विवेचन सारांश

How to Become Paramātmā's Favorite Bhakta!!!

There is but ONLY ONE BHAGAVĀN. However, HE appears before us with many names and forms and devotees therefore worship HIM in different ways.

This is similar to one having many names like a nick name, a proper name, a name by which one’s mothers call him; but at the end they all are the same persons name.

Bhagavān says that HE is everything – HE is the Yagna or the process of sacrifice; HE is also the Agni or fire in the Yagna, the 'Ahuti’ (the offerings that are made during the yagna). HE Is also the Mantra being chanted during the Yagna.

Through this Sri Bhagavān is saying that he is all pervasive and present everywhere in this universe.

Bhagavān goes on to say that HE is the Paramātmā in the form of the Universe's father, mother, and even Grandfather. By this HE means that HE is the both the Source and the Result.

Whenever we need help, we need to seek it from HIM as HE is the ultimate guardian for all. HE is the ONE who has ultimate control over everything.

Bhagavān besides being the creator also nurtures all the beings in this universe.

Sometimes during the online class, when we are alone with no one around, we switch off the camera and maybe start playing some games. We must remember, even though we think we are alone, but Bhagavān is actually observing us. HE is the silent and ultimate observer of all our thoughts and actions. HE is tracking both the good deeds and the bad deeds that we are doing. We may forget something that we may have done, but Bhagavān never forgets.

HE also has the help of Chitragupt who diligently writes down about every action each of us perform in his super BIG Book!! When the time comes, he reads through the good and the bad Karma or deeds that we have done in our lifetime and decides where we go. With good karma we go to the Swargaloka, else we come back to this world in some form, be it an animal or a plant or human and if we have been very bad in this life, we may end up going to the Narakaloka.

Bhagavān is the cause of the heat that emanates from the Sun as also the rain that falls on the earth. HE sprouts the plant from the seed. In fact, it is Ishwar who is responsible for the rotation and revolution of the earth. HE gives life and HE also gives death.

Everything that happens in this universe, happens becauseof Bhagavān.

Śrī Bhagavān clarified about our stay in Swargaloka (Heaven) in these Shlokas.

Different sacrifices are required to be performed as a part of the Yagna to get enough Punya (virtuous credit) necessary to get entry into Swargaloka. Those who successfully complete such Yagnas, then drink Somarasa, the juice of the soma plant, as a mark of successful completion of the Yagnas. This gives them the right of go and live in Swargaloka.

Such people who through their good actions and sacrifices reach Swargaloka can experience and enjoy the unlimited heavenly pleasures, something which is not possible on earth.  They gain access to divine objects that are only available to the celestial deities.

Bhagavān however alerts that one cannot live in Swargaloka indefinitely. One can stay there only for a limited period of time.

Let us take the example of a Prepaid cell phone connection. When it is fully charged, we get lots of benefits like unlimited talk time and internet access. However, when the charged balance is zero, all the access are taken away from us and we get them back only when we again recharge the phone. We can compare the cell phone recharge to our Punya or the acquired virtuous credit. Till we have it, we can enjoy all the celestial pleasures of Swargaloka. Like we lose connection when the balance is zero, here too we must leave Swargaloka and return to Earth and its pain and duties when our Punya is exhausted. One can live in Swargaloka only till such time that we have a positive balance of our accumulated Punya Karma.

Ishwar says that reaching Swargaloka should not therefore be our ultimate goal as life in Swargaloka is temporary. We should always try, through our good and virtuous deeds to reach the refuge of Ishwar since that is the ultimate and permanent shelter from which once is never turned away.

This is a very famous Shloka. In fact, it is the tagline of the biggest insurance company of India.

Bhagavān advises us that to reach HIM, one needs to have single-minded devotion for HIM. Whatever we do, we need to concentrate only on the ultimate goal to reach HIS refuge.

Bhagavān assures that for such devotees who has complete and unwavering devotion toward HIM, HE will be responsible for the yoga-kṣhemaṁ, which mean HE will provide what they don’t have (yoga)and preserve what they already possess (kṣhemaṁ). Their welfare will be completely looked after by Paramātmā.

People worship different Devata or divine beings in order to get certain desires fulfilled. Like we worship Indra Devata to give us rain during a drought. Each deity has specific powers and hence can fulfil only certain desires. However, Devatas get their power from the Paramātmā who is the Ultimate Giver. 

An example would be that of various ministers and the Prime Minister. While each minister has authority and knowledge of his department, it is the Prime Minister who has the overall power and knowledge.

Paramātmā is like the Prime Minister who is like the ONE entity with powers to bestow all upon us. 

While the Prime Minister may not have enough time and ears to hear all our requests, Bhagavān with his infinite power and compassion will definitely hear HIS devotees problems and give them a solution to solve the problems.

Hence once should take the path of worshipping the Paramātmā HIMSELF, instead of multiple Devatas or Deities.

Bhagavān says that HE is the ultimate recipient of all the Yagnas that are performed and the Ahutis that are given. HE is also the ultimate controller of the universe, though it may seem like Devatas are controlling what is happening here. A dedicated Bhakt or Devotee knows that Paramātmā will take care and save us when we are faced with difficulties.

Asuri or ignorant people who do not realize the presence and power of the Paramātmā will face downfall and will always remain in an illusion and confused state of mind. They will keep complaining about what is happening in their lives. They will never be satisfied or happy.

On the other hand, true Bhakts or Devotees who understands the supreme power of Bhagavān is always happy since they know that HE will take care of everything in our lives. 

We should always try to do the right things like learning the Bhagavadgītā and become Param Bhakts like Prahlad or Dhruv, who though were children but through their true devotion could reach Ishwar.

In this Shloka, Bhagavān says people who worship Devatas or deities go to the Devatas. The worshippers of Pitris or ancestors go to the ancestors. Those who worship the ghosts and spirits will take birth among such beings. Those who love and worship Śrī Bhagavān unconditionally will go and become one with HIM. 

In the next Shloka Bhagavān explains on how easy it is to worship and please HIM.

It is very easy to please Bhagavān. Whatever is offered to HIM with love, be it a simple leaf, a flower, a fruit or milk or even water, (common things we offer to Bhagavān during our daily prayer), HE delightfully partakes of that item offered by the devotee in the form of maybe little insects and other living beings who consume the offering.

The One and Only condition is that one needs to have complete devotion and true intention while offering.

Some people say that we should give the milk to poor and needy people instead of offering it to Bhagavān as the poor are in greater need. That is however a wrong notion. We can always offer milk to Bhagavān AND also give the poor and needy by buying a little more quantity. Instead of diverting the offering from Bhagavān, why can’t we give the milk we put in our tea or coffee or have as our nightcap to the poor?

In some households, there is the tradition of offering the meal to Bhagavān first and then eating it as HIS Prasad. This act helps to purify the food and give it positive energy. Even if one can’t do that, one can at least chant mantras before partaking the meal.

Bhagavān starts to explain Karma Yoga. HE says that people can pursue the path of Karma Yoga where they dedicate all their Karmas, good or bad to HIM. Whatever one does, or eats, or offers or gives, one needs to do it as an offering to HIM.

We can dedicate the 2 hours of our evening study time to Bhagavān. If we do that, we will feel much more energized with full concentration as Bhagavān will accept or offering and give us extra energy.

All actions are to be performed with only one motive and that is dedication to the Paramātmā.

Every action one performs should be dedicated to Bhagavān. Upon doing so, we will become free from all the actions and consequences, as everything that we have done has been dedicated to HIM. Bhagavān is a witness of all our actions, and HE will take care of the actions and the consequences.

Everyone following the advised path of dedicating their Karma to Bhagavān will be able to reach Paramātmā. Paramātmā is impartial to all and loves all equally. HE does not hate anyone.

What is important is the unwavering devotion and sincerity to the Paramātmā.

In this Shloka, Bhagavān talks about the worst criminal (like a Rakshas or Demon), a person who commits the most horrible actions. Even the most dreadful sinner can become a Sadhu or Saint and reach Ishwar if he starts worshiping HIM with single minded devotion.

An evil offender too can become Dharmatman (Saint) by repenting and performing penance for his deeds soon after he starts worshiping Paramātmā . He will then be granted eternal peace. Once one comes to the refuge of Paramātmā unconditionally, Bhagavān takes complete responsibility of his devotee and ensures that HIS devotees are never harmed.

We all know the story of Daku Ratnakar, a dreaded decoit, who on realization of his sins did severe Tapasya or repentance and became Rishi Valmiki, who wrote the Ramayana.

Paramātmā is impartial to everyone. HE does not discriminate on gender, cast or creed or age. Upon coming to Bhagavān’s refuge and becoming HIS devotee, one will always be protected by HIM.

HE clearly states that the Knowledge of the Bhagavad Gītā and the right to devotion towards the Paramātmā is not restricted to a chosen few but is for everyone.

The pious Brahmānas and Kṣatriyas, who have started learning and gaining the knowledge of the Vedas from their childhood can attain HIM much more easily.

If a sinner can reach HIM by following the path of devotion, then those devotees who have grown up in a spiritual atmosphere can easily reach HIM.

This Shloka is very special as according to Yogi Shankaracharya Ji, this Shloka contains the summary and conclusion of the entire Bhagavad Gītā.

Bhagavān concludes Chapter 9 of the Gītā with the advice to fix one’s mind on HIM and think of HIM only. Bhagavān doesn’t differentiate between HIM and us. In Chapter – 15, HE has said that we are all part of HIM. Just like we can see Bhagavān Śrī Krishna in Radhajis, Swaroop, we should also devote our minds on HIM so much that HE becomes visible in us.

By engaging in unwavering devotion to HIM, Bhagavān promises that one will surely be able to attain HIM.

Ananya Ji and Yug Ji were congratulated for passing the Jigyasu exam which is held on the first Sunday of every month. All the young Sadhaks were encouraged to not only give Jigyasu but also give Pathak, Pathik and Vrati exams. Those who successfully pass Vrati exam are awarded with a gold medal, a beautiful certificate, amongst other awards.

We will be learning Chapter – 14 Guṇa Traya Vibhāg Yoga next where we will learn about the three Gunas – Satvik, Rajasik and Tamasik. The homework for next week is find out more about the gunas and observe which gunas we have. We need to come and tell that in the next Vivechan session.

The Vivechan session was followed by a Questions and Answers session and concluded with the prayer to the Bhagavān and with rendition of the Hanuman Chalisa.

Questions and Answers:

Jeevika Krishnke Ji

Q: It is said that one should not lie. In that case why did Śrī Krishna lie when he was a child?

A: That was not lies but Śrī Krishna’s Leela. It was like a game He played with His mother as He knew that Yoshoda Ji liked this naughtiness about Him.

Q: Why did Śrī  Krishna put a Tilak on his forehead?

A: That is because He liked Tilak. Putting a Tilak has benefits too. We have the Agya Chakra on our forehead. Applying sandalwood Tilak on out forehead, helps us keep calm and composed. Tilak also helps us look nice and beautiful!.

Kritika Modi Ji

Q: Why does Krishna Bhagavān  love cows?

A: Cows are like a mother. Because of that, Devis reside in her. Worshipping a Cow is like worshipping all the Devis. Also, the milk given by the cow nourishes us. His favorite food Butter is made from milk. Hence, it’s gratitude that Śrī Krishna showed to the cow through his love and care for them.

Anannya Tulsiyan Ji

Q: Who are the parents of Shiv Ji?

A: We don’t know who the parents of Shiv Ji are. Shiv Ji and Vishnu Ji existed even before the beginning of time. THEY first formed THEMSELVES, and then formed others including Brahmā Ji.

Anika Katyayani Ji

Q: What is the effect of learning Bhagavadgītā  on our academics?

A: There are many benefits one gets by learning 

Bhagavadgītā. Firstly, it improves our memory as try to memorize Shlokas. Secondly, it enhances the discipline in our lives. As we embrace the Satvik way of life, our ability to grasp knowledge increases.