Bhagavad Gita

Commandments of Personality Growth -- Attitude

Topics, Outline and a Brief Summary

Awareness for Growth

• Structure – Physical or psychological

• Concepts/Orientation- Dynamics & Functions

• Driving of vehicle- Playing of instrument

• Attitude/Focus- Purpose of every decision and action in life

Approach• Structure – make up of personality—the senses,

the elements that make the structure & related thought patterns

• Concepts or Orientation –Resulting quality of the being; Gunas (Integrity, Dynamism, Inertia) and dynamics of Gunas (Individual Nature); individual role and expressions

• Driving or Playing/Performance – Social Expressions & roles (Group Nature)

• Attitude & Direction – Purpose

The Three Levels of Existence or Creation

• CAUSAL – Mental (as in sound); can be comprehended yet not seen or felt

• SUBTLE – Whisper(as in sound); Can be felt internally yet not seen or felt by touch

• MANIFEST – Aloud (as in sound); Expressed

Chakras

Samkhya Table of Creation

Yogeshwar

• One who acts out of balanced state of mind for the good of all and the harmony for the good

Yatra Yogeshwarah Krishno Yatra Partho DhanurdharahTatra Shrirvijayo Bhutirdhruva Nitirmatirmama 18/78Yogeshwarah= Lord of Yoga; Dhanurdharah= Gandiva

holding archer; Sri= glory; Prosperity; Vijayah= victory; Bhutih= Vibhooti, Progress; Dhruva= stable; nitih= law/policy;

There are broadly four ways one can work on his personality; firstly one can work on very personal and micro level – at the body itself as well as the systems that make up the body. Secondly the concepts and ideas that arise out of the functioning and habits that are as a result of the make up. This leads to a certain image and thus the expectations and need for fulfillment of roles in the social or even global order. This coupled with direction and attitude that Shri Krishna had determines the success of the individual. And can determine whether one gets victory, prosperity, stability and ideological stand.

Greatness of a Yogi

• Greatest is the yogi for he does not do anything in excess yet he skillfully excels in all that is done by him

Tapasvi Adhiko Yogi Jnanibhyoapi Mato AdhikaKarmibhyascho Adhiko Yogi Tasmad Yogi Bhavarjuna 6/46

Tapasvi =man of austerities; Adhika = superior; Jnanibhyo = knower of scriptures; Matah = believed; Karmibhyah = those performing actions for results; bhava = be

Yoga is balance – balance of the personality within, yoga is harmony – harmony with the world around, yoga is about working skillfully and sensibly – skillful about the following the wisdom of the masters and working with a certain sensitivity – of the truth and the realities around. Yoga is the optimal utilization of what is at hand without hankering for what is not. Taking up any path according to ones inclinations one must walk with the purpose in mind and not lose sight of anything at hand. The actions performed with such awareness is really yoga.

Dharma

• Natural Response to a given situation or stimulation

Shreyan Swadharmo Vigunaha Paradharmat SwanushthitatSwadharme Nidhanam Shreyah Paradharmo Bhayavaha (3/35)

Swadharma = Ones own natural calling, Vigunaha = without qualities, Shreyan= is far better (than), Swanushthitat= well imbibed, Paradharmat = Others duty, Swadharme= own calling, nidhanam= death, shreyah= auspicious, Paradharmah = others duty, Bhayavah = fearful

Dharma is common sense. Dharma is the spontaneous response to what comes to you naturally. Dharma is ones spontaneous response to what happens around you. Actions done in this manner are considered glorious. Actions even if well imbibed yet not natural to oneself can lead to fear and nightmares therefore one must Avoid getting into trying to do things just because one likes something else or something else seems more elegant or glorious.

Path to Self-Control

• Total dedication and continuous practice is the secret

Chanchlam Hi Manah Krishnah Pramathi BalavaddridhamTasyaham Nigraham Manye Vayoriva Suduskaram 6/34Asanshayam Mahabaho Mano Durnigraham ChalamAbhyasena Kaunteya Vairagyena Cha Grihyate 6/35Pramathi = Churning, stirring, tormenting; Driddham = unshakable

(in intention); Balavad = strength (forcefully); Nigraham= to control; vayoh = to stop the wind; suduskaram = very difficult; grihyate = is brought under control.

Motivation

• The real manager is who can inspire and motivate the very spirit of the people

Ishwarah Sarvabhutanam Hrideshe Arjun Tishthati Bhraamyan Sarva Bhootani Yantra Aroodhani Maayaya 18/ 61 Yantrarudhani = mounted on this body as the vehicle;

Sarvabhutani= all living beings; Ishwara = omnipresent Lord; Mayaya = with his illusory powers (according to actions); bhramayan = instigating to act; sarvabhutanam= all living beings; hrideshe =heart (here emotions); tishthati = is situated 

The world moves on the inspirations of the heart. Thus the Supreme lord acts. The sentient beings restless as they are being the product of the drives of the Gunas, are provoked to action by the natural drives and desires. Thus becoming the medium of the actions for the sustaining the creation.

Fruits of Pursuing Yoga or Growth in Life

• Every drop counts. Slow yet steady wins the race.

Neha Abhikramnashosti Pratyavayo Na VidyateSwalpamasya Dharmasya Trayate Mahato Bhayat 2/40Abhikramanashah= the seed of the beginning is not

destroyed; Pratyavayah=Opposite results also is not; Dharmasya = dharmic action done; Swalpam= smallest; Mahatah= great; Bhayat= fear; Trayate= protects

Actions protect

• No effort made is fruitless

Ayatih Shraddhyapeto Yoga ChalitamaanasahAprapya Yoga Sansiddhim Kaam Gatim Krishna Gacchati 6/37

Shraddhaya upetah=one who has faith in yoga; ayati = not controlled; yogaat = from yoga; chalit maanasah= distracted; yogasansiddhim= perfection of yoga or god realisation; aprapya = not realised; kaam = which; gatim = course; gacchati = takes

Kacchinno Ubhaya Vibhrasshta Chhinnabhrama Iva NashyatiApratishtho Mahabaho Vimoodho Brhamanah Pathi 6/38Kacchit= Is (he); Pathi = in the path of; Brahmanah = god realisation;

Vimoodha= attached; Apratishthah= without support; Chhinnabhrama= scattered like clouds; Ubhaya Vibhrasta = corrupted from both sides; na nasyati= isn’t destroyed

Parth Naiveh Namutra Vinashah Tasya VidyatoNa Hi Kalyankrit Kaschid Durgatim Taat Gacchati 6/40

Tasya = that person, na =nor; iha= this world; vinashah = destruction; na = nor; amutra = in the other world; hi =since; kalyankrit =one wishing for once growth and upliftment or God realisation; Kascchit=no person; durgatim= downfall; na gacchati= realises

Prapya Punyakritam Lokanushitva Shashvatih SamahShuchinam Srimatam Gehe Yogabhrastoabhijayate 6/41

Yogbhrashta = fallen yogi; punyakritam= holy; lokan = realms ie. Heavens & other higher realms; prapya = attain; shaswatih = many; samah= years; Ushitva = residing; shuchinam = good conduct; shrimatam= good prosperous people; gehe = house; abhijayate = is born

Athava Yoginameva Kule Bhavati DheematamEtadd hi Durlabhataram Loke Janma Yadidrasham 6/42Athava = or (renunciate not going to those realms); Dheematam

= wise; yoginaam= yogis; Kule = families; bhavati = is born; idrisham= this type of; janma= birth; loke =in the world; hi = undoubtedly; durlabhataram = rare.

Tatra Tam Buddhisanyogam Labhate PourvadehikamYatate Ca Tato Bhuyah Sansiddhou Kurunandana 6/43Tam = that; Pourvadehikam =Earlier accumulated in body; Buddhi

Samyogam = the Yoga Sanskaras of equanimity; Labhate =gains naturally; Bhuyah = then; Sansidhhou = for realisation of God; yatate = tries

Purvabhyasena Tenaiva Hriyate Hyavashopi SahaJijnasurapi Yogasya Shabdabrahmativartate 6/44

Avasaha = dependant; purvabhyasena=Earlier practice; Hriyate =attracted to God or divinity; Jijnasu = seeker; Yogasya =yoga of equanimity; Shabda brahma= results of actions said in vedas; ativartate =transcends

Prayatnatyatmanastu Yogi SansuddhkilbishahAnekjanmasansidhhatato Yati Paraam Gatim 6/45

Prayatnat= endeavouring; Yatmanah= practitioner; Anekjanmasansiddha = attaining perfection due to endeavors of previous mutlitple births; Sansuddhkilbishah= free of all sins; Param Gatim= attains supreme path

SHORT CUTS TO SUCCESS

• You alone are the cause of your growth or downfall

Uddharet Atmanatmanam Na Atmanamavasadayet

Atmaeva Hyatmano Bandhuratmaiva Ripuratmanah 6/5

Atmana = thru self efforts; Uddharet= save, transcend; Atmanam = own self (from the ocean of the world); Avasadayet = not cause downfall; Bandhu= friend; Ripuh = enemy

Bandhuratmatmanastasya Yenatmaivatmana JitahAnatmanastu Shatrutve Vartetatmaiva Shatruvat 6/6

Yaen =That; Atmana= by the Jivatma; Atma= the mind senses and the body; Jitah= is Lorded; Tasya =that; Bandhu= friend; Anatmanah= By whom the mind and the senses and the body is not won; Shatruvat= as an enemy; vartaet = acts; Shatrutve= in enemity

Mind Dynamics

• Stable mind is a withdrawn mind

Yada Samharate Chayam Kurmoanganiva Sarvasaha

Indriyanindriyarthebhyahstasya Prajna Pratisthita 2/58Kurma =Tortoise; Sarvashah= from all directions; angani= limbs;

Ayam = this purusha; Indriyarthebhyah =from the subjects of the senses; Samharate = removes in all ways; Tasya = his; Prajna =intellect; Pratishthitah= Stable

Vishaya Vinivartante Niraharasya DehinahRasavarjam Rasopyasya Param Drishtva Nivartate 2/59

Niraharasya = non acceptance of objects of pleasure (thru senses); Dehinah= of the Purusha; Vishayah= passions; Vinivartante = are resolved;

Rasavarjam= yet the cravings remain; Asya= This man of steadfastness;

Rasah= cravings; Param= Supreme; Drashtva = seeing (experiencing); Nivartate = is resolved

Yatato Hyapi Kaunteya Purushasya Vipaschittah

Indriyani Pramathini Haranti Prasabham Manah 2/60 Yatatah= Making effort; Pramathini = The restless

mind; Vipaschttah= Intelligent; Prasabham = forcefuly

Tani Sarvani Sanyamya Yukta Aseet MatparahVashe hi Yasyendriyani Tasya Prajna Pratisthitah

2/61

Matparah= dedicated to myself; Vashe= in control; Prajna= intelligence; Pratisthitah= stable and calm

Dhyayato Vishayanpumsah SangasteshoopjayateSangaat Sanjayate Kamah Kamatkrodhoabhijayate 2/62

Vishayan= the objects of pleasure; Dhyayatah= contemplating; Pumsah= being; Teshu = those objects; Sangah= Attachment; Upajayate= becomes; Kamah= craving arises; Sanjayate= grows; Kamat= cravings when blocked; krodhah= anger; Abhjayate= is born

Krodhaat Bhavati Sammohah Sammohat SmritivibharamahSmritibhramshat Buddhinasho Buddhinashat Pranashyati 2/63Krodhat= due to anger; Sammoha= foolish disposition;

Bhavati= is born; Sammohaat= due to foolish disposition; smritivibharamah= memory becomes weak; Smritibhramshat= weak memory; Buddhinashah= intelligence is destroyed; Pranashyati= downfall happens

Raagdwesha Viyuktaistu VishayaindriyaeshcharanAtmavashyairvidheyatma Prasadamadhigacchati 2/64Tu= but; Vidheyatma= seeker with his internal self under his

control; atmavashye= under his control; Raagdweshviyuktaistu= free from attachments and envy; Indriyaeh= senses; Vishayan= sensory objects; Charan= roaming; Prasadam= Happiness; Adhigacchati = attains

Bhaja Govindam (Moha Mudgar)

• Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam Govindam Bhaja Mudha MateSamprapte Sannihite Charane Nahi Nahi Rakshati Dukrinn Karane

Govinda= Go (senses) vinda (attractive); Bhaja =worship; Samprapte Sannihite Kale= When the hour of death draws near; Dukrinn karane= grammatical debates; Raksati=Protects; Nahi= not

• Satsangatve NissangatvamNissangatve NirmohatvamNirmohatve NischalatattvamNirmohattve Jivanmuktih

Satsangattve= Right Association (breeds); Nissangatvam= Detachment from passionate endearments (as a result of balanced and an elegant approach to situations and experiences around)

Nissangatve=Detachment (Leads to); Nirmohattvam= Freedom from Delusion (false hopes, assumptions and dreams); Nirmohattve=Undeluded; Nischaltattvam= Contacts Changeless Reality (Childlike innocent purity)

Nirmohattve= Contact with Reality (Bestows); Jivanmuktih = Liberation while alive

Note: Please note that the translations have been taken from Commentaries of Scholars and can differ from commentary to commentary & the views if expressed anywhere are intended to highlight the effect of the text and wisdom of Bhagavad Gita on an individual and are of the author alone and can be debated