Friday, April 25, 2008

Diary 10 of Divine Great Saint Ushaji: BARSANA


Every year after Janmashtmi, Ushaji ventured on a pilgrimage to Barsana for around 15 days for celebrating Lalita-chhath and Sri Radhashtmi. The eight gopis who are the chief consorts of Lord Krishna are known by the names of Lalita, Vishakha , Vrinda , Tungbhadra and so on. Lalitaji's birthday called 'Lalitachhath' is also celebrated just ten days after Lord Krishna's Janmashtmi ,in Unchagaon which is about 5 kms from Barsana.

I was fortunate enough to reach Barsana every year and stay with Her for around 3 to 4 days, making a note of Her daily regime.

i) The morning kirtan was followed by a holy dip in Peeli-Pokhar instead of Yamunaji . Her pursuits up to 10 am were the same as in Vrindaban ( 3.30 am to 5 am diary 1 of Divine Great Saint Ushaji ;5 am to 6 am diary 2 of Divine Great Saint Ushaji and 6 am to 10 am diary 3 of Divine Great Saint Ushaji )

ii) Soon after 10 am, She headed straight for darshan or glimpsing of the famous Sriji temple . If time permitted, She did parikarma or circumambulation of Gahar Van as well which takes about an hour. At times In the same manner She would proceed to Uncha-Gaon which was the birthplace of Lalitaji.


iii) Later on in the day after Sriji Darshan, Saint Ushaji returned to Thakurji for offering lunch-Bhog. The time she spent now was the same as in Vrindaban from 11 am to 4 pm as stated in diary 6 .

iv) Another distinctive trait of Saint Ushaji's trip to Barsana was the 4 to 6 pm assembly a regular feature at Vrindaban ( 4pm to 8 pm diary 7 of Divine Great Saint Ushaji ) . But sometimes independently , She proceeded to nearby pilgrimage sites and experienced many divine leelas from Sakhaji.

Let me clarify who was Sakhaji? He was a divinity of Gaulok , who had initially appeared before Saint Usha Bahinji on Her birthday (30th July , 1954 ) and started imparting Lord Sri Krishna leelas to the innermost circle of devotees popularly called the parikar.


Incidentally the divine events she shared with Thakurji reveal that a course of ancient Acharya Vallabhachryaji on 'Gitaji'-Goswami Tulsidassji- Soordass Bhakti-yuga was replicated in the Bobo era as well ( 30th July 1925 to 20th Feb 1992 ).Before Teacher's Day when great devotees of the Lord are incarnated, they generally come together in a parikar or divine group so that time spent on Earth is not idled away with worldly people but fruitfully devoted to true spiritual satsang . To quote from The Divinised Humanity : Saint Ushaji :

"Her birth on 30th July , 1925 ------surprisingly, it is the Sravan month, which had the privilege to bring Rev. Ushaji on this corporeall and. And again, it is the same day and month when Sakhaji- a divine personality in celestial form, advents in the life of Ushaji to reveal esoteric secrets of Golokdham" .

As far as Great Saint Ushaji was concerned, Thakurji-sewa alway held greater importance, way above anything else. Her actions after the 7 pm Bhog were generally identical to her schedule in Vrindaban ...8 pm to 9.30 pm diary 8 of Divine Great Saint Ushaji .

The above in short, sums up Her Barsana tour every year . RADHA RANI KI JAI , MAHARANI KI JAI BOLO BARSANE WARI KI JAI JAI .............. , let all of us bow at the holy feet of Sri Sri Radhaji .

Revered Ushaji always endorsed, "All genuine , very sincere devotees aspire to fully understand the true swaroop or persona of Sri Sri Radhaji, which can be likened to the milk of a lioness --. it just can't be preserved in any utensil -a special patra is necessary----it is only the kripa or holy grace of Saints and Lord Krishna which makes us eligible recipients of this nectar or divine bliss " .

Diary 11 of Divine Great Saint Ushaji: NANDGAON


The earlier diaries from 1 to 9 roughly narrate the activities of Great Saint Ushaji at the holy Dham of Vrindaban. However, every year religiously She went on a pilgrimage after Janmashtmi to Nandgaon for a span of three to four days to facilitate Her reaching Vrindaban around the Navratras.

Very unlike Her Barsana sojourn, merely Saint Sheelaji , Vijayji and an Auntie would accompany Her in the tour to Nandgaon. One fine day in 1991, She had asked all of us to assemble at Nandgaon after Sri Radhashtmi Utsav, which enabled most of us to have a glimpse of the Divinity She enjoyed there. Often She guided us to nearby Leela-sthalis including the famous Sadhan-sthali of Balkrishnadassji Maharajji ( Guru of Manohar Bhaiyaji .....Affectionate Saint : Sri Manohar Baba ) )

Saint Ushaji's active schedule while in Nandgaon can be summed up as under:---

  • A morning kirtan was followed by a holy dip in the Nandgaon-Pokhar instead of Yamunaji. Later on there was a similar schedule up to 10 am as the one in Vrindaban , explained in the 1, 2 and 3rd diaries earlier.
  • More often than not after 10 am , She went for a darshan of the well-known Lord Krishna -Balramji temple .
  • Soon after paying Her respect to Lord Krishna -Balramji temple Saint Ushaji would return to Thakurji for the lunch-Bhog and other responsibilities as stated in the 11 am to 4 pm diary 6 of Divine Great Saint Ushaji .


v) Another quaint characteristic of Saint Ushaji's Nandgaon stay was the total absence of the 4 to 6 pm assembly otherwise so regular a feature at Vrindaban ( 4pm to 8 pm diary 7 ). Incidentally, sometimes all by Herseld, She ventured to nearby Leela-sthalis and experienced several Divine Leelas from Sakhaji.

Now you will obviously ask who is Sakhaji ? He is a divinity of Gaulok , who had first appeared before Saint Ushaji Bahinji on Her birthday ( 30th July , 1954 ) and instantly began imparting Lord Sri Krishna leelas to the innermost circle of devotees popularly called the parikar. In fact, her divine encounters with Thakurji reveal that a sort of ancient Acharya Vallabhachryaji on GITAJI -Goswami Tulsidassji- Soordass Bhakti-yuga was re-enacted in the Bobo era too ( 30th July 1925 to 20th Feb 1992 ). Before Teacher's Day. when great devotees of the Lord are incarnated, they generally come together in a parikar or divine group so that their time on Earth is not wasted on worldly people but fruitfully spent in spiritual satsang . To quote from The Divinised Humanity : Saint Ushaji :

"Her birth on 30th July, 1925 ------surprisingly, it is the Sravan month, which had the privilege to bring Rev. Ushaji on this corporeal land. And again, it is the same day and month when Sakhaji- a divine personality in celestial form, advents in the life of Ushaji to reveal esoteric secrets of Golokdham" .

As for Great Saint Ushaji, Thakurji-sewa was always sacrosanct, way above anything else . Her activities after 7 pm Bhog were usually the same as in Vrindaban ...8 pm to 9.30 pm diary 8 illustrates this.

The above account in brief, sums up Her short stay in Nandgaon every year. While in Nandgaon several Braj denizens would bring bhiksha for Her. Hence many a times a full-time kitchen like the one at Vrindaban was not required; only a make-shift one for tea in the morning or milk at night would do. Brijwasis were bursting with pride when they got food for Her as they very well knew that such a genre of great Saints was virtually impossible to come by.

Though a great sage Herself and thus always in favour of simple or saatvic food , She would not rebuff the innocent Brajwasis who brought spicy bhiksha or offerings for Her! Highly commendable was Her commitment for Braj and its residents --- BRAJWASIN TE HARI KI SHOBHA .......

BOLO NANDGAON AUR WAHAN KE Lord Krishna -Balramji temple KI JAI !

The Vrindaban, Goverdhan, Barsana and Nandgaon diaries of Divine Great Saint Ushaji are complete as of now. Let me summarize the time schedule of Great Saint Ushaji as under :--

A) At the holy Dham of Vrindaban ( Mathura ) :---

  • 3.30 am to 5 am diary 1 of Divine Great Saint Ushaji
  • 5 am to 6 am diary 2 of Divine Great Saint Ushaji
  • 6 am to 10 am diary 3 of Divine Great Saint Ushaji
  • 10 am to 11 am diary 4 of Divine Great Saint Ushaji
  • At times from 10 am to 11 am diary 5 of Divine Great Saint Ushaji
  • 11 am to 4 pm diary 6 of Divine Great Saint Ushaji
  • 4pm to 8 pm diary 7 of Divine Great Saint Ushaji
  • 8 pm to 9.30 pm diary 8 of Divine Great Saint Ushaji


B ) The aforesaid 24 hour diary 1 to 9 of Divine Great Saint Ushaji closely narrates the activities of Great Saint Ushaji at the holy Dham of Vrindaban. However, every year without fail She used to go on pilgrimage after Janmashtmi to

  • Goverdhan for 3-4 days ...GOVERDHAN diary 10 of Divine Great Saint Ushaji
  • Barsana for 15 days to celebrate Lalita-chhath and Sri Radhashtmi ... BARSANA diary 11 of Divine Great Saint Ushaji
  • Nandgaon for 3-4 days so as to enable Her to reach Vrindavan around the Navratras....NANDGAON diary 12 of Divine Great Saint Ushaji


I am certain that the above narrative will throw fresh light on the life of great Saint Ushaji of
http://hariharji.blogspot.com fame. Probably it is the direct fruition of the 3 divine scriptures' and their grace or Granth-kripa. Let us bow to the lotus feet of the Bhagwadgita, Ramayana and Bhagwatam with great humility since it is virtually impossible for anyone to truly understand a Saint.

On dredging up old memories I recall, She was already 38 years old when I, Her nephew, took birth in this world . Ever since childhood I closely watched my Bua's or aunt's daily routine .The impressions or sanskars of Her divine life are rather permanently, deeply and poignantly etched in my mindset, heart and soul.


One such observation inspires me to continuously bow to Her holy feet ( Adi Shankracharyaji says Amba twaam i.e. O Mother Gitaji .... ) and keenly imbibe Her sublime actions since Brahmmoohoorat in the morning to Shayan of Her Thakurji or Lord Radha-Krishna Yugal sarkar at 9.30 pm. Be it Swami Vivekananda or Swami Sivanandaji of Divine Life Society, Rishikesh or Swami Ramdevji's tour to USA , UK in July-Aug, 2008 , on every TV channel as of now there is emphasis on getting up early much before sunrise for a better well-being and Saint Ushaji was practicing it since 1931, from childhood.


The 'Gita' says MAHAJANA SA PANTHA . Her followers also developed the same habit of rising early and beginning the day by reciting Lord Sri Hari's names . Chanting of the following Mahamantra day in and day out, without a break, was Her greatest virtue :


"Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare"


Now let all of us bow with deep respect to the Holy feet for our sincere most devotion to Thakurji, His pious name, sewa around the clock, Vrindavan Dham and Yamunaji.


Parikar

Sometimes you would be wondering what is a parikar ?

In most of the sacred writings, you shall find a mention of the word Parikar. A Parikar is a group of associates who usually accompany a Saint or a Mahatma whenever He is incarnated so that His time in this world is purposefully spent.......January 2007's special edition is beautifully worded: .

i) Whenever our Guru Lord Shiva performs some leela, His Divine Consort Maa Parvatji, Lord Ganesha, Kartikeyaji , Nandi and Mount Kailash are always present .

Revered Great Saint Ushaji firmly believed that Sri Shivji is the Paramguru of all Vaishnavas . One fine day when a person specifically asked Her, who` was her guru, She was absolutely silent. Soon enough Lord Siva appeared before Her and tapped Her forehead with His trident or Trishul, confirming Her deep faith in Him as well as His complete acceptance of Her as a disciple.


It`s Sri Shivji who goes in the garb of a Madari to Ayodhya on Sri Ramjanam or ventures to Gokul as Sadhu Baba on Sri Krishanjanam . Who can possibly be more unassuming as well as superior to Lord Shiva?... As of now let us bow at the lotus feet of the Bhagwadgita , Ramayana and Bhagwatam most humbly.

ii) In Hindu mythology Brahma-Vishnu -Mahesh are Adi-Parikar or the i referred to in all Holy Scriptures since time immemorial. Our 3 divine scriptures, the 'Gita', 'Ramayana' and 'Bhagwatam' are the book-form of Adi-Parikar to show the path to a Godly person and make Lord Sri Krishna ecstatic........ In Lord Vishnu 's Vaikuntha ( total 27 links for Sri Vishnu Sahastranam ) , Goddess Laxmi , Sheshnaag ( Lord Balramji ), the security guards Jai coupled with Vijay are always present. The popular sage Naradji, Sanak-Sananandan and so on often go for Vishnuji's Darshan .to .Vaikuntha, as the third page from Srimad Bhagwatam indicates.

This concept of Adi-Parikar is truly evident when Lord Krishna appears in His Vishroop-Darshan, cosmic form to Arjuna in Chapter XI of the 'Gita' . Arjuna can clearly see:

  • 12 types of Sun .... the Godly form of Sun Deity in Gitaji
  • 8 types of Vasus ...is the Sanatan Dharma only for Indians ?
  • 11 types of Rudras .... the divine lap of God Sri Hari or Lord Shiva
  • 2 types of Aswinikumars ....For any diseases bow humbly at the holy feet of Doctor Dhanvantri , the 18th incarnation of Lord Sri Hari
  • 49 types of wind -Gods ...An independent team of Zee news has also discovered Ramji sites in Sri Lanka
  • Arjuna is overawed by many other marvelous forms , weapons , mouths, ornaments , garlands , clothes , gods and so on and so forth ... Krishnaay Vaasudevay Harye Parmatmane , Pranatkleshnashay Govinday namoh namah


iii) During the era of Lord Rama, Bharat,Shatrughan,Laxmanji and Lord Hanuman were also incarnated. Millions of years down the line, sage Yagvalkyaji and Goswami Tulsidassji eulogized Him marvellously as we can gather ,.after listening to the 'Sunderkand' at CHITRAKOOT

iv) One can see that during the era of Lord Krishna ("KRISHNAM VANDE JAGADGURU" ) Lord Balramji, Shukdevji Maharaj, Udhavji , Arjuna and king Parikshit also took birth. The same is true of sage Vedvyasji ; ancient Acharya Ramanujacharyaji; Acharya Madhvacharyaji, Acharya Vallabhachryaji, Acharya Nimbarkacharyaji and Adi Shankacharyaji.

In Vrindaban, God has appeared in the form of Banke Bihariji or He is worshipped as Sri Radhavallabh or revered as Sri Radharamanji .At the Pushti Sampradaya of Acharya Vallabhachryaji, He' s loved as Sri Nathji . Who can even attempt to speak of the greatest glory of Sri Radhaji ? She is the Paramacharya or Rasguru of all Rasik Bhaktas..3 in 1 are Sri Radha Ramanji's darshan .

Sri Vrindaban Dham 's periphery is comprised of Sri Yamunaji, Sri Girirajji, Barsana, Nandgaon , Gokul, Mahavan, Kaamvan and so on, encompassing the entire Braj Bhoomi of 84 kos . Sri Krishna Karnamrit is a Sanskrit stotra of 112 verses in praise of Lord Krishna...Sakhaji's blessings on 30th July , Boboji's b'day

Matter of factly if Sri Rambhaktas found immense pleasure in Chitrakoot , Ayodhaya, Saryuji , Nandigram and the rest, the Shiva devotees deeply cherished Holy Kailash, Ganges, Rishikesh ,Kedarnath, 12 Jyotirlings,Narmadaji and so on. The run of the mill pilgrims enjoyed visiting the four Dhams of Dwarka, Badrinath, Sri Jagannath Puri and Rameswaram .

v) During the time span of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Nimai-Haridassji , Srivasji and the rest also took birth. His contemporaries include Saint Gyaneshwarji ; Namdevji Maharaj ; Samarth Ramdasji Maharaj ; Saint Meera Bai ;Acharya Vallabhachryaj and so on,.

v) When Swami Ramakrishan Paramhans was alive, the very pious Swami Vivekananda, Brahmananda and others were also incarnated.

vii) In the beginning of the 20 th Century, under the direct heavenly guidance of Lord Vishnuji , Seth Goenkaji , Sri Hanuman Prasad Poddarji and Sri Radha Baba started an institution called the 'Gita Press' or 'Kalyan' , in Gorakhpur. It has such a divine and wonderful set-up that many saints have graduated from it, Swami Ramsukhdassji Maharaj of Gita-Darpan to name one of them.


A flock of contemporary Saints include Sitaram Onkarji Maharaj -- Brahamleen Devaria Baba---Rev. Anandmayi Maa –Raman maharishi ---Hari Baba –Oriya Baba –Bare Baba –Sri Laxmanjoo Maharaj of Kashmir –Sri Gayaprasad Panditji - Sri Sripad Baba ---Bhaktmaliji –Teen Kauri Babaji – Ananddass Baba–Nanagaru-Swami Hitdassji Maharaj---Lalitacharan Goswami---Maan Anandibai .Asaramji--Parthasarthyji—Murari Bapu—Dongreji—Pt Ramkinkarji-->—Trilok Mohanji –Sudhanshuji Maharaj ---Bhagwatkar Bhattji and so on ....

viii) The era of Swami Sivanandaji of Divine Life Society, Rishikesh had His faction of most able disciples like Swami Paramanananda ; Swami Chidananda ; Swami Krishnananda ;Swami Krishnananda ;Swami Venkatesananda;Swami Dayananda;Swami Madhavananda;Swami Vishnudevananda;Swami Chinmayananda;Swami Satyananda;Swami Satchidananda ;Swami Jyotirmayananda;Swami Sivananda-Hridayananda;Swami Premananda;Swami Devananda ;Dr. Devaki.Kutty Mataji and others.

ix) For your information at the time of 20th Century's Lord Chaitanya:Sri Maharajji, His famous disciples like affectionate saint Manohar Baba also took birth on earth.

x) Let me endorse that during the time span of Great Saint Ushaji, Saint Susheelaji , poojya Dharamji,Santoshji, Manohar Bhaiyaji, Lalitji , Pushpa Grover, Vimla Nevile, Lalit Babhuta ,Sheela Bahinji , all Aunties and Vijayji and Bihari Bhai-Banwari Bhai also appeared .

This was certainly pre-destined as from 1954 onwards, Sakhaji arrival from Divine Gaulok became a regular feature, so this trio of Ushaji, Susheelaji as well as Dharamji used to enjoy the ethereal bliss of Leelas as friends..... Modern Meerabai : Saint Ushaji

Sakhaji

Now you will question who is Sakhaji? Sakhaji is a divinity of Gaulok, who had first appeared before Saint Ushaji -Bahinji on Her birthday ( 30th July , 1954 ) and started imparting Lord Sri Krishna's leelas to the innermost circle of devotees popularly called the Parikar. In fact, her divine interactions with Thakurji reveal that a course of events of the Acharya Vallabhachryaji-Goswami Tulsidassji- Soordass Bhakti-yuga was replicated in the Bobo era too ( 30th July 1925 to 20th Feb 1992 ).


Before Teacher's Day when great Devotees of the Lord are incarnated , they generally come together in a Parikar or Divine Group so that their time on Earth is not idled away with worldly people but purposefully spent in true Spiritual Satsang . To quote from 'The Divinised Humanity: Saint Ushaji ':

"Her birth on 30th July, 1925 ------surprisingly, it is the Sravan month, which had the privilege to bring Rev. Ushaji on this corporeal land. And again, it is the same day and month when Sakhaji- a divine personality in celestial form, advents in the life of Ushaji to reveal esoteric secrets of Golokdham" 10 am to 11 am diary 4 of Divine Great Saint Ushaji.


The above paragraph mentions that Saint Ushaji's birthday was also the appearance day of Sakhaji , a divinity from Gaulok , who became a powerful medium of Lord Sri Krishna leelas to the innermost circle of devotees popularly called the Parikar. Hence on Her 82nd birthday on 30th July , 2007 the following words were movingly recited by our revered Susheela Bahinji before all those present :-----

SADA NAAH KE NEH MEIN , PAGI RAHO DIN RAIN ,
ROOP RASASAV MUTT NIT , RAHHIN PRAN MUN NAIN ,
VE TUM PE RIJHE RAHAIN , TUM UNMEIN SARSAHU ,
PREM NEM RAS REEJH KO , HOHAHINH NITYA NIBHAU

The stanza means may the divine love of Lord Sri Krishna be with us always ! The more interested readers may open page 348 of 'Leela RasTarangini' ( part II ) for more details 21st book is...


Hence we gather that the list can be endless, it all depends on one's bhavna or feelings. Let's be humble and bow to the holy feet of all of them as so beautifully explained in the Holy Granth 'Bhaktamaal' --"Bhakt, Bhagwant, Guru ...................."

Boboji

The above referred Great Saint Ushaji of http://hariharji.blogspot.com/ fame took renunciation at an early age and lived thereafter throughout Her life span at the holy Dham of Vrindaban. Her Ishtdev was Lord Radha Krishna but Shivji was Her Guru . By launching a site on Her, we propose to bring the entire gamut of Her pious ideals before the devotional world .


Saint Ushaji was affectionately addressed as elder sister or Boboji by Her devotees . She was a rare, unique Mahatma who firmly believed in all branches of Sanatan Dharma. Far more than a Sadhu or Saint, she was an institution by Herself, deeply engrossed in the celestial nectar of Lord Radha-Krishna'a divine play. In class with Goswami Tulsidassji 500 years ago, She was the binding force between Shaivs and Vaishnavas. Ushaji had great reverence not only for the Gita & Bhagavatam but also the Ramayana, Shankracharyaji's stotarams and the rest as described in the. ...Vrindaban-Goverdhan-Barsana-Nandgaon diary of Divine - Great Saint Ushaji.


Be it Swami Vivekananda or Swami Sivanandaji of Divine Life Society, Rishikesh or Swami Ramdevji's tour to USA , UK in July-Aug, 2008 ,every TV channel lays emphasis on waking up much before sunrise for better health & wisdom . Saint Ushaji was practicing it since 1931, since childhood. And the 'Gita' says MAHAJANA SA PANTHA .Her followers also adopted the same habit of rising early and began the day with Lord Sri Hari's names. Religiously chanting of the Mahamantra day in and day out without a pause was Her greatest virtue:


"Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare"

Let us all most humbly bow at the Holy feet for dedicated devotion to Thakurji, His pious name, seva around the clock, Vrindaban Dham and Yamunaji .

Diary 9 of Divine Great Saint Ushaji: GOVERDHAN


The entire day's regime of Ushaji at the Holy Dham of Vrindaban have been narrated in the previous chapters. However every year invariably She used to go on pilgrimage after Janmashtmi to the following places:

  • A Goverdhan tour for 3 to 4 days.
  • Barsana for around 15 days to celebrate Lalita-chhath and Sri Radhashtmi.
  • She ventured to Nandgaon for around 3 to 4 days so that it was possible to reach Vrindavan around the Navratras.

In the year 1981, I was fortunate enough to reach Goverdhan, staying with Her for three days and discovered Her activities to be rather enlightening.

i) The day began with a morning kirtan followed by a holy dip in Manasi-Ganga instead of Yamunaji. The schedule up to 10 am was the same as in Vrindavan. ( 3.30 am to 5 am diary 1 of Divine Great
Saint Ushaji ;5 am to 6 am diary 2 of Divine Great Saint Ushaji and 6 am to 10 am diary 3 of Divine Great Saint Ushaji )

ii) More often than not after 10 am, She would go for Darshan of Sri Gayaprasad Panditji . Yes, He was the very same famous personality who used to reside permanently at the Daan-Ghati of Goverdhan . To Him, everyone bowed respectfully while taking a Parikrama of Sri Goverdhan. Actually It so happened that after Golokgaman of Gitapress' Bhai Hanumaan Prasad Poddarji , the devotional threesome of Sri Radha-Baba of Gorakhpur, Gayaprasad Panditji of Goverdhan and Balkrishandass Maharajji of Vrindaban guided several devotees from 1971 to 1995 in the spiritual field and our beloved Saint Ushaji was a witness to the entire scenario.

Saint Gayaprasad Panditji was a strict disciplinarian of the highest order and would meet only male devotees. But for our great Saint Ushaji , He broke this stringent rule and had a meeting with Her on finding out that She had risen way above the mundane world and was a divine figure.

iii) After His darshan, Saint Ushaji would return to Thakurji for serving lunch-Bhog. Her other activities from 11 am to 4pm were the same as in Vrindaban.


iv) While staying in Goverdhan , Saint Ushaji inevitably wanted to go for a Parikrama of Sri Goverdhan every day. Because of the time needed for Thakurji's sewa She broke this 21 hour Parikrama into two slots.


  • Badi Parikarma of about 14 km which had Daan Ghati, Mukharvind , Yatipura and Poonchri ka lotha en route.
  • Chhoti Parikarma of say 7 km, which included Udhav Kund , Sri Radha-Krshan kund , Samadhi of Roop Goswami , Kusum Sarovar , Manasi Ganga , Chakreshwar Maharaj and the rest.


v) Another distinction of Saint Ushaji's stay in Goverdhan was the absence of a 4 to 6 pm assembly otherwise a regular feature at Vrindaban. At times all by Herself She ventured to Udhav Kund , Sri Radha-Krshan Kund , Kusum Sarovar for witnessing the divine play of Sakhaji.

It is but natural to ask who is Sakhaji ? Let me clarify. Sakhaji is a divinity of Gaulok , who had first appeared before Saint Usha-Bahinji on Her birthday ( 30th July , 1954 ) and began imparting Lord Sri Krishna playful dalliances to the innermost circle of devotees popularly called the parikar. In fact , Her divine encounters with Thakurji reveal that a course of events which took place in the ancient Acharya Vallabhachryaji on GITAJI -Goswami Tulsidassji- Soordass Bhakti-yuga were replicated in the Bobo era as well ( 30th July 1925 to 20th Feb 1992 ) ... Before Teacher's Day when great Devotees of the Lord were incarnated, they generally took birth in a parikar or divine group so that their time on Earth was not frittered away with worldly people but meaningfully spent in spiritual satsang . To quote from The Divinised Humanity : Saint Ushaji :

"Her birth on 30th July, 1925 ------surprisingly, it is the Sravan month, which had the privilege to bring Rev. Ushaji on this corporeal land. And again, it is the same day and month when Sakhaji, a divine personality in celestial form, advents in the life of Ushaji to reveal esoteric secrets of Golokdham"


As far as Great Saint Ushaji was concerned, Thakurji-sewa was always of prime importance more than anything else . Her schedule after the 7 pm bhog was generally the same as in Vrindaban ...8 pm to 9.30 pm diary 8 of Divine Great Saint Ushaji .

The above briefly sums up Her 3 to 4 days sojourn to Goverdhan every year . As several Braj denizens would bring bhiksha for Her , many a times a full-time kitchen like the one at Vrindaban was not required just a makeshift one for tea in the morning or milk at night, would suffice. The devotees were bursting with pride when they got offerings for Her as they very well knew that such great Saints were indeed rare to come by.

Though a great sage Herself and hence always in favour of simple or saatvic food , She would not turn away spicy bhiksha brought by innocent Brijwasis ! This fact endorses Her commitment for Brij and its Brijwasis --- BRAJWASIN TE HARI KI SHOBHA .......

GIRIRAJ MAHARAJ KI JAI !


Thursday, April 24, 2008

The Bhagavad Gita: Chapter X

The Yoga of the Lord's Manifestations

The tenth chapter is composed of 45 verses and titled 'Vibhuti Yogo' or The Yoga of Divine Manifestations, wherein Krishna continues to describe His limitless opulences.

But before we proceed two interesting developments take place ---

  • In verses 1 to 11, Lord Krishna summarizes the Gita's teachings in seven broad strokes:(1) Krishna is the origin of everything;(2) those who are wise engage in His loving service;(3) they always think of Him(4)discuss His attributes;and this(5)brings them great pleasure.(6)To such pure devotees Krishna gives full enlightenment and (7) destroys their ignorance.
  • This summing up of Gita theology is enough for Arjuna to affirm his acceptance of Krishna as the Supreme Lord. Right from the first chapter he has been either sceptical or questioning. Seeing the Lord's selfless love and affection, he praises Lord Krishna in verses 12 to 15 for the first time. Later on, in the16 to 18 verses he entreats the Lord to throw light on His Vibhutis or manifestations.
  • Krishna's ensuing description is thought-provoking. He identifies Himself as the light of sun and the moon, the ocean, and the Himalayas.Right from verses 20 to 39 , Lord Krishna points out His Divine Manifestations. We have Prahalada amongst demons, Time amongst reckoners , Lion amongst quadrupeds, Garuda amongst birds, Lord Vishnu in sons of Aditi,Sun among luminaries, Lord Shiva among Rudras, Lord Kartikeya among Army-Generals, OM among sacred syllables, sage Narada among Devrishis , Lord Kapila among Siddhas, King amongst men, Lord Sheshnaag among serpents, Lord Rama among warriors, holy Ganges among streams,Spirituality amongst sciences, the sacred Gayatri Mantra among hymns, Arjuna amongst Pandavas, Lord Vedvyasa among Munis and so on.
  • In fact, He is synonymous with all that is great, "With but a single fragment of My divine being, I pervade and support the entire universe." When a mother sees her child so very famished she produces more milk. Thus the rest of the verses from 19 to 42 of the tenth chapter are the outcome of this curiosity or " milking " of the Lord!
  • It is for certain that if you wish to make progress on the spiritual front, implicit faith in your guru, genuine praise, positive questioning and the right attitude softens the stance of the spiritual preceptor and he tries to impart the very best to His disciple.

So let us study the original 45 verses to delight in this divine knowledge :-- 4

Sri Bhagavaan Uvaacha:

Bhooya eva mahaabaaho shrinu me paramam vachah;
Yatte'ham preeyamaanaaya vakshyaami hitakaamyayaa.


The Blessed Lord said:

1. Again, O mighty-armed Arjuna, listen to My supreme word which I shall declare to thee who art beloved, for thy welfare!

COMMENTARY: The all-compassionate Lord in His mercy wants to encourage Arjuna and cheer him up, and so He Himself comes forward to give him instructions without any request having been made by Arjuna.

Na me viduh suraganaah prabhavam na maharshayah;
Ahamaadirhi devaanaam maharsheenaam cha sarvashah.


2. Neither the hosts of the gods nor the great sages know My origin; for, in every way I am the source of all the gods and the great sages.

Yo maamajamanaadim cha vetti lokamaheshwaram;
Asammoodhah sa martyeshu sarvapaapaih pramuchyate.


3. He who knows Me as unborn and beginningless, as the great Lord of the worlds, he, among mortals, is undeluded; he is liberated from all sins.

COMMENTARY: As the Supreme Being is the cause of all the worlds, He is beginningless. As He is the source of all the gods and the great sages, so there is no source for His own existence. As He is beginningless, He is unborn. He is the great Lord of all the worlds.

Buddhir jnaanamasammohah kshamaa satyam damah shamah;
Sukham duhkham bhavo'bhaavo bhayam chaabhayameva cha.


4. Intellect, wisdom, non-delusion, forgiveness, truth, self-restraint, calmness, happiness, pain, birth or existence, death or non-existence, fear and also fearlessness,

Ahimsaa samataa tushtistapo daanam yasho'yashah;
Bhavanti bhaavaa bhootaanaam matta eva prithagvidhaah.


5. Non-injury, equanimity, contentment, austerity, fame, beneficence, ill-fame—(these) different kinds of qualities of beings arise from Me alone.

Maharshayah sapta poorve chatwaaro manavastathaa;
Madbhaavaa maanasaa jaataa yeshaam loka imaah prajaah.


6. The seven great sages, the ancient four and also the Manus, possessed of powers like Me (on account of their minds being fixed on Me), were born of (My) mind; from them are these creatures born in this world.

Etaam vibhootim yogam cha mama yo vetti tattwatah;
So'vikampena yogena yujyate naatra samshayah.


7. He who in truth knows these manifold manifestations of My Being and (this) Yoga-power of Mine, becomes established in the unshakeable Yoga; there is no doubt about it.

Aham sarvasya prabhavo mattah sarvam pravartate;
Iti matwaa bhajante maam budhaa bhaavasamanvitaah.


8. I am the source of all; from Me everything evolves; understanding thus, the wise, endowed with meditation, worship Me.

Macchittaa madgatapraanaa bodhayantah parasparam;
Kathayantashcha maam nityam tushyanti cha ramanti cha.


9. With their minds and lives entirely absorbed in Me, enlightening each other and always speaking of Me, they are satisfied and delighted.

Teshaam satatayuktaanaam bhajataam preetipoorvakam;
Dadaami buddhiyogam tam yena maamupayaanti te.


10. To them who are ever steadfast, worshipping Me with love, I give the Yoga of discrimination by which they come to Me.

COMMENTARY: The devotees who have dedicated themselves to the Lord, who are ever harmonious and self-abiding, who adore Him with intense love, who are ever devout, obtain the Divine Grace.

Teshaam evaanukampaartham aham ajnaanajam tamah;
Naashayaamyaatmabhaavastho jnaanadeepena bhaaswataa.


11. Out of mere compassion for them, I, dwelling within their Self, destroy the darkness born of ignorance by the luminous lamp of knowledge.

Arjuna Uvaacha:

Param brahma param dhaama pavitram paramam bhavaan;
Purusham shaashvatam divyam aadidevamajam vibhum.


Arjuna said:

12. Thou art the Supreme Brahman, the supreme abode (or the supreme light), the supreme purifier, the eternal, divine Person, the primeval God, unborn and omnipresent.

Aahustwaam rishayah sarve devarshirnaaradastathaa;
Asito devalo vyaasah swayam chaiva braveeshi me.


13. All the sages have thus declared Thee, as also the divine sage Narada; so also Asita, Devala and Vyasa; and now Thou Thyself sayest so to me.

Sarvametadritam manye yanmaam vadasi keshava;
Na hi te bhagavan vyaktim vidurdevaa na daanavaah.


14. I believe all this that Thou sayest to me as true, O Krishna! Verily, O blessed Lord, neither the gods nor the demons know Thy manifestation (origin)!

Swayamevaatmanaatmaanam vettha twam purushottama;
Bhootabhaavana bhootesha devadeva jagatpate.


15. Verily, Thou Thyself knowest Thyself by Thyself, O Supreme Person, O source and Lord of beings, O God of gods, O ruler of the world!

Vaktum arhasyasheshena divyaa hyaatmavibhootayah;
Yaabhir vibhootibhir lokaanimaamstwam vyaapya tishthasi.


16. Thou shouldst indeed tell, without reserve, of Thy divine glories by which Thou existeth, pervading all these worlds. (None else can do so.)

Katham vidyaamaham yogimstwaam sadaa parichintayan;
Keshu keshu cha bhaaveshu chintyo'si bhagavanmayaa.


17. How shall I, ever meditating, know Thee, O Yogin? In what aspects or things, O blessed Lord, art Thou to be thought of by me?

Vistarenaatmano yogam vibhootim cha janaardana;
Bhooyah kathaya triptirhi shrinvato naasti me'mritam.


18. Tell me again in detail, O Krishna, of Thy Yogic power and glory; for I am not satisfied with what I have heard of Thy life-giving and nectar-like speech!

Sri Bhagavaan Uvaacha:

Hanta te kathayishyaami divyaa hyaatmavibhootayah;
Praadhaanyatah kurushreshtha naastyanto vistarasya me.


The Blessed Lord said:

19. Very well, now I will declare to thee My divine glories in their prominence, O Arjuna! There is no end to their detailed description.

COMMENTARY: The Lord's divine glories are illimitable.

Ahamaatmaa gudaakesha sarvabhootaashayasthitah;
Ahamaadishcha madhyam cha bhootaanaamanta eva cha.


20. I am the Self, O Gudakesha, seated in the hearts of all beings! I am the beginning, the middle and also the end of all beings.

Aadityaanaamaham vishnur jyotishaam raviramshumaan;
Mareechirmarutaamasmi nakshatraanaamaham shashee.


21. Among the (twelve) Adityas, I am Vishnu; among the luminaries, the radiant sun; I am Marichi among the (seven or forty-nine) Maruts; among stars the moon am I.

Vedaanaam saamavedo'smi devaanaam asmi vaasavah;
Indriyaanaam manashchaasmi bhootaanaamasmi chetanaa.


22. Among the Vedas I am the Sama Veda; I am Vasava among the gods; among the senses I am the mind; and I am intelligence among living beings.

Rudraanaam shankarashchaasmi vittesho yaksharakshasaam;
Vasoonaam paavakashchaasmi meruh shikharinaamaham.


23. And, among the Rudras I am Shankara; among the Yakshas and Rakshasas, the Lord of wealth (Kubera); among the Vasus I am Pavaka (fire); and among the (seven) mountains I am the Meru.

Purodhasaam cha mukhyam maam viddhipaartha brihaspatim;
Senaaneenaamaham skandah sarasaamasmi saagarah.


24. And, among the household priests (of kings), O Arjuna, know Me to be the chief, Brihaspati; among the army generals I am Skanda; among lakes I am the ocean!

Maharsheenaam bhriguraham giraamasmyekamaksharam;
Yajnaanaam japayajno'smi sthaavaraanaam himaalayah.


25. Among the great sages I am Bhrigu; among words I am the monosyllable Om; among sacrifices I am the sacrifice of silent repetition; among immovable things the Himalayas I am.

COMMENTARY: Repetition of the Mantra is regarded as the best of all Yajnas or sacrifices. There is no loss or injury in this Yajna. Manu says: "Whatever else the Brahmana may or may not do, he attains salvation by Japa alone".

Ashwatthah sarvavrikshaanaam devarsheenaam cha naaradah;
Gandharvaanaam chitrarathah siddhaanaam kapilo munih.


26. Among the trees (I am) the peepul; among the divine sages I am Narada; among Gandharvas I am Chitraratha; among the perfected the sage Kapila.

Ucchaihshravasamashwaanaam viddhi maamamritodbhavam;
Airaavatam gajendraanaam naraanaam cha naraadhipam.


27. Know Me as Ucchaisravas, born of nectar among horses; among lordly elephants (I am) the Airavata; and among men, the king.

Aayudhaanaamaham vajram dhenoonaamasmi kaamadhuk;
Prajanashchaasmi kandarpah sarpaanaamasmi vaasukih.


28. Among weapons I am the thunderbolt; among cows I am the wish-fulfilling cow called Surabhi; I am the progenitor, the god of love; among serpents I am Vasuki.

Anantashchaasmi naagaanaam varuno yaadasaamaham;
Pitreenaamaryamaa chaasmi yamah samyamataamaham.


29. I am Ananta among the Nagas; I am Varuna among water-Deities; Aryaman among the manes I am; I am Yama among the governors.

Prahlaadashchaasmi daityaanaam kaalah kalayataamaham;
Mrigaanaam cha mrigendro'ham vainateyashcha pakshinaam.


30. And, I am Prahlad among the demons; among the reckoners I am time; among beasts I am their king, the lion; and Garuda among birds.

Pavanah pavataamasmi raamah shastrabhritaamaham;
Jhashaanaam makarashchaasmi srotasaamasmi jaahnavee.


31. Among the purifiers (or the speeders) I am the wind; Rama among the warriors am I; among the fishes I am the shark; among the streams I am the Ganga.

Sargaanaamaadirantashcha madhyam chaivaaham arjuna;
Adhyaatmavidyaa vidyaanaam vaadah pravadataamaham.


32. Among creations I am the beginning, the middle and also the end, O Arjuna! Among the sciences I am the science of the Self; and I am logic among controversialists.

Aksharaanaamakaaro'smi dwandwah saamaasikasya cha;
Ahamevaakshayah kaalo dhaataaham vishwatomukhah.


33. Among the letters of the alphabet, the letter "A" I am, and the dual among the compounds. I am verily the inexhaustible or everlasting time; I am the dispenser (of the fruits of actions), having faces in all directions.

Mrityuh sarvaharashchaaham udbhavashcha bhavishyataam;
Keertih shreervaakcha naareenaam smritirmedhaadhritih kshamaa.


34. And I am all-devouring death, and prosperity of those who are to be prosperous; among feminine qualities (I am) fame, prosperity, speech, memory, intelligence, firmness and forgiveness.

Brihatsaama tathaa saamnaam gaayatree cchandasaamaham;
Maasaanaam maargasheersho'hamritoonaam kusumaakarah.


35. Among the hymns also I am the Brihatsaman; among metres Gayatri am I; among the months I am Margasirsa; among seasons (I am) the flowery season.

Dyootam cchalayataamasmi tejastejaswinaamaham;
Jayo'smi vyavasaayo'smi sattwam sattwavataamaham.


36. I am the gambling of the fraudulent; I am the splendour of the splendid; I am victory; I am determination (of those who are determined); I am the goodness of the good.

COMMENTARY: Of the various methods of defrauding others, I am gambling, such as dice-play. Gambling is My manifestation. I am power in the powerful. I am victory in the victorious. I am effort in those who make that effort.

Vrishneenaam vaasudevo'smi paandavaanaam dhananjayah;
Muneenaamapyaham vyaasah kaveenaamushanaa kavih.


37. Among Vrishnis I am Vasudeva; among the Pandavas I am Arjuna; among sages I am Vyasa; among poets I am Usana, the poet.

Dando damayataamasmi neetirasmi jigeeshataam;
Maunam chaivaasmi guhyaanaam jnaanam jnaanavataamaham.


38. Among the punishers I am the sceptre; among those who seek victory I am statesmanship; and also among secrets I am silence; knowledge among knowers I am.

Yachchaapi sarvabhootaanaam beejam tadahamarjuna;
Na tadasti vinaa yatsyaanmayaa bhootam charaacharam.


39. And whatever is the seed of all beings, that also am I, O Arjuna! There is no being, whether moving or unmoving, that can exist without Me.

COMMENTARY: I am the primeval seed from which all creation has come into existence. I am the seed of everything. I am the Self of everything. Nothing can exist without Me. Everything is of My nature. I am the soul of everything.

Naanto'sti mama divyaanaam vibhooteenaam parantapa;
Esha tooddeshatah prokto vibhootervistaro mayaa.


40. There is no end to My divine glories, O Arjuna, but this is a brief statement by Me of the particulars of My divine glories!

Yadyad vibhootimat sattwam shreemadoorjitameva vaa;
Tattadevaavagaccha twam mama tejom'shasambhavam.


41. Whatever being there is that is glorious, prosperous or powerful, that know thou to be a manifestation of a part of My splendour.

Athavaa bahunaitena kim jnaatena tavaarjuna;
Vishtabhyaahamidam kritsnamekaamshena sthito jagat.


42. But of what avail to thee is the knowledge of all these details, O Arjuna? I exist, supporting this whole world by one part of Myself.

Hari Om Tat Sat
Iti Srimad Bhagavadgeetaasoopanishatsu Brahmavidyaayaam
Yogashaastre Sri Krishnaarjunasamvaade
Vibhootiyogo Naama Dashamo'dhyaayah

Thus in the Upanishads of the glorious Bhagavad Gita, the science of the Eternal, the scripture of Yoga, the dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna, ends the tenth discourse entitled:

"The Yoga of the Divine Glories"


COMMENTARY ON CHAPTER 10:


Chapter X of GITAJI has 45 verses and it mentions original verses from Srimad Bhagwad Gita. Swami Shivanandaji gives a summary of the Tenth Discourse as under:--


Krishna tells Arjuna that even the Devas and highly evolved souls fail to understand how He projects Himself as the universe and all its manifestations. He goes on to describe the various qualities that beings manifest according to their Karmas. All these qualities—wisdom, truth, contentment, etc.—originate from Him.


The true devotees of the Lord are wholly absorbed in Him. They have completely surrendered to Him and through single-minded devotion they are granted the power of discrimination, the discrimination that leads them from the unreal to the Real. Krishna emphatically declares that ignorance is destroyed and knowledge gained through Divine Grace alone.


Arjuna accepts the descent of the Supreme in a human form, but wishes to know from the Lord Himself His Cosmic powers by means of which He controls the diverse forces of the universe. The Lord describes His Divine glories, bringing within the range of Arjuna's comprehension His limitless manifestations, and how He upholds everything. In short, the Lord is the Almighty Power that creates, sustains and destroys everything.


In fact, on this chapter many sublime commentaries are available:-

  • From the stable of Gita-press in Gorakhpur we have‘Gita-tika’ by Seth Jaidayal Goenkaji,Saint Hanuman Prasad Poddarji alias Bhaiji, Swami Ramsukhdasji and other saints . Those believing in Gyan-yog, repeatedly read the one by Sethji and those who have faith in Bhakti-yog read more of Bhaiji. Swami Ramsukhdasji has tried to balance the two and His Gita-Darpan commentary is simply marvellous.
  • We have other annotations by ancient Acharyas namely ‘Gita-tika’ by Ramanujacharya, Vallabhachrya, Gyaneshwarj, and Shankarcharyaji and so on.
  • 20th century Saints like Swami Shivanandaji, Chidanandaji of Divine Life Society, Rishikesh and ISCKON's Prabhupadji have documented their observations.
  • Annotations by modern day thinkers like Lokmanya Tilak and Dr Radhakrishnan can be read.
  • A rather simplistic summary in the 17 to18th chapters sums up the 'Gita'.This is after a time span of 30 years satsang with Saint Ushaj, Susheelaji and Manoharji of Swami Ramkrishan Paramhansa fame.

The Bhagavad Gita: Chapter IX

Confidential Knowledge of the Ultimate Truth

The ninth chapter is composed of 35 verses and is titled ‘Raj-Vidya Guhya Yoga’ or Confidential Knowledge of the Ultimate Truth.' Focusing on the Lord's actual transcendental nature,most of these verses are delicately written, sparkling like a mountain stream and still as a river in the plains.
  • Krishna says that the foolish people wander about aimlessly on the path of world and death (3). He tells us that such mudhas ('asses') deride Him when He descends in His human like form."(11)
  • And he goes on to contrast them with mahatamas (great souls), who are always chanting his glories,"But my Devotees worship me whole-heartedly and in turn become Great Souls(13-14).
  • The most admirable phrase being" YOGAKSHEMAM VAHAMYAM ", verse 22. God assures us that those who worship Him, He makes them fully secure and personally attends to their various needs,(It is interesting to note that LIC, a corporate giant of India, has faithfully adopted this popular saying, conveying protection to its policyholders )
  • "And those who worship other gods are at fault as I am the ultimate ocean of them all.,"( 23)He clarifies. Krishna enumerates the various kinds of worshippers those who prefer the impersonal Absolute, the demigods, pantheists and so on."
  • Whosoever offers to Me with love a leaf, a flower, a fruit or even water,patram, pushpam, falam, toyam, I appear in person before that pious soul, and delightfully partake of the article offered by him with love(26)," the Lord elucidates.
  • "Therefore , Arjuna, whatever you do , whatever you eat , whatever you offer as oblation to the sacred fire , whatever you bestow as a gift , whatever you do by way of penance , offer it all to Me( 27) so as to free yourself from the bond of karma (28).No matter, earlier he might have been a sinner but now if he pledges to worship Me , he will become a saint and My devotee never fails," (30-31) assures the Lord.Thus, His devotees by making Him, in His original spiritual form, the object of all their veneration, offerings and austerities, free themselves from the bondage of karma and ultimately develop love for Him.
  • "Therefore , O Arjuna, fix your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me and make obeisance to Me, thus linking yourself with Me and entirely depending on Me , you shall come to Me (34)"concludes Lord Krishna.

Every year without fail on Sri Gita Jayanti, most revered Ushaji would recite verses from Srimad Bhagwad Gita and explain any one of its chapters, say 9, 12 or 18.

While reading the" YOGAKSHEMAM VAHAMAYAM", she would get sentimental and recount a true incident.

It so happened that once a Pundit, though well-versed in the 'Gita', changed the above verse to “YOGAKSHEMAM KARAHMAYAM" which meant that the Lord does not Himself take care of His Devotee's needs but gets the needful done through a delegation. Soon enough the Punditji's wife saw the toddler, Gopala, deeply wounded, with blood oozing. Since 'Gita' is the body of Lord Krishna Himself, changing of the verse amounted to hurting Him!

The Lord is so gracious that when a Devotee calls for Him, He Himself makes the effort to proceed there. There are multiple examples as in the case of Gajendra, Droupdi, Arjuna, Pandavas, Jatayu & so on.

As of now let us go through the original 35 verses to enjoy this divine knowledge.


Sri Bhagavaan Uvaacha:

Idam tu te guhyatamam pravakshyaamyanasooyave;
Jnaanam vijnaanasahitam yajjnaatwaa mokshyase'shubhaat.


The Blessed Lord said:

1. I shall now declare to thee who does not cavil, the greatest secret, the knowledge combined with experience (Self-realisation). Having known this, thou shalt be free from evil.

Raajavidyaa raajaguhyam pavitramidamuttamam;
Pratyakshaavagamam dharmyam susukham kartumavyayam.


2. This is the kingly science, the kingly secret, the supreme purifier, realisable by direct intuitional knowledge, according to righteousness, very easy to perform and imperishable.

Ashraddhadhaanaah purushaa dharmasyaasya parantapa;
Apraapya maam nivartante mrityusamsaaravartmani.


3. Those who have no faith in this Dharma (knowledge of the Self), O Parantapa (Arjuna), return to the path of this world of death without attaining Me!

Mayaa tatamidam sarvam jagadavyaktamoortinaa;
Matsthaani sarvabhootaani na chaaham teshvavasthitah.


4. All this world is pervaded by Me in My unmanifest aspect; all beings exist in Me, but I do not dwell in them.

Na cha matsthaani bhootaani pashya me yogamaishwaram;
Bhootabhrinna cha bhootastho mamaatmaa bhootabhaavanah.


5. Nor do beings exist in Me (in reality): behold My divine Yoga, supporting all beings, but not dwelling in them, is My Self, the efficient cause of beings.

Yathaakaashasthito nityam vaayuh sarvatrago mahaan;
Tathaa sarvaani bhootaani matsthaaneetyupadhaaraya.


6. As the mighty wind, moving everywhere, rests always in the ether, even so, know thou that all beings rest in Me.

Sarvabhootaani kaunteya prakritim yaanti maamikaam;
Kalpakshaye punastaani kalpaadau visrijaamyaham.


7. All beings, O Arjuna, enter into My Nature at the end of a Kalpa; I send them forth again at the beginning of (the next) Kalpa!

Prakritim swaamavashtabhya visrijaami punah punah;
Bhootagraamamimam kritsnamavasham prakritervashaat.


8. Animating My Nature, I again and again send forth all this multitude of beings, helpless by the force of Nature.

Na cha maam taani karmaani nibadhnanti dhananjaya;
Udaaseenavadaaseenam asaktam teshu karmasu.


9. These actions do not bind Me, O Arjuna, sitting like one indifferent, unattached to those acts!

Mayaa'dhyakshena prakritih sooyate sacharaacharam;
Hetunaa'nena kaunteya jagadwiparivartate.


10. Under Me as supervisor, Nature produces the moving and the unmoving; because of this, O Arjuna, the world revolves!

Avajaananti maam moodhaah maanusheem tanumaashritam;
Param bhaavamajaananto mama bhootamaheshwaram.


11. Fools disregard Me, clad in human form, not knowing My higher Being as the great Lord of (all) beings.

COMMENTARY: Fools who do not have discrimination despise Me, dwelling in human form. I have taken this body in order to bless My devotees. These fools have no knowledge of My higher Being. I am the great Lord, the Supreme.

Moghaashaa moghakarmaano moghajnaanaa vichetasah;
Raakshaseemaasureem chaiva prakritim mohineem shritaah.


12. Of vain hopes, of vain actions, of vain knowledge and senseless, they verily are possessed of the deceitful nature of demons and undivine beings.

Mahaatmaanastu maam paartha daiveem prakritimaashritaah;
Bhajantyananyamanaso jnaatwaa bhootaadimavyayam.


13. But the great souls, O Arjuna, partaking of My divine nature, worship Me with a single mind (with the mind devoted to nothing else), knowing Me as the imperishable source of beings!

Satatam keertayanto maam yatantashcha dridhavrataah;
Namasyantashcha maam bhaktyaa nityayuktaa upaasate.


14. Always glorifying Me, striving, firm in vows, prostrating before Me, they worship Me with devotion, ever steadfast.

Jnaanayajnena chaapyanye yajanto maamupaasate;
Ekatwena prithaktwena bahudhaa vishwatomukham.


15. Others also, sacrificing with the wisdom-sacrifice, worship Me, the all-faced, as one, as distinct, and as manifold.

Aham kraturaham yajnah swadhaa'hamahamaushadham;
Mantro'hamahamevaajyam ahamagniraham hutam.


16. I am the Kratu; I am the Yajna; I am the offering (food) to the manes; I am the medicinal herb and all the plants; I am the Mantra; I am also the ghee or melted butter; I am the fire; I am the oblation.

Pitaahamasya jagato maataa dhaataa pitaamahah;
Vedyam pavitramonkaara riksaama yajureva cha.


17. I am the father of this world, the mother, the dispenser of the fruits of actions, and the grandfather; the (one) thing to be known, the purifier, the sacred monosyllable (Om), and also the Rig-, the Sama- and Yajur Vedas.

Gatirbhartaa prabhuh saakshee nivaasah sharanam suhrit;
Prabhavah pralayah sthaanam nidhaanam beejamavyayam.


18. I am the goal, the support, the Lord, the witness, the abode, the shelter, the friend, the origin, the dissolution, the foundation, the treasure-house and the imperishable seed.

Tapaamyahamaham varsham nigrihnaamyutsrijaami cha;
Amritam chaiva mrityushcha sadasacchaahamarjuna.


19. (As the sun) I give heat; I withhold and send forth the rain; I am immortality and also death, existence and non-existence, O Arjuna!

Traividyaa maam somapaah pootapaapaa
Yajnairishtwaa swargatim praarthayante;
Te punyamaasaadya surendraloka-
Mashnanti divyaan divi devabhogaan.


20. The knowers of the three Vedas, the drinkers of Soma, purified of all sins, worshipping Me by sacrifices, pray for the way to heaven; they reach the holy world of the Lord of the gods and enjoy in heaven the divine pleasures of the gods.

Te tam bhuktwaa swargalokam vishaalam
Ksheene punye martyalokam vishanti;
Evam trayeedharmamanuprapannaa
Gataagatam kaamakaamaa labhante.


21. They, having enjoyed the vast heaven, enter the world of mortals when their merits are exhausted; thus abiding by the injunctions of the three (Vedas) and desiring (objects of) desires, they attain to the state of going and returning.

COMMENTARY: When their accumulated merits are exhausted, they come to this world again. They have no independence.

Ananyaashchintayanto maam ye janaah paryupaasate;
Teshaam nityaabhiyuktaanaam yogakshemam vahaamyaham.


22. To those men who worship Me alone, thinking of no other, of those ever united, I secure what is not already possessed and preserve what they already possess.

Ye'pyanyadevataa bhaktaa yajante shraddhayaa'nvitaah;
Te'pi maameva kaunteya yajantyavidhipoorvakam.


23. Even those devotees who, endowed with faith, worship other gods, worship Me only, O Arjuna, but by the wrong method!

Aham hi sarvayajnaanaam bhoktaa cha prabhureva cha;
Na tu maamabhijaananti tattwenaatashchyavanti te.


24. (For) I alone am the enjoyer and also the Lord of all sacrifices; but they do not know Me in essence (in reality), and hence they fall (return to this mortal world).

Yaanti devavrataa devaan pitreen yaanti pitrivrataah;
Bhutaani yaanti bhutejyaa yaanti madyaajino'pi maam.


25. The worshippers of the gods go to them; to the manes go the ancestor-worshippers; to the Deities who preside over the elements go their worshippers; My devotees come to Me.

Patram pushpam phalam toyam yo me bhaktyaa prayacchati;
Tadaham bhaktyupahritamashnaami prayataatmanah.


26. Whoever offers Me with devotion and a pure mind (heart), a leaf, a flower, a fruit or a little water—I accept (this offering).

Yatkaroshi yadashnaasi yajjuhoshi dadaasi yat;
Yattapasyasi kaunteya tatkurushva madarpanam.


27. Whatever thou doest, whatever thou eatest, whatever thou offerest in sacrifice, whatever thou givest, whatever thou practiseth as austerity, O Arjuna, do it as an offering unto Me!

Shubhaashubhaphalairevam mokshyase karmabandhanaih;
Sannyaasayogayuktaatmaa vimukto maamupaishyasi.


28. Thus shalt thou be freed from the bonds of actions yielding good and evil fruits; with the mind steadfast in the Yoga of renunciation, and liberated, thou shalt come unto Me.

Samo'ham sarvabhooteshu na me dweshyo'sti na priyah;
Ye bhajanti tu maam bhaktyaa mayi te teshu chaapyaham.


29. The same am I to all beings; to Me there is none hateful or dear; but those who worship Me with devotion are in Me and I am also in them.

Api chet suduraachaaro bhajate maamananyabhaak;
Saadhureva sa mantavyah samyagvyavasito hi sah.


30. Even if the most sinful worships Me, with devotion to none else, he too should indeed be regarded as righteous, for he has rightly resolved.

Kshipram bhavati dharmaatmaa shashwacchaantim nigacchati;
Kaunteya pratijaaneehi na me bhaktah pranashyati.


31. Soon he becomes righteous and attains to eternal peace; O Arjuna, know thou for certain that My devotee is never destroyed!

Maam hi paartha vyapaashritya ye'pi syuh paapayonayah;
Striyo vaishyaastathaa shoodraaste'pi yaanti paraam gatim.


32. For, taking refuge in Me, they also, who, O Arjuna, may be of sinful birth—women, Vaisyas as well as Sudras—attain the Supreme Goal!

Kim punarbraahmanaah punyaa bhaktaa raajarshayastathaa;
Anityamasukham lokam imam praapya bhajaswa maam.


33. How much more easily then the holy Brahmins and devoted royal saints (attain the goal); having obtained this impermanent and unhappy world, do thou worship Me.

Manmanaa bhava madbhakto madyaajee maam namaskuru;
Maamevaishyasi yuktwaivamaatmaanam matparaayanah.


34. Fix thy mind on Me; be devoted to Me; sacrifice unto Me; bow down to Me; having thus united thy whole self with Me, taking Me as the Supreme Goal, thou shalt verily come unto Me.

COMMENTARY: The whole being of a man should be surrendered to the Lord without reservation. Then there will be a marvellous transformation. He will have the vision of God everywhere. All sorrows and pains will vanish. His mind will be one with Him. He will for ever have his life and being in the Lord alone.

Hari Om Tat Sat
Iti Srimad Bhagavadgeetaasoopanishatsu Brahmavidyaayaam
Yogashaastre Sri Krishnaarjunasamvaade
Raajavidyaa-raajaguhyayogo Naama Navamo'dhyaayah

Thus in the Upanishads of the glorious Bhagavad Gita, the science of the Eternal, the scripture of Yoga, the dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna, ends the ninth discourse entitled:


"The Yoga of the Kingly Science & the Kingly Secret"


COMMENTARY ON CHAPTER 9:


Swami Shivanandaji gives a summary of the Ninth Discourse as under:--


Observing that Arjuna was a qualified aspirant and endowed with faith, Krishna declares to him the sovereign knowledge and sovereign secret that is to be known by direct experience. He adds that without faith in this knowledge man fails to reach God and is reborn to suffer.


Now the Lord proceeds to describe His nature as the eternal, all-comprehensive Truth. He is everything that is invisible and visible. He pervades everything that exists. He creates everything, sustains everything, and when final dissolution takes place, absorbs everything into Himself. He manifests them again when the next creation begins. All beings who are ignorant of this knowledge are caught helplessly in the cycle of birth and death. In the midst of this creation, preservation and dissolution of the universe, the Lord stands as a silent witness, unaffected and unattached. He is the sole director, sustainer and supervisor of His Cosmic Prakriti.


Ignorant beings are not able to recognise the Lord in one who has realised Him. Although these cruel beings assume a human form, their nature is that of demons. The God-realised Mahatma, on the other hand, is a man of knowledge, and perceives Him indwelling all beings and creatures. He beholds the underlying unity of existence in all names and forms.



The Lord's divine protection is assured to all those who take refuge in Him. Whatever path a devotee follows, he ultimately reaches Him. He is the goal of the various methods of spiritual practice. Devotion, Sri Krishna emphasises, is the essence of all spiritual discipline. If this supreme element is present, then the devotee is freed from bondage. The Lord observes the motive and degree of devotion. Even the most sinful and diabolical man, if he takes a radical turn towards the path of righteousness and truth, reaches the Lord. Whatever vocation one follows, one can attain the Lord if one seeks earnestly and with loving devotion. The essential thing is to fix the mind on the Lord and dedicate everything unto Him—one's body, mind, actions, emotion and will.


On this chapter many inspiring commentaries are accessible.

  • From the stable of Gita-press in Gorakhpur we have ‘Gita-tika’ by Seth Jaidayal Goenka, Saint Hanuman Prasad Poddarji alias Bhaiji; Swami Ramsukhdasji and other saints. Those believing in Gyan-yog, repeatedly read the one by Sethji and those who have faith in Bhakti-yog read more of Bhaiji. Swami Ramsukhdasji has tried to balance the two and His Gita-Darpan commentary is simply marvellous.
  • Other interprations are by ancient Acharyas namely ‘Gita-tika’ by Ramanujacharya, Vallabhachrya, Gyaneshwarji, and Shankarcharyaji and so on.
  • 20th century Saints like Swami Shivanandaji, Chidanandaji of Divine Life Society , Rishikesh, and ISCKON's Prabhupadji have documented their observations.
  • We have annotations by modern day thinkers like Lokmanya Tilak and Dr Radhakrishnan.
  • A rather simplistic summary in the17 to18th chapters sums up the 'Gita'.This is after a time span of 30 years satsang with Saint Ushaji , Susheelaji and Manoharji of Swami Ramkrishan Paramhansa fame.