(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)
Only Material Gains, Which Are Transitory, Can Be Reaped From Good Deeds – Devotion To God, On The Other Hand, Leads To Release From The Shackles Of The Material World
वेदेषु यज्ञेषु तप:सु चैव
दानेषु यत्पुण्यफलं प्रदिष्टम् |
अत्येति तत्सर्वमिदं विदित्वा
योगी परं स्थानमुपैति चाद्यम् || 8.28||
vedeṣhu yajñeṣhu tapaḥsu chaiva
dāneṣhu yat puṇya-phalaṁ pradiṣhṭam
atyeti tat sarvam idaṁ viditvā
yogī paraṁ sthānam upaiti chādyam|| 8.28||
Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 8- Ver. 28:
Yogis who understand this secret earn merit in addition to the benefits of Vedic rites, Vedic studies, sacrifices, austerities, and charity. The Supreme Abode is reached by such yogis.
Explanation
This shloka finishes Shri Krishna’s eighth chapter. We can achieve everything with this understanding, including paradise, reincarnation, and liberation. The outcome is totally determined by our actions while alive.
Shree Krishna reveals in the final verse of this chapter that: those yogis who pursue the path of light reap the fruits of their labours beyond what any other procedure can offer. He claims that even if one does Vedic sacrifices, practises austerities, generosity, or accumulates self-knowledge, it is not the way of light unless one has devotion to God.
All of these excellent deeds can only bring brief material rewards. Devotion to God, on the other hand, leads to release from the shackles of the material world. As a result, yogis who have grasped this truth separate their minds from the worldly world and focus solely on God. They will finally achieve eternal happiness if they continue on this path of light.
Verse & what we can learn
Traditionally, seekers followed the Vedic directions for ceremonies, austerities, and generosity. Many of them did so in the hope of achieving a better hereafter state. We strive to perform good deeds and charitable acts in order to acquire merit for the hereafter. However, we know that simply performing good deeds will not get us to paradise, and that we shall return after our merits have been depleted.
The brilliant road of devotion and effort that leads us to Lord Brahma’s dwelling and ultimately to nirvana This road of gradual freedom is also called as “karma mukti,” as indicated by the phrase “supreme primordial condition.” Because he achieves liberation from finitude, one who follows this path transcends, or goes beyond, the results of heaven.
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 are 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.
Shri Krishna tells Arjuna yet another path of liberation that is his personal favourite. We shall learn more in the coming chapters.
Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…