Sunday, July 05, 2009

Arjuna Reborn

The Eternal Reality of the Souls' Immortality.


The knowledge found within the Bhagavad-Gita is incomparable as it gives specific information regarding the purpose of human existence, the immortality of the soul and our eternal relationship with God. This information applies to each and every one of us without exception. Without realization of our divine relationship with the God it is impossible to establish our eternal relationship with Him. This divine relationship is our natural constitutional position and every human beings birthright.

There are three paths which lead directly to establishing a relationship with God. According to the authority of Bhagavad-Gita these paths have been designated as the yoga of perfect actions, the yoga of perfect devotion and the yoga of perfect knowledge. These three paths with great care and attention have been fully explained in the Bhagavad-Gita which comprises chapters 23 through 40 in the Bhishma-Parva section of Mahabharata.

Chapter one introduces the scene, the setting, the circumstances and the characters involved determining the reasons for the Bhagavad-Gita's revelation. The scene is the sacred plain of Kuruksetra. The setting is a battlefield. The circumstances is war. The main characters are the Supreme Lord Krishna and Prince Arjuna, witnessed by four million soldiers led by their respective military commanders. After naming the principal warriors on both sides, Arjuna's growing dejection is described due to the fear of losing friends and relatives in the course of the impending war and the subsequent sins attached to such actions. Thus this chapter is entitled: Lamenting the Consequence of War.

In chapter two Arjuna accepts the position as a disciple of Lord Krishna and taking complete of Him requests the Lord to instruct him in how to dispel his lamentation and grief. This chapter is often deemed a summary to the entire Bhagavad-Gita. Here many subjects are explained such as: karma yoga, jnana yoga, sankhya yoga, buddih yoga and the atma which is the soul.

Predominance has been given to the immortal nature of the soul existing within all living entities and it has been described in great detail. Thus this chapter is entitled: The Eternal Reality of the Souls' Immortality.....
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There has not been an age in which I did not incarnate, and in each age my message has been: your soul is immortal. Therefore why should you grieve, and what is the path to end your human suffering?
Arjuna is a metaphor for all those who are disciples, or followers of God. The lessons taught, sometimes with a kick in the pants, sometimes with a "oh quit your whining", but always with love, are a path to peace, and union with God.

But there was an actual being called Arjuna. He was a noble prince, a warrior, and infallible archer. The lessons he learned are lessons for all of us, and allow us to follow, the perfect path.
He was the great warrior Rahwin on Atlan, who knew that one had to act decisively, without regret. He was Paramahansa Yogananda, who brought his knowledge to America. He is my son, who, born in America, which symbolises all that is good and bad with the world, yet with all the karma he brings with him, is yet a symbol for us again, already recognised as Arjuna, reborn.

I told a follower of Yogananda that he was born again. He couldn't accept that; Yogananda had reached enlightenment, and did not have to be reborn. Fool! Each living being reaches enlightenment and union with God at some stage and yet, chooses to be reborn, with all the attendant suffering, so that they can reflect God's will. And I told a follower he could forgive himself for the guilt he felt for a hidden affair, but by comparing himself to an impossible ideal, denied himself the grace of God's forgiveness.

This is the lesson of Arjuna: There is a battle before you. Follow your path. And God, the Supreme Being, will reveal himself to you in all his glory.




2 comments:

Man From Atlan said...

Thanks.
No: I have two translations but it certainly looks like a good one. I should look at this one too.

Anonymous said...

Krsna in BG 3.33 explains,

sadrsam cestate svasyah prakrter jnanavan api
prakrtim yanti bhutani nigrahah kim karisyati

"Even a man of knowledge acts according to his own nature, for everyone follows his nature. What can repression accomplish?"

hp says hola to Naseer!