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On August 12th, 2014 Swamiji covered Chapter 14 of the Bhagavad Gita, titled: Guntraya Vibhaaga Yoga
In Chapter 14, Krishna differentiates between the three gunas: Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. Krishna explains how important the good qualities are in a Bhakta. He tells Arjuna the good qualities are needed in order to advance on the spiritual path, but ultimately one has to rise above all three gunas.
General topics covered in the Chapter:
- Characteristics of the three modes of nature
- Three modes are also the vehicles of transmigration for the individual soul
- Attain liberation after transcending three modes of material nature
- The process of rising above the three modes
- Bonds of the three modes can be cut by devotional love
Excerpt commentary from Swamiji:
11
sarva dvāreṣu dehe’smin
prakāśa upajāyate
jñānaṃ yadā tadā vidyād
vivṛddhaṃ sattvam ityuta
When into all the doors in the body there comes a flooding of light, a light of understanding, perception and knowledge, one should understand that there has been a great increase and uprising of the Sattwic Guna in the nature.
Nothing in the outside really worries you, you don’t fear anything because your trust and love, your faith is strong."
prakāśa upajāyate
jñānaṃ yadā tadā vidyād
vivṛddhaṃ sattvam ityuta
When into all the doors in the body there comes a flooding of light, a light of understanding, perception and knowledge, one should understand that there has been a great increase and uprising of the Sattwic Guna in the nature.
"So here Bhagavan is saying that when you are undertaken by an irresistible happiness, sometimes you have such a deep happiness, you don't even know where this happiness comes from. You feel sublime joy inside of you, you start laughing and crying at the same time, you feel excited all of a sudden. This is when there is a flooding of light, a light of understanding when you know you have found your way, your path in life, you have found your Guru, you are not just somebody who is walking on the street. You have a sense of belonging somewhere and then due to that sense of belonging somewhere, you feel great joy that you are not alone in that path.
In this light one attains discernment, one attain discrimination and one understands what life itself is. What is the truth; one knows what is right and what is wrong. When the light of wisdom appears, the mind automatically is diverted from the outside world, but it is diverted inwardly. The mind starts running not outwards but inwardly. So when one starts running inwardly through your sadhana, through your meditation, automatically there will be a certain detachment to the outside world.
In this light one attains discernment, one attain discrimination and one understands what life itself is. What is the truth; one knows what is right and what is wrong. When the light of wisdom appears, the mind automatically is diverted from the outside world, but it is diverted inwardly. The mind starts running not outwards but inwardly. So when one starts running inwardly through your sadhana, through your meditation, automatically there will be a certain detachment to the outside world.
Nothing in the outside really worries you, you don’t fear anything because your trust and love, your faith is strong."
Testimony:
"Yesterday's course for me was the most practical. I am an ayurveda therapist, and in my job I am very much involved with the three gunas. But yesterday I realised that I also have to let go a little bit and not be so attached the three gunas, and put it in the right place, so it was extremely practical for me." - Kalavati, Switzerland
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Sri Swami Vishwananda has decided to give commentary on the Shreemad Bhagavad Gita, the eternal Word of Lord Sri Krishna. It will take place over 18 consecutive days, and each day will cover one chapter. Guruji will give his commentary with a particular Bhakti perspective.
For now, we will provide a small portion of the commentary on this blog for those who could not attend the course. At a later stage, we will offer the full length of the Gita commentary as a book and also as CD and DVD sets.