One of the deepest verses of Gita is Bhagavad Gita verse 2.16

In 2.15, Krishna explains, who can attain immortality.

Yam hi na vyathayanyaethae, purusham purusharshabha
Samadu:khasukham dheeram, sO(a)mruthatvaaya kalpathae 2.15

Oh Arjuna ! That person whom these (sense organs and objects) do not disturb, who is equanimous in pain and pleasure and who is wise alone becomes fit for immortality.

Dheera, here, means one who is discriminating, one who has knowledge of the nithya-atma. The word panditha used earlier is replaced by this word. Wisdom lies in stoic endurance of fleeting experiences. Equipoise in the midst of conflicting experiences is the hallmark of maturity and is the gateway to moksha, immortality.

The next verse is very peculiar and important.

NaasathO vidhyathae bhaavO naabhaavO vidhyathae satha:
UbhayOrapi drushtO(a)nthasthvanayOsthathva dars(h)ibhi: 2.16

There is no existence for the unreal. There is no non-existence for the Real. The truth of both these is indeed known by the seers of Reality.

This is one of the deepest verses of Gita.
Asat means something that does not exist independently and
Sat is what exists independent of anything else.
Satyam is a thing with intrinsic existence and
Mithya is a thing with borrowed existence.
Intrinsic nature is permanent and incidental nature is temporary, borrowed and subject to loss.

In Vedanta parlance, pot example is typically given. The word “pot” reveals an object that depends on its existence, on clay. It has no existence apart from clay. That which depends upon something for its existence, that which does not independently exist is called asat. Anything that is time-bound like a pot will change (break) and you cannot stop it because its nature is to keep on changing. Knowing that it is not eternal, why cry for it ?

Sat is that which never changes and hence cannot create a sorrow for you. Sat is never negated at any time and hence cannot create a sorrow for you.
In the vision of the Veda, you are the sat and everything else is asat.
Asat cannot be a source of sorrow to sat and sat cannot be a source of sorrow to you, because it is You.
Thus the jnani is very well aware that the Self always exists and the world is like a mirage . He rejects the names and forms and takes the underlying Essence in all the names and forms, that is sath-chit-ananda.
So, what is changing must be unreal.
What is permanent must be real.

Love,
Chithra.

 

Re: One of the deepest verses of Gita is 2.16

Dear AC,
A WOW to you for the Feedback at the speed of light!

You started off, not too confidently, but ended more confidently, I am relieved !
Getting disturbed by the senses - it takes janmas to overcome, so don't worry. I am sure, any exponent of Gita has all these in some measures, may be in a lower measure than us, laypeople. As I always write, awareness makes a beginning.

Your last para is very correct. Just like on a movie screen, pictures come & go,leaving the screen unchanged, the Self (atma) just continues, unchanged.You have written
What changes is ofcourse not real. Like the screen where the movie is played. the screen exists before and during and after the movie. the movie just comes and goes while the screen continues to exist.
Hope I am on the right track.....
This proves you are on the right track & only on the right track, AC ! It does take a lot of maturity to understand this.
Love
To
Chitra
From
Chithra.

 

Re: One of the deepest verses of Gita is 2.16

Dear Shanthi,
You are yet another delight to me, with your prompt FB.
Please don't think, I am in a hurry for FB - I am happy with just an acknowledgement, the topic being so deep.
Please take your time, any length of time to chew it.
But these are the verses that make Gita, our special scripture, rather the essence of Upanishads, as my teaceher says.
I cannot thank you & AC, enough, Shanvy!
Love,
Chithra.

 

Re: One of the deepest verses of Gita is 2.16

Dear Kamla,
Thanks for an early feedback like "good old days" !
There always used to be a trace of doubt in your feedbacks, about accepting Gita, which made me wonder, if I was failing to express it clearly.
Your words
I have understood that Gita is exactly for people like me. It surely strengthens your perceptions and guides you with its silent teachings. When one begins to understand its value even slightly, it seems to color your thoughts, even if only minutely.
Have made my mind rest in peace.
Yes, the understanding comes very slowly, very gradually, but a beginning has to be made.
Thanks for a reassuring FB.
Love,
Chithra.

 

Re: One of the deepest verses of Gita is 2.16

Dear Mals,
Thanks for the FB.
You surely have got lost. Atma cannot be perceived. Only the sukshma sariram enters another body-mind-complex !
It is unlikely - what you have written, as far as I know. I am likely to be wrong as well.
Love,
Chithra.