(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)

If One Gives Up Their Material Responsibilities In The Context Of Sincere Devotion To God, It Is Not Sinful

इदं ते नातपस्काय नाभक्ताय कदाचन |
न चाशुश्रूषवे वाच्यं न च मां योऽभ्यसूयति || 18.67||

idaṁ te nātapaskyāya nābhaktāya kadāchana
na chāśhuśhruṣhave vāchyaṁ na cha māṁ yo ‘bhyasūtayi|| 18.67||

Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 18- Ver. 67:

His advice should never be given to individuals who are not modestly or devotedly living. Additionally, it shouldn’t be said to people who dislike hearing about spiritual matters, especially not to individuals who are envious of Me.

Explanation

As was said in the previous verse, giving up one’s material responsibilities is not sinful if done in the context of loving devotion to God. There is, however, one issue with this rule. We will be insignificant if we prematurely abandon our material responsibilities before we have established our love for God. Karma Sanyasa is therefore restricted to those who are eligible for it. Our Guru, who is aware of our capacities and the difficulty of the pathways, must decide what we are qualified for.

It would be quite foolish for the vast majority of people to take karma sanyasa before they are qualified for karma yoga. It is best to advise them to perform their bodily duties and engage in devotional activity simultaneously. This is why Shree Krishna declares in this verse that not everyone can benefit from his personal teaching. We should confirm that they are qualified to receive this teaching before spreading it to others.

This word of warning is applicable to both the overall Bhagavad Gita message as well as the private instruction mentioned in the previous verse. Someone who is envious of Shree Krishna might reply, “Shree Krishna was quite egotistical,” if this is conveyed to them. He kept requesting that Arjuna praise him. The dishonest listener will be damaged by the divine word by misinterpreting the teachings.
We impart transcendental truths to people who are disloyal and anti-God, and they turn to crime. As a result, in the stanza above, Shree Krishna enumerates the prerequisites for being unfit to listen.

Verse & what we can learn

One who has not engaged in a specific level of penance or austerity should not be taught the Gita. He should be prepared to experience some minor bodily discomfort, such as when listening to a speech. It requires a certain amount of separation from the physical world. Second, anyone who is not a devotee should not be taught the Gita. A learner lacks the necessary level of humility to engage in spiritual inquiry if he has no respect for the guru, the teacher.

Shushrushaa has two distinct meanings. It describes someone who, as opposed to having a very selfish outlook, has an attitude of service to the world. It also describes someone who enjoys listening to speeches. The Gita shouldn’t be taught to someone who is very egotistical or to someone who doesn’t care to listen to any form of discussion. And finally, no one who objects to the idea that Ishvara exists and that there is anything greater than the material world should be taught the Gita. The Gita is not intended for merely materialistic people who are satisfied with their lot in life.

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 tells about devotees greatest act of love.

Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…