Unto Research

Week 3

Question:
To celebrate Chinmaya Jayanti, what shloka of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita best ‘describes’ Swami Chinmayananada and why?

Reflection:
Chapter 5 Verse 10

• Dvaita (duality) does not teach us how to live in dvaita nor does vishishta advaita (modified non-duality) — only advaita (non-duality) teaches us how to live in dvaita
• Brahmanyadhaya karmani (Divinely dedicated to responsibilities) — perfectionism is a disguise for doership whereas one who lives each experience solely for self development creates the best
• sangam tyaktva karoti yah (dependence renounced, a seeker performs) — one who has nothing to gain is one who has nothing to lose, said differently, such a being is fearless
• lipyate na sa papena (tainted not, a seeker from sin) — sin is feeling separate, sin is feeling small, and one who is not dependent on actions quietens thoughts, quietens desires, quietens propensities
• padmapatram ivambhasa (a lotus’s leaf in water) — if one lives each moment in a meaningful way one will never ever be shaken
• Using one’s eyes (sight) one is lost in duality, using one’s mind (vision) one is vigilant in unity — keeping one’s eyes on the functional (names / forms) and one’s vision on the fundamental (Existence / Awareness) is being liberated while living