BhagavadGita Part8

THE ETERNAL BEING

Arjun said: O Krishn, who is the Eternal Being (Brahm)? What is Adhyaatm, or the nature of the Eternal Being? What is Karm? Who are the mortal beings (Adhibhut)? And who are Divine Beings (Adhidaiv)? Who is the Supersoul (Adhiyajn), and how does He dwell in the body? How can You be remembered at the time of death by those who have control over their minds, O Krishn? (8.01-02)

Definition of supreme spirit, spirit, individual soul, and Karma

The Supreme Lord said: The immutable Atma (Spirit) is called Brahm (Eternal Being). The nature (including the inherent power of cognition and desire) of Brahm is called Adhyaatm. The creative power of Brahm that causes manifestation of the living entity (Jeev) is called Karm. (8.03) Mortal beings are called Adhibhut. The expansions of Divine Personality ---such as Naaraayan, Mahaa-vishnu, Ishvar, etc. --- are called Divine Beings (Adhidaiv). I am the Supersoul (Adhiyajn) residing inside the body as the supreme controller (Ishvar), O Arjun. (8.04)

Theory of reincarnation and Karma

The one who remembers Me exclusively even while leaving the body at the time of death, attains Me; there is no doubt about it. (8.05) Remembering whatever object one leaves the body at the end of life, one attains that object, O Arjun, because of the constant thought of that object (one remembers that object at the end of life and achieves it). (8.06)

A simple method of God-realization

Therefore, always remember Me and do your duty. You shall certainly attain Me if your mind and intellect are ever focused on Me. (8.07) By contemplating on Me with an unwavering mind that is disciplined by the practice of meditation, one attains the Supreme Being, O Arjun. (8.08) One who meditates on the Supreme Being (ParBrahm)

--- as the omniscient, the oldest, the controller, smaller than the smallest (and bigger than the biggest), the sustainer of everything, the inconceivable, the self-luminous like the sun, and as transcendental or beyond the material reality --- at the time of death with steadfast mind and devotion; making the flow of bioimpulses (life forces, Praan) rise up to the middle of two eye brows (or the sixth Chakr) by the power of yog and holding there; attains Krishn, the Supreme Divine Person. (See also 4.29, 5.27, 6.13) (8.09-10) I shall briefly explain the process to attain the supreme abode that the knowers of the Veda call immutable; into which the ascetics, freed from attachment, enter; and desiring which people lead a life of celibacy. (8.11)

Attain salvation by meditating on God at the time of death

When one leaves the physical body by controlling all the senses; focusing the mind on God, and Praan (life forces) in the cerebrum; engaged in yogic practice; meditating on Me and uttering AUM--- the sacred monosyllable sound power of Eternal Being (Brahm) --- one attains the supreme abode. (8.12-13) I am easily attainable, O Arjun, by that ever steadfast yogi who always thinks of Me and whose mind does not go elsewhere. (8.14) After attaining Me, the great souls do not incur rebirth in this miserable transitory world, because they have attained the highest perfection. (8.15) The dwellers of all the worlds --- up to and including the world of Brahmaa, the creator --- are subject to the miseries of repeated birth and death. But, after attaining Me, O Arjun, one does not take birth again. (See also 9.25) (8.16)

Everything in the creation is cyclic

Those who know that the day of the creator (Brahmaa) lasts one thousand Yugas (or 4.32 billion years) and that his night also lasts one thousand Yugas, they are the knowers of day and night. (8.17) All manifestations come out of the primary material Nature (Aadi Prakriti or Avyakt) at the arrival of the day of Brahmaa (Creator), and they again merge into the same at the coming of Brahmaa’s night. (8.18) The same multitude of beings comes into existence again and again at the arrival of the day of the creator (Brahmaa); and is annihilated, inevitably, at the arrival of Brahmaa’s night. (8.19)

There is another eternal transcendental existence--- higher than the changeable material Nature (Prakriti) --- that does not perish when all created beings perish. This is called the unmanifest Eternal Being (Avyakt Akshar Brahm). This is also said to be ParamDhaam, the supreme abode. Those who attain My supreme abode do not take birth again. (8.20-21) This supreme abode, O Arjun, is attainable by unswerving devotion to Me within which all beings exist, and by which all this universe is pervaded. (See also 9.04 and 11.55) (8.22)

Two basic paths of departure from the world

O Arjun, now I shall describe different paths departing by which, during death, the yogis do or do not come back. (8.23) Fire, light, daytime, the bright lunar fortnight, and the six months of the northern solstice of the sun --- departing by the path of these celestial controllers (Devas), yogis who know the Eternal Being (Brahm) attain Brahm. (8.24) Smoke, night, the dark lunar fortnight, and the six months of southern solstice of the sun --- departing by these paths, the righteous person attains heaven and comes back to earth. (8.25) The path of light (of spiritual practice and Self-knowledge) and the path of darkness (of materialism and ignorance) are thought to be the world’s two eternal paths. The former leads to salvation (Mukti, Nirvan) and the latter leads to rebirth. (8.26)

Transcendental knowledge leads to salvation

Knowing these two paths, O Arjun, a yogi is not bewildered at all. Therefore, O Arjun, be steadfast in yog with Me at all times. (8.27) The yogi who knows all this goes beyond getting the benefits of the study of the Vedas, performance of sacrifices, austerities, and charities, and attains My Supreme Eternal Abode (ParamDhaam). (8.28)