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Gita Chapter -4
(Jnana-Vibhaga Yoga)
Arjuna was now confused with the message of Krishna. When he sought
help of krishna unable to make a decision about fighting the war, krishna
gave him in the second chapter, the knowledge of the true nature of our Self
(Peace) and said the that this knowledge of the Self (Peace) should be the pursuit in
life.
Then Arjuna asked
krishna, if seeking knowledge of the Self (Peace) is the most important aspect of
life, then oh Krishna, why do you get me involved in fighting this deadly
war? To this question, krishna said that action is inevitable, whether we
like it or not. We always have actions : mental action as thoughts in mind,
action of speech which arise as thoughts and expresses as speech of action
and finally the thoughts that manifest as physical actions.
We believe
that by performing these actions we will gain peace, which means
gaining completeness and feeling of un-limitedness. Seldom we understand
that actions (mental, oral and physical) are like quick-sand in a desert, in
which every step we take to free us, only make us sink deep into the
sandpit. So more actions only binds us instead of freeing us.
So krishna made it clear to Arjuna ,
this knowledge is not about giving up of actions, but giving up the doer-ship of actions.
In other words, instead of being ignorant of being the "doer" of
actions, be aware that you are the witnessor of the actions. This being
awareful is the basis for spiritual term "Awakening".
Being always the witnessor is being alive or awake.
The awakening
occurs in Stages.
In this chapter Krishna tells
that there
are three attributes (gunas) of Nature.
1. Knowledge or
Intelligence - Satvic
.
2. Action or
Motion - Rajasic.
3. Inertia or Dullness
-Tamasic.
Based on the above three attributes of nature, humans can be
classified into four different awakening personalities or tendencies.
1. The
basic human tendency is
a mix of Inertia-Action-Intelligence (Tamas-Rajas-Satva). In this the
predominating attribute of inertia or dullness leads to the individual to
lead a life of total ignorance or darkness and known as Shudra.
The dullness is so predominant that the individual hardly attempts to even
fulfill his own basic needs let alone desire for spiritual awakening.
The individual totally identifies himself with the Ego and has no clue about
his True Self.
2.
Action-Inertia-Intelligence (Rajas-Tamas-Satva) or Vaishya. This
individual is action oriented and is interested only in the
materialistic pursuits with least knowledge about the Higher Self.
3.
Action-Intelligence-Inertia (Rajas-Satva-Tamas) or Kshatriya. This
individual is action oriented and has the concept of duty and good of
the society. The individual has some knowledge of spiritual pursuits
and has the enquiring mind in all the performing actions.
4.Intelligence-Action-Inertia
(Satva-Rajas-Tamas) or Brahmin. This is the highest state in spiritual
awakening who has only the spiritual pursuit as the foremost goal in life.
The one who sees knowledge in all the actions and has least inertia is a
Brahmin.
This chapter is called Ganan-vibhaga, which means stages of awakening based
on the Knowledge of the Self. Karma (action) binds more to the
Egoistic nature. But Knowledge (Gnana) liberates us from the crutches
of the Ego. So action
performed with knowledge liberates or frees us from the prison of the Ego
and that is why an individual of the Brahmin personality is considered
superior in the awakening stage.
Please
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