The Bhagavad-Gita

Translated by Barbara Stoler-Miller Read by Jacob Needleman The First Teaching - (:00 - :!"# $r%&na's de%ection (hritarashtra : San%aya) tell me *hat my sons and the sons o+ ,and& did *hen they met *anting to battle on the +ield o+ -&r&) on the +ield o+ sacred d&ty. / San%aya : 0o&r son (&ryodhana) the 1ing) seeing the ,andava +orces arrayed) a22roached his teacher (rona and s2o1e in command3 4 5My teacher) see the great ,andava army arrayed by (r&2ada's son) yo&r 2&2il) intent on revenge3 6 7ere are heroes) mighty archers e8&al to Bhima and $r%&na in *ar+are) 0&y&dhana) 9irata) and (hr&2ada) yo&r s*orn +oe on this great chariot3 ! 7ere too are (hrishta1et&) :e1itana) and the brave 1ing o+ Banares; ,&r&%it) -&ntbho%a) and the manly 1ing o+ the Shibis3 "

0&dhamany& is bold) and <ttama&%as is brave; the sons o+ S&bhadra and (ra&2adi) all command great chariots3 = No*) honored 2riest) mar1 the s&2erb men on o&r side as > tell yo& the names o+ my army's leaders3 ? They are yo& and Bhishma) -arna and -ri2a) a victor in battles) yo&r o*n son $shvatthama) 9i1arna) and the son o+ Somadatta3 Many other heroes also ris1 their lives +or my sa1e) bearing varied *ea2ons and s1illed in the *ays o+ *ar3 @ G&arded by Bhishma) the strength o+ o&r army is *itho&t limit; b&t the strength o+ their army) g&arded by Bhima) is limited3 /0 >n all their movements o+ battle yo& and yo&r men) stationed according to 2lan) m&st g&ard Bhishma *ellA5 // Bhishma) +iery elder o+ the -&r&s) roared his lion's roar and ble* his conch horn) eBciting (&ryodhana's delight3 /4 :onches and 1ettledr&ms) cymbals) tabors and tr&m2ets *ere so&nded at once and the din o+ t&m&lt arose3 /6 Standing on their great chariot)

yo1ed *ith *hite stallions) -rishna and $r%&na) ,and&'s son) so&nded their divine conches3 /! -rishna ble* ,ancha%anya) *on +rom a demon) $r%&na ble* (evadatta) a gi+t o+ the gods; +ierce *ol+-bellied Bhima ble* ,a&ndra) his great conch o+ the east3 /" 0&dhistira) -&nti's son) the 1ing) ble* $nantvi%aya) conch o+ bo&ndless victory) his t*in brothers Na1&la and Sahadeva ble* conches resonant and %e*el toned3 /= The 1ing o+ Benares) a s&2erb archer) and Shi1handin on his great chariot) (hrishtady&mna) 9irata and indomitable Satya1i) all ble* their conches3 /? (r&2ada) *ith all his +ive grandsons) and S&bhadra's strong armed son) each in t&rn ble* their conches) C -ingA / The noise tore the hearts o+ (hritarashtra's sons assembled and t&m&lt echoes thro&gh heaven and earth3 /@ $r%&na) his *ar +lag a ram2ant mon1ey) sa* (hritarashtra's son assembled as *ea2ons *ere ready to clash) and li+ted his bo*3 40 7e told his charioteer: 5-rishna) halt my chariot bet*een the armiesA 4/ Far eno&gh +or me to see these men *ho l&st +or *ar)

ready to +ight *ith me in the strain o+ battle3 44 > see men gathered here) eager to +ight) bent on serving the +olly o+ (hritarashtra's son35 46 Dhen $r%&na had s2o1en) -rishna halted their s2lendid chariot bet*een the armies3 4! Facing Bhishma and (rona) and all the great 1ings) he said) 5$r%&na) see the -&r& men assembled hereA5 4" $r%&na sa* them standing there: +athers) grand+athers) teachers) &ncles) brothers) sons) grandsons) and +riends3 4= 7e s&rveyed his elders and com2anions in both armies) all his 1insmen assembled together3 4? (e%ected) +illed *ith strange 2ity) he said this: 5-rishna) > see my 1insmen gathered here) *anting *ar3 4 My limbs sin1) my mo&th is 2arched) my body trembles) the hair bristles on my +lesh3 4@ The magic bo* sli2s +rom my hands) my s1in b&rns) > cannot stand still)

my mind reels3 60 > see omens o+ chaos) -rishna3 > see no good in 1illing my 1insmen in battle3 6/ -rishna) > see1 no victory) or 1ingshi2 or 2leas&res3 Dhat &se to &s are 1ingshi2) delights) or li+e itsel+. 64 De so&ght 1ingshi2) delights) and 2leas&res +or the sa1e o+ those assembled to abandon their lives and +ort&nes in battle3 66 They are teachers) +athers) sons) and grand+athers) &ncles) grandsons) +athers and brothers o+ *ives and other men o+ o&r +amily3 6! > do not *ant to 1ill them even i+ > am 1illed) -rishna; not +or 1ingshi2 o+ all three *orlds) m&ch less +or the earthA 6" Dhat %oy is there +or &s) -rishna) in 1illing (hritarashtra's sons. Evil *ill ha&nt &s i+ *e 1ill them) tho&gh their bo*s are dra*n to 1ill3 6= 7onor +orbids &s to 1ill o&r co&sins) (hritarashtra's sons; ho* can *e 1no* ha22iness i+ *e 1ill o&r o*n 1insmen. 6? The greed that distorts their reason blinds them to the sin they commit in r&ining the +amily) blinds them to crime o+ betraying +riends3 6

7o* can *e ignore the *isdom o+ t&rning +rom this evil *hen *e see the sin o+ +amily destr&ction) -rishna. 6@ Dhen the +amily is r&ined) the timeless la*s o+ +amily d&ty 2erish; and *hen d&ty is lost) chaos over*helms the +amily3 !0 >n over*helming chaos) -rishna) *omen o+ the +amily are corr&2ted; and *hen *omen are corr&2ted) disorder is born in society3 !/ This discord drags the violators and the +amily itsel+ to hell; +or ancestors +all *hen rites o+ o++ering rice and *ater la2se3 !4 The sins o+ men *ho violate the +amily create disorder in society that &ndermines the constant la*s o+ caste and +amily d&ty3 !6 -rishna) *e have heard that a 2lace in hell is reserved +or men *ho &ndermine +amily d&ties3 !! > lament the great sin *e commit *hen o&r greed +or 1ingshi2 and 2leas&res drives &s to 1ill o&r 1insmen3 !" >+ (hritarashtra's armed sons 1ill me in battle *hen > am &narmed and o++er no resistance) it *ill be my re*ard35 != Saying this in the time o+ *ar) $r%&na sl&m2ed into the chariot

and laid do*n his bo* and arro*s) his mind tormented by grie+3 !?

The Second Teaching - ( :!" - 46:46# ,hiloso2hy and S2irit&al (isci2line San%aya : $r%&na sat de%ected) +illed *ith 2ity) his sad eyes bl&rred by tears) -rishna gave him co&nsel3 / Ford -rishna : Dhy this co*ardice in this time o+ crisis) $r%&na. The co*ard is ignoble) shame+&l) +oreign to the *ays o+ heaven3 4 (onGt yield to im2otenceA >t is &nnat&ral in yo&A Banish this 2etty *ea1ness +rom yo&r heart) Rise to the +ight) $r%&naA 6 $r%&na : -rishna) ho* can > +ight against Bhishma and (rona *ith arro*s *hen they deserve my *orshi2. ! >t is better in this *orld to beg +or scra2s o+ +ood than to eat meals smeared *ith the blood o+ elders > 1illed at the height o+ their 2o*er *hile their goals *ere still desires3 "

De don't 1no* *hich *eight is *orse to bear o&r con8&ering them or their con8&ering &s3 De *ill not *ant to live i+ *e 1ill the sons o+ (hritarashtra assembled be+ore &s3 = The +la* o+ 2ity blights my very being; con+licting sacred d&ties con+o&nd my reason3 > as1 yo& to tell me decisively - Dhich is better. > am yo&r 2&2il3 Teach me *hat > see1A ? > see nothing that co&ld drive a*ay the grie+ that *ithers my senses; even i+ > *on 1ingdoms o+ &nrivaled *ealth on earth and sovereignty over gods3 San%aya : $r%&na told this to -rishna - then saying) 5> shall not +ight)5 he +ell silent3 @ Moc1ing him gently) -rishna gave this co&nsel as $r%&na sat de%ected) bet*een the t*o armies3 /0 Ford -rishna :

0o& grieve +or those beyond grie+) and yo& s2ea1 *ords o+ insight; b&t learned men do not grieve +or the dead or the living3 // Never have > not eBisted) nor yo&) nor these 1ings; and never in the +&t&re shall *e cease to eBist3 /4 J&st as the embodied sel+ enters childhood) yo&th) and old age) so does it enter another body; this does not con+o&nd a stead+ast man3 /6 :ontacts *ith matter ma1e &s +eel heat and cold) 2leas&re and 2ain3 $r%&na) yo& m&st learn to end&re +leeting things - they come and goA /! Dhen these cannot torment a man) *hen s&++ering and %oy are e8&al +or him and he has co&rage) he is +it +or immortality3 /" Nothing o+ nonbeing comes to be) nor does being cease to eBist; the bo&ndary bet*een these t*o is seen by men *ho see reality3 /= >ndestr&ctible is the 2resence that 2ervades all this; no one can destroy this &nchanging reality3 /? C&r bodies are 1no*n to end) b&t the embodied sel+ is end&ring) indestr&ctible) and immeas&rable; there+ore) $r%&na) +ight the battleA / 7e *ho thin1s this sel+ a 1iller and he *ho thin1s it 1illed)

both +ail to &nderstand; it does not 1ill) nor is it 1illed3 /@ >t is not born) it does not die; having been) it *ill never not be; &nborn) end&ring) constant) and 2rimordial) it is not 1illed *hen the body is 1illed3 40 $r%&na) *hen a man 1no*s the sel+ to be indestr&ctible) end&ring) &nborn) &nchanging) ho* does he 1ill or ca&se anyone to 1ill. 4/ $s a man discards *orn-o&t clothes to 2&t on ne* and di++erent ones) so the embodied sel+ discards its *orn-o&t bodies to ta1e on other ne* ones3 44 Dea2ons do not c&t it) +ire does not b&rn it) *aters do not *et it) *ind does not *ither it3 46 >t cannot be c&t or b&rned; it cannot be *et or *ithered; it is end&ring) all 2ervasive) +iBed) immovable) and timeless3 4! >t is called &nmani+est) inconceivable) and imm&table; since yo& 1no* that to be so) yo& sho&ld not grieveA 4" >+ yo& thin1 o+ its birth

and death as ever-rec&rring) then too) Great Darrior) yo& have no ca&se to grieveA 4= (eath is certain +or anyone born) and birth is certain +or the dead; since the cycle is inevitable) yo& have no ca&se to grieveA 4? :reat&res are &nmani+est in origin) mani+est in the midst o+ li+e) and &nmani+est again in the end3 Since this is so) *hy do yo& lament. 4 Rarely someone sees it) rarely another s2ea1s it) rarely anyone hears it even hearing it) no one really 1no*s it3 4@ The sel+ embodied in the body o+ every being is indestr&ctible; yo& have no ca&se to grieve +or all these creat&res) $r%&naA 60 Foo1 to yo&r o*n d&ty; do not tremble be+ore it; nothing is better +or a *arrior than a battle o+ sacred d&ty3 6/ The doors o+ heaven o2en +or *arriors *ho re%oice to have a battle li1e this thr&st on them by chance3 64 >+ yo& +ail to *age this *ar o+ sacred d&ty) yo& *ill abandon yo&r o*n d&ty and +ame only to gain evil3 66

,eo2le *ill tell o+ yo&r &ndying shame) and +or a man o+ honor shame is *orse than death3 6! The great chariot *arriors *ill thin1 yo& deserted in +ear o+ battle; yo& *ill be des2ised by those *ho held yo& in high esteem3 6" 0o&r enemies *ill slander yo&) scorning yo&r s1ill in so many &ns2ea1able *ays :o&ld an s&++ering be *orse. 6= >+ yo& are 1illed) yo& *in heaven; i+ yo& tri&m2h) yo& en%oy the earth; there+ore) $r%&na) stand &2 and resolve to +ight the battleA 6? >m2artial to %oy and s&++ering) gain and loss) victory and de+eat) arm yo&rsel+ +or the battle) lest yo& +all into evil3 6 <nderstanding is de+ined in terms o+ 2hiloso2hy; no* hear it in s2irit&al disci2line3 $rmed *ith this &nderstanding) $r%&na) yo& *ill esca2e the bondage o+ action3 6@ No e++ort in this *orld is lost or *asted; a +ragment o+ sacred d&ty saves yo& +rom great +ear3 !0 This &nderstanding is &ni8&e in its inner core o+ resolve; di++&se and 2ointless are the *ays irresol&te men &nderstand3 !/ <ndiscerning men *ho delight

in the tenets o+ rit&al lore &tter +lorid s2eech) 2roclaiming) 5There is nothing elseA5 !4 (riven by desire) they strive a+ter heaven and contrive to *in 2o*ers and delights) b&t their intricate rit&al lang&age bears only the +r&it o+ action in rebirth3 !6 Cbsessed *ith 2o*ers and delights) their reason lost in *ords) they do not +ind in contem2lation this &nderstanding o+ inner resolve3 !! $r%&na) the realm o+ sacred lore is nat&re - beyond its triad o+ 8&alities) d&alities) and m&ndane re*ards) be +orever l&cid) alive to yo&r sel+3 !" For the discerning 2riest) all o+ sacred lore has no more val&e than a *ell *hen *ater +lo*s every*here3 != Be intent on action) not on the +r&its o+ action; avoid attraction to the +r&its and attachment to inactionA !? ,er+orm actions) +irm in disci2line) relin8&ishing attachment; be im2artial to +ail&re and s&ccess this e8&animity is called disci2line3 ! $r%&na) action is +ar in+erior to the disci2line o+ &nderstanding; so see1 re+&ge in &nderstanding - 2iti+&l are men dra*n by +r&its o+ action3 !@ (isci2lined by &nderstanding) one abandons both good and evil deeds; so arm yo&rsel+ +or disci2line -

disci2line is s1ill in actions3 "0 Dise men disci2lined by &nderstanding relin8&ish the +r&it born o+ action) +reed +rom these bonds o+ rebirth) they reach a 2lace beyond decay3 "/ Dhen yo&r &nderstanding 2asses beyond the s*am2 o+ del&sion) yo& *ill be indi++erent to all that is heard in sacred lore3 "4 Dhen yo&r &nderstanding t&rns +rom sacred lore to stand +iBed) immovable in contem2lation) then yo& *ill reach disci2line3 "6 $r%&na : -rishna) *hat de+ines a man dee2 in contem2lation *hose insight and tho&ght are s&re. 7o* *o&ld he s2ea1. 7o* *o&ld he sit. 7o* *o&ld he move. "! Ford -rishna : Dhen he gives &2 desires in his mind) is content *ith the sel+ *ithin himsel+) then he is said to be a man *hose insight is s&re) $r%&na3 "" Dhen s&++ering does not dist&rb his mind) *hen his craving +or 2leas&res has vanished) *hen attraction) +ear) and anger are gone) he is called a sage *hose tho&ght is s&re3 "= Dhen he sho*s no 2re+erence in +ort&ne or mis+ort&ne and neither eB&lts nor hates) his insight is s&re3 "? Dhen) li1e a tortoise retracting

its limbs) he *ithdra*s his senses com2letely +rom sens&o&s ob%ects) his insight is s&re3 " Sens&o&s ob%ects +ade *hen the embodied sel+ abstains +rom +ood; the taste lingers) b&t it too +ades in the vision o+ higher tr&th3 "@ Even *hen a man o+ *isdom tries to control them) $r%&na) the be*ildering senses attac1 his mind *ith violence3 =0 :ontrolling them all) *ith disci2line he sho&ld +oc&s on me; *hen his senses are &nder control) his insight is s&re3 =/ Brooding abo&t sens&o&s ob%ects ma1es attachment to them gro*; +rom attachment desire arises) +rom desire anger is born3 =4 From anger comes con+&sion; +rom con+&sion memory la2ses; +rom bro1en memory &nderstanding is lost; +rom loss o+ &nderstanding) he is r&ined3 =6 B&t a man o+ inner strength *hose senses eB2erience ob%ects *itho&t attraction or hatred) in sel+-control) +inds serenity3 =! >n serenity) all his sorro*s dissolve; his reason becomes serene) his &nderstanding s&re3 =" Ditho&t disci2line) he has no &nderstanding or inner 2o*er; *itho&t inner 2o*er) he has no 2eace;

and *itho&t 2eace *here is %oy. == >+ his mind s&bmits to the 2lay o+ his senses) they drive a*ay insight) as *ind drives a shi2 on *ater3 =? So) Great Darrior) *hen *ithdra*al o+ the senses) +rom sense ob%ects is com2lete) discernment is +irm3 = Dhen it is night +or all creat&res) a master o+ restraint is a*a1e; *hen they are a*a1e) it is night +or the sage *ho sees reality3 =@ $s the mo&ntaino&s de2ths o+ the ocean are &nmoved *hen *aters r&sh into it) so the man &nmoved *hen desires enter him attains a 2eace that el&des the man o+ many desires3 ?0 Dhen he reno&nces all desires and acts *itho&t craving) 2ossessiveness) or individ&ality) he +inds 2eace3 ?/ This is the 2lace o+ the in+inite s2irit; achieving it) one is +reed +rom del&sion; abiding in it even at the time o+ death) one +inds the 2&re calm o+ in+inity3 ?4

The Third Teaching - (46:46 - 64:/"# (isci2line o+ $ction $r%&na :

>+ yo& thin1 &nderstanding is more 2o*er+&l than action) *hy) -rishna) do yo& &rge me to this horri+ic act. / 0o& con+&se my &nderstanding *ith a maHe o+ *ords; s2ea1 one certain tr&th so > may achieve *hat is good3 4 Ford -rishna : Earlier > ta&ght the t*o+old basis o+ good in the *orld +or 2hiloso2hers) disci2lined 1no*ledge; +or men o+ disci2line) action3 6 $ man cannot esca2e the +orce o+ action by abstaining +rom actions; he does not attain s&ccess %&st by ren&nciation3 ! No one eBists +or even an instant *itho&t 2er+orming action; ho*ever &n*illing) every being is +orced to act by the 8&alities o+ nat&re3 " Dhen senses are controlled b&t he 1ee2s recalling sense ob%ects *ith his mind) he is a sel+-del&ded hy2ocrite3 = Dhen he control his senses *ith his mind and engages in the disci2line o+ action *ith his +ac&lties o+ action) detachment sets him a2art3 ? ,er+orm necessary action; it is more 2o*er+&l than inaction; *itho&t action yo& even +ail to s&stain yo&r o*n body3

$ction im2risons the *orld &nless it is done as sacri+ice; +reed +rom attachment) $r%&na) 2er+orm actions as sacri+iceA @ Dhen creating living beings and sacri+ice) ,ra%a2ati) the 2rimordial creator) said : 5By sacri+ice *ill yo& 2rocreateA Fet it be yo&r *ish-granting co*A /0 Foster the gods *ith this) and may they +oster yo&) by enriching one another) yo& *ill achieve a higher good3 // Enriched by sacri+ice) the gods *ill give yo& the delights yo& desire; he is a thie+ *ho en%oys their gi+ts *itho&t giving them in ret&rn35 /4 Good men eating the remnants o+ sacri+ice are +ree o+ any g&ilt) b&t evil men *ho coo1 +or themselves eat the +ood o+ sin3 /6 :reat&res de2end on +ood) +ood comes +rom rain) rain de2ends on sacri+ice) and sacri+ice comes +rom action3 /! $ction comes +rom the s2irit o+ 2rayer) *hose so&rce is CM) so&nd o+ the im2erishable; so the 2ervading in+inite s2irit is ever 2resent in the rites o+ sacri+ice3 /" 7e *ho +ails to 1ee2 t&rning the *heel here set in motion *astes his li+e in sin) addicted to the senses) $r%&na3 /= B&t *hen a man +inds delight

*ithin himsel+ and +eels inner %oy and 2&re contentment in himsel+) there is nothing more to be done3 /? 7e has no sta1e here in deeds done or &ndone) nor does his 2&r2ose de2end on other creat&res3 / $l*ays 2er+orm *ith detachment any action yo& m&st do; 2er+orming action *ith detachment) one achieves s&2reme good3 /@ Jana1a and other ancient 1ings attained 2er+ection by actions alone; seeing the *ay to 2reserve the *orld) yo& sho&ld act3 40 Dhatever a leader does) the ordinary 2eo2le also do3 7e sets the standard +or the *orld to +ollo*3 4/ >n the three *orlds) there is nothing > m&st do) nothing &nattained to be attained) yet > engage in action3 44 Dhat i+ > did not engage relentlessly in action. Men retrace my 2ath at every t&rn) $r%&na3 46 These *orlds *o&ld colla2se i+ > did not 2er+orm action; > *o&ld create disorder in society) living beings *o&ld be destroyed3 4! $s the ignorant act *ith attachment to actions) $r%&na) so *ise men sho&ld act *ith detachment

to 2reserve the *orld3 4" No *ise man dist&rbs the &nderstanding o+ ignorant men attached to action; he sho&ld ins2ire them) 2er+orming all actions *ith disci2line3 4= $ctions are all e++ected by the 8&alities o+ nat&re; b&t del&ded by individ&ality) the sel+ thin1s) 5> am the actor35 4? Dhen he can discriminate the actions o+ nat&re's 8&alities and thin1) 5The 8&alities de2end on other 8&alities)5 he is detached3 4 Those del&ded by the 8&alities o+ nat&re are attached to their actions; a man *ho 1no*s this sho&ld not &2set these d&ll men o+ 2artial 1no*ledge3 4@ S&rrender all actions to me) and +iB yo&r reason on yo&r inner sel+; *itho&t ho2e or 2ossessiveness) yo&r +ever s&bd&ed) +ight the battleA 60 Men *ho al*ays +ollo* my tho&ght) tr&sting it *itho&t +inding +a&lt) are +reed even by their actions3 6/ B&t those *ho +ind +a&lt and +ail to +ollo* my tho&ght) 1no* that they are lost +ools) del&ded by every bit o+ 1no*ledge3 64 Even a man o+ 1no*ledge behaves in accord *ith his o*n nat&re; creat&res all con+orm to nat&re; *hat can one do to restrain them. 66

$ttraction and hatred are 2oised in the ob%ect o+ every sense eB2erience; a man m&st not +all 2rey to these t*o brigands l&r1ing on his 2athA 6! 0o&r o*n d&ty done im2er+ectly) is better than another man's done *ell3 >t is better to die in one's o*n d&ty; another man's d&ty is 2erilo&s3 6" $r%&na : -rishna) *hat ma1es a 2erson commit evil against his o*n *ill) as i+ com2elled by +orce. 6= Ford -rishna : >t is desire and anger arising +rom nat&re's 8&ality o+ 2assion; 1no* it here as the enemy) voracio&s and very evilA 6? $s +ire is obsc&red by smo1e and a mirror by dirt) as an embryo is veiled by its ca&l) so is 1no*ledge obsc&red by this3 6 -no*ledge is obsc&red by the *ise man's eternal enemy) *hich ta1es +orm as desire) an insatiable +ire) $r%&na3 6@ The senses) mind) and &nderstanding are said to harbor desire; *ith these desire obsc&res 1no*ledge and con+o&nds the embodied sel+3 !0 There+ore) +irst restrain yo&r senses) $r%&na) then 1ill this evil

that r&ins 1no*ledge and %&dgment3 !/ Men say that the senses are s&2erior to their ob%ects) the mind is s&2erior to the senses) &nderstanding s&2erior to the mind; higher than &nderstanding is the sel+3 !4 -no*ing the sel+ beyond &nderstanding) s&stain the sel+ *ith the sel+3 Great Darrior) 1ill the enemy menacing yo& in the +orm o+ desireA !6

The Fo&rth Teaching - (64:/" - !0:"0# -no*ledge Ford -rishna : > ta&ght this &ndying disci2line to the shining s&n) +irst o+ mortals) *ho told it to Man&) the 2rogenitor o+ man; Man& told it to the solar 1ing >1shva1&3 / Royal sages 1ne* this disci2line) *hich tradition handed do*n; b&t over the co&rse o+ time it has decayed) $r%&na3 4 This is the ancient disci2line that > have ta&ght to yo& today; yo& are my devotee and my +riend) and this is the dee2est mystery3 6 $r%&na : 0o&r birth +ollo*ed the birth o+ the s&n; ho* can > com2rehend that yo& ta&ght it in the beginning. ! Ford -rishna :

> have 2assed tho&gh many births and so have yo&; > 1no* them all) b&t yo& do not) $r%&na3 " Tho&gh mysel+ &nborn) &ndying) the lord o+ creat&res) > +ashion nat&re) *hich is mine) and > come into being thro&gh my o*n magic3 = Dhenever sacred d&ty decays and chaos 2revails) then) > create mysel+) $r%&na3 ? To 2rotect men o+ virt&e and destroy men *ho do evil) to set the standard o+ sacred d&ty) > a22ear in age a+ter age3 7e *ho really 1no*s my divine birth and my actions) esca2es rebirth *hen he abandons the body and he comes to me) $r%&na3 @ Free +rom attraction) +ear) and anger) +illed *ith me) de2endant on me) 2&ri+ied by the +ire o+ 1no*ledge) many come into my 2resence3 /0 $s they see1 re+&ge in me) > devote mysel+ to them; $r%&na) men retrace my 2ath in every *ay3 // (esiring s&ccess in their actions) men sacri+ice here to the gods; in the *orld o+ man s&ccess comes 8&ic1ly +rom action3 /4 > created man1ind into +o&r classes)

di++erent in their 8&alities and actions; tho&gh &nchanging) > am the agent o+ this) the actor *ho never actsA /6 > desire no +r&it o+ actions) and actions do not de+ile me; one *ho 1no*s this abo&t me is not bo&nd by actions3 /! -no*ing this) even ancient see1ers o+ +reedom 2er+ormed action do as these seers did in ancient times3 /" Dhat is action. Dhat is inaction. Even 2oets *ere con+&sed *hat > shall teach yo& o+ action *ill +ree yo& +rom mis+ort&ne3 /= Cne sho&ld &nderstand action) &nderstand *rong action) and &nderstand inaction too; the *ay o+ action is obsc&re3 /? $ man *ho sees inaction in action and action in inaction has &nderstanding among men) disci2lined in all action he 2er+orms3 / The *ise say a man is learned *hen his 2lans lac1 constr&cts o+ desire) *hen his actions are b&rned by the +ire o+ 1no*ledge3 /@ $bandoning attachment to +r&its o+ action) al*ays content) inde2endent) he does nothing at all even *hen he engages in action3 40 7e inc&rs no g&ilt i+ he has no ho2e) restrains his tho&ght and himsel+) abandons 2ossessions)

and 2er+orms actions *ith his body only3 4/ :ontent *ith *hatever comes by chance) beyond d&alities) +ree +rom envy) im2artial to +ail&re and s&ccess) he is not bo&nd even *hen he acts3 44 Dhen a man is &nattached and +ree) his reason dee2 in 1no*ledge) acting only in sacri+ice) his action is *holly dissolved3 46 The in+inite s2irit is the o++ering) the oblation it 2o&rs into in+inite +ire) and the in+inite s2irit can be reached by contem2lating its in+inite action3 4! Some men o+ disci2line o++er sacri+ice only to the gods; others sacri+ice *ith oblation in the +ire o+ in+inite s2irit3 4" Some o++er senses s&ch as hearing in the +ires o+ restraint; others o++er so&nd and other ob%ects in the +ires o+ the senses3 4= Cthers o++er all actions o+ the senses and all actions o+ breath in the +ire o+ disci2line 1indled by 1no*ledge - the mastery o+ one's sel+3 4? $scetics *ho 1ee2 strict vo*s sacri+ice *ith material ob%ects) thro&gh 2enance) disci2line) st&dy o+ sacred lore) and 1no*ledge3 4 Cthers sacri+ice by s&s2ending the cycle o+ vital breath) the +lo* o+ inhaling and eBhaling) as they 2ractice breath control3 4@

Cthers restricting their +ood o++er breaths in vital breaths; all these &nderstand sacri+ice and in sacri+ice eBha&st their sins3 60 Men *ho eat remnants o+ sacri+ice attain the timeless in+inite s2irit; *hat is the *orld or the neBt +or a man *itho&t sacri+ice) $r%&na. 6/ Many +orms o+ sacri+ice eB2and to*ard the in+inite s2irit; 1no* that the so&rce o+ them all is action) and yo& *ill be +ree3 64 Sacri+ice in 1no*ledge is better than sacri+ice *ith material ob%ects; the totality o+ all action c&lminates in 1no*ledge) $r%&na3 66 -no* it by h&mble s&bmission) by as1ing 8&estions) and by service) *ise men *ho see reality *ill give yo& 1no*ledge3 6! $r%&na) *hen yo& have realiHed this) yo& *ill not descend into del&sion again) 1no*ledge *ill let yo& see creat&res *ithin yo&rsel+ and so in me3 6" Even i+ yo& are the most evil o+ all sinners) yo& *ill cross over all evil on the ra+t o+ 1no*ledge3 6= J&st as a +laming +ire red&ces *ood to ashes) $r%&na) so the +ire o+ 1no*ledge red&ces all actions to ashes3 6? No 2&ri+ier e8&als 1no*ledge) and in time

the man o+ 2er+ect disci2line discovers this in his o*n s2irit3 6 Faith+&l) intent) his senses s&bd&ed) he gains 1no*ledge; gaining 1no*ledge) he soon +inds 2er+ect 2eace3 6@ $n ignorant man is lost) +aithless) and +illed *ith sel+-do&bt; a so&l that harbors do&bt has no %oy) not in this *orld or the neBt3 !0 $r%&na) actions do not bind a man in 2ossession o+ himsel+) *ho reno&nces action thro&gh disci2line and severs do&bt *ith 1no*ledge3 !/ So sever the ignorant do&bt in yo&r heart *ith the s*ord o+ sel+-1no*ledge) $r%&naA Cbserve yo&r disci2lineA $riseA !4

The Fi+th Teaching - (!0:"0 - !?:4!# Ren&nciation o+ $ction $r%&na : -rishna) yo& 2raise ren&nciation o+ actions and then disci2line; tell me *ith certainty *hich is better o+ these t*o3 / Ford -rishna : Ren&nciation and disci2line in action both e++ect good beyond meas&re; b&t o+ these t*o) disci2line in action s&r2asses ren&nciation o+ action3 4

The man o+ eternal ren&nciation is one *ho neither hates nor desires; beyond d&alities) he is easily +reed +rom bondage3 6 Sim2letons se2arate 2hiloso2hy and disci2line) b&t the learned do not; a22lying one correctly) a man +inds the +r&it in both3 ! Men o+ disci2line reach the same 2lace that 2hiloso2hers attain; he really sees *ho sees 2hiloso2hy and disci2line to be one3 " Ren&nciation is di++ic&lt to attain *itho&t disci2line; a sage armed *ith disci2line soon reaches the in+inite s2irit3 = $rmed *ith disci2line) he 2&ri+ies and s&bd&es the sel+) masters his senses) &nites himsel+ *ith the sel+ o+ all creat&res; even *hen he acts) he is not de+iled3 ? Seeing) hearing) to&ching) smelling) eating) *al1ing) slee2ing) breathing) the disci2lined man *ho 1no*s reality sho&ld thin1) 5> do nothing at all35 Dhen ta1ing) giving) ta1ing) o2ening and closing his eyes) he 1ee2s thin1ing) 5>t is the senses that engage in sense ob%ects35 @ $ man *ho relin8&ishes attachment and dedicates actions to the in+inite s2irit is not stained by evil) li1e a lot&s lea+ &nstained by *ater3 /0 Relin8&ishing attachment) men o+ disci2line 2er+orm action

*ith body) mind) &nderstanding) and senses +or the 2&ri+ication o+ the sel+3 // Relin8&ishing the +r&it o+ action) the disci2lined man attains 2er+ect 2eace; the &ndisci2lined man is in bondage) attached to the +r&its o+ his desire3 /4 Reno&ncing all actions *ith the mind) the master+&l embodied sel+ d*ells at ease in its nine-gated +ortress it neither acts nor ca&ses action3 /6 The lord o+ the *orld does not create agency or actions) or a &nion o+ +r&its *ith actions; b&t his being &n+olds into eBistence3 /! The lord does not 2arta1e o+ anyone's evil or good cond&ct; 1no*ledge is obsc&red by ignorance) so 2eo2le are del&ded3 /" Dhen ignorance is destroyed by 1no*ledge o+ the sel+) then) li1e the s&n) 1no*ledge ill&mines &ltimate reality3 /= That becomes their &nderstanding) their sel+) their basis) and their goal) and they reach a state beyond ret&rn) their sin dis2elled by 1no*ledge3 /? Fearned men see *ith an e8&al eye a scholarly and digni+ied 2riest) a co*) an ele2hant) a dog) and even an o&tcaste scavenger3 / Men *ho master the *orldly *orld have e8&animity they eBist in the in+inite s2irit) in its +la*less e8&ilibri&m3 /@

7e sho&ld not re%oice in *hat he loves nor recoil +rom *hat disg&sts him; sec&re in &nderstanding) &ndel&ded) 1no*ing the in+inite s2irit) he abides in it3 40 (etached +rom eBternal contacts) he discovers %oy in himsel+; %oined by disci2line to the in+inite s2irit) the sel+ attains ineBha&stible %oy3 4/ (elights +rom eBternal ob%ects are *ombs o+ s&++ering; in their beginning is their end) and no *ise man delights in them3 44 $ man able to end&re the +orce o+ desire and anger be+ore giving &2 his body is disci2lined and %oy+&l3 46 The man o+ disci2line has %oy) delight) and light *ithin; becoming the in+inite s2irit) he +inds the 2&re calm o+ in+inity3 4! Seers *ho can destroy their sins) c&t thro&gh do&bt) master the sel+) and delight in the good o+ all creat&res attain the 2&re calm o+ in+inity3 4" The 2&re calm o+ in+inity eBists +or the ascetic *ho disarms desire and anger) controls reason) and 1no*s the sel+3 4= 7e sh&ns eBternal ob%ects) +iBes his gaHe bet*een his bro*s) and reg&lates his vital breaths as they 2ass thro&gh his nostrils3 4? Tr&ly +ree is the sage *ho controls

his senses) mind and &nderstanding) *ho +oc&ses on +reedom and dis2els desire) +ear) and anger3 4 -no*ing me as the en%oyer o+ sacri+ice and 2enances) lord o+ all *orlds) and +riends o+ all creat&res) he +inds 2eace3 4@

The SiBth Teaching - (!?:4! - "=:"6# The Man o+ (isci2line Ford -rishna : Cne *ho does *hat m&st be done *itho&t concern +or the +r&its is a man o+ ren&nciation and disci2line) not one *ho sh&ns rit&al +ire and rites3 / -no* that disci2line) $r%&na) is *hat men call ren&nciation no man is disci2lined *itho&t reno&ncing *ill+&l intent3 4 $ction is the means +or a sage *ho see1s to mat&re in disci2line; tran8&ility is the means +or one *ho is mat&re in disci2line3 6 7e is said to be mat&re in disci2line *hen he has reno&nced all intention and is detached +rom sense ob%ects and actions3 ! 7e sho&ld elevate himsel+ by the sel+) not degrade himsel+; +or the sel+ is its o*n +riend and its o*n *orst +oe3 " The sel+ is the +riend o+ a man

*ho masters himsel+ thro&gh the sel+) b&t +or a man *itho&t sel+-mastery) the sel+ is li1e an enemy at *ar3 = The higher sel+ o+ a tran8&il man *hose sel+ is mastered is 2er+ectly 2oised in cold or heat) %oy or s&++ering) honor or contem2t3 ? Sel+-contented in 1no*ledge and %&dgment his senses s&bd&ed) on the s&mmit o+ eBistence) im2artial to clay) stone) or gold) the man o+ disci2line is disci2lined3 7e is set a2art by his disinterest to*ard comrades) allies) enemies) ne&trals) non2artisans) +oes) +riends) good and even evil men3 @ $ man o+ disci2line sho&ld al*ays disci2line himsel+) remain in secl&sion) isolated) his tho&ght and sel+ *ell controlled) *itho&t 2ossessions or ho2e3 /0 7e sho&ld +iB +or himsel+ a +irm seat in a 2&re 2lace) neither too high nor too lo*) covered in cloth) deers1in) or grass3 // 7e sho&ld +oc&s his mind and restrain the activity o+ his tho&ght and senses; sitting on that seat) he sho&ld 2ractice disci2line +or the 2&ri+ication o+ the sel+3 /4 7e sho&ld 1ee2 his body) head) and nec1 aligned) immobile) steady; he sho&ld gaHe at the ti2 o+ his nose and not let his glance *ander3 /6 The sel+ tran8&il) his +ear dis2elled) +irm in the vo* o+ celibacy) his mind restrained) let him sit *ith disci2line)

his tho&ght +iBed on me) intent on me3 /! (isci2lining himsel+) his mind controlled) a man o+ disci2line +inds 2eace) the 2&re calm that eBists in me3 /" Gl&ttons have no disci2line) nor the man *ho starves himsel+) nor he *ho slee2s eBcessively or s&++ers *a1e+&lness3 /= Dhen a man disci2lines his diet and diversions) his 2hysical actions) his slee2ing and *a1ing) disci2line destroys his sorro*3 /? Dhen his controlled tho&ght rests *ithin the sel+ alone) *itho&t craving ob%ects o+ desire) he is said to be disci2lined3 / 57e does not *aver) li1e a lam2 sheltered +rom the *ind5 is the simile recalled +or a man o+ disci2line) restrained in tho&ght and 2racticing sel+-disci2line3 /@ Dhen his tho&ght ceases) chec1ed by eBercise o+ disci2line) he is content *ithin the sel+) seeing the sel+ thro&gh himsel+3 40 $bsol&te %oy beyond the senses can only be gras2ed by &nderstanding; *hen one 1no*s it) he abides there and never *anders +rom this reality3 4/ Cbtaining it) he thin1s there is no greater gain; abiding there) he is &nmoved) even by dee2 s&++ering3 44

Since he 1no*s that disci2line means &nbinding the bonds o+ s&++ering) he sho&ld 2ractice disci2line resol&tely) *itho&t des2air d&lling his reason3 46 7e sho&ld entirely relin8&ish desires aro&sed by *ill+&l intent; he sho&ld entirely control his senses *ith his mind3 4! 7e sho&ld grad&ally become tran8&il) +irmly controlling his &nderstanding; +oc&sing his mind on the sel+ he sho&ld thin1 o+ nothing3 4" Dherever his +altering mind &nsteadily *anders) he sho&ld restrain it and bring it &nder sel+-control3 4= Dhen his mind is tran8&il) 2er+ect %oy comes to the man o+ disci2line; his 2assion is calmed) he is *itho&t sin) being one *ith the in+inite s2irit3 4? :onstantly disci2lining himsel+) +ree +rom sin) the man o+ disci2line easily achieves 2er+ect %oy in harmony *ith the in+inite s2irit3 4 $rming himsel+ *ith disci2line) seeing everything *ith an e8&al eye) he sees the sel+ in all creat&res and all creat&res in the sel+3 4@ 7e *ho sees me every*here and sees everything in me *ill not be lost to me) and > *ill not be lost to him3 60 > eBist in all creat&res) so the disci2lined man devoted to me

gras2s the oneness o+ li+e; *herever he is) he is in me3 6/ Dhen he sees identity in everything) *hether %oy or s&++ering) thro&gh analogy *ith the sel+) he is deemed a man o+ 2&re disci2line3 64 $r%&na : 0o& de+ine this disci2line by e8&animity) -rishna; b&t in my +altering condition > see no gro&nd +or it3 66 -rishna) the mind is +altering) violent) strong) and st&bborn; > +ind it as di++ic&lt to hold as the *ind3 6! Ford -rishna : Ditho&t do&bt) the mind is &nsteady and hard to hold) b&t 2ractice and dis2assion can restrain it) $r%&na3 6" >n my vie*) disci2line el&des the &nrestrained sel+) b&t i+ he strives to master himsel+) a man has the means to reach it3 6= $r%&na : Dhen a man has +aith) b&t no ascetic *ill) and his mind deviates +rom disci2line be+ore its 2er+ection is achieved) *hat *ay is there +or him) -rishna. 6? (oomed by this do&ble +ail&re) is he not li1e a clo&d s2lit a2art) &nsettled) del&ded on the 2ath

o+ the in+inite s2irit. 6 -rishna) only yo& can dis2el this do&bt o+ mine com2letely; there is no one b&t yo& to dis2el this do&bt3 6@ Ford -rishna : $r%&na) he does not s&++er doom in this *orld or the neBt; any man *ho acts *ith honor cannot go the *rong *ay) my +riend3 !0 Fallen in disci2line) he reaches *orlds made by his virt&e) *herein he d*ells +or endless years) &ntil he is reborn in the ho&se o+ &2right and noble men3 !/ Cr he is born in a +amily o+ disci2lined men; the 1ind o+ birth in the *orld that is very hard to *in3 !4 There he regains a de2th o+ &nderstanding +rom his +ormer li+e and strives +&rther to 2er+ection) $r%&na3 !6 :arried by the +orce o+ his 2revio&s 2ractice) a man *ho see1s to learn disci2line 2asses beyond sacred lore that eB2resses the in+inite s2irit in *ords3 !! The man o+ disci2line) striving *ith e++ort) 2&ri+ied o+ his sins) 2er+ected thro&gh many births) +inds a higher *ay3 !" 7e is deemed s&2erior to men o+ 2enance) men o+ 1no*ledge) men o+ action;

be a man o+ disci2line) $r%&naA != C+ all the men o+ disci2line) the +aith+&l man devoted to me) *ith his inner sel+ dee2 in mine) > deem most disci2lined3 !?

The Seventh Teaching - ("=:"6 - /:06:0@# -no*ledge and J&dgment Ford -rishna : ,ractice disci2line in my 2rotection) *ith yo&r mind +oc&sed on me; $r%&na) hear ho* yo& can 1no* me com2letely) *itho&t do&bt3 / > *ill teach yo& the totality o+ 1no*ledge) o+ %&dgment; this 1no*n) nothing else in the *orld need be 1no*n3 4 Cne man among tho&sands strives +or s&ccess) and o+ the +e* *ho are s&ccess+&l) a rare one 1no*s my reality3 6 My nat&re has eight as2ects: earth) *ater) +ire) *ind) s2ace) mind) &nderstanding) and individ&ality3 ! This is my lo*er nat&re; 1no* my higher nat&re too) the li+e-+orce that s&stains this &niverse3 " Fearn that this is the *omb o+ all creat&res; > am the so&rce o+ all the &niverse)

%&st as > am its dissol&tion3 = Nothing is higher than > am; $r%&na) all that eBists is *oven on me) li1e a *eb o+ 2earls on thread3 ? > am the taste in *ater) $r%&na) the light in the moon and s&n) CM resonant in all sacred lore) the so&nd in s2ace) valor in men3 > am the 2&re +ragrance in earth) the brilliance in +ire) the li+e in all living creat&res) the 2enance in ascetics3 @ -no* me) $r%&na) as every creat&re's timeless seed) the &nderstanding o+ intelligent men) the brilliance o+ +iery heroes3 /0 C+ strong men) > am strength) *itho&t the emotion o+ desire; in creat&res > am the desire that does not im2ede sacred d&ty3 // -no* that nat&re's 8&alities come +rom me - l&cidity) 2assion) and dar1 inertia; > am not in them) they are in me3 /4 $ll this &niverse) del&ded by the 8&alities inherent in nat&re) +ails to 1no* that > am beyond them and &nchanging3 /6 :om2osed o+ nat&re's 8&alities) my divine magic is hard to esca2e; b&t those *ho see1 re+&ge in me cross over this magic3 /!

9ile) del&ded sinners are the men *ho +ail to ta1e re+&ge in me; their 1no*ledge r&ined by magic) they +all 2rey to demonic 2o*er3 /" $r%&na) +o&r ty2es o+ virt&o&s men are devoted me: the tormented man) the see1er o+ *isdom) the s&22liant) and the sage3 /= C+ these) the disci2lined man o+ 1no*ledge is set a2art by his sing&lar devotion; > am dear to the man o+ 1no*ledge) and he is dear to me3 /? They are all noble) b&t > regard the man o+ 1no*ledge to be my very sel+; sel+-disci2lined) he holds me to be the highest *ay3 / $t the end o+ many births) the man o+ 1no*ledge +inds re+&ge in me; he is the rare great s2irit *ho sees 5-rishna is all that is35 /@ Robbed o+ 1no*ledge by stray desires) men ta1e re+&ge in other deities; observing varied rites) they are limited by their o*n nat&re3 40 > grant &n*avering +aith to any devoted man *ho *ants to *orshi2 any +orm *ith +aith3 4/ (isci2lined by that +aith) he see1s the deityGs +avor; this sec&red) he gains desires that > mysel+ grant3 44 B&t +inite is the re*ard that comes to men o+ little *it;

men *ho sacri+ice to gods reach the gods; those devoted to me reach me3 46 Men *itho&t &nderstanding) thin1 that > am &nmani+est nat&re become mani+est; they are ignorant o+ my higher eBistence) my 2&re) &nchanging absol&te being3 4! 9eiled in the magic o+ my disci2line) > el&de most men; this del&ded *orld is not a*are that > am &nborn and imm&table3 4" > 1no* all creat&res that have been) that no* eBist) and that are yet to be; b&t) $r%&na) no one 1no*s me3 4= $ll creat&res are be*ildered at birth by the del&sion o+ o22osing 8&alities that arise +rom desire and hatred3 4? B&t *hen they cease +rom evil and act *ith virt&e) they devote themselves to me) +irm in their vo*s) +reed +rom the del&sion o+ d&ality3 4 Tr&sting me) men strive +or +reedom +rom old age and death; they 1no* the in+inite s2irit) its inner sel+ and all its actions3 4@ Men *ho 1no* me as its inner being) inner divinity) and inner sacri+ice have disci2lined their reason; they 1no* me at the time o+ death3 60

The Eighth Teaching - (/:06:0@ - /:0@:6!# The >n+inite S2irit

$r%&na : Dhat is the in+inite s2irit) -rishna. Dhat is its inner sel+) its action. Dhat is its inner being called. Dhat is its inner divinity. / Dho is *ithin sacri+ice) -rishna. 7o* is he here in the body. $nd ho* are men o+ sel+-control to 1no* yo& at the time o+ death. 4 Ford -rishna : Eternal and s&2reme is the in+inite s2irit; its inner sel+ is called inherent being; its creative +orce) 1no*n as action) is the so&rce o+ creat&res' eBistence3 6 >ts inner being is 2erishable eBistence; its inner divinity is man's s2irit; > am the inner sacri+ice here in yo&r body) C Best o+ Mortals3 ! $ man *ho dies remembering me at the time o+ death enters my being *hen he is +reed +rom his body; o+ this there is no do&bt3 " Dhatever being he remembers *hen he abandons the body at death) he enters) $r%&na) al*ays eBisting in that being3 = There+ore) at all times remember me and +ight; mind and &nderstanding +iBed on me) +ree +rom do&bt) yo& *ill come to me3 ? (isci2lined thro&gh 2ractice) his reason never straying)

meditating) one reaches the s&2reme divine s2irit o+ man3 Cne sho&ld remember man's s2irit as the g&ide) the 2rimordial 2oet) smaller than an atom) granter o+ all things) in +orm inconceivable) the color o+ the s&n beyond dar1ness3 @ $t the time o+ death) *ith the mind immovable) armed *ith devotion and strength o+ disci2line) +oc&sing vital breath bet*een the bro*s) one attains the s&2reme divine s2irit o+ man3 /0 > shall teach yo&) in s&mmary) abo&t the state that scholars o+ sacred lore call eternal) the state ascetics enter) +reed +rom 2assion) *hich some men see1 in the celibate li+e3 // :ontrolling the body's gates) 1ee2ing the mind in the heart) holding his o*n breath in his head) one is in disci2lined concentration3 /4 >nvo1ing the in+inite s2irit as the one eternal syllable CM) remembering me as he abandons his body) he reaches the absol&te *ay3 /6 Dhen he constantly remembers me) +oc&sing his reason on me)

> am easy to reach) $r%&na) +or a man o+ end&ring disci2line3 /! Reaching me) men o+ great s2irit do not &ndergo rebirth) the e2hemeral realm o+ s&++ering; they attain absol&te 2er+ection3 /" Even in Brahma's cosmic realm *orlds evolve in incessant cycles) b&t a man *ho reaches me s&++ers no rebirth) $r%&na3 /= Dhen they 1no* that a day o+ Bramha stretches over a tho&sand eons) and his night ends in a tho&sand eons) men &nderstand day and night3 /? $t brea1 o+ Brahma's day all things emerge +rom &nmani+est nat&re; *hen night +alls) all sin1 into &nmani+est dar1ness3 / $r%&na) the throng o+ creat&res that comes to eBist dissolves &n*illingly at night+all to emerge again at daybrea13 /@ Beyond this &nmani+est nat&re is another &nmani+est eBistence) a timeless being that does not 2erish *hen all creat&res 2erish3 40 >t is called eternal &nmani+est nat&re) *hat men call the highest *ay) the goal +rom *hich they do not ret&rn; this highest realm is mine3 4/ >t is man's highest s2irit) *on by sing&lar devotion) $r%&na) in *hom creat&res rest and the *hole &niverse eBtends3 44

$r%&na) > shall tell yo& 2recisely the time *hen men o+ disci2line *ho have died s&++er rebirth or esca2e it3 46 Men *ho 1no* the in+inite s2irit reach its in+inity i+ they die in +ire) light) day) bright l&nar night) the s&n's siB-month north*ard co&rse3 4! >n smo1e) night) dar1 l&nar night) the s&n's siB-month so&th*ard co&rse) a man o+ disci2line reaches the moon's light and ret&rns3 4" These bright and dar1 2ath*ays are deemed constant +or the &niverse; by one) a man esca2es rebirth; by the other) he is born again3 4= No man o+ disci2line is del&ded *hen he 1no*s these t*o 2aths3 There+ore) $r%&na) be armed in all times *ith disci2line3 4? -no*ing the +r&it o+ virt&e assigned to 1no*ledge o+ sacred lore) to sacri+ices) to 2enances) and to act in charity) the man o+ disci2line transcends all this and ascends to the 2lace o+ 2&re beginning3 4

The Ninth Teaching - (/:0@:6! - /:/=:" # The S&blime Mystery Ford -rishna :

> *ill teach the dee2est mystery to yo& since yo& +ind no +a&lt; realiHing it *ith 1no*ledge and %&dgment) yo& *ill be +ree +rom mis+ort&ne3 / This science and mystery o+ 1ings is the s&2reme 2&ri+ier) int&itive) tr&e to d&ty) %oyo&s to 2er+orm) &nchanging3 4 Ditho&t +aith in sacred d&ty) men +ail to reach me) $r%&na; they ret&rn to the cycle o+ death and rebirth3 6 The *hole &niverse is 2ervaded by my &nmani+est +orm; all creat&res eBist in me) b&t > do not eBist in them3 ! Behold the 2o*er o+ my disci2line; these creat&res are really not in me; my sel+ 8&ic1ens creat&res) s&staining them *itho&t being in them3 " J&st as the *ide-moving *ind is constantly 2resent in s2ace) so all creat&res eBist in me; &nderstand it to be soA = $s an eon ends) all creat&res +old into my nat&re) $r%&na; and > create them again as a ne* eon begins3 ? Gathering in my o*n nat&re) again and again > +reely create this *hole throng o+ creat&res) hel2less in the +orce o+ my nat&re3 These actions do not bind me) since > remain detached

in all my actions) $r%&na) as i+ > stood a2art +rom them3 @ Nat&re) *ith me as her inner eye) bears animate and &nanimate beings; and by reason o+ this) $r%&na) the &niverse contin&es to t&rn3 /0 (el&ded men des2ise me in the h&man +orm > have ass&med) ignorant o+ my higher eBistence as the great lord o+ creat&res3 // Reason *ar2ed) ho2e) action) and 1no*ledge *asted) they +all 2rey to a sed&ctive +iendish) demonic nat&re3 /4 >n single-minded dedication) great so&ls devote themselves to my divine nat&re) 1no*ing me as &nchanging) the origin o+ creat&res3 /6 $l*ays glori+ying me) striving) +irm in their vo*s) 2aying me homage *ith devotion) they *orshi2 me) al*ays disci2lined3 /! Sacri+icing thro&gh 1no*ledge) others *orshi2 my &niversal 2resence in its &nity and in its many di++erent as2ects3 /" > am the rite) the sacri+ice) the libation +or the dead) the healing herb) the sacred hymn) the clari+ied b&tter) the +ire) the oblation3 /= > am the &niversal +ather) mother) granter o+ all) grand+ather) ob%ect o+ 1no*ledge) 2&ri+ier) holy syllable CM) three+old sacred lore3 /?

> am the *ay) s&stainer) lord) *itness) shelter) re+&ge) +riend) so&rce) dissol&tion) stability) treas&re) and &nchanging seed3 / > am the heat that *ithholds and sends do*n the rains; > am immortality and death; both being and non-being am >3 /@ Men learned in sacred lore) Soma drin1ers) their sins absolved) *orshi2 me *ith sacri+ices) see1ing to *in heaven3 Reaching the holy *orld o+ >ndra) 1ing o+ the gods) they savor the heavenly delights o+ the gods in the celestial s2here3 40 Dhen they have long en%oyed the *orld o+ heaven and their merit is eBha&sted) they enter the mortal *orld; +ollo*ing the d&ties ordained in sacred lore) desiring desires) they obtain *hat is transient3 4/ Men *ho *orshi2 me) thin1ing solely o+ me) al*ays disci2lined) *in the re*ard > sec&re3 44 Dhen devoted men sacri+ice to other deities *ith +aith) they sacri+ice to me) $r%&na) ho*ever aberrant the rites3 46 > am the en%oyer and the lord o+ all sacri+ices; they do not 1no* me in reality)

and so they +ail3 4! 9otaries o+ the gods go to the gods) ancestor-*orshi22ers go to the ancestors) those *ho 2ro2itiate ghosts go to them) and my *orshi22ers go to me3 4" The lea+ or +lo*er or +r&it or *ater that he o++ers *ith devotion) > ta1e +rom the man o+ sel+-restraint in res2onse to his devotion3 4= Dhatever yo& do - *hat yo& ta1e) *hat yo& o++er) *hat yo& give) *hat 2enances yo& 2er+orm do as an o++ering to me) $r%&naA 4? 0o& *ill be +reed +rom the bonds o+ action) +rom the +r&it o+ +ort&ne and mis+ort&ne; armed *ith the disci2line o+ ren&nciation) yo&r sel+ liberated) yo& *ill %oin me3 4 > am im2artial to all creat&res) and no one is hate+&l or dear to me) b&t men devoted to me are in me) and > am *ithin them3 4@ >+ he is devoted solely to me) even a violent criminal m&st be deemed a man o+ virt&e) +or his resolve is right3 60 7is s2irit 8&ic1ens to sacred d&ty) and he +inds eternal 2eace; $r%&na) 1no* that no one devoted to me is lost3 6/ >+ they rely on me) $r%&na) *omen) commoners) men o+ lo* ran1) even men born in the *omb o+ evil) reach the highest *ay3 64

7o* easy it is then +or holy 2riests and devoted royal sages in this transient *orld o+ sorro*) devote yo&rsel+ to meA 66 -ee2 me in yo&r mind and devotion) sacri+ice to me) bo* to me) disci2line yo&r sel+ to*ard me) and yo& *ill reach meA 6!

The Tenth Teaching - (/:/=:" - /:4=:0=# Fragments o+ (ivine ,o*er Ford -rishna : Great Darrior) again hear my *ord in its s&2reme +orm; desiring yo&r good) > s2ea1 to dee2en yo&r love3 / Neither the m&ltit&de o+ gods nor great sages 1no* my origin) +or > am the so&rce o+ all the gods and great sages3 4 $ mortal *ho 1no*s me as the &nborn) beginningless great lord o+ the *orlds is +reed +rom del&sion and all evils3 6 <nderstanding) 1no*ledge) nondel&sion) 2atience) tr&th) control) tran8&ility) %oy) s&++ering) being) nonbeing) +ear) and +earlessness 3 3 3 ! Nonviolence) e8&animity) contentment) 2enance) charity) glory) disgrace) these diverse attit&des o+ creat&res' arise +rom me3 "

The seven ancient great sages and the +o&r ancestors o+ man are mind-born as2ects o+ me; their 2rogeny +ills the *orld3 = The man *ho in reality 1no*s my 2o*er and my disci2line is armed *ith &n*avering disci2line; in this there is no do&bt3 ? > am the so&rce o+ everything) and everything 2roceeds +rom me; +illed *ith my eBistence) *ise men realiHing this are devoted to me3 Thin1ing and living dee2 in me) they enlighten one another by constantly telling o+ me +or their o*n %oy and delight3 @ To men o+ end&ring disci2line) devoted to me *ith a++ection) > give the disci2line o+ &nderstanding by *hich they come to me3 /0 (*elling com2assionately) dee2 in the sel+) > dis2el dar1ness born o+ ignorance *ith the radiant light o+ 1no*ledge3 // $r%&na : 0o& are s&2reme) the in+inite s2irit) the highest abode) s&blime 2&ri+ier) man's s2irit) eternal) divine) the 2rimordial god) &nborn) omni2otent3 /4 So the ancient seers s2o1e o+ yo&) as did the e2ic 2oet 9yasa and the bards *ho sang +or gods) ancestors) and men; and no* yo& tell me yo&rsel+3 /6

Ford -rishna) > realiHe the tr&th o+ all yo& tell me; neither gods nor demons 1no* yo&r mani+est nat&re3 /! 0o& 1no* yo&rsel+ thro&gh the sel+) -rishna; s&2reme among Men) S&stainer and Ford o+ :reat&res) God o+ Gods) Master o+ the <niverseA /" Tell me *itho&t reserve the divine 2o*ers o+ yo&r sel+) 2o*ers by *hich yo& 2ervade these *orlds3 /= Ford o+ (isci2line) ho* can > 1no* yo& as > meditate on yo& - in *hat diverse as2ects can > thin1 o+ yo&) -rishna. /? Reco&nt in +&ll eBtent the disci2line and 2o*er o+ yo&r sel+; -rishna) > can never hear eno&gh o+ yo&r immortal s2eech3 / Ford -rishna : Fisten) $r%&na) as > reco&nt +or yo& in essence the divine 2o*ers o+ my sel+; endless is my eBtent3 /@ > am the sel+ abiding in the heart o+ all creat&res; > am their beginning) their middle) and their end3 40 > am 9ishn& striding among s&n gods) the radiant s&n among lights; > am the lightening among *ind gods) the moon among the stars3 4/

> am the song in sacred lore; > am >ndra) 1ing o+ the gods; > am the mind o+ the senses) the conscio&sness o+ creat&res3 44 > am gracio&s Shiva among ho*ling storm gods) the lord o+ *ealth among demigods and demons) +ire blaHing among the bright gods; > am the golden Mer& to*ering over the mo&ntains3 46 $r%&na) 1no* me as the gods' teacher) chie+ o+ the ho&sehold 2riests; > am the god o+ *ar among generals; > am the ocean o+ la1es3 4! > am Bhrig&) 2riest o+ the great seers; o+ *ords) > am the eternal syllable CM) the 2rayer o+ sacri+ices; > am the 7imalaya) the meas&re o+ *hat end&res3 4" $mong trees) > am the sacred +ig-tree; > am the chie+ o+ the divine sages) leader o+ the celestial m&sicians) the recl&se 2hiloso2her among saints3 4= $mong horses) 1no* me as the immortal stallion born +rom the sea o+ eliBir; among ele2hants) the divine 1ing's mo&nt; among men) the 1ing3 4? > am the th&nderbolt among *ea2ons) among cattle) the magical *ish-granting co*; > am the 2rocreative god o+ love) the 1ing o+ the sna1es3 4 > am the endless cosmic ser2ent) the lord o+ all sea creat&res; > am chie+ o+ all ancestral +athers; o+ restraints) > am death3 4@ > am the 2io&s son o+ demons; o+ meas&res) > am time;

> am the lion among *ild animals) the eagle among birds3 60 > am the 2&ri+ying *ind) the *arrior Rama bearing arms) the sea-monster crocodile) the +lo*ing river Ganges3 6/ > am the beginning) the middle) and the end o+ creations) $r%&na; o+ sciences) > am the science o+ the sel+; > am the dis2&te o+ orators3 64 > am the vo*el 'a' o+ the syllabary) the 2airing *ords in a com2o&nd; > am the indestr&ctible time) the creator +acing every*here at once3 66 > am death the destroyer o+ all) the so&rce o+ *hat *ill be) the +eminine 2o*ers: +ame) +ort&ne) s2eech) memory) intelligence) resolve) 2atience3 6! > am the great rit&al chant) the meter o+ sacred song) the most sacred month in the year) the s2ring blooming *ith +lo*ers3 6" > am the dice game o+ gamblers) the brilliance o+ +iery heroes) > am victory and resolve) the l&cidity o+ l&cid men3 6= > am -rishna among my might 1insmen; > am $r%&na among the ,andava 2rinces; > am the e2ic 2oet 9yasa among sages) the ins2ired singer among bards3 6? > am the s2ecter o+ r&lers) the morality o+ ambitio&s men; > am the silence o+ mysteries) *hat men o+ 1no*ledge 1no*3 6

$r%&na) > am the seed o+ all creat&res; nothing animate or inanimate co&ld eBist *itho&t me3 6@ Fiery 7ero) endless are my divine 2o*ers o+ my 2o*er's eBtent > have barely hinted3 !0 Dhatever is 2o*er+&l) l&cid) s2lendid) or inv&lnerable has its so&rce in a +ragment o+ my brilliance3 !/ Dhat &se is so m&ch 1no*ledge to yo&) $r%&na. > stand s&staining this entire *orld *ith a +ragment o+ my being3 !4

The Eleventh Teaching - (/:4=:0= - /:6@:44# The 9ision o+ -rishna's Totality $r%&na : To +avor me yo& revealed the dee2est mystery o+ the sel+) and by yo&r *ords my del&sion is dis2elled3 / > heard +rom yo& in detail ho* creat&res come to be and die) -rishna) and abo&t the sel+ in its imm&table greatness3 4 J&st as yo& have described yo&rsel+) > *ish to see yo&r +orm in all its ma%esty) -rishna) S&2reme among Men3 6

>+ yo& thin1 > can see it) reveal to me yo&r imm&table sel+) -rishna) Ford o+ (isci2line3 ! Ford -rishna : $r%&na) see my +orms in h&ndreds and tho&sands; diverse) divine) o+ many colors and sha2es3 " See the s&n gods) gods o+ light) ho*ling storm gods) t*in gods o+ da*n) and gods o+ *ind) $r%&na) *ondro&s +orms not seen be+ore3 = $r%&na) see all the &niverse) animate and inanimate) and *hatever else yo& *ish to see; all stands here as one in my body3 ? B&t yo& cannot see me *ith yo&r o*n eye; > *ill give yo& a divine eye to see the ma%esty o+ my disci2line3 San%aya : C -ing) saying this) -rishna) the great lord o+ disci2line) revealed to $r%&na) the tr&e ma%esty o+ his +orm3 @ >t *as a m&lti+orm) *ondro&s vision) *ith co&ntless mo&ths and eyes and celestial ornaments) brandishing many divine *ea2ons3 /0 Every*here *as bo&ndless divinity containing all astonishing things)

*earing divine garlands and garments) anointed *ith divine 2er+&me3 // >+ the light o+ a tho&sand s&ns *ere to rise in the s1y at once) it *o&ld be li1e the light o+ that great s2irit3 /4 $r%&na sa* all the &niverse in its many *ays and 2arts) standing as one in the body o+ the god o+ gods3 /6 Then +illed *ith amaHement) his hair bristling on his +lesh) $r%&n bo*ed his head to the god) %oined his hands in homage) and s2o1e3 /! $r%&na : > see the gods in yo&r body) C God) and hordes o+ varied creat&res; Brahma) the cosmic creator) on his lot&s throne) all the seers) and celestial ser2ents3 /" > see yo&r bo&ndless +orm every*here) the co&ntless arms) bellies) mo&ths) and eyes; Ford o+ $ll) > see no end) or middle or beginning to yo&r totality3 /= > see yo& blaHing thro&gh the +iery rays o+ yo&r cro*n) mace) and disc&s) hard to behold

in the b&rning light o+ +ire and s&n that s&rro&nds yo&r meas&reless 2resence3 /? 0o& are to be 1no*n as s&2reme eternity) the dee2est treas&re o+ all that is) the imm&table g&ardian o+ end&ring sacred d&ty; > thin1 yo& are man's timeless s2irit3 / > see no beginning or middle or end to yo&; only bo&ndless strength in yo&r endless arms) the moon and the s&n in yo&r eyes) yo&r mo&ths o+ cons&ming +lames) yo&r o*n brilliance scorching this &niverse3 /@ 0o& alone +ill the s2ace bet*een heaven and earth and all the directions; seeing this a*esome) terrible +orm o+ yo&rs) Great So&l) the three *orlds tremble3 40 Throngs o+ gods enter yo&) some in their terror ma1e gest&res o+ homage to invo1e yo&; throngs o+ great sages and saints hail yo& and 2raise yo& in reso&nding hymns3 4/

7o*ling storm gods) s&n gods) bright gods) and gods o+ rit&al) gods o+ the &niverse) t*in gods o+ da*n) *ind gods) va2or-drin1ing ghosts) throngs o+ celestial m&sicians) demigods) demons) and saints) all gaHe at yo& amaHed3 44 Seeing the many mo&ths and eyes o+ yo&r great +orm) its many arms) thighs) +eet) bellies) and +angs) the *orlds tremble and so do >3 46 9ishn&) seeing yo& br&sh the clo&ds *ith +lames o+ co&ntless colors) yo&r mo&ths aga2e) yo&r h&ge eyes blaHing) my inner sel+ 8&a1es and > +ind no resolve or tran8&ility3 4! Seeing the +angs 2rotr&ding +rom yo&r mo&ths li1e the +ires o+ time) > lose my bearings and > +ind no re+&ge; be gracio&s) Ford o+ Gods) Shelter o+ the <niverse3 4" $ll those sons o+ the blind 1ing (hritarastra came accom2anied by troo2s o+ 1ings) by the generals Bhishma)

(rona) -arna) and by o&r battle leaders3 4= R&shing thro&gh yo&r +angs into grim mo&ths) some are dangling +rom heads cr&shed bet*een yo&r teeth3 4? $s roiling river *aters stream headlong to*ard the sea) so do these h&man heroes enter into yo&r blaHing mo&ths3 4 $s moths in the +renHy o+ destr&ction +ly into a blaHing +lame) *orlds in the +renHy o+ destr&ction enter yo&r mo&ths3 4@ 0o& lic1 at the *orlds aro&nd yo&) devo&ring them *ith +laming mo&ths; and yo&r terrible +ires scorch the entire &niverse) +illing it) 9ishn&) *ith violent rays3 60 Tell me *ho are yo& in this terrible +orm.

7omage to yo&) Best o+ GodsA Be gracio&sA > *ant to 1no* yo& as yo& are in yo&r beginning3 > do not com2rehend the co&rse o+ yo&r *ays3 6/ Ford -rishna : > am time gro*n old) creating *orld destr&ction) set in motion to annihilate the *orlds; even *itho&t yo&) all these *arriors arrayed in hostile ran1s *ill cease to eBist3 64 There+ore) arise and *in gloryA :on8&er yo&r +oes and +&l+ill yo&r 1ingshi2A They are already 1illed by me3 Be %&st my instr&ment) the archer at my sideA 66 (rona) Bhishma) Jayadratha) and -arna) and all the other battle heroes) are 1illed by me3 -ill them *itho&t *avering; +ight) and yo& *ill con8&er yo&r +oes in battleA 6! San%aya : 7earing -rishna's *ords) $r%&na trembled &nder his cro*n) and he %oined his hands in reverent homage;

terri+ied o+ his +ear) he bo*ed to -rishna and stammered in re2ly3 6" $r%&na : -rishna) the &niverse res2onds *ith %oy and ra2t&re to yo&r glory) terri+ied demons +lee in +ar directions) and saints throng to bo* in homage3 6= Dhy sho&ld they not bo* in homage to yo&) Great So&l) Criginal :reator) more venerable than the creator Brahma. Bo&ndless Ford o+ Gods) Shelter o+ $ll That >s) yo& are eternity) being) nonbeing) and beyond3 6? 0o& are the original god) the 2rimordial s2irit o+ man) the dee2est treas&re o+ all that is) 1no*er and *hat is to be 1no*n) the s&2reme abode; yo& 2ervade the &niverse) Ford o+ Bo&ndless Form3 6 0o& are the gods o+ *ind) death) +ire) and *ater; the moon; the lord o+ li+e; and the great ancestor3 7omage to yo&) a tho&sand time homageA > bo* in homage to yo& again and yet again3 6@

> bo* in homage be+ore yo& and behind yo&; > bo* every*here to yo&r omni2resenceA 0o& have bo&ndless strength and limitless +orce; yo& +&l+ill all that yo& are3 !0 Thin1ing yo& a +riend) > boldly said) 5Delcome) -rishnaA Delcome) co&sin) +riendA5 From negligence) or thro&gh love) > +ailed to 1no* yo&r greatness3 !/ >+ in %est > o++ended yo&) alone or 2&blicly) at s2ort) rest) sitting) or at meals) > beg yo&r 2atience) &n+athomable -rishna3 !4 0o& are the +ather o+ the *orld o+ animate and inanimate things) its venerable teacher) most *orthy o+ *orshi2) *itho&t e8&al3 Dhere in all three *orlds is another to match yo&r eBtraordinary 2o*er. !6 > bo* to yo&) > 2rostrate my body) > beg yo& to be gracio&s) Dorshi2+&l Ford as a +ather to a son) a +riend to a +riend)

a lover to beloved) C God) bear *ith me3 !! > am thrilled) and yet my mind trembles *ith +ear at seeing *hat has not been seen be+ore3 Sho* me) God) the +orm > 1no* be gracio&s) Ford o+ Gods) Shelter o+ the Dorlds3 !" > *ant to see yo& as be+ore) *ith yo&r cro*n and mace) and the disc&s in yo&r hand3 C Tho&sand-$rmed God) ass&me the +o&r armed +orm embodied in yo&r totality3 != Ford -rishna : To grace yo&) $r%&na) > revealed thro&gh sel+-disci2line my higher +orm) *hich no one b&t yo& has ever beheld brilliant) total) bo&ndless) 2rimal3 !? Not thro&gh sacred lore or sacri+icial rit&al or st&dy or charity) not by rites or by terrible 2enances can > be seen in this +orm in the *orld o+ men by anyone b&t yo&) Great 7ero3 ! (o not tremble or s&++er con+&sion

+rom seeing my horri+ic +orm; yo&r +ear dis2elled) yo&r mind +&ll o+ love) see my +orm again as it *as3 !@ San%aya : Saying this to $r%&na) -rishna once more revealed his intimate +orm; res&ming his gentle body) the great s2irit let the terri+ied hero regain his breath3 "0 $r%&na : Seeing yo&r gentle h&man +orm) -rishna) > recover my o*n nat&re) and my reason is restored3 "/ Ford -rishna : This +orm yo& have seen is rarely revealed; the gods are constantly craving +or a vision o+ this +orm3 "4 Not thro&gh sacred lore) 2enances) charity) or sacri+icial rites can > be seen in the +orm that yo& sa* me3 "6 By devotion alone can >) as > really am) be 1no*n and seen and entered into) $r%&na3 "!

$cting only +or me) intent on me) +ree +rom attachment) hostile to no creat&re) $r%&na) a man o+ devotion comes to me3 ""

The T*el+th Teaching - (/:6@:44 - /:!6:!0# (evotion $r%&na : Dho best 1no*s disci2line: men *ho *orshi2 yo& *ith devotion) ever disci2lined) or men *ho *orshi2 the im2erishable) &nmani+est. / Ford -rishna : > deem most disci2lined men o+ end&ring disci2line *ho *orshi2 me *ith tr&e +aith) entr&sting their minds to me3 4 Men reach me too *ho *orshi2 *hat is im2erishable) ine++able) &nmani+est) omni2resent) inconceivable) imm&table at the s&mmit o+ eBistence3 6 Mastering their senses *ith e8&animity to*ard everything) they reach me) re%oicing in the *el+are o+ all creat&res3 ! >t is more ard&o&s *hen their reason clings to my &nmani+est nat&re; +or men constrained by bodies) the &nmani+est *ay is hard to attain3 " B&t men intent on me reno&nce all actions to me and *orshi2 me) meditating

*ith sing&lar disci2line3 = Dhen they entr&st reason to me) $r%&na) > soon arise to resc&e them +rom the ocean o+ death and rebirth3 ? Foc&s yo&r mind on me) let yo&r &nderstanding enter me; then yo& *ill d*ell in me *itho&t do&bt3 >+ yo& cannot concentrate yo&r tho&ght +irmly on me) then see1 to reach me) $r%&na) by disci2line in 2ractice3 @ Even i+ yo&r +ail in 2ractice) dedicate yo&rsel+ to action; 2er+orming actions +or my sa1e) yo& *ill achieve s&ccess3 /0 >+ yo& are 2o*erless to do even this) rely on my disci2line) be sel+-controlled) and re%ect all +r&it o+ action3 // -no*ledge is better than 2ractice) meditation better than 1no*ledge) re%ecting +r&its o+ action is better still - it brings 2eace3 /4 Cne *ho bears hate +or no creat&re is +riendly) com2assionate) &nsel+ish) +ree o+ individ&ality) 2atient) the same in s&++ering and %oy3 /6 :ontent al*ays) disci2lined) sel+-controlled) +irm in his resolve) his mind and &nderstanding dedicated to me) devoted to me) he is dear to me3 /!

The *orld does not +lee +rom him) nor does he +lee +rom the *orld; +ree o+ delight) rage) +ear) and disg&st) he is dear to me3 /" (isinterested) 2&re) s1illed) indi++erent) &ntro&bled) relin8&ishing all involvements) devoted to me) he is dear to me3 /= 7e does not re%oice or hate) grieve or +eel desire; relin8&ishing +ort&ne and mis+ort&ne) the man o+ devotion is dear to me3 /? >m2artial to +oe and +riend) honor and contem2t) cold and heat) %oy and s&++ering) he is +ree +rom attachment3 / Ne&tral to blame and 2raise) silent) content *ith his +ate) &nsheltered) +irm in tho&ght) the man o+ devotion is dear to me3 /@ Even more dear to me are devotees *ho cherish this eliBir o+ sacred d&ty as > have ta&ght it) intent on me in their +aith3 40

The Thirteenth Teaching - (/:!6:!0 - /:"0:"@# -no*ing the Field Ford -rishna : The +ield denotes this body) and *ise men call one *ho 1no*s it the +ield-1no*er3 /

-no* me as the +ield-1no*er in all +ields - *hat > deem to be 1no*ledge is 1no*ledge o+ the +ield and its 1no*er3 4 7ear +rom me in s&mmary *hat the +ield is in its character and changes) and o+ the +ield-1no*er's 2o*er3 6 $ncient seers have s&ng o+ this in many *ays) *ith varied meters and *ith a2horisms on the in+inite s2irit laced *ith logical arg&ments3 ! The +ield contains the great elements) individ&ality) &nderstanding) &nmani+est nat&re) the eleven senses) and the +ive sense realms3 " Fonging) hatred) ha22iness) s&++ering) bodily +orm) conscio&sness) resolve) th&s is this +ield *ith its changes de+ined in s&mmary3 = -no*ledge means h&mility) sincerity) nonviolence) 2atience) honesty) reverence +or one's teacher) 2&rity) stability) sel+-restraint3 ? (is2assion to*ard sense ob%ects and absence o+ individ&ality) seeing the de+ects in birth) death) old age) sic1ness) and s&++ering3 (etachment) &ninvolvement *ith sons) *i+e) and home) constant e8&animity in +&l+illment and +r&stration; @ <n*avering devotion to me *ith sing&lar disci2line;

retreating to a 2lace o+ solit&de) avoiding *orldly a++airs; /0 ,ersistence in 1no*ing the sel+) seeing *hat 1no*ledge o+ reality means all this is called 1no*ledge the o22osite is ignorance3 // > shall teach yo& *hat is to be 1no*n; +or 1no*ing it) one attains immortality; it is called the s&2reme in+inite s2irit) beginningless) neither being nor nonbeing3 /4 >ts hands and +eet reach every*here; its head and +ace see in every direction; hearing everything) it remains in the *orld) envelo2ing all3 /6 Fac1ing all the sense organs) it shines in their 8&alities; &nattached) it s&22orts everything; *itho&t 8&alities) it en%oys them3 /! C&tside and *ithin all creat&res) inanimate b&t still animate) too s&btle to be 1no*n) it is +ar distant) yet near3 /" <ndivided) it seems divided among creat&res; &nderstood as their s&stainer) it devo&rs and creates them3 /= The light o+ lights beyond dar1ness it is called; 1no*ledge attained by 1no*ledge) +iBed in the heart o+ everyone3 /? So) in s&mmary > have eB2lained the +ield and 1no*ledge o+ it; a man devoted to me) 1no*ing this) enters into my being3 /

-no* that both nat&re and man's s2irit have no beginning) that 8&alities and changes have their origin in nat&re3 /@ For its agency in 2rod&cing e++ects) nat&re is called a ca&se; in the eB2erience o+ %oy and s&++ering) man's s2irit is called a ca&se3 40 Man's s2irit is set in nat&re) eB2eriencing the 8&alities born o+ nat&re; its attachment to the 8&alities ca&ses births in the *ombs o+ good and evil3 4/ Ditness) consenter) s&stainer) en%oyer - the great lord is called the highest sel+) man's tr&e s2irit in this body3 44 -no*ing nat&re and the s2irit o+ man) as *ell as the 8&alities o+ nat&re) one is not born again no matter ho* one no* eBists3 46 By meditating on the sel+) some men see the sel+ thro&gh the sel+; others see by 2hiloso2hical disci2line; others by the disci2line o+ action3 4! Cthers) des2ite their ignorance) revere *hat they hear +rom other men; they too cross beyond death) intent on *hat they hear3 4" $r%&na) 1no* that anything inanimate or alive *ith motion is born +rom the &nion o+ the +ield and its 1no*er3 4= 7e really sees

*ho sees the highest lord standing e8&al among all creat&res) &ndecaying amid destr&ction3 4? Seeing the lord standing the same every*here) the sel+ cannot in%&re itsel+ and goes the highest *ay3 4 7e really sees *ho sees that all actions are 2er+ormed by nat&re alone and that the sel+ is not an actor3 4@ Dhen he 2erceives the &nity eBisting in se2arate creat&res and ho* they eB2and +rom &nity) he attains the in+inite s2irit3 60 Beginningless) *itho&t 8&alities) the s&2reme sel+ is &nchanging; even abiding in a body) $r%&na) it does not act) nor is it de+iled3 6/ J&st as all-2ervading s2ace remains &ns&llied in its s&btlety) so the sel+ in every body remains &ns&llied3 64 J&st as one s&n ill&mines this entire *orld) so the master o+ the +ield ill&mines the entire +ield3 66 They reach the highest state *ho *ith the eye o+ 1no*ledge 1no* the bo&ndary bet*een the 1no*er and its +ield) and the +reedom creat&res have +rom nat&re3 6!

The Fo&rteenth Teaching - (/:"0:"@ - /:"=:""#

The Triad o+ Nat&re's I&alities Ford -rishna : > shall teach yo& still more o+ the +arthest 1no*ledge one can 1no*; 1no*ing it) all the sages have reached 2er+ection3 / Resorting to this 1no*ledge they +ollo* the *ays o+ my sacred d&ty; in creation they are not reborn) in dissol&tion they s&++er no sorro*3 4 My *omb is the great in+inite s2irit; in it > 2lace the embryo) and +rom this) $r%&na) comes the origin o+ all creat&res3 6 The in+inite s2irit is the great *omb o+ all +orms that come to be in all *ombs) and > am the seed-giving +ather3 ! F&cidity) 2assion) dar1 inertia these 8&alities inherent in nat&re bind the &nchanging embodied sel+ in the body3 " F&cidity) being &ntainted) is l&mino&s and *itho&t decay) it binds one *ith attachment to %oy and 1no*ledge) $r%&na3 = -no* that 2assion is emotional) born o+ craving and attachment; it binds the embodied sel+ *ith attachment to action3 ? -no* dar1 inertia born o+ ignorance as the del&sion o+ every embodied sel+; it binds one *ith negligence)

indolence) and slee2) $r%&na3 F&cidity addicts one to %oy) and 2assion to actions) b&t dar1 inertia obsc&res 1no*ledge and addicts one to negligence3 @ Dhen l&cidity dominates 2assion and inertia) it thrives; and li1e*ise *hen 2assion or inertia dominates the other t*o3 /0 Dhen the light o+ 1no*ledge shines in all the body's senses) then one 1no*s that l&cidity 2revails3 // Dhen 2assion increases) $r%&na) greed and activity) involvement in actions) dis8&iet) and longing arise3 /4 Dhen dar1 inertia increases) obsc&rity and inactivity) negligence and del&sion) arise3 /6 Dhen l&cidity 2revails) the sel+ *hose body dies enters the &ntainted *orlds o+ those *ho 1no* reality3 /! Dhen he dies in 2assion) he is born among lovers o+ action; so *hen he dies in dar1 inertia) he is born into *ombs o+ +olly3 /" The +r&it o+ good cond&ct is 2&re and &ntainted they say) b&t s&++ering is the +r&it o+ 2assion) ignorance is the +r&it o+ dar1 inertia3 /=

From l&cidity 1no*ledge is born; +rom 2assion comes greed; +rom dar1 inertia comes negligence) del&sion) and ignorance3 /? Men *ho are l&cid go &2*ard; men o+ 2assion stay in bet*een; men o+ dar1 inertia) ca&ght in vile *ays) sin1 lo*3 / Dhen a man o+ vision sees nat&re's 8&alities as the agent o+ action and 1no*s *hat lies beyond) he enters into my being3 /@ Transcending the three 8&alities that are the body's so&rce) the sel+ achieves immortality) +reed +rom the sorro*s o+ birth) death) and old age3 40 $r%&na : Ford) *hat signs mar1 a man *ho 2asses beyond the three 8&alities. Dhat does he do to cross beyond these 8&alities. 4/ Ford -rishna : 7e does not disli1e light or activity or del&sion; *hen they cease to eBist he does not desire them3 44 7e remains disinterested) &nmoved by 8&alities o+ nat&re; he never *avers) 1no*ing that only 8&alities are in motion3 46 Sel+-reliant) im2artial to s&++ering and %oy) to clay) stone) or gold) the resol&te man is the same

to +oe and +riend) to blame and 2raise3 4! The same in honor and disgrace) to ally and enemy) a man *ho abandons involvements transcends the 8&alities o+ nat&re3 4" Cne *ho serves me +aith+&lly) *ith disci2line o+ devotion) transcends the 8&alities o+ nat&re and shares in the in+inite s2irit3 4= > am the in+inite s2irit's +o&ndation) immortal and imm&table) the basis o+ eternal sacred d&ty and o+ 2er+ect %oy3 4?

The Fi+teenth Teaching - (/:"=:"" - 4:0/:/ # The Tr&e S2irit o+ Man Ford -rishna : Roots in the air) branches belo*) the tree o+ li+e is &nchanging) they say; its leaves are hymns) and he *ho 1no*s it 1no*s sacred lore3 / >ts branches stretch belo* and above) no&rished by nat&re's 8&alities) b&dding *ith sense ob%ects; ariel roots tangled in actions reach do*n*ard into the *orld o+ men3 4 >ts +orm is &n1no*n here in the *orld; &n1no*n are its end) its beginning) its eBtent;

c&t do*n this tree that has s&ch dee2 roots *ith the shar2 aBe o+ detachment3 6 Then search to +ind the realm that one enters *itho&t ret&rning: 5> see1 re+&ge in the original s2irit o+ man) +rom *hich 2rimordial activity eBtended35 ! Ditho&t 2ride or del&sion) the +a&lt o+ attachment overcome) intent on the sel+ *ithin) their desires eBting&ished) +reed +rom d&alities) +rom %oy and s&++ering) &ndel&ded men reach that realm beyond change3 " Neither s&n nor moon nor +ire ill&mines my highest abode once there) they do not ret&rn3 = $ +ragment o+ me in the living *orld is the timeless essence o+ li+e; it dra*s o&t the senses and the mind inherent in nat&re3 ? Dhen the lord ta1es on a body and then leaves it) he carries these along) li1e the *ind bearing the scents +rom earth3 Governing hearing) sight) to&ch) taste) smell) and tho&ght) he savors ob%ects o+ the senses3 @

(el&ded men do not 2erceive him in de2art&re or 2resence or en%oyment o+ nat&re's 8&alities; b&t the eyes o+ 1no*ledge see him3 /0 Men o+ disci2line *ho strive see him 2resent *ithin themselves; b&t *itho&t sel+-mastery and reason) even those *ho strive +ail to see3 // -no* that my brilliance) +laming in the s&n) in the moon) and in +ire) ill&mines this *hole &niverse3 /4 > 2enetrate the earth and s&stain creat&res by my strength; becoming Soma) the li8&id o+ moonlight) > n&rt&re all healing herbs3 /6 > am the &niversal +ire *ithin the body o+ living beings; > *or1 *ith the +lo* o+ vital breath to digest the +oods that men cons&me3 /! > d*ell dee2 in the heart o+ everyone; memory) 1no*ledge) and reasoning come +rom me; > am the ob%ect to be 1no*n thro&gh all sacred lore; and > am its 1no*er) and creator o+ its +inal tr&th3 /" There is a do&ble s2irit o+ man in the *orld) transient and eternal transient in all creat&res) eternal at the s&mmit o+ eBistence3 /= Cther is the s&2reme s2irit o+ man) called the s&2reme sel+)

the imm&table lord *ho enters and s&stains the three *orlds3 /? Since > transcend *hat is transient and > am higher than the eternal) > am 1no*n as the s&2reme s2irit o+ man in the *orld and in sacred lore3 / Dhoever 1no*s me *itho&t del&sion as the s&2reme s2irit o+ man 1no*s all there is) $r%&na he devotes his *hole being to me3 /@ $r%&na) th&s > have ta&ght this most secret tradition; realiHing it) one has &nderstanding and his 2&r2ose is +&l+illed3 40

The SiBteenth Teaching - (4:0/:/ - 4:0=:40# The (ivine and the (emonic in Man Ford -rishna : Fearlessness) 2&rity) determination in the disci2line o+ 1no*ledge) charity) sel+-control) sacri+ice) st&dy o+ sacred lore) 2enance) honesty; / Nonviolence) tr&th) absence o+ anger) disengagement) 2eace) loyalty) com2assion +or creat&res) lac1 o+ greed) gentleness) modesty) reliability; 4 Brilliance) 2atience) resolve) clarity) absence o+ envy and o+ 2ride; these characteriHe a man born *ith divine traits3 6 7y2ocrisy) arrogance) vanity) anger) harshness) ignorance;

these characteriHe a man born *ith demonic traits3 ! The divine traits lead to +reedom) the demonic lead to bondage; do not des2air) $r%&na; yo& *ere born *ith the divine3 " $ll creat&res in the *orld are either divine or demonic; > described the divine at length; hear *hat > say o+ the demonic3 = (emonic men cannot com2rehend activity and rest; there eBists no clarity) no morality) no tr&th in them3 ? They say that the *orld has no tr&th) no basis) no god) that no 2o*er o+ m&t&al de2endence is its ca&se) b&t only desire3 Mired in this this vie*) lost to themselves) *ith their meager &nderstanding) these +iends contrive terrible acts to destroy the *orld3 @ S&b%ect to insatiable desire) dr&n1 *ith hy2ocrisy and 2ride) holding +alse notions +rom del&sion) they act *ith im2&re vo*s3 /0 >n their certainty that li+e consists in sating their desires) they s&++er immeas&rable anBiety that ends only *ith death3 // Bo&nd by a h&ndred +etters o+ ho2e) obsessed by desire and anger) they hoard *ealth in stealthy *ays to satis+y their desires3 /4

5> have gained this *ish today) and > shall attain that one; this *ealth is mine) and there *ill be more3 /6 > have 1illed that enemy) and > shall 1ill others too; > am the lord) > am the en%oyer) s&ccess+&l) strong) and ha22y3 /! > am *ealthy) and *ellborn) *itho&t 2eer) > shall sacri+ice) give) re%oice35 /" So say men del&ded by ignorance3 :on+&sed by endless tho&ghts) ca&ght in the net o+ del&sion) given to satis+ying their desires) they +all into hell's +o&l abyss3 /= Sel+-aggrandiHing) st&bborn) dr&n1 *ith *ealth and 2ride) they sacri+ice in name only) in hy2ocrisy) violating all norms3 /? S&bmitting to individ&ality) 2o*er) arrogance) desire) and anger) they hate me and revile me in their o*n bodies) as in others3 / These hate+&l) cr&el) vile men o+ mis+ort&ne) > cast into demonic *ombs thro&gh cycles o+ rebirth3 /@ Fallen into a demonic *omb) del&ded in birth a+ter birth) they +ail to reach me) $r%&na) and they go the lo*est *ay3 40 The three gates o+ hell

that destroy the sel+ are desire) anger) and greed; one m&st relin8&ish all three3 4/ 3 Released thro&gh these three gates o+ dar1ness) $r%&na) a man elevates the sel+ and ascends to the highest *ay3 44 >+ he re%ects norms o+ tradition and lives to +&l+ill his desires) he does not reach 2er+ection or ha22iness or the highest *ay3 46 Fet tradition be yo&r standard in %&dging *hat to do or avoid; 1no*ing the norms o+ tradition) 2er+orm yo&r action here3 4!

The Seventeenth Teaching - (4:0=:40 - 4:/4:/"# Three $s2ects o+ Faith $r%&na : Men *ho ignore the *ays o+ tradition b&t sacri+ice in +&ll +aith) -rishna) *hat 8&ality o+ nat&re is basic in them l&cidity) 2assion) or dar1 inertia. / Ford -rishna : Fisten as > eB2lain the three+old nat&re o+ +aith inherent in the embodied sel+ l&cid) 2assionate) and dar1ly inert3 4 The +aith each man has) $r%&na) +ollo*s his degree o+ l&cidity; a man consists o+ his +aith) and as his +aith is) so is he3 6

Men o+ l&cidity sacri+ice to the gods; men o+ 2assion) to s2irits and demons; the others) men o+ dar1 inertia) sacri+ice to cor2ses and to ghosts3 ! Men *ho 2ractice horri+ic 2enances that go against traditional norms are tra22ed in hy2ocrisy and individ&ality) over*helmed by the emotion o+ desire3 " Ditho&t reason) they torment the elements com2osing their bodies) and they torment me *ithin them; 1no* them to have demonic resolve3 = Food is also o+ three 1inds) to 2lease each ty2e o+ taste; sacri+ice) 2enance) and charity li1e*ise divide in three *ays3 ? Foods that 2lease l&cid men are savory) smooth) +irm) and rich; they 2romote long li+e) l&cidity) strength) health) 2leas&re) and delight3 ,assionate men crave +oods that are bitter) so&r) salty) hot) 2&ngent) harsh) and b&rning) ca&sing 2ain) grie+) and sic1ness3 @ The +ood that 2leases men o+ dar1 inertia is stale) &nsavory) 2&trid) and s2oiled) leavings &n+it +or sacri+ice3 /0 $ sacri+ice is o++ered *ith l&cidity *hen the norms are 1e2t and the mind is +oc&sed on the sacri+icial act) *itho&t craving +or its +r&it3 // B&t a sacri+ice is o++ered

*ith 2assion) $r%&na) *hen it is +oc&sed on the +r&it and hy2ocrisy is at 2lay3 /4 $ sacri+ice is governed by dar1 inertia *hen it violates the norms em2ty o+ +aith) omitting the rit&al o++ering o+ +ood and chants and gi+ts3 /6 7onoring gods) 2riests) teachers) and *ise men) being 2&re) honest) celibate) and nonviolent is called bodily 2enance3 /! S2ea1ing tr&th *itho&t o++ense) giving com+ort) and reciting sacred lore is called verbal 2enance3 /" Mental serenity) 1indness) silence) sel+-restraint) and 2&rity o+ being is called mental 2enance3 /= This three+old 2enance is l&cid *hen men o+ disci2line 2er+orm it *ith dee2 +aith) *itho&t craving +or re*ard3 /? Davering and &nstable) 2er+ormed *ith hy2ocrisy) to gain res2ect) honor) and *orshi2) that 2enance is called 2assionate3 / ,er+ormed *ith del&ded 2erce2tion) sel+-morti+ication) or sadism) s&ch 2enance has dar1 inertia3 /@ Given in d&e time and 2lace to a +it reci2ient *ho can give no advantage)

charity is remembered as l&cid3 40 B&t charity given rel&ctantly) to sec&re some service in ret&rn or to gain a +&t&re re*ard) is remembered as 2assionate3 4/ :harity given o&t o+ 2lace and time to an &n+it reci2ient) &ngracio&sly and *ith contem2t) is remembered +or its dar1 inertia3 44 CM T$T S$T: 5That >s the Real5 this is the tri2le symbol o+ the in+inite s2irit that gave a 2rimordial sanctity to 2riests) sacred lore) and sacri+ice3 46 CM - 1no*ers o+ the in+inite s2irit chant it as they 2er+orm acts o+ sacri+ice) charity) and 2enance 2rescribed by tradition3 4! T$T - men *ho crave +reedom &tter it as they 2er+orm acts o+ sacri+ice) charity) and 2enance *itho&t concern +or re*ard3 4" S$T - it means *hat is real and *hat is good) $r%&na) the *ord S$T is also &sed *hen an action merits 2raise3 4= S$T is stead+astness in sacri+ice) in 2enance) in charity any action o+ this order is denoted by S$T3 4? B&t oblation) charity) and 2enance o++ered *itho&t +aith are called $S$T) +or they have no reality here or in the *orld a+ter death3 4

The Eighteenth Teaching - (4:/4:/" - 4:4 :"4# The Dondro&s (ialog&e :oncl&des $r%&na : -rishna) > *ant to 1no* the real essence o+ both ren&nciation and relin8&ishment3 / Ford -rishna : Giving &2 actions based on desire) the 2oets 1no* as 5ren&nciation5; relin8&ishing all +r&its o+ action) learned men call 5relin8&ishment35 4 Some *ise men say all action is +la*ed and m&st be relin8&ished; others say action in sacri+ice) charity) and 2enance m&st not be relin8&ished3 6 $r%&na) hear my decision abo&t relin8&ishment; its is rightly declared to be o+ three 1inds3 ! $ction in sacri+ice) charity) and 2enance is to be 2er+ormed) not relin8&ished - +or *ise men) they are acts o+ sanctity3 " B&t even these actions sho&ld be done by relin8&ishing to me attachment and +r&it o+ action this is my decisive idea3 = Ren&nciation o+ 2rescribed action is ina22ro2riate; relin8&ished in del&sion)

it becomes the *ay o+ dar1 inertia3 ? Dhen one 2assionately relin8&ishes di++ic&lt action +rom +ear o+ bodily harm) he cannot *in the +r&it o+ relin8&ishment3 B&t i+ one 2er+orms 2rescribed action beca&se it m&st be done) relin8&ishing attachment and the +r&it) his relin8&ishment is a l&cid act3 @ 7e does not disdain &ns1illed action nor cling to s1illed action; in his l&cidity the relin8&isher is *ise and his do&bts are c&t a*ay3 /0 $ man b&rdened by his body cannot com2letely relin8&ish actions) b&t a relin8&isher is de+ined as one *ho can relin8&ish the +r&its3 // The +r&it o+ action ha&nts men in death i+ they +ail to relin8&ish all +orms) &n*anted) *anted) and miBed b&t not i+ men reno&nce them3 /4 $r%&na) learn +rom me the +ive ca&ses +or the s&ccess o+ all actions as eB2lained in 2hiloso2hical analysis3 /6 They are the material basis) the agent) the di++erent instr&ments) vario&s 1inds o+ behavior) and +inally +ate) the +i+th3 /! Dhatever action one initiates thro&gh body) s2eech) and mind) be it 2ro2er or 2erverse) these +ive ca&ses are 2resent3 /"

This being so) *hen a man o+ 2oor &nderstanding and mis%&dgment sees himsel+ as the only agent) he cannot be said to see3 /= Dhen one is +ree o+ individ&ality and his &nderstanding is &ntainted) even i+ he 1ills these 2eo2le) he does not 1ill and is not bo&nd3 /? -no*ledge) its ob%ect) and its s&b%ect are the tri2le stim&l&s o+ action; instr&ment) act) and agent are the constit&ents o+ action3 / -no*ledge) action) agent are three+old) di++erentiated by 8&alities o+ nat&re; hear ho* this has been eB2lained in the 2hiloso2hical analysis o+ 8&alities3 /@ -no* that thro&gh l&cid 1no*ledge one sees in all creat&res a single) &nchanging eBistence) &ndivided *ithin its divisions3 40 -no* 2assionate 1no*ledge as that *hich regards vario&s distinct eBistences se2arately in all creat&res3 4/ B&t 1no*ledge that clings to a single thing as i+ it *ere the *hole) limited) lac1ing a sense o+ reality) is 1no*n +or its dar1 inertia3 44 $ction 1no*n +or its l&cidity is necessary) +ree o+ attachment) 2er+ormed *itho&t attraction or hatred by one *ho see1s no +r&it3 46 $ction called 2assionate is 2er+ormed *ith great e++ort

by an individ&alist *ho see1s to satis+y his desires3 4! $ction de+ined by dar1 inertia is &nderta1en in del&sion) *itho&t concern +or conse8&ences) +or death or violence) or +or manhood3 4" $n agent called 2&re has no attachment or individ&alism) is resol&te and energetic) &nchanged in +ail&re and s&ccess3 4= $n agent said to be 2assionate is anBio&s to gain the +r&it o+ action) greedy) essentially violent) im2&re) s&b%ect to eBcitement and grie+3 4? $n agent de+ined by dar1 inertia is &ndisci2lined) v&lgar) st&bborn) +ra&d&lent) dishonest) laHy) de2ressed) and slo* to act3 4 Fisten as > tell yo& *itho&t reserve abo&t &nderstanding and resolve) each in three as2ects) according to the 8&alities o+ nat&re3 4@ >n one *ho 1no*s activity and rest) acts o+ right and *rong) bravery and +ear) bondage and +reedom) &nderstanding is l&cid3 60 Dhen one +ails to discern sacred d&ty +rom chaos) right acts +rom *rong) &nderstanding is 2assionate3 6/ Dhen one thin1s in 2erverse *ays) is covered in dar1ness) imagining chaos to be sacred d&ty) &nderstanding is dar1ly inert3 64

Dhen it s&stains acts o+ mind) breath) and senses thro&gh disci2line *itho&t *avering resolve is l&cid3 66 Dhen it s&stains *ith attachment d&ty) desire) and *ealth) craving their +r&its) resolve is 2assionate3 6! Dhen a +ool cannot esca2e dreaming) +ear) grie+) de2ression) and intoBication) co&rage is dar1ly inert3 6" $r%&na) no* hear abo&t %oy) the three *ays o+ +inding delight thro&gh 2ractice that brings and end to s&++ering3 6= The %oy o+ l&cidity at +irst seems li1e 2oison b&t is in the end li1e ambrosia) +rom the calm o+ sel+-&nderstanding3 6? The %oy that is 2assionate at +irst seems li1e ambrosia *hen senses enco&nter sense ob%ects) b&t in the end it is li1e 2oison3 6 The %oy arising +rom slee2) laHiness) and negligence) sel+-del&ding +rom beginning to end) is said to be dar1ly inert3 6@ There is no being on earth or among the gods in heaven +ree +rom the triad o+ 8&alities that are born o+ nat&re3 !0 The actions o+ 2riests) *arriors)

commoners) and servants are a22ortioned by 8&alities born to their intrinsic being3 !/ Tran8&ility) control) 2enance) 2&rity) 2atience) and honesty) 1no*ledge) %&dgment) and 2iety are intrinsic to the action o+ a 2riest3 !4 7eroism) +iery energy) resolve) s1ill) re+&sal to retreat in battle) charity) and ma%esty in cond&ct are intrinsic to the action o+ a *arrior3 !6 Farming) herding cattle) and commerce) are intrinsic to the action o+ a commoner; action that is essentially service is intrinsic to the servant3 !! Each one achieves s&ccess by +oc&sing on his o*n action; hear ho* one +inds s&ccess by +oc&sing on his o*n action3 !" By his o*n action a man +inds s&ccess) *orshi22ing the so&rce o+ all creat&res' activity) the 2resence 2ervading all that is3 != Better to do one's o*n d&ty im2er+ectly than to do another man's *ell; doing action intrinsic to his being) a man avoids g&ilt3 !? $r%&na) a man sho&ld not relin8&ish action he is born to) even i+ it is +la*ed; all &nderta1ings are marred by a +la*) as +ire is obsc&red by smo1e3 ! 7is &nderstanding every*here detached) the sel+ mastered) longing gone) one +inds thro&gh ren&nciation

the s&2reme s&ccess beyond action3 !@ <nderstand in s&mmary +rom me ho* *hen he achieves s&ccess one attains the in+inite s2irit) the highest state o+ 1no*ledge3 "0 $rmed *ith his 2&ri+ied &nderstanding) s&bd&ing the sel+ *ith resolve) relin8&ishing sens&o&s ob%ects) avoiding attraction and hatred; "/ Cbserving solit&de) barely eating) restraining s2eech) body) and mind; 2racticing disci2line in meditation) c&ltivating dis2assion; "4 Freeing himsel+ +rom individ&ality) +orce) 2ride) desire) anger) ac8&isitiveness; &n2ossessive) tran8&il) he is at one *ith the in+inite s2irit3 "6 Being at one *ith the in+inite s2irit) serene in himsel+) he does not grieve or crave; im2artial to*ard all creat&res) he achieves s&2reme devotion to me3 "! Thro&gh devotion he discerns me) %&st *ho and ho* vast > really am; and 1no*ing me in reality) he enters into my 2resence3 "" $l*ays 2er+orming all actions) ta1ing re+&ge in me) he attains thro&gh my grace the eternal 2lace beyond change3 "= Thro&gh reason) reno&nce all *or1s in me) +oc&s on me; relying on the disci2line o+ &nderstanding) al*ays 1ee2 me in yo&r tho&ght3 "?

>+ > am in yo&r tho&ght) by my grace yo& *ill transcend all dangers; b&t i+ yo& are dea+ened by individ&ality) yo& *ill be lost3 " 0o&r resolve is +&tile i+ a sense o+ individ&ality ma1es yo& thin1) 5> shall not +ight5 nat&re *ill com2el yo& to3 "@ 0o& are bo&nd by yo&r o*n action) intrinsic to yo&r being) $r%&na; even against yo&r *ill yo& m&st do *hat del&sion no* ma1es yo& re+&se3 =0 $r%&na) the lord resides in the heart o+ all creat&res) ma1ing them reel magically) as i+ a machine moved them3 =/ Dith yo&r *hole being) $r%&na) ta1e re+&ge in him alone +rom his grace yo& *ill attain the eternal 2lace that is 2eace3 =4 This 1no*ledge > have ta&ght is more arcane than any mystery consider it com2letely) then act as yo& choose3 =6 Fisten to my 2ro+o&nd *ords) the dee2est mystery o+ all) +or yo& are 2recio&s to me and > tell yo& +or yo&r good3 =! -ee2 yo&r mind on me) be my devotee) sacri+icing) bo* to me yo& *ill come to me) > 2romise) +or yo& are dear to me3 =" Relin8&ishing all sacred d&ties to me) ma1e me yo&r only re+&ge;

do not grieve) +or > shall +ree yo& +rom all evils3 == 0o& m&st not s2ea1 o+ this to one *ho is *itho&t 2enance and devotion) or *ho does not *ish to hear) or *ho +inds +a&lt *ith me3 =? Dhen he shares this dee2est mystery *ith others devoted to me) giving me his total devotion) a man *ill come to me *itho&t do&bt3 = No mortal can 2er+orm service +or me that > val&e more) and no other man on earth *ill be more dear to me than he is3 =@ > %&dge the man *ho st&dies o&r dialog&e on sacred d&ty to o++er me sacri+ice thro&gh sacri+ice in 1no*ledge3 ?0 >+ he listens in +aith) +inding no +a&lt) a man is +ree and *ill attain the cherished *orlds o+ those *ho act in virt&e3 ?/ $r%&na) have yo& listened *ith yo&r +&ll 2o*ers o+ reason. 7as yo& del&sion o+ ignorance no* been destroyed. ?4 $r%&na : -rishna) my del&sion is destroyed) and by yo&r grace > have regained memory; > stand here) my do&bt dis2elled) ready to act on yo&r *ords3 ?6 San%aya :

$s > heard this *ondro&s dialog&e bet*een -rishna and $r%&na) the man o+ great so&l) the hair bristled on my +lesh3 ?! By grace o+ the e2ic 2oet 9yasa) > heard the mystery o+ s&2reme disci2line reco&nted by -rishna himsel+) the lord o+ disci2line incarnate3 ?" C -ing) *hen > 1ee2 remembering this *ondro&s and holy dialog&e bet*een -rishna and $r%&na) > re%oice again and again3 ?= >n my memory > recall again and again -rishna's *ondro&s +orm great is my amaHement) -ing; > re%oice again and again3 ?? Dhere -rishna is lord o+ disci2line and $r%&na is the archer) there do +ort&ne) victory) ab&ndance) and morality eBist) so > thin13 ? The End3 (4:4 :"4#