(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)

What Ever And How Ever We Are In Our Lives Our Destination Is Divine

यथा प्रदीप्तं ज्वलनं पतङ्गा
विशन्ति नाशाय समृद्धवेगा: |
तथैव नाशाय विशन्ति लोका-
स्तवापि वक्त्राणि समृद्धवेगा: || 11.29||

yathā pradīptaṁ jvalanaṁ pataṅgā
viśhanti nāśhāya samṛiddha-vegāḥ
tathaiva nāśhāya viśhanti lokās
tavāpi vaktrāṇi samṛiddha-vegāḥ|| 29||

Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 11- Ver. 29:

These people, like moths entering a blazing fire with great speed in order to be consumed, enter your mouths with great speed in order to be consumed.

Explanation

There were also many others who fought for the sake of self-interest and greed. Arjun compares them like moths drawn accidentally into a burning fire. In both cases, though, they are swiftly approaching their deaths.

Verse & what we can learn

Arjuna used the analogy of rivers pouring into the ocean in the previous shloka to illustrate the ultimate dissolution of all names and forms back to their source, Ishvara. Some may have reservations about this. They may argue that because water is inert, it will naturally flow wherever it is needed. Arjuna uses the example of moths that rush towards a flame and are eventually consumed to dispel this concern.

Shri Krishna also hopes to dispel Arjuna’s fear of death by demonstrating the process of destruction on such a big scale. There is no pain after death because the physical body is no longer present. We’re afraid of losing our entire identity as a so-and-so, together with all of his things and relationships, rather than the anguish of dying. What is dissolved is the name and form to which we have gotten connected, as well as its network of relationships with other names and forms.

When we understand that death is nothing more than the transformation of our name and form into that of Ishvara, our dread of death will vanish, or at least be much reduced. In fact, when we become devotees of Ishvara, death loses its sting because it now signifies a return to the universe’s original source. Because we know how it will all end, we begin to live our lives with a great deal of courage and fearlessness.

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 Arjuna begins to describe the cosmic form of Ishvara.

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