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Bhagavad Gita, Chap II, Shloka 54
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To: alt-hindu@uunet.uu.net
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Subject: Bhagavad Gita, Chap II, Shloka 54
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From: lchiluku@ucsd.edu (R. & L. Chilukuri)
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Date: 12 Apr 1995 05:12:50 GMT
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From news@network.ucsd.edu Wed Apr 12 01: 02:01 1995
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Newsgroups: alt.hindu
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Organization: Univ of California at San Diego
Hi all:
My first posting to alt.hindu is lost somewhere in cyberspace. I am
re-typing some of the material from memory, in order to ensure that the
discussion on Sthitha Pragnyasya Lakshanani gets started. Note that
chinmaya@the-tech.. will be on distribution for all future discussions. I
will attempt to summarize comments after each shloka. ISKCON material has
been given precedence, in order to wholeheartedly welcome alternate
viewpoints. Here goes::
Shloka 54, for discussion between 4-11-95 and 4-18-95
Transliteration is from BG As It Is. The four translations that follow
were the ones that were readily available to me.
Arjuna uvaca
sthita prajnasya ka bhasa
samadhi-sthasya kesava
sthitha-dhih kim prabhaseta
kim asita vrajeta kim
Srila Prabhupada
Arjuna said: O Krsna, what are the symptoms of one whose conciousness is
thus merged in transcendence? How does he speak, and what is his
language? How does he sit, and how does he walk?
M.R. Sampat Kumaran in Gita Bhasya of Ramanuja:
What, O Krsna (Kesava) is the language about him who is of steady
understanding and is established in control over his mind? What will he
of steady understanding speak? How will he sit (i.e. meditate), and how
will he move (and do things)?
Swami Chinmayananda:
Arjuna said: What, O Keasva, is the description of him who has steady
Wisdom and who is merged in the Superconcious state? How does one of
steady Wisdom speak, how does he sit, how does he walk?
Dr. A.G. Krishna Warrier in Sankaracharya Bhasya
Arjuna said: How can a man of stable wisdom, anchored in concentration,
be described, O Krsna? How does a man of steadfast intelligence speak?
How does he sit? How walk?
Comments/questions to initiate discussion:
Arjuna uses three words that originate from "stha". Tremendous emphasis
on steadiness, stationary, established, unmoving, ... Perhaps steadiness
is the first hallmark of such an individual. True, Arjuna is only asking
a question, but he was an excellent student since the answer is revealed
in the question!!!
The first reaction to this shloka was may be shallow. Certainly such a
man would walk with his legs, sit on his bottom, speaks with his mouth
etc.!
Words related to "Bhas.." appear twice in this shloka. Srila Prabhupada's
comment that speech is most revealing of a man's character helps us
understand the emphasis on "Bhas.."
Swami Chinmayananda describes these "non-essentials" as being appropriate
- "The first part of the shloka demands a description of a
man-of-steady-wisdom while in samadhi, that is, with regard to his inner
life, and the second half is asking for a description of how such a
Master will act in the world outside"
Sankara comments on Sthta pragya as one who has assured wisdom born of
the experience "I am the Supreme Brahman". Ramanuja says "one who is
established in control over his mind". Srila Prabhupada says "a man in
transcendental conciousness of Krsna". Swami Chinmayananda says " one who
has, through direct realisation, come to experience and live his Godly
Self"
Hope the above compilation sparks discussion! I will post Shloka 55
immediately, in order to get the discussion going.
Hari Om
Krish Chilukuri
