Notes-ug2

 Chp 24: June 22, 2025

v19-21 and v20-26

The Chapter 24 opens with a question by Uddhava that Gnana Yoga is very tough. This is similar to Geeta Chp 12- "klesho adhikarastesham". 

Krishna's response is that if gnana yoga is tough, you have to make it easy. You cannot skip gnana yoga because that is the only way to moksha. How to make it easy? That's where bhakti-yoga comes (comprising devotional exercises, karma-yoga and upaansana yoga).

Till verse-11, this preparation is mentioned. 

The teaching is summed up since this is the last chapter of the Uddhava Geeta.

v-19: This 2-fold teaching is most proper! (sanghreecheenah). Such a gnaani looks at everyone with atma bhava and this shows in his expressions through thought-word-deed.

v-20: Karma yoga. This is similar to "no abhikrama naashah" and swalpam api asya dharmasya...traayate...mahato bhayaat". Karma yoga is here called "maddharma". Such a person "anaashishah" reaches brahman (called nirgunatvaat here).

v-21: Even mundane actions (nirarthah) can be offered to bhagavan, but it has to be nishkama (nishphalaaya). This makes it Karma-Yoga. Even if you scream out of fear, "bhayaadeh", even that can be offered to bhagavan! A very strange example is mentioned here!

v-22: This wisdom (eshaa) (both nishkaama bhakti + advaita gnaana yoga) is sought after by the wisest of the wise...buddhimataam buddhi...manishaa cha maneeshinaam. We use the anrta world to reach the satyam! And go from mortality to immortality (mrtyur ma amrtam gamaya). Same idea.

v-23 This (above 2 fold teaching) is the teaching of the veda "brahma vaadasya sangraha". This is mentioned in brief "samasena" and in a detailed way "vyaasa vidhinaa). This teaching is so rare that even devas don't get it!

v-24. What is rare? Advaita gnaanam. It has been expounded with clarity "visphashtam" and logically "yuktimat". It has to be doubt-free. Hence, shravanam has to be followed by mananam and nididhyaasanam. Such a person becomes free "muchyeta".

v-25. He who holds this teaching in his mind "dhaarayet" and what kind of teaching..."sanaatanam" and "brahma-guhyam" (secret in the veda!)...he attains brahman...both here and now, and after death too..."brahma adhigachhati".

v-26. He who shares this entire teaching (supushkalam) i.e. both bhakti yoga + final gnana yoga, he is dearest to me! Exactly like Geeta chp 18.

v-27: He who does loud recitation (samadheeyeeta) (uchhaih paTanti) of this text...everyday...he is purified...and it is like doing deeparadhana to bhagavan using gnanam flame!

v-28: He who cannot teach...cannot recite...even if he hears this chanted by someone else (even if meaning is not known!)...and if he listens with shradhha and attention...he is also freed from bondage (paramparayaa).

v-29: Hey sakhey...O Uddhava....Did you understand brahman entirely (samyak avadhaaritam)....(as taught in chp 8 and chp 23...as the very atma)...did your moha (conflict) and sadness go away? Uddhava was sad...that Krishna was going away....and wanted to go with him. Krishna teaches him...and finally says...do this nididhyaasanam in badarikaashrama.

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v-39: Consequence of self knowledge. Litmus test is- 4 causes of samsara will go away. Dushta chatushtayam- ahankara, mamakara, raga, dvesha. These are the shackles of samsara- free from everyone. No sneha paasha. Love will not cause samsara. What is the difference between love and attachment? I only contribute what I can. Whatever happens to them and me...is bhagavan's will and I allow that. 

vrknah => that which can be cut down! Like a tree (vrksha). Not that easy. Maya is responsible for attachment. Maya needs this...so that the world continues! Srishti vivrddhaye...tvayaa prasaaritah...for the perpetuation of creation....Attachment is instinctive. But in my case, Uddhava says...I have handed over everyone to Bhagavan. Do what you can. I am not worried about them. It is tough...."maayayaa srishti vivrddhaye". He names his family- daashaarha, vrshni, andhaka. That sneha-paasha...vrknah! Only one way..one knife...."atma subodhah". Clear knowledge. I am not related to anyone. Atma is asangah. Hetinaa...asinaa. "asanga shastrena drDHena chhitvaa". Cut off sanga.

v-40: Uddhava wants a final blessing from Krishna. Hey...maha yogin. Te namah astu. Prapannam maam anushaadi...instruct me properly. My gnaana bhakti should continue. Tvat charanaabhoje...deep devotion...This is "rati" here. Anapaayini- a bhakti that never fades away....towards your feet. Gnani will continue to worship...before and after self knowledge- guru, shastram, ishvara.

aajeevitam trayam sevyam

vedantah guruh ishvarah

aadau gnaana-aaptaye

pashchaat krtaghnatva nivrttaye <- to remove ingratitude (to all 3)!

Maandukya kaarika- "namaskurmo yathaa balam".

What type of life should I lead...when you are gone to Vaikuntha? Krishna will now answer.