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In this chapter, to remove Arjun’s curiosity and increase his knowledge, Krishna shares the science of yoga with him. Krishna says, Arjun, I will tell you the science of yoga and the eternal science that I taught to Lord Sun at the beginning of the time. The same knowledge was passed to saintly Kings.
Arjun wonders that how Krishna could exist so many ages ago when he was his age only. He asks Krishna the same question: How is it possible that you existed so many years ago and gave this knowledge to Sun?
Shri Krishna hence in this chapter clears the doubts of Arjun, unrevealing the mystery of his birth or descension.
The Supreme says that the knowledge was passed to saintly kings, but with time, it was lost in the world. Today I am revealing the supreme secret of yog to you because you are my friend as well as my devotee. You are the only one who can understand this mystical wisdom.
Arjun said, how can I understand that you passed all this knowledge eons ago when you got birth at the same time as mine?
Krishna says, O Arjun, both of us have taken many births. You have forgotten them while I remember everything.
I am the unborn who never gets birth and never dies. I am the Supreme Lord who creates the Universe and lives in every being. I appear in the world with my divine power called Yogmaya.
O Arjun, I arrive in this world whenever there is a decline of Dharma happens. Whenever the unrighteousness increases, I manifest on Earth.
I appear on Earth to balance the order of nature, to crush the wicked, ages after ages.
Those who understand me understand the ultimate knowledge and do not take birth after their lifetime ends; they receive my heavenly abode.
By being free from attachment, fear, anger, and desires, a person comes closer to God, and that means he comes closer to me. When a person crosses all the lust and desire, he reaches and receives my divine love.
People who desire materialistic things worship celestial Gods and get their rewards manifested. However, those who worship me and get absorbed in me attain Moksha and end from the bondage of karma. Such people never take birth and never experience the miseries of this planet.
I am the creator of the system, and I am eternal; one who knows me never remains bound to the karmic cycle. In ancient times, sages sought liberation, and by following the path of those ancient sages, you too should perform your duty.
People get confused about action and inaction; they don’t become able to differentiate between both. Today I will share the secret with you, knowing which, you can free yourself from the material bondage.
First, you should know the three terms: recommended action, wrong action, and inaction. Wise sages are those who perform all the actions without any attachment to them. They are untouched by the desire for the fruit of their actions.
Such people are not attached to anything in this material world, and they are not dependant on any external thing for their happiness and peace. Their mind is free from the attachments and sense of ownership, their senses are controlled fully, and they are not bound to any results.
Their understanding is established in the divine knowledge; they perform all actions as a sacrifice to God; hence their karmic reactions are subdued.
When one is completely observed in God, the sacrifice is Brahman. The act of offering to God is Brahman. People who see God in everything can easily attain him. People who sacrifice themselves or offer themselves completely to God gain the Supreme knowledge and receive God’s path.
Some yogis offer their hearing and other senses in the fire of sacrifice; some also offer the function of all their senses and life energy as the sacrifice.
Soe performs several austerities, and some sacrifice their wealth. Some are in the deep yogic practices, and others read the scriptures and cultivate knowledge.
Some perform Pranayam where they control the income and outgoing breath regulating the Prana energy. Some Yogis also limit their food intake; all these Yogis sacrifice some of the other things, which removes their impurities and gradually makes them an improved being.
Thus those who understand the value of sacrifice and implement it in their daily life receive the nectar of Moksha. Those who live without sacrificing to God never attain peace in this lifetime or the next. All types of sacrifices are mentioned in the Vedas. Know them and understand them to get free from the material bondage.
Learn the truth of sacrifice by approaching a spiritual master. Be in his service and follow his guidance; only an enlightened saint can take his devotees toward the path of Superior knowledge and liberation.
When you follow such a truly enlightened saint, you remain in no delusion, and reality falls in place. When you are illuminated by the knowledge, you will see all living beings as the part of Supreme who are within me.
Even if a person is the sinner of all can get rid of the materialistic world and live in God by getting divine knowledge.
As a kindled fire turns into ashes, the fire of knowledge burns all the karma of one person and bestows him with pure reality. Attaining divine knowledge is possible if one has enough control over his mind and senses and the one who practice Yog. Such people quickly attain transcendental knowledge and reach supreme peace.
O Arjun, with the sword of knowledge, slay your doubts taking place in your mind. O scion of Bharat, operate from the Karm Yog and take action.