Bhagavad Gita (12)

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CHAPTER 12THE PATH OF LOVE(Bhakti

Yoga)"I love the one who is beyond 'I' and 'mine',unperturbed by pain and not elated by pleasure."1.

Arjuna speaks again : "My interest is aroused now but I have a

question. You say that only by unswerving love and worship can a

devotee attain oneness with God. But some worship the invisible,

formless God (Nirguna Brahman) and others worship the visible God with form (Saguna Brahman). Which of these two aspects is easiest? Which will melt your heart more?"2. Krishna answers, "I am pleased with either path, but worshiping Saguna

Brahman, the one you can see, is right for you at this point, Arjuna.

Setting your heart steadily on the visible aspect of Me and becoming

saturated with devotion and faith will lead you quickly and surely to

Me, the Godhead.3-4. "As for those who worship Nirguna

Brahman (God without form or name), if they truly subdue their senses,

maintain a calm mind, and work for the good of all beings, they also

come to Me. But realize, Arjuna, that Nirguna means not of nature; this

Brahman is indefinable and unmanifested, invisible, not materialized.

The senses therefore have no access to it, there is nothing to which it

can be likened.5. "Devotees of the nonmaterialized Godhead have

steeper climb. It is extremely difficult for a person in a physical

form to really understand the formless. Ordinary people identify

themselves with their own physical body and cannot help but

conceptualize God as also being in some sort of body. To deeply love

the formless God one must be free from one's own body consciousness,

and this state is not attainable by many."But keep in mind,

Arjuna, that worshiping Divinity in a form will help for only a while.

Those whose ultimate aim is full liberation must sooner or later give

up attachment to the body. Without this, the Atma stage of spiritual development cannot be attained."THE ORDER OF DEVOTION6-7.

"But know, Arjuna, that I quickly come to those who offer Me all their

actions, set their minds on Me with unswerving devotion, worship Me as

their dearest delight, and take Me as their one and only goal in life.

Because they so dearly love Me, I save them from the sorrow of death

and endless wave of rebirth.8. "It is true that one is where

one's mind is. So fix your mind on Me. Be absorbed in Me alone. Focus

your devotion on Me. Still yourself in Me. Without a doubt you will

then come and live within Me.9. "If you are unable to become

absorbed in Me, wean your mind away from the world and reach Me by

constantly concentrating on Me. I know this may seem impossible, but as

I said, the 'impossible' can be made possible through regular practice (abhyasa yoga).10.

"If you find that you are not disciplined enough to concentrate in this

manner, transform all your worldly actions into worship. Do them for My

sake. Turn your force of habit to your own advantage; make a habit of

dedicating all your action to Divinity. In this way you become My

instrument and your mind gradually becomes purified, which will lead

you to Me.11. "But if you cannot even do that, then pursue an

alternative that is equally powerful. Take refuge in Me. Subdue your

mind and give up desire for the fruits of your actions.12.

"Knowledge is better than mere performance of rituals. Meditation is

better than knowledge. Abandoning the fruits of one's acts (tyaga), is better than meditation. Why? Because peace immediately follows the giving up of expectations."THE MOST LOVED DEVOTEES13-14.

"Arjuna, I will now enumerate the marks of the devotee I most dearly

love. I love the one who harbors no ill will toward any living being,

who returns love for hatred, who is friendly and compassionate toward

all. I love the devotee who is beyond 'I' and 'mine', unperturbed by

pain and not elated by pleasure, who possesses firm faith, is

forgiving, ever contented and ever meditating on Me.15. "I love

the peaceful devotee who is neither a source of agitation in the world

nor agitated by the world. I love those who are free of fear, envy, and

other annoyances that the world brings, who accept the knocks that come

their way as blessings in disguise.16. "I love those who do

their worldly duties unconcerned and untroubled by life. I love those

who expect absolutely nothing. Those who are pure both internally and

externally are also very dear to Me. I love the devotees who are ready

to be My instrument, meet any demands I make on them, and yet ask

nothing of Me.17. "I love those who do not rejoice or feel

revulsion, who do not grieve, do not yearn for possessions, are not

affected by the bad or good things that happen to and around them and

yet are full of devotion to Me. They are dear to Me because they live

in the Self (Atma), not in the commotion of the world.18-19.

"I love devotees whose attitudes are the same toward friend or foe, who

are indifferent to honor or ignominy, heat or cold, praise or criticism

- who not only control their talking but are silent within. Also very

dear to Me are those generally content with life and unattached to

things of the world, even to home. I love those whose sole concern in

life is to love Me. Indeed, these and all the others I mentioned are

very, very dear to Me.20. "Hold Me as your highest goal. Live

your life in accordance with the immortal wisdom I have taught you

here, and practice this wisdom with great faith and deep devotion.

Surrender your mind and heart completely on Me. Then I will love you

dearly, and you will go beyond death to immortality."(From : The Bhagavad Gita (A Walkthrough for Westerners) by Jack Hawley)Copyright reserved by author Visit : Sai Divine Inspirations : http://saidivineinspirations.blogspot.com/ Sai Messages : http://saimessages.blogspot.com/ Love Is My Form : http://loveismyform.blogspot.com/