Sunandaji and Bhagavad Gita-Chapter 7 Day 2

Whilst the "lower" comprises the eightfold division of prakriti-earth space, air,water ,fire ,intellect,mind and ego, the "higher" comprises of the "life element' , the supporter of the lower. The eightfold division arises from the life element , is supported by the life element and dissolves into the life element. Sunanda gives the example of a fish in an ocean , the ocean being the life element and the fish the prakriti.

This higher element is all pervasive concludes the Lord in verse 6.

Why are we unable to appreciate this concept?. Quite like a man on the 45th floor of an apartment in Manhattan who has never ever seen mud. An Indian tries to show mud by pointing out to three colored pots. The man now thinks that mud is the colored pot. In response to which ;the Indian crushes the three pots , and reduces the pots to the mud. Now the man thinks mud is the residue in this residue in his 45th Floor Apartment. When this man visits India, another Indian clarifies that the mud he assumes is only in the 45th floor apartment of his is actually prevalent all over the world.

Prakriti is the pot
Mud is the support
The support is everywhere

Sunandaji diverted from the text to stress on the importance of listening as opposed to hearing. The difference is well known , and its repetition in the discourse only highlighted its neglect by all of us .The path to acquisition of Knowledge too requires traversing the three stages of   listening, thinking and practice.- Shravana -Manana-Aadhyaya. The great Shankara helps us to identify when we have reached the goal- the moment when we are able to distinguish the real from the unreal.

Sunandaji and Bhagavad Gita- Chapter 7 : Day 1

The calm and beautiful face is distracting, but once Sunandaji starts her discourse it is a hypnotising 90 minutes. Parthasarathys tenor and  movements are evident- the clarity of diction , the stress on certain words, the right pauses to let the thoughts sink in, the outstretched palms on either side circling the air and descending to the ground. The years have added a different but equally scientific approach to the Gita, one the father would be justly proud of. Sunandaji is yet tolerant to the failings of mankind, unlike her Father who would respond with a force that sometimes hurt but was always true. 

Todays discourse on Chapter 7 was prefaced by a strong argument as to why human beings need to confront matters spiritual. As the only living being ( as contrasted to animals and plants) able to "choose", humans need to enquire as to the purpose of life.Making a  choice of ignoring this question is the prime reason for the misery that one goes through at any material state. It is not right to blame fate or the Lord for ones misery  as Lord Krishna clarifies 

"God determines not the doership nor the doings of men, nor even their contact with the fruits of action: but it is Nature alone that functions" ( V .14)  

An enquiry within ( for where else is the spirit?),would help appreciate that vicissitudes in life are opportunities to hone ones skills. Just as physical exercise is essential for a healthy body , challenges on lifes' front improves  the mental strength. A knife is sharpened on the rough edges of a stone not on smooth marble. Even that process of sharpening requires tact and knowledge, obtained through the rigor of training and persistence.

This enquiry Sunandaji emphasises, is an "insurance" to help one in times of stress and a discipline to acquire it would be well worth it.

Chapter 7 highlights the Yoga of Knowledge and Wisdom ( Gyaana and Vigyaana). In verse 4, the summam bonum of all knowledge is addressed when Krishna clarifies that Nature comprises of five elements ( earth , water, air, space and fire) and the three subtler elements viz mind , intellect and the ego. Sunandajis exposition is eerie but there is no better example. On nearing death the "air" leaves the body. In a while the body cools as "fire" within dies out . Thence "water" oozes, The cremation or burial merges the material body with "earth" and the absence of the individual releases "space".

In verse 5 , the Lord shows a higher plane, above this lower eight fold division the "Jiva" that is the life principle.