Online Lectures - Audio

Bhagavad Gita - February 29, 2008
Chapter 2, Verses: 39-43
Swami Yogatmananda

Vedanta Society of Providence

 

 

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II.39:O Partha, this wisdom has been imparted to you from the standpoint of Self-realization. But listen to this (wisdom) from the standpoint of Yoga, endowed with which wisdom you will get rid of bondage of action.

II.40: Here there is no waste of attemp; nor is there any harm. Even a little of this righteousness saves one from great fear.

II.41: O scion of Kuru dynasty, in this there is a single, on-pointed conviction. The thoughts of the irresolute ones have many branches indeed, and are innumerable.

II.42-43: O son of Prtha, those undiscerning people who utter this flowery talk that promises birth as a result of rites and duties, and is full of various special rites meant for the attainment of enjoyment and affluence, they remain engrossed in the utterances of the Vedas and declare that nothing else exists; their minds are full of desires and they have heaven as the goal.

 

The above image is from Gita Darshan by courtesy of Sri Ramakrishna Math, Hyderabad.

 

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Summary of this lecture:


Practicality is discussed in length. The means are as important as the goal. If the means are faulty, the goal will be far away. We have to employ the right means. You have a recipe. Now you need to cook and eat. Lord Krishna lets us know that in Yoga, no effort is wasted or in vain. There are no bad side effects of yoga either. The more you practice, the more peace and happiness is derived. The life will become fearless.
Spiritual life is a life of determination and should be viewed as a professional might view his or her job. Take a receptionist. She may have a headache, but when focused on her work, she has to smile and be pleasant to everyone. It's part of her job. The same tact should be applied to spiritual disciplines. It will pay dividends. We have to learn to control the mind, which by its very nature is restless. Through Yoga we can do this. Patanjali defines Yoga as "controlling the scattering of the mind". All faculties need to be focused on the goal. All other useless talk, even if it is flowery and from Vedas, has to be given up.

 

 

 

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