Vamsy's Blog

అర్జున : కృష్ణా, కర్మ చెయ్యటం కంటే జ్ఞానము, స్థిత ప్రజ్ఞతే శ్రేష్టమైతే. ఈ ఘోరమైన యుద్ధమనే కర్మని ఎందుకు చెయ్యమంటున్నావు. నీ మాటలతో నాకు మరింత గజిబిజిగా ఉంది. నాకు శ్రేయస్కరమైన మార్గమేదో సూటిగా చెప్పు. కృష్ణ : ఈ ప్రపంచాన్ని సృష్టించేటప్పుడే రొండు మార్గాలను కూడా సృష్టించాను. జ్ఞానాన్ని కోరుకునేవారికి సంఖ్యా శాస్త్రాన్ని, యోగులకు కర్మయోగాన్ని. కేవలం బౌతికంగా కర్మలను చేయకపోవటం వల్ల కర్మ ఫలితంపై ద్యాస పోదు, అలానే కర్మలను వదలుట వల్ల జ్ఞానము సిద్దించదు. కేవలం భౌతికంగా కర్మలకు దూరంగా ఉంటూ, వాటి గురించి ఆలోచిస్తూ ఉండటం పాపమే. ప్రజ్ఞాశాలి తను చేయవలసిన కర్మలను ఫలితం గురించి ఆలోచించకుండా చేయును. బాధ్యతలను విస్మరించడం వల్ల జీవిత ప్రయాణం సాఫీగా సాగదు.  ముల్లోకాలలో నేను పొందవలసినది ఏదీ లేదు, కానీ నన్ను అనుసరించే జనుల ప్రయోజనం కోరి, వారికి మార్గదర్శనంచేయుటకు కర్మలను ఆచరిస్తూనే ఉంటాను. ఆలా నేను చెయ్యకపోతే, నన్ను అనుసరించే జనులు కూడా వారు చెయ్యవలసిన కర్మలను చెయ్యటం మానేస్తారు. ఇది జగత్తుకు మంచిది కాదు. పూర్ణజ్ఞాని ఐన వాడు అల్పజ్ఞాని ఐన వారిని, వారి దారినుండి వైదొలగించరాదు. ఆసక్తి లేకపోయినా కూడా, లోక...

కృష్ణ : అర్జునా, యుద్ధక్షేత్ర మధ్యలో ఇలా సంకల్పం లేకుండా ఉండటం నీ వంటి యోధుడికి కీర్తికరం కాదు. నీ ఈ సంధిగ్ధాలను దాటి యుద్ధాన్ని ఆరంభించు.  అర్జున : నాకు దైవ సమానులైన భీష్మ ద్రోణాదుల మీద అస్త్రాలను ఎలా ప్రయోగించగలను? వారిని వధించి వొచ్చే భోగాలను ఎలా అనుభవించగలను? యుద్దాన్ని చేయటం, చేయకపోవడంలో ఏది మంచిదో నాకు అర్థంకావటంలేదు. వొకవేళ యుద్ధం చేసి గెలిచినా, ఇంత మందిని చంపిన తరువాత జీవితేశ్చ ఎలా ఉంటుంది? కృష్ణా, నాకు ఏమి చెయ్యాలో బోధపడటం లేదు. నాపై దయవుంచి నేను చేయదగినది ఎదో నాకు తెలుపు.  కృష్ణ : అర్జునా, నీ మిడిమిడి జ్ఞానంతో నువ్వు అత్యంత ప్రజ్ఞ కలవాడిలా మాట్లాడుతున్నావు. ధుఃకింప తగని వారిని గూర్చి బాధపడుతున్నావు. పండితులు ఉన్నవారిని గురించి గాని చనిపోయిన వారిని గురించిగాని ధుఃఖించరు.  అందరిలో ఉండే ఆత్మను అర్థంచేసుకో. నువ్వు, నేను, సమస్త జీవులు ఎల్లప్పుడూ ఉంటారు. ఏ విధంగా అయితే చిరిగిన వస్త్రాలను వొదిలి కొత్త వస్త్రాలను ధరిస్తామో, అదే విధంగా ఆత్మ ఒక శరీరం వొదిలి మరో కొత్త శరీరాన్ని పొందుతుంది. ఇప్పుడు ఉన్నది ఎల్లప్పుడూ ఉంటుంది, ఇప్పుడు లేనిది మరెప్పుడూ లేదు. ఈ ఆత్మను ఎవరూ నాశన...

దృతరాష్ట్ర మహారాజు యుద్ధ భూమిలో తలపడటానికి సిద్ధంగా ఉన్న తన కుమారులకు మరియు తన తమ్ముని కుమారులకూ ఏమి జరుగుతున్నదో తెలుసుకోవాలనే ఉత్సుకతతో ఉన్నాడు. అతను సంజయునితో ఇలా భాషణ మొదలు పెట్టాడు.  దృతరాష్ట్ర : యుద్ధాన్ని ఆరంబించటానికి కురుక్షేత్రం లో సమీకృతమైన నా కుమారులు మరియు నా తమ్ముడు పాండు కుమారులు ఏమి చేస్తున్నారు? సంజయ : మహారాజా, తన గురువు ద్రోణాచార్యుని దెగ్గరకి వెళ్లిన దుర్యోధనుడు, ఇరు సైన్యాలలో ఉన్న ముఖ్య యోధుల గురించి వివరించాడు. ఇంకా ఇలా అన్నాడు- "ఇక్కడ ఉన్న యుద్ధ వీరులందరూ తమ ప్రాణాలని వొదలడానికి సిద్ధపడిన వారు. భీమునిచే రక్షించబడుతున్న పాండవ సైన్య బలం పరిమితం, కానీ బీష్మునిచే రక్షించబడుతున్న కౌరవ సైన్య బలం అపరిమితం. బీష్ముడు యుద్ధంలో ఉన్నంత వరకూ శత్రువులకు విజయం అసాధ్యం. కనుక బీష్ముని కాపాడటం మనకు అత్యంత ముఖ్యం." అవతలి వైపు గాండీవదారి ఐన అర్జునుడు, తన రధసారధి ఐన కృష్ణునితో ఇలా చెప్తున్నాడు.  అర్జున : కృష్ణా, నా కోసం తలబడేవారెవరో, నాతో తలబడేవారెవరో చూడాలని ఉంది. ఈ రధాన్ని ఇరు సైన్యాల మధ్యకి తీసుకువెళ్ళు.  సంజయ : అర్జునిని కోరికమేరకు రధాన్ని ఇరు సైన్యాల మధ్యకి కృష్ణుడు...

Preface   Prologue Chapter - 1 Chapter - 2 Chapter - 3 Chapter - 4 Chapter - 5 Chapter - 6 Chapter - 7 Chapter - 8 Chapter - 9 Chapter - 10 Chapter - 11 Chapter - 12 Chapter - 13 Chapter - 14 Chapter - 15 Chapter - 16 Chapter - 17 Chapter - 18 My View on Bhagavad Gita Bhagavad Gita by Ghantasala Garu (Telugu)

Arjuna : Krishna, what is Sanyasam and what is sacrifice? Please tell me their characteristics. Krishna : Abandoning tasks that provide pleasure through lust is Sanyasam. Performing tasks and not taking the result of that task is Sacrifice. Never abandon Yagna, Donations and Penance. But, perform them without interest in the result. Sacrifice performed is again of 3 types. The ones performed without rules and regulations, but with superstitions is Tamas sacrifice. Starting impractical tasks and abandoning in between is Rajas sacrifice. Performing prescribed tasks and sacrificing the result is Sath sacrifice. Arjuna, there are 5 attributes that facilitate a task to be successful. They are, 1. Your body, 2. Pride, 3. Senses, 4. Atmosphere around you, and 5. Divine power. These are responsible for all the good and bad deeds performed by a person. Only an illogical fool will assume that the soul is responsible for the deeds performed. He who doesn’t have pride about his power and status, w...

Arjuna : Krishna, if someone performs his tasks attentively. But won’t follow any defined practices. How should we see his acts? Which category does he belong to? Sath or Rajo or Tamo? Krishna : Attention shown by a human towards the tasks they perform is again characterized as Sath, Rajo or Tamo.  Those who are bound to lust and pride, won't follow the defined practices and tortures themselves with extreme penance in the name of devotion belongs to Asura clan. These attributes are also applicable to food, Yagna, Penance and even donations. People with Sath attributes like healthy, tasty, fresh food. People with Rajas attributes like extreme flavor, that cause thrust. People with Tamas attributes like flavor less, not fresh and banned food.  Tasks performed with no desire, devotion and scientific manner is a Sath task. Task performed with desire or to impress someone is Rajas task. Task performed without any rules and devotion is a Tamas task.  Respecting people who deser...

Krishna : Divine characteristics are Fearlessness, pure minded, persistence for wisdom, performing donations, self consciousness, yagna, understanding scriptures, penance, non violence, truthfulness, absence of anger, sacrificing, peace, not trying to malign others, kindness towards all living beings, not obsessed with worldly things, soft nature, shyness, stable, forgiveness, stubbornness, being good, never betray and not having proudness. Demon characteristics are proudness, conceit, anger, narrowmindedness, and stupidity. While divine characteristics lead to salvation, demon characteristics tie a person to the rebirth cycle. All living things either have divine characteristics or demonic characteristics. I have described divine characteristics till now. I will now describe the demonic characteristics.  The one with demon characteristics doesn’t have a sense of what is good or what is bad, they don’t have tidiness, they don’t have ethics and they don’t even have truthfulness. The...

Krishna : Arjuna, this world is like a peepal tree. Its roots are based on Brahman. All the living organisms form branches to this tree. The Karma performed by living becomes its leaves. Only with detachment, one can understand this and cut through this tree. Then, seek refuge with the Brahman to overcome the birth rebirth cycle. I am the life force with six senses(five senses and mind) in this world. This life force when entering and leaving the body carries these six senses with it. These senses let a human experience the world. Even though I am with the human in all the aspects of their life, only the one with wisdom, who really tries, experiences me.  I am the one who makes harvest possible, I am also the one who helps to digest the harvest in a living being. I am present in every living being and I am responsible for everything. Chapter-14                             ...

 Bhagavad Gita, a small chapter in Mahabharata is called the philosophical summary of entire Indian scriptures. It gives a glimpse of the philosophical depths of Indian literature. This acted as a guide to millions of Indians from generations. Yet, this book is never old. This book talks about 3 different paths that a person can pursue. They are Gyana Yoga (Understanding), Karma Yoga (Duty) and Bhakti Yoga (Devotion).  The interpretations I am writing in this blog mainly focuses on Gynana Yoga and Karma Yoga. I skipped most part of Bhakti Yoga. For anyone who is more interested in Bhakti Yoga, there are plenty of other wonderful sources available.  I also tried to convey the meaning in a way that most people will understand. This also mean that there is too much simplification at some places. For example, I used the word "duty" in place of "Karma" many times. While the word "Karma" won't clearly translate to "Duty", this is the best word I ca...

Krishna : Arjuna, let me retell you the wisdom that leads to salvation. Who ever understands this will become part of me and don't need to worry about the rebirth cycle anymore.  For every living thing, nature is the mother and I am the father. The “Sath”, “Rajas” and “Tamoh” attributes which are part of nature imprisons the soul of the living being in their body. The “Sath” attribute is the purest and keeps a person pleasant. The “Rajas” attribute will cause desire in a person. The “Tamas” attribute causes ignorance, thereby resulting in hallucinations and laziness. This way, these 3 attributes imprisons a person in his body. In other words, the “Sath” attribute will make a person search for happiness, the “Rajas” attribute will keep a person busy with their worldly deeds and the “Tamas” attribute will mask the wisdom for a person. A person has to go through “Rajas” and “Tamas” attributes to reach the “Sath” attribute.  A person with the “Sath” attribute is filled with wisdom...

Arjuna : Krishna, please elaborate the terms Nature, Human, Kshetram, Kshetragna, Gnanam, Gneyam. Krishna : Arjuna, a human body is called “Kshetram”. Who knows about it and stays in it is “Kshetragna”. I am the “Kshetragna” who dwells in every “Kshetram”. Understanding and distinguishing these two is Gnanam(wisdom). In simple words, whatever you see or feel is entirely “Kshetram”. To be down to earth, not self boosting, non-violent, patience, honesty, respecting teacher, hygiene, stable mind, self restraint, detachment to pleasure, absence of pride, exploring the reasons of human suffering, not attached to family relations, equi minded, devotion, not taking unnecessary worries, enjoying solitude, not interested in fuss, persistent desire to learn and craving for knowledge forms the extensive list for Gnanam. Gneyam is the one which shows the way for salvation. In other words, it is the Brahman. This Brahman is everywhere and ever present. Even though the Brahman is present everywhe...

Arjuna : Krishna, some people worship you by imagining in a form and some people worship you without any form. Which of these two methods is better? Krishna : In my opinion, those who imagine me in any specific form and worship with whole heart are better off. Without any form in mind, it will be difficult to concentrate on me. Either way, I rescue anyone whose thoughts reside on me. Keep your thoughts and mind on me, then you will stay with me. If you have difficulty concentrating on me, then continue to try. If you even have difficulty in trying, then just include things I like in your daily routine. If even that is not possible, then just continue what you are doing and sacrifice the outcome of your tasks to me. Wisdom is better than learning exercises, concentration is better than wisdom and sacrificing the outcome of your effort is better than concentration. Such sacrifice will give you peace. He who doesn’t have hatred against anything, friend to everyone, have kindness, have nei...

Arjuna : Krishna, listening to what you are saying, I desire to see your true form. If you think that I am eligible to see your true form, please grant me the privilege. Krishna : Arjuna, you can’t see my true form with your ordinary vision. I am giving you a special vision with which you can see.  Here is all the living world that is inside me. You can see anything you want there. Sanjaya : After saying this, Krishna let Arjuna see his divine form. Arjuna watched the multiple faces, eyes, ornaments, weapons of Krishna, that spread in every direction. It is like the brightness of a thousand suns at a time. Wondering with immense happiness, Arjuna prayed to Krishna with folded hands. Arjuna : Krishna, I am seeing the immense form of you everywhere. I am not able to see the beginning and the end of it. I understood that you are the indestructible and preserver of good all the time. I am getting scared looking at your immense form. I am frightened looking at your faces with horns and ...

Krishna : Arjuna, even Gods don't know about my birth. I am the reason for everyone’s existence. I am the reason for every characteristic of every living being. The one who understands this will attain peace. Arjuna : Krishna, I believe what you are saying. Please elaborate to me on what form you exist at different places. In what way should I pray to each of your forms? Krishna : Arjuna, I am the sole in every living being. I am from the beginning to end of everything. Either mobile or immobile, there is nothing that is not me. In simple words, the whole universe gently exists within me. Chapter-9                                                                                      Chapter-11 Bhagavad Gita...

Krishna : Let me now teach you the wisdom understanding which you can overcome the agony in life. This is both easy to practice and better then everything else.  I am spread all across the universe, and every element is within me. But, I am not present in any of those. To be more precise, while every element takes birth from me and I am the reason for their sustenance, I am not the one who is responsible for their activities . All the elements sink back into me at the end only to be emitted back by me during recreation. This is a cyclic process. After being responsible for all this, no act could get a hold of me as I perform my duties with no interest on result. Arjuna, everything you are seeing or experiencing in this universe is me. Everything you are doing is for me. People are getting confused as they are not able to understand this. Arjuna, believe that everything you are doing is for me. Then, no strings will be attached to you even after performing material deeds. Remember t...

Arjuna : Krishna, please tell me what is the ultimate truth; what is Karma; who is the ruler of our body; Krishna : Ultimate truth is the one which is indestructible. Its nature is spirituality. Karma is nothing but the thoughts generated by your interactions with the nature. I am the ruler of this body and also resides in it. Arjuna, remember that whatever a man thinks, he gets only them. Just think of me and wage the war, you can then reach me.  Chapter-7                                                                                                          Chapter-9 Bhagavad Gita Index

Krishna: Arjuna, always keep your interest upon me while performing your duties. Let me explain you in detail how to understand me. While very few people really tries to understand me, of these only a rarest person understands me truly. The nature of mine is divided as Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Sky, Mind, Wit and Pride. These are the ones that are visible, there is yet another nature of me. That is Life, I am responsible for this life and later I will be responsible for its destruction. There is nothing greater to me, everything is actually dependent on me. I am the strength which doesn't include lust or affection. Everything is originated from me, either it is Satwika , or Rajasika or Tamasika. While, entire universe and every living being revolves around these three characteristics. Yet, they are not able to understand me, who actually created these characteristics. It’s difficult to overcome the illusions created by these characteristics, only he who is able to reach me can ove...

Krishna : Arjuna, a true yogi is the one who performs the tasks he is responsible for with no desire on results obtained through it. But not the one who just performs religious duties and abandons his responsibilities. Performing tasks without the desire is the tool to meditate. He who doesn’t have material wishes, and abandons desires is a true yogi. Remember that a person is responsible for himself. He can either become his own friend or enemy. You can experience the divine by not getting effected by happiness or sadness and respect or shame. A yogi should be able to get content with his knowledge and raise above his senses. He sees both sand and gold as same. He doesn’t distinguish between friend, family, enemy, wise and ignorant. Yogi should have his mind and senses under control, and dwell with himself without any wishes. He should continue his learning with concentration in a clean and flat place. While learning, he should stand with a straight body posture, look straight with co...

Arjuna : Krishna, you are praising both Karma Sanyasa (Detachment with duty) and Karma Yoga (performing once duty) in parallel. Which is very confusing. Please let me know which one to follow and which one of them is better for me. Krishna : Both these are great. But in my opinion, performing once duty(Karma Yoga) is better than trying to detach with their duty(Karma Sanyasa). Also, it is not possible to attain Karma Sanyasa without performing Karma Yoga. In short, you can attain Karma Sanyasa by performing your tasks(Karma Yoga) without lust and expectations. Once you are able to carry your duties that way, you will also attain Salvation. He who performs his tasks with self-conscious mind, pure heart and considering every living creature same as self will not be bounded or effected by his duties even though he performs them. He performs all his tasks, but still be the person who won’t dwell on them. He does his tasks only for purifying his sole but not with interest. The ultimate rule...

Krishna: Arjuna, you are not the first person to receive this immense wisdom from me. I have explained this to Sun God earlier. He has transferred to mankind through Manu and from Manu to Ikshawaku. This wisdom transferred over generations of mankind and enlightened great seers. But, this wisdom is lost over time. I am now retelling this to you not just because you are my devotee, but because you are also my friend. Arjuna : Krishna, you are born recently but Sun exists always. How is it possible for you to recite this to Sun God? Krishna : The current form of me is born recently. But, there is no question of my existence before I were born. You, I and everyone around here existed always. Only difference is, only I remember what has happened before I took my current form. I am actually creating an illusion of my birth within the nature, which I rule. I create such illusions to destroy the evil whenever it gets upper hand over good. Understand this nature of mine and you won’t take bir...