SrI: Dear BhakthAs of Lord PaarTasArathy : Today , we will study the EIGHTEENTH Chapter of SrImath Bhagvath GeethA .This chapter has 78 slOkams . This is the longest of the 18 chapters and contains the greatest of UpadEsams for all of us by GeethAchAryan (Charama slOkam : 18.66) using Arjuna as an excuse (vyAjam). This chapter is named " Liberation through Renunciation ". Introduction to the EIGHTEENTH Chapter : ********************************************** AchArya RaamAnujA's introduction to the 18th chapter as translated by Swamy AadhidEvAnandha takes on this form : " In the preceeding two chapters , the following topics were treated: (1) Vedic actions such as sacrifices , austerities , gifts etc., alone constitute the means for prosperity and final release ( srEyasa: saadhanabhUtham vaidhikam yEva yajn~a tapOdhAnAdhikam karma na anyath) , (2) The general characrestrics of all vedic acts is their connection with OmkAra/ PraNavam ( vaidhikasya cha karmana: sAmAnya lakshaNam praNavAnvaya: ) , (3) Of these , there is a distinction made between the means for the final relaease and the means for prosperity , since they are designated respectively by the terms of Tath and Sath (4) The means of liberation are acts that are free from the desire for fruits (5)Their performance is possible by the preponderance of SatthvA , (6) the increase of SatthvA is effected by the use of Saathvik food. Then in the 18th chapter , these are further elucidated : (1) The identity between abnegation ( ThyAga) and renunciation (SanyAsa) , which are described as the means for liberation , (2) The nature of abnegation ( ThyAga) , (3) Attributing the agency of all actions to the Lord , the ruler of all , (4) The necessity of Sathva GuNA by an elaborate description of the effects of Sathva , Rajas and Tamas , (5) The way by which the Supreme person is attained through acts appropriate to one's own station in life and constituting the worship of the Supreme person, (6) Bhakthi yOga , which is the essential teaching of the GeethA Saasthra ( GeethA Saasthra SaarArTO bhakthi yOga ithi) ". Swamy AlavanthAr's summary of the 18th chapter ***************************************************** IswarE karthruthA Bhuddhis -- satthvOpAdEyatha -- anthimE svakarma pariNAmasccha sAsthra saarArTa uchyathE --- --- 22nd SlOkam of GeethArtha Sangraham (Meaning ): " The last chapter presents the mental state required for ascribing the agency to the Lord , the necessity of cultivating the Saathvic quality , the spiritual culmination of discharging one's duties , and bhakthi Yoga , which forms the essence of GeethA SaasthrA " . " IswarE KarthruthA Bhuddh i: " refers to the comprehension that SarvEswara, SrIman NaarAyaNan is the chief doer ( PradhAna karthA ) for all karmAs. " SatthvOpAdhEyataa" refers to the Satthva GuNam is the most important to cultivate . " Svakarma PariNAmaasccha " refers to the tatthvam that the anushtAnams appropriate to their VarNAsramam facilitates the observant to attain the Parama Purushan . Swamy AlavanthAr uses the next 10 slOkams (23-32) of His classical commentary on Bhagavath Geethai to describe and extoll the importance of Bhakthi yOgam . Swamy Desikan's summary of the 18th Chapter *************************************************** Satthuva veedudai naRkarumam thAnn uhanthamayum Satthuvam uLLathu thAnn kuRikkoLvahai seythathuvum Satthuva naRkkirisaip-- payanum SaraNAgathium SatthuvamE taruvAn uraitthAn tanip-PaarTanukkE (Meaning) : The Lord who blesses one with Satthva guNam instructed Arjuna of matchless valour about His fondness for Vaidhika karmAs offered to Him with the accompaniment of Saathvika ThyAgam . He further instructed Arjuna about the three subdivisions of Saathvika KarmAs for His acceptance. He concluded the GeethOpadEsam with the revelation that the fruits of lofty Saathvika karmAs are Moksham and Prapatthi. Meaning of the First Line( Satthuva veedudai naRkarumam TAnn uhanthamayum) : When a chEthanan performs his KarmAs , he should abandon their links to Karthruthvam , Mamathai and Phalan . 1) Karthruthvam abandonment : The performance of the karmA should be undertaken with the thought that it is the Lord , who through His servant , the Jeevan , performs for His sport the KarmAs through the indhriyams , sarIram and PrANan of the chEthanam , which are ruled by Him . 2) abandoning of MamathA : The chEthanan should think that the KarmA that is about to be performed is not his , but done by SarvEswaran for His pleasure . This is the way to abandon MamathA. 3) Abandonment of link to Phalan: Enjoyment of Svargam results from the performance of puNya karmaas .The chEthanam should disassociate itself from the fruits of such karmA to gain phala thyAgam . These are the three thyAgams ( abandonments) that should go with all Vaidhika karmAs prscribed for the appropriate varNams. These karmAs should never be abandoned as long as one lives and should be considered as Bhagavath AarAdhanam . Meaning of Second line: (Satthuvam uLLathu tAnn kuRikkoLvahai seythathuvum ) : All the Karmaas divide into three classes based on the dominance of one or other of the three guNams . 1) Saathvika karmam is the one , which is performed according to prescribed VarNAsrama dharmams with karthruthva, MamathA and Phala thyAgams. 2) Raajasa Karmam is the one done with ahankAram ( with the thought thst it is done by me) and seeks and strives for that phalan aggressively . 3) Taamasa Karmam : This is the kind , where all thought about the Lord being the agent of the karmAs is abandoned . No respect is given to sAsthraic directions ; ostanteous performance along with himsA to others are the hallmarks of Taamasa karmam. Those who seek Moksham should chase away RajO and tamO guNams and strive for satthva guNam to be blessed by the Lord with the Moksha sukham . Meaning of the Third line : (Satthuva naRkirisaip-payanum) : The phalan arising from the correct practise of Karma yOgam with Saathvika thyAgam is referred to here . Such an observance leads to kaivalyam ( direct visualization of the aanandhamaya Jeevan, which is the bonded , eternal servant of the Lord ) ; That will lead on to the uninterrupted and single minded devotion to SarvEswaran and the chEthnam will now be blessed with the anubhavam of Para Bhakthi .The Lord will now bless the jeevan His saakshAthkAram ( visualization).This stage of Bhakthi yOgam is known as Para Jn~Anam . Arrival at this stage of Para Jn~Anam will make the jeevan long intensely for the enjoyment of the Lord and the jeevan will not be able to keep his prANan without the total anubhavam of the Lord at all times .The jeevan will cry out for that blessing .This stage of Bhakthi yOgam is known as Parama Bhakthi.SarvEswaran will now hasten to bless the Jeevan with MokshAnandham and ParipoorNa nithya Kaimkaryam at His Supreme Abode . This is the phalan of properly observed karma yOgam with saathvika thyAgam . Meaning of the Fourth line ( SaraNAgathyum SatthuvamE taruvAn uraitthAn tanip-PaarTanukkE ): The Lord who blesses one with Satthva guNam instructed ArjunA about Moksham resulting from performing total surrender at His sacred feet (SaraNAgathy ). The profound meanings of SaraNAgathy have been summarized earlier in this series , when the Prabhandham of Swamy Desikan on "Charama slOka Churukku ". This (SaraNAgathy) is Saasthra SaarArTam ( Essence of Bhagavath Saasthrams). Some key slOkams of the Eighteenth chapter : ************************************************** SlOkam : 47 srEyAn-- svadharmO viguNa: paradharmaath-- svanushtithAth svabhAva-niyatham karma kurvannApnothi kilBhisham (Meaning): " Better is one's own duty , though ill done ( imperfectly performed ) ,than the duty of another , though well performed -- -- -- when one does the duty ordained by his own nature , he incurs no stain ." SlOkam 55: " Through devotion , he comes to know Me fully --- who and what I am in relaity , who I am and how I am . Knowing Me thus in truth , he forthwith enters into Me. ( BhakthyA MaamabhijAnAthi ....)" SlOkam 56: " Taking refuge in Me and performing all works constantly , one, by My grace , attains the eternal and immutable realm .( SarvakarmANyapi SadhA kurvANO....)" SlOkam 61 : Iswara: SarvabhUthAnAm hruddhdEsO Arjuna tishtathi BhrAmayan-sarvabhUthAni yanthrArooDAni Maayayaa (Meaning): The Lord , Oh ArjunA , abides in the heart of every being , spinning them round and round , mounted on a wheel as it were , by His power ." SlOkam 62: TamEva SaraNam gaccha sarvabhAvEna BhAratha Tath prasAdhAth pasAm Saanthim sTAnam prApyasi sAsvatham (meaning): Seek refuge in Him alone , Oh Arjuna, with the whole of your being . By His grace , you shall find supreme peace and eternal abode ." SlOkam 65: ManmanA bhava MadhbhakthO MaddhyAjee Maam namaskuru MaamEvaishyasi Sathyam tE prathijAnE priyOsi mE (meaning ): Focus your mind on Me. Be My devotee . Be My worshipper. Prostrate before Me. You shall come to Me alone . I promise you, truly; for you are dear to Me." SlOkam 66: SarvadharmAn parithyjya MaamEkam SaraNam vraja Aham thvA Sarva-pApEbhyO MokshishyAmi maa sucha: (meaning): " Completely relinquishing all dharmAs , seek Me alone for refuge . I will release you from all sins . Grieve not ." SlOkam 78: yathra YOgeeswara:KrushNO yathra PaarTO dhanurdhara: tathra SrIrvijayO bhuthirdhruvA neethirmathirmama (Meaning): Wherever there is SrI KrishNa , the Lord of YogA , and Arjuna the archer , there are ever fortune , victory , wealth and sound morality . This is my (SanjayA's) firm conviction ." In the next posting , we will focus on the Charama slOkam of GeethAchAryan . Sarvam KrishNArpaNam asthu , Daasan , Oppiliappan KOil VaradachAri SadagOpan Srimate Sri Laksminrisimha Divya Paduka Sevaka SrivaNN Satakopa Sri Narayana Yatindra Mahadesikaya Nama: ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion Toolbar. Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free! http://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/XUWolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! 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