Flight, Fright & Fight

 

Flight, Fright & Fight - Summary of Bhagavad Geeta Chapter 1 

Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayanandaji used to say – What we meet in life is fate, how we meet it is our free will. The first chapter of the Geeta, Arjun Viṣhāda Yoga, demonstrates this very clearly. The purpose of this first chapter is to show to us :

1. what is the human response to any challenge

2. what is the destructive power of any attachment

3. how to diagnose the root cause of our problem 

4. to establish the need for clarity & purity

The first chapter begins with Dhritarāshtra asking Sanjaya :

धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः |

मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत सञ्जय | 

dharma-kṣhetre kuru-kṣhetre samavetā yuyutsavaḥ

māmakāḥ pāṇḍavāśhchaiva kimakurvata sañjaya (BG 1.1)

Dhritarāshtra is the old blind king. He is completely blinded by his attachment to his own sons and he acts in a tāmasika way. What is his duty as a king, he is not able to do. And as a result of that, this war has become imminent. From the position of a king, where he could have controlled the entire situation, and the war need not have happened, he comes down to a helpless position to ask his charioteer, ‘what did my children and Pandu’s children do, having assembled in the sacred war-field of Kurukshetra?’

There is regret, there is guilt and his heart is very heavy. This is the ‘flight response’, where he did not do his duty, and as a result, the fight, the war has become imminent. And now there is fright in his heart. 

Dhritarāshtra literally means धृतं राष्ट्रं येन सः (dhritam rāshtram yena sah), who has held the kingdom which is not his. He is the symbol of tamas who makes us question – what is it that we are holding on to? What is the attachment we are holding on to which is preventing us from doing our duties? Whether it is exercise, whether it is spiritual sādhanā, whether it is some achievement in the goal, what is it that we are attached to? What is it that prevents us from doing what we have to do?

The first line of the Geeta, dharma-kṣhetre kuru-kṣhetre, urges all of us, that in each role of life, we must do our duties with dedication & commitment. There should not be any lacuna or lethargy in that. kṣhetre kṣhetre dharmam kuru. 

It is said the Geeta is to tell us what exactly is our dharma. the first word is dharma and the last word is mama. So mama-dharma. What is my dharma? Being so attached to his own son, he was not able to do his duty as a king and he discriminated psychologically. ‘My children and Pandu’s children!’ Attachment does this to us, where it distracts us from our duties, makes us do what we should not be doing and then we land up in regret. When Sanjay was asked by Dhritarāshtra, what did my children and Pandu’s children do, Sanjay replies first about his children. So he speaks about Duryodhana.

Duryodhana is the symbol of rajo-guna, where he is attached to power, position. He is very greedy and insecure. The inferiority that his father had, has influenced him also tremendously. So he continuously compares himself with the Pandavas and tries to prove that he is stronger and greater than the Pandavas. He has jealousy against the Pandavas, and his whole life and his potential was wasted just because of this inferiority and jealousy. It has compelled to do adharma, though he knows that this is adharma. Hence, in the battlefield, there is tremendous fear, insecurity and stress in his mind. And yet he does not exhibit that. In fact, he goes to his teacher 

आचार्यमुपसङ्गम्य राजा वचनमब्रवीत्

āchāryamupasaṅgamya rājā vachanamabravīt (BG 1.2)

He goes to teacher, but instead of surrendering and opening up and seeking guidance, his ego prevents him and he instead taunts his teacher and comes back.

Duryodhana is a symbol of disintegration. He is something else inside and something else outside. Stress, worries, fears inside., but outside there is a false show of strength. The literal meaning of Duryodhana is one who is invincible in war. Yet all his strength was robbed away because of his adharma.

So Duryodhana makes us think – what is it that we are attached to, where we are compelled to do adharmic things. And how it affects our morale, how it affects our inner strength. And when we face challenges of life, how we are not even able to open up and seek guidance. Our own ego prevents us. 

Thus Duryodhana’s response is a ‘fright response’. He is scared from inside. He does not confess to his teacher and that is his ‘flight response’. And he wants to fight and prove his superiority and to destroy the Pandavas. He is so overwhelmed that he does not even know how to conduct himself in front of the teacher. He not only taunts the teacher but he also starts listing the Pandeva warriors – Bhima, Arjuna, Yuyudhāna, Virāta, Drupada, Sātyaki; many names he gives. And he sees that his teacher is very upset with his behaviour. And therefore he lists down the warrior from his side also, just in one verse. For Pandavas there is a long list. In one of the verses Duryodhana even says, our army is very vast but insufficient to win over them. Their army is limited, but sufficient to win. This shows how Duryodhana was feeling deep inside. 

The Kauravas had eleven akshauhinis and the Pandavas had only seven. Still Duryodhana feels weak. Looking at this behaviour of Duryodhana, Bhishma Pitamaha realises that this is going to break the morale of the whole army, and therefore he blows the conch. Technically now, the Kauravas are the aggressors on the Pandavas. Pandavas are the defenders. Once Bhishma blows the conch, many drums and trumpets and many things start blowing. 

It is at time that Sri Krishna and Arjuna seated in this divine chariot, also blow their conches. Many warriors and their names are given, and their conches that they blow, their names are given. And very confidently Arjuna tells the Lord :

सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये रथं स्थापय मेऽच्युत

senayor ubhayor madhye rathaṁ sthāpaya me ’chyuta (BG 1.21)

O Achyuta, the one who never falls, please place my chariot between the two armies so that I can see all the warriors who have come to fight me. Bhagawān does his duty as a charioteer, and showing the Kaurava army, he tells Arjuna :

उवाच पार्थ पश्यैतान्समवेतान्कुरूनिति

uvācha pārtha paśhyaitān samavetān kurūn iti (BG 1.25)

O Partha, behold the kurus who are assembled here. These are the five words that Bhagawān spoke - pārtha paśhya etān samavetān kurūn. These are the only five words that Sri Krishna speaks throughout the first chapter. He just listens to all the arguments that Arjuna gives after these five words. And in these five words, it is the last word kuru that triggers the downfall of Arjuna. Suddenly he realises that these are my family members. Bhagawān could have said these are soldiers, but he said kurus. That one word triggered his fall. Arjuna was extremely confident and in fact when Yudhiṣṭhira was feeling low on the eve of the war, Arjuna asked Yudhiṣṭhira, on whose side is Krishna? 

Yudhiṣṭhira says, on our side. 

‘Will Krishna support adharma?’

Yudhiṣṭhira says no.

‘Why are you doubting whether we should fight or not?

So Arjuna has cheered up Yudhiṣṭhira and he was very confident. Arjuna had prepared himself for twelve years in the forest, acquiring divine missiles and weapons, including pāshupat-astra, etc. for this day. And when he is face-to-face with the challenge, Arjuna sees his grand-father, his teacher, his brothers, his uncles, his sons, his grand-sons, all his family members. And that mighty warrior suddenly collapses. 

Pujya Gurudev used to say, before the exam the student is wise, after the exam the student is equally wise, but in the exam the student is otherwise. So Arjuna says to the Lord :

दृष्ट्वेमं स्वजनं कृष्ण युयुत्सुं समुपस्थितम्

dṛiṣhṭvemaṁ sva-janaṁ kṛiṣhṇa yuyutsuṁ samupasthitam (BG 1.28)

Arjuna says, ‘O Lord, I am seeing my own relatives here.’ And he decided that he does not want to fight the war. He makes up various excuses. 

One is to have logical thinking and come to a conclusion. But Arjuna has already come to a conclusion and now he builds up all the excuses. 

This is his ‘flight response’. The attachments in Arjuna invoked the fright in him and hence the flight response. He doesn’t want to do his duty. He wants to go away into the forest.

So he starts describing one by one, various arguments. First he says, the omens are not right. Then he describes the physical symptoms that I am shivering, I am sweating, my skin is dry, my teeth are chattering, I am not even able to hold the bow. The bow falls from his hand. He is not even able to stand and his mind is whirling.

Emotionally, he says, ‘I don’t want victory, I don’t want enjoyment, I don’t want the kingdom. How can we enjoy all killing our own people? It is better they kill us, than we fight them. I don’t even want the three worlds. What to talk about this earth and this kingdom!’

Intellectually he says, ‘They are blinded by greed, but why should we fall them to their level? What will we get by killing these felons? We will only incur sin.’ 

In fact the duty of a kshatriya is to destroy the felons. Here Arjuna has got completely deluded.

Culturally, he says the war would destroy able-bodied, young people; people who are capable of earning, who are dynamic. And with this, there would also be financial losses, psychological trauma of the war, families will get destroyed. And when the families get destroyed, then the family values, the family culture (each family has a unique culture), the family traditions, the values, the disciplines, the rituals, the family deity worship; the specific unique things that each family used to follow, all this is kula-dharma, and all this will get destroyed. Those cultural values cannot be passed on, cannot be practiced. 

And family being the basic unit of society, many families getting destroyed would destroy the whole society. The fabric of society would get completely disturbed. When the families are destroyed, the family values go through destruction. Then there is adharma in the whole society. Because there is no provide, there is no attitude of living without compromise. The honour of the family, the glory of the family is forgotten. There would be widespread adharma.

One would follow corrupt ways. This will also bring danger to the women in the society. They would be left unprotected. And the progress of a society is judged by the security and the safety of the women. Especially when the kshatriyas are destroyed, the protectors are destroyed. There would be widespread abuse and violence on the women. The men and women ratio, the gender ratio will be completely imbalanced. There would be adharma in the whole society. 

Also the varna-vyavasthā will be completely disturbed. People would not be able to follow what their inherent passion is. If people cannot follow what they truly are made for, there would be frustration. Imagine an engineer who is forced to become a doctor and conduct an operation in the operation theatre. Or imagine a doctor who is asked to make a plan and execute the construction of a bridge. How disastrous it would be for the society when people do not do what they are meant for. Such frustrated individuals, when they come together, the general morality in the society also would fall. The young men and women, they mix with each other, blinded just by lust. There is no focus on better evolution, better culture. So naturally, there would be an unhealthy intermingling of individuals with incompatible cultural traits in marriage, living together, trying to start a family; would create a lot of disturbance in the society. 

There would be no satisfaction in work, there is no prosperity in the society. In the families, there is lot of conflict. 

Hence, as a result, the family being the basic unit of society, when that family unit gets destroyed, the culture in the whole society would get destroyed.

Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayanandaji :

"In the west, the individual is the unit in the community. Each individual has got his own rights and duties. In the east, India and China, and to an extent Russia also, it is not the individual the unit of the society, it is the family. Therefore even today, the family tie is strong and not the individual arrogance. Here (in the west) if a brother is successful and his younger brother is in losses and suffering, the younger brother will not get one cent from the elder brother. The elder brother says, ‘You try your best. It is your luck.’

In India it is not so. If one brother has got a job, all his brothers and other families are together eating from that one income. Therefore even though they say that 27% is the unemployment, 30% is the unemployment, nothing happens there. Nobody starves. Why? If one fellow has got an income, one grandfather has got some pension coming, that will do. The whole family will eat. The family unit. All the beauties of this are forgotten in the modern craze of selfishness that each individual, ‘I and my wife, we will live together, we don’t care what happens to the whole world. And even that, I and my wife also, a sacrifice is necessary, and that is also too much, and therefore. ‘I alone!’. Each individual has become selfish, and therefore there is no integrity of the community, of the society. The feeling that we are all belonging to one family. There is a greater affinity between the members of the family. But if there is so much of overdosage of selfishness has come into the individual, the individual is shattered." 

So, Arjuna gave physical reasons, emotional reasons, intellectual reasons, cultural reasons, social reasons, and he also says, spiritually speaking, when the family traditions break down, each individual becomes highly selfish, individualistic, materialistic. They do not follow the higher ways of life that their ancestors have taught them. Many karmas like shrāddha will not be performed. As a result, even the ancestors will fall. And one would incur more and more sin and ultimately one would go to hell and suffer. 

Finally :

विसृज्य सशरं चापं शोकसंविग्नमानस:

visṛijya sa-śharaṁ chāpaṁ śhoka-saṁvigna-mānasaḥ (BG 1.47)

Arjuna has thrown away his bow and arrow and he is completely dejected, despondent, depressed; and he has come down from the chariot. He has not yet surrendered to the Lord, but he has resigned that I don’t want to fight. Symbolically he has given up his duty as well as his capability of self-effort and purushārtha. From a hero he has fallen into a victim mode. 

When one reads the arguments of Arjuna in the first chapter, one would feel that he is justified in all that he said and that he should not fight the war. Buy Pujya Gurudev says this is called misplaced compassion. It is his duty to fight as a kshatriya, to protect righteousness. But he took the war personally and he got distracted from his own duties because of his attachment to his own people.

For a moment if we think, if Bhishma and Drona were not there, would he have said all these things? So it is the attachment that completely clouded his vision. And the duty of a kshatriya is active resistance to evil. From that state of active resistance to evil, he falls to this passive response where he wants to take flight into the forest. 

Dhritarāshtra, Duryodhana and Arjuna, all the three characters are having some or the other attachment, and each of their attachments leads them only to sorrow. So the principle in life is – Deeper the attachment greater is our sorrow. What exactly is attachment? 

Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayanandaji :

"Attachment is very well known to every one of you. Every one of us have got some attachment or the other. But the attachment of each individual may be different from each other. You are attached to the mother, another is attached to the father, another is attached to the wife and another is attached to the children. Some are attached to their profession, some are attached to power, some are attached to money or wealth. Think! 

“No Swamiji, you have never told what my attachment is. I am not attached to all these things.” 

“Then in that case, you are attached to your dog.”

“That is right. I am attached to my dog.”

Without some attachment you cannot live. If any one of you says, “Swamiji, I have no attachments”, all that I can tell you is lie down there. After the lecture we will attend to your funeral. Why?

When there is no attachment you are dead! Attachment, everyone has got. Every one of you, think of your attachment. Whatever be that attachment. And try to verbalise what do you mean by attachment. Attachment is a feeling. Luckily, it is not physical. If physically you and I are attached to things, you can’t move about. Because I am attached to my wife and my children and my property and my factory, my business  or my house. How can you move? … attached to.

It is not physical. It is mental. Analyse. What do you mean by in the mind an attachment? A mere though. A stream of thoughts by which we tie ourselves to things and being in the world outside. It is only the mind a stream of thoughts by which we tie ourselves to the word outside. So when I say that I am attached to mother or father or whatever it is, it means that I am complete only with that being or thing. Minus that being or thing, I am the less for it. I am not complete in myself. 

I plus my mother; life is wonderful. Minus my mother, I don’t know what to do.

I and my wife; beautiful life. Minus my wife I have no hope of getting another wife. 

Silly feeling… just a feeling.

This is called attachment. So attachment is a thought bondage. A thought-bondage; what is it? It includes “I” plus “I want”.

Think again and again, before taking down your notes. Think! “I” plus “I want”.

This feeling towards anything in the world or any being in the world is called attachment. "

So beautifully Poojya Gurudev defined attachment as “I” plus “I want”. A psychological dependence. A thought bondage. And it is this attachment that overwhelms us. 

The first purpose of this chapter was to demonstrate the human response to a challenge. All three of them responded differently. 

Dhritarāshtra out of tamas, Duryodhana out of rajas. Arjuna also responded out of rajas. 

But finally we see, in the second chapter we could go ahead and surrender to the Lord. That is when sattva guna in him has helped him to surrender.

Situation remaining the same, the response of each one is as per their mind.

Second : Attachment is the cause of sorrow. Hence in life, we should identify what are our attachments and strive to overcome these attachments. If we justify these attachments, they can bring our downfall and more and more sorrow. And these attachments overwhelm us. We saw that the three characters are overwhelmed by their attachments. Pujya Gurudev used to say, “Let not the storms of your heart cover the sun in your head!”

So the storms of Arjuna’s heart clouded the thinking in the head and he was not able to do his duty. Physically he collapsed. So attachment has a pervasive effect on the personality. Body, mind, intellect; all the three collapse because of attachments. Even in computers, tablets, iPhones, the virus comes in through attachments. 

Third : This also shows us the lack of role clarity. Attachment completely eclipsed the role clarity in Arjuna. The role clarity that he is the soldier to protect righteousness as a duty was eclipsed by his role as a student, as a grandson, as a relative.

In our lives also there is admixture of roles that happen.  Which role should be given priority at what time in our life, we should be clear about that. And most of the time, it is attachment that brings us down. 

We know that we have to prepare, we have to study, but some IPL match is there, and our mind is distracted. We know we have to get up in the morning and let us do meditation first. But we get on with the phone and mind becomes extroverted. Being attached to the role as a professional, I am not able to give enough time to my family. Being very attached in my role as a parent I am not able to see the child objectively and I am not able to give space to my child.

As a student I know that I must study. But coming under peer pressure, I bunk the classes, I don’t pay attention to the studies. 

So different roles get mixed up because of attachment, and hence the need for role clarity in life. There are various roles that we play in life. But the main cause of confusion in the roles is absence of ‘soul clarity’. When soul-clarity is missing, role clarity will be missing.

As Pujya Gurudev used to say, “Non-apprehension of the reality creates the misapprehension.” When I don’t know who am I, one or the other role becomes predominant. I get attached, I derive my sense of identity from it and I am not able to do my duties towards the other roles. So while I may learn how to balance the roles and do my duties in all the roles objectively, I should also enquire into who am I as a soul. What is my true nature? And that soul-clarity is the solution for all the confusions and problems of life. 

Sri Krishna begins his treatment in the second chapter with the knowledge of the soul. Because that is the root cause of all our problems. The diagnosis of the root cause must be done to permanently cure the disease.

One patient went to a doctor and said, “Doctor, please save me doctor! Please help me.” So the doctor said, “What happened?”

“Doctor, my neighbour was diagnosed of typhoid and he died of jaundice. I am very scared doctor. I also have typhoid doctor. Please help me.”

So the doctor said, “Don’t worry. When I diagnose a patient of typhoid, then the patient dies only of typhoid.”

So the diagnosis is very important. What is the root cause of the disease, has to be found out. And the root cause of the disease is ignorance of the Self. As a result of which we think we are this finite limited individual. And then we get confused about our roles. So it is said that our identity determines our purpose. We may have different roles and identities and different purposes in each of them. But what is our true identity, independent of all the other roles we are playing? That identity, we must be very clear about.

As Pujya Gurudev would say, Geeta is the Krishna cure for the Arjuna disease. Arjuna disease is the disease of samsāra that all of us are in. And Krishna cure is the soul-clarity. When we gain the soul-clarity, the non-apprehension goes away. Because the ignorance of ‘Who am I?’ is the cause of all sorrows. When that is destroyed, we are able to pick up our bow and arrow, go ahead and do our duties, attain success and fame. 

Sri Krishna does not just treat the symptoms. He does not give a pep talk to Arjuna that ‘Come on Arjuna, you can do it, it is in you! You have already defeated the Kauravas earlier. Get up! Awaken the potential in you.’

Bhagawān doesn’t give him a pep talk. He gives him Self-knowledge which is the permanent cure of this disease. 

Now we find that in the first chapter, all the three characters had someone or the other to guide them. Dhritarāshtra had Sanjaya, Duryodhana had Dronāchārya, Arjuna had Sri Krishna. But Dhritarāshtra and Duryodhana are not even able to open up, nor get any advice or follow it. But Arjuna opens up to the Lord and Bhagawān gives him the knowledge. That is the power of purity of mind and sattva guna. it is sattva in us that helps us surrender and to admit that I don’t know anything. And hence Arjuna’s vishāda becomes his prasād. His sorrow, his dejection, also becomes a blessing for him because of the sattva guna in him. Literally the meaning of the word Arjuna is – the one who is straightforward; ṛjutvāt arjunah. 

Arjuna did not have an ego issue that how can I open to Sri Krishna. Nor did he have an ego issue that what will the others think. I am a great warrior and amidst the two armies, I am here. If I collapse what will everyone else think? He was straightforward, he opened up his heart and he told the Lord what he felt.

So may the Lord’s grace and blessings be with us so that we may invoke the sattva in us, become straightforward like Arjuna, surrender to the Lord and get cured of this Arjuna-disease.

You can watch the recording here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSIyY3EKU6o 

Real

 

The sky is it really blue?

The earth is flat, is it true?

The oceans are they truly blue?

The individuality is it really You?

What appears, need not be Real

What is Real, appears Unreal

All that we see is an appearance of the Real

Go beyond all appearances to know what is Real

When we arrive at what is Real

We understand that appearances never manifested from the Real

What is Real alone is Real. 

Think! What is Real?

Life is not a race

Life is not a race

We have to travel at our own pace

Challenges and obstacles we have to face

Remember! Every moment there is Grace

There is nothing and no one to Chase

In relationships we have to give space

Each one goes through their own phase

If they falter and fall, let them tie their lace

We don’t have to reach any place

We are going places hit by the ignorance-mace

If we don’t turn within, we will be a gone-case

When we turn within, we will realise we are the Ace

Our true Nature we have to Trace

Then we come home to OM - that’s beyond Space

Life is not a race

We have to travel at our own pace

Human Resource Management in Valmiki Ramayana

In the Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kanda Chapter 100 Verses 22 to 35 Lord Rama enquires from his brother Bharata about how he manages his human resources

1. I hope you prefer one learned man to thousand man to thousands of fools inasmuch as a learned man is calculated to do immense good in financial crises.
2. I hope high-class servants are entrusted by you with important duties, middling ones with second-rate affairs and third-grade servants with menial duties.
3. I hope you entrust first-rate ministers, who are past(all) tests (of loyalty), are hereditary servants of the crown and honest, with the highest duties.
4. He who does not get rid of a physician adept in devices of aggravating a malady, a servant intent on bringing disgrace (to his master) and a gallant warrior seeking kingly power is (himself) killed (by these).
5. I hope a man who is (ever) pleased and full of resolution, gallant and talented, spotless (of character) and well-born , devoted and clever, has been appointed (by you) as the generalissimo?
6. I hope you distribute (daily) provisions and disburse the (monthly) salary due to them at the opportune time in a suitable manner and do not defer their payment.
7. Salaried servants surely and positively get enraged even at their master when the distribution of their provisions and the disbursal of their salary are delayed and that (itself) is a very great harm done (to the State).
8. Has a man of your own state, who is learned, clever, ready-witted and capable of delivering messages correctly, nay, who is able to distinguish between right and wrong been appointed by you as an ambassador, O Bharata?
9. I hope you remain ever mindful of your enemies expelled (from their home by you) and since returned, even though they are (apparently) weak, O destroyer of foes!
10. I  hope all your workmen do not appear unhesitatingly before you nor are they kept (altogether) out of your sight. (In fact) a middle course is undoubtedly profitable in this behalf.
11. Do you keep an eye on the eighteen functionaries of the enemies and the fifteen functionaries of your own side through three unknown spies told off for each?

18 Chapters of Chinmaya Life & Srimad Bhagavad Geeta

Poojya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda dedicated His life to Bhagavad Geeta. 18 points below represent chapter-wise the essence of Geeta and 18 aspects of Poojya Gurudev.  

1. Krishna: Poojya Gurudev is the Krishna who made us aware of our bondage and its root cause like Sri Krishna brought the chariot amidst the two armies in Kurukshetra.  We were unaware that we are bound and there is a state of liberation that we can attain.
2. Satguru:  He alone is our Satguru who gave us the knowledge of the Infinite Self and demonstrated to us how a Sthitaprajna lives. We are fortunate to be HIS Disciples.  
3. Karrma Yogi:  What is Karma and Karma Yoga became clear to us when we observed HIM serve.  His actions were dedicated to the Supreme Lord, to Mother Shruti, to His Gurus.  He was deeply dedicated to Bhaarat and fought for its political, cultural and spiritual freedom throughout His life as a ‘Revolutionary’
4. Avataar:  The Lord takes Avataar from time to time, to revive Dharma.  Revival of Hindu Culture was very close to Poojya Gurudev’s heart.  Geeta and Upanishad Jnana Yagnas, Sandeepany Sadhanalyaas, Grassroot Activities, Commentaries & publications, Temples, Courses, Ashrams, organisations like Vishwa Hindu Parishad etc. were formed/undertaken by Him for Hindu Cultural Revival.  Converting Hindus to Hinduism is a core part of His Vision. We should not lose focus of this. 
5. Samadarshi: He lived in the world with complete detachment, like the Lotus Leaf.  He gave knowledge to everyone irrespective of caste, community, creed, gender, poverty, wealth, nationality etc.  He had equal vision towards all.  Let us also cultivate this vision of equality.  
6. Dhyaana Yogi:  Though he was dynamic for 18-20 hours a day, he was a Dhyana Yogi whose mind was like a flame without a flicker.  Established in the state of Meditation, he taught us how to contemplate step by step and discover the state of Meditation.
7. Jnaanii-Bhakta:  Of the 4 types of Bhaktas(Afflicted, Desirer & Inquirer, Knower), He is the Jnani Bhakta(Knower) who is one with the Lord and the dearest to the Lord too.  He is the One Invisible thread who binds all diversity.  
8. OM-Swami:  He is the Imperishable OM and who was called “Om- Swami” by many who have heard His reverberating Om chanting as soon as He wakes up or in the Geeta Jnana Yagnas or Meditation session.  His way of writing OM is unique and its called Gurudev’s OM.  His signature has it.  He spoke on one of His favourite Upanishads -Mandukya Upanishad which elaborates about OM.  He is OM.  
9. Prabhu & Gati(Goal & Means):  He is THE Goal & the means, the one who nourishes us, our abode and our well-wisher who does good to us even when we have not done nothing for HIM.  He is the Lord who creates, sustains and destroys. He is the imperishable seed of Love, inspiration and much more. 
10. Geetaa-Aachaarya: He is the Vibhooti of the Lord.  Amongst all the Geeta-Acharyas, the Lord is Chinmaya who made Geeta accessible to all with His innovative, creative and unique ways. 
11. Kartaa & Vishwaroop: - He is the Real Doer in us and we are His instruments. His work will happen with or without us.  We only have to be grateful and available to Him. His Vision and Vishwarup encompasses and extends far beyond the Chinmaya Mission.  
12. Saguna & Nirguna-Yogi:  He loved Lord Shiva and did japa of Om Namah Shivaya throughout His life.  He also did contemplation on Self and lived as Pure Consciousness.  He is our samuddharta(Saviour) from Samsaar-Sagar(Ocean of Transmigration)
13. Kshetrajna(Seer):  He is the Ultimate Imperishable Seer of everything that is perishable and seen.  In us, He is the Knower, the Goal to be known and Knowledge.  He is the Purusha who enlivens the Prakriti.  
14. Gunaateeta:  Playing in the realm of the 3 Gunas(Sattva, Rajas, Tamas), He is beyond 3 Gunas (Gunaateeta).  
15. Uttama Purusha:  Supreme Purusha in our hearts is He.  He is the fire in us who digests our food. He is our memory, knowledge and the ability to let go.  He is the Jnana-Chakshu(Eye of Intuitive Wisdom) in us.  
16. Shaastra-Jnaataa:  A Divine person who questioned, explored, studied, accepted and lived the Scriptures.  He encouraged us to do the same and made us independent by connecting us to the scriptures.   
17. Shraddhaavaan:  An embodiment of faith, he lived a life of Sattvik Yagna, Tapas, Ahaar, Daana. Om Tat Sat is His nature.  May we live this way-of-life.  
18. Yogeshwara:  He is the Yogeshwara Krishna who destroys the delusion of Arjunas like us, through His Geetopadesha. He continues to transform dejected Arjunas to dynamic warriors who go on to do their duty and become successful.
    
    Om Geeta-Chinmayaaya Namaha 

Bhagavad Geeta Tips for Corona-War

What should be a spiritual seeker's response to Corona Pandemic?  Many have asked me this question in the last few days.  Bhagavad Geeta was given in the battle-field where there was a war between Dharma & Adharma.  Here are 2 tips from each chapter of the Bhagavad Geeta to fight the Corona Pandemic successfully.  

Geeta Chapter 1

1. Arjuna was caught unaware.  He was not prepared for this crisis.  He had acquired skills for the war but did not prepare emotionally to handle his own attachments and he was overwhelmed by them. He underestimated the crisis and the fact that this time he did not have to defeat the opponents but actually destroy them.
   We have to understand the gravity of the Corona Crisis.  Neither underestimate it nor overestimate it and panic.  Many countries like Italy, Iran etc. are paying the price of not being alert and of underestimating the Corona crisis.  The countries who took precautions have been able to contain the spread of the Virus - Hongkong, Singapore, Taiwan etc.  India has been alert and we should aid the Govt. in all efforts to contain the spread by all adequate measures required, including social distancing. We are at a crucial stage right now. The next few weeks are extremely critical.   https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-enters-critical-phase-in-fight-against-covid-19/articleshow/74665879.cms  
2. The first chapter of the Geeta is full of justifications and excuses of Arjuna why he does not want to fight the war.  There are many people who are still giving lame excuses and justifications in the name of not panicking, and are not taking enough care.  Inspite of strict instructions not to gather in public and not to have social functions etc. some people are taking it casually.  Some are hosting / attending public programmes, organising social events at home etc. 
   “Everything we do before a pandemic will seem alarmist. Everything we do after a pandemic will seem inadequate.” This is the dilemma we face, but it should not stop us from doing what we need to do. 
   Importance of Social distancing can be viewed here where it clearly shows how an exponential growth in cases happens if we do not take enough precautions - https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/
   Another very well researched article which emphasises the steps we need to take - https://medium.com/@tomaspueyo/coronavirus-act-today-or-people-will-die-f4d3d9cd99ca  

Geeta Chapter 2

3. In the 7^th verse, Arjuna surrenders with humility and becomes open to instructions(Shishyaste aham shaadhi maam tvaam prapannam).  We must learn to take precautions and identify symptoms: 
   
4. Remember the Immortal, Indestructible and Imperishable nature of the Self(Atma) and derive strength from it. (Verse 23 -Nainam Chindanti Shashtrani…. Weapons cannot cleave it, fire cannot burn it, water cannot wet it and wind cannot dry it.).  Do not give-in to fear or fear-mongering.  Fear brings down our immunity.     

Geeta Chapter 3

5. Do your obligatory duties(Verse 8 - Niyatam Kuru Karma Tvam). Do not avoid obligatory duties in the name of not panicking. Eg. Washing hands again and again in normal circumstances could be an example of OCD(Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). But in Corona Virus situation, it is an obligatory duty. 
   Exercising is obligatory. If we cannot go to the GYM or Parks or Beach etc. find other ways to do exercise at home.  Yoga, Zumba, Stretches, Treadmill@home etc. can be done.
   Cancelling programmes, classes, events or shifting them to online, to avoid public gatherings is a duty, not a sign of panic.  Incase you have a doubt if you did the right thing by cancelling, please read this article that was tweeted by Barack Obama: https://www.vox.com/2020/3/10/21171481/coronavirus-us-cases-quarantine-cancellation   If you still haven’t cancelled some of the public events / shut places where public can gather, then please do it now.  Better to be safe, than sorry. 
6. Mutually co-operating with each other we can attain the highest(Verse 11 - Parasparam Bhavayantah Shreyah Paramavapsyatha).  Individuals, families, religious organisations, Large Corporations, SMEs, Doctors, Schools, Entertainment industries, Malls, Govts…..Everyone has to come together and support each other and not indulge in blame game.  We are together in this.  What we do affects everyone else - positively and negatively.  What happens to others will also affect us equally.  Vedanta says we are all connected. Remember the concepts of Virat, Hiranyagarbha & Ishwara?  This is the time to apply them. 
   Dedicate this for the well-being of yours, your family, community, country and world at large.  This is called Yagna-spirit(Verse9 - Tadartham karma kaunteya muktasangah samachara).  Economic crisis, banking crisis, corona crisis…..Everyone is going through tough times.  This is the time to be Selfless, Caring & Understanding.  Google has set up fund to offer paid sick leave to contractors and temp workers who can't work due to COVID-19 symptoms or quarantines. We must realise the value of our most important and irreplaceable asset - human beings.  We can be caring in our own ways.  If we can’t set up funds like them, we can atleast have conversations with our employees/workers/everyone who is a help at home/work etc. and support them in whatever way we can - financially, emotionally etc.  They would understand and appreciate it.
   

Geeta Chapter 4

7. Offer all functions of the senses and the functions of the breath in the fire of the Yoga of Self-restraint, kindled by knowledge.(Verse 27 - Sarvani-Indiriya-Karmani Prana Karmani Chapare Atma-samyama yogaagnau juhvati jnana deepite ).  We learn about sense control, mind control, withdrawal, forbearance, faith and absorption(Shatka-Sampatti in Vedanta).  This is the right time to invoke all these 6 qualities and live in self-control.  Avoid touching the face with the hands(Dama). Let the mind be calm(Shama).  Make good use of the time by reducing socialising and going out(Uparama). It may be uncomfortable to be home bound. But have forbearance(Titiksha).  Have faith in the Higher(Shraddha) & Absorb yourself(Samadhana) in the following: Work from home. Develop a hobby. Catch up on sleep. Get quality “Me-Time”. Spend time with the immediate family….. Take it as a positive step rather than a restriction imposed by some authority.
8. One who has faith discovers the Supreme.(Verse 39 - Shraddhavaan labhate Jnanam Tatparah samyatendriyaha Jnanam labdhvaa paraam-shantim achirenadhi gacchati).  Faith is the antidote of fear.  Invoke more and more faith in yourself, in the Supreme, in the Guru-parampara and the time-tested wisdom of Vedanta.  Brave die but once. Cowards, every moment. 
   

Geeta Chapter 5

9. Be detached like the Lotus leaf(Verse 10 - Brahmani adhaya karmani…..Lipyate na sa paapena Padma-patram ivambhasa).  Do the best and leave the rest.  Do not be obsessed the whole day with Corona Virus.  Focus on positive aspects.  
10. With the whole being(Body, Mind & Intellect) seek a Higher Purpose / Supreme.(Verse 17 - Tad-buddhayah Tad-Atmanaha Tannishtha Tatparayanaha).  Higher the goal, greater the inspiration.  In the absence of a Higher purpose, our mind becomes petty.  The Higher purpose can be maintaining Equanimity, being Selfless, doing Service, cultivating Purity of mind, discovering Freedom etc. 
    

Geeta Chapter 6

11. Lift yourself by yourself. No one else can do it for you. (Verse 5 - Uddharet Atmana-Atmanam Na atmanam avasadayet).  Already the spirits of people are low.  Don’t add to it. Be the One who empowers and inspires oneself and others.  Be careful of what you forward on social media.  Many fake news and forwards are doing rounds.  
12. Be calm, fearless and established in self-control.  Emotionally tune-up to the Divine through Meditation.(Verse 14 - Prashant-Atma Vigata-bhihi Brahmachari-Vrate Stitaha Manah Samyamya Macchitaha Yukta Asita matparaha).  We have Freaked-out enough.  This is the opportune time to “FREAK-IN”.  Meditate daily.  Sleep well so that your immunity is stronger and you can meditate well too.(Verse 17- Yukta Svapna-Avabodhasya yogo bhavati dukhaha) 
    

Geeta Chapter 7

13. We all are like different pearls strung together in a necklace, bound by a common thread.(Verse 7 - Sutre Manigana iva).  Be proud of the efforts that India has taken to rescue not only Indians stranded in China, Iran etc. but also helped the citizens of other nations, including our neighbours.  We respect everyone as manifestations of the Divine and greet each other with Namaste - implying that I salute the Divinity in You.  Today the whole world has adapted Namaste to greet each other.  Watch a video of Swami Chinmayananda on Namaste.  
14. The strength of the strong that is devoid of selfishness and attachment is the manifestation of the Divine.(Verse 11 - Balam Balavatam chaaham Kamaraaga vivarjitam)  So many people including all the health workers, Govt. workers, airport and airline staff, transport workers, army, many others are serving in these difficult times, risking their own health and safety.  Say a prayer for them and their families. Say a prayer for everyone’s well-being and strength.
    
    Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinaha. 
    Sarve Santu Niramayaha.
    Sarve Bhadrani Pashyantu.
    Ma Kashchit Dukha Bhak Bhavet. 
    
    May everyone be happy.
    May everyone be free from diseases.
    May everyone see the Auspicious.
    May no one suffer. 
    

Geeta Chapter 8

15. Remember the Lord and do the duty.(Verse 7 - Maam anusmara yudhya cha)   Do not neglect or postpone the spiritual practices. The Lord did not say in the Geeta Remember me after your duty.  He said Remember Me and do the duty. It is simultaneous. Not sequential.  Derive strength by remembering the Supreme. 
    Chant Hanuman chalisa / Mrityunjaya Mantra/ Shanti Mantras /OM…..Prayers in any language/culture.  Prayer has great strength.  Do not underestimate it
16. There are two paths by which the Jivatma(Embodied soul) travels after dropping the body.  One is the Solar path(Path of no return) and the other is the Lunar path(Path of return) - (Verse 26 - Shukla-Krishne gati hyete jagatah shashvate mate.…)  There are many who have passed on due to this virus.  Pray that they may get Satgati/ Rest In Peace.  Many Eastern Religions do not believe in Rest in Peace(RIP).  We believe that till the Jivatma does not realize the Self, one takes new bodies as per one’s karma.  Hence pray for departed appropriately. 
    

Geeta Chapter 9

17. The Lord takes care of what we need and protects what we have.(Verse 22 - Yogakshemam Vahamyaham)  Have faith in the Lord, remember the Lord and Surrender all anxieties.  
18. My Devotee shall not perish.(Verse 31 - Na me Bhaktah Pranashyati) The Lord loves all and protects all.  Even those who have departed, the Grace of the Lord is with them.  

Geeta Chapter 10

19. Of all knowledge Im the Spiritual Knowledge (Verse 32 - Adhyatma Vidya Vidyanam).  Spend time in developing Spiritual Strength.  At times of crisis, we need spiritual quotient.  Its not enough to be good and do good. Its important to be Spiritually anchored along with it, to overcome all crisis with calmness.  
20. Of all Spiritual practices, I am Japa(Verse 25 - Yajnanam Japa Yagnosmi).  Mantra Japa is a powerful practice in all cultures.  Choose a mantra. Daily chant the mantra for a fixed quantity and if possible, at the same time of the day. 
    

Geeta Chapter 11

21. I am the Time that is engaged in devouring the world.(Verse 32 - Kaalosmi lokakshayakrt pravrddhaha).  The devotee sees the Lord even in the most challenging times.  The Lord is the Creator, Sustainer & Destroyer. It is His will alone that prevails.  
22. The Lord is the Doer.  We are only instruments. (Verse 33 - Nimitta maatram bhava savyasachin).  We can be noble instruments in the Divine Hands and serve as much as we can. 
    

Geeta Chapter 12

23. Strive out of peace and contentment. Not out of anxiety and stress. Be determined and work hard. (Verse 14- Santushtah satatam yogi yataatma dridhanishchayaha…)  We shall overcome…
24. One who does not disturb the world and is not disturbed by the world, is the dearest to the Supreme.(Verse 15 - Yasmaan na udvijate lokaha lokan na udvijate ca yaha).  Remain calm and composed. Watch a talk on "Calm Amidst Chaos"

Geeta Chapter 13

25. Reflect upon the pains of birth, death, oldage & disease(Verse 8 - Janma-Mrityu-jaraa-vyadhi-dukha-dosha-anudarshanam)   Develop detachment from the body. Reduce the body identification by constant reflection on the pain associated with it.  Sharira means that which is perishing and perishable.  
26. Spend time in solitude and give up(temporarily) gathering together (Verse 10 - Vivikta-desha-sevitvam aratih jana-samsadi)

Geeta Chapter 14

27. Sattva is characterised by Purity, Brilliance, Freedom from Diseases, Knowledge & Happiness(Verse 6 - Tatra sattvam nirmalatvat prakashakam anamayam sukhasangena jnanasangena)  Cultivate Sattva Guna more and more as a seeker.  Be free from psychosomatic diseases, operate out of strength and remain cheerful.  Rajas is characterised by attachment, restlessness & Greed(Verse 7 - Rajo ragatmakam viddhi).  Tamas is characterised by Ignorance, delusion, carelessness, indulgence, procrastination etc.(Verse 8 - Tamastu ajnanajam viddhi… pramaada alasya nidraabhih) Drop the harmful aspects of Rajas and Tamas as a seeker for your safety and others’ safety.     
28. Sattvik ones rise higher. Rajasic ones remain mediocre.  Tamasic ones devolve.(Verse 18 - Urdhvam gacchanti sattvasthaha..)  Sattvik Seeker follows precautions.  Rajasik one resists precautions and Tamasic ones indulge in prohibited actions and suffer.   In life here and hereafter, one who is light rises higher. Sattva makes us rise high in all ways - economically, socially, physically, emotionally, intellectually, spiritually etc.  It brings success without stress. 
    

Geeta Chapter 15

29. The deluded ones don’t perceive the threat.  The wise ones do. (Verse 10 - Vimudhah nanu pashyanti pashyanti jnana-chakshushaha)
30. The Vaishvanara-Agni(metabolic fire) in us which digests the food, is the Lord’s presence in us(Verse 15-Aham vaishvanaro bhutva praninam deham ashritaha).   Pray & Invoke gratitude before eating and know that the Lord nurtures, nourishes and protects us.  Eat mindfully. 
      

Geeta Chapter 16

31. There are those who will not maintain cleanliness, good conduct and Truthfulness(Verse  7 - Na saucham na api ca acharaha na satyam teshu vidyate)  Out of fear, one may hide the symptoms or refuse to get tested or even worse, escape the treatment.  This puts everyone else also at risk. 
32. One should follow the time-tested wisdom of the wise and engage in the do’s and don’ts prescribed by them(Verse 24 - Tasmaat shastram pramanam te karya-akarya vyavasthitau).  One should consult authentic sources and follow their advice and not believe in anything and everything that is unverified or forwarded.  Eg. Should one wear a mask or not.  Refer to this site - https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks?fbclid=IwAR2QgY57cQ12LTeTrl5fLLFgbuM-koEK_MD80D4-OYx18X-mDUvpXxAzO_Y
      

Geeta Chapter 17

33. Eat more of Sattvik food which increases longevity, strength, health, happiness & love(Verse 8 - Ayuh sattva-bala-arogya-sukha-preeti vivardhanah).  Food which is juicy, lubricating, stabilising and which is good for the heart is sattvik.  Eat food that boosts your immunity.  All major meals should be balanced with Carbs, proteins, fats & fibre.  Take Vitamin C. Drink Turmeric milk.
34. Conserve the vitality of the body. At the physical level to live in complete non-violence while making food choices is impossible. What we can do is minimise the violence.  Hence the insistence in spirituality on Vegetarian diet.   It is a form of physical penance. (Verse 14 -Brahmacharyam ahimsa ca shaariram tapa-uchyate)
    

Geeta Chapter 18

35. Develop fortitude and forbearance.  That fortitude which inspires us to control the senses, vital energy and mind for a noble purpose is the Sattvik Fortitude.(Verse 33 - Dhrtyaa yayaa dhaarayate manah pranendriyakriyah… dhritih sa partha sattviki) Tough times don’t last, tough people do.  Be tough and strong.  Be a hero/Master, not a victim of circumstances.  
36. Where spiritual strength and disciplined dynamism are there; prosperity, success and glory will definitely be achieved.(Verse 78 - Yatra yogeshwarah krishnaha yatra partho dhanurdharaha tatra shrihi vijayo bhutihi)

"Alertness is the price you pay for freedom. Alert and vigilant living is a sadhana by itself." - Swami Chinmayananda.   Let us invoke the spiritual alertness & strength, intellectual clarity, mental calmness, & physical disciplines to come out of this crisis stronger.