15. Listen to Heart – Tasmat is always therefore but therefore is not always therefore…..

Hari Bol...

15. Listen to Heart – Tasmat is always therefore but therefore is not always therefore…..

‘Therefore’ is word which we use in our daily life. You must be wondering why I am talking about a simple word ‘Therefore’. Simple is always great and simple is always complex and tough. We need to understand anything and everything in life in a simple manner, which is the most difficult task. It is said ‘Simple is not Simple, Simple is Complex’. Simplicity is attained by practicing simplicity in a simple way with pure soul.

I was going through few articles to understand this great word ‘therefore’. It is used for, that reason or cause; consequently or hence as verb. It is a sentence connector. It is used to mark an inference on the part of the speaker. ‘Those people have their umbrellas up: therefore, it must be raining’. It means consequently; i.e. as a result ‘they heard the warning on television of tsunami and therefore they went home’.  It is used to introduce a logical conclusion. Therefore is used as a way of showing how a sentence or clause is related to what has already been said. The new school bag is lighter and softer and therefore more comfortable to carry. I have support of the people; I have therefore decided to nominate myself for the post. It is a word which is used in all languages, English, Hindi, Marathi, Bhojpuri, Maghai, Tamil and so on. ‘Therefore’ is such an important word that; even a symbol has been dedicated to this word (∴ ). Anyway I am not an expert to talk to you on this great word; I was just trying to understand myself and put my thoughts. It is up to you great personalities to decide on. My purpose was just to pass on to all that therefore is important word in life so; “Therefore is not always therefore” unless used in right context.

Now let us try to understand from Srimad Bhagavad Gita.  ‘Tasmat’ means ‘Therefore’. It tells us about the conclusion by various series of pertinent facts and logical arguments made by Arjuna. He concluded that he should not kill his own kinsmen. It would be wrong to kill them and take the sin. He was trying to give reasons. But his reason had no depth and direction as he was full of emotions. He was not in a position and in right frame of mind to conclude this thought. He arrived at wrong conclusion as he was overwhelmed by emotions. The word ‘Tasmat’ does not fit in this context. Krishna uses this word ‘Tasmat’ throughout Gita while drawing conclusions. Krishna always uses this word with logic and clear reasons. He teaches very scientifically and systematically. Krishna logical presentation and conclusion provide a striking contrast to Arjuna’s.

It is difficult to make someone understand if he thinks that he knows everything and there is nothing for him to learn. I had put my views that unlearning is a part of learning process in the article ‘Listen to Heart - Learning by Unlearning has No Bar …..’ Generally we all ignorant people with poor knowledge and poor reasoning come to erroneous conclusion. We generally divert from the main issue. A Kshatriya’s duty is to fight in the battle. Questioning the battle on the battlefield  is not the role and responsibility of a Kshatriya. Arjuna could not have got a better opportunity to perform his duty. He rather than focusing on the duty of his in the battlefield, he started thinking about the consequences of the battle because of his emotions. We all face this situation in our life. Therefore (Tasmat) we should perform our Karma with mind and heart.

All Glories to Lord Krishna & All His Loving Devotees….. Hari Bol……

Courtesy : Bhagavad-Gita As It Is (by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ) ,  Srimad Bhagavad-Gita ( by A. Parthasarathy  & www.gitadaily.com ) Chapter 1 : Text 37

14. Listen to Heart – Thin Line is thicker than ….

Hari Bol....

14. Listen to Heart – Thin Line is thicker than …. 

Right from our childhood we are trying to read and learn Line. If you ask any child he will say when we connect two or more than two dots it forms a line. He may have thick line, thin line, dotted line, center line, outside line, inside line, cross line, any colorful line and so on and on. During school days we were asked to walk in straight line and not in a curved lines or zigzag line. So we were asked to stand in queue. Even a symbol is designated to it as ‘Q’, which is not straight but it means a straight line. This is even applicable in our day to day life. In Hindi it is called ‘Rekha’. As a student I also learnt the same. While studying B.E., I learnt the importance of center line. It was important because there is a dimension to which it is drawn. If the dimension ratio is not to the specification we were not awarded any marks for it. Even in professional life, line is used for designing and drawing.

Here is this phrase, ‘there is a fine line between love and hate’.
My understanding and the standard definition of "fine line" is that "they are so similar that one can easily become the other." If there is a fine line between one thing and another, they are very similar although the second thing is bad. Based on this definition, I understood "a fine line" is different from a "thin line" and that people don't say "there is a thin line between, say, love and hate and there's a thin line between courage and foolishness”. People use this thin line for emotions, relationship, responsibilities, roles, etc.

I was going through an article about Lakshman Rekha (Line) about an incidence from our great Hindu Epic ‘Ramayana’ which I would like to share with you all. Lakshman Rekha (Sanskrit: लक्ष्मण रेखा), in some later versions of Ramayana, is a line drawn by Lakshmana around the dwelling he shares with his brother Rama and Rama's wife Sita at Panchavati in the forest of Dandakaranya which now part of the city of Nashik in Maharashtra. The line is meant to protect Sita, while he is away searching for Rama. Mandodari rebukes Ravana on his boisterous claims of valour by hinting that his claim of strength and valour is shallow for he could not even cross a small line drawn by Shri Rama's younger brother Lakshmana. In the story, Rama goes chasing a golden deer (which actually is the Rakshasa Maricha in disguise), and does not return for a long time. When Sita forces Lakshmana to leave in search of his brother, Lakshmana who cannot bear to see Sita cry in grief, reluctantly decides to go and search for Rama, subject to his condition that Sita not cross the protective line he draws. Anybody other than Rama, Sita and himself attempting to cross the line would be signed by flames erupting from the line. Once Lakshmana leaves in search of Rama, the Rakshasa king Ravana comes in the form of a mendicant and asks Sita for alms. Not expecting a trick, she unsuspectingly crosses the Lakshman Rekha to provide alms to him and Ravana kidnaps her in his Pushpaka Vimana. Radhey Shyam Ramayan mentions that the crossing of Lakshaman Rekha by Sita was done absent-mindedly by an anxious Sita only to honor the great Indian tradition of "अतिथि देवो भवः" (Atithi Devo Bhava): the guest is embodiment of a Deva (divine entity). Sita crosses the boundary line only to give alms to Ravana once he insists that alms cannot be accepted across a barrier as having a boundary in between was against the principle of free will of the donor. Lakshman Rekha.

In modern Indian society it refers to a strict convention or a rule, never to be broken. It often refers to the ethical limits of an action, traversing which may lead to undesirable consequences. In Indian tradition it is still believed that women are supposed to take care of the family members – father, mother, father in law, mother in law, children, husband and all related to the family. She is known as “Home maker and not a House wife”. Men are supposed to take care of all the activities outside the house. He is supposed to earn and feed the family members. As a rule; dress codes and timings were defined. If one deviates, he or she had to take permission from the head of the family. But in today’s modern world it is diminishing. This could be one of the reasons for various unfortunate happening taking place in the society. This is the reason it is said, “We should build a Home and not a House”.

Arjuna was also confused when he refused to Krishna for fighting the battle of Mahabharatha. The battle was to start when he surrendered to Krishna. He saw all opponent soldiers as his relatives on the battlefield. He started thinking about the consequences of the battle and he did not want take sin. He was confused between his role of dharma i.e. Kula Dharma and Kashtriya Dharma. The imminent fratricidal war set one piece of his life, his professional duty (kshatriya-dharma), for a head-on collision with another piece, his dynastic duty (kula-dharma). As a warrior, he had to protect law and order by punishing wrongdoers, whereas as a member of the respectable Kuru dynasty, he had to protect his relatives. What to do when the wrongdoers were his relatives? The conflict tore at his heart, threatening to throw the pieces of his life far apart. He forgot that he had already reached the battlefield and the battle was to start so he was there in the role of a soldier as Kashtriya. If he wanted to follow the Kula Dharma, he should have not accepted the challenges of Duryodhana. In despair, he turned to Krishna for help as he was not able to listen to his heart.

I am not competent enough to say anything more. I would leave up to you all intelligent to decide if so called thin line is thin or thin line is thicker than thick line.

All Glories to Lord Krishna & All His Loving Devotees….. Hari Bol……

Courtesy : Ramayana, Bhagavad-Gita As It Is (by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ) ,  Srimad Bhagavad-Gita ( by A. Parthasarathy  & www.gitadaily.com ) Chapter 1 : Text 36

13. Listen to Heart – No Sin for a Slayer of a Desperado…

Hari Bol....

13. Listen to Heart – No Sin for a Slayer of a Desperado…

I was on vacation for a function at home. We all brothers and sisters were together for a ‘Thread Ceremony’ of one of my sister’s son. What a happy moment for all of us as we all had collected together for a function. It was a great get-together. It was a phase of change of mind from our regular work pressure. Generally one does not get a chance to attend a function may be due to various pre-occupied appointments due to professional responsibilities. It was a happy going atmosphere. It was full of positive vibrations. We were remembering our childhood days of fun and fights. We all were busy even in taking care of our kids, in fact taking care of others kids. But frankly we wanted to give more time to each other. We did not want to miss this opportunity. Our parents were also enjoying more with their grandchildren. Kids were busy meeting each other and they also did not want the parents to disturb them with normal rules and regulations. Kids were taking full advantage of not giving any value to their parents and enjoying not listening to their parents.

It was afternoon when we all were chatting in the hall. Someone was on the bed, someone on chairs, etc. and some were lying on the floor. I saw few kids were with my mother i.e. with their Nanima & Dadima. All were insisting her to share some story. My sister asked the kids not to trouble but my mother was also enjoying this. She told my sister that you leave kids and do not put any rules till the time they are here. We all screamed together, “Hey parents; Leave the Kids alone …..” My mother started her story about a King of Ayoudhaya who had four sons – Rama (Lord), Laxman, Bharat and Shatrughan. Rama was the eldest. He was very cool hearted person. He was a human being with full of humanity. All the four grew together. Rama got married to Sita. Rama, Sita and Laxman had to stay in forest for 14 years as per the instruction their parents. When they were exiled Ravana abducted Rama’s wife Sita. Rama and Laxman felt very bad and started to look for Sita. They came to know that Sita was kidnapped by Ravana. They with help of many others decided to convince Ravana that it is a crime but Ravana could not realize this. Finally a war took place where Ram killed Ravana and got Sita released. It was not only Sita but also all other people were not happy with Ravana (King of Lanka).

One of the little one asked my mother, “Why did Rama kill Ravana? Is killing someone not a crime?” My mother answered, “Beta he had kidnapped Sita who was wife of Rama. No one has any right to kidnap any one”. My mother paused. She was thinking how to convince the little one about the second question. At this age they cannot understand the Vedas or Gita as it is even tough for elderly person to understand. She finally answered, “Ram knows what is good and what is bad so he killed the bad person. Ram is Lord. He has the right to do anything because he always does right things”. But the kids were not convinced and still my mother really wonders the thought process of these pure minds of Kids with pure soul who has really not gone and faced this impure world.

Arjuna addresses Krishna as Janardana which means ‘Protector of the People’. Arjuna requests Krishna that he wants to withdraw from this killing. He tells Krishna that you are asking me to fight where as you are protectors of the people. It would lead to destruction which would be a sinful act. Lord Manu, who codified the Hindu law, states that “An attacking desperado must be killed without hesitation. No sin occurs to a slayer of a desperado”.

According to Vedic injunctions as defined by Visistha, ‘desperadoes’ in his smrti as ‘criminals’ who is guilty of six forms of crime – Setting fire to a house, Administering poison, Attempting to attack with weapon in hand, Robbing of wealth, Dispossessing rightful owner of his land and Abducting a women. Yet Arjuna tries to withdraw from this sin as he being a saintly person by nature and believed in peace and forgot that he is Kashtriya and the karma of a Kashtriya.

All Glories to Lord Krishna & All His Loving Devotees….. Hari Bol……

Courtesy : Ramayana, Bhagavad-Gita As It Is (by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ) ,  Srimad Bhagavad-Gita ( by A. Parthasarathy  & www.gitadaily.com ) Chapter 1 : Text 36

12. Listen to Heart – Sacrifice is not Sacrifice…..

Hari Bol....

12. Listen to Heart – Sacrifice is not Sacrifice…..

Sacrifice is word which is known to all of us and is being used every day and now and then. It is a word with deep meaning having all positives in it. It helps us to be positive in life. It gives a positive attitude towards all and towards oneself. It gives us positive strength. It gives us positive energy and thus surrounds the atmosphere with positive vibrations. It teaches us to pay respect to others. It teaches us to be focussed for a cause. It is offering of anything. It is an act of giving up something of any value for sake of something else or may not be anything regarded as important or worthy. If one gives up something for a good cause is sacrifice. It is used in materialistic world.

I was referring an article it said “The act of offering something to a deity in propitiation or homage, especially the ritual slaughter of an animal or a person”. I personally agree partially to it. Paying homage is paying respect to the deity. Offering something without the thought of return is sacrifice. Slaughtering of animal or a person is not sacrifice in fact it is crime. No one has the right to kill any living beings. An animal is killed and slight by a human being because that animal was weaker than that human being. If one cannot give life one does not have the right to kill. All are souls. All souls are supposed to be representation of the Lord and thus all souls are supposed to paid respect. Offering anything to deity is not sacrifice because everything with us is given by the Lord. I was born as soul without anything so the Lord gave everything in this world and if I offer anything to deity how am I scarifying when everything belongs to the lord even I myself as a soul belong to the lord. So according to me offering anything to the deity is not sacrifice.

A boy was born on 2^nd Oct 1869 in Porbander in Gujarat. His father died before he could finish his schooling, and at thirteen he was married to Kasturba. In 1888 he set sail for England, where he had decided to pursue a degree in law. While traveling by train to Pretoria, He experienced his first taste of racial discrimination. In spite of carrying first class ticket, he was indiscriminately thrown out of the train by the authorities on the instigation of a white man. It was then he felt so bad that he decided to sacrifice his life for a good cause of eliminating the feeling of discrimination. It was a cause for humanity.  His inner voice said to him about Britishers, “you have thrown me out of train I will throw you out of my country.” He took a decision to throw all Britishers from India and help South Africans also in this movement. By 1903, he had begun to lead a life of considerable discipline and self-restraint. He changed his dietary habits, he was his own doctor, he embraced the Gita and he was confronting untouchability. Except God, he feared nothing. He decided to follow the route of non-violence to throw away the Britishers. He could have done some service or business to engage him and earn his living whereas he struggled for whole of his life but was focused for his vision of Free India with non-violence. Finally Independence Day was observed on 15^th August 1947. There were differences of opinion also amongst the leaders regarding various things. After Independence was observed many were given post in government of India. In fact many of them so called leaders changed their mindset and started thinking as politicians and started fighting for power and post which even lead to division of country – our motherland. But this man did not take any post because he was focused for his sacrifice in his life for a purpose of his vision of an Independent India which was finally achieved. The entire world remembers him as Father of Nation (India). He got the highest level respect. It was his sacrifice. By now you must know about the great person about whom I am talking about, who needs no introduction. It is none else than Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. The father of our nation respected “Gandhiji” who is lovingly and respectfully remembered as Bapu. We all human beings especially all Indians salute you. You will be remembered forever….

At Kurukshetra,  Arjuna says to Krishna that he does not see any good in killing his own kinsmen. He does not desire any kingdom and happiness by killing them. All are standing to fight give their lives and kingdom so why should he kill them. Arjuna said he is not prepared to fight even in exchange for three worlds (heaven, earth and hell) let alone this earth, alternatively waking, dream and deep sleep states of consciousness. Arjuna is ready to sacrifice much, much more than earthly kingdom. He will derive no pleasure in killing the son of Dhritrashtra. Arjuna became blind and forgot the duties of Kshatriya. Arjuna was ready to sacrifice his happiness after winning the battle. Arjuna was saintliness by character, and therefore he wanted to deal with them in saintiliness. With destruction of dynasty, the eternal family tradition is vanquished and thus the rest of the family members get involved in irreligion. A Kshatriya is not supposed to refuse to battle or gamble when he is so invited by some rival party. Under such an obligation, Arjuna could not refuse to fight, because he had been challenged by the party of Duryodhana. In this connection, Arjuna considered that the other party might be blind to the effects of such a challenge. Arjuna, however, could see the evil consequences and could not accept the challenge. Obligation is actually binding when the effect is good, but when the effect is otherwise, then no one can be bound. Considering all these pros and cons, Arjuna decided not to fight and sacrifice the kingdom to Kauravas and was ready to lead a life of a saint. The Gita thus illustrates the pre-requisites for acquiring spiritual wisdom. We gradually recognize that Gita wisdom is offering us an entirely new conceptual. When we revise our preconceptions according to the Gita’s worldview, then we too will experience the dramatic transformation and dynamic empowerment experienced by Arjuna. We will progressively realize our core identity as indestructible spiritual beings and our ultimate destiny as blissful participants in a life of endless love with Krishna.

All Glories to Lord Krishna & All His Loving Devotees….. Hari Bol……

Courtesy : Bhagavad-Gita As It Is (by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ) ,  Srimad Bhagavad-Gita ( by A. Parthasarathy  & www.gitadaily.com ) Chapter 1 : Text 31-35

11. Listen to Heart – Be a Patient Listener and Connect to ……

11. Listen to Heart – Be a Patient Listener and Connect to ……

Listening is not an unknown term for anyone of us but Listening is not known to many of us. It is a communication process. One needs to receive it – interpret it before delivering it. One needs the ability to perform this. Listening skill gives satisfaction to the speaker. It increases the productivity in any field. It reduces the mistake. By listening one give space to the other person to express well. This helps for creative and innovative results. It develops positive relationship which leads to Positive vibration. It seems very simple but it is tough to practice. Simple is not always simple but complex.

Some refers Hearing as Listening, for which I do not agree. Hearing and Listening are far apart. Hearing means receive of flow of sound vibration as Patient (medical) whereas Listening is receive of flow of sound vibration with focus. It focuses on use of language, tone of voice, body language. It helps to receive both verbal and non-verbal message. Listening depends on the degree to which one perceives, understands and delivers the message. You will agree that Listening is not same as Hearing. Listening requires concentration of all senses whereas hearing just requires ears.

Rachel Naomi Remen said, “The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention.”

We have talked about Listening and Hearing and we agree that Listening is important. If we add Patience to listening i.e. Patience Listening it is very effective in finding a positive solution with positive attitude, to develop positive relation with positive vibration thus helps us to eliminate the negative thoughts thus purifying the soul by listening to Heart. This helps us in listening to even what is unsaid.

Practice the following to be an effective listener;

Talk Less: The Lord has given us one mouth, one tongue and two ears. It means that we human beings are supposed to listen more than we talk.

Focus to listen: We need to focus on the topic and the speaker. Never underestimate a person in front. Do not be overconfident about the topic as we have learnt that overconfidence leads to lack of confidence. The speaker also enjoys when he feels that the listener is taking interest. By focusing on the speaker we help him from distraction.

Open Mind: Defreeze yourself for accepting the thoughts of the speaker. Listen to the thought and not just the words. Do not jump to conclusion. Do not try to find fault of the speaker rather understand the topic. Look for win-win situation.

Patient: For positive results be a patience listener rather becoming a patient. By this we give space to the speaker rather capturing his space.

Listening is listening with focus effectively thus responding to the speaker and having mutual trust and respect for each other. Listening is a mind tool and not just communication tool. You need to be in positive mode of operation which can be achieved by staying with positive vibration. Be true to yourself. Listen to heart always.

When at Kurukshetra Arjuna sees his all relatives, friends he starts shivering and Gandharv goes out of his control. He then surrenders himself to Krishna and starts speaking to Krishna that he is not interested to fight with his own kinsmen. When Arjuna was speaking, Krishna took the role of a listener. He was not hearing but listening and that also he gave an example of a patience listener. He took interest in the talk of Arjuna and was focused to his topic. He kept quiet and gave space to Arjuna to speak. Krishna set an example of mutual trust and respect for his friend Arjuna by being an effective listener.

All Glories to Lord Krishna & All His Loving Devotees….. Hari Bol……

Courtesy : Bhagavad-Gita As It Is (by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ) ,  Srimad Bhagavad-Gita ( by A. Parthasarathy  & www.gitadaily.com ) Chapter 1 : Text 29-31

10. Listen to Heart - Let the emotion burst-out before it burst-in….

Hari Bol....

10. Listen to Heart - Let the emotion burst-out before it burst-in….

Learning is a process which is endless for any human being. Right from birth he is in the process of learning. Home is the first school and parents are the first teachers. He goes to school then to college and so on. This continues in professional life also. There are various training programs organized for up gradation. In today’s professional world training programs are organized to relieve stress. I happened to attend one. It was a program of stress relieving. The trainer introduced the organization and himself. The contents and expectation were discussed. The hall was well staged. The tables were kept on one side. Some mattresses were put on the floor with some pillows. The trainer said to take seat where one is comfortable.  In the beginning we all sat on the chair. After an hour all were on the floor on the mattress.

                   

For a case study the trainer asked someone to volunteer. Mr. Prakash stood up. We all clapped for the will he had to stand in front of the house and share his experience. He introduced himself & the company. He is working as Vice President in a reputed company with handsome package. He was calm, steady and composed. Mr. Prakash has a family which consists of his old mother, his wife Sunita, a son Rohit and a daughter Rakhi. This was his 28^th year of his married life with Sunita. He was lucky to convince his parents for his marriage to Sunita as it was a love marriage. Rohit is doing Engineering and Rakhi is doing Fashion designing at Bangalore. Both the brother and sister are staying together and taking care of each other. His father is busy in managing finance for his family by working very hard and sincerely in the company. His mother takes care of Prakash and her mother in-law at home. It is a happy family.  All participants started discussing what a happy family. He has everything. Why has he stood up as a volunteer? We were wondering. We thought that he must be having lots of work pressure. This could be the reason…..

The trainer said, “Can you please open up and say what is troubling you”. He said after 27 years of our married life he and Sunita are not able to cope up each other’s life style. They are on the verge of separation. It is just on hold because of his old mother and children. The trainer again said, “Can you please open up”. Prakash eyes were filled. He said, “We were happy married couple”. Sunita was busy in upbringing the children. He was busy in his work like. He used to get ready in the morning for his office every day. After returning from office he used to get freshen up then used to go his joints (where he with his friends used to meet). This went on and on. Sunita was busy with children education and Prakash with his daily work. Now his children are away. Sunita has time but does not have anything to do. Prakash is habituated to his evening at the joint with friends. Sunita is feeling that Prakash does not have time for her. He has time for his company and friends. Prakash was in this thought about Sunita for last so many years. Sunita does not have time for him. The gap started increasing. Prakash was disturbed. He wanted to discuss his case with someone but unfortunately he could not. Today he made himself strong to discuss with the trainer. He accepted the trainer as his master for the session. He surrendered himself to the guide. The trainer very simply asked him to judge himself from the program which was conducted in the since morning. Prakash said that he has never given a chance to Sunita and himself to discuss on the concern. He said that he was neglecting her unknowingly. He was never worried about her concern. He had not said very simple 3 words ‘I Love You’ to her for years and years. He decided many steps to be taken to patch up his life and once again make his married life as sweet as it was for first 2-3 years.

His eyes were filled with tears. His continued wipe his tears. His voice became heavy. His face was shivering. His colleague came to support him. He said he is fine now. He is ready to change himself for better. He has courage to face the problem which was troubling him till now. He said to the house that “I am sorry to disturb you all. I do not know you all except for 2 persons. The atmosphere was so good that helped me to speak out. I was looking for a shoulder to put my head and share my emotions. I am thankful to the whole house as I was looking for one shoulder but today I got many shoulders”.

I meet Prakash very often now days. I also know him now. He says now he is having happy married life. I see Prakash and Sunita for walk in the evening together. They do shopping together. They go for outings. Now Sunita also knows me. She says we are enjoying our life and are in the process of covering up all that we missed. They advise others to share the problem. Do not keep the emotions. Let it go out rather than keeping in. Let the emotions burst out else it would burst in.  This would help us to be in Positive vibrant.

After Krishna takes the Chariot in the middle of Kurukeshtra, Arjun says to Krishna that he is shivering. The Gandharv is slipping from his hand. His hair was standing and so on. In this way Arjuna allowed his emotions to burst out. Had he not spoken these words his emotions would not have allowed him to do his Karma as kashtriya.

All Glories to Lord Krishna & All His Loving Devotees….. Hari Bol……

Courtesy : Bhagavad-Gita As It Is (by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ) ,  Srimad Bhagavad-Gita ( by A. Parthasarathy  & www.gitadaily.com ) Chapter 1 : Text 29-31

9. Listen to Heart - De-Cloud the Cloud of Emotion…

Hari Bol....

9. Listen to Heart - De-Cloud the Cloud of Emotion…

Every human being deals with emotions every day in life. We all are emotionally attached to someone. It could be situational based also. We even find persons who do not react to the situation and we say that he has no emotions and start putting different tags like stone hearted, tough man, cold blooded, strong man, controlled man, stable man, etc.  Emotions start right from the day mother conceives a baby. It is said that a persons is most emotionally attached to his mother and father. It would be wrong on my part to say that only human beings are emotionally attached. I would correct myself by changing my thought to that every living being is emotionally attached.

I was going through an article where I was trying to understand emotion in a simple way. It is powerful force which controls the behavior of human being. A strong emotion supports a person to act in a way or situation which he would not done being normal. It is a complex state of feeling which results in physical and psychological changes resulting further in typical thought and behavior. According to David G. Meyers, human emotion involves – physiological arousal, expressive behavior and conscious experience. It can be categorized into physiological (responsible for responses within the body), neurological (proposes an activity within brain leading to emotional responses) and cognitive (thoughts and other mental activity plays an essential role in formation of emotions).

We experience emotions mainly due to Love and Fear. It affects your thoughts and behavior. Anxiety, anger, control, sadness, depression, inadequacy, confusion, hurt, lonely, guilt, shame, these are all fear-based emotions and joy, happiness, caring, trust, compassion, truth, contentment, satisfaction, these are love-based emotions. One cannot change or control it. One has to learn how to live with it either by releasing it or managing it peacefully as it varies in intensity. It is really tough to keep emotions repressed or buried. If one keeps his emotions buried for a long period it generates negative vibration which leads to various negative reactions. It is necessary to identify the positive emotions (loving, caring, compassionate, trusting, forgiving, generous, etc.) to maintain positive vibration. Now a day’s people are using visual to express their emotions during communications through mails & sms.

Dhuryoudhana wanted to have kingdom by any means. We all will agree that he became blind against humanity. Emotions of fear had cloud over him. It was fear of losing the kingdom which he had been ruling for years. Arjuna also wanted kingdom to be returned to Pandavas by Kauravs as per agreement. Arjuna when asked Krishna to take the chariot in the middle of the battlefield, the cloud of emotions captured him. This emotion was due to love and fear both. It was love as he saw the opponent soldiers as relatives, friends and teachers rather than soldiers and fear because he thought how he can kill them for his benefit to attain kingdom. The after effects of battle would lead to loss of life and full of pain and with this how he can live even if he wins the war. 

Arjuna then said to Krishna, “My dear Krishna, seeing my friends and relatives present before me in such a fighting spirit, I feel the limbs of my body quivering and my mouth drying up. My whole body is trembling, my hair is standing on end, my bow Gandiva is slipping from my hand, and my skin is burning. I am now unable to stand here any longer. I am forgetting myself, and my mind is reeling. I see only causes of misfortune”. Such symptoms in Arjuna were not due to weakness but to his softheartedness, a characteristic of a pure devotee of the Lord. Arjuna’s symptoms in this situation are out of emotions due to material fear-namely, loss of life. Arjuna even forgot his moral responsibility as Kashtriya. Arjuna says he has no interest in winning the kingdom by killing his relatives and friends. If he wins also he will not have anyone with whom he can enjoy and share victory. Even a kashtriya like Arjuna got disturbed due to emotions because of his mental agitation. One needs to be calm to think positively.

All Glories to Lord Krishna & All His Loving Devotees….. Hari Bol……

Courtesy : Bhagavad-Gita As It Is (by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ) ,  Srimad Bhagavad-Gita ( by A. Parthasarathy  & www.gitadaily.com ) Chapter 1 : Text 29-34