From Unknown to Unknown - Bhagavad Gita Verse 2.28

Discussion in 'Chitvish on Hindu Culture & Vedanta' started by Chitvish, Feb 7, 2008.

  1. Chitvish

    Chitvish Moderator IL Hall of Fame

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    Nothing can be created or destroyed - Science endorses what our scriptures have said already !
    Even if we have no faith in the living presence of an Immutable Reality, behind the parade of changes, we have the necessary scientific knowledge to appreciate the world phenomena as part of an ever-changing procession of impermanent happenings.

    Krishna continues to say that it is not reasonable to grieve for beings, who are mere bundles of causes and effects, because

    Avyakthaadeeni bhoothaani vyakthaamadhyaani bhaaratha
    Avyakthanidhanaanyaeva thathra kaa paridaevanaa 2.28

    Oh Arjuna ! All beings are unmanifest in the beginning, are manifest in the middle and arw unmanifest in the end.
    What, then is there, in it, to grieve about?

    We accept we all come from the Unknown.
    We play here for sometime.
    Then to the Unknown we return.

    The physical body is a combination of the five elements. It is seen by the physical eyes only after the five elements have entered into such combination. After death, the elements disintegrate and go back to their source. So, the body is seen, as such, only in the middle state. The relationship as, son, father, friend, teacher etc is formed through the body on account of attachment and delusion. Just as pilgrims unite and separate in a public inn, so also fathers, mothers, sons, daughters unite and separate in this world.
    We know only what is between birth and death. Even that is something like a travelling arrow.

    It emerges from
    Darkness (avyakthadini),
    Passes through a
    Lighted area (vyakthamadyani)
    And disappears into
    Darkness again (avyakthanidhanana)
    Since life is like a moving arrow, travelling between birth and death, what is there to talk about? Why lament for this moving arrow?

    However what “is”, is not subject to lamentation. It is really the truth (sathya) and it is limitless (ananda). So grief is due only because of self-ignorance.
    He who thus understands the nature of the body and all human relationships based on it, will not grieve.
    With this verse, we come to the conclusion of anatma portion.

    Love,
    Chithra.
     
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  2. Anandchitra

    Anandchitra IL Hall of Fame

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    Dearest Chithra
    Each topic is getting more and more tough. Glad you are preparing us gradually. You are right when you write that even if we have no faith in the Inmutable reality we are in awe of nature and constant change. You have described well about the composition of the physical body. We do only are aware of what is between birth and death. For the most part all the relations that we worry and cry about is really in the mind.
    Without any doubt grief is due to self ignorance. What can be so easily deduced can also so easily be forgotten by me. I am never want of reason to cry or grieve. It will make sense to meditate on the what IS and thereby retaining the thought of What IS at all times to help us mere mortals to keep things in perspective. Thank You for writing on these topics and explaining in our words.
     
  3. Kamla

    Kamla IL Hall of Fame

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    Come to think of it, it is all very true and even makes sense. But only as a reading material.
    At the same time, I cannot deny the fact that by reading such profound lines, it will help us subconsciously at the time of necessity.....It sure will give the mental equanimity to face loss and death.....
    You say this is the last on Anatma. But I will need to come back again and again to refresh my thoughts on this.
    Very well explained Chitra.......You have mastered the art of making complicated things seem easy.....
    Thank you.

    L, Kamla
     
  4. Chitvish

    Chitvish Moderator IL Hall of Fame

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    Dearest AC,
    Thanks.
    All credit goes to Krishna for gradually leading us to the ultimate truth, step by step and lovingly. I cannot take any honour in preparing you.
    But, I am also aware, this is the highest philosophy and most difficult to comprehend.
    About pancha bhutas combining to give us a form and shape, the very minute the person expires, do we refer as "him"? - we only refer as the "past he" as body. We are in a hurry to dipose off the physical remains at our earliest, to continue our routine of "eating & sleeping".
    In spite our deepest grief on the "passing away" of our most beloved ones, we do the same. This should make us realise how fleeting our own life is.
    Today we just finished performing the annual ceremony of my MIL & the post is very relevant to me! - The person, whom, I respected, loved and tended a lot! - where is she now?
    Love,
    Chithra.




     
  5. Chitvish

    Chitvish Moderator IL Hall of Fame

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    Dear Kamla,
    Your following lines show me that you are on the right path
    At the same time, I cannot deny the fact that by reading such profound lines, it will help us subconsciously at the time of necessity.....
    Any tough truth gets registered at the subconscious level (only) first. This is how, by understanding Gita, we learn to finally accept that the end is inevitable, however deeply, we grieve.
    I jusr write that the anatma portion dealt with in theory by Krishna, has come to an end. Our thoughts will linger only with anatma, so long as the anatma continues.

    I am happy to make a note that you have, in your own way, started pondering on Gita.
    If I am a channel for the same, in my own humble way, God has blessed me.
    Love,
    Chithra.




     
  6. Anandchitra

    Anandchitra IL Hall of Fame

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    Dear Chithra
    We do have to continue to live as is the way we are created. Hunger and other feelings are part of us not apart. Like sleep. It does overcome you.
    In our day to day life we become to involved with our happenings that we are not able to step back. That is why meditation is more important. To help bring that frame of mind. Just like exercise which helps even after we finish.
    The once a year ceremony we do for the departed is a must. Where are the departed souls? I would say in our minds and thoughts.
    This is only meant as part of discussion. Thanks.
     
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2008
  7. Anandchitra

    Anandchitra IL Hall of Fame

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    Also it helps, I think, to make conscious choices at all times while engaged in other activities. To be aware of making choices. Just one more thought to add to discussion.
     
  8. Chitvish

    Chitvish Moderator IL Hall of Fame

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    Dear AC,
    I am reading a book on Anthyeshti or the significance of final obsequies. The following is a gist of what I read in that book.

    Jiva gets dissociated from the physical body and assumes a subtle body called 'pretha'. It is a transitory form that exists for a period of time in which the deceased maintains some connections with the world he has known.
    Just like, it is not easy for us to accept the separation of jiva, the subtle body also takes time to get dissociated from all worldly attachments. Till then the shastras refer to the intermediary stage as pretha. The 12 day obsequies are perfomed for both our & the pretha's acceptance of the separation. On the 12th day it is supposed to enter pitr loka & the dissociation is sealed.

    Yes, it is necessary in our life to be aware of what we do and consciously make our choices.
    Love,
    Chithra.
     
  9. Vysan

    Vysan Gold IL'ite

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    Dear Chitvish,

    Nicely written for easy understanding.... Great...

    I liked the following lines:

    We accept we all come from the Unknown.
    We play here for sometime.

    Then to the Unknown we return.

    I used to say that life is a train journey, starting from no where and ending at nowhere... We get onboard and meet various people... Once we reach our destination we get down and walk away....

    Nobody comes with us.... All the relationships, friends, etc are like your co passengers in the train.....

    After death, the elements disintegrate and go back to their source.

    Can you please explain - going back to the source.... Thanks a lot....

    Love
    Veda
     
  10. Chitvish

    Chitvish Moderator IL Hall of Fame

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    Dear Vedha,
    I am happy, you enjoyed the post.
    Human body is made up of pancha bhutas - ether, vayu, agni, water & earth.
    After death, all these elements go back to or join their original state - the one visible explanation is the body is cremated or buried - it mingles with earth again. The other elements joining back is not visible to the naked eye.
    The soucrce means, pancha bhuthas here.
    Love,
    Chithra.
     

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