Philosophy

Māyā

Why does this discernment of thought not exist normally in people? Bhagavān answers:

māyāyā’pahṛtajñānāḥ

Māyā has taken away the discerning ability of people.

The State of Īśvara

From the perspective of the visible world, the invisible and divisionless part of the universe, Supreme Brahman is known as Īśvara or Parameśvara. When the pure, formless, and actionless Brahman assumes the position of the universal controller, it is known as Parameśvara. There are no differences such as the ruler and ruled in the transcendental state of Brahman. When that consciousness exists as part of the world and is seen as the ruler of the universe, it is known as Īśvara.

Summary

Whatever is essential and uniquely great in this world is to be understood as a salient mark of Brahma’s power. Whatever quality endows a thing with usefulness and value belongs to the power of Brahma.

Accomplishment through Practice

It looks as though this principle appealed to Arjuna’s mind, in the course of teaching of the true nature of the ātmā. However, he still had doubts regarding the practice.

cancalaṃ hi manaḥ kṛṣṇa pramāthi balavad-dṛḍham।
tasyāhaṃ nigrahaṃ manye vāyor-iva suduṣkaram॥ BG 6.34

Limiting Pleasures

It is not required for a sādhaka practising dhyāna to adhere to valiant restrictions on food and other diversions. His sitting posture should not hinder easy breathing and other bodily activities, and should not cause trouble to his limbs. There is a proper measure for eating, sleeping and jāgaraṇa^[1]. A yogi is moderate in the above aspects. Here, moderation means just as much as is required for mental balance; neither more, nor less.

The Advantage of Performing Karma

Note

jñānārhaté saṃnyāsādé
saṃnyasipudu karmaphalavano karmavano|
enaṃ karmadoḷillaṃ
tānénuvudu seré karmadóḷagadu kaluṣaṃ||

Saṃnyāsa makes one fit for knowledge
What should we give up, karma or its fruit?
Karma itself is pure, faultless.
It only becomes impure by the feeling of ‘I’.

svāntada śodhanéyappudu
santatakarmātta lokasaṃparkagaḷim|
antantaśśodhitadai-
kāntada dṛṣṭiyiné pūrṇatattvaṃ doréguṃ||

The Three Maxims of the Yoga of Action

The Vision of Equality (Sama-darśana)

The Actionless Ātmā