Thursday, 3 October 2013

Bhagavad Gita - 18th Discourse


Eighteenth Discourse – The Yoga of Liberation and Renunciation
Here you behold the ultimate result or effect of the Lord's advice and teachings to Arjuna. The drama of Arjuna's utter despondency and breakdown is finally resolved in triumphant self-mastery, strength and bold resoluteness.
Its central message emerges as an assurance that whatever we do in life, one can qualify for the highest liberation if one performs actions by renouncing egoism, attachment and surrendering all desires for selfish, personal gain. By offering all your efforts as a worship to God, you obtain the Grace of the Lord and attain the Eternal One.
Arjuna questions the Lord: “What is the essence or truth of Tyaga (renunciation)?”
The Lord makes it clear to us that real renunciation lies in renunciation of selfish and impure actions, and even more in the renunciation of the desire or greed for the fruits of any action.  We must engage ourselves in virtuous and selfless actions, conducive to the welfare of others, by renouncing attachment and greed. This is called Sattwic Tyaga – we neither hate unpleasant action nor are we attached to pleasurable action. As it is not possible for you to renounce all action, the renouncing of egoism, selfishness and attachment in your activity is declared as true renunciation. Karma (deeds) does not accumulate and bind one who is thus established in such inner renunciation.
The Divine injunction is that God must be made the sole object of one's life. This is the heart of the  Bhagavad Gita gospel and the central message in its teachings.
Where there is such obedience as that of Arjuna and such willing readiness to carry out the Divine teachings, surely prosperity, victory, glory and all blessedness will prevail there.

No comments:

Post a Comment