On August 2nd, 2014 Swamiji covered Chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita, titled: Gyaan Vibhaaga Yoga
Chapter 4 explains the wisdom regarding the supreme knowledge. Krishna stresses the importance of accepting a Guru. He also reveals that he has lived through many births, always teaching yoga for the protection of humanity.
"Whenever there is a decline of Dharma and an increase of Adharma, then I incarnate, for the protection of the good, the destruction of the wicked, and the establishment of Dharma (4.07-08)"
"Whenever there is a decline of Dharma and an increase of Adharma, then I incarnate, for the protection of the good, the destruction of the wicked, and the establishment of Dharma (4.07-08)"
General topics covered in the Chapter:
- Karma Yoga is an ancient law
- Path of worship and prayer
- A Karma Yogi is not subject to the Kārmic laws
Excerpt commentary from Swamiji:
39
śraddhāvāllabhate jñānaṃ
tatparaḥ saṃyatendriyaḥ
jñānaṃ labdhvā parāṃ śāntim
acireṇādhigacchati
jñānaṃ labdhvā parāṃ śāntim
acireṇādhigacchati
Who has faith, who has conquered and controlled the mind and senses, who has fixed his whole conscious being on the supreme Reality, he attains knowledge; and having attained knowledge he goes swiftly to the supreme Peace.
“Here Krishna says that one who approaches the Guru with faith will gain the state of enlightenment. Faith is very important. Without faith you will not approach the Guru. Without humility you will not approach the Guru. But with humility you'll approach the Guru, you'll have submission, you'll take the instruction and you'll serve. You'll question, you'll ask and you'll show the interest of freeing your Self. In such a state one can attain the Light of Truth.
To attain the knowledge of discrimination, the knowledge of the Self it is important to approach the Guru with faith, shraddha, because if you don't have faith everything is of no use.
People can approach a wise Guru without faith, even bow down to him, serve him, and ask him questions just to prove their own pride. But without showing their faith they will not attain the Supreme knowledge. So, people can be hypocrite, they can pretend to serve the Master, they can pretend to love the Master but they will not receive True Knowledge. Because if one is not doing everything with full faith, everything else, all the actions will be fruitless. Therefore faith is a principal factor which contributes to attaining Divine Knowledge.”
To attain the knowledge of discrimination, the knowledge of the Self it is important to approach the Guru with faith, shraddha, because if you don't have faith everything is of no use.
People can approach a wise Guru without faith, even bow down to him, serve him, and ask him questions just to prove their own pride. But without showing their faith they will not attain the Supreme knowledge. So, people can be hypocrite, they can pretend to serve the Master, they can pretend to love the Master but they will not receive True Knowledge. Because if one is not doing everything with full faith, everything else, all the actions will be fruitless. Therefore faith is a principal factor which contributes to attaining Divine Knowledge.”
Testimony:
"Chapter 4 was very nice because there were some verses talking about the Guru, and what it means to have a Guru in your life. Swami connected scriptures to our daily life, and explained how even in the scriptures talks about the importance of Guru in one's life." - Swami Vishwasharadaananda (short: Swami Sharada), Latvia
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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.