Friday, January 11, 2013

Bhagavad Gita Verse 10, Chapter 13

mayi chaananyayogena bhaktiravyabhichaarini |
viviktadeshasevitvamaratirjanasamsadi || 10 ||

 
Single-pointed devotion in me through unwavering yoga, going to solitary locations and disinterest in the assembly of people.
 
mayi : in me
cha : and
ananyayogena : single-pointed yoga
bhaktihi : devotion
avyabhichaarini : unwavering
viviktadesha : solitary locations
sevitvam : going to
aratihi : disinterest
janasamsadi : assembly of people
 
Shri Krishna adds three further attributes that help us reduce the impact of the field or the kshetra. He stresses upon the importance of single-pointed devotion by bringing up the word “vyabhichaari”. At one level it means wavering or unsteady, but at another level it refers to someone who is unfaithful to their spouse. True devotion to Ishvara has to be “avyabhichaari” or unwavering, where there is no “anya”, no other goal such as getting good marks in our exams, or generating extra profit in our business. We only ask such material goals when we doubt the omniscience, the all-knowing nature of Ishvara.
 
“Vivikta desha” refers to a location that is pure and conducive to meditation and contemplation. But this does not suggest retiring to a forest. It means finding a time and place everyday where we can be free of distractions such as cell phones, television and Internet. If we are constantly pulled into the world by such distractions, contemplation upon Ishvara becomes impossible. But if we spend ten to fifteen minutes without any distractions, and make it a habit, we will automatically begin the process of quietening our mind and contemplating upon Ishvara.
 
“Jana samsad” means assembly of people. And we all know that wherever two or three people meet without any agenda, there is going to be discussion about all the goings on in the world, or even gossip. This assembly of people forces one to join in the conversation and again get sucked into praakrita or material interests. Now “ratihi” means one who revels. So therefore, one who prefers not to indulge in such gossip is called “janasamsadi aratihi”. In fact, as our devotion towards Ishvara increases, interest for external stimuli, including meeting constantly, will slowly subside.
 
Shri Krishna adds two more attributes in the next shloka to conclude this topic.

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