Vibhuthiyoga: (Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10) Part-1
Harihi Om!!
In the 10th Chapter of Bhagavad Gita, Krishna speaks to Arjuna about how He, as various forms in various beings or objects is spread everywhere and is the origin of every being living or non-living.
As I understand, the nature of Vishnu, being all-pervasive and the basic essence of everything, is being explained with extensive examples in this chapter.
(I refer to the copy of SriBhagavadgita, (Sanskrit/Telugu) published by Gita Press, Gorakhpur for most of the meaning of the Sanskrit slokas in Telugu)
This seems to be in line with my notes I wrote based on my understanding of Chapter 7 on this blog. (http://freedomformind.blogspot.com/2007/12/notes-from-bhagavad-gita-chapter-7.html)
The 10th Chapter is also termed the “Vibuthiyoga”. Vibuthi may mean the “superhuman powers or faculties”. Sometimes in context of the Vibuthi powers, according to the yogic literature, are eight fold powers: Anima (ability to become small “minute”), Mahima (ability to grow huge, like the Virat Purusha, occupying the entire Universe), Laghima (ability to make one’s self weight-less), Garima (ability to make one’s self very heavy) , Prapti(ability to touch the sky with hands, while still standing on Earth and a achieve multiple super-human capabilities), Prakamya (ability to live under-water and become invisible), Vasitvam (ability to bring into control any being: human or beast) and Ishitvam (to have Divine powers).1
Krishna in the first few slokas, begins with explaining Arjuna, that He is the One with no birth, He is eternal and He is the cause of the birth of everything. It seems to me a very fundamental philosophical point is being made here in a very subtle way, in terms of the cosmological concepts of Universe creation etc.
Firstly the basic meaning of the early verses in the chapter (10:2 to 10:11):
“Even the Devatas and Maharshis do not know how I was born. That is because, they are born out of Me!
“Of humans, he is the Gyani (the one with perfect knowledge), who knows Me as the One who is the Eternal and the Great Lord of the entire Universe. He shall be free from all kinds of evil.
“Determination, Exact Knowledge (gained from practical experience), Freedom from Infatuation, Patience, Truth, Control of Senses, Control of Mind, Happiness and Sorrow, Creation and Destruction, Fear and Courage, Peace, Equality, Joy, Penance, Charity, Fame and Ill-fame : these are the qualities/attributes of (human) life. I am the Cause for all of these!!
“The Saptarshis (according to Krishna Yajurveda are Bhrigu, Angirasa, Athri, Kasyapa, Vashishta, Gautama, Kutsa) 2, their ancestors, the four Mahamunis (Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana, Sanat Kumara) 3, the fourteen Manus (Svayambhuva, Svarocisha, Uttama, Tamasa, Raivatha, Chakshusha, Vaivasvatha, Savarni, Daksha-Savarni, Brahma-Savarni, Dharma-Savarni, Rudra-Savarni, Deva-Savarni, Indra-Savarni) 4 are all My devotees and they all adore Me. They were all born because of My volition. The remaining life forms in the entire Universe are descendents of these (rishis, munis and manus).
“Whoever knows, (a) Me as the One with unimaginable super-powers and (b) the basic nature of the Divine yoga (union of non-divine and Divine), will undoubtedly become a great devotee (and will be blessed).
“ I am the root-cause of the creation of the Universe. I am the basis on which the entire Universe is sustained. Those who know (are certain of) this to be true, are knowledgeable (gyanis) devotees and always serve Me.
“My devotees are always dedicating their lives, (pious) deeds to Me and they always exchange conversations about My greatness and they always keep thinking about Me.
“For such devotees as said above, I bless them with the buddhiyoga (or the tattvagyanayoga: the eternal knowledge), through which they ultimately will reach Me.
“Arjuna!! I remain inside them and throw away the darkness called ignorance by Enlightening them (from within).”
(to be continued)
References:
1) http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Siddhis/id/23722
2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saptarshi#Saptarshis_given_in_major_Hindu_texts
3) http://www.dharmakshetra.com/sages/Kumaras.htm
4) http://www.stephen-knapp.com/avataras_of_god.htm
In the 10th Chapter of Bhagavad Gita, Krishna speaks to Arjuna about how He, as various forms in various beings or objects is spread everywhere and is the origin of every being living or non-living.
As I understand, the nature of Vishnu, being all-pervasive and the basic essence of everything, is being explained with extensive examples in this chapter.
(I refer to the copy of SriBhagavadgita, (Sanskrit/Telugu) published by Gita Press, Gorakhpur for most of the meaning of the Sanskrit slokas in Telugu)
This seems to be in line with my notes I wrote based on my understanding of Chapter 7 on this blog. (http://freedomformind.blogspot.com/2007/12/notes-from-bhagavad-gita-chapter-7.html)
The 10th Chapter is also termed the “Vibuthiyoga”. Vibuthi may mean the “superhuman powers or faculties”. Sometimes in context of the Vibuthi powers, according to the yogic literature, are eight fold powers: Anima (ability to become small “minute”), Mahima (ability to grow huge, like the Virat Purusha, occupying the entire Universe), Laghima (ability to make one’s self weight-less), Garima (ability to make one’s self very heavy) , Prapti(ability to touch the sky with hands, while still standing on Earth and a achieve multiple super-human capabilities), Prakamya (ability to live under-water and become invisible), Vasitvam (ability to bring into control any being: human or beast) and Ishitvam (to have Divine powers).1
Krishna in the first few slokas, begins with explaining Arjuna, that He is the One with no birth, He is eternal and He is the cause of the birth of everything. It seems to me a very fundamental philosophical point is being made here in a very subtle way, in terms of the cosmological concepts of Universe creation etc.
Firstly the basic meaning of the early verses in the chapter (10:2 to 10:11):
“Even the Devatas and Maharshis do not know how I was born. That is because, they are born out of Me!
“Of humans, he is the Gyani (the one with perfect knowledge), who knows Me as the One who is the Eternal and the Great Lord of the entire Universe. He shall be free from all kinds of evil.
“Determination, Exact Knowledge (gained from practical experience), Freedom from Infatuation, Patience, Truth, Control of Senses, Control of Mind, Happiness and Sorrow, Creation and Destruction, Fear and Courage, Peace, Equality, Joy, Penance, Charity, Fame and Ill-fame : these are the qualities/attributes of (human) life. I am the Cause for all of these!!
“The Saptarshis (according to Krishna Yajurveda are Bhrigu, Angirasa, Athri, Kasyapa, Vashishta, Gautama, Kutsa) 2, their ancestors, the four Mahamunis (Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana, Sanat Kumara) 3, the fourteen Manus (Svayambhuva, Svarocisha, Uttama, Tamasa, Raivatha, Chakshusha, Vaivasvatha, Savarni, Daksha-Savarni, Brahma-Savarni, Dharma-Savarni, Rudra-Savarni, Deva-Savarni, Indra-Savarni) 4 are all My devotees and they all adore Me. They were all born because of My volition. The remaining life forms in the entire Universe are descendents of these (rishis, munis and manus).
“Whoever knows, (a) Me as the One with unimaginable super-powers and (b) the basic nature of the Divine yoga (union of non-divine and Divine), will undoubtedly become a great devotee (and will be blessed).
“ I am the root-cause of the creation of the Universe. I am the basis on which the entire Universe is sustained. Those who know (are certain of) this to be true, are knowledgeable (gyanis) devotees and always serve Me.
“My devotees are always dedicating their lives, (pious) deeds to Me and they always exchange conversations about My greatness and they always keep thinking about Me.
“For such devotees as said above, I bless them with the buddhiyoga (or the tattvagyanayoga: the eternal knowledge), through which they ultimately will reach Me.
“Arjuna!! I remain inside them and throw away the darkness called ignorance by Enlightening them (from within).”
(to be continued)
References:
1) http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Siddhis/id/23722
2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saptarshi#Saptarshis_given_in_major_Hindu_texts
3) http://www.dharmakshetra.com/sages/Kumaras.htm
4) http://www.stephen-knapp.com/avataras_of_god.htm
-Pamulaparty Siddartha
02 Apr, 2008.
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