Bhagwad Gita - Post 82

THE YOGA OF WISDOM AND REALISATION

Summary of Seventh Discourse

What happens after the expected goal of self-integration is reached by way of direct restraint of the senses and the mind, and meditation as per the suggestions given in the Sixth Chapter? Meditation on what? 

There is not much detail on this subject in the first six chapters. There was a reference to the Atman towards the end of the Fifth Chapter, and this continues throughout the Sixth Chapter: ātmanyeva vaśaṁ nayet (6.26). 

This has been reiterated several times. The restraint of the mind and the senses is intended for the purpose of achieving Self-identity — the establishment of consciousness in the Atman. We have heard this word ‘Atman’ a number of times, but in the Sixth Chapter the Bhagwad Gita does not go into detail as to what this Atman is, though it says that it is immortal, and it is pervading everything.

From the Seventh Chapter onwards, we enter into a new field of observation and study — namely, the encounter of the individual with the cosmic purpose. Very little of the cosmos is mentioned in the first six chapters other than a reference to the three gunas of prakriti, etc., in the Third Chapter. 

But a direct onslaught, as it were, on this great subject of the Universal Being having an organic connection with the individual, and God being the Creator of the world, did not receive adequate emphasis. “Do this.” “Do not do this.” “Restrain yourself.” We heard this many a time in the first six chapters. 

From the Seventh Chapter onwards, the Supreme Lord assumes an important position. In the first six chapters, Sri Krishna speaks as an instructor, as a mentor, as a good guide,

a friend, philosopher and guide, as it is said. 

Now he speaks in a different tone altogether, as a representative of the Almighty Himself. 

He is no more a teacher of the ordinary type. 

He is not a simple friend of Arjuna or a philosopher par excellence but is God Himself speaking. He is the mouthpiece of the Almighty. Therefore, the ideas of “Come to Me. Resort to Me. Be intent on Me. Depend on Me. Surrender yourself to Me” are more prominently emphasized from the Seventh Chapter onwards. 

Krishna says that whatever exists is nothing but Himself. He is the cause of the appearance of the universe and all things in it. Everything is strung on Him like clusters of gems on a string. 

He is the essence, substance and substratum of everything, whether visible or invisible. Although everything is in Him, yet He transcends everything as the action less Self. 

Prakriti or Nature is made up of the three Gunas or qualities — Sattwa, Rajas and Tamas. These three qualities delude the soul and make it forget its true nature, which is one with God. This delusion, termed Maya, can only be removed by the Grace of the Lord Himself.

Sri Krishna tells Arjuna that the supreme Godhead has to be realized in both its transcendent and immanent aspects. The Yogi who has reached this summit has nothing more to know.

This complete union with the Lord is difficult of attainment. Among many thousands of human beings, very few aspire for this union, and even among those who aspire for it, few ever reach the pinnacle of spiritual realization.

Love.