SECRET OF THE LORD’S INCARNATIONS ( FROM BHAGAVADGITA)
The Gita, along with the Upanishads and the Brahma Sutras, embodies the flights of spiritual thought and
philosophy of the seers of ancient India. It
contains the essence of the
practical philosophy of the Upanashads in language more easily comprehended
than that used in the latter. It is wrong to call it the scriptural text of
the Hindus only. The message of the Gita is
relevant for all times and for all
humanity. Sage Vedavyasa has embedded this treasure in
the heart of Mahabharata, the geat epic poem written by him. It has been appreciated and acclaimed by the
great thinkers and philosophers of the World and translated into the major
world languages. It is strange that this
great sermon was delivered by Lord Krishna to Arjuna in the most unusual of
settings, the battlefield of Kurukshetra
where the Pandava and Kaurava armies were facing each other and Arjuna’s
chariot, with Krishna as the charioteer, was stationed right in the middle of
the two armies.
philosophy of the seers of ancient India. It
contains the essence of the
practical philosophy of the Upanashads in language more easily comprehended
than that used in the latter. It is wrong to call it the scriptural text of
the Hindus only. The message of the Gita is
relevant for all times and for all
humanity. Sage Vedavyasa has embedded this treasure in
the heart of Mahabharata, the geat epic poem written by him. It has been appreciated and acclaimed by the
great thinkers and philosophers of the World and translated into the major
world languages. It is strange that this
great sermon was delivered by Lord Krishna to Arjuna in the most unusual of
settings, the battlefield of Kurukshetra
where the Pandava and Kaurava armies were facing each other and Arjuna’s
chariot, with Krishna as the charioteer, was stationed right in the middle of
the two armies.
In the following verses from the Gita, the Lord explains the secret
and purpose of his incarnations.
and purpose of his incarnations.
बहूनि मे व्यतीतानि जन्मानि तव चार्जुन
तान्यहं वेद सर्वाणि न त्वं वेत्थ परंतप [४.५]
Many are my births in the past and so are yours O Arjuna!. I know all of them but you do not remember
your previous births.
your previous births.
अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा भूतानामीश्वरोऽपि सन्
प्रकृतिं स्वामधिष्ठाय संभवाम्यात्ममायया [४.६]
I am the birthless, the deathless and the Lord of all beings. Yet I descend into this world of mortals with
a human-like body by the power of my Maya,
(embracing the pure sattwic aspect of my prakriti.
a human-like body by the power of my Maya,
(embracing the pure sattwic aspect of my prakriti.
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत
अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् [४.७]
Whenever dharma ( virtue,
righteousness) declines and adharma (vice, sin, corruption)raises
its head in this world, I incarnate myself in human form.
righteousness) declines and adharma (vice, sin, corruption)raises
its head in this world, I incarnate myself in human form.
परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम्
धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय संभवामि युगे युगे [४.८]
In every age I appear in human form for protecting the good and for
the destruction of the wicked and the bad
the destruction of the wicked and the bad
जन्म कर्म च मे दिव्यमेवं यो वेत्ति तत्त्वतः
त्यक्त्वा देहं पुर्जन्म नैति मामेति सोऽर्जुन [४.९]
One who really understands that my births and actions in this world
are divine and are of a transcendental nature, will never again be born after
leaving this body but will become one with me.
are divine and are of a transcendental nature, will never again be born after
leaving this body but will become one with me.
ये यथा मां प्रपद्यन्ते तांस्तथैव भजाम्यहम्
मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः [४.११]
In whatsoever manner men approach me I respond to them and accept
them in the same manner. Human beings, whichever their favourite god, finally
end up in Me since those gods are only different aspects of Me, the Supreme
Lord.
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them in the same manner. Human beings, whichever their favourite god, finally
end up in Me since those gods are only different aspects of Me, the Supreme
Lord.
Click here to get to the Master Index from where you can accessmore than 600 posts
Wonderful explanation. Thanks for such a clear account of Lord's incarnation.