This article is based on a lecture given by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada from the “Bhagavad Gita As It Is” Chapter 3.1-5 recorded on Dec 20, 1968 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Classes of men realize the Self – Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 3.3
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna is playing the role of a Spiritual Master and Arjuna His student. The Spiritual Master who is well conversant does not say anything contradictory but it is the misunderstanding of the student that appears as such. The student can inquire but first he must learn to surrender and render service to the Spiritual Master. Initially Lord Krishna was dealing with Arjuna as a friend and hence Krishna was very cautious. Later when Arjuna surrendered to Him, He spoke very freely.
In response to Arjuna’s enquiry, the Lord in the 3rd chapter 3rd shloka, explains that there are 2 classes of men who realize the Self. The contemplative are inclined to understand it by empirical philosophical speculations, and the active are inclined to know it by devotional service. These 2 processes are called sankhya yoga and karma yoga respectively. Sänkhya-yoga also known as Jnana Yoga is the analytical study of the nature of spirit and matter. This is the subject matter for persons who are inclined to speculate and understand things by experimental knowledge and philosophy. The other class of men practice karma yoga or work in Krishna consciousness. In the earlier chapter Lord Krishna explains that by buddhi yoga or Krishna consciousness one can be relieved from the bondage of action and furthermore there is no flaw in the process. It is also explained that this buddhi-yoga is to depend entirely on the Supreme or more specifically, on Krishna, and in this way all the senses can be brought under control very easily. Therefore both the yogas are interdependent, as religion and philosophy. Religion without philosophy is sentiment or sometimes fanaticism, while philosophy without religion is mental speculation.
There are certain class of men who are simply philosophizing and there are certain class of men who are simply blindly following religious ritualistic practices. Bhagavad-gita is a scientific process which involves a combination of both. You should be religious, but should also understand everything philosophically.
In response to Arjuna’s enquiry, the Lord in the 3rd chapter 3rd shloka, explains that there are 2 classes of men who realize the Self. The contemplative are inclined to understand it by empirical philosophical speculations, and the active are inclined to know it by devotional service. These 2 processes are called sankhya yoga and karma yoga respectively. Sänkhya-yoga also known as Jnana Yoga is the analytical study of the nature of spirit and matter. This is the subject matter for persons who are inclined to speculate and understand things by experimental knowledge and philosophy. The other class of men practice karma yoga or work in Krishna consciousness. In the earlier chapter Lord Krishna explains that by buddhi yoga or Krishna consciousness one can be relieved from the bondage of action and furthermore there is no flaw in the process. It is also explained that this buddhi-yoga is to depend entirely on the Supreme or more specifically, on Krishna, and in this way all the senses can be brought under control very easily. Therefore both the yogas are interdependent, as religion and philosophy. Religion without philosophy is sentiment or sometimes fanaticism, while philosophy without religion is mental speculation.
There are certain class of men who are simply philosophizing and there are certain class of men who are simply blindly following religious ritualistic practices. Bhagavad-gita is a scientific process which involves a combination of both. You should be religious, but should also understand everything philosophically.
Otherwise one becomes a religious fanatic. In the Caitanya Caritamrta it is clearly said that caitanyera dayära kathä karaha vicära. You should try to understand the gifts of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu not blindly but philosophically. It is also said, “vicära karile citte päibe camatkära”. If you are actually a wise man, then you'll find it is sublime. But if you simply stick to your own religious ritualistic principles and don't try to understand the philosophy then you become a fanatic. Both religious fanatics and dry mental speculators are dangerous and they cannot make any spiritual advancement. One should be religious, but also try to understand each and every line philosophically.
In the Bible it is mentioned, "God created this universe." This is undoubtedly a fact. However since the exact information of “how the sky came into existence?”, “how the air came into existence?” etc. are not explained, modern scientific man rejects the bible. The Bhagavad Gita undoubtedly is different since it explains everything scientifically. It is a combination of religious sentiment and philosophical understanding.
The ultimate goal is Krishna, because the philosophers who are also sincerely searching after the Absolute Truth come in the end to Krishna consciousness. This is also stated in the Bhagavad gita. The whole process is to understand the real position of the self in relation to the Superself. The indirect process is philosophical speculation by which gradually one may come to the point of Krishna consciousness and the other process is by directly connecting with everything in Krishna consciousness."
Philosophical speculation involves analysing what is spirit and what is matter. This process of “neti neti” or “this is not brahman, this is not spirit” can also help us but it is a very long process. In this particular age of Kali when life is very short and uncertain it is very difficult to achieve perfection by such a process. There are many speculators who give wonderful speeches but their character is depraved. Hence Lord Krishna does not recommend this process. The faster way for perfection is to directly connect everything in Krishna consciousness and chant Hare Krishna.
Social Plugin