rmadbhagavadgtChapter 11 Om! May the blessing and inspiration of Sri Sri Lahiri Mahasaya and his chief disciple Sri Sri Panchanan Battacharya, guide me as I Yogi Prabhu Ji nowhumbly make a brief presentation of the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita in the light of Kriya Yoga.2 The Bhagavad Gita begins at the stage where Buddhi (Arjuna, the human intelligence) is in the middle between two opposing armies, hesitating between fulfilling his dharma or to take the path of renunciation (sannyasi).3 Buddhi aims to find an effective strategy to combat the powerful army of illusions, [represented by the Kurus,] and reach Peace and Happiness.4 No one can reach the spiritual knowledge without accepting the Guru as the charioteer of his life. At the request of Arjuna, Krishna,[ who is the Guru and the path of Kriya Yoga,] leads the chariot to the middle of the battlefield.5 The insight and the judgment of Arjuna fail before the voices hehears around him. He thinks, what benefit will I have to fulfill my dharma - the duties of my social order (Kshatriya) and life stage (ashrama), along with my sacrificial obligations? What happiness or joy can I receive from practice works and pious deeds?6 On the other hand, how can I be happy taking sannyasa (renunciation) and abandoning religious practices and regulations of my own varna and ashrama?7 Men who leave the family religion go to hell! So proclaim our holy books.8 "No, I do not know whichway to go to defeat the mighty armies of material illusions." So saying, Arjuna drops bow and arrows in their hands, all delivered to the distress and despair that consume his heart.Chapter 21 Krishna - the path of Kriya Yoga - Encourages Arjuna (the man) to confront the inner struggle, not through renunciation (sannyasa) or by merely following the formal religious activities, but through a change in perspective.2 A Human Being is dragged and chained to the cycle of birth and death only because of avidya (ignorance), which is the non-discrimination between Purusha (the Self) and Prakriti (the Not-Self).3 Infinite, omnipresent and unchanging is the Purusha, the Universal Essence that resides in all beings as his own self.4 Thou shalt know that the body, the senses, the mind, the ego, the happiness derived from sensory organs, the elements from the ether in descending scale, and the whole world. All are modifications of the three Gunas of Prakriti (the non-Self).5 Kriya Yoga reveals the true nature of Purusha, to make you aware of the mind and ego, the body's actions, the sense organs and the Prana, as distinct objects of Self (Purusha).6 Putting yourself inside the Purusha . Kriya-Yoga shifts the focus of the form world (Prakriti) toward that Pure Being who is in himself. [Realization of one's true nature]7 The State in which the Purusha stands alone, resting in its own nature, is called Paravastha.8 If you do not believe in the Spirit or the Eternal - the Purusha - there is no reason to abandon yourself to affliction and sorrow. Practice Kriya Yoga as a religious duty (dharma), and the gates of heaven are open for you.9 With a clear mind, without waiting for results, comply with your social and religious obligations. Be not concerned with successor failure. Do not fall, into idleness and inaction, as easily happens to those lost in the illusion of expecting a reward for their actions. Perform all works without expectations.10 In the path of Kriya Yoga, there is one object in which the mind can concentrate safely, very unlike other ways, filled with multiple branches, numerous rules and different purposes.11 The gurus and priests of formal religion inculcate in people's minds that the highest ideal is a heaven, where everything is pleasant, They invent various ceremonies, rules and regulations and talk a lot of rewards that await those who observe them, and punishments that befall those who do not observe.12 It is, however, knowing that they are in error; unknown to them is the path of Yoga, andstrange to them are the heights of spiritual awareness.13 Looking for rest, reside in the consciousness of your Self, the Eternal Truth. Let go of worldly cares and greed of material possessions. Concentrate on yourself, through Kriya Yoga, and do notgive into the illusions of the finite world.14 Do not be uneasy with the questions about the philosophical and religious doctrines, or with disputes over rites, ceremonies and other dispensable ornaments of the spiritual idea dress.15 Become free of others' opinions, both of which are in the holy books as the scholars or those who dare to interpret what they do not understand; instead, set your mind on more serious contemplation of the Spirit (Purusha).16 Arjuna said: What are the distinctive signs thatcharacterize the Kriya Yogis that are fixed in contemplation of the Real Being (Paravastha)?17 Krishna speaks: The mind of the Kriya Yogi is not troubled by adversity or prosperity: accept both adversity and prosperity without attachment. In them, hathno anger, fear, or passions.18 With equanimity support the vicissitudes of life, so many favorable as unfavorable. Do not surrender to excessive joy, or sadness.19 The Kriya Yogi who has reached the state of Paravastha is similar to a turtle that shrinks into its home . He is able to divert your senses of the objects, produce impression, and collect them in Pratyahara.20 The Kriya Yogi who has found his Real Self within, does not long for sense objects nor is ensnared by these objects. He has achievedPeace and in this Peace he finds the release of all the sufferings and pains of life.21 This is, O Arjuna, the state of union with the Real, the blissful state of spiritual consciousness. Andwhoeverremains in the state of union with the Real at death,goes directly into Divinity, in Brahman.Chapter 31 Arjuna said: if Kriya Yoga is superior to the duties prescribed by formal religion - the obligations with the varna and ashrama, rituals and sacrificial ceremonies, vows (vratas), abstinence, worship, charity and other religious duties why do you encourage me to continue fulfilling my duties prescribed?2 Tell me, please, in clear and certain phrases, which is the path that will lead to peace and satisfaction?3 Krishna said: In this world, there are two paths intended to relieve the man of the cycle of birth and death - the path of Sankhya (the discernment of Purusha and Prakriti, through Kriya Yoga) and the path of Dharma (the fulfillment of duties occupational and religious)4 Deluding himself who thinks that taking vows of sannyasa (renunciation) and dodging the actions, escapes the results of action. Who gets nothing, can not enter the state of Eternal Peace. Renunciation (sannyasa) does not lead to perfection.5 Activity is inherent in the material modes (Gunas) of nature (Prakriti). No one can fail to do something.6. One is worthy to be called Saint one who fulfills the duties to the family, children, occupation, rishis, ancestors and all living things - out of pure love, without expecting rewards.7 Do well what you do in the world; and fulfill your tasks; take up the work that you will find, Perform all work to the utmost of your ability. Without work, you can not even keep the physical body.8 Listen, Arjuna! Men are clinging to this world because they act only for themselves, by selfishness. Therefore, perform the work and all religious duties as a sacrifice toViu; otherwise, the work produces bondage in this material world.9 It is vain and shameful the life of the man who lives only forhis own satisfaction, and does nothing to favor and thank the LordViu, the demigods, the gurus and the overall society.10 But for one who practices Kriya Yoga with attachment and devotion exclusive to the Atman, for him there is no duty prescribed. Hehas no obligation to sing the Gayatri mantra at the scheduled hours, offer yajas (sacrifices) and other duties.11 Sometimes a Kriyavan fulfills the social and religious formalities just to set an example and educate people in general. He does what must be done; however, unselfishly and without personal considerations.Chapter 41 In this chapter, Krishna teaches that he (Guru) isViuitself.Viutaught the doctrine of union with the Brahman (Kriya-Yoga) to Vishvavan, the chief solar deity who residesin Aditya Loka (Hiranyaloka). Vishvavan taught it to Manu (the progenitor of mankind), who transmitted this doctrine to Ikshvaku, the founder of the solar dynasty.2 Kriya Yoga was known to the Rishis, but, in course of time, Kriya fell into oblivion.3Viuis higher than the birth; he is innate and eternal, but it appears in this world through his own power.4 Who recognizes theViuin his appearance [with Form] do not need to reincarnate more, having left his mortal body, he comes to live with him inhis blissful kingdom.5 Who, practicing Kriya Yoga, goes toViufirmly and set your mind in His form is purified by the sacred flame of Penance and Wisdom, and free of the attraction of earthly objects, reaches bhava, which is Pure Love.6 The brahmanasworship LordViuby means of fire sacrifices (yajna).7 Others sacrifice the senses in the fire penance (tapasya).8 Some sacrifice their possessions in the fire of charity, and others sacrifice their intelligence by studying the scriptures and the wordsof gurus.9 Some sacrifice their Prana in the fire of Kriya Yoga.10 All will to taste the nectar of their sacrifices and advance toward the supreme abode.11 One who offers no sacrifice, finds no merit in this world or the next.12 Better, than the sacrifice of objects and things, is the sacrifice of intelligence and knowledge, because without the knowledge that is transmitted by the Guru, no one can make any sacrifice, let alone Kriya Yoga.13 Try to learn Kriya Yoga through a bona fide spiritual master. Ask questions with submission and follow guidance with humility. Only those who have experienced the perfection of Kriya Yoga can convey the true knowledge.14 In this world, there is nothing so sublime and pure as divine knowledge. This knowledge is the very ripe fruit of Yoga. It produces thebhvanecessary to achieve the bliss within.15 The man with faith studies (svadhyaya) the words of the sages and masters, who makes it a daily practice, quickly attains the supreme peace.16 For the ignorant andfaithless persons who doubt the words of the sages and masters, there is no happiness in this world or the next.Chapter 51 Then Arjuna spoke to Krishna, "O Lord, now you praise renunciation of works, sometimes the practice of works. Tell me, of both, which is the superior? "2 The Lord said: Both renunciation of the dharma (take sannyasa in order to devote himself exclusively to meditation on the Atman) and the practice of dharma (without departing from Atman) lead to salvation; however, the one who fulfills his duties (dharma) without departing from the Atman is the best.3 O Arjuna, know that the true sannyasi is one who does not hate or want anything, because in the Atman is found the source of all happiness; he is entirely free from material bondage.4Only the ignorant say Sankhya (the philosophical discernment between Purusha and Prakriti) is different from Kriya Yoga. However, the sages say that both have the same purpose.5 No one can be happy just to renounce all activities and does not mind with Kriya Yoga.6 He who practices Kriya Yoga and has a self-controlled and purified soul, and is compassionate to all living entities, even in busy work, never gets entangled.7 The Kriyavan who knows the truth of the Self (Purusha) know that it is not he whoacts, but it is their nature (Prakriti) who see, smell, feel, eat, walk and breathe. For him, the renunciation of the actions (sannyasa) and the practice of the works according to the dharma are the same.8 Having released the sense of "I am the doer", thekriyavan performs the actions of body, mind and senses without attachment and selfish motives. Renouncing all action and inaction, he does not seek reward, but keeps quiet, in peace, without wishing to act and without cause action, however, is ever readyto do his part in the action, when duty calls.9 When the mind, faith and refuge of someone are all fixed in the Atman, through the knowledge he is purified by completely of fears and will direct for the path of liberation.10 He sees with the same visiona learned, a cow, an elephant, a dog and an outcast.11 In fact, he is already situated in the state of transcendence known as Paravastha.12 Similar detached one is not attracted to the pleasure of the material senses, but is always in trance of Kriya Yoga (Paravastha), enjoying his own Atman. Thus, he feels the unlimited happiness of union with Brahman.13 Repelling all external sense objects, with your gaze fixed between the two eyebrows, suspending the movement of Prana and Apana in the sushumna (kevala kumbhaka), and thus controlling the mind, senses and intelligence, and being free from desire, fear and anger, certainly such a Kriyavan i is already released from the cycle of birth and death.Chapter 61 Krishna said: One who performs all acts required- such as the duties of varna and ashrama, and maha-yajas - without desiring reward is at the same time a Sannyasin and a Yogi, and not one that simply wears orange clothes and does not fulfill any duty.2 Learn that which is called Sannyasa is Kriya-Yoga, because no one can get to be a Sannyasi who has not renounced attachment to external things including breathing.3 In the first steps of the path of perfection, it is taught that the aspirant should practice the prescribed actions to gain the bestmerits (make offerings in the fire, recite passages from the Vedas, chanting the Gayatri, offer libations of water, etc.).4 It is said that someone is advanced in Kriya Yoga, when having renounced all material desires, one remains in contemplation of theAtman.5 With the help of the mind, one must free themselves and not deteriorate. The mind is a friend of the soul, and his greatest enemy as well.6 To the Kriyavan who has found peace in the Atman, your being is quiet in the cold and heat, pleasure andpain, honor and dishonor. For him, a handful of earth, a precious stone or gold are the same.7 The Kriyavan should sit at an isolated spot, with your body and your mind under control, free from desires and feelings of possessiveness and surrender completely to meditation.8 So sitting with the torso and head straight and motionless, fixing his eyes between the eyebrows, with the tongue curled back in khecari, the Kriyavan practice pranayama in order to cleanse your chakras and activate sushumna nadi. Thus, with a calm mind, without fear, one should meditate on the oneness of Atman and Brahman within the heart.9 Through the practice of Kriya Yoga, the yogi achieves mystical union with Brahman and is released from material existence.10 The perfection of Kriya Yoga is not attainable for one who eats too much or for one who fasts too much, nor one who sleeps too much or sleeps too little.11 For one who is moderate in his habits of eating, sleeping, having fun and work, the discipline of Kriya Yoga frees youfrom all material sufferings.12 When the Kriyavan retains the mind fixed in the Atman, and does not look for any desirable object, then this state is called Paravastha.13 Like the flame of a lamp does not waver in a windless place, so the mind of Kriyavan in Paravastha always remains fixed in his meditation on the Atman.14 When arises in the heart and mind the conviction "I am the Atman", or "I am Brahman", and the flow of thoughts (and even breathing) ceases altogether. When he experiences that happiness which is beyond the senses and can be understood only by the pure intelligence; when he considers that there is no gain greater than what he gained, and nothing can disturb that peace and contentment, not the greatest sufferings. This state is called Samadhi or Supreme Paravastha.15 Kriya Yoga should be practiced with firm resolve and inexhaustible fervor, without departing from the path. Abandon all material desires born of imagination and control from the mind. Keep control over of the senses.16 Gradually, step by step, with intelligence saturated by the conviction "I am the Atman," the yogi should be fixed on the Self only and should not think of anything else.17 Whenever the changing and uneasy mind starts to wander, it must be braked and placedunder the domain of meditation "I am the Atman."18 The yogi whose mind is fixed on the Self indeed reaches the highest perfection of spiritual happiness. Realizing his qualitative identity with the Supreme through meditation "I am Brahman" he becomes free from all past sinful actions.19 Always busy in meditation practice, even during the hours of external activity, kriyavan is always in contact with the Brahman. Upon getting rid of all material contamination, reaches the highest happiness.20 I say to you that the one who sees the Atman in everything and the whole universe in the Atman, the Atman never abandons and will never be abandoned . One will forever be linked to the Atman, because only the experience of the Atman is real and eternal.21 Such a yogi who remains in the consciousness of "I and Brahman are one," always remains situated in Brahman in all circumstances.22 Arjuna said: O Krishna, what happens to one who has faith, but does not reach the perfection of Kriya Yoga? Will perish, perhaps, asa cloud shattered by the winds? Answer me, O Krishna, because you alone can give me guidance and dispel my doubts.23 Krishna said: No, my dear, he will not be destroyed, neither in this world nor in future, because who does good will never perish.24 After the death of the body, such a soul goes to heaven of the righteous, and staying there for countless years, takes birth again in a home of pure and good people.25 Or he may be reborn into a family of Yogis, even if the birth is difficult to obtain in this world.26 There he retrieves the acquired mental state in his previous life, and again strives for perfection.27 The Kriyavan is greater than the ascetic (sannyasi); is also higher than the scholar (pandit) one well versed in the scriptures, and is superior to priests (brahmana) who deal with Vedic rituals; therefore, be thou KriyaYogi, O Arjuna!28 And among all Kriyavans one that is dedicated with faith to the Atman, on the Atman thinks within himself and always feel the Atman presence is considered the highest of all!Chapter 7In this chapter, Krishna describes the nature of Brahman as the Supreme Purusha, the Supreme Godhead, the original source of everything and the fundamental essence of all beings in the universe.1 There are 4 classes ofreligious people - the distressed, the inquisitive (which seeks the truth), who seeks material gains and the Jnani (the walking on the path of knowledge).2 Among them, the Jnani which shows exclusive devotion to the Atman is the best. Since the Supreme Purusha is very dear to him, and he is very dear to the Supreme Purusha.3 It is very rare to find such great soul for whom "Vasudeva is everything." Only after many repeated birth and death, is that someone comes at this stage.Chapter 81 One who practicesKriya Yoga should always remember of Atman and meditate on union between Atman and Brahman. At the same time he must fulfill their prescribed duties.2 If he finds it difficult to meditate on the Nirguna Brahman, the kriyavan should look for and meditateon Kutastha Chaitanya whose form is luminous like the sun and is situated beyond this material nature.3 One who, when it comes to the death and with the power of his practice of Sat-cakra-yoga (Kriya Yoga) fixes Prana on the Ajna and meditates with full devotion on the Kutastha Chaitanya certainly reaches the Supreme Purusha.4 Dharana (concentration) of Kriya Yoga close all the doors of the senses and fix the Prana on the Ajna cakra (through kumbhaka), while making Thokar with the mind fixed in the heart.5 The Kriya Yogi that when leaving the body, vibrating the sacred syllable OM, while residing in the Supreme Purusha, surely reaches the Supreme.6 For someone who always remembers the Atman, supreme realization is very easy to obtain, because of theirconstant and daily practice of Kriya Yoga.7 After reaching the Supreme Purusha, the great souls never return to this temporary world, which is full of miseries.8 Beyond this material Nature (Prakriti), there is another nature that is unmanifested eternal, transcendental. It is supreme and is never annihilated. When this entire universe is annihilated - starting with the highest level (where reside the demigods) and going to the lowest - that Nature remains unchanged.9 The abode of the Atman are made of this Para-Prakriti (Nature or Energy Transcendental). What is described as unmanifest and eternal, what is known as the supreme destination, that spiritual condition which one never returns after reaching it- this is the Supreme Abode of Atman.10 The Purusha (or Atman) is greater than all, and can only be achieved by exclusive dedication to meditation "I am Brahman". Although present in His abode (besides Prakriti), the Atman is all-pervading and can be perceived as a feeling of "I" inside the heart.11 Thefruits of Kriya Yoga are superior to all that can be achieved by performing yajnas (fire sacrifices), penance, charity, pious work. The simple fact of performing Kriya Yoga (with the mind fixed on the Purusha), one surely reaches the Supreme Abode of theAtman. Therefore, O Arjuna, always practice Kriya Yoga!

(To be continued)