Power Within
The Mysteries of the Real Self Part II
WAR WITHIN
We were relishing the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, as spoken by the Supreme Lord Krishna to His dear friend Arjuna, who was torn between fighting the war and the potential harm it would cause. The battlefield is a perfect backdrop for this conversation as Arjuna prefers to wage the ‘War within’ before he turns his attention to the outside war. This 'War within' is a metaphor for the internal struggle every human must face —a battle to sort out their internal world with the knowledge of the sublime realities of our existence, achieve self-mastery, and thus emerge victorious.
We, the ordinary people of this world, are the target audience of this beautiful, most instructive song of the Lord, while Arjuna has become an everyman —a vehicle to deliver this message for our benefit. Arjuna poses profound, deeply relevant questions about life, death, everything beyond, and everything in between. This 700-verse dialogue between divinity and humanity takes us on an adventure into the infinite, unlimited world of consciousness, beyond the limited, physical realm of the senses, while simultaneously empowering us to live effectively in the finite world of change and challenge.
POWER WITHIN
Real power is neither acquired from outside through wealth, people, or high office, nor is it exerted on other people, external situations, and circumstances. Rather, absolute power is wielded within, and the source of this power lies in Self-control, especially mind control, acquiring wisdom about higher truths, and living a life of service. This is the theme of the following three chapters of Bhagavad Gita, ‘The Song of God.
So far, Krishna has explained that Arjuna’s fears and doubts were arising from a bodily understanding of right and wrong. These thoughts, emotions, and actions were neither in alignment with divine plans nor conducive to the harmonious functioning of this world (i.e., against Dharma). Krishna has revealed Arjuna’s core identity as a spiritual being, his essential purpose as a warrior—to establish righteous rule in the kingdom —and his work to be performed with sacrifice, without attachment to loss or gain.
Krishna will next empower Arjuna in three areas: by teaching him Divine Knowledge about spiritual truths, the importance of Service with Love and sacrifice, and the Control of One’s Mind.
Chapter 4: Power of Knowledge
Wisdom and Philosophy
The basis of real knowledge is understanding the distinction between Spirit and Matter. Spirit is eternal, unchanging, and limitless, while matter is limited, which transforms, degenerates, and dies over time. A living entity, being the spirit soul, belongs to the former category, while the body and the world around us belong to the latter. Krishna has established this fundamental knowledge well in the 2nd chapter.
Now, Krishna gives the authorized source and origin of this ancient wisdom. He describes this knowledge as having existed since time immemorial and being transmitted by the Supreme Person (Lord Krishna) through a channel of well-learned, authentic representatives from one generation to another. This divine knowledge is often lost over time and must be reestablished repeatedly through the agency of faithful and surrendered servants of Krishna. He appears Himself to deliver this knowledge in every millennium and redirect the souls that are otherwise hopelessly lost in this illusory world towards the Absolute truth.
Reality separate from illusion:
This eternal wisdom is the transcendental science of Spiritual Reality, separate from Material Illusion. It enlightens living entities about their origin, their entrapment in the body, their purpose while here, their escape from this entrapment, the nature of the physical realm, and the nature of the spiritual realm. Moreover, it instructs the embodied souls about their Supreme Father- the author of this creation, the ultimate cause of everything; His supreme nature, His activities, and the soul’s relationship with Him. This knowledge liberates us from the shackles of ignorance, grants us freedom, and empowers us with a profound sense of enlightenment. This is called Transcendental Knowledge or Brahma Vidya.
Knowledge is power:
Hence, by understanding this philosophy through humility, genuine curiosity, and sincere service, one can reclaim one's power in this physical world and actually achieve one's full potential.
It is the duty of each soul to acquire proper knowledge about these matters through a qualified source. Such souls who achieve self-mastery through this understanding can cultivate divine qualities, become equipoised and aloof from the illusion of dualities, and attain complete satisfaction, peace, and independence from desires and attachments. This sublime philosophy dispels ignorance, bringing profound happiness and freedom from doubts and negative qualities.
Chapter 5: Power of Selfless Service
Service with love
At this point, Arjuna became uncertain whether he should focus on ‘acquiring knowledge and renounce work’ or ‘work with a service attitude’ as instructed before. However, these 2 paths are not exclusive of each other. A soul equipped with knowledge- of self, of the divine, of this world, and one’s purpose finds itself capable of working with love and sacrifice in this world.
It understands the highest purpose of human life and commits itself to serving the Supreme Being. Such a soul dedicates all its work and results as an offering to the Supreme. This work has the power to free one from the bondage of the physical body and achieve salvation, whereas work done for self-gain tends to keep it bound here in the material sphere.
Krishna does not recommend renunciation of action (refraining from work) but instead encourages us to engage in work without claiming proprietorship over the results. The completion of each action is made possible by the sanction of the lord. Similarly, results or outcomes are also granted by the supreme person based upon several factors beyond our control. These results are awarded based upon one’s previous actions, reactions, credits, merits, etc.
A wise, self-realized soul utilizes its assigned body and bodily resources for service, thereby achieving self-satisfaction, peace, purification of existence, and freedom from fear, anger, desires, and negative qualities. For such souls, perfection of life is achieved, and they have no desire for any external enjoyment. They find the eternal source of peace and bliss by offering the results of their work for the pleasure and satisfaction of the ultimate enjoyer, the Supreme Lord Krishna. This service brings a deep sense of contentment and fulfillment.
Chapter 6: Power of Mind Control
Meditation and Absorption
When situated within the body, the soul is encumbered by the chatter and distractions caused by the mind. The mind is such a powerful entity that it can distract the soul from performing actions in service and sacrifice. It cares primarily about the bodily or sensual pleasures, neglecting the soul’s position and purpose in this world. Understanding the power of the mind as an unruly and disturbing entity, as well as the need for its proper training, is crucial for accomplishing both tasks: acquiring knowledge and serving the Supreme.
The soul, being the master of this body, can control the distractions posed by the mind and drown its constant irritating chatter by engaging in the process of meditation. Sitting in a comfortable, secluded place, away from worldly distractions like social media, texting apps, and to-do lists, one should focus the mind on divinity. This practice gradually recalibrates and trains the mind to shift its vision and goals from material to spiritual. This type of union with the Lord helps the mind to stay stable, sober, and steady.
Krishna informs Arjuna that a person with a controlled mind develops spiritual vision and can see everything and everyone in relation to the supreme person on the spiritual platform. Thus, they will be able to perform pure actions with a service attitude, foster divine qualities, and cultivate spiritual knowledge.
The most effective method of controlling the mind is the hearing and chanting of the Lord’s holy names in the form of sound vibrations. Focusing the mind on these names gradually realigns it to do the bidding of the soul, enabling it to effectively reconnect with the Lord while residing in this body, thus attaining the perfection of life.
In this way, Krishna empowers Arjuna with the tools to rule our inner kingdom with power, purpose, and control. Thus, we are well-equipped to exert the real power: the ‘Power Within’.
"I’ve never understood this concept so easily before. Thanku 😊
Mind, more often than not brings us on our knees unknowingly or sometimes knowingly. Crucial to keep it under the check. Absolutely fantastic blog- explaining perfectly through SBG.#Haribol