eTapovan

The Sixteen Sanskars; Courtesy Shree Raja Mohan

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Why do I post Bhagavad Gita - Decoded ?

Around 1985, my parents, my eldest brother, his wife, two children and a pet dog were returning from a trip to the Grand Canyon in a Motor home, when some oncoming traffic drivers alerted my eldest brother to smoke coming from the motor home. He parked the motor home on the shoulder and my sister-in-law got out to see that possibly the engine was on fire. They immediately vacated the motor home and within a few minutes the motor home exploded.

My brother who had worked for an insurance company took some pictures for insurance purpose. After a few hours he decided to look for his wedding ring in the burnt structure; he found his ring and also found a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, a little singed on the edges.

This was a very transformative event for my entire family.

The Bhagavad Gita was offered to Shree Pandurang Shastri Athavale, based on whose discourses the book was published. His comment upon seeing the book " We do not ascribe to miracles but this is an affirmation that a Divine Power is with and within us protecting us".

My dad obtained another copy of the same book, studied it for the rest of his life and left notes in it so that I may get a clearer and deeper understanding of the content of Bhagavad Gita.

At 74 I realize his wisdom and foresight and decided to "decode" the Bhagavad Gita for others to dive into its Divine and Mystic bliss.

Its message grants one both material and spiritual success.

It is part of the Hindu Epic Mahabharata. Mahabharata is not just a story of a battle between right and wrong. A deeper study shows that it depicts the story of choices made by the principal characters and the consequences of their choices

And at a crucial moment when the leading character is at a loss to make the right choice he seeks guidance from the Supreme Spirit embodied as Shri Krishna.

Those wise words coming forth as beautiful poetry is the "Song of God" - the Bhagavad Gita.

Here are some key points for self-reflection from Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 (“Arjuna Vishada Yoga”), which sets the stage for the entire spiritual dialogue:

1. Honesty About Inner Turmoil
Arjuna experiences overwhelming confusion, fear, and sorrow at the prospect of fighting his own kin. He openly expresses physical symptoms (trembling, weakness, loss of composure) and shares his mental distress with Krishna.

Self-reflection: Am I honest with myself about my emotional struggles? Do I allow myself to acknowledge confusion or grief, or do I suppress these feelings?

2. Examining Attachments and Values
Despite years of preparation for this moment, Arjuna’s attachment to family, teachers, and friends resurfaces, challenging his sense of duty.

Self-reflection: What attachments or relationships influence my decisions, especially when facing tough choices? Are these attachments leading me toward or away from my core values?

3. Conflict Between Duty and Emotion
Arjuna’s main crisis is a conflict between his dharma (duty as a warrior) and personal emotions (love, compassion, fear of loss).

Self-reflection: When have my responsibilities conflicted with my emotions? Do I prioritize duty, or do emotions steer my actions? How do I seek clarity in such moments?

4. Fear of Consequences and Overthinking
Arjuna fears not just loss or suffering but spiritual consequences—worrying about the destruction of family traditions and the karmic impact of his actions.

Self-reflection: Do I let fear of possible outcomes paralyze my actions? How much of my anxiety is rooted in imagined outcomes, guilt, or overthinking?

5. The Value of Pausing Before Action
Overwhelmed, Arjuna puts down his bow and arrows and sits in silence, refusing to act in haste.

Self-reflection: Do I give myself permission to pause and reflect before making important decisions? Can I find strength in silence and stillness, rather than reacting impulsively?

6. The Beginning of Transformation
Arjuna’s vulnerability (his “despair” or vishada) is not a sign of weakness but the necessary starting point for transformation. His breakdown is the beginning of a deeper spiritual journey.

Self-reflection: Do I see my moments of despair or crisis as opportunities for growth and learning, or do I judge myself harshly for them?

7. Openness to Guidance
By the end of Chapter 1, Arjuna’s confusion leads him to seek guidance from Krishna, opening himself to wisdom.

Self-reflection: Am I open to seeking advice or spiritual guidance when I face uncertainty, or do I try to handle everything alone?

These self-reflection points encourage us to:

Acknowledge our struggles honestly,

Explore the roots of our emotional conflicts,

Pause before acting, and

View confusion as the gateway to understanding and growth.

Chapter 1 of the Gita thus invites everyone to use moments of confusion and crisis as a starting point for sincere introspection and spiritual progress

Stages of Spiritual Guidance in Life
1. Early Childhood: Family as First Teachers
Parents, grandparents, and elders are our initial teachers.

The values, morals, ethics, and spiritual practices learned during the first 6–8 years become lifelong guides.

2. Community Influence: Spiritual Role Models
Priests, monks, and community leaders become mentors as we grow.

They embody higher purpose and spiritual ideals, keeping the desire for deeper truth alive within us.

3. Formal Education: Reconciling Knowledge
Teachers and educators (e.g., math, English) guide us academically.

This phase involves balancing worldly knowledge with spiritual understanding.

4. Spiritual Mentorship: The Guru’s Role
Our spiritual inclination leads us to a Mentor, Guru, or Spiritual Leader with whom we form a unique bond.

Types of Gurus
Guru Type Description
Margadarshak Guru Points out where to begin or restart the spiritual journey, but does not accompany the seeker.

Sparsh Guru Enhances the disciple’s journey through mere touch.

Anugraha Guru Nurtures the aspirant like a mother, initiating and supporting the journey regardless of worthiness.

Sadguru Stands firm in Truth, guiding others to realize their own true nature of Truth, Consciousness, and Bliss.

Jagadguru Universal Teacher whose teachings transcend time and space, guiding all of humanity directly.

My humble Pranams -obeisance - to all who touched my life

Tasmay Shree Gurave Namah !

I love Bhagavad Gita because it is an outpouring of Bhagavan Shree Krishna's love for humanity.
A love that is unfathomable, yet can be experienced any time and any place.
A love that is limitless; seems only for me but is available to all
A love that is inspiring me to work selflessly, meditate deeply, follow him unconditionally.
A love that is longing for humanity's embrace
Just as a mother longs for a child's embrace.

Importance of "e" in eTapovan

Author Unknown;

Very nice message from a friend.
Please do read it - 😃
The ...E... life !!!!!
In this world of E-mails, E-ticket, E-paper, E-recharge, E-transfer and the latest E-Governance...
Never Forget "E-shwar ( God )"
who makes e-verything e-asy for e-veryone e-veryday.
"E" is the most Eminent letter of the English alphabet.
Men or Women don't exist without "E".
House or Home can't be made without "E".
Bread or Butter can't be found without "E".
"E" is the beginning of "existence" and the end of "trouble."
It's not at all in 'war'
but twice in 'peace'.
It's once in 'hell' but twice in 'heaven'.
"E" represented in 'Emotions'
Hence, all emotional relations like Father, Mother, Brother, Sister,wife & friends have 'e' in them.
"E" also represents 'Effort' & 'Energy'
Hence to be 'Better' from good both "e" 's are added.
Without "e", we would have no love, life, wife, friends or hope
& 'see', 'hear', 'smell', or 'taste' as 'eye' 'ear', 'nose' & 'tongue' are incomplete without "e".
Finally no 'Life' & 'Death' without "e".
Hence GO with "E"
but without E-GO.

So, the Diwali and New Year-Vikram Samvat -2078 is upon us starting Monday, November 1. Dwadashi marks the beginning of the Diwali festivities. Wish everybody Divine ecstasy, great health, pious intellect, loving spouse, wealth that gives content, caring friends, grateful children and the spirit of sharing. May every Soul shine fully in HIS/HER Glory ! Happy Diwali and Happy New Year !

May Shri Ramachandra Bhagavan, endowed with Complete Valor, Complete Splendor and Glory, Complete Auspiciousness and Bliss, Complete Knowledge and Complete Unattachment lead us from Falsity to Truth, from Darkness to Light and from Temporal to Eternity . Happy Ramanavami !

During the Mahabharata War, Arjuna's therapy session with Krishna lasted for just over two hours . Before the start of the war Arjuna put his Bow and Arrows down and said I will not fight.
After the Therapy session Arjuna fought for 18 days, was victorious in many battles and his team won the war.
That session has been going for more than 3500 years and relevant even today.

Join me as we explore this Chapter by Chapter. Will be posting soon on Youtube.