With the growing popularity of yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda, there has also been an increased interest in Vedanta, where all of this ancient wisdom comes from. With that in mind, I thought we’d take a look at some of the verses of the Bhagavad Gita, from my translation Song Divine: A New Lyrical Rendition of the Bhagavad Gita. We’ll take it chapter by chapter each week and see how we can apply the knowledge to our lives today.
Chapter 13
KRISHNA:
Some meditate to perceive this High Self.
Some feel it through dedication to work,
Ad some who are curious find
Through diligence to knowledge its spark.
In this verse. Krishna is talking about three of the Yoga paths. Raja Yoga is the path of meditation. Karma Yoga is the path of work and service. Jnana Yoga is the path of knowledge. All of these paths, as well as Bhakti Yoga, the path of love and devotion, lead to the same place – the understanding of who we are, the perception of the Higher Self. All paths are valid, our personalities tend to pull us to a certain path that feels more meaningful to each of us.
Chapter 14
KRISHNA:
One who has transcended the gunas
Hates not, not longs for anything.
Unconcerned, unmoved by the gunas,
Calm in happiness, or suffering.
The “gunas” are our human tendencies. Rajas is tumultuous, overactive, rushed. Tamas is heavy, dull, inert. Sattva is moderate, measured, steady. Sattva is like the middle path, tempered and calm. But we can even rise above sattva to become aware of our true identify. When we reach this stage we have a true peace of mind that nothing can disturb, not the greatest news or the worst news. We see any event for what it is, temporary.
Lissa Coffey is the author of Song Divine: A New Lyrical Rendition of the Bhagavad Gita. For more information visit: www.SongDivine.com
