Class Summary for April 2, 2024 - Chapter-3 Slokas 14 - 19

Summarized by Anuradha Bhaskara:

Started with prayers, followed by Pranayama and guided meditation.

We recapped of what was covered in the previous class:- Working with Vasanas, how should we be doing. Journey of Fear of missing out to Joy of Missing out.

We went over the Shlokas from 14-19.

Shlokas 14-16:-

All the actions are Yagnas. Due to sacrifices performed rains fall and due to which crop grows and gives us food. Rain is very important for the agriculture to be cultivated well.

How ones duties are interlinked to the nature. Entire echo system is dependent on everyone and how we perform our duties or yagnas. We all have to do our duties unattached.

Shlokas 17-19:-

Interesting message is given by Lord Krishna, Give up attachment to the results of the work and do it.

That is the way of doing any action. Be always detached from the act.

Theme:-

Any type of food comes thru Agriculture, which comes thru Rain which in turn comes due to Yagna.

Because of the Rain there is crop growing and people are able to live. Rain comes from Yagna.

Yagna aspect -There are many types of noises going on in our mind. If we develop yagna type of attitude then noises in our mind will be reduced. If we don’t have yagna spirit then we will be in the cycle of birth and death. If we don’t have Yagna spirit then actually creates downfall of the atma.

Always inculcate in the yagna spirit. The more we develop the more eco system is helped to be grown.

Indriya Rama- that person who is controlled by Senses.

Atma Rama- That person who is controlled by Atma.

Stick Vs Gyana mudra of Krishna- The Horses are nothing but our senses. Krishna tries to mend our senses by holding a Stick. In Gyana Mudra he is teaching us and guiding us as our guru.

Anyone who is attached to the results of actions of any work would be disappointed and unhappy sometimes or many times.

We have to be independent from world and still interact with world. Don’t get carried away with actions or external forces affect your state of peace. We need to be contended and happy with our actions while we conduct with outside world. In a similar way as musician who uses the shruti or tempo as their base for singing or dancer who has the center point from where they being and end the dance.

Bird vs Man sitting on a Tree Branch.

A Bird is least attached to the branch it is sitting upon, as it knows if the branch falls or is cut down it can fly away. Bird is not dependent on the strength or existence of the Branch of the tree.

Whereas a Man who sits on the branch is always worried about the branch all the while. He is not sure if the branch would fall or how long can he sit on the branch.

In the similar way external factors should not affect us ,one should try to be not disturbed by external forces on any actions we do.

We watched Gurudeva’s commentary on Sholkas from 14-19.

We all have the ability to function. To move is a gift . The ability to function and move is the gift of the creator to every one of us. This is already inherited by the living being from the time they are born.

All Animals have their mind-heart-stomach everything in one line but where as it is not the same for human being. This shows that as human beings we have the ability with the help of the mind to think and act. But whereas man is living life of Topsy Turvy enjoying the life giving importance to food and worldly pleasures and not thinking with his mind. Such an individual is living a life of Moham./ dilution.

There are two kinds of people who work.

One who works to make a living and else there is no escape as it would be hard to meet their ends.

The second category of the people are who want to run away from their parents or other chores.

Nobody can compel such a person to do anything.

In order the purify the mind we have to work towards it and strive for it through various means of sadhanas.