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lrJwéä¶mo Z‘:
A춺$mo@ja B˶wº$: V‘mhþ: na‘m§ J{V‘²&
¶§ àm߶ Z {ZdV©ÝVo VÕm‘ na‘§ ‘‘&& 8-21
Bhagavan Sri Krishna, is comparing, the Knowledge, of the
Ultimate reality, with that of, attaining Brahma loka.
Obtaining, "The Knowledge", of the Ultimate reality, here and
now, is the aim of the scriptures.
Only, if this is not possible - one should practice, Yogic methods
- to liberate the Jiva, from the body - to go to Brahmaloka - and then -
attain moksha, from there. Here, in this sloka, we are not, on "that",
Yoga method.
A춺$: Aja: B˶wº$:
We need to add ¶: here.
A춺$: and Aja:
That, which is spoken of, as said to be
Pure Consciousness, is {Z˶ A춺$: - as, it can never, be
perceived, - by the senses, or the mind - but - the senses and the
mind, perceive, all objects, only, by that pure consciousness.
We need to recall, the earlier teaching - of Aja§ ~«÷ na‘‘²&
That is what, Bhagavan is elaborating here, in the three slokas, twenty
(20) twenty-one 21 & twenty-two 22. These three slokas, are very
important, in this chapter.
The main theme, of this chapter is - Krama mukti - that is - how
one releases, the Jiva, by his yogic power - and then, goes to Brahma
loka.
Still, Bhagavan keeps reminding us - of this, very, very important
- key drive-home lesson - of the scriptures - in each, and every
chapter.
 That pure consciousness - which is said to be - A춺$ and Aja,
¶§ na‘m§ JqV Amhþ: - Is taught by, the scriptures, as the
superior state
Katopanishad's words -nwéfmÞ na§ {H${#mV² gm
H$mð>m gm namJ{V:
- is what, Sri Krishna is recapping, here.
na‘m§ JqV - means, superior state, highest state
If we say - 'Highest state' - it generally means, something - that
"is" to be achieved, or attained.
Here, the word 'gati', also means understanding. Advaita
Siddhanta, emphasises more, on the understanding.
Though, sometimes, we use the word - 'attaining', in general
parlance (paar-lance) - it may beat the logic - to take, its literal
meaning. So - when we say attaining - we mean understanding - that
is, obtaining, the knowledge.
Here, Sri Krishna says, that, understanding "the" Pure
consciousness, is "the" highest good in life.
Thiruvalluvar illustrates, two things alone as the purpose of
knowledge
G¨ö£õ¸Ò Gzußø©zx B°Ý® A¨ö£õ¸Ò
ö©#¨ö£õ¸Ò Põs£x AÔÄ.
Whatever be, the nature of the object - understanding its
essence - as "the" Pure consciousness - is "the" Ultimate Knowledge
öŒßÓ ChzuõÀ öŒ»Âhõ wöuõ›C
|ßÔߣõÀ E#¨£x AÔÄ
that is, the Knowledge, which is used, for the performance, of
good deeds, without letting the mind wander, as it wishes. This Kural,
is equivalent, to the Gayatri mantra
 -
We should remember, these two Kurals, very well. The first one,
relates to Jnana sasthram, and the second, to Dharma sasthram. |
ßÔߣõÀ E#¨£x AÔÄ, teaches us, to apply our knowledge, and engage
ourselves, in punya. Similarly, the aim, of our knowledge, is to know,
"the" Ultimate reality, or "the" Pure consciousness.
I'm very happy - to remember - and to remind you - of these two
Kurals, by sharing them, with you.

V§ na‘m§ JqV Amhþ: - The scriptures, and the noble

scholars, who know them, say, that, "This is, the highest good, that
should be, one's goal, in life".
In the next line, Bhagavan explains it, further:
¶§ àm߶ Z {ZdV©ÝVo
¶§ àm߶ - attaining which - here it means -
attaining-which-Knowledge,
Z {ZdV©ÝVo - there is, no return
VV² Ym‘ na‘§ ‘‘ - that is, my highest abode
This is, "the" Pure consciousness. It is, our very self. We are -
"that" pure consciousness - we cannot even say - that - it is, our very
nature.
Pure consciousness - is the self - and the self - is - the pure
consciousness - Just, as we say - 'Raahu's head' - whereas - Raahu
by itself - means the head.
Similarly - by knowing, which pure consciousness - we will not
return - to this worldly life - with individuality - and be stuck in
bondage - that is, said to be - the highest abode.
VV² ‘‘ na‘§ Ym‘ - That is, my highest abode
 "That" - means, moksha. "That" is - "the Absolute" happiness -
and fulfillment. One, who understands oneself, to be - the Ananda or
the Pure consciousness - and one, who does not get stuck - with 'I'
and 'mine' - attains, the highest abode.
Thiruvalluvar, has also said
¯õßGÚx GÝ®öŒ¸US AÖ¨£õß Áõ@ÚõºUS®
E¯º¢u E»P® ¦S®
This means, one who gives up - 'I' and 'mine' - will attain mukti,
here and now
øÁ¯zxÒ ÁõÌÁõ[S ÁõÌ£Áß ÁõÝøÓ²®
öu#ÁzxÒ øÁUP¨£k®
It can also, be interpreted, as Krama mukti
But, Áõ@ÚõºUS® E¯º¢u E»P® ¦S® indicates, the All-pervading,
Pure consciousness.
So, this sloka, clearly brings out - the Principle, of the Pure
consciousness - also called Nirguna brahma. This is Vijnana - which
was taught - by Bhagavan - in the seventh (7th) chapter.
May we all understand this…
Knowing Bhagavan, as separate from us, is jnanam; knowing
Him, as our self, is Vijnanam. This is the essence, of this sloka, and
will be explained, further, in the next sloka.
Let us study that tomorrow.
A춺$mo@ja B˶wº$: V‘mhþ: na‘m§ J{V‘²&
¶§ àm߶ Z {ZdV©ÝVo VÕm‘ na‘§ ‘‘&& 8-21
My prayerful blessings, and best wishes, to all of you. Hari om!