As we know, this work of focusing on the relevant and deeper meaning of our age old tradition is very much required. Eknathji wrote about how Swami Vivekananda guided us in seeing God all around us and how to worship Him meaningfully. He wrote, "Swami Vivekananda was the foremost among the modern religious teachers who strove to take out religion from that static condition into which it had degenerated over the centuries, and drew the attention of the people to its real role. He pointed out in no uncertain terms that ceremonies and forms are not the essence of religion but that it lies rather in the realization of a higher life. He said, 'We may study all the books that are in the world, yet we may not understand a word of religion or of God. …Religion is not in doctrines or dogmas, nor in intellectual argumentation. It is realisation in the heart of hearts; it is touching God; it is feeling, realising that I am a spirit in relation with Universal Spirit and all its great manifestations.' To those who lost themselves only in forms and rituals, turning their back on the people and the misery that had befallen them, he said, 'What vain gods shall we go after and yet cannot worship the god that we see all around us, the Virat (Janata Janardan)? When we have worshipped this, we shall be able to worship all other gods.'
Sri Krishna refers in 12th chapter and also in 14th chapter the Sanatana Dharma as the Amrit Dharma. The families in which this Amrit Dharma is known, cherished and practiced are Amrit Parivar. Since few years, in Vivekananda Kendra we have been focusing on the work of Amrit Parivar. This year the article in Kendra Samachar is also on Amrit Pariwar. That article is also attached. Thus, during the celebrations, on Gita Jayanti, group discussions can be held on various aspects of that article. In the concluding the following messages of Sri Krishna from Bhagavadgita can be shared by the speaker, so as to continue to contemplate over it for the coming year. Celebration of Gita Jayanti should not be limited for the day but selecting few messages of Gita, all through the year we should contemplate, internalize and practice these messages.
The message of Gita
The Eternal principals
mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat kiñchid asti dhanañjaya
mayi sarvam idaṁ protaṁ sūtremaṇi-gaṇā iva VII.7 – Everything is Bhagavan, therefore sacred and is to be respected. The whole universe is interconnected, interrelated and interdependent. Though all of us are apparently different, we are connected to each other by Bhagavan as the thread connects the beads. No one can progress and be happy at the cost of others.
devān bhāvayatānena te devā bhāvayantu vaḥ
parasparaṁ bhāvayantaḥ śhreyaḥ param avāpsyatha III.11- Thus nourishing one another, caring for one another, attain the sustainable development and eternal happiness.
karmaṇaiva hi sansiddhim āsthitā janakādayaḥ
loka-saṅgraham evāpisampaśhyan kartum arhasi III.20 – The purpose of your birth is to help humanity to progress on spiritual path.
tasmāttvamuttiṣhṭha yaśho labhasva
jitvā śhatrūn bhuṅkṣhva rājyaṁ samṛiddham
mayaivaite nihatāḥ pūrvam eva
nimitta-mātraṁ bhava savyasāchin XI.33 – You are merely a chosen instrument of Bhagavan for spiritual evolution of humanity; so do whatever work you are expected to do. Our Dayitva, our Dharma is our connection with Ishvara. More we fulfill our dayitva, Dharma with selflessness, more we get connected with Ishvara.
The Way to live
klaibyaṁ mā sma gamaḥ pārtha naitat tvayyupapadyate
kṣhudraṁ hṛidaya-daurbalyaṁtyaktvottiṣhṭha parantapa II.3 - Never yield to weakness of heart. Exert yourself to do the right thing.
uddhared ātmanātmānaṁ nātmānam avasādayet
ātmaiva hyātmano bandhurātmaiva ripur ātmanaḥ VI.5 – Lift
up yourself with your own efforts.
You alone are your friend and you
are your enemy, too. None else.
karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣhu kadāchana
mā karma-phala-hetur bhūrmā te saṅgo ’stvakarmaṇi II.47
– You have to choose that action which maintains the harmony of the collectivity around you, like the family, society, nation and universe. You have only the right to choose such action but not demand specific fruits of action. After doing your best, accept whatever comes to you as Prasada from God.
tasmād asaktaḥ satataṁ kāryaṁ karma samāchara
asakto hyācharan karma paramāpnoti pūruṣhaḥ III.19 – Therefore always employ yourself relentlessly with all Shraddha and excellence, in the performance of action which is your duty.
yataḥ pravṛittir bhūtānāṁ yena sarvam idaṁ tatam
sva-karmaṇā tam abhyarchya siddhiṁ vindati mānavaḥ XVIII.46 - The Bhagavan is everywhere; worship him by doing your duty to your family, society and nation and the whole creation as best as you can.
śhrī bhagavān uvācha
asanśhayaṁ mahā-bāho mano durnigrahaṁ chalam
abhyāsena tu kaunteya vairāgyeṇa cha gṛihyate VI.35 – The mind, which tends to be selfish should be brought back again and again to do Karmayoga. It is undoubtedly difficult but by your constant practice and dispassionate awareness about this fleeting world, it is restrained.
Yuktaharaviharasya VI.17 – For being one with the Divine, be moderate in your food, recreation, work and sleep.
Yudhyasva Vigatajwarah III.30 – Even if you have to fight as a duty, do it without mental agitation.
Assurances By Bhagavan Srikrishna
Shraddhavan labhate jnanam IV.39 – Have Shraddha in the path told be Me, be ever ready to learn and to practice self-control. You will surely get Jnanam.
kṣhipraṁ bhavati dharmātmā śhaśhvach-chhāntiṁ nigachchhati
kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśhyati IX.31 – Know for certain that My devotee is never perished.
ananyāśh chintayanto māṁ ye janāḥ paryupāsate
teṣhāṁ nityābhiyuktānāṁ yoga-
kṣhemaṁ vahāmyaham IX.22 – I shall look after your well-being. You shall always get whatever is needed for your further growth.
The Result
yatra yogeśhvaraḥ kṛiṣhṇo yatra pārtho dhanur-dharaḥ
tatra śhrīr vijayo bhūtir dhruvā nītir matir mama XVIII.78 – Wherever in a society there is Krishna, the Lord of Yoga – the vision of Oneness of the universe-, and Partha, the archer - men of action doing their duties-, in that society there is prosperity, victory, all round well-being and steady and sound policy.”
To focus on how this knowledge is very much relevant in today’s world, on how the problems of the modern world are actually bringing the humanity to the wisdom of Sanatana Dharma.
Thus, increasing the confidence of our people in themselves as well as in our Dharma. And also motivating them to work for the protection and propagation of our culture.
Nivedita Raghunath Bhide
