Shrimad Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 18: Mokṣha Sanyasa Yogam Verse 36 & 37:
(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)
There Are Two Options The “Beneficial” Road And The “Pleasant” Path These Two Guide People In Very Opposite Directions
सुखं त्विदानीं त्रिविधं शृणु मे भरतर्षभ |
अभ्यासाद्रमते यत्र दु:खान्तं च निगच्छति || 18.36||
यत्तदग्रे विषमिव परिणामेऽमृतोपमम् |
तत्सुखं सात्त्विकं प्रोक्तमात्मबुद्धिप्रसादजम् || 18.37||
sukhaṁ tv idānīṁ tri-vidhaṁ śhṛiṇu me bharatarṣhabha
abhyāsād ramate yatra duḥkhāntaṁ cha nigachchhati|| 36||
yat tad agre viṣham iva pariṇāme ‘mṛitopamam
tat sukhaṁ sāttvikaṁ proktam ātma-buddhi-prasāda-jam|| 37||
Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 18- Ver. 36 & 37:
Listen to Me now, O Arjun, as I describe the three types of bliss in which the embodied soul can find joy and even the cessation of all sorrow. Happiness in the mode of goodness is said to be that which at first looks to be poison but ultimately tastes like nectar. It is produced by the unadulterated intellect that is rooted in self-awareness.
Explanation
Shree Krishna addressed the elements of action in the verses before this one. Then he discussed the elements that influence and motivate behaviour. He now moves on to the purpose of the activity. People’s activities are ultimately driven by a desire for happiness.
Everybody wants to be happy, and they all try to find happiness, contentment, and tranquilly via their deeds. However, since each person’s acts vary in their underlying components, so does the enjoyment they gain from their job. The three types of happiness are now explained by Shree Krishna.
According to the verse above, according to Shree Krishna, bliss in the form of goodness initially feels bitter but eventually tastes like nectar. Happiness in the mode of kindness is referred to in the Vedas as “Shreya,” which is uncomfortable in the moment but ultimately advantageous. Preya, on the other hand, is initially enjoyable but ultimately detrimental.
There are two possible routes: the “beneficial” and the “pleasing”. These two guide people in very opposite directions. The delightful starts out enjoyable, but ultimately ends in suffering. The uninformed fall victim to the appealing and die. However, the wise reject its allures, opt for the good, and ultimately find contentment.
Verse & what we can learn
The ultimate aim of every endeavour and activity, is to remove some form of grief. Vaasanas, or deeply ingrained impressions, give rise to ideas, some of which turn into desires, and then those desires become into deeds. The want fades away and the mind is briefly free of desires once the action is finished and the action’s goal has been reached. Joy emerges from this mental calm.
Even the happiness attained as a result of an action, according to Shri Krishna, belongs to Prakrirti. Since actions themselves are in Prakriti, any byproduct of an action is under its purview. As a result, there are three categories into which this joy can be divided: saattvic, raajasic, and taamasic. This implies that the kind of delight attained is intimately tied to the information, the doer, and the activity that lead to that joy. Saattvic joy cannot be attained through a taamasic activity.
Shri Krishna continues by saying that saattvic pleasure is the only way to completely eradicate sadness. This is thus because raajasic and taamasic, the other two categories of delight, are impure and mixed, respectively. There is either a hint of sattva in them or none at all. Additionally, sattvic bliss is so alluring that after tasting it even a little amount, one is so drawn to it that they like engaging in behaviours that produce it. Saattvic bliss is therefore explained in detail in the following shloka.
According to Shri Krishna, sattvic bliss is initially rather painful, but after some time it becomes as lovely as nectar. No spiritual path is simple to embark on at first. One must work selflessly to destroy their ego in karma yoga. For those who have spent their entire lives doubting everything, the leap of faith required for bhakti is challenging. Jnyaana yoga demands a high level of awareness, yet the majority of us live robotic, automated lives where our thinking has already been done for us.
All of these techniques aim to purify the mind by removing its three primary doshas, or flaws: self-centered desire, lack of concentration, and ignorance. We won’t be able to understand the nature of sattvic bliss unless these three flaws are greatly reduced. This delight is distinct from all others we have experienced thus far since it is not influenced by things, people, or circumstances outside of oneself. It originates internally, from the intellect that is focused inward on oneself.
To acquire knowledge and to implement that knowledge in life one needs to be mentally and physically active and healthy and for that daily meditation is a great tool.
There are various types of meditation like Buddhist meditation, heartfulness meditation, mindfulness meditation, meditation for stress, and each meditation benefits are countless. There is also numerous meditation techniques for beginners which help in practicing daily meditation so go ahead and start your journey towards a peaceful and balanced life.
In the next shloka Shri Krishna explains about happiness in the mode of passion.
Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…