(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)
A Gita Student, In Shri Krishna’s Opinion Occupies A Position Similar To That Of A Great Sacrificer
श्रद्धावाननसूयश्च शृणुयादपि यो नर: |
सोऽपि मुक्त: शुभाँल्लोकान्प्राप्नुयात्पुण्यकर्मणाम् || 18.71||
śhraddhāvān anasūyaśh cha śhṛiṇuyād api yo naraḥ
so ‘pi muktaḥ śhubhāñl lokān prāpnuyāt puṇya-karmaṇām|| 18.71||
Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 18- Ver. 71:
Even those who only hear this truth with trust and without jealousy will be forgiven of their sins and reach the blessed abodes where the righteous live.
Explanation
Not everyone is intellectually capable of grasping the significance of Shree Krishna and Arjun’s conversation. Here, Shree Krishna reassures them that they will also gain if they only hear with confidence. God, who resides inside them, will take note of their earnest efforts and reward them.
Shree Krishna promises Arjuna in the poem above that even people who only hear the holy dialogue with great trust would gradually become pure.
Verse & what we can learn
After praising the teacher, Shri Krishna now hails the devoted Gita pupil. He uses the phrase “dharmyam samvaadam,” which translates to “a discussion based on dharma,” to describe the instruction. The majority of spiritual lessons in the Indian tradition take the form of teacher-student dialogues in which the learner is always given the chance to ask questions. If not, the idea turns into religion. Furthermore, the discussion’s subject matter—its exploration of the eternal essence—makes it sacred.
Now, if a serious student is qualified, he or she will get the same knowledge and understanding as Arjuna would through studying this exchange between Shri Krishna, the teacher, and Arjuna, the student. When this occurs, a knowledge sacrifice known as a jnyaana yajnya occurs. The sacrifice of knowledge is thought to be the greatest kind of sacrifice somebody can make, as we saw in an earlier chapter. The highest form of sacrifice is then the study of the Gita.
Such a sacrifice is made in isolation and goes beyond any thought of monetary offerings. Therefore, according to Shri Krishna, a Gita learner holds a position comparable to that of a great sacrificer. Furthermore, even someone who simply listened to the Gita without genuinely studying it or understanding its deeper significance would have benefited in some way.
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 asks Arjuna if his ignorance is destroyed.
Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…