GITA 4.43

GIYA 4.43

Today's [12th November,2007] lecture is from Jyotisar, where Sri Krishna preached Gita to Arjuna. A marble statue marking the event, when Sri Krishna is seated as the chariot driver in the front and Arjuna is seated behind, is there. There is a pond nearby and this place is called Jyotisar.

 In our pilgrimage all the 1600 persons have assembled and chanted the entire Gita with its 18 chapters. It is requested that whenever anyone gets opportunity to visit Kurukshetra, at least once, Gita may be chanted here. Unlike Sri Krishna listening to the lectures of Alwars and Acharyas, for a change Sri Krishna is lecturing. He did this to remove the confusion and misunderstandings in Arjuna and make him strong willed. By uttering the word Masucha [Don't worry, sloka 18.66], even simple persons like us facing difficulties in life, are finding solace and courage to face life. Instead of preaching from Sri Vaikuntam or from the core of the Sun or from Badarikashram [all are His dwelling places], He chose Kurukshetra for His sermon. Of all His avatars, in Sri Krishna avatar alone He sermoned  shastra. If such an unique and sacred sermon was to be delivered from this place, one can gauge the importance Sri Krishna gave to this place. 

We will now see the 40th sloka. Here, Sri Krishna tells the negative aspects that may accrue if the Karma yoga was not practiced. All the previous slokas gave the advantages of Atman gyana. Now He says what a fall one would have if this Atman gyana was not accomplished. Usually we also advice our children the advantages of attentive study and warn of the pitfalls if the child did not study well. Similarly, Sri Krishna told that by Atman gyana, one could cross the ocean of sins, one could burn off the firewood of sins and one would get purified as fire refines materials. Dedicated interest in knowing this Gyana makes him to control the senses and reach Atman gyana. He then reaches the pinnacle of peace. Having said the advantages of Atman gyana, Sri Krishna tells what if one does not get Atman gyana. By mistaking body for Atman, one assumes all the differences like man or beast, fair or dark, learned or fool, high or low, etc. A correct understanding that all Atman are same would make one to view all as equal. Now, the 40th sloka:

ajnas casraddadhanas ca
samsayatma vinasyati
nayam loko ’sti na paro
na sukham samsayatmanah

But ignorant and faithless persons who doubt the revealed scriptures do not attain God consciousness. For the doubting soul there is happiness neither in this world nor in the next.

"But ignorant and faithless persons who doubt the revealed scriptures do not attain God consciousness; they fall down. For the doubting soul there is happiness neither in this world nor in the next."

The one who is agya, ashraddha or samsayatwan, he is entitled to fall down. He can not get any pleasures. He will lead a misery life. Ainas = one who does not have any knowledge about Atman, ashraddhadhanasca = and one who does not show any interest or eagerness to know Atman, samsayatma = one who is doubtful, vinasyati = will all perish. Understanding Atman will uplift us. We have been learning Gita to some extent all these days, that does not mean we have to ridicule others not knowing this. We have to respectfully teach all good things we have learnt. Arjuna feels that even those without this Atman gyana are living happily with all comforts. So, where is their fall? Nayam lokosti = they will not get anything in this world [that is they will be living without any fame]. Sri Krishna says that by implication, this person without Atman gyana, would not be able to enjoy life. Even though he might have got wealth or other prosperity, he would not be able to enjoy them. He will ever remain dissatisfied in life. When he can not enjoy this life, there is no question of Moksham. Na para = no place in Moksham, na sukham = will not enjoy this life also, samseyatmana= such doubting persons. So one has to show eagerness to know Atman by seeking noble persons. It may be argued that even persons without this knowledge are living happily. But it is an apparent pleasure and not real.

                                                                                         (continued)