I, Acharya Agyaatadarshan Anand Nath sa-shaktikaayai bow down at the lotus feet of my first Guru, my revered father Pandit Shri Murli Dhar ji Mishra, Vidya Guru Kaul Shiromani Shri Shivanand Nath ji, Yoga Guru Paramhamsa Shri Balendu Giri ji Maharaj, Tantra Guru Shri Shri Anta Devji Maharaj, Vama Guru Shri Kaleshwaranand Ji Maharaj and all the compassionate Masters, divine souls of Gurumandala.. I pray for their love, support and guidance always..
Shivoham!
अविनाशि तु तद्विद्धि येन सर्वमिदं ततम्।
विनाशमव्ययस्यास्य न कश्चित् कर्तुमर्हति।।2.17।।
avinaashi tu tad-viddhi yena sarvam-idam tatam |
vinaasham-avyayasya-asya na kashcit kartum-arhati ||
But know that the consciousness (Truth), which pervades the whole body (of the cosmos), is imperishable. No one can destroy the indestructible consciousness (Truth).
Krishna further says.. Know that the self in its essential nature is imperishable. The whole of ‘this’ insentient, inanimate matter, is pervaded by the self (The Truth). Idam – this word is used to point out to something and Sarvam – means all. SarvamIdam – meaning, all that can be pointed out there (whole domain of experiences – smell, taste, vision, touch and sound) is permeated by this quintessential Truth. This Truth being all pervasive and extreme subtle, cannot be destroyed. Every entity other than the self (The consciousness) is capable of being pervaded by the self, is brought to light by this ‘Self’ and hence [ IdamSarvam- All this (world) ] is grosser than the ‘Self’.
A true teacher is one who can speak in the language that can be comprehended by the student. Different words suit different emotional states. Further different words ignite different emotional responses. A true teacher is capable of determining the inner emotional tone of his/her student and based on the inner state of mind he should deliver his knowledge in the most effective words, language and tonality.
The very quality of Truth is ‘na-Abhavo’ that which never ceases to exist. It was clearly stated by Krishna in the last verse (verse 16) but He chooses to reiterate the same Truth using the warrior’s lingo. Warrior is in that state of mind where he is ready to destroy, annihilate, crush and perish the enemy at any cost. The word ‘Perish’ – has two dictionary meanings 1. lose its normal qualities (as in case of perishable goods where they decompose or lose their quality) 2. Die (cease to exist).. ‘Imperishability’ an adjective of the ‘Truth’ has been judiciously picked up by Krishna in the war-zone where a warrior’s mind is constantly thinking about destruction of enemies. Arjuna’s original fear was that he did not want to destroy (kill) these (idam) people (though sarvam is not used in limited sense i.e. denoting people only here rather everything that is being perceived.. including one’s own body).
It is amazing to see how Krishna is choosing his words so judiciously.. and as the Master of Masters is reorganizing Arjuna’s mind only to make him available for the wisdom that he is revealing. He does it by completely shattering his existing material-world-view. Arjuna’s grief is rooted in the fear of losing these (Arjuna considers them as his own) people in this war. Here Krishna is declaring the consciousness is the Self (thus every being) and it pervades even the inanimate objects. Consciousness is the subtlest of all.. it is the ever existing cause of the world, it supports everything’s existence. It is ‘Avyay‘ – that can not be annihilated. The consciousness remains unaffected even when the objects, people and things are destroyed. The world can be destroyed but the consciousness is imperishable. In reality Lord says that the bodies are perishable but the essence, the Truth shall remain intact.
Krishna is using another word ‘Arhata’ that means eligibility, ability or capacity. This word is so apt to be used here for it challenges. Such words touch specific centers in human psyche that ignite the fighting spirit – competitiveness and action. Arjuna is a born fighter, a challenger. Telling such a fighter that you do not have capacity to destroy the essence, even if you destroy these bodies is only going to invoke an action response. This is what Krishna is aiming at!
Practical Takeaway : The responsibility of communication is totally yours. If you are not able to put across what you intend, if you are being misunderstood – try finding better words that suit the state of mind of the person you are communicating with.
Shivoham!
-Acharya Agyaatadarshan Anand Nath
Its all about you! 