129 – Summary of Thirteen Chapters | Swami Tattwamayananda

<b>Title: Summary of Thirteen Chapters</b><br /><br />Summary of earlier chapters of Gita; introduction to 14th chapter<br /><br />55th through 72nd verses of the 2nd chapter of Gita discuss the characteristics of an enlightened person. The 26th chapter of Dhammapada also discusses similar characteristics.<br /><br />Such a person is not worried when there is a problem, and he is not over-joyed when something<br />pleasant happens. He has no special admiration for others, nor does he hate anyone. This spiritual<br />stability is an essential characteristic. He is contented, happy within, and has a deep sense of inner<br />fulfillment. He identifies himself with the divinity within and feels oneness with other beings.<br /><br />The 4th chapter of Gita has a description of karma yoga. It describes how we can begin our spiritual journey any moment by bringing an element of spirituality into our everyday life.<br /><br />In the next few chapters, there are discussions of the highest philosophical concepts of Advaita.<br /><br />In the 12th chapter, Lord Krishna describes the characteristics of a devotee of God.<br /><br />In the 8th through 11th verses of the 12th chapter, Lord Krishna describes the spiritual journey of a seeker in descending order of evolution.<br /><br />8th verse: “You fix your mind and intellect on Me. Thereupon, you will always live in Me.”<br /><br />When we identify with a higher ideal, both mentally and intellectually, we live in that ideal and that ideal lives in us. This is the highest state of devotional evolution.<br /><br />For seekers who have not reached this highest state, Lord Krishna provides alternative options in the 9th - 11th verses.<br /><br />9th verse: “If you cannot fix your mind and intellect on Me, then you can reach the higher goal through Abhyasa-Yoga (uniting with God through repeated practice, such as Navadha Bhakti).”<br /><br />10th verse: “If you are incapable of doing Abhyasa-Yoga, then do all your work as My work.”<br /><br />To do Abhyasa-Yoga, we need a friendl