Relation To Bhakti Yoga In The Bhagvad Gita

Saguna and Nirguna Brahman in relation to Bhakti Yoga in The Bhagvad Gita

The Bhagavad Gita which is one of the triple texts of Vedanta is the Jewel-Casket of Indian culture and has synthesized several mutually opposing ideals and philosophies. It gives immense knowledge on philosophy, ethics and morality. The Bhagavad Gita deals with the concept of Guna and Nirguna in great detail. Guna is defined as quality or attribute. Gunas are divided into three Categories: first is Sattva, second is Rajas and third is Tamas. Sattva is holy, white and pure. Rajas mean energy, activity and passion and finally Tamas is black, dull and dark.

Intellect and wisdom increases with Sattva, Rajas become the cause of selfish nature and Tamas

In the Gita, there are three types of yoga mentioned first is Jnana Yoga (knowledge). Krishna explains that it is knowledge that leads to the understanding of Brahman but knowledge must be learned through humble reverence. One should find happiness and joy within and that yogi can definitely attain Brahmanirvana. Second is Karma Yoga which means that nature of human is karma and action and everyone is bounded by karma but Krishna demands renunciation in action, to do action less action i.e., only the action should be the focus of Karmyogi not the consequences. ”. The Yogavasistha, commentary on the Gita describes a Jeevanmukta, “Pleasures do not delight, pains don not distress him. The idea of ‘I’ and ‘Mine’, of something to be achieved and something to be avoided, has completely died with him. He is a great worker (mahakarta). He works without anxiety, egoistic feeling, pride or impurity of heart. He is a great enjoyer (mahabhokta). He equally enjoys old age, death, misery, poverty and ruling over an empire. He has no longer any struggle for livelihood. The guardian angels of the world protect and support him, as they do the entire

In the Bhakti Yoga, the yogi realizes the difference between the reality and the illusion; it is through Bhakti yoga the reality unveils, the yogi rises above the Gunas and throws away the attachment towards materiality. Both birth and death are inevitable and to escape unending cycle of birth and death Bhakti yoga can be the path. The bhakti is not merely reciting sholka but it comes from shraddha (faith). Bhakti yogi or devotee surrenders his all to God completely and takes refuge in Him; neither the sorrow nor the happiness changes his Bhakti.

Brahman is the one who is not defined by any identification but at the same time is both finite and infinite. Four elements are there in supreme Parabrahman: Visva, Taijasa, Prajna and Turiya. Prajnavastha is a transcendental state in which dichotomy blurs. It is consciousness of Brahman. Jagrathasvastha is simple and normal consciousness. It consist of five Karmendriyas (action), five jnanendriyas (perception), five Pranas (energies), manas (mind), Buddhi(Intellect), Chitta (consciusness) and ahankara (ego). Turiyavastha is the state which is highest and Sivam i.e. Goodness is experienced by the sadhaka in this state. The Turiyavastha is the state which transcends all the Gunas and leads to absolute