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Gita Chapter -4
(Jnana-Vibhaga Yoga) - Continued....
Since action is inevitable, we cannot
avoid doing actions , but if actions are done without the identification of
doer-ship, the knowledge of the Self becomes evident which is real
freedom or liberation.
Krishna says" The one whose whose actions have been burnt (revealed) by the
fire of knowledge, will be called as a Sage. Such a person will always
have his or her thoughts established in the true Self. Such a person
while doing any actions is not bound by it because he does not identify as
the doer.
Such a person witness everything as Brahman, the Un-Conditional
Consciousness.
Just as the
blazing fire reduces fuel to ashes, O Arjuna, so does the fire of knowledge
reduce all actions to ashes. Here reducing to ashes means one is not
affected by the results of actions. When we do not identify doer-ship in
actions then the results also does not belong to us.
Without expecting the results of the actions, no one
can perform any action. What it means is that we
should allow the results to unfold the way nature allows it to. Instead, due to our likes and dislikes we expect results the way our ego
dictates.
If the results are in favor of the Ego's expectation, there is temporary
happiness which develops into pride. Then restlessness follows to
maintain the pride. This can lead to delusion and then downfall.
If the results are not in favor then there is dukka or sorrow. This results in anger, confusion, stress and again we are caught
up in the prison of our Ego. Dissatisfaction with oneself leads to undertake
action for self approval - for ourself or for others. Not accepting
who we are but looking for others appreciation is where the problem lies.
Fourth day of war
In the terrible fight, which took place, Bhima killed eight of the Kauravas
brother. All efforts of the Kaurava warriors went in vain. Another highlight
of the war was the extraordinary show of bravery by Ghatotkacha. The Bhima’s
son was so terrible in his devastation that the Kauravas were not able to
withstand his on slaughter and they had to stop the fight much earlier than
the usual hour. They were afraid that Ghatotkacha, being a rakshas would
grow in strength as the evening approaches. Rakshas become more powerful
during the night. At the order of Bhishma the Kauravas army withdraw to
their camps.
Death of his eight brothers, has caused Duryodhana to lose his sleep.
Everyone else was asleep, tired with exhaustion of the day’s fight. Only he
was awake. His mind was in turbulence. He was unable to sleep. His jealousy
over the brothers right from child-hood is continuing even in war front and
that was fueled by the thought of the death of his eight brothers while none
of the pandava brothers had been slained.
Exercise-4 for fourth chapter.
Please
click here to continue to read exercise on chapter-four.
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