We are because of our world and cosmos..

In the Ch. 10 of Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says everything in this cosmos – all gross , subtle and causal creations, are from HIM only.  It not only includes the physical appearances, it also includes the mental and intellectual thoughts, behaviors, attitudes, patterns etc. expressed by individuals.   When a delicious food is made and kept hot and ready, the nice smell that comes out of it is because of the food and what goes in it.  If the food is not there or made in a different way, that smell also changes.  In the same way, the behaviors expressed by all living organisms in this planet arises because of the nature of that creation and belong to it. The ultimate creator has the ownership for all that is created and whatever comes out of it.

Extrapolating the same thought,  Sw. Chinmayananda emphasizes that we are not ‘entities’  separate and independent from our environment, the planet or even the universe.  We are all part of it and because of it.  Swamiji makes a wonderful declaration that ‘We do not come into this world (from somewhere outside); we come out of it (is part of it).   Just as a baby comes out of a mother and is a part of the mother, we all are made of this cosmos who is the ultimate mother of all.   It is our moral dharma (responsibility, duty) to keep this planet well and healthy as well as respect the nature of this planet and the cosmos as a whole.  Hari Om.

Lord's bold assurances

In Ch.9 of Bhagavad Gita, the Lord gives all devotees who are dedicated in the path of Spirituality, two strong assurances.  The first one is the promise of taking care of the Yoga-Kshema of HIS devotees.  It is explained in my previous blog posting.   The second confident promise of the Lord is that HIS devotees who are walking on the path of realizing HIM with full trust (‘shraddha’) and belief (‘bhakthi’) shall NEVER perish.  In verse 31 of Ch.9,  HE says as below

क्षिप्रं भवति धर्मात्मा शश्वच्छान्तिं निगच्छति |; कौन्तेय प्रतिजानीहि न मे भक्त: प्रणश्यति || 31||

He quickly becomes virtuous again and attains everlasting peace. O Kaunteya, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes.

What a strong and confident message!   In today’s world when people  walk on two sides – materialistic and religious – just so that they don’t miss anything and grab everything,  this is a strong declaration from the LORD that walking towards HIM in unwavering mind (personality) will always ensure success in every form.  HE will ensure the devotee gains ever lasting peace and joy – the goal  of all perspirations in this material world !

I think the above statement along with Lord's promise of taking care of the 'Yoga-Kshema' work of the devotees are probably the two best assurances to us that we should give up our 'assumed' worries related to finances, family, career etc. and work confidently dedicating all our activities to HIM.  

Hari Om.

Spirit of offering.

The Ch.9 of Bhagavad Gita has the very famous statement of the Lord as below:

patram puspam phalam toyam 
yo me bhaktya prayacchati 
tad aham bhakty-upahrtam 
asnami prayatatmanah

Lord says that ‘Whoever offers me with devotion, a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water – that I accept when offered by the pure-minded”.

Sw. Chinmayananda in his wonderful explanation of this powerful declaration by the Lord says that an offering can be perfect only when it is accompanied by two conditions: 1) Offered with devotion and 2) by the ‘pure-minded’. It is not what we offer, but how we offer that makes a true offering a great sacrifice.  Swamiji exhorts all to let our entire life be a constant offering onto Him who is in all, by changing our mental attitude. In all activities, we can remember Him if we act in a spirit of offering unto Him. All acts of perception and our reactions to our perceptions – be they physical, mental or intellectual- let us make them all a ‘devout offering unto Him’.

When all activities are performed in the spirit of offering, not only our love for Lord increases,  but also our entire life gets transformed to become sanctified with a nobler purpose and a diviner aim.  This attitude of offering to God makes us remember Him constantly, not in deep jungle or in a secret cave, but right in the middle of our life’s marketplace !

Hari Om.