Yatharth Geeta -Swami Adgadanand 152

Yatharth Geeta -Swami Adgadanand Ji

CHAPTER 2 Curiosity About Action यावानर्थ उदपाने सर्वत: सम्प्लुतोदके। तावान् सर्वेषु वेदेषु ब्राह्राणस्य विजानत:॥46॥ [ “After the final absolution a man does not need the Ved, just as we do not need a pond when there is the all-stretching ocean (around).’’ ] When a man is surrounded by the ocean on all sides, he has no use for a pond. Just so a Brahmin who has gained knowledge of the Supreme Spirit has no use for the Ved. That means that the one who knows God transcends the Ved, and that man is a Brahmin. So Krishn counsels Arjun to rise above the Ved and be a Brahmin. Arjun is a Kshatriy and Krishn is exhorting him to be a Brahmin. Brahmin and Kshatriy are, among others, names of qualities that are inherent in the dispositions of different varn (or what are now more commonly known as castes). But the varn-tradition is originally, as we have already seen, action-oriented rather than a social provision determined by birth. What use has he for a petty pond who has availed himself of the crystal current of the Ganga? Some use a pond for ablution, while others wash their cattle in it. A sage who has known God by direct perception has the same kind of use for the Ved. They are undoubtedly useful. The Ved exists for stragglers who lag behind. Further elucidation of the problem begins from this point. Subsequently Krishn expounds the precautions to be observed in the performance of action.