विवेचन सारांश

Bhakti Yoga: Worship, Discipline, and Steadfast Mind

Before understanding Arjuna’s question, let us reflect — why do we want to be Bhagavān’s devotees? OR, Why do we love HIM and wish to have HIM in our lives? Because HE is the most kind, the most loving, the smartest, and the strongest of all. We wish to have those divine qualities in ourselves. And because HE loves us so much, we naturally want to reciprocate that love. That is why Arjuna asks this question, to know which kind of devotion can help him connect more deeply with HIM.

This might sound difficult at first. We may wonder, How can we think of Bhagavān all the time? What about when we are studying, writing an exam, or walking to school? How can I remember HIM then? That’s exactly what we will learn through this chapter — how to stay connected with Bhagavān even while doing our daily activities.

But for now, we can start in simple ways:

• Remember HIM in the morning when we wake up.
• Remember HIM during free time or while walking to school.
• Think of Him before meals or before starting any work.

Slowly, this practice becomes natural. We begin to feel HIS presence everywhere — as if He is sitting beside us in class, walking with us to school, or helping us during exams.

So now, Bhagavān begins to explain what HIS formless existence truly is. When we think of Bhagavān Shri Krishna's form, we often picture HIS peacock feather, flute, beautiful crown, or divine smile. This is one of HIS many lovely, personal forms that devotees adore and easily relate to. But here, Bhagavān describes HIS formless (nirguṇa) nature — which goes far beyond what we can see or imagine.

HE says HIS formless existence is:

• Akṣharam — the imperishable, which never decays or ends.
• Anirdeśhyam — the indefinable, beyond words and descriptions. It same as someone asking how to show the air. Air is everywhere; one cannot point it out.  
• Avyaktam — the unmanifest, invisible to our eyes, formless.
• Sarvatra-gam — all-pervading, present everywhere. Imagine how space is. No matter how far one goes, space never ends. The entire universe is in space. In the same manner, space, we humans, the universe, planets etc., are present inside the formless existence of Bhagavān. HE is everywhere.  
• Achintyam — unthinkable, beyond human imagination. For example, if there is a blind person, how can one tell him what is yellow, what is blue? What does red look like?
• Kūṭa-stham — HE is present in all of us.  
• Achalam — immovable, steady and constant. It's not moving from one place to another. It's everywhere
• Dhruvam — eternal, always existing.

On becoming friends with Bhagavān, the likelihood of understanding HIS formless form increases. In the next shloka, HE further talks about HIS formless existence. 

Q: How many sense organs do we have?
A: We have five sense organs, also called the five jñānendriyas (organs of knowledge or perception).

• Eyes — for seeing (sight /vision)
• Ears — for hearing (sound)
• Nose — for smelling (fragrance /odor)
• Tongue — for tasting (flavors)
• Skin — for touching (feel / temperature /texture)

Q: Are we able to control all of them?
For example, if the TV is on, are we able to study without getting distracted?

Q: When we hear children playing outside while we are trying to focus, does our mind stay steady?
A: Not always. We are not always able to control our senses.

That is why Bhagavān says that by learning to control our senses, we can become more focused — both in our work and in our connection with HIM. Those who worship the formless Bhagavān especially follow this path of sense control and discipline.

Bhagavān also says that such devotees see everyone equally. For instance, in school, we may have some classmates we like more than others. But the person who treats everyone kindly and equally — without favoritism — is truly dear to Bhagavān.

Thus, Bhagavān explains that such devotees attain HIM through deep control and discipline. They restrain their senses (sanniyamya indriya-grāmam) and remain calm and balanced in all situations (sama-buddhayaḥ). They meditate upon the unseen and unmanifest form of Bhagavān, who exists everywhere and in everything.

Till now point to note is that Bhagavān has said both types of Devotees can reach HIM. 

In the next shloka, Bhagavān explains that worshipping HIM in a form is easier than worshipping Him in His formless nature.

In the next shloka, Bhagavān explains that worshipping HIM in a form is easier than worshipping HIM in HIS formless nature.

HE says that the path of formless worship is difficult because the human mind finds it hard to focus on something that cannot be seen, touched, or imagined. It requires great concentration, discipline, and control over the senses. For some of us, this may take years or many births to achieve this. 

On the other hand, worship through form — like remembering Śhrī Krishna, Śiva, or any visible form of Bhagavān — is simpler and more natural. We can see the mūrti or picture, offer prayers, sing, chant, and feel a personal bond with Him.

That is why Bhagavān encourages Arjuna, to start with the path of devotion through form — where love and remembrance can easily grow in the heart.

Further, Bhagavān lovingly explains in next two shlokas what happens when we bring HIM more and more into our lives.

In this shloka, Bhagavān says that if a devotee fixes their mind and intellect on HIM, HE will take care of us at all times. Of course, this is not easy to do initially. For example, if children are playing in our building compound, it may be very difficult to keep our minds fully focused on HIM at that time.

But Bhagavān encourages us to start small. We can begin by remembering Him for 5 minutes, then gradually increase it to 10 minutes, and slowly train our mind to stay fixed on HIM for longer periods. There are also many other ways to remember and connect with HIM, like singing for HIM, cooking for HIM, etc., which we will discuss in the next session.

In the next session, we will also cover the 39 qualities that Bhagavān’s dear devotees should possess. Everyone should bring a pen and paper to note down these qualities and give a personal rating to each of them. At the end of the exercise, each participant will reflect and share how many of these qualities they already possess and which ones they would like to cultivate further. This activity will help us understand ourselves better and see how we can grow closer to Bhagavān through daily practice and devotion.