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Bhagavad Gita question
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Subject: Bhagavad Gita question
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From: psd1@woodlawn.uchicago.edu (Pratik Dave)
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Date: Mon, 6 Mar 1995 18:05:20 GMT
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Apparently-To: alt-hindu@ncar.ucar.edu
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Followup-To: alt.hindu
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From news@bluebird.uchicago.edu Mon Mar 6 12: 56:37 1995
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Newsgroups: alt.hindu
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Organization: uchicago strn fanclub
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Reply-To: psd1@midway.uchicago.edu
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Sender: news@midway.uchicago.edu (News Administrator)
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Summary: Interpretation of a passage from the text requested
Hello,
For some time I've been curious about a passage from chapter 8
of the gita. My translation (by Shri Purohit Swami, in the Shambhala
pocket classics book) entitles the chapter, "The Life Everlasting."
In this chapter God tells Arjuna about how to concentrate on joining
God at the time of death in order to end the cycle of rebirths. At
the very end, however, Krishna adds:
"If knowing the Supreme Spirit the sage goes forth with fire
and light, in the daytime, in the fortnight of the waxing moon,
and in the six months before the northern summer solstice, he
will attain the Supreme.
"But if he departs in gloom, at night, during the fortnight of
the waning moon and in the six months before the southern
solstice, then he reaches but lunar light and he will be born
again.
"These bright and dark paths out of the world have always existed.
Whoso takes the former, returns not; he who chooses the latter,
returns."
I have chosen my own interpretation of our faith and use it as a guide to
living a good life and as an aid in commicating with God. This passage,
however, seems purely mystical in meaning and seems to offer a 'short-cut'
to union with God. My interpretation would be that he (or she) who performs
a certain ceremony (involving fire and light, I assume) during the periods
described would find release and assured return or dissolution.
If you are stirred by this passage and have any thoughts on it you'd care
to share please post them, I'd love as many different opinions as I can
get. This is not for research or anything of that sort, I've read as much
of the scriptural texts as I have been able to, and a mystery like this
piques my interest.
Thank you,
Pratik
