Bhagvad Gita – Chapter 4 – The meaning of Wisdom

Lord SriKrishna further explains to Arjuna the meaning of Wisdom or jnana (note that jnana actually means knowledge and wisdom is the awakening of the same. The Lord extols to Arjuna that this knowledge was given to Vivaswan who in turn gave it to Manu (all our ancestors) and so on. Arjuna may have forgotten as he is a mortal being, but the Lord knows it all. Arjuna has a hint of doubt as to how the Lord knows this all. To which Lord Srikrishna replies that he is the master of his material energy. He further says that when evil increases (decline of dharma – dharma is duty), the lord manifests himself in a form and descends upon Earth.

There were many people in the past who got rid of attachment and attained the Lord. Those who worship the Gods using rituals have also benefitted from their blessings. However please remember that all happens with the power of the Lord. As discussed in the earlier chapters, we dare sometimes deluded into believing that we are doers, when actually it is the three gunas which are responsible for driving us towards action. Taking into consideration the gunas and the effect of ones own karma, the good Lord had  divided people into four divisions: The brahmana (holy priests),  the Kshatriya (warriors), the Vaishnava (merchants) and Shudra (Those who do menial tasks). This division mind you is strictly for discrimination purpose and does not apply stoically.

The Lord has no desire for the fruits of action, but he still keeps acting. Whoever realizes this aspect of God, knows him truly. Lord Srikrishna now gives away the secret of action and inaction. He mentions that wise is  the person who understands this subtle distinction. So here it is. Action performed without attachment to  its fruits is inaction in action and action performed with attachment is action in inaction. Did you understand it ? Let me explain further. He who acts in the spirit of action for action is not doing any work at all. Because he/she does not feel that he/she is working. Work is pleasure or there is no action (inaction) whereas when one is feeling that he is working truly is active in inaction (actual work). Complicated. Not that much.

One who has been purified by his very thoughts acts like a sage. He/She acts really, who has understood the meaning given above. Detaching senses, they work towards only one goal. That goal is action and nothing else. If one’s thoughts are fully absorbed in the absolute, all his/her spiritual offerings also become a part of the absolute. Some offer their hearing, some sight and some others charity into the sacrificial fire. And let me tell you that there is nothing bigger than a sacrifice. It’s brahman. (atman or soul) The fire is brahman, the offering is brahman and the offerer is also brahman. That is how the term ‘Aham Brahmasmi’ comes. It means I’m brahman.

The person who realizes all this through wisdom is the highest of all. True transcendental knowledge is the knowledge of the self, and he/she is wise  who  has realized this truth. Wisdom has the power to burn all karmic activities to ashes. (of course with the Grace of God) So there is nothing above wisdom. All that is above it is the supreme soul. So arise Arjuna, the slayer of enemies, arise and awake to this call. Take the sword of discrimination and shed this illusion into pieces and be firmly established in  Yoga.

More in a week’s time.

Thanks,

Guru30