The Hindu : Lord Krishna's clear utterances in the Gita

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Wednesday, May 01, 2002

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Miscellaneous - Religion

Lord Krishna's clear utterances in the Gita

CHENNAI MAY 1. God's utterances, intended to chasten erring persons, conveyed through one of the representatives of humanity, are clear. There can be no two views about the significance of the Divine Statement: "With minds forever fixed on Me, with lives consecrated to Me, those who worship Me with loving hearts will attain My Blissful Realm." But at times, in some phrases or in respect of some references, doubts about the interpretation of a few words therein do arise but it is here that experts who have digested the sacred texts have shown their wisdom by rendering the proper meanings thereby resolving even what had intrigued them. For instance the Lord explains some of His Emanations or Extensions in His Bhagavad Gita. It is well known that the Sacred Disc He holds in one of His hands is extremely powerful and has been deputed to protect Gajendra and to destroy Jayadratha (in the Mahabharatam). But in the Gita the Lord says that among weapons "I am the Thunderbolt". How to reconcile the two? Commentators have said that while the former was an extraordinary weapon, the latter was created out of a sage's vertebral column and was thus manmade.

Sri R. Madhavachariar said in a discourse that in the Celestial Song, Lord Krishna has clearly stated that He is the fountainhead of all that exist on earth and everything, spiritual and mundane, evolve from Him alone. Enlightened persons know this Truth and hence they worship Him with unadulterated devotion. "I am the bestower of transcendental knowledge with which a devotee approaches Me, desirous of reaching My Blissful Kingdom. I, the indwelling guide, dispel the gloom of ignorance from his mind." Arjuna then requests God to tell him the sublime manifestations by which He remains pervaded in the universe. To this the Lord gives His numerous Extensions (aspects or appearances) as seven sages, four bachelors and 14 Manus, adding that those acquainted with the knowledge of His real nature, will remain completely harmonised. Apparent contradictions are seen in the names that the Lord mentions, but the Acharyas have given their clear views. The difficulty arises when for instance He says that among His brave Marshals He is Skanda as against the belief that His commander-in-chief is Vishwaksena. Commentators have said that one among the two is bound by this legislation while the other is not governed by it as he is in the Divine World.

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