After change of location, we have had two programs in Parama Karuna Ashram, and last week, right between autumn and winter, we had our November feast. We had a very nice evening together with bhajans, prasadam and reading and discussion.
Parama Karuna Ashram dressed in white
for the first time of the season.
Munender and Sharvani helping to make chapati.
Discussion on today's topic in Bhagavad-gita.
Fix your mind on me. Be my devotee! Sacrifice for me. Offer obeisance unto me. Absorbed thus in me alone, you shall come to me. (BG. 9.34)
One whose mind is fixed on Krishn is one who is Krishna's devotee. Thus devotion proper requires more than the physical act of service. We are where our minds are regardless of where we appear to be physically. Both Baladeva Vidyabhushana and Madhusudana Saraswati give the example of a king's servant, who although serving the king physically has his mind on his own family. Thus Krishna says one should both devote oneself to him and think of him. The word bhava is an imperative in this regard, as if Krishna is commanding and empowering one to be his devotee by the force of his heartfelt words.
Krishna says that such a devotee should sacrifice for him. This is the heart of worship and the basis of love. Love arises from out of sacrifice, labor's beautiful child. As in text fourteen, here again Krishna says mam namaskuru: "Offer obeisance unto me," symbolizing the offering of nothing less than one's entire self, mind, body, and speech, as all of these are involved in the act of obeisance.
This verse is the essence and conclusion of the Bhagavad-gita and it is repeated almost verbatim in the sixty-fifth verse of the eighteenth chapter. Preceding it there in vers sixty-four, Krishna describes this knowledge and path of bhakti as sarva-guhyatamam, the most confdential knowledge. Although many paths have been discussed and recommended at different times thus far, here they are all superseded as Krishna fully opens his heart to Arjuna.
At the end of chapter six Krishna revealed that his idea of the perfectly integrated being was his devotee. Thus he implored Aruna to be a devotee. In chapters seven though nine different kinds of devotees are discussed: karma-misra, jñana-misra, yoga-misra and unalloyed bhaktas. As Krishna concludes this chapter, he makes it clear that his ideal person is not merely his devotee, but an unalloyed devotee.
When all is said and done, spiritual life is as simple as the verse makes it out to be. Devotion, love, the heart's domain, rules over all. It is the path, the ocean into which all rivers must flow and are worthy of rafting only if they reach her shore.
(Purport from Bhagavad-gita - its feeling and philosophy, by Swami B.V. Tripurari)
One whose mind is fixed on Krishn is one who is Krishna's devotee. Thus devotion proper requires more than the physical act of service. We are where our minds are regardless of where we appear to be physically. Both Baladeva Vidyabhushana and Madhusudana Saraswati give the example of a king's servant, who although serving the king physically has his mind on his own family. Thus Krishna says one should both devote oneself to him and think of him. The word bhava is an imperative in this regard, as if Krishna is commanding and empowering one to be his devotee by the force of his heartfelt words.
Krishna says that such a devotee should sacrifice for him. This is the heart of worship and the basis of love. Love arises from out of sacrifice, labor's beautiful child. As in text fourteen, here again Krishna says mam namaskuru: "Offer obeisance unto me," symbolizing the offering of nothing less than one's entire self, mind, body, and speech, as all of these are involved in the act of obeisance.
This verse is the essence and conclusion of the Bhagavad-gita and it is repeated almost verbatim in the sixty-fifth verse of the eighteenth chapter. Preceding it there in vers sixty-four, Krishna describes this knowledge and path of bhakti as sarva-guhyatamam, the most confdential knowledge. Although many paths have been discussed and recommended at different times thus far, here they are all superseded as Krishna fully opens his heart to Arjuna.
At the end of chapter six Krishna revealed that his idea of the perfectly integrated being was his devotee. Thus he implored Aruna to be a devotee. In chapters seven though nine different kinds of devotees are discussed: karma-misra, jñana-misra, yoga-misra and unalloyed bhaktas. As Krishna concludes this chapter, he makes it clear that his ideal person is not merely his devotee, but an unalloyed devotee.
When all is said and done, spiritual life is as simple as the verse makes it out to be. Devotion, love, the heart's domain, rules over all. It is the path, the ocean into which all rivers must flow and are worthy of rafting only if they reach her shore.
(Purport from Bhagavad-gita - its feeling and philosophy, by Swami B.V. Tripurari)
After the program, later in the evening, a walk to the sea.
Gaura-Nitay, ki jay!
