Article CXIII: Reincarnation and the Self
In Chapter II: Verse 10, Krishna begins his explanations to Arjuna
with the principle of reincarnation. Reincarnation implies that when
the physical body dies, the soul transmigrates to a new body. In the
case of enlightenment, the soul is freed from physical associations
and becomes undifferentiated from the Divine. Whatever the path of
the soul, the soul does not die. The soul is immortal and exists
beyond life, death, and time. However, the physical body is
transient, with beginning and end -- birth, life, and death. Hence,
Krishna emphasizes non-attachment through the immortality of the soul.
With non-attachment in action, one can orient to the Divine Self
within. One can continually un--cover or dis--cover the Atman, or
Self, within. Ultimately Atman is no different than Brahman, the
Divine -- ultimate consciousness-existence-bliss, beyond time, space,
and causation. The process of discovering the Self within is the path
to enlightenment, and the complete discovery of the Self within leads
to realization that the Self is Divine. "Ayam Atma Brahma" is one of
the great sayings of the Upanishads, which can be translated as "This
Self is Brahman."
Gita Full Text: http://www.chinmayauk.org/Resources/Downloads.htm
Bhagavad Gita: Chapter II -- Translated by Swami Chinmayananda
Sanjaya said:
1. To him who was thus overcome with pity and
despondency, with eyes full of tears and agitated, Madhusudana spoke
these words.
The Blessed Lord said:
2. Whence is this perilous condition come upon
thee, this dejection, un-Aryan-like, heaven-excluding, disgraceful, O
Arjuna?
3. Yield not to impotence, O Partha! It does not befit thee, Cast off
this mean weakness of heart! Stand up, O Parantapa (O scorcher of
foes) !
Arjuna said:
4. How, O Madhusudana, shall I, in battle, fight with
arrows against Bhishma and Drona, who are fit to be worshipped, O
destroyer of enemies!
5. Better indeed, in this world, is to eat even the bread of 'beggary'
than to slay the most noble of teachers. But, if I kill them, even in
this world, all my enjoyments of wealth and desires will be stained
with blood.
6. I can scarcely say which will be better, that we should conquer
them or that they should conquer us. Even the sons of Dhritarashtra,
after slaying whom we do not wish to live, stand facing us.
7. My heart is overpowered by the taint of pity; my mind is confused
as to duty. I ask Thee. Tell me decisively what is good for me. I am
Thy disciple. Instruct me, who have taken refuge in Thee.
8. I do not see that it would remove this sorrow that burns up my
senses, even if I should attain prosperous and unrivalled dominion on
earth, or even Lordship over the gods.
Sanjaya said:
9. Having spoken thus to Hrishikesha, Gudakesha, the
destroyer of foes, said to Govinda: "I will not fight" ; and became
silent.
10. To him who was despondent in the midst of the two armies,
Hrishikesha, as if smiling, O Bharata, spoke these words.
The Blessed Lord said: 11. You have grieved for those that should not
be grieved for; yet, you speak words of wisdom. The wise grieve
neither for the living nor for the dead.
12. It is not that at any time (in the past) , indeed, was I not, nor
were you, nor these rulers of men. Nor, verily, shall we all ever
cease to be hereafter.
13. Just as in this body the embodied (soul) passes into childhood,
youth and old age, so also does he pass into another body; the firm
man does not grieve at it.
14. The contacts of senses with objects, O son of Kunti, which cause
heat and cold, pleasure and pain, have a beginning and an end; they
are impermanent; endure them bravely, O descendant of Bharata.
15. That firm man whom, surely, these afflict not, O chief among men,
to whom pleasure and pain are the same, is fit for realising the
Immortality of the Self.
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