Srimad Bhagavad Gita -Ramanujacharya 404

Srimad Bhagavad Gita -Ramanujacharya

Chapter-13 Prakṛti-Puruṣa-vivek Yogaḥ

Differentiation between Spirit & Matter

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Summary of the Teaching

he teaching in the first set of six chapters, dealt with the essential nature of the jivātman, which is a preliminary to the meditation on Krishna, the Supreme Brahman, the ultimate object of attainment. The two disciplines of Knowledge/meditation (Jñāna Yoga) and Non-desiderative Work (Karma Yoga) as means of spiritual advancement have also been taught.

Following that, in the middle set of six chapters, the practice of intense and one-pointed Bhakti Yoga, preceded by the teaching on the supreme goal — the Glorious Supreme Being, were expounded upon. Incidentally it was pointed out, that Bhakti Yoga is also the means of attainment for those who desire power & wealth (aiśvarya) and also for those who aspire after the state of self-isolated liberation (kaivalya),

In this present set of 6 chapters, the topics mentioned in the first two groups are examined in greater detail. These are; the essential nature of Prakrti (Material Nature) and of the Jivātman, and of the universe comprised of the combination of these two; the essential nature of the Supreme Lord and the basic features of the paths of Karma (Action), Jñana (Knowledge) and Bhakti (Devotion) and the ways of practicing these disciplines.

Now, in this, the thirteenth chapter the following topics are discussed: —

(1) the nature of the body and the Self;

(2) an investigation of the physical body as it really is;

(3) the means of attaining liberation from embodiment;

(4) the investigation of the Jīva in a state of separation from a body;

(5) the investigation of the causes of physical embodiment by the Jīva and

(6) the method of discriminating between Matter and Spirit.

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References and Context