Class summary for Feb 10, 2026 - BG Chapter 7 - Slokas 20-22

Summarized by Bala:

After pranayama and meditation, recap from February 3rd was summarized.
What does the Lord love, Gyani for certain, also the one who surrenders to him – Eka Bhakthi
Slokas 20, 21 and 22
When one’s wisdom is carried away by a desire, the person may worship other Gods/Devas (not the Brahman). 
If the devotee worships with faith to the devas, the Lord will fulfill those desires (limited)
One needs to understand that although the desires are fulfilled, it is actually provided by the Brahman alone.
Make a slight shift in our focus from a Materialistic world (Manoranjan) onto the real self (Atmaranjan).
Theme
When a small child is provided the options of a chocolate/candy and currency notes (as an example),  the child may pick the candy for instant pleasure and does not realize the value of the currency.  We should choose wisely.  All the options are provided by the Lord.  It is up to each one of us to pick the correct ones.
Faith and Belief is something that you do not kno , until you come to know of it. 
Westerners interpret Hinduism as a polytheistic religion, our scriptures clearly indicates that Hinduism is a monotheistic religion. 
In one of the Upanishad, it is indicated that the Lord appears as a yaksha to the Gods (Indra, Vayu, Surya etc.) .  The Yaksha ask’s each of the God to lift a blade of grass to their astonishment, they could lift.  Indra figures out that the Yaksha is none other than Brahman. 
For humans in their simplistic mind, Saguna Brahman is easy to understand. 
Devatas certainly helps us to focus.  Some of us may focus on OM, Sri Chakra etc., others may focus of the devatas like Ganesha, Ram etc.  One can channelize their worship accordingly.
In Bhagavad Gita Krishna is the hero.  When he says himself, it can be the physical form “he” and “HE” is the Brahman also. 
When Krishna is “HE”, is the power for all material Gods.
One can worship with full shraddha to “That” God (Devatas), in reality we are worshipping Brahman.
All Puranas has a hero, and the hero should be considered as the Brahman.  Other Gods are depicted as lower Gods. 
What we should not do is fight about Gods ie., thinking one’s god is bigger/better than other’s god.  One should really graduate from Saguna Brahman to Nirguna Brahman
Ishta Devata is the one who is behind the other devatas.  Ishta Devata could be different for different folks. 
We need to have faith on the following
1)      Mantras – have full faith, only then we will get the power from the mantras
2)      Thirtha – one needs to visit the holy places (Thirtha stalam ) in full faith
3)      Have faith on the scriptures
4)      Devas – have faith
5)      Devagyna
6)      Medicine – have faith on medicine, otherwise we cannot be cured.  Once the body realizes that a medicine would work – it can/will wor, a placebo effect
7)      Have full faith in the GURU.
Stories of Sabari (Rama eating the fruits that were tasted by Sabari) and Bhaktha Kannppa was discussed (Siva testing Kannappa on his faith towards him).
Practice any one of the Navavida Bhakti  (9 types of Bhakthi)
1)      Satsanga
2)      Listen to stories of the Lord
3)      Service to the Guru
4)      singing or chanting the divine names and glories of the lord
5)      Bhajan
6)      Offering (example: flowers to a deity)
7)      Worshiping the saints
8)      Content with what we have
9)      Total surrender to the Lord.
 
Subjective Analysis:  Learn to recognize the Ultimate objective of this life and do not waste on worldly pleasures.  Worldly pleasures to be handled in moderation.
Story/situation: When you shop for clothes, one may shop based on the liking of the color.  BUT – if you are in a cold weather without gloves to wear, in the desperation one would not look for color – just need gloves (except if it is our teenage kid !!!).   Ishta devata can change based on the situation
When we are praying to a God (Ishta Devata) we are praying to the energy behind the God – that is Brahman. 
One should graduate from Saguna Brahman to Nirguna Brahman. 
Class watched four of the six videos from Slokas 20, 21 and 22.  Two of the six videos to be watched on Feb 17 th class.
Food for thought/Parking Lot question – Should a Gyani be a good person ?  Partially  discussed:  Does a evil person realize at the end of their life time on their deeds.  Possibly yes,  it is between the person and Brahman. 

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