A precious gem that came my way!

 

Today I  concluded reading this book in Marathi which is a commentary by H.Bh.P Shri Ranganath Maharaj Parbhanikar on the 12th chapter of the Bhagwad Gita and Dnyaaneshwari. I must say this is the most comprehensive, lucid and soulful explanation I have ever read. As I dug deeper into the subject matter it led me into a chamber of clearer understanding of so many issues which I had previously read and thought I had understood. Of course that’s how the Bhagwad Gita has always been in that every time I read there are new revelations. But the commentary I am referring in this book was an eye opener like nothing else. I get an immense sense of gratitude towards Parbhanikar Maharaj for this. Indeed it’s a huge service he had done towards anyone on the path of parmarth or spiritual awakening.

For those who are well versed with the Bhagwad Gita, it is common knowledge that the 12th chapter deals with Bhaktiyoga. It primarily details the qualifications of a true devotee of God. Adweshta sarva bhootanam! One who despises noone! Maitraha: one who is a friend to all! Karunaevach: compassionate to all! Nirmamo, nirahankara: Who lacks egoism! Who treats happiness and sorrow, pleasant and unpleasant experiences, praise and criticism, honor and disrespect with equanimity. Shuchihi: Who is pure within and without. Who is forgiving of others. Santushto: Who is content in every situation and nakankshati: desires nothing. Whose devotion to God is unwavering and full of conviction( dridhanischayaha). And more! 

Studying the ever familiar verses was at a different level this time. As I said earlier it opened the doors to a chamber of clearer understanding. In addition it directly shone light on the boundary between an intellect that identifies as human vs an awareness that disengages with any identity and stands alone. In the course of enhancing clarity it became obvious that all qualities described in the true devotee are only possible in the latter dimension! They are not natural or inherent to an intellect that identifies with a mortal existence. In fact until the old identity of the person is relinquished there is no real devotee by definition in the context of this chapter. Up until this point of understanding its fine and clear. Yet understanding is not the final frontier! 

The key term used by the author is pratitigamya! प्रतितीगम्य ! Accessible or amenable to experience! 

Takes me to the famous line by Sant Eknath Maharaj: ek tari ovi anubhavavi! 

Understanding is not same as experiencing. Understanding is certainly not same as living! 

How does one jump from the land where one has lived since as far back as one can remember to a land that is now within one’s view but not where one has lived before? I am referring to our existence in our intellect vs in awareness. How do we step and stand outside of it? It is obvious that this entire scenario is too subtle and perceptible only in the deepest contemplative state. And of course we cannot remain in such contemplative states for long periods. A practical way to explain the issue would be through a metaphor. Consider that turning point wherein milk sets as curd. It is a process, a gradual transformation that occurs if certain requirements and steps are followed. Once transformed it is irreversible. The curd cannot revert to becoming milk again even though it may sit in the same container! Yet there are so many variables that dictate how much time it will take for the curd to set in!

There is an emphasis put on continued abhyasa or study on the path to awakening. This abhyasa, contemplation and practice on the pearls gathered at every step is the equivalent of the process that will eventually, seemingly naturally, convert the milk into curd! In other words the practice,when continued, will allow the old intellect to jump into the new frontier where there is nothing to identify with other than its natural state. There could be an interim stage where this thinking entity called intellect may be recognized simply as a faculty that is dedicated to work for the subtler entity of awareness, and not for the personal gratification through or for the physical body. In any case any conscious effort would be definitely making a gradual and progressive shift from the gross( physical/ material) plane to increasingly subtle planes. 

These days when I walk in Pune from my apartment to the clinic, there is a particular street lined with tall trees with white flowers with thin long stalks. There is a very subtle and lovely fragrance to these flowers. Often these flowers are strewn on the street, more so after rain showers. I indulge at times, bending to pick fresh ones from the roadside. Then go and put them in a glass of water in the clinic. They stay fresh for 2-3 days and fill the room with their divine aroma. Anyone who enters the room can immediately smell it. The qualities of the finest of devotees described in the 12th chapter are like these flowers. Delicate and full of fragrance that fills the senses with joy. Each day they ought to be picked with effort and tucked into the mind until the mind begins to bear the fragrance. 

P.S. Just found out those flowers are from the Indian cork tree. Images are borrowed from the internet. Will get my own photos soon.