This chapter talks about the relationship between the body and the soul. The person who understands the difference between the two and knows how to liberate the soul from the limitations of nature can achieve self-realization. The living spirit, or the divine, is present within the body and has several roles. It is a witness, a judge, a nurturer, and the master of all things. The living spirit is also considered to be God. Even after the eccentric effects of nature, the living spirit always remains. The living spirit observes and enjoys the experiences of the body but remains detached from them. It is always present as the great God, even amidst the chaos of nature.
In this context, the body is referred to as the field and the person who understands it is called the master or owner of the body, also known as the soul. The analogy used is that of a farmer who owns a field and is responsible for taking care of it. This comparison is addressed to Arjun.1.
In everybody, the master or owner is the soul. The soul is described as pure and eternal. The speaker is claiming to be this pure, imperishable soul. They explain that the understanding of the body and its owner is related to the knowledge of nature and the soul.2.
The body is compared to a farm in this passage. Just as a farmer must understand the condition of their land, including any issues or disorders that may be present, it is important to understand the reason for the existence of the body and the disorders that may be present within it. Additionally, it is important to know the owner or master of the body and the effect they have on it.3.
There have been many discussions and varying opinions about the field and the field master. This topic has been extensively explained in the Vedas and Brahma Sutra. Karmists believe that the individual soul is the owner of the field, while Sankhya's philosophy does not consider the living self to be the owner of the field. Instead, it sees the self as a transient observer. Nature is seen as the field owner by some, as it performs all functions of the body with its qualities. Others attribute the ownership of the field to God's will. The speaker then offers their final opinion on the matter.4.
The five elements of earth, water, fire, air, and sky, the intellect, the threefold nature, the senses (ears, nose, eyes, mouth, skin, hands, feet, anus, sex, and speech), the mind, and the subtle elements of the senses (sound, touch, form, taste, and smell), along with the objects of the senses, desires, malice, happiness, and sorrow, all contribute to the various qualities and defects of an individual. The body and its consciousness, which is responsible for our sensations, can also be called sensation. The soul's power within the body enables us to feel, much like fire produces heat. This power awakens the entire body, from the hair to the nails. Dhriti, meaning "holding," refers to the mutual friendship between the five elements. Though water and soil may seem incompatible, they form friendly relations within the body, as do water and fire, and air and fire. When these 36 elements combine, and the field, or the body, is formed.5.
Sri Bhagavan explains - "As Prakashyatyak: Kratsanam Lokamim Ravi: Kshetra Kshetri and Kratsanam Prakashyati Bharata". Just as the sun illuminates the entire universe, the soul illuminates the entire realm of knowledge and action. This is why the 36 elements come together in one place to create a living spirit and become active.6.
A person who lacks arrogance does not boast about their conduct and keeps their superior qualities and actions are hidden, who causes no harm to any creature, no matter how small, who practices forgiveness and apologizes for their mistakes, who shows kindness to all beings without discrimination, who has devotion towards their Guru and sees them as a divine presence in their conscience, who serves their Guru with sincerity and purity, and whose actions are dedicated to Sri Guru Maharaj - such a person has a mind that is free from wandering and is pure in every aspect.7.
A person who has control over their senses, and does not let them run towards worldly objects, who constantly feels disinterested and disgusted by worldly pleasures as well as pleasures in the afterlife. They lack ego and are constantly mindful of the cycle of birth, death, old age, disease, and sorrow. They are centred on self-knowledge and have a deep understanding of the true nature of the self.8.
The one who performs their duty without attachment towards the son, woman, house, money, etc., and remains indifferent to the world, is free from affection and the secret of their estrangement is erased. Their mind remains unaffected by the attainment of the pleasant and unpleasant.9.
Sri Bhagavan describes that the one who is devoted to God with love through all aspects of their being - body, mind, speech, and intelligence - and whose devotion is unwavering and steadfast, is like a spouse to God. Such a devotee is not only attached to God but also transparent in their actions, not hiding anything from God. They live in a secluded and holy place, detached from the distractions of the world, and have no interest in socializing with others. Their sole interest is in love and devotion towards God.10.
Sri Bhagavan emphasizes the importance of spiritual science, which deals with understanding the divine and the living spirit and realizing the true nature of both. He points out that ignorance, or lack of knowledge, is the root cause of false beliefs, ego, and distorted feelings, which prevent one from realizing the true nature of the self and the universe. In contrast, those who engage in spiritual science and are situated in the self are able to transcend these limitations and experience the true essence of existence.11.
Indeed, the ultimate realization of the Supreme Consciousness is the highest achievement that one can attain in life. It is the ultimate knowledge that brings about the elixir of knowledge, peace, and joy. This ultimate reality is beyond the duality of truth and untruth and is therefore called "Rit" or fixed. This Supreme Consciousness, also known as Brahma, is the ultimate truth and everything in the universe is an extension of that reality. It is both the truth and an illusion, and the ultimate goal of spiritual seekers is to attain union with this Supreme Reality.12.
This passage is talking about the idea that the same divine self is present in everything and everywhere, in a very subtle way. The analogy used is that the divine self is like hands, feet, eyes, head, face, and ears that are located all over. The same divine energy pervades the entire universe and everything within it. This is why it is said that the divine is both immanent and transcendent. It is present within everything, yet also beyond everything. This understanding can lead to a sense of oneness and interconnectedness with all of creation.13
The divine being is formless, beyond good and bad, and does not have any senses or attachments. It pervades everything and everyone, and even though it is formless, it possesses all the qualities present in living beings. The person who realizes this divine being and enjoys all sensory experiences as a living spirit is also divine.14.
The divine exists both within and outside of all living beings and is present everywhere in the universe. It is so subtle that it cannot be seen with the eyes or comprehended with the intellect. Therefore, it is called formless or latent. Although the divine is very close to us, it is also very far away..15.
He appears separated as a divine being divided into mere beings. That knowable divine is the cause and form of origin, present, and holocaust. When all three conditions are finished in the body, then that is the ultimate state. This understanding is called knowable knowledge. The divine being is known as the Supreme God.16.
The transcendental essence and radiant brilliance of the divine spirit is present in all things, including the sun, moon, and fire, shining forth with splendour. This is the same glory that illuminates every aspect of existence, for it is rooted in the fundamental building block of Brahman. Maya, or falsehood, is far removed from this ultimate truth, which can only be realized through self-knowledge. This divine aspect of the soul abides within the conscience of all beings.17.
Hey Arjun! You have received a comprehensive understanding of the physical body, as well as an overview of the supreme knowledge and the transcendental nature of the living spirit - the ultimate state of being, known as the supreme Brahman. Any devotee who dedicates themselves to me will gain self-realization by understanding the nature of the field, the fielder, knowledge, and the ultimate state.18.
The living spirit and nature are both eternal and just as a body and its shadow are inseparable, so too are the divine and its nature inseparable, like a farmer and their field. Nature is the field, and the living spirit is the master of the field - Brahman - and all the distortions such as affection and malice are the cause of this nature. Similarly, all the qualities such as sattva, raja, and Tama arise from nature itself.19.
Nature is responsible for creating actions and senses, and it gives rise to ego and desire. When a being becomes enslaved by desire, they become entangled in karma. The same nature produces the same ego, the same desire, and the same deeds. Sattva is linked with knowledge, while Tama causes confusion and leads to ignorance. Humans endure both good and bad deeds, happiness, and sorrow that result from nature. Although human spirits coexist with nature, their actions and behaviours differ. The living spirit, or Purusha, observes silently while nature functions.20.
This verse is talking about the idea that a living spirit, called Purush, experiences all the good and bad things that happen in nature. Even though Purush is not affected by these things, nature still fascinates and influences him with its qualities. Because of this, the eternal divine essence, called Brahman, is subject to nature and must be reborn in different forms based on the good and bad qualities of nature. The passage also suggests that nature can cause disorder in Brahman, even though Brahman is inherently perfect. Nature's qualities can hide the glory of Brahman and even become the ego of the ego-less Brahman. The analogy used is that just as a man can become helpless against a woman's tricks, Brahman can become impatient with the effects of nature's qualities on him. .21.
This passage is describing the position of the living spirit, which is divine, within the body. The living spirit is referred to as a sub-observer because it acts as a witness, giving a true opinion and nurturing everything within the body. It is also described as the master of all things and God. The living spirit always remains present within the body, even though nature can have a confusing effect on it. Despite the eccentric effects of nature, the living spirit remains as a witness, enjoying its existence, and being a great God. So, the living spirit is not unaffected by the effects of nature, but rather it remains present and unchanged despite them. Bottom of Form Nature has a unique effect on the living spirit which can confuse, but the power of the living spirit always resides within the body. The living spirit is described as a witness, enjoying its existence, and being a great God.22.
This verse is discussing the concept of Maya, which is the illusion that the material world is the only reality and that the individual self is separate from the divine. The passage suggests that because of Maya, the self, which is a part of the divine, becomes influenced by human emotions and sentiments However, a a person who understands the nature of the divine and the qualities of Maya is not confused by it. They do not become subject to Maya's influence and their conscience is always illuminated with knowledge (jnana). This person does not engage in karma (action) for the sake of its result and is not bound by the consequences of their actions. As a result, they are freed from the bondage of illusion and the cycle of birth and death.23.
A yogi focuses on self-meditation, which means they concentrate on themselves and their soul. They try to see the soul within themselves. There are two ways in which yogis can attain self-enlightenment. One way is through Jnana Yoga, which involves seeking knowledge and understanding of the true nature of the self and the universe. The other way is through Karma Yoga, which involves doing good deeds without seeking personal gain or recognition. So, a yogi focuses on themselves and their soul and tries to attain self-enlightenment through different paths, such as Jnana Yoga or Karma Yoga. 24.
one can attain spiritual liberation and freedom from Maya (illusion) by having faith in the teachings of knowledgeable individuals, such as Karma Yogis or Jnana Yogis, even if they do not practice those paths themselves. The passage suggests that someone who does not know about Karma Yoga or Jnana Yoga can still attain spiritual liberation by worshipping with reverence and following the teachings of these knowledgeable individuals. By listening to their words and following their guidance with devotion and sincerity, one can develop a deeper connection with the divine and be freed from the bondage of Maya. 25.
All living and non-living creatures in the world are created through a combination of nature and the living spirit. In other words, everything in existence is a result of the interaction between the natural elements and the spiritual essence that animates them. This idea suggests that the universe is a complex interplay of physical and spiritual forces. While the natural elements provide the physical basis for existence, the living spirit gives life and meaning to everything that exists. This view acknowledges the interconnectedness of all things in the universe and highlights the importance of recognizing the spiritual dimension of existence. It suggests that the living spirit is an integral part of the natural world and that a deep understanding of the natural world can lead to a greater appreciation of the spiritual essence that permeates all of creation.26.
This passage discusses the idea that God is present in all living beings, even though they are created through a combination of the living spirit and nature. It can be difficult to understand how this is possible, given the vast diversity of creatures in the universe. To comprehend this idea, it is important to recognize the unity of God and nature. God is infinite knowledge and the power of action in nature is a manifestation of this knowledge. This action power combines different knowledge powers to give rise to different qualities, but it is all rooted in supreme knowledge. Even though there are countless species with different behaviours, they all have the divine essence within them. In Maha pralaya (great dissolution), everything is in a latent state. Therefore, those who see God equally in all beings understand this subtlety. For those who cannot see this, it is important to recognize that the power of knowledge and action generated by God is present in all living beings in the form of life. In essence, the knowledgeable person who understands this has accurate knowledge of the unity of God and nature.27.
Someone who sees God equally in all beings is not attached to anyone nor does he feel jealous of anyone. He remains free from sorrow and does not get upset with anyone. A person who has attained this level of knowledge is not confused or swayed by human emotions. His divine consciousness is always awakened, he is indestructible and holds the highest position in the universe.28.
A person who understands that all actions in the world are performed by nature, which is powered by the knowledge of the soul, knows the truth. All the elements of nature, as well as the mind and senses, become active due to this knowledge power. However, the soul remains inactive. Understanding this truth is essential to know reality.29.
When a yogi sees different forms and manifestations of all beings as a manifestation of one ultimate reality (God), and sees the expansion of all things from that one reality, the yogi realizes that the same reality exists within themselves. They see their soul pervading all beings and become a Brahman yogi. This state of consciousness can only be achieved by realizing the ultimate truth.30.
Arjun! The divine being is always pure, unchanging, and everlasting. It doesn't exist inside our physical body or does things related to the body. The Divine is the ultimate source of knowledge and power that controls nature, but it's not affected by the actions or results of nature, just like the sun's reflection in the water. Similarly, the soul or divine has no relationship with the body while it's inside it.31.
Just like how the sky is present everywhere but doesn't mix with elements like air, fire, water, etc., similarly, the soul is present everywhere in the body but doesn't participate in the body's characteristics or actions because it's formless and inactive.32.
Just as the sun lights up the entire solar system and gives life to the world, similarly, the soul gives life to the entire body, making it aware and active. In this comparison, the sun is used as an example to explain the concept of how the soul gives life to the body. Just as the sun is the source of light and energy for the entire solar system, the soul is the source of life and consciousness for the body. Without the sun, there would be no life on Earth, and similarly, without the soul, the body would be lifeless and inert. The soul is believed to be the driving force behind all human actions and emotions. It is responsible for the body's ability to think, feel, and act, just as the sun's energy drives the Earth's systems, including weather patterns and the growth of plants. The soul is what animates the body and gives it a sense of purpose and direction, just as the sun gives direction to the planets in our solar system. Therefore, the comparison between the sun and the soul illustrates how the soul is essential for the body's existence and function, just as the sun is essential for the Earth's existence and function.33.
The individual who possesses knowledge of the body and soul and understands the difference between them, along with the way to liberate the soul from the limitations of nature, can attain self-realization through conscious effort. This self-realization leads to the understanding of the ultimate truth.34.
om tat sat
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