In the first chapter of the Bhagwad Gita, Arjuna Vishaada Yoga, which is the Yoga of Arjuna’s grief, Arjuna talks throughout and Krishna remains silent. It is only when Arjuna finally surrenders, saying “I know nothing!” that he is at last ready to receive Krishna’s message.
Although Krishna and Arjuna were friends and childhood playmates, though there might have been hundreds of other more relaxed situations, the Bhagwad Gita was not delivered to Arjuna anytime earlier.
Why?
Because until then, Arjuna was not ripe to receive the Gita! It is only when he utters the words, “I don’t know” that he becomes qualified to know. The basic condition for spiritual progress is to know very clearly that you don’t know. This is the first step towards really knowing.
Yes, any questions...?
Let me tell you, please feel free to ask questions. This is not going to be a sermon from my side. So please be interactive and ask questions, or rather express your confusion and I will try to bring in clarity! One more thing: When you ask questions, I can be assured that you have not gone to sleep!
A small story:
A Bus driver and a great preacher died and reached Lord Yama Dharma’s court – the court of the Lord of death.(Uproarious laughter from the group!)
First, the bus driver was questioned about all his deeds in his lifetime. His records were verified.
Then, he was given a golden key and a staff and sent to a luxury room.
The preacher was waiting for his turn and watching all this.
He thought to himself, “If the bus driver himself was given a golden key and other luxurious things, then surely, I will get something much more than that.”
After all, he had preached about God all his life.
His turn came and his records were presented.
The verdict was pronounced. He was sent to hell.
He became very angry. He could not believe the verdict.
He demanded to know the reason.
Lord Yama explained, “We don’t bother about what you have done in your lifetime; we only see the results of your actions. When the bus driver was driving, his driving was such that the people in his bus were continuously thinking of God. Whereas when you were preaching, although you spoke about God, the people who were with you were sleeping most of the time.”
So, please be present and alert here, if not for your sake, for my sake, so that I may be received properly at the court of Lord Yama! Ask questions and make things clear for yourself and for others. Only if you ask questions, things can be worked out in a more practical way, in a way more adaptable to your life.
Some of you may think that you may look like a fool if you ask some of your questions. I tell you: If you ask questions, you will only look like a fool; If you don’t ask questions, you will remain a fool! So if there is any concept that you don’t agree with, please raise your hand and clarify. Yes…
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This excerpt has been taken from the book: Guaranteed Solutions.
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