79 - Constant Remembrance of God | Swami Tattwamayananda

-8th chapter: verses 7, 8, 9<br />-This lecture was given by Swami Tattwamayananda on April 23, 2021.<br />-7th verse: “Constantly remember Me and fight. Then you shall attain Me.”<br />-Fight here refers to the battle with our own lower self. Lord Krishna says that we should combine contemplation and action, and do our everyday secular duties with a higher ideal in mind. By doing so, we spiritualize the secular.<br />-Lord Krishna chose Arjuna over Yudhishthira and other Pandavas because Arjuna was a man of action, who was eager to learn, and who would put into practice what he learnt.<br />-Lord Krishna asks Arjuna to always think and contemplate on a higher ideal – all the time, in every thought, word and deed. By doing so, he would have peace of mind and be a source of harmony to those around him.<br />-8th verse: “With constant practice and continued effort, one who thinks of the Supreme Being, attains Him.”<br />-In spiritual life, we may encounter two types of problems. First – when we follow an ideal and do not succeed, we may get disappointed. Second – we may develop a liking for the negative, like a camel who enjoys eating thorny bushes despite bleeding in the process.<br />-Continued effort is necessary. As we continue our effort, the resistance slowly disappears, and we are able to follow the higher ideal.<br />-Shankaracharya says in his commentary that we should read spiritual books, understand the teachings of the great sages, contemplate on them, and bring this contemplation to every action in daily life.<br />-Ramanuja says in his commentary that we should do our duty in a way that it does not violate ethical principles, and at the same time contemplate on a higher ideal.<br />-Once a person succeeds in spiritualizing the secular, by combining action and contemplation, his character begins to reflect a sense of contentment. He is able to face difficulties of life with a smile.<br />-9th verse: “The one who meditates on this Supreme Reality – who is omniscient (Kavi), ancient, the ruler, smaller t