In this chapter, the hero, Arjuna, asks Krishna
deep spiritual questions:
Tell me Krishna, what Brahman is.
What is the Atman and what is the creative
energy of Brahman?
Explain the nature of this relative world and of the individual
man.
Who is God who presides over action in this body
and how does he dwell here?
How are you revealed at the hour of death to those
whose consciousness is united with you?
These
are questions asked by a sincere spiritual seeker who is not worshipping God
for worldly gains but who is interested in enlightenment, to be free of
bondage. Our hero, Arjuna is now
reaching for the highest wisdom. He
wants to go beyond guidance for living in this world but also to know how to
die well.
Discussion: Often, the subject of God or the
Eternal is seen only as a last resort to which one turns when earthly life goes
badly, when there are troubles not easily solved and are beyond the person’s
capacity. Seldom, in modern life, do
people think about death until they are confronted with it. It is a subject conveniently forgotten until
it is at our door, either through terminal illness of a loved one or oneself. We
could say that Arjuna, being on a battlefield is confronted with the
possibility of dying – it is an imminent possibility in war. If we are to take
the battlefield to be our own lives, we need to be cognizant that the hour of
death could be at any time. We cannot
know whether we live to a ripe old age or whether tomorrow, we will be stricken
with an illness or be in an accident. We
do not dwell on the possibility but the possibility is always there hidden
within life. Are we scared to acknowledge this or relieved to know that we walk
this fine line between life and death.
What is death anyway?
We have little knowledge about
preparation for death since our culture, having become very secular, does not
acknowledge life after death but focuses on the physical embodiment and the material
needs of the living. Yoga is also not
generally understood in the framework of dying. Generally
yoga is thought of for physical relaxation and health. It is not seen as a
practice for dying in such a way as to unite our consciousness with God. In fact, that is its main purpose.
Lord
Krishna explains the nature of the eternal Brahman, the nature of the relative
world, and of the individual human being.
Krishna describes the rhythms of creation, the inexplicable nature of
the Divine. He emphasizes the importance of lifelong devotion and a meditation
practice so that at the hour of death, a
person is united with God. He gives instructions for how to leave the body at
the time of death.
Sri
Krishna:
Brahman is that which is immutable and independent
of any cause but Itself. When we consider Brahman as lodged within the individual
human being we call Him the Atman.
Discussion: This is an important section upon
which to reflect. God or Brahman is not something out there – beyond the human
being, outside and separate from us to whom we are subservient and who somehow
from afar has connection with the human race. Brahman is lodged within the individual
human being and is referred to as the Atman.
Being lodged within us means that God is in intimate relationship with the
human being. We are already one with God, never separated.
Sri
Krishna continues:
The creative energy of Brahman is that which
causes all existences to come into being.
The nature of the relative world is mutability.
The nature of the individual man is his
consciousness of ego.
I alone am God who presides over action, here in
this body.
Discussion:
We are taught
that God creates everything that exists, that the nature of the created world
is its changeability. We are part of
that changeable world. What characterizes us as individuals is our
identification with the ego – our sense of “I.” Again, we are taught that God
is present within us, directly within the body and the power behind action in
the body. We owe our activity to this
power. Reflecting on this, how does it change how we feel about ourselves in
the world and in relationship to God? Do we feel alienated, adrift in a world
that is constantly changing? If so, why do we feel this? Could it be that we
feel separated from God because we are conscious of our ego, instead of God
within us?
On Lifelong Practice of Yoga and Death
and Dying
In this section of the chapter, Krishna tells Arjuna that to be united with God at death, one's consciousness must already be absorbed in Him. This level of consciousness comes about through constant practice over a lifetime:
At the hour of death, when a man leaves his body, he must depart with his consciousness absorbed in me. Then he will be united with me. Be certain of that. Whatever a man remembers at the last, when he is leaving the body, will be realized by him in the hereafter; because that will be what his mind has most constantly dwelt on, during this life.
Therefore, you must remember me at all times, and do your duty. If your mind and heart are set upon me constantly, you will come to me. Never doubt this.
Make a habit of practicing meditation, and do not let your mind be distracted. In this way you will come finally to the Lord, who is the light-giver, the highest of the high.
He is all-knowing God, lord of the emperors,
Ageless, subtler far than mind's inmost subtlety,
Universal sustainer,
Shining sunlike, self-luminous.
What fashion His form has, who shall conceive of it?
He dwells beyond delusion, the dark of Maya. On Him let man meditate
Always, for then at the last hour
Of going hence from his body he will be strong
In the strength of this yoga, faithfully followed:
The mind so firm, and the heart
So full, it hardly holds its love.
Discussion: This is the culmination of love, of bhakti. This is the central theme of all of Krishna's teachings, the path promoted by Vaishnava culture. One reaches the Highest through devotion, a faithful heart and a strong mind. It may seem difficult in our modern age to take on such a life. The rewards though are great. Set aside time every day to practice meditation, to read the Bhagavad Gita, to worship in a genuine way, even if that is not the mainstream culture. Seek out community - sat-sangh, company of those who are also practicing to help strengthen resolve and keep the mind focused.
Thus he will take his leave and now, with the life-force
Indrawn utterly, held fast between the eyebrows,
He goes forth to find his Lord,
That light-giver, who is greatest.
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