THE HOLY GITA, CHAPTER NUMBER 07, JNANA VIJNANA YOGA OR THE YOGA OF KNOWLEDGE AND REALIZATION, VERSE NUMBER 03

THE HOLY GITA

CHAPTER NUMBER 07

JNANA VIJNANA YOGA OR THE YOGA OF KNOWLEDGE AND REALIZATION:

VERSE NUMBER 03

Text in Transliteration:

manusyaanaam sahasresu kaschid yatati siddhaye

yatataam api siddhaanaam kaschin maam vetti tattvatah

Text in English:

Among thousands of men scarcely one strives for perfection, and of those who strive and succeed scarcely one knows Me in truth.

COMMENTARY BY SWAMI SIDBHAVANANDA:

The original word for perfection is siddhi which is a comprehensive term connoting quite a number of meanings all pregnant with great ideas. Fulfilment, accomplishment, complete attainment, success, the hitting of a mark, healing of a disease, coming into force, validity, payment, indisputable conclusion, solution of a problem, maturity, preparation, cooking, prosperity, good luck, bliss, beatitude, complete sanctification, final emancipation, the acquisition of supernatural yogic powers—all these and more are indicated by this one word—siddhi. It may be noted that people are all striving for the achievement of the one or the other of these features. Among them he who aspires for the attainment of the Divinity, stands supreme according to the Lord.

The higher the ideal, the harder is the achievement of it. Pitfalls are too many in the path to found among men. The right attitude, the right understanding, the right adjustment, the right application—these are the fourfold indispensable virtues that lead the aspirant to Divinity. Men who are fully equipped with all these divine qualities are rare indeed.

It is the knowledge of God that makes man fit for Mukti. But God-knowledge is rather vague and abstruse for the ordinary man. He has therefore to be put in the path that is discernible to him. Proceeding from the known to the unknown is natural for him. This process is defined in the next verse.

SRI RAMAKRISHNA AS QUOTED BY SWAMI SIDBHAVANANDA:

The devotees who enter the temple of Mother Annapurna in Banaras cannot get out of it without receiving some consecrated food in accordance with the wont. Some get it immediately while the others have to wait long before being blessed with it. But nobody is denied the privilege of obtaining it. Similarly Mukti (emancipation)is assured for all. Some get it in this very birth. Others have to wait and go through countless births before becoming competent for emancipation. But all are destined for Mukti some time or other.

COMMENTARY BY DR.S.RADHAKRISHNAN:

Another reading: yatataam cha sahasraanaam: “and of thousands of strivers.” Most of us do not even feel the need for perfection. We grope along by the voice of tradition and authority. Of those who strive to see the truth and reach the goal, only a few succeed. Of those who gain the sight, not even one learns to walk and live by the sight.

COMMENTARY BY SWAMI SIVANANDA:

Mark how difficult it is to attain to the knowledge of the Self or to know Brahman in essence. Siddhanam: literally means those who have attained to perfection (the perfected ones) but here it means only those who strive to attain perfection.

Those who purchase diamonds, rubies or pearls are few. Those who study the post-graduate course are few. Even so those who attempt for Self-realisation and who actually know the Truth in essence are few only. The liberated ones (Jivanmuktas) are rare. Real Sadhakas are also rare. The knowledge of the Self bestows incalculable fruits on man, viz., immortality, eternal bliss, perennial joy and everlasting peace. It is very difficult to attain to this knowledge of the Sef. But a good and earnest spiritual aspirant (Sadhaka) who is endowed with a strong determination and iron resolve, and who is equipped with the four means to salvation (see page 66) can easily obtain the knowledge of the Self.

Comments by the blogger:

Knowing the Lord is becoming one with Him. Knowing the Lord is realisation of one’s Self. Knowing the Lord is the ultimate Aim of life.

But it is not so easy.

The Great Lord is nobody’s fool.

Among thousands of men scarcely one strives really to know Him. And among thousands of such striving humanity, scarcely one knows Him. We can never hoodwink the Lord. Complete emancipation connotes completely giving up of this worldly desires and this world itself. It will happen for all. It is a question of striving ceaselessly and devotedly.