1a) Gyaan
is knowledge. Bhakti means devotion.
Let's discuss gyaan. Lord Krishna praises knowledge.
2) But Scriptures say those who go by karm
kand attain darkness. And those who by gyaan attain deeper darkness!
3) So, is there no difference between gyaani
(scholar) and bhakth (devotee) ?
4) The person who seeks mere knowledge
is a rascal.
5) There are two kinds of knowledge a)
shabdic or theoretical knowledge; and b) anubhavathic knowledge or practical realization.
One can read a cook-book, recipes, etc,
and understand how a particular dish can be prepared. But this is mere theoretical knowledge; it doesn't make one a good cook.
Another person, even if he or she is illiterate,
may have learnt to cook dishes, and understands the process wonderfully: when to add which ingredient, how much salt, when
to take the dish off the stove, so on. That is practical knowledge.
Clearly, it is practical knowledge that
is superior. But if you also have theoretical knowledge and actually use it well practically, then so much the better.
6) Half-baked knowledge leads to pride
(gyaan abhimaan).
7) Practical knowledge is something derived
from God, by the grace of God.
8) A person who gains knowledge from realization
within is a true gyaani.
9) Humility is the foundation, the first step to God-realisation, in the spiritual path.
10) God detests pride in his devotees.
Every time a devotee becomes proud, God dislikes him, and through his leelas and maya, ensures the devotee learns
his lessons the hard way and sheds pride.
11) If a thorn is stuck in your foot, you
take a bigger thorn, remove the thorn embedded in your foot, and then discard both. Likewise, first gain theoretical knowledge.
Then put it to practice. Once you gain practical knowledge, you can discard the theoretical knowledge, if you will. Stick
to practice.
12) In understanding theory, do it clearly
though. Digest the concepts thoroughly. Understand the import of the theory inside out, fully, all its ramifications and possible
applications. Only then can you gather speed in the spiritual path.
13) A good aspirant is one who has firm
faith and knowledge of scriptures. One who has
faith but no knowledge is dangerous.
14) So theory and practice are both important.
15) Understand the value of knowledge,
then you'll begin to love knowledge.
16) The goal of Gita is to develop
love for Sri Krishna.
17) There are two forms of practical knowledge:
a) self-knowledge or aatma gyaan; and b) godly-knowledge or paramatma gyaan.
18) A person practising gyaan
yog would say I'm God (soham); a bhakti yog practitioner would say I'm the servant of God (dha'soham).
This progression can be endless: sadasoham è dasadasoham.
19) So which is the better path -- gyaan
or bhakti? Devotion is necessary in both forms.
20) Sri Krishna tells Arjun, "Gyaan
yog is not difficult... it is exceedingly difficult."
21) Bhakti yog is not just
simple, it is extremely simple.
22) Eligibility for gyaan yog is
sadhana: practice, penance, austerities, total control over mind. One whose mind is extremely peaceful, not at all
agitated, is eligible. This eligibility is essential because those whose minds
are agitated, although knowledgeable, may misinterpret the Scriptures.
23) So one who is completely detached can
take the gyaan path.
24) This implies, one who is not completely
detached from worldly pursuits can take the bhakti marg.
25) Where will gyaan yog and bhakti marg eventually take one? What's the final goal?
Click here for the salient points of the discourse on Day Seven
