Shrimad Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 18: Mokṣha Sanyasa Yogam Verse 54:
(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)
Yogi Sees All Beings With Equal Vision, Realizing That Brahman Is The Foundation Of All Life
ब्रह्मभूत: प्रसन्नात्मा न शोचति न काङ् क्षति |
सम: सर्वेषु भूतेषु मद्भक्तिं लभते पराम् || 18.54||
brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā na śhochati na kāṅkṣhati
samaḥ sarveṣhu bhūteṣhu mad-bhaktiṁ labhate parām|| 18.54||
Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 18- Ver. 54:
When one is in the transcendental Brahman realization, their minds become calm and they stop feeling either desire or grief. Such a yogi attains highest devotion to Me by having a just disposition toward all living things.
Explanation
The final stage of perfection is described by Shree Krishna. Brahma-bhūtaḥ refers to the state of realizing Brahman. Being there makes one prasannātmā, which means calm and unaffected by unpleasant situations. Na śhochati refers to not grieving or feeling unfinished. Na kāṅkṣhati refers to the lack of a desire for something tangible to make one happy.
Such a yogi realizes the basis of Brahman in all living things, viewing all creatures with equal vision. One is positioned on the foundation of realized knowledge in such a state. But Shree Krishna adds a twist by putting an end to the stanza. According to him, after reaching such a level of realization, one can experience parā bhakti (divine love) for God.
The jñānīs are known for suggesting that bhakti should only be practiced as a preliminary step to realizing Brahman. They assert that bhakti is meant to cleanse the heart and that at the end of the trip, only jñāna is left. Therefore, they advise those with strong intellects to disregard devotion and merely pursue knowledge. However, the verse above disproves this claim. According to Shree Krishna, par bhakti develops once one has acquired the highest realization of jñāna.
Verse & what we can learn
Shri Krishna now discusses the outcome of diligently performing the responsibilities of a monk or sanyasi, which were previously covered in the preceding three shlokas. The monk grows to have paraa bhakti, or absolute devotion, for Ishvara. The monk’s devotion to Ishvara grows as he reduces his contact with the world of things and purifies his thoughts.
Total equanimity toward everyone and everything is the result of this dedication. In his eyes, everyone’s happiness and sadness are identical. Since he is content with himself, he does not yearn for anything new or lament the things he lacks. Only joy is left.
The analysis of “tvam,” the person, was the subject of the first six chapters of the Gita. The seeker learns about himself as the pure self, as different from his body and mind, which are byproducts of maaya, through the practice of karma yoga, the purification of the mind, the study of the scriptures, the taking up of renunciation of all activities, and finally the monastic life. But as long as he perceives even a slight distinction between himself and the outside world, raga and dvesha, liking and dislike, will eventually return. As a result, he must also analyse the “tat,” which is Ishvara.
The subject of the Gita’s chapter’s seven to twelve was the analysis of Ishvara and comprehending Ishvara in essence. The seeker comes to understand that Ishvara, through his power known as maaya, creates, sustains, and destroys the world. Maaya has the ability to project a universe of brilliant names and forms while concealing the actual essence of Ishvara.
But Shri Krishna explains to the seeker that Ishvara is separate from the universal body and the universal consciousness by identifying his vibhootis and subsequently describing his universal form. The seeker only needs to recognize the unity of his pure self with Ishvara’s pure self, which is separate from all Maya’s consequences.
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 devotion.
Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…