Dedicated to my spiritual master His Divine Grace Abhaya Charan Bhaktivedanta Swami 'Srila Prabhupada'
Introduction
The
Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna has very elaborately described the
constitution of the soul in the second chapter, with a view to delivering His
intimate friend Arjuna from the ocean of material grief. And the path of
realization has been recommended: buddhi-yoga, or Krishna consciousness.
Sometimes Krishna consciousness is misunderstood to be inertia, and one with
such a misunderstanding often withdraws to a secluded place to become fully Krishna
conscious by chanting the holy name of Lord Krishna. But without being trained
in the philosophy of Krishna consciousness, it is not advisable to chant the
holy name of Krishna in a secluded place, where one may acquire only cheap
adoration from the innocent public.
Krishna conciousness - Buddhi yoga
Arjuna also thought of Krishna
consciousness or buddhi-yoga, or intelligence in spiritual advancement of
knowledge, as something like retirement from active life and the practice of
penance and austerity at a secluded place. In other words, he wanted to
skillfully avoid the fighting by using Krishna consciousness as an excuse. But
as a sincere student, he placed the matter before his master and questioned Krishna
as to his best course of action. In answer, Lord Krishna elaborately explained
karma-yoga, or work in Krishna consciousness, in the Third Chapter. Bg 3.1
In
the second chapter, as a prelude to the Bhagavad-gita, many different paths are
explained, such as sankhya-yoga, buddhi-yoga, control of the senses by
intelligence, work without fruitive desire, and the position of the neophyte.
This is all presented unsystematically. A more organized outline of the path
would be necessary for action and understanding. Arjuna, therefore, wanted to
clear up these apparently confusing matters so that any common man could accept
them without misinterpretation.
Conclusion
Although Krishna had no intention of confusing
Arjuna by any jugglery of words, Arjuna could not follow the process of Krishna
consciousness -- either by inertia or by active service. In other words, by his
questions he is clearing the path of Krishna consciousness for all students who
seriously want to understand the mystery of the Bhagavad-gita. (Bg 3.2)
Ys in service of Srila Prabhupada
JANAKA DASA
(Dr
Jagadeesh TG)
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