In Classes 9 and 10 of the JKYog Online Class on 'Bhagavad Gita Simplified,' we delved deeper into Bhagwan Krishna’s Supreme Energies and their implications for spiritual practice. Class 9 focused on Krishna’s divine energies, specifically Maya Shakti, Jiva Shakti, and Swaroop Shakti. The session also emphasised the four kinds of people who cannot surrender to Krishna.
Class 10 examined the various motivations behind why individuals turn to divine devotion. Devotes are classified into four categories: the distressed, seekers of knowledge, seekers of worldly possessions, and the wise. Each type reflects a different aspect of the spiritual journey. The session highlighted that true knowledge naturally leads to devotion and that exclusive devotion, marked by constant remembrance of God, ultimately leads to liberation. We also addressed the role of constant remembrance in ensuring that God is the focal point of our thoughts, particularly at the time of death, determining our spiritual destiny.
The Supreme Energies of Krishna
As the Supreme Being, Bhagwan Krishna is endowed with limitless and infinite energy. This divine energy is categorized into three primary types:
- Maya Shakti (External Energy)
भूमिरापोऽनलो वायु: खं मनो बुद्धिरेव च |
अहङ्कार इतीयं मे भिन्ना प्रकृतिरष्टधा || (BG 7.4)
Maya Shakti represents the material energy from which the entire cosmos, or Brahmandas, manifests. It encompasses the eight components: earth, water, fire, air, space, mind, intellect, and ego. Prakriti, the primordial material energy, transforms under God’s glance into various elements that constitute the material world.
2. Jiva Shakti (Marginal Energy)
2. Jiva Shakti (Marginal Energy)
ममैवांशो जीवलोके जीवभूतः सनातनः || (BG 15.7)
Jiva Shakti pertains to the individual souls or living entities. These souls are eternal fragments of Krishna and are the foundation of life. Jiva Shakti is the energy responsible for individual consciousness and existence.
3. Swaroop Shakti (Internal Energy)
Swaroop Shakti is Krishna’s internal, divine energy from which all divine realms, such as Vaikuntha, emanate. This energy is responsible for creating and maintaining divine abodes and the spiritual essence of existence.
3. Swaroop Shakti (Internal Energy)
Swaroop Shakti is Krishna’s internal, divine energy from which all divine realms, such as Vaikuntha, emanate. This energy is responsible for creating and maintaining divine abodes and the spiritual essence of existence.
The Relationship Between Maya Shakti and Jiva Shakti
Maya Shakti, while being the material energy, is deemed inferior compared to Jiva Shakti, which is the superior soul energy. Krishna explains:
अपरेयमितस्त्वन्यां प्रकृतिं विद्धि मे पराम् |
जीवभूतां महाबाहो ययेदं धार्यते जगत् || (BG 7.5)
Maya Shakti is the insentient material energy, whereas Jiva Shakti, comprising the sentient souls, is considered superior. All living beings are manifestations of these two divine energies.
Challenges in Overcoming Maya
Despite Jiva Shakti’s superiority, individual souls are still subject to the influence of Maya. This material energy, composed of the three modes of nature (Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas), is difficult to overcome on one's own.
दैवी ह्येषा गुणमयी मम माया दुरत्यया || (BG 7.14)
Maya, being God’s divine energy, is challenging to transcend. Only by surrendering to Krishna can one overcome this illusion.
The analogy of Sujit and the guard dog illustrates that one cannot overcome Maya by personal effort alone. Just as Sujit needed Raj’s intervention to calm the dog, souls needed Krishna’s grace to transcend Maya. Surrender to Krishna is the key:
The analogy of Sujit and the guard dog illustrates that one cannot overcome Maya by personal effort alone. Just as Sujit needed Raj’s intervention to calm the dog, souls needed Krishna’s grace to transcend Maya. Surrender to Krishna is the key:
मामेव ये प्रपद्यन्ते मायामेतां तरन्ति ते || (BG 7.14)
Those who completely surrender to Krishna will cross the ocean of material existence with ease.
Four kinds of people who fail to surrender to God
Despite the apparent simplicity of overcoming Maya through surrender, many individuals fail due to four main obstacles:
- Ignorant: Lack of spiritual knowledge and awareness about the eternal nature of the soul and the goal of God-realization.
- Lazy: Even with knowledge, some individuals procrastinate or lack the initiative to practice surrender.
- Deluded Intellects: Those who are proud of their intellect disregard the scriptures and saints’ teachings.
- Demonic Nature: Individuals who, despite knowing God, oppose His divine nature and try to obstruct others on the path of spirituality.
God is veiled by His divine Yogmaya energy, which keeps His true nature concealed from those who are not spiritually prepared:
नाहं प्रकाश: सर्वस्य योगमायासमावृत: || (BG 7.25)
Krishna is beyond human comprehension and remains hidden from those without spiritual insight. His divine form is revealed only through His grace.
The Four Types of Devotees and the Path of Devotion
In the Bhagavad Gita, Bhagwan Krishna describes the diverse motivations behind why individuals turn to divine devotion. These four categories of devotees, each with their unique reasons for seeking God, illustrate the various paths to spiritual growth and liberation. Here, we explore these categories in detail and how they reflect on the spiritual journey towards the Supreme.
The Four Types of Devotees
चतुर्विधा भजन्ते मां जना: सुकृतिनोऽर्जुन |
आर्तो जिज्ञासुरर्थार्थी ज्ञानी च भरतर्षभ || (BG 7.16)
- The Distressed (Ārtaḥ)
These individuals are overwhelmed by worldly troubles and suffering. When faced with insurmountable challenges, they turn to God for solace and protection. Their devotion arises from their recognition that material support is inadequate, leading them to seek divine refuge. - The Seekers of Knowledge (Jijñāsuḥ)
These individuals are driven by curiosity about the divine. They have heard of God’s transcendental nature and are eager to learn more about Him. Their quest is for spiritual knowledge, and they engage in devotion as a means to gain a deeper understanding of God and His realms. - The Seekers of Worldly Possessions (Artha-arthī)
This category includes those who approach God with specific material desires or goals. They believe that only God can fulfil their needs or grant their wishes. Their desire to achieve certain worldly objectives through divine grace motivates their devotion. - The Wise (Jñānī)
तेषां ज्ञानी नित्ययुक्त एकभक्तिर्विशिष्यते |
प्रियो हि ज्ञानिनोऽत्यर्थमहं स च मम प्रिय: || (BG 7.17)
The jñānī, or the wise, are those who have realised their eternal nature as fragments of God. They engage in devotion with the understanding that it is their eternal duty to love and serve Him. Among all types of devotees, those who are situated in knowledge and remain steadfast in their devotion are considered the highest.
The Path of Knowledge and Devotion
Krishna emphasises that true knowledge naturally leads to devotion. Krishna addresses the perception that intellectual pursuits are superior to devotional practices:
बहूनां जन्मनामन्ते ज्ञानवान्मां प्रपद्यते |
वासुदेव: सर्वमिति स महात्मा सुदुर्लभ: || (BG 7.19)
Krishna explains that after many lifetimes of spiritual practice, a wise person recognises Him as the ultimate reality and surrenders to Him. This realisation is rare and signifies the culmination of true knowledge.
The growth of love through knowledge can be likened to discovering the true value of a precious item. Just as a man’s appreciation for a ring increases as he learns of its true worth, genuine knowledge about God deepens one’s devotion.
Ramayan Insight: “Without knowledge, there’s no faith, and without faith, love cannot grow.”
A true understanding of God’s nature fosters genuine love and devotion, transforming mere theoretical knowledge into heartfelt devotion.
The growth of love through knowledge can be likened to discovering the true value of a precious item. Just as a man’s appreciation for a ring increases as he learns of its true worth, genuine knowledge about God deepens one’s devotion.
Ramayan Insight: “Without knowledge, there’s no faith, and without faith, love cannot grow.”
A true understanding of God’s nature fosters genuine love and devotion, transforming mere theoretical knowledge into heartfelt devotion.
The Role of Constant Remembrance
Krishna highlights the importance of constant remembrance of God:
अन्तकाले च मामेव स्मरन्मुक्त्वा कलेवरम् |
य: प्रयाति स मद्भावं याति नास्त्यत्र संशय: || (BG 8.5)
Remembering God at the moment of death ensures that one attains His divine abode. The ability to focus on God during the intense pain of death requires a lifetime of practice and devotion. Constant remembrance throughout life creates a habitual channel of thoughts that guides the mind during the final moments.
The Ultimate Goal of Devotion
Krishna reassures that those who are always absorbed in Him with exclusive devotion will find Him easily attainable:
Krishna reassures that those who are always absorbed in Him with exclusive devotion will find Him easily attainable:
अनन्यचेता: सततं यो मां स्मरति नित्यश: |
तस्याहं सुलभ: पार्थ नित्ययुक्तस्य योगिन: || (BG 8.14)
Exclusive devotion, where the mind is fully absorbed in God, leads to liberation from the cycle of rebirth. This supreme state is achieved through constant, unwavering devotion, transcending worldly attachments and culminating in divine realisation.
Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Bhagavad Gita Simplified [English]- 7th and 8th September 2024
