Class summary for April 28, 2026 - BG Chapter 8 Slokas 7-10

Summarized by Neelima Turaga:

The class started with opening prayers, pranayama, and meditation.

We chanted Shlokas 7-10 of Chapter 8 and looked at the translation. 

These shlokas provide a hint or a glimpse as to how one can reach Bhagawan. Brahman cannot be defined. There can only be pointers or indicators. When you think of a mango, the image of mango immediately appears in the mind'e eye. Same, if someone says "umbrella". These are clearly defined and easy to visualize. It is impossible to define Brahman. One has to only experience to understand. And this can be experienced only by constantly engaging in the thought of the higher. This constant practice or Abhyasa yoga is the path to attaining the Brahman. 

Theme :

You become what you think. Always think of the higher and act as per your dharma. While performing your dharmic actions, keep thinking about Brahman.

This state of engaging in the higher, no matter what action is being performed (dharmic) can be achieved only with constant practice (abhyasa)

It is important to also keep your Sadhana going, with sravanam, mananam and nidithyasanam and follow the paths of Karma, Bhakti and Gyana yogas. 

Then a question will arise - How is it possible to keep thinking of the higher, when performing the daily activities. 

The answer to this is obviously, constant practice, Also, when one is deeply connected or invested in anything, it happens much more organically. For example, a mother, no matter what she is doing can hear the baby and respond to her, before anyone else does. She has a very strong intuition towards her children.The deep connection she has makes this possible. Not just a mother, but anyone who has a strong emotional connect to anything, will be able to notice it's presence in whatever state they are in. It could even be the sound of one's favorite motor bike. 

So, one needs to focus and stay invested in Brahman, to be able to stay connected every moment.

Who is Brahman - As stated earlier, there is no definition for Brahman, but there are pointers or indicators -

Kavim - Pure consciousness

Puranam - Ancient

Anushasitaram - Law of causation

Anoraniyamsam - Sublest of all

Sarvasya Dhataram - Supporter

Achintya rupam - Formless

Adityavarnam - Self effulgent

Tamasah Parastat - Beyond ignorance

Practical Advice on "What to Think Of"

Saguna Brahman (a deity, Om, or Rama) is easier for most beginners

Even a noble cause counts as "thinking of the higher"

Consistency with one form is good, but flexibility is fine too

Key aspect - Follow your Dharma 

The Cobra Story (Dharma) A cobra told by a saint to stop harming villagers got beaten nearly to death — the saint clarified: "I told you not to bite, not to stop hissing." 
Gandhiji and Nelson Mandela fought for freedom. Hitler also fought. Are they all the same ? 
Gandhiji and Mandela fought. But with a positive emotion and love. On the other hand Hitler's fight was with hatred.

Allways perform your dharma, but with love and positive energy, not hatred..

We watched the first three videos of Gurudev.

Video 1 - Gurudev used a geometry analogy to explain why God cannot be defined:
Imagine two known points A and B, five inches apart. You're asked to find unknown point C. One can locate C only by describing it in relation to the known points — "two inches from A, five inches from B."You haven't defined C, you've only indicated its position using what's already known.
Similarly, teachers and sages cannot define God — they can only indicate God using things we already know and understand. The words used in scriptures (like the pointers to Brahman) are not descriptions — they are directional indicators to help the seeker discover the truth.

Video 2 - God is omnicient. He is everywhere and knows everything. We on the other hand we are filled with ignorance. What we know is very little. and insignificant. He gave this funny example of a specialist who knows "more and more about less and less." He humorously described an ear-nose-throat specialist who only handles the right ear.

Video 3 - God, or pure consciousness exists  before time itself began. This is what "ancient" (Purana) truly means.God is also the ruler of the entire universe. Every activity, every movement, every breath happens only because of that underlying consciousness and its grace. Without that consciousness, you cannot even blink your eyes.He humorously says that presidents and world leaders appear to rule. But who gives them their vitality? That underlying power is the true ruler.

We will continue with the 4th video (video 195) in the next class. 

We concluded the class with closing prayers.

What we know is very littWe concluded the class with closing prayers