Bhagavad Gita Course: Chapter 13

Class Notes |February 20, 2018

Notes by Deepika Allana, New Delhi, India

Gita course is encouraging us to be deeper. How?

STATISTICS

• Jan — May 2017: 20 classes over 21 weeks
• Jun — Aug 2017: 0 classes over 13 weeks
• Sept — Dec 2017: 14 classes over 17 weeks
• Jan — May 2018: 20 classes over 21 weeks
• This course has been designed to go through 30 lessons in 60 weeks. By the time we complete the course, we would have had 54 classes instead of 30
• 80% more guidance than one normally has
• Instead of 60 weeks of classes, we took 72 weeks
• 20% more opportunity than normal
• Next course will start September 11

Completion of Chapter 12 (last week Review)

• Krishna says: Bhakti is depending on the divine. Living for the divine.
• If can’t engage on depending on God, then practice depending on God.If can’t do that, then dedicate your actions to the Divine.
• If can’t do that, one should accept the result of actions (fruits that come with what we do).
• Shlokas 9–12: support to The Message of Chapter 12
• Bhagwan shifts focus to — virtue development is synonymous with love development. Bhakti anudinam- develop every day. Love development and self-development are the same.
• One is sat/chit/ananda. One is whom one is devoted to. Go from being dependent on sorrow to independently joyous.
• Shloka 20: summary of all of Chapter 12 — one who follows what I taught, becomes dear to me.

CHAPTER 13
Chapter Sections 13.1–13.3

Introduction

• Our study of the first 6 chapters was on the jiva (twam). Ourselves at surface level.
• Ch. 7–12: study took us to God (tat). Right now I believe I and God are different. I limit God. God limits me.
• Chapters 13–18: Bhagwan guides us to be different and go past jiva and jagadeeswara; past twam and tat. Jiva and jagadeeswara are one.
• Jiva is the wave and jagadeeswara is the ocean. Brahman is water. Wave and ocean are limited but water is not.

Chapter 13 is casually known to be most difficult chapter of Gita. Bhagwan starts by explaining this field.

Explaining “the field”

The field — chetra — is that which is many. The field is that which is different than you. The chetra is inert and not conscious (if you have a watch on, you know the time but time doesn’t know you — you are sentient and it is inert).

Chata prana- that which has a protective system. This body has an immune system (flight or flight response). A field has in built protective systems and so does the body so the body is a field. We know the body to be perishing/changing. A field is also changing. This body is engaged in dharma and adharma. You are to use the body, not to be used by the body. The one who knows that which is known- this is God. This is the Self. This is one. The small “i” is known as — chit abhasa (it borrows existence/awareness). It is a reflection of abhasa. Those reflections aren’t just pure, they don’t just reflect, they re-search (searching back to see what is the source of the light). They make their life’s purpose to know who they are (the big I). You know, which means you are the knower. You know all of the bodies so you are not the field, you are the field knower. All the gross/causal/subtle bodies are known by God. I know my individual bodies, God knows my body, all bodies.

If you know someone that needs help (angry, frustrated, lost), pray for them. Because we are all connected and Ishwara is connected to all.

Ashtara prakriti — 8 form prakriti. Apara prakriti — lower nature.

Chetra (the field) is made up of all the bodies (24 components)

• First 5 are the elements: space, air, fire, water, earth.
• Then hearing, feeling etc.
• 5 organs of response- speaking, holding, etc.
• 5 describing our physiology — digestion, circulation
• 4 are the antakharana: mind (software), memory, intellect, ego

All of this is the field. Who are you? You are the knower of the field. When Krishna explains in such detail, the details are what help us to be independent. For example: with a lightbulb, the bulb and the filament make up the field. The electricity is the knower of the field. You can break the bulb, the filament, but can’t break electricity.

Chapter sections 13.4 -13.7

Everyone knows you are not the body, the mind, the intellect, etc. We don’t have the experience of what Bhagwan is teaching because our jnana is ashuddha. Our jnana is mishya (mixed). Sometime I believe I am the field, and sometimes I believe I am the field knower.

The water out of the tap in Niagara Falls is pure. If I have a cup of water and see grains of rice at bottom, how much do I relish the water? I think, how did rice get in? Whose rice? What else was rice cooked with? The jnana has known problem with it. It is the vessel that has a problem.

Chitta shudi — You can study as advance a text as you want, but if the vessel is not ready, there is no point. First you should focus on getting the vessel ready. Are you sharing the jnana as ashuda or chitta ashuda? Jnana is jnana.

Values and virtues: 20 values are elaborated by Krishna, telling Arjuna that only with these values will you be able to experience what I am teaching you.

Swami Tejomayananda says: values are studies, and when they are practiced, they are not called values, they are called virtues.

Values and vices: Values are studied and virtues are practiced. All of us are born with virtues. We learn vices. My parent is God and God is virtues. What values do we want in our lives — whatever we want others to be. A value will only be real if you value that. If you don’t have value for the value, it will never be valuable and you won’t follow that. When we understand and appreciate the consequence of values and vices, whatever we appreciate more, that value will prevail. If I understand the consequences of being undisciplined vs. being untruthful, whichever is more beneficial I will do that one. Whichever is worse, I won’t do that one.

Shloka #7: where virtues begin.

Sampling of the 20 virtues

1. Amanitwa: mana means measurement. Amana — one who is not always thinking about how big they are or how great they are; they are not measuring themselves. One who has a practice to be mana (arrogant), they feel everyone should obey them. If you are not obedient towards them, that person becomes negative towards you. Arrogant makes us hard and humility makes us soft (adaptable).

2. Andhambithwan: to be integrated (opposite is to by hypocritical). This comes from being honest. This is who I am and I don’t speak otherwise. Someone practicing this grows from insecurity to security. A firefly is symbolic of this (only shine in darkness).

3. Ahimsa: nonviolence literally. To bring the word ahimsa to life, we can describe it as sensitivity. Example of not having ahimsa: I may not hit my friend, but I insult him in public. Sri Kabir was notoriously against people who ate meat. Kabir was a sensitive person

4. Shantihi: forgiveness. Where there is forgiveness, there is shanti (peace). Described as space. Space allows all to grow and shrink. It accommodates all. There are those who fight fires and those who cause them. No struggle or resistance.

5. Arjuvam: where the word Arjuna comes from. It means straight. Simplicity.

6. Acharya Upasanam: having an Acharya as a role model. You have a piano teacher because want to be a pianist. You have an Acharya because you want to be happy.

7. Shoucham: outwardly cleanliness as a catalyst to inwardly purity (of mind). Simple way to practice is to simplify what you have- how many clothes, what type of food, etc.

8. Vivektha: to be alone. To enjoy one’s own company. Be in nature- when you are in nature, you feel more natural.

DISCUSSION SUBJECT: What are aids (techniques/strategies) to prioritize virtue development in our lives.

QUESTION AND ANSWER

Q: How does the reflected consciousness — chidhabasana, research the chit.

A: Imagine the reflected light to be the vasanas on the BMI chart- I know that I am not independently luminous. How is it that I know my thoughts? That humility comes in. Light is simply being. Think higher and deeper — that changes us from a reflection to a researcher. Become an introvert. Who are you? Where is happiness? What does birth and death actually mean? Simplify what we do with the body: how it looks; how we take care of it; what we input in it; who cares if you have white hair and wrinkles. You should be healthy but don’t need to be comfortable with the way you look. Give less to the body and more to mind.

LAST WEEK RAW: Count out all virtues mentioned in Ch. 12. Why: Go from abhyasa to jnana. Don’t just talk about virtue development.

THIS WEEK RAW: Practice self-deprecation.

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General Points for BGC (2/20/2018)

By Neha Thawani

1. When one lives by the sense organs, they live in arrogance. Bhagwan teaches us to depend on ourselves, not the world that attracts our sense organs. As we go deeper into ourselves, the more independent joy we will experience.
2. Virtue development is the equivalent to love development. If done completely, we will realize we are Satchidananda.

Ch.13

1. Kshetra = a field
2. That which is many and different from us, and thus, that which is inert and unconscious
3. Its a lot like a watch and us — we can observe the time when looking at our watches, however that time is not know we are looking at it. Time, also, does not realize that it exists — it is not aware of it self
4. The body is a kshetra because it also has a protective system — dharma
5. Dharma and adharma engagement gives us a reason for the body (field).
6. Is made up of 24 components
7. 1–5 = elements
8. 6–10 = organs of perception
9. 11–15 = organs of response
10. 16–20 = physiology
11. 21 -24 = antah karma, mind, memory, intellect and ego
12. Kshetrangya= the Self
13. Represents “I” = the extent and awareness

Ch. 13/Sloka 7

1. There are 20 virtues that allow us to grow from a kshetra to a kshetragnya (8–20)
2. Amantiram — humility
3. Adambitvam — to not show off
4. Ahimsa — nonviolence; sensitivity to those around us
5. Shanty — peace and space
6. Arjavam — to be straight; one who isn’t political
7. Acharya upasana — to have an Acharya as a role model
8. Sauchah — outward cleanliness, inward purity
9. Viviktah — to enjoy one’s own company

Discussion Topic: What are aids to prioritize virtue development?

• Have a clear and convinced understanding that each our lives is custom designed for us to develop these virtues

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Course Name Class Notes | Date: Feb 20, 2019

Neeti Gandhi / Chinmaya Somnath /Shrimad Bhagvad Gita , Chantilly, VA, USA

• Only sense gratification = tendency to be arrogant = small minded
• Deeper you dive within yourself more independent joy (bliss) you get. Bhagavad Gita Course encourage us to go deeper.

Chapter 12 Shlok (9–12)

• Bhagavan is so compassionate, He gives different options for us to start our journey towards Him from whatever stage we are at
• Depend on God (living for God) that is nothing but bhakti
• If you can’t do it, then practice depending on God
• If you can’t do it, then dedicate your karmas to God
• If you can’t do it, then accept the result of your actions.

Sloka 9–12 supports message of Chapter 12, which is if your mind is not prepared for nirguna bhakti then do saguna bhakti. Virtue development is synonyms to bhakti (love development). Love development and self development are same.

Chapter 12 Shlok (13–19)

• Bhagavan elaborated on virtues:
• One becomes whom ones devoted to
• Bhagavan becomes our support

The closer we move towards bhagavan, we get sukha prapti (happiness) and dukha nivruti (eliminate sorrows from our lives) and one realizes bhagavan one’s true nature which is sat-chit-ananda.

Chapter 12, Shlok (20)

• Bhagavan says that one who follows what I taught is dearest to me. The seed for Chapter 13.

Chapter 13, Section (13.1 -13.3)

• Overview of Chapter 1 -18:
• Chapter 1 -6 explains jiva (Twam)-ourselves at surface level
• Chapter 7–12 explains Jagadishwar (Tat)-God
• Chapter 13–18 Bhagavan guides us deeper, jiva and Jagadishwar are one (asi).

Sant Kabir says ,

hama tuma pyārē ēka hai, kahata sunata kō dō |

mana sē mana kō tauliyē, dō mana kabahu na hōya ||

In the plain of relative experience it seems like there duality but the is only one. That which enlivens the mind is the nothing but the Self.

Jiva = waves, Jagadishwar = ocean and Brahman = water.

Once you practice it is not difficult it is practical.

• Kshetra (field):
• Field is many, different than you. Matter like laptop, books, skin of our body is field, it is inert, not conscious.

* Kshetra — Body is kshetra -Kshata trAnAta (which has immune system, fight or flight response -field has in built protective system)

* KshayAta — Aging, perishing, changing

*Kshetravata — Like soccer field -goals scored for and against. Body is a field dharma -adharma, prana-apana etc.

• Kshetrajna (Knower of the field):
• One who knows the field (kshetra) is the God, the Self.
• Kshetrajna =’ I’ consciousness -chit ( existence + awareness) — Independent

‘i’ = chidAbhAsa (reflection of the consciousness) — dependent

Sun is independent source of light but it’s reflection on the glass depends on how clean the glass is.

Where is the source of life? Are you kshetra or kshetrajna? Who knows that your gross body is hungry, mind is exhausted or causal body has fear of unknown? Researching leads you to the Self, your true nature. God knows all, and we all are essentially one, we are all connected.

• Ashtadha Prakruti:
• Bhagavan describes 24 components of ashtadha apara prakruti as 5 elements (panch-mahabhoota (space, air, fire, water, earth), 5 organ of perceptions, 5 organ of actions and antah-karana (mind, Memory, Intellect and ego). Which is subject to growth and death.
• Filament of light bulb = kshetra, electricity = kshetrajna.

Chapter 13, Section (13.4 -13.7)

• Values Bhagavan describes of a person who has Chitta-shuddhi:
• We know out body, mind and intellect so who is the knower? Our vessels are not clean so we do not get jnana. Chitta is ashuddha because our minds are not balanced, focused or reflective. Swami Tejomayananda says values are studied, when they are practiced they become virtues. If you value something you will follow it. If you value honesty you will be honest no matter what the circumstances will be.
• Sloka 7:

1) amānitvama: Maan is measurement of how big one feels — they feel everyone should obey them and if they don’t they become negative towards them. To develop amānitvama one should introspect.

2) adamabhitvama: Being honest, show your true self and grow from insecurity to security.

3) ahiṁsā: Non-violence, and also sensitive not only to someone’s body but also mind and intellect. Do not insult someone. Also sensitive towards animals and plants.

4) kṣānti: Forgiveness, no struggle of resistance (peace) just like space accommodates all, important between family members.

5) ārjavam: Straightforwardness -saralata. Lord Rama simplicity is a form of bhakti — non political person.

6) ācāryōpāsanaṁ: Having Acharya as role model, you can work harder grow faster .

7) śaucaṁ: Outwardly cleanliness, inwardly purity. It is very important for chitta-shuddhi. Simplicity in all achar (behaviors), like have less cloths.

8) viviktaḥ: To be alone, one’s own company. If be in nature you feel more natural.

Discussion Topic

What are aids to prioritize virtue development?

1) Solitude: You get more time to think

2) Chitta-shuddhi: Through doing japa, chanting you change yur habits

3) Daily introspections : Reading some spiritual text daily

4) Volunteering at mission -karma yoga

5)Gratitude journal

6) mentoring -helping other families brings growth

7) Reflection on what we are learning in bhagavad gita course made me aware and I have become more alert and vigilant about my thoughts and actions.

For virtue development we need to have clear understanding that each of our life whatever we get family, health, circumstances is solely for virtue development.

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Bhagavad Gita Course Class (#40) Notes | February20, 2018

Nilesh Gandhi, South Riding, Virginia, US

General Class Notes

• In Shrimad BhAgwatam, dEvatAs were cursed for being arrogant — humans did not give offerings and they became weak.asUrAs found the opportunity and defeated them. They went to BrahmAji and then to VishNu, who said they would be able to defeat asUrAs with amruta obtained by churning the milky ocean.
• Similarly, one who lives by sense organs (dEvaH: — that which illuminates) will have tendency to become arrogant, thus becoming weak. When we seek God’s help, He says “depend on yourself, not on the world”. Churning will help one go deep into oneself, where one finds independent joy. Seeking God’s help is depending on Him, it is bhakti.
• Previous class recap: in support for the message to live for God(ch12 — Shlokas 9–12)
  — Bhakti is living for God/divine, it is depending on divine
  — If you cannot depend, practice depending on God
  — If you cannot practice, dedicate your actions to God (karma yoga)
  — If you cannot do that too, accept the results/fruits of actions (prasAd-buddhi)
• In shlokas 13–19, the Lord enumerates the virtues of the bhakta that provides the strength to the above message of living for the God.
  — virtue-development is synonymous to love-development
  — love-development is synonymous to Self-development
  If done thoroughly and completely, one comes to realize one is sat-chit-Anand, one is whom one is devoted to (bhagawAn). One becomes free from all sorrows and attains supreme peace and happiness (dukkha-nivrutti; sukha-prApti)
• Chapter 13, casually known to be the most difficult one, begins. Having completely taught us about ‘tvam’ (jIva) in chapters 1–6 and ‘tat’ (Ishvara) in chapters 7–12, the Lord now starts to take us past ‘tvam’ and ‘tat’. We will now learn ‘asi’.
• Sant Kabir’s one dohA has:
  hum tum pyArEEkhai (we are one)
  kahansunanko do (though we appear to be different)
  man se man kotoliye (when we compare our minds)
  do man kab hu nahoye(they are never separate)
  
  meaning: that which enlivens the mind is the same
  
  e.g. wave and ocean — seem different; but in reality they are one and the same (water)
  jIva and jagadIshwara — seem different; but they are one and the same (brahman)

Emphsizing this point, Vivekji said, if someone is mentally disturbed you can help by praying. It has such power and it is effective since we are connected by our minds. You can pray and send positive energy.

Chapter 13, Sections1–3, Shlokas 1–5

• kshEtra:

· that which is many

· that which is different than you

· that which is inert, not conscious (Guruji’s example of “watch”: you know the time, it doesn’t know you)

· that which has in-built protective system (ksAtA-trANAt) just like the body (kshayAt)

· that which is (ever) changing

· kshEtravat — like field (for and against; dharma-adharma; prANa-apAna)

· that which is “stuff”

kshEtraJna:

· one who “knows” (JnAna about) the field (kshEtra)

· one who is the God, the Self

· one who uses “stuff”

· “I” is chit (existence, consciousness) that “knows”; it is independent

· “i” is chidAbhAsa (borrowed existence, awareness); it is dependent (reflection of chitta)

· If “i” is pure, it will research what is the source of this “i” (“I”)

All the manifest world is made up of ashTadhAprakruti or aparAprakruti (lower creation) which is composed of 5 great elements (space, air, fire, water and earth), 5 organs of perception, 5 organs of action/response, 5 airs/prANas (for physiological functions) and 4 inner equipment (antaH-karNa: mind, memory, intellect and ego).

You (kshEtraJna, knower) know all the bodies (kshEtra, field).

Chapter 13, Sections4–7, Shlokas 6–11

• Knowledge of the field:

· All the knowledge we have is of the field. “I” is not the field, field is not “I”. knower is not the known, known is not the knower.

· Our knowledge is ashuddha (mixed), not clear. Problem is not with the knowledge, it is with the vessel — our chitta-mind. Sun is ever pure, it is the impure reflection (chidAbhAsa) that depend on the disturbance, dirt, clarity of the reflecting medium. Quieter-cleaner the medium, much closer the reflection is to the original source. Source is the true reality. It is indestructible. Eg of lightbulb-filament-electricity: lightbulb and filament could be broken, electricity cannot be. Similarly, our source (true Self) cannot be destroyed.

Values and virtues:

· Values are studied, virtues are practiced

· We are born with virtues, vices are learnt (picked)

· Values will be real only if you value it — practice

Group Discussion Topic:What aide/techniques can be used to prioritize virtue development?

• Solitude and reflection
• Chitta-shuddhi chart — tracking one’s habits
• Involvement in local Chinmaya Mission — helping, teach bala-vihar
• Daily introspection; reading spiritual text (15 minutes) everyday
• Writing gratitude journal, meditation, walks in the morning
• Mentorship programs. Family is the best aide.
• Reading books
• Slowing down

RAW

• Practice self-deprecation for one week

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Srimad Bhagavad Gita Class Notes | Date: FEB 20, 2018

Name/ Center/ Group: Muralidhar Osuraman / CM Buffalo NY / USA

General Class Notes

● Greetings on Family Day 2/19.

● As it was said in Bhagavatam — Sura’s (Deva’s) were cursed for not to have offerings from devotees. They learned the curse can be removed only through getting Amrutham — Nectar. Meaning, our life can be only blessed by getting the Nectar of knowledge to go to Mukti.

● As a practice, it was recommended to develop depending on yourself (oneself)

● Some highlights on study schedules were shared

o Jan ’17 to May ’17 → 20 Weeks of Classes help (out of 21 weeks)

o June ’17 to Aug ’17 → 13 Weeks no Classes (Reflection Time)

o Sept ’17 to Dec ’17 → 14 Weeks of Classes (out of 17 Weeks

o Jan ’18 to May ’18 → 20 Classes (out of 21 Weeks)

● 30 Lessons in 60 Classes /72 Weeks (80% more than typical guidance sessions)

Chapter (12) Conclusion Summary (Bhakti)

Recommendations from High to Low

o Bhakti is Depending on Divine

o Bhakti is living on God / Divinity

o Practice Depending on God

o Dedicate your Actions (Karma) to God

o Accept the results of the actions as it comes.

Virtue development is self development

Love development is self development (they are the same)

Chapter 12, Slokas 13 to 19 support us practicing dedication, through which one knows his/her nature as SAT-CHIT-ANANDA

DukhaNivruttihi, SukamPrAptihi : Eliminating Sorrow, Attaining Joy

Chapter 12, Sloka 20 is the summary : “One who follow what I said is extremely dear to me”

Chapter (13), Section (1) / Shloka (13.1) to 13.3

● Jiva&IshwaraSambhandhah:

o Srimad Bhagavad Gita Chapters 13 through 18 guides us to go past “तत्&त्वं — That & you (ego)” means guides us to know Jiva and Ishwara are the same.

o When Jiva is assumed as Wave, Ishwara is the Ocean & Brahman to be understood as Water, the same essence behind Jiva and Ishwara.

o Many students and teacher claim this Chapter to be the most difficult Chapter

● क्षेत्र — क्षेत्रज्ञविचारःKshethra — Kshethrajnavicharah (Field of Experience — Experiencer discussion)

o क्षेत्र :Kshethra : The Field of Experience, which is different than you, it is inert

▪ E.g.: Clock is the field of experience, the knower of time is you. Clock doesn’t know the time — because it is inert.

o क्षेत्रज्ञः :Kshethrajnah : The knower, the God ==> I (Existance/Conciousness/Awareness) ==> CHIT

o ChidAbhAsah : The reflected consciousness (i) or borrowed consciousness

▪ E.g.: If Sun is considered as true consciousness (I), the reflected sun in many glass of water is said to be Chidhabhasa (i).

o You are the knower of the field (Kshethra) and so you are called Kshethrajna

o Therefore, anything other than ‘you’ is called kshethra ‘the field of experience’

o In that, there are 24 aspects of Kshethra’s(field of experience) are mentioned

▪ Five (5) Primary Elements (Earth, water, fire, space & air)

▪ Five (5) Organs of Perception (Eye, nose, ear, tongue, skin)

▪ Five (5) Organs of Response (Speach, Legs, Arms, Genitals & Excretory System)

▪ Five (5) Physiological (respiration, digestive, circulation, exhalation, sublimation)

▪ Four (4) Anthahkarana, Subtle inner aspects (Mind, Intelligence, Ego, Memory)

Chapter (13), Section (2) / Shlok (13.4) / Verse (13.4)

● As a Knower (Kshethrajna) : Why still knowing is difficult?

o We don’t understand things is not because of knowledge is impure (Ashuddham), it is the instrument of experience is impure (the vessel, chittam is impure)

o ChittaShuddhi (Cleaning the mind) is the only preparation to get pure knowlege

o Values which are studied, only when they are practiced they are called Virtues

o What we want from others to be — only that we value

o A Value is only a riddle, when it is not practiced

o When we understand and appreciate values and vices, what is appreciated more prevails

o Therefore, Lord Krishna describes 20 Values to purify the mind (for ChittaShuddhi)

Chapter (13), Section (2) / Shlok (13.8,9,10)

● Lord Krishna describes 20 Values to purify the mind (for ChittaShuddhi)Sub points

o Amanitvam :Humbleness

o Adambitvam: Non-hypocritical

o Ahimsa : Sensitivity (Non-Violence)

o Kshanti : Forgiveness (Like Space, which accommodates everything)

o Arjavam : Straight, Saralata, simplicity (not political)

o AacharyaUpasana : See what a Guru Sees

o Shoucham : Outward cleanliness, inward simplicity

o Vivikta : To be alone

What are the aids to prioritize the virtue development — Tools &Techniques

● Some of the team member responses:

o Participating in constant Satsangha

o Reading Scriptures

o Daily Prayers

o Daily reflections on how I dealt with others

o Before sleeping reflecting on what we have done on virtue development

o Becoming what other people think

o Teaching Kids and being their model

● Vivekji’s Input

o Clear, Convinced & Confident understanding of custom designed to practice Virtues

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Bhagavad Gita Class Notes | Date: February 20, 2018

Neha Mehta/Chinmaya Mission Washington Regional Center/Bethesda, MD, USA

Bhagavatam

· The Devatas were cursed for being arrogant, which led to the Asuras defeating them.

· Vishnu said the only way the Devatas could defeat the Asuras is by churning the milky ocean.

· Lesson:

o Those who live by the sense organs live arrogantly

o Depend on yourself (become independent) by going deep into yourself — find out who you are, and you will eventually meet the true “I”

Chapter 12

Shlokas 9–12

· Bhakti is depending on the Divine and living for the Divine

· Practice for God

· Dedicate your actions to Him

· Accept the results of your actions

Shlokas13–19

· Virtue development = love development

o The more you cultivate your virtues, the more pure your mind will become, which will lead to true Love

o Only with a pure mind can one go within, Realize, and then share that wealth with others

· Virtue development will lead you to realize that you are Sat — Cit — Ananda

Shloka 20

· Summary of chapter 12: one who follows what I taught (what Krishna Bhagvan taught), becomes dear to me

Chapter 13

“The most difficult chapter”

· Those who are dear to me (Krishna Bhagvan), become Me

· Ksetra: field

o That which is many

o different than you

o inert (not conscious)

o the body — you are to use the body, not become the body

· Kset: that which has a protective system, that which is changing and perishing

· Kshetrajna: One, Brahman, Consciousness, Cit (Existence, Awareness), Bhagvan — one who uses the field

· i = citabhas

o reflection of I (ex) reflection in the glass

o borrows from Consciousness; dependent on I

o pure reflections research; they are search for the source of the light

o (ex) if you know someone who is unwell, pray for them — Total Mind; we are all One entity

· Ashtoda-prakriti; aparna-prakriti = ksehtra

o 24 components

§ 5 elements

§ 5 organs of perception

§ 5 organs of response

§ 5 physiology (digestion, etc)

§ 4 antakarana (mind, memory, intellect, ego)

o (ex) light, bulb, filament are the field; electricity is the knower

· Who are you? The knower of the field.

· We aren’t experiencing this Truth because our jnana is ashudha (mishra — mixed); sometimes we believe we are the field, sometimes we believe we are the Knower

o The jnana isn’t ashudha, it is the cita (the vessel) that isn’t prepared; jnana can’t be ashudha

o Cita-shudhi should come first, then focus on jnana — that will make the jnana clear

· 20 values that Arjuna needs to experience It:

o values are studied, virtues are practiced, vices are learned

o whatever values you want others to have is what you value and strive to also have

o whichever between vices and virtues that you value more is what you will pursue and cultivate

Shloka 7

· Amanitvam

o Mana: measurement

o Amana: someone who isn’t thinking (“look how great I am”)

o Arrogance makes us hard, humility makes us adaptable

o How to attain this? Reflect.

· Adabhitvam

o To be integrated; not hypocritical

o Comes from being honest

o Insecurity -> security

o Kishkindakanda: a firefly

· Ahimsa

o Nonviolence

o Sensitivity

§ (ex) not teasing others

§ (ex) Kabir and his views on eating meat

· Kshantih:

o Forgiveness

o Peace

o Space

§ Accommodating

§ Allows for growth

· Arjavam

o Arjuna

o Straight

o Saralata

§ (ex) Ramayana — simplicity

o someone who isn’t political

· Acharyaupsanam

o Sits near an Acharya

o To see what the Guru sees

· Shoucham

o Outward cleanliness, inner purity

o Practice by being simple; simplicity

· Vivekta

o Be alone; enjoy your own company

o How? Be in nature, so you can feel more natural

· Kshetra -> virtues ->kshetrajnana

Discussion Topic / Discussion Question/ Reflection Question

• Question: What are aids to promote virtue development?
• Reflections:
• Understand that your life is custom designed for your virtue development
• Read, write and reflect; do your sadhana
• Acharyaupasanam and satsang — be near those who live by the teachings, and those who discuss the teachings. Such an environment will foster virtues in you.