Saturday, November 17, 2018

Brahma-Nirvana

brahma-nirvå√am  = the abode of pure consciousness, the place where all suffering ceases.


Verse 72 of Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita concludes with "brahma-nirvanam ricchati."  Some scholars state this has a connection with the Buddhist notion of nirvana.  The phrase is a reference to the cessation of worldly existence and entry into the spiritual domain or brahman.
 

Shanti

Shanti = Absolute Tranquility, Absolute Peace of Mind

Sa Shantim Adhigacchati

"Those active in material domain of gain and loss suffer constant anxieties but a person who seeks the spiritual domain attains transcendence and tranquility."





Karma-Yogin

One who is dedicated to gaining knowledge of the atman and its identity with brahman, the ultimate reality.



"One type of person moves through the world of desire, sensual pleasure and material gain.  For the karma-yogin this is night, for he does not operate in this sphere.  He explores the domain of the spirit, seeking to achieve spiritual realization by renouncing materialistic aspirations. For one whose life is dedicated to material acquisition, this domain of spiritual pursuits is like night, for he is not active there."  Bhagavad Gita Course

Mat-parah

In verse 59 of Chapter 2 in the Gita Krishna uses the phase mat-parah meaning dedicated to me, to describe the way in which the practioner should perform buddhi-yoga.  This is the forerunner of bhakti yoga, devotion to God which is described in later chapters of the Gita.



Word Meaning Reference
mat-paraḥ toward me (Shree Krishna) BG 2.61
mat-paraḥ having me as the supreme goal BG 6.14
mat-paraḥ regarding me as the Supreme goal BG 12.6-7
mat-paraḥ having me as the supreme goal BG 18.57

Param Drishtva

I am really interested in the concept Param Drishtva - "seeing something higher."  This concept is mentioned in verse 59 of Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita but I think it can be a life goal.

I am reading in my course in the BG that verse 59 "indicates that control of the senses and selfish desire is made possible by a perception of something higher than this world. This can be interpreted as some form of spiritual realization or experience or could be just the recognition of a higher goal in life."

I want to develop this Param Drishtva attitude.