jiva atma or Purusha is the cause of the pleasure or pain that results from their actions.

00:02:01.930 --> 00:02:04.939
So we're going to break this verse up.

00:02:05.010 --> 00:02:11.949
There's a lot to unpack in this verse, so we're going to really break it up and try to understand it more deeply.

00:02:12.360 --> 00:02:21.610
The first part of the verse is, It is said that Prakriti defines the causal principles behind action, the kind of actions needed to be done.

00:02:21.840 --> 00:02:28.969
The necessary instruments by which they are accomplished and the kind of doer needed to conduct the actions.

00:02:29.419 --> 00:02:31.409
So let's just look at that part.

00:02:31.560 --> 00:02:41.000
And first of all, we do know that prakriti, which means for us is the body and the body is constitutes of five elements.

00:02:42.335 --> 00:02:46.115
And along with the senses, they produce actions.

00:02:46.115 --> 00:02:50.064
They are the reason why there is actions, they are the causal principles behind action.

00:02:50.375 --> 00:03:01.025
So what we can understand is the five elements which constitutes the body, or the panchakoshas, and the senses, they constitute what actions we do.

00:03:01.715 --> 00:03:07.474
Now, they also define what actions we need to do and we go according to the mind.

00:03:07.485 --> 00:03:11.724
So, for example, whatever it perceives, we end up acting in such a way.

00:03:12.134 --> 00:03:21.240
And the necessary instruments that are talked about here are basically the hands, feet, the tongue, nose, eyes and ears as well.

00:03:21.539 --> 00:03:29.439
Those are the instruments which the senses are, where the perception of the senses is conducted and where it's received.

00:03:30.414 --> 00:03:40.185
With these instruments, you know, all the senses, the instruments of the senses, all those create the world around us within nature.

00:03:40.504 --> 00:03:45.884
So that's why they are the causal principles and the kind of actions that are needed to be done.

00:03:45.895 --> 00:03:51.224
Now we do the most natural actions, for example our hands touch things.

00:03:51.224 --> 00:03:54.356
They understand what's going on around us.

00:03:54.687 --> 00:03:59.456
It saves us from putting our hands in, in hot fire.

00:04:00.546 --> 00:04:07.456
It also allows us to eat food, to create instruments itself, play instruments.

00:04:07.697 --> 00:04:14.921
So that's something the hands can do, the feet can run, walk, dance, the nose smells food and smells danger.

00:04:14.921 --> 00:04:33.286
Say, if you were living in the jungle, you'll be able to know what's going on and your ears will be able to hear distinct sounds and the eyes can see everything around us and it allows us to avoid obstacles or find our path out of danger or a predicament that we're in.

00:04:33.286 --> 00:04:46.047
These five senses, then what they do is produce information, which then is given to the mind, the mind absorbs that information, then informs our intellect, and this is how we conduct our actions.

00:04:46.057 --> 00:04:49.447
Our intellect really is what defines where our actions are going to go.

00:04:49.836 --> 00:04:56.737
So, for example, it is our intellect that utilizes viveka, or discernment, between the real and the unreal.

00:04:57.336 --> 00:04:59.377
So, all this is done by Prakriti, yeah?

00:04:59.396 --> 00:05:03.416
Nothing here talks of the soul and the thing here talks of awareness.

00:05:03.807 --> 00:05:06.086
It merely is what nature must do.

00:05:06.086 --> 00:05:10.447
So, if you think about it, the body belongs to nature.

00:05:10.476 --> 00:05:12.817
The body will do what nature prescribes.

00:05:13.237 --> 00:05:15.297
It will not go beyond that boundary.

00:05:15.997 --> 00:05:21.146
For example, sometimes people try to put their body in extreme conditions.

00:05:22.067 --> 00:05:25.516
What tends to happen as a result is repression or suppression.

00:05:25.857 --> 00:05:58.262
And what this causes is a kind of action, which will cause harm because whatever energy is produced in the body, it needs to have some kind of, it needs to have some sort of release, it needs to be able to transfer itself to something, so if you are, for example, abstaining from eating meat, then For example, it's not easy, or if you're abstaining from drinking alcohol, it's not easy.

00:05:58.382 --> 00:06:00.932
So what do you need to do in those circumstances?

00:06:00.932 --> 00:06:08.471
Say, for example, not drinking alcohol means do you avoid going to social gatherings where there's going to be alcohol?

00:06:08.672 --> 00:06:10.232
How are you going to stop yourself?

00:06:10.411 --> 00:06:13.622
If somebody says to you, oh, there's only one life, what are you going to do?

00:06:13.802 --> 00:06:17.682
Or if somebody says one drink will not harm you, what would you do in that circumstance?

00:06:17.682 --> 00:06:26.271
Those are the kind of things and the intellect is what says, you know, look, your body will have this reaction if you drink, that's all.

00:06:26.541 --> 00:06:34.951
So your body will tell you it will hurt your liver, you will have an impact on your kidneys, you need to make sure you're hydrating with water, things like that.

00:06:34.961 --> 00:06:38.151
So the body itself is intelligent.

00:06:38.401 --> 00:06:43.651
We just have to understand that we have to use our viveka when it comes to our five senses.

00:06:44.132 --> 00:06:48.762
Those allow us to understand what can be accomplished and what cannot be.

00:06:49.262 --> 00:06:52.232
Remember it says, and the kind of doer needed to conduct the actions.

00:06:52.262 --> 00:06:56.632
The body needs to be able to utilize the instruments to do as much as it can.

00:06:56.891 --> 00:07:03.221
For example, when you get older, it may not be so easier to conduct certain actions.

00:07:03.362 --> 00:07:08.192
For example, even getting up to get some water will not be an action that can be done.

00:07:08.752 --> 00:07:20.447
So we have to understand that while we're in this youth, we have the power to do what we need to do with the actions that we want to take.

00:07:22.016 --> 00:07:30.117
Then Sri Krishna says, But only the jiva-atma or Purusha is the cause of the pleasure or pain that results from their actions.

00:07:30.846 --> 00:07:34.646
Now, thjiva-evatma or the Purusha here is the witness consciousness.

00:07:35.367 --> 00:07:39.307
And that is truly behind the reactions from these actions.

00:07:39.317 --> 00:07:41.437
So, it observes the reactions.

00:07:41.497 --> 00:07:47.976
The actions are done by the body, the awareness observes the actions, and observes the reactions from those actions.

00:07:48.567 --> 00:07:51.836
Now, the results of all actions is caused by the Purusha.

00:07:52.166 --> 00:07:56.596
Now, what you could see here as the Purusha is not some higher god, but...

00:07:57.507 --> 00:08:00.966
experience will tell you that it's just existence itself.

00:08:01.346 --> 00:08:06.786
Basically, everything you do has some sort of reaction somehow.

00:08:07.206 --> 00:08:16.947
And that's why someone with a strong intellect is able to observe what action will be the best one to take, what will create the most joy and the least amount of harm.

00:08:17.206 --> 00:08:24.247
That's the kind of thought pattern someone with a strong intellect will be able to conduct within themselves.

00:08:24.896 --> 00:08:29.776
What it then understands is, the formless awareness is actually the cause of all.

00:08:29.807 --> 00:08:37.386
Without my awareness, I'm not aware of the body, I'm not aware of the mind, I'm not aware of the discernment, I'm not aware of what the senses are producing.

00:08:37.386 --> 00:08:40.197
So, awareness is primary, therefore the cause of all.

00:08:40.486 --> 00:08:43.027
If I am not aware, will this still be?

00:08:43.856 --> 00:08:46.386
And will it be experienced as I experience it?

00:08:46.616 --> 00:08:52.456
Now, for example, human beings don't just experience objects, but they also...

00:08:53.037 --> 00:08:54.976
have results of those objects.

00:08:55.167 --> 00:09:05.297
So it is the awareness that actually is aware of pleasure that is attained by something and the pain when something departs.

00:09:05.866 --> 00:09:07.807
That's something that awareness does.

00:09:08.027 --> 00:09:13.376
If you were not self conscious, feeling pain will not be such a strong feeling.

00:09:13.846 --> 00:09:22.527
And the interesting thing is that pain can cause, if we keep concentrating on pain, it can easily turn into suffering.

00:09:23.392 --> 00:09:25.611
Because we focus our awareness on this.

00:09:26.621 --> 00:09:36.861
But a sage, or someone who's really rested in Brahman, who really understands that they are Brahman, they are able to look at pleasure and pain and say, You know what?

00:09:38.361 --> 00:09:39.912
I'm beyond these two things.

00:09:40.432 --> 00:09:41.701
I am the observer.

00:09:41.991 --> 00:09:45.331
And the observer is never in pleasure and the observer is never in pain.

00:09:45.861 --> 00:09:47.961
So, this is what we need to understand.

00:09:48.386 --> 00:09:52.576
That it is the awareness that is aware of the five elements, meaning the body.

00:09:52.927 --> 00:09:55.917
It is the awareness that is aware of the five senses.

00:09:56.187 --> 00:09:59.476
It is the awareness that is aware of the mind and intellect.

00:09:59.736 --> 00:10:05.356
And it is awareness that is aware of pain and pleasure, sadness and joy and all pairs of opposites, heat and cold.

00:10:05.846 --> 00:10:07.067
All of those opposites.

00:10:07.356 --> 00:10:09.366
So this is something we can understand.

00:10:09.557 --> 00:10:17.037
That it is because of awareness, we find that there is a cause of pleasure and there is a cause of pain.

00:10:17.537 --> 00:10:37.221
And that's resulted from our own actions, so that's why it's very important that a sage, anyone that listens to the Bhagavad Gita, anyone that reads the Bhagavad Gita, anybody that really truly worships Sri Krishna, one must always understand that we need to see the bigger picture.

00:10:37.491 --> 00:10:41.422
One little action can have strong consequences.

00:10:42.121 --> 00:10:43.341
Verse 22.

00:10:43.572 --> 00:10:49.081
All experiences within Prakriti arise from combinations of the three gunas.

00:10:49.642 --> 00:10:58.841
At the death of the body, a person's attachment to a specific combination of the gunas determines which womb they will enter in their next incarnation.

00:10:59.341 --> 00:11:06.111
This determines whether they will be born in a Sattvic, Rajasic or Tamasic body.

00:11:06.517 --> 00:11:13.547
Now, this is very interesting and it's quite a dramatic statement by Sri Krishna, to be honest.

00:11:14.876 --> 00:11:30.527
And it's kind of highlighting if we still believe that we are this body and not necessarily that we are Brahman or that we are awareness or we are Sri Krishna himself, whether we truly believe this, are we truly believing in what he truly is?

00:11:31.052 --> 00:11:34.272
You know, that's what I think he's trying to hint upon.

00:11:34.522 --> 00:11:36.172
So let's break this verse up.

00:11:36.172 --> 00:11:42.211
He says, All experiences within prakriti, arise from combinations of the three gunas.

00:11:42.652 --> 00:11:48.111
Now, every experience within nature, arises from the three gunas.

00:11:48.111 --> 00:11:51.402
It's a combination of tamas, rajas and sattva.

00:11:51.831 --> 00:11:59.052
So our experience is always a mixture of laziness, hyperactivity and then pure actions like meditation or mindfulness.

00:11:59.741 --> 00:12:10.892
And you see this in people, you know, they may be really tired to go to work and then when they, but they can't sit still and their mind is restless so there's this hyperactivity, they keep being fidgety.

00:12:11.371 --> 00:12:17.552
And then at the end of the day, they're like, you know what, to solve this, let me do some meditation, let me do some mindfulness, let me do some yoga.

00:12:17.892 --> 00:12:24.881
So, we see that people are like this, and all of our actions and experiences are defined by this.

00:12:25.022 --> 00:12:31.881
For example, if we see within Prakriti, there is a calm ocean, we automatically feel calm.

00:12:32.466 --> 00:13:10.370
If we are in the middle of a storm, you know, our senses heighten and there's a bit of hyperactivity, you know, what do I do, why something happens, you know, the mind goes, it starts racing and then when there is something we do not want to do, maybe we feel bored, maybe we feel like we do not want to get up from a night good sleep, of of 9 10 hours, that's laziness or we rather be like, you know what, I don't want to be concentrating on my spirituality today, I want to take my time and just chill, relax, and be lazy.

00:13:10.789 --> 00:13:14.740
Yeah, so, that's what Sri Krishna is talking about.

00:13:15.289 --> 00:13:28.299
And then in the next part of the verse, he says, at the death of the body, a person's attachment to a specific combination of gunas determines which kind of womb they will enter in their next incarnation.

00:13:28.799 --> 00:13:34.320
This determines whether they are born in a sattvic, rajasic or tamasic body.

00:13:34.320 --> 00:13:38.039
This is quite an interesting statement.

00:13:38.620 --> 00:13:40.870
So first of all, at the death of the body.

00:13:41.779 --> 00:13:43.250
So the body will have to die.

00:13:43.860 --> 00:13:45.269
We have to understand this.

00:13:45.879 --> 00:13:49.620
This is something that's going to happen to us whether we accept it or not.

00:13:50.230 --> 00:13:52.179
A lot of us are not willing to accept death.

00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:55.600
A lot of us are trying to avoid death.

00:13:56.639 --> 00:13:58.700
We think that death will not happen to us.

00:13:58.740 --> 00:14:01.600
We live as if we're gonna live for eternity.

00:14:02.674 --> 00:14:09.404
But if we truly understood that we had a limited amount of time on this earth, would we do the actions that we do?

00:14:09.404 --> 00:14:11.485
Would we think the thoughts that we have?

00:14:11.715 --> 00:14:16.495
Will we respond or react to things on social media like we do?

00:14:17.465 --> 00:14:24.695
These are the type of actions we would put under the microscope if we understood that this body will die.

00:14:24.835 --> 00:14:27.934
Now, if this body will die, where will the mind be housed?

00:14:28.345 --> 00:14:30.434
Without the body, there is no mind.

00:14:30.565 --> 00:14:31.924
The mind cannot be powered.

00:14:32.225 --> 00:14:37.455
Therefore, the mind will have to find its next step in the journey.

00:14:37.794 --> 00:14:49.445
Now, dependent on how you are, a person will be attached to a specific combination of the gunas, which determines what kind of womb they're going to be in.

00:14:49.445 --> 00:14:51.465
What does Sri Krishna mean by this?

00:14:52.004 --> 00:14:53.884
Our next incarnation means our next life.

00:14:53.884 --> 00:14:57.845
This is another way of Sri Krishna saying reincarnation happens.

00:14:58.764 --> 00:15:09.024
And then he says, whatever we do in this life is going to determine what type of incarnation, what type of gunas are going to be stronger in the next incarnation.

00:15:09.024 --> 00:15:12.335
So, are we attached to constantly doing actions?

00:15:12.815 --> 00:15:16.384
Are we attached to sleeping or just lazing around and doing nothing?

00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:22.200
And, or are we attached to doing rituals and meditation and living a sattvic life?

00:15:23.309 --> 00:15:29.649
Depending on how we live our life, it will determine what we will do in the next one.

00:15:29.649 --> 00:15:55.414
So if I've been meditating a lot in this life, but I've not been able to get mukti, I've not been able to attain liberation while I'm alive, then what will happen is I will probably go into a family and have a body that will support that type of actions that I need to do, that combination, where majority of it will be based on the Sattvic way of meditation and rituals.

00:15:55.764 --> 00:16:00.625
And there'll be elements of action and elements of just being lazy.

00:16:01.014 --> 00:16:03.554
But the predominant one will be Sattvic.

00:16:04.245 --> 00:16:25.789
For example, if I am constantly lazing around, whenever I'm bored, I'm just gorging on food, drinking, unhealthy things, living a generally unhealthy life, procrastinating, then that will be the type of body I will go in the next incarnation, the predominant guna will be tamsik.

00:16:26.190 --> 00:16:35.620
And there may be some actions where, you know, I will do actions in terms of getting food or getting a drink, but it'd be very, very limited.

00:16:36.725 --> 00:16:44.524
And maybe somewhere, somehow I'll attend, I'll do a bit of yoga to make myself feel that I'm doing some sort of spiritual activity.

00:16:44.815 --> 00:16:46.274
You know, that's the type of thing.

00:16:46.284 --> 00:16:49.625
And to be fair, don't just think of this in your next incarnation.

00:16:49.924 --> 00:16:53.575
We can actually analyse our own life right now and see where are we?

00:16:53.855 --> 00:16:54.754
Where are we today?

00:16:55.304 --> 00:16:56.965
And how can I improve this?

00:16:56.965 --> 00:16:58.924
How can I get out of this cycle?

00:16:59.684 --> 00:17:03.544
So, whatever we are attached to, we will end up embodying that guna.

00:17:03.674 --> 00:17:04.724
That's very simple.

00:17:05.045 --> 00:17:45.019
That's essentially what Sri Krishna is saying and this verse shows how someone is still in avidya, still in ignorance because they've not been able to get out of the gunas and the question here remains is for us is if we want to remain in nature or do we want to transcend this and if we do want to transcend this then we need to understand that we are Brahman This is when we will have to seek that knowledge of Brahman, that brahm gyan, that insight into Brahman, which will allow us to grow and prosper spiritually and understand that we are not the gunas, we are that which observes the gunas.

00:17:45.301 --> 00:17:46.362
In verse 23.

00:17:46.468 --> 00:18:16.030
Now, Sri Krishna will give 7 qualities and we will go into those 7 qualities, so within that Deha, the body made of Prakriti, I also reside as the ultimate seer and witness, the one who permits all to happen, the support and resting place of all, the one who experiences all pleasure, the greatest controller, the Atma who pervades all Atmas, and the Supreme Person among all persons.

00:18:16.391 --> 00:18:25.471
Within that deha body made of prakriti, I also reside as the ultimate seer and witness and the one who permits all to happen.

00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:27.060
So within this body.

00:18:27.506 --> 00:18:28.875
How does Brahman reside?

00:18:28.935 --> 00:18:30.826
How does Brahman be in the body?

00:18:31.125 --> 00:18:38.915
Is it in the body or is it something that is immersed in the body but surrounds us everywhere?

00:18:40.215 --> 00:18:42.246
So that's one way of understanding it.

00:18:43.695 --> 00:18:49.685
What are the qualities that we can notice within ourselves to say that it's the ultimate seer and the witness?

00:18:50.205 --> 00:18:50.756
So one.

00:18:51.121 --> 00:18:52.840
It's the ultimate seer and witness.

00:18:52.861 --> 00:18:53.101
Why?

00:18:53.111 --> 00:18:55.371
Because it's the absolute formless awareness.

00:18:55.611 --> 00:19:04.141
This awareness within us has no form, has no image, has no shape, has no boundary, has no nature, has no concept, has no label.

00:19:04.371 --> 00:19:05.540
It literally just...

00:19:05.885 --> 00:19:12.405
remains so clear that if you try to put a label to It, It will throw it away.

00:19:12.826 --> 00:19:17.046
It will not allow anything to stick to It, which will create another identity.

00:19:18.385 --> 00:19:19.566
And it's the seer.

00:19:19.756 --> 00:19:20.246
Why?

00:19:20.786 --> 00:19:24.826
Ultimate seer because it is aware of its own formless awareness.

00:19:25.256 --> 00:19:28.415
That's how we need to understand this awareness.

00:19:29.246 --> 00:19:31.736
And it allows everything to happen.

00:19:32.185 --> 00:19:33.905
And basically, it's the witness.

00:19:34.096 --> 00:19:35.086
Just remember, since...

00:19:35.965 --> 00:19:57.226
all of your age from since you were a toddler to the age that you are now, as your body has changed, as your mind has changed, as thoughts have changed, beliefs have changed, maybe even religion has changed, but one thing has remained the same, which is that you have been watching this and this watcher has not changed you.

00:19:57.395 --> 00:20:02.645
Regardless of what the body and mind has gone through whatever Prakriti has gone through, it doesn't matter.

00:20:02.645 --> 00:20:08.655
So remember this, Sri Krishna is saying that he is the ultimate seer and witness within Prakriti, within the body.

00:20:10.215 --> 00:20:11.566
Yeah, not some separate body.

00:20:11.566 --> 00:20:12.455
He's not talking about his own.

00:20:12.665 --> 00:20:18.586
He's talking about everyone, everything, every single living being.

00:20:20.066 --> 00:20:22.455
And he's the one that permits all to happen.

00:20:22.715 --> 00:20:26.086
For him, he allows everything to happen.

00:20:26.486 --> 00:20:29.135
This awareness does not stop anything from happening.

00:20:30.560 --> 00:20:37.961
It never interferes with nature, and neither does it feel that nature needs to be modified, by its own cause.

00:20:38.230 --> 00:20:43.721
Neither does it feel that it needs to manipulate nature to go according to what it wants.

00:20:44.040 --> 00:20:47.131
This is not what the job of the seer and the witness is.

00:20:47.361 --> 00:20:52.820
If that was the job of the witness, then he would be a doer, not a witness.

00:20:53.691 --> 00:20:59.040
Good or bad, happiness or sadness, strength or fear, all is permitted to occur.

00:20:59.411 --> 00:21:01.171
Sri Krishna doesn't stop anything.

00:21:01.631 --> 00:21:03.570
This Ishwara doesn't stop anything.

00:21:04.131 --> 00:21:06.121
This Formless never stops anything.

00:21:07.111 --> 00:21:09.971
It allows everything to occur, good and evil.

00:21:11.520 --> 00:21:16.280
Many people say, why is there good, why is there evil?

00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:20.070
Because nature intends that both should exist.

00:21:21.431 --> 00:21:23.250
Nature is duality.

00:21:24.730 --> 00:21:34.611
Once we understand this truth, All becomes very clear and one doesn't question anymore, one just simply rests in the understanding.

00:21:35.540 --> 00:21:40.510
And this is what happens, and it's not bad to ask questions, I mean I ask plenty.

00:21:40.760 --> 00:21:57.040
I can't really say we don't ask questions, but our questions become much more deeper, much more refined, and they are not there to be an ego boost, but more so to actually get rid of the ego.

00:21:58.250 --> 00:21:59.980
That's the power of our questions.

00:22:01.770 --> 00:22:09.461
Then Sri Krishna says that it is the support and resting place of all, and it is the one who experiences all pleasure.

00:22:10.971 --> 00:22:12.111
This is very interesting.

00:22:12.540 --> 00:22:16.671
So it's the support and resting place for the senses.

00:22:16.881 --> 00:22:21.641
It is a support and resting place for the three states like waking, dreaming, and deep sleep.

00:22:21.990 --> 00:22:25.881
It is a support and resting place for the mind and the intellect.

00:22:26.161 --> 00:22:29.080
It is a support and resting place for all living beings.

00:22:31.121 --> 00:22:35.506
It is It allows everything to rest in it.

00:22:35.566 --> 00:22:37.455
Everything is supported by it.

00:22:37.955 --> 00:22:42.155
Without the awareness, we will not be aware of the senses.

00:22:42.155 --> 00:22:45.455
We will not be aware of the waking, dreaming and deep sleep states.

00:22:45.836 --> 00:22:48.316
We will not be aware of the mind and the intellect.

00:22:49.236 --> 00:22:51.076
We will not be aware of thinking.

00:22:51.526 --> 00:23:05.865
We will not be aware of emoting, feeling, sensing, experiencing beautiful things like love and beauty itself and feeling gratitude.

00:23:05.925 --> 00:23:07.125
All those happen.

00:23:07.846 --> 00:23:10.465
because this is the support and resting place for all.

00:23:10.715 --> 00:23:15.625
Whenever we feel tired of life, we know that we can rest in the Supreme.

00:23:16.955 --> 00:23:18.546
We know that we can do this.

00:23:18.596 --> 00:23:21.415
And it is the one that is experiencing all pleasures.

00:23:21.425 --> 00:23:23.165
So it is aware of all pleasures.

00:23:24.195 --> 00:23:32.971
So this is a unique thing because now when we say we enjoy something, No, it is this formless awareness that is enjoying.

00:23:32.971 --> 00:23:34.661
It is Sri Krishna that is enjoying.

00:23:34.911 --> 00:23:37.480
This is another way of renouncing our actions.

00:23:37.941 --> 00:23:44.580
So now whenever we do an action which gives us pleasure, we renounce it to Sri Krishna.

00:23:45.280 --> 00:23:48.211
Because it's the one that experiences it all.

00:23:49.131 --> 00:23:49.891
We don't.

00:23:51.080 --> 00:23:55.040
So if you enjoy that chocolate bar, it's awareness that's enjoying it.

00:23:55.611 --> 00:24:00.351
If you enjoy the butter chicken and naan, It is awareness that is enjoying it.

00:24:00.790 --> 00:24:09.810
If you enjoy that glass of Coke or you enjoy that wine or that cup of coffee, it is awareness that is experiencing that pleasure.

00:24:10.560 --> 00:24:18.941
Once you do this, then you're able to one have absolute control over how much you consume.

00:24:20.121 --> 00:24:20.330
Yeah.

00:24:20.330 --> 00:24:21.851
Moderation will be key.

00:24:22.931 --> 00:24:27.461
And also you renounce, so you don't get overexcited.

00:24:28.395 --> 00:24:33.006
Nor do you get upset when you don't receive something that will give you pleasure.

00:24:33.006 --> 00:24:41.865
And then it is the greatest controller, it is the Atma who pervades all Atmas, and it is the supreme person among all persons.

00:24:42.115 --> 00:24:47.296
So first of all, this formless awareness is the supreme controller of all existence.

00:24:47.705 --> 00:24:52.026
Meaning, that because of the awareness, this existence appears.

00:24:52.375 --> 00:24:59.347
And It has brought this whole existence into place, it is that Sat of Satchitananda.

00:24:59.463 --> 00:25:12.183
So it maintains all of existence, it makes sure that all of existence can function in the chaos that it is, but within that chaos there is calmness, there is peacefulness, there is tranquility.

00:25:14.229 --> 00:25:19.239
And it allows Prakriti to function within its own laws of nature and doesn't interfere.

00:25:19.429 --> 00:25:22.898
That's why it's the greatest controller because it lets go of control.

00:25:23.409 --> 00:25:24.989
We cannot let go of control.

00:25:26.409 --> 00:25:30.878
We cannot let go of trying to control every aspect of our life.

00:25:31.058 --> 00:25:33.358
Not only our life, but the life of others too.

00:25:35.638 --> 00:25:40.577
But this Pure Self, this Brahman.

00:25:41.324 --> 00:25:56.413
It does not seek to control us, yet, because it's let go of control, it's the Ultimate One that controls, because it is existence itself, and existence, nature, is what controls everything, that's karma.

00:25:56.413 --> 00:26:05.263
It is the awareness that is the same with all beings, now just remember the Atma is that, which is the Witness Consciousness, that Formless Awareness.

00:26:05.794 --> 00:26:14.624
And Formless Awareness is the same regardless of who you are, and where you're from, what religion you belong to, what caste you belong to.

00:26:15.374 --> 00:26:20.023
It doesn't matter who or what you are, this awareness is the same in all.

00:26:20.523 --> 00:26:26.874
It doesn't care about your religion, doesn't care about your gender, doesn't care about what sexual orientation you are.

00:26:27.324 --> 00:26:30.134
It doesn't care about what colour skin you have.

00:26:30.324 --> 00:26:35.903
It doesn't care about what degree you have or what level of education you have.

00:26:36.384 --> 00:26:39.743
It doesn't care about what salary you earn or what job title you have.

00:26:40.183 --> 00:26:42.094
It doesn't care about any of those things.

00:26:43.874 --> 00:26:50.943
It is just, it's that Atma, it is that awareness that resides within your own awareness.

00:26:52.394 --> 00:26:52.834
Yeah.

00:26:53.429 --> 00:26:59.328
That is, once you realise that that is the true awareness, your awareness merges.

00:26:59.578 --> 00:27:04.719
Meaning, not that it merges, the identification of a separation dissolves away.

00:27:05.898 --> 00:27:06.838
That's what it does.

00:27:08.193 --> 00:27:11.223
So all beings are within the Shared Being like we mentioned.

00:27:12.144 --> 00:27:15.263
So the Atma who pervades all Atmas.

00:27:15.794 --> 00:27:21.248
And then it's the supreme person among all persons, you know, the Param Purusha.

00:27:22.028 --> 00:27:25.627
Being awareness, it is the first and only being.

00:27:26.587 --> 00:27:27.968
Yeah, it's the first and only.

00:27:29.627 --> 00:27:36.428
Therefore amongst all people, this Awareness is Supreme, this Purusha is supreme, this Consciousness is supreme.

00:27:37.258 --> 00:27:46.317
Let me make this very clear, that even though we think we are individual people, really we are just this One.

00:27:47.157 --> 00:27:48.867
We are the Supreme Person.

00:27:49.587 --> 00:27:51.097
We are that Param Purusha.

00:27:51.847 --> 00:27:54.928
But it's our ignorance that doesn't allow us to transcend.

00:27:54.928 --> 00:27:56.337
Then verse 24.

00:27:57.643 --> 00:28:24.178
When the Jiva-Atma finally sees their self as the Purusha, the controller of their own Deha, the material body, when they also know that they and their body are pervaded by the Param Purusha, the supreme controller in all bodies, and when they understand prakriti, material nature, and how it is controlled by the three gunas, then such an awakened atma is never forced to take birth again.

00:28:24.607 --> 00:28:35.988
So interesting, we started off with this idea that maybe we will die and we will come back on this earth and it will be determined by which guna will control us.

00:28:36.258 --> 00:28:38.428
Now Sri Krishna is giving us a way out.

00:28:38.847 --> 00:28:46.867
This verse 24, remember this chapter 13 verse 24 is our key to getting out of this cycle of birth and rebirth.

00:28:48.107 --> 00:28:53.038
If we want to truly transcend birth and death, this verse will help us.

00:28:53.887 --> 00:28:58.147
Let's break this verse down and let's really discover what it really means.

00:28:58.965 --> 00:29:06.286
Sri Krishna says, when the Jiva Atma finally sees their self as the Purusha, the controller of their own Deha, material body.

00:29:06.296 --> 00:29:11.786
When it means, first of all, how can this Jiva transcend Prakriti and never take birth again?

00:29:12.635 --> 00:29:17.796
This Jiva has to remove ignorance through the Brahm Gyan that it receives.

00:29:18.155 --> 00:29:21.355
This Brahm Gyan will help the Jiva remove ignorance.

00:29:21.605 --> 00:29:23.155
Now, right now, the Jiva thinks...

00:29:23.935 --> 00:30:21.066
I am this body but now it's going to understand through the Gyan that this Jiva is to stop associating within Prakriti with this Deha, this material body and it must understand that it is the Purusha within, that witness consciousness within that is controlling everything because there's only this, because we are the Purusha, you are the Purusha the Witness Consciousness You are the formless awareness within the material body of the five elements and it is once the Jiva identifies as what it has always been, this Formless Awareness And then what happens is, the jiva then identifies what it has always been, which is this Formless Awareness.

00:30:21.276 --> 00:30:28.826
They finally see their self as the Purusha, the witness consciousness, the controller of their own deha, the material body.

00:30:28.976 --> 00:30:33.425
It is the awareness that shows you the actions of the body.

00:30:34.296 --> 00:30:37.776
When you're breathing, it is your awareness that is aware of the breathing.

00:30:38.941 --> 00:31:01.270
It's your awareness that is aware of thoughts, it's your awareness that is aware of movements, of sound, of taste, that's what happens, the Jiva Atma finally sees that actually, I am not just this body, I am also that which is aware of this body, so that's happens.

00:31:03.230 --> 00:31:14.340
And then Sri Krishna says in the next part when they also know that they and their body are pervaded by the Param Purusha, the supreme controller in all bodies.

00:31:15.570 --> 00:31:21.590
So first of all we have to understand that this Formless Awareness pervades this body.

00:31:22.411 --> 00:31:31.270
Yeah, when they also know that they and their body, meaning the Purusha, the Jiva Atma and their body are pervaded by the Param Purusha.

00:31:31.931 --> 00:31:39.300
So, I think I'm this little awareness of this body, but actually, this is not.

00:31:39.881 --> 00:31:42.736
This awareness is not just in my body.

00:31:45.596 --> 00:31:48.605
It pervades my body and it's pervaded by something else.

00:31:49.536 --> 00:31:50.526
What is this?

00:31:50.526 --> 00:31:53.215
What is this which is within each cell of my body?

00:31:53.766 --> 00:31:57.945
Which is this which is within each thought and sensation of the body and mind?

00:31:59.175 --> 00:32:14.276
And not only just for my body, because if it's true for mine, then it's also true for every single living being that is made from the five elements, not just me and you, every living being, and this is true for all existence.

00:32:14.516 --> 00:32:15.355
So what is it?

00:32:15.586 --> 00:32:18.236
It's the supreme controller in all bodies.

00:32:18.236 --> 00:32:20.965
It's the supreme pure consciousness in all body.

00:32:21.135 --> 00:32:23.615
It's that supreme awareness in all bodies.

00:32:24.276 --> 00:32:28.546
So not everybody has tiny bodies of awareness.

00:32:28.996 --> 00:32:32.346
Like we may originally think, Oh, I am aware.

00:32:33.036 --> 00:32:35.375
Well, where is this'I am' first?

00:32:36.405 --> 00:32:37.516
Where has it arisen from?

00:32:39.566 --> 00:32:41.486
Can we locate where the'I am' is?

00:32:41.486 --> 00:32:42.875
Is it actually in the body?

00:32:44.326 --> 00:32:51.885
Or does it, is it within the body and pervades the body and is around the body in all of existence.

00:32:52.125 --> 00:32:54.746
And if it's in me, then it must be in everything.

00:32:54.796 --> 00:33:00.526
This is what Sri Krishna means when he says, When they also know that they and their body are pervaded by the Param Purusha.

00:33:01.935 --> 00:33:06.796
Yeah, the supreme control in all bodies, the supreme witness consciousness in all bodies.

00:33:07.486 --> 00:33:15.395
And then Sri Krishna adds in the next part, and when they understand prakriti, material nature and how it is controlled by the three gunas.

00:33:15.705 --> 00:33:23.276
So what happens is because you are the awareness and then therefore you can be aware of nature and the way it works.

00:33:23.276 --> 00:33:34.715
Even the three gunas, the way they dominate your mind and your body, once you become alert and aware of those things, then you understand how this material nature works.

00:33:35.155 --> 00:33:41.425
Then you know that if I know how this works, then I'm no longer going to be in control.

00:33:41.800 --> 00:33:45.611
I'm no longer going to be controlled by these things.

00:33:47.411 --> 00:34:00.211
You understand the intricate details of how these gunas can actually trap you and mold you and bind you into action or bind you into association that you are the body only or the mind only.

00:34:00.211 --> 00:34:04.952
And what happens is, once you understand that you are the Param Purusha.

00:34:05.277 --> 00:34:16.097
Once you understand that you are the witness consciousness, then you understand this material nature, and therefore you know how this material nature is defined by the three gunas.

00:34:16.717 --> 00:34:20.067
You understand how everything functions according to the three gunas.

00:34:21.226 --> 00:34:22.427
And then Sri Krishna says...

00:34:22.871 --> 00:34:26.402
Then such an awakened Atma is never forced to take birth again.

00:34:26.711 --> 00:34:39.161
Once you understand what nature is, and then once you understand and associate your Jiva Atma with the Supreme Purusha, the Param Purusha, then you are fully awakened.

00:34:39.922 --> 00:34:42.431
Then you are truly awake for the first time.

00:34:43.001 --> 00:34:45.251
This is enlightenment.

00:34:46.331 --> 00:34:46.911
This.

00:34:49.862 --> 00:34:52.141
It's not that you stop living.

00:34:52.822 --> 00:34:55.021
You understand why you're alive.

00:34:56.442 --> 00:34:57.702
This is all that happens.

00:34:59.536 --> 00:35:07.686
You understand that you and Brahman are One, you was One, and you always will be One.

00:35:09.657 --> 00:35:12.547
You are this One Infinite Consciousness.

00:35:13.291 --> 00:35:20.811
And it's at this moment, when you fully identify as a Supreme Purusha, that you never take birth again.

00:35:22.130 --> 00:35:23.860
You transcend samsara.

00:35:25.021 --> 00:35:26.740
You transcend this existence.

00:35:27.460 --> 00:35:30.820
And you remain living in formless awareness forever.

00:35:31.271 --> 00:35:32.820
This is Jivan Mukti.

00:35:34.371 --> 00:35:37.731
This is what Sri Krishna is taking us towards.

00:35:38.710 --> 00:35:39.900
This very thing.

00:35:41.371 --> 00:35:43.760
So, let's go over this in a summary.

00:35:43.811 --> 00:35:51.010
One, you first think that, first you understand that I'm the Jiva Atma.

00:35:51.581 --> 00:35:51.981
Yeah.

00:35:53.670 --> 00:35:55.570
I'm not this body and mind.

00:35:57.581 --> 00:35:59.871
This body and mind is defined by nature.

00:36:00.731 --> 00:36:05.130
I'm aware of nature and I'm aware of the body and mind and the senses.

00:36:06.481 --> 00:36:15.070
I'm that witness consciousness, which is essentially aware of nature.

00:36:15.880 --> 00:36:20.240
So it precedes nature, but I'm this mini Jiva Atma.

00:36:22.121 --> 00:37:04.965
And then you realize that, well, where does this mini Jiva Atma, this individual Jiva Atma, that's supposedly just in my body, where does it arise from, where is its beginning, where is its end, then you realize that it's not just in my body and it's not just what I define as me, it's that same awareness in every single body, every single living being of existence, animate or inanimate, with intellect, without intellect.

00:37:04.965 --> 00:37:11.306
Whatever contains basically every single atom is this Param Purusha.

00:37:13.706 --> 00:37:19.146
This is in all bodies, in all atoms, in all particles of existence.

00:37:20.135 --> 00:37:23.635
So then you realize that it's just this One.

00:37:24.286 --> 00:37:30.315
It appears as many, I think it's just in my body, but actually it's in every single atom.

00:37:32.085 --> 00:37:33.965
Therefore, there's only One.

00:37:35.346 --> 00:37:38.295
That's how we go from duality to non duality.

00:37:39.275 --> 00:37:54.282
And because of understanding this, we then truly understand what prakriti is, and how it's controlled by the three gunas, how sattva runs it, how tamas runs it, how rajas runs it, and controls it.

00:37:55.342 --> 00:37:57.932
So then we understand the role of nature.

00:37:58.987 --> 00:38:01.228
The role of the body, the role of the atoms.

00:38:03.708 --> 00:38:19.327
And because of this, because we know that we can be aware of this whole process and it's the awareness that is supreme, then we become awakened and then we are never forced to take birth again.

00:38:20.867 --> 00:38:23.918
Watch the word here, never forced to take birth again.

00:38:24.538 --> 00:38:27.027
That doesn't mean that you may not choose to be born again.

00:38:27.893 --> 00:38:33.532
You may choose to come back on the earth, maybe because you want to experience the world with your guru again.

00:38:33.802 --> 00:38:37.012
Maybe you want to be in love with Sri Krishna again.

00:38:37.018 --> 00:38:50.063
Maybe you want to live another life so you can remain in the ananda of reciting Sri Krishna's name or your guru's name, or Ishvara's name, or God's name, whatever.

00:38:52.873 --> 00:38:54.193
But you'll never be forced.

00:38:55.632 --> 00:38:56.682
It'll happen.

00:38:57.222 --> 00:39:08.543
In, as I say, sahajta, in sahaj, in relaxation, without any conflict.

00:39:10.023 --> 00:39:16.672
And that is the way a true awakened Atma lives.

00:39:17.172 --> 00:39:20.103
Every day, once they are awakened, they are awakened forever.

00:39:21.862 --> 00:39:37.623
Once you understand and rest in awareness that you are this Formless Awareness itself and nothing more, nothing less, because there is only That, then you will never have to take birth again.

00:39:37.632 --> 00:39:40.862
You are liberated while alive, you are Jivan Mukta.

00:39:41.443 --> 00:39:46.043
And this should be the goal for everybody that comes across the Gita.

00:39:46.733 --> 00:39:47.402
Everybody.

00:39:47.563 --> 00:39:48.702
Whoever still...

00:39:50.143 --> 00:39:55.907
wants anything less, consider they have not understood the Gita.

00:39:58.208 --> 00:40:06.367
Sri Krishna's song is to take you to silence, not to trap you in words.

00:40:07.327 --> 00:40:08.907
This is what we must understand.

00:40:10.208 --> 00:40:12.188
And that is the end of the episode.

00:40:12.518 --> 00:40:14.518
Thank you very much for listening.

00:40:15.269 --> 00:40:24.150
If you liked what you heard and liked what you watched, please do share this podcast with your friends and family who may enjoy this content.

00:40:24.510 --> 00:40:27.449
Do follow me on social media to keep getting updates.

00:40:27.750 --> 00:40:36.360
Join the Bearded Mystic Podcast WhatsApp community group to continue the podcast discussion, details are in the show notes and video description below.

00:40:36.780 --> 00:40:43.170
If you would like to support the Bearded Mystic Podcast as we discussed earlier, do check out the podcast Patreon page.

00:40:43.875 --> 00:40:48.152
Your support means everything, and it helps this podcast keep running.

00:40:48.452 --> 00:40:51.242
Details are in the show notes and video description below.

00:40:51.572 --> 00:40:59.731
Please do rate this podcast five stars and do give a review either on your favorite podcast, streaming app or on our website.

00:41:00.061 --> 00:41:03.032
Details are in the show notes and video description below.

00:41:03.391 --> 00:41:07.402
Please do like and comment on this video and subscribe to this YouTube channel.

00:41:08.222 --> 00:41:12.197
Do follow or subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast streaming app.

00:41:12.706 --> 00:41:15.047
Thank you very much for listening to this episode.

00:41:15.407 --> 00:41:19.367
Let's end with the Shanti mantra and the Soham mantra.

00:41:20.447 --> 00:41:22.387
Soham Soham.

00:41:23.177 --> 00:41:24.047
I am That.

00:41:24.527 --> 00:41:25.336
I am That.

00:41:26.637 --> 00:41:33.097
Aum Shanti Shanti Shanti Aum Peace Peace Peace

Thoughts on the Bhagavad Gita: (Chapter 13: Verses 21 - 24)

Follow:

Featured Episodes

Thoughts on The Bhagavad Gita Episodes

Recent Episodes

Thoughts on The Bhagavad Gita Episodes

Wisdom of the Mystics Episodes

General Spirituality Episodes

Advaita Vedanta Episodes

Guided Meditation Episodes

Conversations with The Bearded Mystic Episodes

Thoughts on The Upanishads Episodes

Direct and Unfiltered Episodes

Oneness Conversations Episodes

Bearded Mystic Reacts Episodes

Browse episodes by category

New to The Bearded Mystic Podcast?