ज्ञान योग The Yoga of Wisdom

The Bhagwad Gita

Chapter 4

Sanjay Mehta

Bhagwan says that this Yoga (knowledge) was revealed to Vivasman (Sun – Surya Dev) in the beginning.  Surya dev then passed this teaching down to his son Manu.  Thus, this knowledge was passed down in succession.  However, these teachings and knowledge were lost with the passage of time. 

Bhagwan introduces himself as Ishwar, an unborn, pure consciousness without birth and death, the controller of all beings.  Bhagwan says, “Whenever Dharma in on the decline, I manifest a form with the power of my own Maya.  I protect the virtuous (sadhu) and destroy the wicked to re-establish the Dharma.”

Bhagwan further explains the phenomenon of ‘action and inaction.’  One may not actively be engaged in action, but if the mind is active with the idea of doer-ship (karta-bhav), and selfishness, then it is action, if the thought of doer-ship and selfishness is absent, then it is inaction in action

ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्मा हविर्ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम्;
ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना || २४ ||

Brahmaarpanam brahmahavirbrahmagnau brhmanaa hutam;
Brahmaiva tena gantavyam brahmakarmasamaadhina ||24||

One who sees Brahman as the oblation, Brahman as the clarified butter to be offered into the fire of Brahman by Brahman himself.  Indeed, he holds perpetual vision of Brahman in action.

Bhagwan identifies many ways that a seeker can convert the entire cycle of human activities into a Yagna, a spiritual practice of sacrifice.  All these sacrifices lead to puricicatio of the mind and instil the spirit of worship in all phases of life.

With a purified mind, one should approach a teacher, who is well versed in shastras, to gain the true knowledge.

Na hi jnaanena sadrisham pavitram iha vidyate
Tat swayam yogasamsiddhah kaalenaatmani vindati ||38||

There is no purifier in this world like knowledge.  Once you practice and perfect this yoga, you will find the true nature of your Self (Atma Gyan) in due course of time.

By following the instructions of a competent teacher and through sincere, practice, one’s doubts are eliminated, and the spiritual journey progresses well.

Essence

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