Jñāna – Fight! (2.11 – 2.20)

Learnings from Purport 2.20

1. Soul as steady vs Body as temporary

Body – undergoes 6 changes like birth, growth, sustenance, by-products, dwindling & death
“Kuta-stha” (Steady) which implies that the soul does not undergo these six changes

2. Practical proof that soul never becomes old – Old man in same spirits as young man

3. Perception of soul by “consciousness” as the symptom:

Analogy: Sun covered by clouds and light is the symptom

3. Two kinds of soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad) – Anu (infinitesimal) and Vibhu (infinite)

4. Difference between consciousness of the soul and the Supreme

Supreme Soul knows past, present and future; individual soul is prone to forgetfulness

6. The relationship between Krishna and Arjuna

Krishna is the fountainhead of the Supersoul and Arjuna is the atomic soul forgetful of his real nature
Therefore Arjuna needs enlightenment by Krishna

7. Who can understand the glories of the soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad)

Only one free from all material desires and lamentations and by the grace of Supreme

8. Similar passage like this verse is found in Katha Upanisad

One word differs i.e. “Vipascit” – learned or ‘with knowledge’

Progress Chapter 1 50%

THEME : Clearly delineates the eternality of the soul

This verse is like quoting sastra to support the opinion of Krishna, because the Katha Upanisad also mentions a similar passage
For the soul there is neither birth nor death
He has not come into being, does not come into being and will not come into being
He is unborn, eternal, ever existing and primeval

Learnings from Purport 2.20

1. Soul as steady vs Body as temporary

Body – undergoes 6 changes like birth, growth, sustenance, by-products, dwindling & death
“Kuta-stha” (Steady) which implies that the soul does not undergo these six changes

2. Practical proof that soul never becomes old – Old man in same spirits as young man

3. Perception of soul by “consciousness” as the symptom:

Analogy: Sun covered by clouds and light is the symptom

3. Two kinds of soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad) – Anu (infinitesimal) and Vibhu (infinite)

4. Difference between consciousness of the soul and the Supreme

Supreme Soul knows past, present and future; individual soul is prone to forgetfulness

6. The relationship between Krishna and Arjuna

Krishna is the fountainhead of the Supersoul and Arjuna is the atomic soul forgetful of his real nature
Therefore Arjuna needs enlightenment by Krishna

7. Who can understand the glories of the soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad)

Only one free from all material desires and lamentations and by the grace of Supreme

8. Similar passage like this verse is found in Katha Upanisad

One word differs i.e. “Vipascit” – learned or ‘with knowledge’

Progress Chapter 1 50%

COMMON THEME (2.19 – 2.21): Krishna reiterates the same points of the body and soul from different angles in these verses.

THEME (2.19) : The soul can neither kill nor is killed.

“Neither he who thinks the living entity to be the slayer, nor he who thinks it slain is in knowledge, for the self slays not, nor is slain”

Learnings from Purport 2.19

1. Living entity is never killed, when the body is hurt by weapons

The soul is too small to be killed by any material weapon
Nor is the living entity killable because of spiritual constitution

2. Immortality of soul – Does not encourage killing of the body – (Refer to Summarized Theme 2D)

Practical application: Immortality of soul does not encourage animal slaughter
Killing of body without authority is abominable

3. What justifies Arjuna’s killing

Arjuna was engaged in killing for the principle of religion and not whimsically

THEME : Clearly delineates the eternality of the soul

This verse is like quoting sastra to support the opinion of Krishna, because the Katha Upanisad also mentions a similar passage
For the soul there is neither birth nor death
He has not come into being, does not come into being and will not come into being
He is unborn, eternal, ever existing and primeval

Learnings from Purport 2.20

1. Soul as steady vs Body as temporary

Body – undergoes 6 changes like birth, growth, sustenance, by-products, dwindling & death
“Kuta-stha” (Steady) which implies that the soul does not undergo these six changes

2. Practical proof that soul never becomes old – Old man in same spirits as young man

3. Perception of soul by “consciousness” as the symptom:

Analogy: Sun covered by clouds and light is the symptom

3. Two kinds of soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad) – Anu (infinitesimal) and Vibhu (infinite)

4. Difference between consciousness of the soul and the Supreme

Supreme Soul knows past, present and future; individual soul is prone to forgetfulness

6. The relationship between Krishna and Arjuna

Krishna is the fountainhead of the Supersoul and Arjuna is the atomic soul forgetful of his real nature
Therefore Arjuna needs enlightenment by Krishna

7. Who can understand the glories of the soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad)

Only one free from all material desires and lamentations and by the grace of Supreme

8. Similar passage like this verse is found in Katha Upanisad

One word differs i.e. “Vipascit” – learned or ‘with knowledge’

Progress Chapter 1 50%

COMMON THEME (2.19 – 2.21): Krishna reiterates the same points of the body and soul from different angles in these verses.

THEME (2.19) : The soul can neither kill nor is killed.

“Neither he who thinks the living entity to be the slayer, nor he who thinks it slain is in knowledge, for the self slays not, nor is slain”

Learnings from Purport 2.19

1. Living entity is never killed, when the body is hurt by weapons

The soul is too small to be killed by any material weapon
Nor is the living entity killable because of spiritual constitution

2. Immortality of soul – Does not encourage killing of the body – (Refer to Summarized Theme 2D)

Practical application: Immortality of soul does not encourage animal slaughter
Killing of body without authority is abominable

3. What justifies Arjuna’s killing

Arjuna was engaged in killing for the principle of religion and not whimsically

THEME : Clearly delineates the eternality of the soul

This verse is like quoting sastra to support the opinion of Krishna, because the Katha Upanisad also mentions a similar passage
For the soul there is neither birth nor death
He has not come into being, does not come into being and will not come into being
He is unborn, eternal, ever existing and primeval

Learnings from Purport 2.20

1. Soul as steady vs Body as temporary

Body – undergoes 6 changes like birth, growth, sustenance, by-products, dwindling & death
“Kuta-stha” (Steady) which implies that the soul does not undergo these six changes

2. Practical proof that soul never becomes old – Old man in same spirits as young man

3. Perception of soul by “consciousness” as the symptom:

Analogy: Sun covered by clouds and light is the symptom

3. Two kinds of soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad) – Anu (infinitesimal) and Vibhu (infinite)

4. Difference between consciousness of the soul and the Supreme

Supreme Soul knows past, present and future; individual soul is prone to forgetfulness

6. The relationship between Krishna and Arjuna

Krishna is the fountainhead of the Supersoul and Arjuna is the atomic soul forgetful of his real nature
Therefore Arjuna needs enlightenment by Krishna

7. Who can understand the glories of the soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad)

Only one free from all material desires and lamentations and by the grace of Supreme

8. Similar passage like this verse is found in Katha Upanisad

One word differs i.e. “Vipascit” – learned or ‘with knowledge’

Progress Chapter 1 50%

Learnings from Purport 2.18

1. Body:

Body is perishable by nature – may perish immediately or after a hundred years
Basis of acquiring material bodies
o One acquires body according to one’s work
o Practical application: Observance of religious principles should to utilized to elevate because one acquires the body according to one’s work

2. Soul:

Soul as indestructible – The soul is too minute to be seen by the enemy what to speak of being killed.
Soul as immeasurable – It is too small to be measured.

3. How does this verse help Arjuna to overcome lamentation and material compassion

Because the living entity cannot be killed
Nor can the material body be saved for any length of time

4. The Spirit soul is important, not the body because

As soon as the spirit soul is out of the body, the body begins to decompose
Ref. Vedanta Sutra: Analogy – The living entity is qualified as light, because of being the part and parcel of the Supreme light.

5. Practical application for Arjuna based on this verse:

He is advised to fight
Not sacrifice the cause of religion for material, bodily considerations

COMMON THEME (2.19 – 2.21): Krishna reiterates the same points of the body and soul from different angles in these verses.

THEME (2.19) : The soul can neither kill nor is killed.

“Neither he who thinks the living entity to be the slayer, nor he who thinks it slain is in knowledge, for the self slays not, nor is slain”

Learnings from Purport 2.19

1. Living entity is never killed, when the body is hurt by weapons

The soul is too small to be killed by any material weapon
Nor is the living entity killable because of spiritual constitution

2. Immortality of soul – Does not encourage killing of the body – (Refer to Summarized Theme 2D)

Practical application: Immortality of soul does not encourage animal slaughter
Killing of body without authority is abominable

3. What justifies Arjuna’s killing

Arjuna was engaged in killing for the principle of religion and not whimsically

THEME : Clearly delineates the eternality of the soul

This verse is like quoting sastra to support the opinion of Krishna, because the Katha Upanisad also mentions a similar passage
For the soul there is neither birth nor death
He has not come into being, does not come into being and will not come into being
He is unborn, eternal, ever existing and primeval

Learnings from Purport 2.20

1. Soul as steady vs Body as temporary

Body – undergoes 6 changes like birth, growth, sustenance, by-products, dwindling & death
“Kuta-stha” (Steady) which implies that the soul does not undergo these six changes

2. Practical proof that soul never becomes old – Old man in same spirits as young man

3. Perception of soul by “consciousness” as the symptom:

Analogy: Sun covered by clouds and light is the symptom

3. Two kinds of soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad) – Anu (infinitesimal) and Vibhu (infinite)

4. Difference between consciousness of the soul and the Supreme

Supreme Soul knows past, present and future; individual soul is prone to forgetfulness

6. The relationship between Krishna and Arjuna

Krishna is the fountainhead of the Supersoul and Arjuna is the atomic soul forgetful of his real nature
Therefore Arjuna needs enlightenment by Krishna

7. Who can understand the glories of the soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad)

Only one free from all material desires and lamentations and by the grace of Supreme

8. Similar passage like this verse is found in Katha Upanisad

One word differs i.e. “Vipascit” – learned or ‘with knowledge’

Progress Chapter 1 50%

Learnings from Purport 2.18

1. Body:

Body is perishable by nature – may perish immediately or after a hundred years
Basis of acquiring material bodies
o One acquires body according to one’s work
o Practical application: Observance of religious principles should to utilized to elevate because one acquires the body according to one’s work

2. Soul:

Soul as indestructible – The soul is too minute to be seen by the enemy what to speak of being killed.
Soul as immeasurable – It is too small to be measured.

3. How does this verse help Arjuna to overcome lamentation and material compassion

Because the living entity cannot be killed
Nor can the material body be saved for any length of time

4. The Spirit soul is important, not the body because

As soon as the spirit soul is out of the body, the body begins to decompose
Ref. Vedanta Sutra: Analogy – The living entity is qualified as light, because of being the part and parcel of the Supreme light.

5. Practical application for Arjuna based on this verse:

He is advised to fight
Not sacrifice the cause of religion for material, bodily considerations

COMMON THEME (2.19 – 2.21): Krishna reiterates the same points of the body and soul from different angles in these verses.

THEME (2.19) : The soul can neither kill nor is killed.

“Neither he who thinks the living entity to be the slayer, nor he who thinks it slain is in knowledge, for the self slays not, nor is slain”

Learnings from Purport 2.19

1. Living entity is never killed, when the body is hurt by weapons

The soul is too small to be killed by any material weapon
Nor is the living entity killable because of spiritual constitution

2. Immortality of soul – Does not encourage killing of the body – (Refer to Summarized Theme 2D)

Practical application: Immortality of soul does not encourage animal slaughter
Killing of body without authority is abominable

3. What justifies Arjuna’s killing

Arjuna was engaged in killing for the principle of religion and not whimsically

THEME : Clearly delineates the eternality of the soul

This verse is like quoting sastra to support the opinion of Krishna, because the Katha Upanisad also mentions a similar passage
For the soul there is neither birth nor death
He has not come into being, does not come into being and will not come into being
He is unborn, eternal, ever existing and primeval

Learnings from Purport 2.20

1. Soul as steady vs Body as temporary

Body – undergoes 6 changes like birth, growth, sustenance, by-products, dwindling & death
“Kuta-stha” (Steady) which implies that the soul does not undergo these six changes

2. Practical proof that soul never becomes old – Old man in same spirits as young man

3. Perception of soul by “consciousness” as the symptom:

Analogy: Sun covered by clouds and light is the symptom

3. Two kinds of soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad) – Anu (infinitesimal) and Vibhu (infinite)

4. Difference between consciousness of the soul and the Supreme

Supreme Soul knows past, present and future; individual soul is prone to forgetfulness

6. The relationship between Krishna and Arjuna

Krishna is the fountainhead of the Supersoul and Arjuna is the atomic soul forgetful of his real nature
Therefore Arjuna needs enlightenment by Krishna

7. Who can understand the glories of the soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad)

Only one free from all material desires and lamentations and by the grace of Supreme

8. Similar passage like this verse is found in Katha Upanisad

One word differs i.e. “Vipascit” – learned or ‘with knowledge’

Progress Chapter 1 50%

SUMMARISED THEME 2C

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SOUL (2.17 – 2.25)

Part and parcel of the Supreme

and does not take birth

and therefore never dies

It is too small to be measured by any material means

Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad – 1/10,000th tip of a hair (2.17 purport)

Soul is steady (2.20) – does not undergo six changes like the body
Immutable – (2.21 & 2.25)
o Never changes like matter – Unlike body which goes through six changes (2.25 purport)
o Never become God – Soul always remains atomic to Infinite Supreme (2.25 purport)
Cannot be cut, burnt, dried or wet (2.23)
Immovable, unchangeable, everlasting and eternally the same (2.24)

Situated in the region of the heart (2.17 & 2.22 & Mundaka Upanishad)
Present everywhere (Sarva-Gata) (2.24) – Living entities are also present in sun & fire

Soul is invisible and inconceivable (2.25) – No human experiements can conceive the soul
Symptom of the soul– Soul is perceived by ‘individual consciousness’ (2.17 purport)
The only proof for the soul– Vedic scriptures – Sruti (2.25 purport)

Pervades entire body (Mundaka Upanishad)

Analogy: Like sun pervades entire universe and maintains, similarly light of soul maintains the material body
Analogy: Active principle of medicine spreads all over the body

Soul is surrounded by 5 kinds of life airs. Hatha Yoga – helps in liberation

COMMON THEME (2.17 – 2.18): The soul cannot be killed and the body cannot be saved from death.

Therefore Arjuna should not refrain from the necessity of war
This implies that the Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill

Learnings from Purport 2.17

1. Essence of purport – This verse more clearly explains “the nature of the soul”

2. Symptom of the soul – “Individual consciousness”

This consciousness is spread all over the body e.g. one can experience the pain and pleasures of the body.
Each and everybody is the embodiment of an individual soul, one cannot perceive the pains and pleasures of another’s body.

3. Size of the soul – Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad

It is one ten-thousandth (1/10,000th) of the tip of the hair
This is a spiritual atom smaller than the material atom
This spark is the basic principle of the material body

4. Ref. Mundaka Upanisad 3.1.9 – Explains the measurement of the atomic spirit soul

Size – The soul is atomic in size and can be perceived by perfect intelligence
Life airs – Atomic soul is floating in five kinds of airs (prana, apana, vyana, samana, udana)
Position – The soul is situated within the heart and spreads its influence all over the body
o Opinion of scientists – Because the measurement of the atomic soul is beyond their power of appreciation, they foolishly assert that there is no soul
Purification of soul – When the soul is purified from the contamination of the five kinds of material airs, it’s spiritual influence is exhibited.

5. Influence of soul all over the body

Material body minus consciousness equals a dead body
Two analogies to explain this:
o Active principle of medicine spreads all over the body, similarly the current of the spirit soul is felt all over the body as consciousness.
o Like the sun pervades the entire universe and maintains it, similarly the light of soul maintains the material body.
Conclusion – Consciousness is not due to any amount of material combination and cannot be revived by any material administration.

6. ‘Vedic science’ vs ‘Modern science’ on the soul – The heart is the seat of all energies of the body

Vedic science
o Individual soul is present in the heart along with the Supersoul, and therefore all energies of the body are emanating from the heart.
Modern science
o It accepts the important of red corpuscles and the heart as the seat of all energies
o But it cannot ascertain that the source of energy is the soul

7. Never mistake atomic soul to be all-pervading Vishnu-tattva

Constitution of atomic soul is admitted in all Vedic literatures and is also felt in the practical experience of any sane man.
Only an insane man can think of the atomic soul as all-pervading Vishnu-tattva.

Learnings from Purport 2.18

1. Body:

Body is perishable by nature – may perish immediately or after a hundred years
Basis of acquiring material bodies
o One acquires body according to one’s work
o Practical application: Observance of religious principles should to utilized to elevate because one acquires the body according to one’s work

2. Soul:

Soul as indestructible – The soul is too minute to be seen by the enemy what to speak of being killed.
Soul as immeasurable – It is too small to be measured.

3. How does this verse help Arjuna to overcome lamentation and material compassion

Because the living entity cannot be killed
Nor can the material body be saved for any length of time

4. The Spirit soul is important, not the body because

As soon as the spirit soul is out of the body, the body begins to decompose
Ref. Vedanta Sutra: Analogy – The living entity is qualified as light, because of being the part and parcel of the Supreme light.

5. Practical application for Arjuna based on this verse:

He is advised to fight
Not sacrifice the cause of religion for material, bodily considerations

COMMON THEME (2.19 – 2.21): Krishna reiterates the same points of the body and soul from different angles in these verses.

THEME (2.19) : The soul can neither kill nor is killed.

“Neither he who thinks the living entity to be the slayer, nor he who thinks it slain is in knowledge, for the self slays not, nor is slain”

Learnings from Purport 2.19

1. Living entity is never killed, when the body is hurt by weapons

The soul is too small to be killed by any material weapon
Nor is the living entity killable because of spiritual constitution

2. Immortality of soul – Does not encourage killing of the body – (Refer to Summarized Theme 2D)

Practical application: Immortality of soul does not encourage animal slaughter
Killing of body without authority is abominable

3. What justifies Arjuna’s killing

Arjuna was engaged in killing for the principle of religion and not whimsically

THEME : Clearly delineates the eternality of the soul

This verse is like quoting sastra to support the opinion of Krishna, because the Katha Upanisad also mentions a similar passage
For the soul there is neither birth nor death
He has not come into being, does not come into being and will not come into being
He is unborn, eternal, ever existing and primeval

Learnings from Purport 2.20

1. Soul as steady vs Body as temporary

Body – undergoes 6 changes like birth, growth, sustenance, by-products, dwindling & death
“Kuta-stha” (Steady) which implies that the soul does not undergo these six changes

2. Practical proof that soul never becomes old – Old man in same spirits as young man

3. Perception of soul by “consciousness” as the symptom:

Analogy: Sun covered by clouds and light is the symptom

3. Two kinds of soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad) – Anu (infinitesimal) and Vibhu (infinite)

4. Difference between consciousness of the soul and the Supreme

Supreme Soul knows past, present and future; individual soul is prone to forgetfulness

6. The relationship between Krishna and Arjuna

Krishna is the fountainhead of the Supersoul and Arjuna is the atomic soul forgetful of his real nature
Therefore Arjuna needs enlightenment by Krishna

7. Who can understand the glories of the soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad)

Only one free from all material desires and lamentations and by the grace of Supreme

8. Similar passage like this verse is found in Katha Upanisad

One word differs i.e. “Vipascit” – learned or ‘with knowledge’

Progress Chapter 1 50%

SUMMARISED THEME 2C

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SOUL (2.17 – 2.25)

Part and parcel of the Supreme

and does not take birth

and therefore never dies

It is too small to be measured by any material means

Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad – 1/10,000th tip of a hair (2.17 purport)

Soul is steady (2.20) – does not undergo six changes like the body
Immutable – (2.21 & 2.25)
o Never changes like matter – Unlike body which goes through six changes (2.25 purport)
o Never become God – Soul always remains atomic to Infinite Supreme (2.25 purport)
Cannot be cut, burnt, dried or wet (2.23)
Immovable, unchangeable, everlasting and eternally the same (2.24)

Situated in the region of the heart (2.17 & 2.22 & Mundaka Upanishad)
Present everywhere (Sarva-Gata) (2.24) – Living entities are also present in sun & fire

Soul is invisible and inconceivable (2.25) – No human experiements can conceive the soul
Symptom of the soul– Soul is perceived by ‘individual consciousness’ (2.17 purport)
The only proof for the soul– Vedic scriptures – Sruti (2.25 purport)

Pervades entire body (Mundaka Upanishad)

Analogy: Like sun pervades entire universe and maintains, similarly light of soul maintains the material body
Analogy: Active principle of medicine spreads all over the body

Soul is surrounded by 5 kinds of life airs. Hatha Yoga – helps in liberation

COMMON THEME (2.17 – 2.18): The soul cannot be killed and the body cannot be saved from death.

Therefore Arjuna should not refrain from the necessity of war
This implies that the Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill

Learnings from Purport 2.17

1. Essence of purport – This verse more clearly explains “the nature of the soul”

2. Symptom of the soul – “Individual consciousness”

This consciousness is spread all over the body e.g. one can experience the pain and pleasures of the body.
Each and everybody is the embodiment of an individual soul, one cannot perceive the pains and pleasures of another’s body.

3. Size of the soul – Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad

It is one ten-thousandth (1/10,000th) of the tip of the hair
This is a spiritual atom smaller than the material atom
This spark is the basic principle of the material body

4. Ref. Mundaka Upanisad 3.1.9 – Explains the measurement of the atomic spirit soul

Size – The soul is atomic in size and can be perceived by perfect intelligence
Life airs – Atomic soul is floating in five kinds of airs (prana, apana, vyana, samana, udana)
Position – The soul is situated within the heart and spreads its influence all over the body
o Opinion of scientists – Because the measurement of the atomic soul is beyond their power of appreciation, they foolishly assert that there is no soul
Purification of soul – When the soul is purified from the contamination of the five kinds of material airs, it’s spiritual influence is exhibited.

5. Influence of soul all over the body

Material body minus consciousness equals a dead body
Two analogies to explain this:
o Active principle of medicine spreads all over the body, similarly the current of the spirit soul is felt all over the body as consciousness.
o Like the sun pervades the entire universe and maintains it, similarly the light of soul maintains the material body.
Conclusion – Consciousness is not due to any amount of material combination and cannot be revived by any material administration.

6. ‘Vedic science’ vs ‘Modern science’ on the soul – The heart is the seat of all energies of the body

Vedic science
o Individual soul is present in the heart along with the Supersoul, and therefore all energies of the body are emanating from the heart.
Modern science
o It accepts the important of red corpuscles and the heart as the seat of all energies
o But it cannot ascertain that the source of energy is the soul

7. Never mistake atomic soul to be all-pervading Vishnu-tattva

Constitution of atomic soul is admitted in all Vedic literatures and is also felt in the practical experience of any sane man.
Only an insane man can think of the atomic soul as all-pervading Vishnu-tattva.

Learnings from Purport 2.18

1. Body:

Body is perishable by nature – may perish immediately or after a hundred years
Basis of acquiring material bodies
o One acquires body according to one’s work
o Practical application: Observance of religious principles should to utilized to elevate because one acquires the body according to one’s work

2. Soul:

Soul as indestructible – The soul is too minute to be seen by the enemy what to speak of being killed.
Soul as immeasurable – It is too small to be measured.

3. How does this verse help Arjuna to overcome lamentation and material compassion

Because the living entity cannot be killed
Nor can the material body be saved for any length of time

4. The Spirit soul is important, not the body because

As soon as the spirit soul is out of the body, the body begins to decompose
Ref. Vedanta Sutra: Analogy – The living entity is qualified as light, because of being the part and parcel of the Supreme light.

5. Practical application for Arjuna based on this verse:

He is advised to fight
Not sacrifice the cause of religion for material, bodily considerations

COMMON THEME (2.19 – 2.21): Krishna reiterates the same points of the body and soul from different angles in these verses.

THEME (2.19) : The soul can neither kill nor is killed.

“Neither he who thinks the living entity to be the slayer, nor he who thinks it slain is in knowledge, for the self slays not, nor is slain”

Learnings from Purport 2.19

1. Living entity is never killed, when the body is hurt by weapons

The soul is too small to be killed by any material weapon
Nor is the living entity killable because of spiritual constitution

2. Immortality of soul – Does not encourage killing of the body – (Refer to Summarized Theme 2D)

Practical application: Immortality of soul does not encourage animal slaughter
Killing of body without authority is abominable

3. What justifies Arjuna’s killing

Arjuna was engaged in killing for the principle of religion and not whimsically

THEME : Clearly delineates the eternality of the soul

This verse is like quoting sastra to support the opinion of Krishna, because the Katha Upanisad also mentions a similar passage
For the soul there is neither birth nor death
He has not come into being, does not come into being and will not come into being
He is unborn, eternal, ever existing and primeval

Learnings from Purport 2.20

1. Soul as steady vs Body as temporary

Body – undergoes 6 changes like birth, growth, sustenance, by-products, dwindling & death
“Kuta-stha” (Steady) which implies that the soul does not undergo these six changes

2. Practical proof that soul never becomes old – Old man in same spirits as young man

3. Perception of soul by “consciousness” as the symptom:

Analogy: Sun covered by clouds and light is the symptom

3. Two kinds of soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad) – Anu (infinitesimal) and Vibhu (infinite)

4. Difference between consciousness of the soul and the Supreme

Supreme Soul knows past, present and future; individual soul is prone to forgetfulness

6. The relationship between Krishna and Arjuna

Krishna is the fountainhead of the Supersoul and Arjuna is the atomic soul forgetful of his real nature
Therefore Arjuna needs enlightenment by Krishna

7. Who can understand the glories of the soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad)

Only one free from all material desires and lamentations and by the grace of Supreme

8. Similar passage like this verse is found in Katha Upanisad

One word differs i.e. “Vipascit” – learned or ‘with knowledge’

Progress Chapter 1 50%

SUMMARISED THEME 2B

VISION OF SEERS OF TRUTH (2.16 – 2.25)

No death for soul and no endurance for the body. This implies Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill

It is done under Krishna’s direction
And with knowledge of soul and body

THEME : This verse gives the vision of “seers of truth” – It is the beginning of instruction by the Lord to the living entities who are bewildered by influence of ignorance.

Of the non-existent (material body) there is no endurance
Of the eternal (the soul) there is no change

Learnings from Purport 2.16

1. Difference between matter (body) and spirit

Body – Modern science admits that the body is changing at every moment
Spirit – Spirit soul exists permanently despite all changes of body and mind
All opinions agree – This conclusion is established by all classes of seers of truth – both Impersonalists and personalists.
Supporting Reference – Ref. Vishnu Purana – “Vishnu and His abodes all have selfilluminated spiritual existences”. The words existent and non-existent refer only to spirit and matter.

2. Influence of ignorance – Living entities are bewildered and identify themselves with the body or mind. Two kinds of ignorance/misgivings are:

Identifying with matter
Identifying oneself as God

3. Removal of ignorance – It involves:

Re-establish relationship – Re-establishment of the eternal relationship of the worshiper and worshipable.
Correct understanding of duality – Consequent understanding of the difference between the part and parcel living entities and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

4. Understanding the nature of the Supreme

One can understand by through study of oneself, the difference between oneself and the Supreme being understood as the relationship between the part and the whole.
Supreme has been accepted as the source of all emanations in the Vedanta sutras and the Srimad Bhagavatam
o Living entities belong to the superior nature (Ref. Bg. 7.5).
o Although there is a difference between energy and energetic, the energetic is accepted as the Supreme and energy or nature is accepted as the subordinate.
o This implies the living entities are always subordinate, just like ‘master and servant’, or ‘teacher and taught’.

5. Purpose of Bhagavad-gita

To drive away all ignorance (Refer to second point of this purport)
Enlightenment of all living entities for all time to come

SUMMARISED THEME 2C

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SOUL (2.17 – 2.25)

Part and parcel of the Supreme

and does not take birth

and therefore never dies

It is too small to be measured by any material means

Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad – 1/10,000th tip of a hair (2.17 purport)

Soul is steady (2.20) – does not undergo six changes like the body
Immutable – (2.21 & 2.25)
o Never changes like matter – Unlike body which goes through six changes (2.25 purport)
o Never become God – Soul always remains atomic to Infinite Supreme (2.25 purport)
Cannot be cut, burnt, dried or wet (2.23)
Immovable, unchangeable, everlasting and eternally the same (2.24)

Situated in the region of the heart (2.17 & 2.22 & Mundaka Upanishad)
Present everywhere (Sarva-Gata) (2.24) – Living entities are also present in sun & fire

Soul is invisible and inconceivable (2.25) – No human experiements can conceive the soul
Symptom of the soul– Soul is perceived by ‘individual consciousness’ (2.17 purport)
The only proof for the soul– Vedic scriptures – Sruti (2.25 purport)

Pervades entire body (Mundaka Upanishad)

Analogy: Like sun pervades entire universe and maintains, similarly light of soul maintains the material body
Analogy: Active principle of medicine spreads all over the body

Soul is surrounded by 5 kinds of life airs. Hatha Yoga – helps in liberation

COMMON THEME (2.17 – 2.18): The soul cannot be killed and the body cannot be saved from death.

Therefore Arjuna should not refrain from the necessity of war
This implies that the Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill

Learnings from Purport 2.17

1. Essence of purport – This verse more clearly explains “the nature of the soul”

2. Symptom of the soul – “Individual consciousness”

This consciousness is spread all over the body e.g. one can experience the pain and pleasures of the body.
Each and everybody is the embodiment of an individual soul, one cannot perceive the pains and pleasures of another’s body.

3. Size of the soul – Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad

It is one ten-thousandth (1/10,000th) of the tip of the hair
This is a spiritual atom smaller than the material atom
This spark is the basic principle of the material body

4. Ref. Mundaka Upanisad 3.1.9 – Explains the measurement of the atomic spirit soul

Size – The soul is atomic in size and can be perceived by perfect intelligence
Life airs – Atomic soul is floating in five kinds of airs (prana, apana, vyana, samana, udana)
Position – The soul is situated within the heart and spreads its influence all over the body
o Opinion of scientists – Because the measurement of the atomic soul is beyond their power of appreciation, they foolishly assert that there is no soul
Purification of soul – When the soul is purified from the contamination of the five kinds of material airs, it’s spiritual influence is exhibited.

5. Influence of soul all over the body

Material body minus consciousness equals a dead body
Two analogies to explain this:
o Active principle of medicine spreads all over the body, similarly the current of the spirit soul is felt all over the body as consciousness.
o Like the sun pervades the entire universe and maintains it, similarly the light of soul maintains the material body.
Conclusion – Consciousness is not due to any amount of material combination and cannot be revived by any material administration.

6. ‘Vedic science’ vs ‘Modern science’ on the soul – The heart is the seat of all energies of the body

Vedic science
o Individual soul is present in the heart along with the Supersoul, and therefore all energies of the body are emanating from the heart.
Modern science
o It accepts the important of red corpuscles and the heart as the seat of all energies
o But it cannot ascertain that the source of energy is the soul

7. Never mistake atomic soul to be all-pervading Vishnu-tattva

Constitution of atomic soul is admitted in all Vedic literatures and is also felt in the practical experience of any sane man.
Only an insane man can think of the atomic soul as all-pervading Vishnu-tattva.

Learnings from Purport 2.18

1. Body:

Body is perishable by nature – may perish immediately or after a hundred years
Basis of acquiring material bodies
o One acquires body according to one’s work
o Practical application: Observance of religious principles should to utilized to elevate because one acquires the body according to one’s work

2. Soul:

Soul as indestructible – The soul is too minute to be seen by the enemy what to speak of being killed.
Soul as immeasurable – It is too small to be measured.

3. How does this verse help Arjuna to overcome lamentation and material compassion

Because the living entity cannot be killed
Nor can the material body be saved for any length of time

4. The Spirit soul is important, not the body because

As soon as the spirit soul is out of the body, the body begins to decompose
Ref. Vedanta Sutra: Analogy – The living entity is qualified as light, because of being the part and parcel of the Supreme light.

5. Practical application for Arjuna based on this verse:

He is advised to fight
Not sacrifice the cause of religion for material, bodily considerations

COMMON THEME (2.19 – 2.21): Krishna reiterates the same points of the body and soul from different angles in these verses.

THEME (2.19) : The soul can neither kill nor is killed.

“Neither he who thinks the living entity to be the slayer, nor he who thinks it slain is in knowledge, for the self slays not, nor is slain”

Learnings from Purport 2.19

1. Living entity is never killed, when the body is hurt by weapons

The soul is too small to be killed by any material weapon
Nor is the living entity killable because of spiritual constitution

2. Immortality of soul – Does not encourage killing of the body – (Refer to Summarized Theme 2D)

Practical application: Immortality of soul does not encourage animal slaughter
Killing of body without authority is abominable

3. What justifies Arjuna’s killing

Arjuna was engaged in killing for the principle of religion and not whimsically

THEME : Clearly delineates the eternality of the soul

This verse is like quoting sastra to support the opinion of Krishna, because the Katha Upanisad also mentions a similar passage
For the soul there is neither birth nor death
He has not come into being, does not come into being and will not come into being
He is unborn, eternal, ever existing and primeval

Learnings from Purport 2.20

1. Soul as steady vs Body as temporary

Body – undergoes 6 changes like birth, growth, sustenance, by-products, dwindling & death
“Kuta-stha” (Steady) which implies that the soul does not undergo these six changes

2. Practical proof that soul never becomes old – Old man in same spirits as young man

3. Perception of soul by “consciousness” as the symptom:

Analogy: Sun covered by clouds and light is the symptom

3. Two kinds of soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad) – Anu (infinitesimal) and Vibhu (infinite)

4. Difference between consciousness of the soul and the Supreme

Supreme Soul knows past, present and future; individual soul is prone to forgetfulness

6. The relationship between Krishna and Arjuna

Krishna is the fountainhead of the Supersoul and Arjuna is the atomic soul forgetful of his real nature
Therefore Arjuna needs enlightenment by Krishna

7. Who can understand the glories of the soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad)

Only one free from all material desires and lamentations and by the grace of Supreme

8. Similar passage like this verse is found in Katha Upanisad

One word differs i.e. “Vipascit” – learned or ‘with knowledge’

Progress Chapter 1 50%

SUMMARISED THEME 2B

VISION OF SEERS OF TRUTH (2.16 – 2.25)

No death for soul and no endurance for the body. This implies Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill

It is done under Krishna’s direction
And with knowledge of soul and body

THEME : This verse gives the vision of “seers of truth” – It is the beginning of instruction by the Lord to the living entities who are bewildered by influence of ignorance.

Of the non-existent (material body) there is no endurance
Of the eternal (the soul) there is no change

Learnings from Purport 2.16

1. Difference between matter (body) and spirit

Body – Modern science admits that the body is changing at every moment
Spirit – Spirit soul exists permanently despite all changes of body and mind
All opinions agree – This conclusion is established by all classes of seers of truth – both Impersonalists and personalists.
Supporting Reference – Ref. Vishnu Purana – “Vishnu and His abodes all have selfilluminated spiritual existences”. The words existent and non-existent refer only to spirit and matter.

2. Influence of ignorance – Living entities are bewildered and identify themselves with the body or mind. Two kinds of ignorance/misgivings are:

Identifying with matter
Identifying oneself as God

3. Removal of ignorance – It involves:

Re-establish relationship – Re-establishment of the eternal relationship of the worshiper and worshipable.
Correct understanding of duality – Consequent understanding of the difference between the part and parcel living entities and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

4. Understanding the nature of the Supreme

One can understand by through study of oneself, the difference between oneself and the Supreme being understood as the relationship between the part and the whole.
Supreme has been accepted as the source of all emanations in the Vedanta sutras and the Srimad Bhagavatam
o Living entities belong to the superior nature (Ref. Bg. 7.5).
o Although there is a difference between energy and energetic, the energetic is accepted as the Supreme and energy or nature is accepted as the subordinate.
o This implies the living entities are always subordinate, just like ‘master and servant’, or ‘teacher and taught’.

5. Purpose of Bhagavad-gita

To drive away all ignorance (Refer to second point of this purport)
Enlightenment of all living entities for all time to come

SUMMARISED THEME 2C

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SOUL (2.17 – 2.25)

Part and parcel of the Supreme

and does not take birth

and therefore never dies

It is too small to be measured by any material means

Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad – 1/10,000th tip of a hair (2.17 purport)

Soul is steady (2.20) – does not undergo six changes like the body
Immutable – (2.21 & 2.25)
o Never changes like matter – Unlike body which goes through six changes (2.25 purport)
o Never become God – Soul always remains atomic to Infinite Supreme (2.25 purport)
Cannot be cut, burnt, dried or wet (2.23)
Immovable, unchangeable, everlasting and eternally the same (2.24)

Situated in the region of the heart (2.17 & 2.22 & Mundaka Upanishad)
Present everywhere (Sarva-Gata) (2.24) – Living entities are also present in sun & fire

Soul is invisible and inconceivable (2.25) – No human experiements can conceive the soul
Symptom of the soul– Soul is perceived by ‘individual consciousness’ (2.17 purport)
The only proof for the soul– Vedic scriptures – Sruti (2.25 purport)

Pervades entire body (Mundaka Upanishad)

Analogy: Like sun pervades entire universe and maintains, similarly light of soul maintains the material body
Analogy: Active principle of medicine spreads all over the body

Soul is surrounded by 5 kinds of life airs. Hatha Yoga – helps in liberation

COMMON THEME (2.17 – 2.18): The soul cannot be killed and the body cannot be saved from death.

Therefore Arjuna should not refrain from the necessity of war
This implies that the Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill

Learnings from Purport 2.17

1. Essence of purport – This verse more clearly explains “the nature of the soul”

2. Symptom of the soul – “Individual consciousness”

This consciousness is spread all over the body e.g. one can experience the pain and pleasures of the body.
Each and everybody is the embodiment of an individual soul, one cannot perceive the pains and pleasures of another’s body.

3. Size of the soul – Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad

It is one ten-thousandth (1/10,000th) of the tip of the hair
This is a spiritual atom smaller than the material atom
This spark is the basic principle of the material body

4. Ref. Mundaka Upanisad 3.1.9 – Explains the measurement of the atomic spirit soul

Size – The soul is atomic in size and can be perceived by perfect intelligence
Life airs – Atomic soul is floating in five kinds of airs (prana, apana, vyana, samana, udana)
Position – The soul is situated within the heart and spreads its influence all over the body
o Opinion of scientists – Because the measurement of the atomic soul is beyond their power of appreciation, they foolishly assert that there is no soul
Purification of soul – When the soul is purified from the contamination of the five kinds of material airs, it’s spiritual influence is exhibited.

5. Influence of soul all over the body

Material body minus consciousness equals a dead body
Two analogies to explain this:
o Active principle of medicine spreads all over the body, similarly the current of the spirit soul is felt all over the body as consciousness.
o Like the sun pervades the entire universe and maintains it, similarly the light of soul maintains the material body.
Conclusion – Consciousness is not due to any amount of material combination and cannot be revived by any material administration.

6. ‘Vedic science’ vs ‘Modern science’ on the soul – The heart is the seat of all energies of the body

Vedic science
o Individual soul is present in the heart along with the Supersoul, and therefore all energies of the body are emanating from the heart.
Modern science
o It accepts the important of red corpuscles and the heart as the seat of all energies
o But it cannot ascertain that the source of energy is the soul

7. Never mistake atomic soul to be all-pervading Vishnu-tattva

Constitution of atomic soul is admitted in all Vedic literatures and is also felt in the practical experience of any sane man.
Only an insane man can think of the atomic soul as all-pervading Vishnu-tattva.

Learnings from Purport 2.18

1. Body:

Body is perishable by nature – may perish immediately or after a hundred years
Basis of acquiring material bodies
o One acquires body according to one’s work
o Practical application: Observance of religious principles should to utilized to elevate because one acquires the body according to one’s work

2. Soul:

Soul as indestructible – The soul is too minute to be seen by the enemy what to speak of being killed.
Soul as immeasurable – It is too small to be measured.

3. How does this verse help Arjuna to overcome lamentation and material compassion

Because the living entity cannot be killed
Nor can the material body be saved for any length of time

4. The Spirit soul is important, not the body because

As soon as the spirit soul is out of the body, the body begins to decompose
Ref. Vedanta Sutra: Analogy – The living entity is qualified as light, because of being the part and parcel of the Supreme light.

5. Practical application for Arjuna based on this verse:

He is advised to fight
Not sacrifice the cause of religion for material, bodily considerations

COMMON THEME (2.19 – 2.21): Krishna reiterates the same points of the body and soul from different angles in these verses.

THEME (2.19) : The soul can neither kill nor is killed.

“Neither he who thinks the living entity to be the slayer, nor he who thinks it slain is in knowledge, for the self slays not, nor is slain”

Learnings from Purport 2.19

1. Living entity is never killed, when the body is hurt by weapons

The soul is too small to be killed by any material weapon
Nor is the living entity killable because of spiritual constitution

2. Immortality of soul – Does not encourage killing of the body – (Refer to Summarized Theme 2D)

Practical application: Immortality of soul does not encourage animal slaughter
Killing of body without authority is abominable

3. What justifies Arjuna’s killing

Arjuna was engaged in killing for the principle of religion and not whimsically

THEME : Clearly delineates the eternality of the soul

This verse is like quoting sastra to support the opinion of Krishna, because the Katha Upanisad also mentions a similar passage
For the soul there is neither birth nor death
He has not come into being, does not come into being and will not come into being
He is unborn, eternal, ever existing and primeval

Learnings from Purport 2.20

1. Soul as steady vs Body as temporary

Body – undergoes 6 changes like birth, growth, sustenance, by-products, dwindling & death
“Kuta-stha” (Steady) which implies that the soul does not undergo these six changes

2. Practical proof that soul never becomes old – Old man in same spirits as young man

3. Perception of soul by “consciousness” as the symptom:

Analogy: Sun covered by clouds and light is the symptom

3. Two kinds of soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad) – Anu (infinitesimal) and Vibhu (infinite)

4. Difference between consciousness of the soul and the Supreme

Supreme Soul knows past, present and future; individual soul is prone to forgetfulness

6. The relationship between Krishna and Arjuna

Krishna is the fountainhead of the Supersoul and Arjuna is the atomic soul forgetful of his real nature
Therefore Arjuna needs enlightenment by Krishna

7. Who can understand the glories of the soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad)

Only one free from all material desires and lamentations and by the grace of Supreme

8. Similar passage like this verse is found in Katha Upanisad

One word differs i.e. “Vipascit” – learned or ‘with knowledge’

Progress Chapter 1 50%

1. Importance of ‘Kaunteya’ and ‘Bharata’ – Great heritage brings great responsibility in the matter of proper discharge of duties

THEME : Focus on the higher goal of liberation and overcome dualities of happiness and distress

Learnings from Purport 2.15

1. Eligibility for liberation from material bondage

Steady in prescribed duties – Anyone who is steady in his determination for the advanced stage of spiritual realisation
Tolerates – One who can equally tolerate the onslaughts of distress and happiness

2. Examples of Tolerance for the purpose of a higher goal

First example: Renounced order of life – Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu renounces wife and mother, at an early age for the preaching mission.
o Sannyasa is a painstaking situation but one who is serious, surely adopts this order in spite of all difficulties (difficulties usually arise from having to sever family relations).
Second example: Arjuna is also advised to persevere his duties even at the cost of fighting with ‘family members’ .

SUMMARISED THEME 2B

VISION OF SEERS OF TRUTH (2.16 – 2.25)

No death for soul and no endurance for the body. This implies Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill

It is done under Krishna’s direction
And with knowledge of soul and body

THEME : This verse gives the vision of “seers of truth” – It is the beginning of instruction by the Lord to the living entities who are bewildered by influence of ignorance.

Of the non-existent (material body) there is no endurance
Of the eternal (the soul) there is no change

Learnings from Purport 2.16

1. Difference between matter (body) and spirit

Body – Modern science admits that the body is changing at every moment
Spirit – Spirit soul exists permanently despite all changes of body and mind
All opinions agree – This conclusion is established by all classes of seers of truth – both Impersonalists and personalists.
Supporting Reference – Ref. Vishnu Purana – “Vishnu and His abodes all have selfilluminated spiritual existences”. The words existent and non-existent refer only to spirit and matter.

2. Influence of ignorance – Living entities are bewildered and identify themselves with the body or mind. Two kinds of ignorance/misgivings are:

Identifying with matter
Identifying oneself as God

3. Removal of ignorance – It involves:

Re-establish relationship – Re-establishment of the eternal relationship of the worshiper and worshipable.
Correct understanding of duality – Consequent understanding of the difference between the part and parcel living entities and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

4. Understanding the nature of the Supreme

One can understand by through study of oneself, the difference between oneself and the Supreme being understood as the relationship between the part and the whole.
Supreme has been accepted as the source of all emanations in the Vedanta sutras and the Srimad Bhagavatam
o Living entities belong to the superior nature (Ref. Bg. 7.5).
o Although there is a difference between energy and energetic, the energetic is accepted as the Supreme and energy or nature is accepted as the subordinate.
o This implies the living entities are always subordinate, just like ‘master and servant’, or ‘teacher and taught’.

5. Purpose of Bhagavad-gita

To drive away all ignorance (Refer to second point of this purport)
Enlightenment of all living entities for all time to come

SUMMARISED THEME 2C

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SOUL (2.17 – 2.25)

Part and parcel of the Supreme

and does not take birth

and therefore never dies

It is too small to be measured by any material means

Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad – 1/10,000th tip of a hair (2.17 purport)

Soul is steady (2.20) – does not undergo six changes like the body
Immutable – (2.21 & 2.25)
o Never changes like matter – Unlike body which goes through six changes (2.25 purport)
o Never become God – Soul always remains atomic to Infinite Supreme (2.25 purport)
Cannot be cut, burnt, dried or wet (2.23)
Immovable, unchangeable, everlasting and eternally the same (2.24)

Situated in the region of the heart (2.17 & 2.22 & Mundaka Upanishad)
Present everywhere (Sarva-Gata) (2.24) – Living entities are also present in sun & fire

Soul is invisible and inconceivable (2.25) – No human experiements can conceive the soul
Symptom of the soul– Soul is perceived by ‘individual consciousness’ (2.17 purport)
The only proof for the soul– Vedic scriptures – Sruti (2.25 purport)

Pervades entire body (Mundaka Upanishad)

Analogy: Like sun pervades entire universe and maintains, similarly light of soul maintains the material body
Analogy: Active principle of medicine spreads all over the body

Soul is surrounded by 5 kinds of life airs. Hatha Yoga – helps in liberation

COMMON THEME (2.17 – 2.18): The soul cannot be killed and the body cannot be saved from death.

Therefore Arjuna should not refrain from the necessity of war
This implies that the Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill

Learnings from Purport 2.17

1. Essence of purport – This verse more clearly explains “the nature of the soul”

2. Symptom of the soul – “Individual consciousness”

This consciousness is spread all over the body e.g. one can experience the pain and pleasures of the body.
Each and everybody is the embodiment of an individual soul, one cannot perceive the pains and pleasures of another’s body.

3. Size of the soul – Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad

It is one ten-thousandth (1/10,000th) of the tip of the hair
This is a spiritual atom smaller than the material atom
This spark is the basic principle of the material body

4. Ref. Mundaka Upanisad 3.1.9 – Explains the measurement of the atomic spirit soul

Size – The soul is atomic in size and can be perceived by perfect intelligence
Life airs – Atomic soul is floating in five kinds of airs (prana, apana, vyana, samana, udana)
Position – The soul is situated within the heart and spreads its influence all over the body
o Opinion of scientists – Because the measurement of the atomic soul is beyond their power of appreciation, they foolishly assert that there is no soul
Purification of soul – When the soul is purified from the contamination of the five kinds of material airs, it’s spiritual influence is exhibited.

5. Influence of soul all over the body

Material body minus consciousness equals a dead body
Two analogies to explain this:
o Active principle of medicine spreads all over the body, similarly the current of the spirit soul is felt all over the body as consciousness.
o Like the sun pervades the entire universe and maintains it, similarly the light of soul maintains the material body.
Conclusion – Consciousness is not due to any amount of material combination and cannot be revived by any material administration.

6. ‘Vedic science’ vs ‘Modern science’ on the soul – The heart is the seat of all energies of the body

Vedic science
o Individual soul is present in the heart along with the Supersoul, and therefore all energies of the body are emanating from the heart.
Modern science
o It accepts the important of red corpuscles and the heart as the seat of all energies
o But it cannot ascertain that the source of energy is the soul

7. Never mistake atomic soul to be all-pervading Vishnu-tattva

Constitution of atomic soul is admitted in all Vedic literatures and is also felt in the practical experience of any sane man.
Only an insane man can think of the atomic soul as all-pervading Vishnu-tattva.

Learnings from Purport 2.18

1. Body:

Body is perishable by nature – may perish immediately or after a hundred years
Basis of acquiring material bodies
o One acquires body according to one’s work
o Practical application: Observance of religious principles should to utilized to elevate because one acquires the body according to one’s work

2. Soul:

Soul as indestructible – The soul is too minute to be seen by the enemy what to speak of being killed.
Soul as immeasurable – It is too small to be measured.

3. How does this verse help Arjuna to overcome lamentation and material compassion

Because the living entity cannot be killed
Nor can the material body be saved for any length of time

4. The Spirit soul is important, not the body because

As soon as the spirit soul is out of the body, the body begins to decompose
Ref. Vedanta Sutra: Analogy – The living entity is qualified as light, because of being the part and parcel of the Supreme light.

5. Practical application for Arjuna based on this verse:

He is advised to fight
Not sacrifice the cause of religion for material, bodily considerations

COMMON THEME (2.19 – 2.21): Krishna reiterates the same points of the body and soul from different angles in these verses.

THEME (2.19) : The soul can neither kill nor is killed.

“Neither he who thinks the living entity to be the slayer, nor he who thinks it slain is in knowledge, for the self slays not, nor is slain”

Learnings from Purport 2.19

1. Living entity is never killed, when the body is hurt by weapons

The soul is too small to be killed by any material weapon
Nor is the living entity killable because of spiritual constitution

2. Immortality of soul – Does not encourage killing of the body – (Refer to Summarized Theme 2D)

Practical application: Immortality of soul does not encourage animal slaughter
Killing of body without authority is abominable

3. What justifies Arjuna’s killing

Arjuna was engaged in killing for the principle of religion and not whimsically

THEME : Clearly delineates the eternality of the soul

This verse is like quoting sastra to support the opinion of Krishna, because the Katha Upanisad also mentions a similar passage
For the soul there is neither birth nor death
He has not come into being, does not come into being and will not come into being
He is unborn, eternal, ever existing and primeval

Learnings from Purport 2.20

1. Soul as steady vs Body as temporary

Body – undergoes 6 changes like birth, growth, sustenance, by-products, dwindling & death
“Kuta-stha” (Steady) which implies that the soul does not undergo these six changes

2. Practical proof that soul never becomes old – Old man in same spirits as young man

3. Perception of soul by “consciousness” as the symptom:

Analogy: Sun covered by clouds and light is the symptom

3. Two kinds of soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad) – Anu (infinitesimal) and Vibhu (infinite)

4. Difference between consciousness of the soul and the Supreme

Supreme Soul knows past, present and future; individual soul is prone to forgetfulness

6. The relationship between Krishna and Arjuna

Krishna is the fountainhead of the Supersoul and Arjuna is the atomic soul forgetful of his real nature
Therefore Arjuna needs enlightenment by Krishna

7. Who can understand the glories of the soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad)

Only one free from all material desires and lamentations and by the grace of Supreme

8. Similar passage like this verse is found in Katha Upanisad

One word differs i.e. “Vipascit” – learned or ‘with knowledge’

Progress Chapter 1 50%

1. Importance of ‘Kaunteya’ and ‘Bharata’ – Great heritage brings great responsibility in the matter of proper discharge of duties

THEME : Focus on the higher goal of liberation and overcome dualities of happiness and distress

Learnings from Purport 2.15

1. Eligibility for liberation from material bondage

Steady in prescribed duties – Anyone who is steady in his determination for the advanced stage of spiritual realisation
Tolerates – One who can equally tolerate the onslaughts of distress and happiness

2. Examples of Tolerance for the purpose of a higher goal

First example: Renounced order of life – Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu renounces wife and mother, at an early age for the preaching mission.
o Sannyasa is a painstaking situation but one who is serious, surely adopts this order in spite of all difficulties (difficulties usually arise from having to sever family relations).
Second example: Arjuna is also advised to persevere his duties even at the cost of fighting with ‘family members’ .

SUMMARISED THEME 2B

VISION OF SEERS OF TRUTH (2.16 – 2.25)

No death for soul and no endurance for the body. This implies Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill

It is done under Krishna’s direction
And with knowledge of soul and body

THEME : This verse gives the vision of “seers of truth” – It is the beginning of instruction by the Lord to the living entities who are bewildered by influence of ignorance.

Of the non-existent (material body) there is no endurance
Of the eternal (the soul) there is no change

Learnings from Purport 2.16

1. Difference between matter (body) and spirit

Body – Modern science admits that the body is changing at every moment
Spirit – Spirit soul exists permanently despite all changes of body and mind
All opinions agree – This conclusion is established by all classes of seers of truth – both Impersonalists and personalists.
Supporting Reference – Ref. Vishnu Purana – “Vishnu and His abodes all have selfilluminated spiritual existences”. The words existent and non-existent refer only to spirit and matter.

2. Influence of ignorance – Living entities are bewildered and identify themselves with the body or mind. Two kinds of ignorance/misgivings are:

Identifying with matter
Identifying oneself as God

3. Removal of ignorance – It involves:

Re-establish relationship – Re-establishment of the eternal relationship of the worshiper and worshipable.
Correct understanding of duality – Consequent understanding of the difference between the part and parcel living entities and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

4. Understanding the nature of the Supreme

One can understand by through study of oneself, the difference between oneself and the Supreme being understood as the relationship between the part and the whole.
Supreme has been accepted as the source of all emanations in the Vedanta sutras and the Srimad Bhagavatam
o Living entities belong to the superior nature (Ref. Bg. 7.5).
o Although there is a difference between energy and energetic, the energetic is accepted as the Supreme and energy or nature is accepted as the subordinate.
o This implies the living entities are always subordinate, just like ‘master and servant’, or ‘teacher and taught’.

5. Purpose of Bhagavad-gita

To drive away all ignorance (Refer to second point of this purport)
Enlightenment of all living entities for all time to come

SUMMARISED THEME 2C

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SOUL (2.17 – 2.25)

Part and parcel of the Supreme

and does not take birth

and therefore never dies

It is too small to be measured by any material means

Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad – 1/10,000th tip of a hair (2.17 purport)

Soul is steady (2.20) – does not undergo six changes like the body
Immutable – (2.21 & 2.25)
o Never changes like matter – Unlike body which goes through six changes (2.25 purport)
o Never become God – Soul always remains atomic to Infinite Supreme (2.25 purport)
Cannot be cut, burnt, dried or wet (2.23)
Immovable, unchangeable, everlasting and eternally the same (2.24)

Situated in the region of the heart (2.17 & 2.22 & Mundaka Upanishad)
Present everywhere (Sarva-Gata) (2.24) – Living entities are also present in sun & fire

Soul is invisible and inconceivable (2.25) – No human experiements can conceive the soul
Symptom of the soul– Soul is perceived by ‘individual consciousness’ (2.17 purport)
The only proof for the soul– Vedic scriptures – Sruti (2.25 purport)

Pervades entire body (Mundaka Upanishad)

Analogy: Like sun pervades entire universe and maintains, similarly light of soul maintains the material body
Analogy: Active principle of medicine spreads all over the body

Soul is surrounded by 5 kinds of life airs. Hatha Yoga – helps in liberation

COMMON THEME (2.17 – 2.18): The soul cannot be killed and the body cannot be saved from death.

Therefore Arjuna should not refrain from the necessity of war
This implies that the Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill

Learnings from Purport 2.17

1. Essence of purport – This verse more clearly explains “the nature of the soul”

2. Symptom of the soul – “Individual consciousness”

This consciousness is spread all over the body e.g. one can experience the pain and pleasures of the body.
Each and everybody is the embodiment of an individual soul, one cannot perceive the pains and pleasures of another’s body.

3. Size of the soul – Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad

It is one ten-thousandth (1/10,000th) of the tip of the hair
This is a spiritual atom smaller than the material atom
This spark is the basic principle of the material body

4. Ref. Mundaka Upanisad 3.1.9 – Explains the measurement of the atomic spirit soul

Size – The soul is atomic in size and can be perceived by perfect intelligence
Life airs – Atomic soul is floating in five kinds of airs (prana, apana, vyana, samana, udana)
Position – The soul is situated within the heart and spreads its influence all over the body
o Opinion of scientists – Because the measurement of the atomic soul is beyond their power of appreciation, they foolishly assert that there is no soul
Purification of soul – When the soul is purified from the contamination of the five kinds of material airs, it’s spiritual influence is exhibited.

5. Influence of soul all over the body

Material body minus consciousness equals a dead body
Two analogies to explain this:
o Active principle of medicine spreads all over the body, similarly the current of the spirit soul is felt all over the body as consciousness.
o Like the sun pervades the entire universe and maintains it, similarly the light of soul maintains the material body.
Conclusion – Consciousness is not due to any amount of material combination and cannot be revived by any material administration.

6. ‘Vedic science’ vs ‘Modern science’ on the soul – The heart is the seat of all energies of the body

Vedic science
o Individual soul is present in the heart along with the Supersoul, and therefore all energies of the body are emanating from the heart.
Modern science
o It accepts the important of red corpuscles and the heart as the seat of all energies
o But it cannot ascertain that the source of energy is the soul

7. Never mistake atomic soul to be all-pervading Vishnu-tattva

Constitution of atomic soul is admitted in all Vedic literatures and is also felt in the practical experience of any sane man.
Only an insane man can think of the atomic soul as all-pervading Vishnu-tattva.

Learnings from Purport 2.18

1. Body:

Body is perishable by nature – may perish immediately or after a hundred years
Basis of acquiring material bodies
o One acquires body according to one’s work
o Practical application: Observance of religious principles should to utilized to elevate because one acquires the body according to one’s work

2. Soul:

Soul as indestructible – The soul is too minute to be seen by the enemy what to speak of being killed.
Soul as immeasurable – It is too small to be measured.

3. How does this verse help Arjuna to overcome lamentation and material compassion

Because the living entity cannot be killed
Nor can the material body be saved for any length of time

4. The Spirit soul is important, not the body because

As soon as the spirit soul is out of the body, the body begins to decompose
Ref. Vedanta Sutra: Analogy – The living entity is qualified as light, because of being the part and parcel of the Supreme light.

5. Practical application for Arjuna based on this verse:

He is advised to fight
Not sacrifice the cause of religion for material, bodily considerations

COMMON THEME (2.19 – 2.21): Krishna reiterates the same points of the body and soul from different angles in these verses.

THEME (2.19) : The soul can neither kill nor is killed.

“Neither he who thinks the living entity to be the slayer, nor he who thinks it slain is in knowledge, for the self slays not, nor is slain”

Learnings from Purport 2.19

1. Living entity is never killed, when the body is hurt by weapons

The soul is too small to be killed by any material weapon
Nor is the living entity killable because of spiritual constitution

2. Immortality of soul – Does not encourage killing of the body – (Refer to Summarized Theme 2D)

Practical application: Immortality of soul does not encourage animal slaughter
Killing of body without authority is abominable

3. What justifies Arjuna’s killing

Arjuna was engaged in killing for the principle of religion and not whimsically

THEME : Clearly delineates the eternality of the soul

This verse is like quoting sastra to support the opinion of Krishna, because the Katha Upanisad also mentions a similar passage
For the soul there is neither birth nor death
He has not come into being, does not come into being and will not come into being
He is unborn, eternal, ever existing and primeval

Learnings from Purport 2.20

1. Soul as steady vs Body as temporary

Body – undergoes 6 changes like birth, growth, sustenance, by-products, dwindling & death
“Kuta-stha” (Steady) which implies that the soul does not undergo these six changes

2. Practical proof that soul never becomes old – Old man in same spirits as young man

3. Perception of soul by “consciousness” as the symptom:

Analogy: Sun covered by clouds and light is the symptom

3. Two kinds of soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad) – Anu (infinitesimal) and Vibhu (infinite)

4. Difference between consciousness of the soul and the Supreme

Supreme Soul knows past, present and future; individual soul is prone to forgetfulness

6. The relationship between Krishna and Arjuna

Krishna is the fountainhead of the Supersoul and Arjuna is the atomic soul forgetful of his real nature
Therefore Arjuna needs enlightenment by Krishna

7. Who can understand the glories of the soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad)

Only one free from all material desires and lamentations and by the grace of Supreme

8. Similar passage like this verse is found in Katha Upanisad

One word differs i.e. “Vipascit” – learned or ‘with knowledge’

Progress Chapter 1 50%

2. Definition of ‘Dhira’ – One who has perfect knowledge of the constitution of the soul, Supersoul and nature (Both material and spiritual)

3. Refutation of Mayavadi – Their theory of oneness of spirit soul cannot be entertained because
 Spirit soul cannot be cut into pieces as fragmental portions
 Our Philosophy

THEME: Tolerate dualities – One should not abandon religious duties due to bodily inconveniences or transformations because:

Nonpermanent appearance and disappearance of happiness and distress are like appearance and disappearance of summer and winter seasons
They arise from sense perception
Learn to tolerate them without being disturbed

Learnings from Purport 2.14

1. Importance of ‘Kaunteya’ and ‘Bharata’ – Great heritage brings great responsibility in the matter of proper discharge of duties

‘Kaunteya’ (Son of mother Kunti) signifies blood relation from mother’s side
‘Bharata’ (Decendent of King Bharata) signifies blood relation from father’s side

2. Basis of Tolerating Dualities

Knowledge of ‘illusion’ – They know that dualities arise only from sense perception
Higher goal – Focus on path of liberation

3. Examples of tolerating dualties

Early morning bath in Month of Magh (winter season)
Women cooking in May/June
To fight as a religion – even with relatives if needed
Renounced order of life which is full of austerities – Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu renouncing wife and mother (2.15)

THEME : Focus on the higher goal of liberation and overcome dualities of happiness and distress

Learnings from Purport 2.15

1. Eligibility for liberation from material bondage

Steady in prescribed duties – Anyone who is steady in his determination for the advanced stage of spiritual realisation
Tolerates – One who can equally tolerate the onslaughts of distress and happiness

2. Examples of Tolerance for the purpose of a higher goal

First example: Renounced order of life – Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu renounces wife and mother, at an early age for the preaching mission.
o Sannyasa is a painstaking situation but one who is serious, surely adopts this order in spite of all difficulties (difficulties usually arise from having to sever family relations).
Second example: Arjuna is also advised to persevere his duties even at the cost of fighting with ‘family members’ .

SUMMARISED THEME 2B

VISION OF SEERS OF TRUTH (2.16 – 2.25)

No death for soul and no endurance for the body. This implies Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill

It is done under Krishna’s direction
And with knowledge of soul and body

THEME : This verse gives the vision of “seers of truth” – It is the beginning of instruction by the Lord to the living entities who are bewildered by influence of ignorance.

Of the non-existent (material body) there is no endurance
Of the eternal (the soul) there is no change

Learnings from Purport 2.16

1. Difference between matter (body) and spirit

Body – Modern science admits that the body is changing at every moment
Spirit – Spirit soul exists permanently despite all changes of body and mind
All opinions agree – This conclusion is established by all classes of seers of truth – both Impersonalists and personalists.
Supporting Reference – Ref. Vishnu Purana – “Vishnu and His abodes all have selfilluminated spiritual existences”. The words existent and non-existent refer only to spirit and matter.

2. Influence of ignorance – Living entities are bewildered and identify themselves with the body or mind. Two kinds of ignorance/misgivings are:

Identifying with matter
Identifying oneself as God

3. Removal of ignorance – It involves:

Re-establish relationship – Re-establishment of the eternal relationship of the worshiper and worshipable.
Correct understanding of duality – Consequent understanding of the difference between the part and parcel living entities and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

4. Understanding the nature of the Supreme

One can understand by through study of oneself, the difference between oneself and the Supreme being understood as the relationship between the part and the whole.
Supreme has been accepted as the source of all emanations in the Vedanta sutras and the Srimad Bhagavatam
o Living entities belong to the superior nature (Ref. Bg. 7.5).
o Although there is a difference between energy and energetic, the energetic is accepted as the Supreme and energy or nature is accepted as the subordinate.
o This implies the living entities are always subordinate, just like ‘master and servant’, or ‘teacher and taught’.

5. Purpose of Bhagavad-gita

To drive away all ignorance (Refer to second point of this purport)
Enlightenment of all living entities for all time to come

SUMMARISED THEME 2C

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SOUL (2.17 – 2.25)

Part and parcel of the Supreme

and does not take birth

and therefore never dies

It is too small to be measured by any material means

Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad – 1/10,000th tip of a hair (2.17 purport)

Soul is steady (2.20) – does not undergo six changes like the body
Immutable – (2.21 & 2.25)
o Never changes like matter – Unlike body which goes through six changes (2.25 purport)
o Never become God – Soul always remains atomic to Infinite Supreme (2.25 purport)
Cannot be cut, burnt, dried or wet (2.23)
Immovable, unchangeable, everlasting and eternally the same (2.24)

Situated in the region of the heart (2.17 & 2.22 & Mundaka Upanishad)
Present everywhere (Sarva-Gata) (2.24) – Living entities are also present in sun & fire

Soul is invisible and inconceivable (2.25) – No human experiements can conceive the soul
Symptom of the soul– Soul is perceived by ‘individual consciousness’ (2.17 purport)
The only proof for the soul– Vedic scriptures – Sruti (2.25 purport)

Pervades entire body (Mundaka Upanishad)

Analogy: Like sun pervades entire universe and maintains, similarly light of soul maintains the material body
Analogy: Active principle of medicine spreads all over the body

Soul is surrounded by 5 kinds of life airs. Hatha Yoga – helps in liberation

COMMON THEME (2.17 – 2.18): The soul cannot be killed and the body cannot be saved from death.

Therefore Arjuna should not refrain from the necessity of war
This implies that the Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill

Learnings from Purport 2.17

1. Essence of purport – This verse more clearly explains “the nature of the soul”

2. Symptom of the soul – “Individual consciousness”

This consciousness is spread all over the body e.g. one can experience the pain and pleasures of the body.
Each and everybody is the embodiment of an individual soul, one cannot perceive the pains and pleasures of another’s body.

3. Size of the soul – Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad

It is one ten-thousandth (1/10,000th) of the tip of the hair
This is a spiritual atom smaller than the material atom
This spark is the basic principle of the material body

4. Ref. Mundaka Upanisad 3.1.9 – Explains the measurement of the atomic spirit soul

Size – The soul is atomic in size and can be perceived by perfect intelligence
Life airs – Atomic soul is floating in five kinds of airs (prana, apana, vyana, samana, udana)
Position – The soul is situated within the heart and spreads its influence all over the body
o Opinion of scientists – Because the measurement of the atomic soul is beyond their power of appreciation, they foolishly assert that there is no soul
Purification of soul – When the soul is purified from the contamination of the five kinds of material airs, it’s spiritual influence is exhibited.

5. Influence of soul all over the body

Material body minus consciousness equals a dead body
Two analogies to explain this:
o Active principle of medicine spreads all over the body, similarly the current of the spirit soul is felt all over the body as consciousness.
o Like the sun pervades the entire universe and maintains it, similarly the light of soul maintains the material body.
Conclusion – Consciousness is not due to any amount of material combination and cannot be revived by any material administration.

6. ‘Vedic science’ vs ‘Modern science’ on the soul – The heart is the seat of all energies of the body

Vedic science
o Individual soul is present in the heart along with the Supersoul, and therefore all energies of the body are emanating from the heart.
Modern science
o It accepts the important of red corpuscles and the heart as the seat of all energies
o But it cannot ascertain that the source of energy is the soul

7. Never mistake atomic soul to be all-pervading Vishnu-tattva

Constitution of atomic soul is admitted in all Vedic literatures and is also felt in the practical experience of any sane man.
Only an insane man can think of the atomic soul as all-pervading Vishnu-tattva.

Learnings from Purport 2.18

1. Body:

Body is perishable by nature – may perish immediately or after a hundred years
Basis of acquiring material bodies
o One acquires body according to one’s work
o Practical application: Observance of religious principles should to utilized to elevate because one acquires the body according to one’s work

2. Soul:

Soul as indestructible – The soul is too minute to be seen by the enemy what to speak of being killed.
Soul as immeasurable – It is too small to be measured.

3. How does this verse help Arjuna to overcome lamentation and material compassion

Because the living entity cannot be killed
Nor can the material body be saved for any length of time

4. The Spirit soul is important, not the body because

As soon as the spirit soul is out of the body, the body begins to decompose
Ref. Vedanta Sutra: Analogy – The living entity is qualified as light, because of being the part and parcel of the Supreme light.

5. Practical application for Arjuna based on this verse:

He is advised to fight
Not sacrifice the cause of religion for material, bodily considerations

COMMON THEME (2.19 – 2.21): Krishna reiterates the same points of the body and soul from different angles in these verses.

THEME (2.19) : The soul can neither kill nor is killed.

“Neither he who thinks the living entity to be the slayer, nor he who thinks it slain is in knowledge, for the self slays not, nor is slain”

Learnings from Purport 2.19

1. Living entity is never killed, when the body is hurt by weapons

The soul is too small to be killed by any material weapon
Nor is the living entity killable because of spiritual constitution

2. Immortality of soul – Does not encourage killing of the body – (Refer to Summarized Theme 2D)

Practical application: Immortality of soul does not encourage animal slaughter
Killing of body without authority is abominable

3. What justifies Arjuna’s killing

Arjuna was engaged in killing for the principle of religion and not whimsically

THEME : Clearly delineates the eternality of the soul

This verse is like quoting sastra to support the opinion of Krishna, because the Katha Upanisad also mentions a similar passage
For the soul there is neither birth nor death
He has not come into being, does not come into being and will not come into being
He is unborn, eternal, ever existing and primeval

Learnings from Purport 2.20

1. Soul as steady vs Body as temporary

Body – undergoes 6 changes like birth, growth, sustenance, by-products, dwindling & death
“Kuta-stha” (Steady) which implies that the soul does not undergo these six changes

2. Practical proof that soul never becomes old – Old man in same spirits as young man

3. Perception of soul by “consciousness” as the symptom:

Analogy: Sun covered by clouds and light is the symptom

3. Two kinds of soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad) – Anu (infinitesimal) and Vibhu (infinite)

4. Difference between consciousness of the soul and the Supreme

Supreme Soul knows past, present and future; individual soul is prone to forgetfulness

6. The relationship between Krishna and Arjuna

Krishna is the fountainhead of the Supersoul and Arjuna is the atomic soul forgetful of his real nature
Therefore Arjuna needs enlightenment by Krishna

7. Who can understand the glories of the soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad)

Only one free from all material desires and lamentations and by the grace of Supreme

8. Similar passage like this verse is found in Katha Upanisad

One word differs i.e. “Vipascit” – learned or ‘with knowledge’

Progress Chapter 1 50%

2. Definition of ‘Dhira’ – One who has perfect knowledge of the constitution of the soul, Supersoul and nature (Both material and spiritual)

3. Refutation of Mayavadi – Their theory of oneness of spirit soul cannot be entertained because
 Spirit soul cannot be cut into pieces as fragmental portions
 Our Philosophy

THEME: Tolerate dualities – One should not abandon religious duties due to bodily inconveniences or transformations because:

Nonpermanent appearance and disappearance of happiness and distress are like appearance and disappearance of summer and winter seasons
They arise from sense perception
Learn to tolerate them without being disturbed

Learnings from Purport 2.14

1. Importance of ‘Kaunteya’ and ‘Bharata’ – Great heritage brings great responsibility in the matter of proper discharge of duties

‘Kaunteya’ (Son of mother Kunti) signifies blood relation from mother’s side
‘Bharata’ (Decendent of King Bharata) signifies blood relation from father’s side

2. Basis of Tolerating Dualities

Knowledge of ‘illusion’ – They know that dualities arise only from sense perception
Higher goal – Focus on path of liberation

3. Examples of tolerating dualties

Early morning bath in Month of Magh (winter season)
Women cooking in May/June
To fight as a religion – even with relatives if needed
Renounced order of life which is full of austerities – Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu renouncing wife and mother (2.15)

THEME : Focus on the higher goal of liberation and overcome dualities of happiness and distress

Learnings from Purport 2.15

1. Eligibility for liberation from material bondage

Steady in prescribed duties – Anyone who is steady in his determination for the advanced stage of spiritual realisation
Tolerates – One who can equally tolerate the onslaughts of distress and happiness

2. Examples of Tolerance for the purpose of a higher goal

First example: Renounced order of life – Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu renounces wife and mother, at an early age for the preaching mission.
o Sannyasa is a painstaking situation but one who is serious, surely adopts this order in spite of all difficulties (difficulties usually arise from having to sever family relations).
Second example: Arjuna is also advised to persevere his duties even at the cost of fighting with ‘family members’ .

SUMMARISED THEME 2B

VISION OF SEERS OF TRUTH (2.16 – 2.25)

No death for soul and no endurance for the body. This implies Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill

It is done under Krishna’s direction
And with knowledge of soul and body

THEME : This verse gives the vision of “seers of truth” – It is the beginning of instruction by the Lord to the living entities who are bewildered by influence of ignorance.

Of the non-existent (material body) there is no endurance
Of the eternal (the soul) there is no change

Learnings from Purport 2.16

1. Difference between matter (body) and spirit

Body – Modern science admits that the body is changing at every moment
Spirit – Spirit soul exists permanently despite all changes of body and mind
All opinions agree – This conclusion is established by all classes of seers of truth – both Impersonalists and personalists.
Supporting Reference – Ref. Vishnu Purana – “Vishnu and His abodes all have selfilluminated spiritual existences”. The words existent and non-existent refer only to spirit and matter.

2. Influence of ignorance – Living entities are bewildered and identify themselves with the body or mind. Two kinds of ignorance/misgivings are:

Identifying with matter
Identifying oneself as God

3. Removal of ignorance – It involves:

Re-establish relationship – Re-establishment of the eternal relationship of the worshiper and worshipable.
Correct understanding of duality – Consequent understanding of the difference between the part and parcel living entities and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

4. Understanding the nature of the Supreme

One can understand by through study of oneself, the difference between oneself and the Supreme being understood as the relationship between the part and the whole.
Supreme has been accepted as the source of all emanations in the Vedanta sutras and the Srimad Bhagavatam
o Living entities belong to the superior nature (Ref. Bg. 7.5).
o Although there is a difference between energy and energetic, the energetic is accepted as the Supreme and energy or nature is accepted as the subordinate.
o This implies the living entities are always subordinate, just like ‘master and servant’, or ‘teacher and taught’.

5. Purpose of Bhagavad-gita

To drive away all ignorance (Refer to second point of this purport)
Enlightenment of all living entities for all time to come

SUMMARISED THEME 2C

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SOUL (2.17 – 2.25)

Part and parcel of the Supreme

and does not take birth

and therefore never dies

It is too small to be measured by any material means

Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad – 1/10,000th tip of a hair (2.17 purport)

Soul is steady (2.20) – does not undergo six changes like the body
Immutable – (2.21 & 2.25)
o Never changes like matter – Unlike body which goes through six changes (2.25 purport)
o Never become God – Soul always remains atomic to Infinite Supreme (2.25 purport)
Cannot be cut, burnt, dried or wet (2.23)
Immovable, unchangeable, everlasting and eternally the same (2.24)

Situated in the region of the heart (2.17 & 2.22 & Mundaka Upanishad)
Present everywhere (Sarva-Gata) (2.24) – Living entities are also present in sun & fire

Soul is invisible and inconceivable (2.25) – No human experiements can conceive the soul
Symptom of the soul– Soul is perceived by ‘individual consciousness’ (2.17 purport)
The only proof for the soul– Vedic scriptures – Sruti (2.25 purport)

Pervades entire body (Mundaka Upanishad)

Analogy: Like sun pervades entire universe and maintains, similarly light of soul maintains the material body
Analogy: Active principle of medicine spreads all over the body

Soul is surrounded by 5 kinds of life airs. Hatha Yoga – helps in liberation

COMMON THEME (2.17 – 2.18): The soul cannot be killed and the body cannot be saved from death.

Therefore Arjuna should not refrain from the necessity of war
This implies that the Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill

Learnings from Purport 2.17

1. Essence of purport – This verse more clearly explains “the nature of the soul”

2. Symptom of the soul – “Individual consciousness”

This consciousness is spread all over the body e.g. one can experience the pain and pleasures of the body.
Each and everybody is the embodiment of an individual soul, one cannot perceive the pains and pleasures of another’s body.

3. Size of the soul – Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad

It is one ten-thousandth (1/10,000th) of the tip of the hair
This is a spiritual atom smaller than the material atom
This spark is the basic principle of the material body

4. Ref. Mundaka Upanisad 3.1.9 – Explains the measurement of the atomic spirit soul

Size – The soul is atomic in size and can be perceived by perfect intelligence
Life airs – Atomic soul is floating in five kinds of airs (prana, apana, vyana, samana, udana)
Position – The soul is situated within the heart and spreads its influence all over the body
o Opinion of scientists – Because the measurement of the atomic soul is beyond their power of appreciation, they foolishly assert that there is no soul
Purification of soul – When the soul is purified from the contamination of the five kinds of material airs, it’s spiritual influence is exhibited.

5. Influence of soul all over the body

Material body minus consciousness equals a dead body
Two analogies to explain this:
o Active principle of medicine spreads all over the body, similarly the current of the spirit soul is felt all over the body as consciousness.
o Like the sun pervades the entire universe and maintains it, similarly the light of soul maintains the material body.
Conclusion – Consciousness is not due to any amount of material combination and cannot be revived by any material administration.

6. ‘Vedic science’ vs ‘Modern science’ on the soul – The heart is the seat of all energies of the body

Vedic science
o Individual soul is present in the heart along with the Supersoul, and therefore all energies of the body are emanating from the heart.
Modern science
o It accepts the important of red corpuscles and the heart as the seat of all energies
o But it cannot ascertain that the source of energy is the soul

7. Never mistake atomic soul to be all-pervading Vishnu-tattva

Constitution of atomic soul is admitted in all Vedic literatures and is also felt in the practical experience of any sane man.
Only an insane man can think of the atomic soul as all-pervading Vishnu-tattva.

Learnings from Purport 2.18

1. Body:

Body is perishable by nature – may perish immediately or after a hundred years
Basis of acquiring material bodies
o One acquires body according to one’s work
o Practical application: Observance of religious principles should to utilized to elevate because one acquires the body according to one’s work

2. Soul:

Soul as indestructible – The soul is too minute to be seen by the enemy what to speak of being killed.
Soul as immeasurable – It is too small to be measured.

3. How does this verse help Arjuna to overcome lamentation and material compassion

Because the living entity cannot be killed
Nor can the material body be saved for any length of time

4. The Spirit soul is important, not the body because

As soon as the spirit soul is out of the body, the body begins to decompose
Ref. Vedanta Sutra: Analogy – The living entity is qualified as light, because of being the part and parcel of the Supreme light.

5. Practical application for Arjuna based on this verse:

He is advised to fight
Not sacrifice the cause of religion for material, bodily considerations

COMMON THEME (2.19 – 2.21): Krishna reiterates the same points of the body and soul from different angles in these verses.

THEME (2.19) : The soul can neither kill nor is killed.

“Neither he who thinks the living entity to be the slayer, nor he who thinks it slain is in knowledge, for the self slays not, nor is slain”

Learnings from Purport 2.19

1. Living entity is never killed, when the body is hurt by weapons

The soul is too small to be killed by any material weapon
Nor is the living entity killable because of spiritual constitution

2. Immortality of soul – Does not encourage killing of the body – (Refer to Summarized Theme 2D)

Practical application: Immortality of soul does not encourage animal slaughter
Killing of body without authority is abominable

3. What justifies Arjuna’s killing

Arjuna was engaged in killing for the principle of religion and not whimsically

THEME : Clearly delineates the eternality of the soul

This verse is like quoting sastra to support the opinion of Krishna, because the Katha Upanisad also mentions a similar passage
For the soul there is neither birth nor death
He has not come into being, does not come into being and will not come into being
He is unborn, eternal, ever existing and primeval

Learnings from Purport 2.20

1. Soul as steady vs Body as temporary

Body – undergoes 6 changes like birth, growth, sustenance, by-products, dwindling & death
“Kuta-stha” (Steady) which implies that the soul does not undergo these six changes

2. Practical proof that soul never becomes old – Old man in same spirits as young man

3. Perception of soul by “consciousness” as the symptom:

Analogy: Sun covered by clouds and light is the symptom

3. Two kinds of soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad) – Anu (infinitesimal) and Vibhu (infinite)

4. Difference between consciousness of the soul and the Supreme

Supreme Soul knows past, present and future; individual soul is prone to forgetfulness

6. The relationship between Krishna and Arjuna

Krishna is the fountainhead of the Supersoul and Arjuna is the atomic soul forgetful of his real nature
Therefore Arjuna needs enlightenment by Krishna

7. Who can understand the glories of the soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad)

Only one free from all material desires and lamentations and by the grace of Supreme

8. Similar passage like this verse is found in Katha Upanisad

One word differs i.e. “Vipascit” – learned or ‘with knowledge’

Progress Chapter 1 50%

1. Supporting verse for “Eternal individuality”: Ref. Katha Upanisad & Svetasvatara Upanisad “Nityo Nityanam…”)

3. Only a ‘devotee’ can understand the ‘Bhagavad-gita’ and the concept of ‘Spiritual Individuality’(Ref. Bg. Chapter 4)

THEME: A ‘Dhira’ is not bewildered by change of bodies – Change of body – “boyhood to youth to old-age to another body”.

Learnings from Purport 2.13

1. This verse proves that there is no cause of lamentation because:

Bhisma and Drona will get fresh bodies
Also being noble, they will get spiritual or at least heavenly bodies, which implies higher elevation is guaranteed.

2. Definition of ‘Dhira’ – One who has perfect knowledge of the constitution of the soul, Supersoul and nature (Both material and spiritual)

Undisturbed by change of bodies (2.13)
Tolerates dualities (2.14)
Thus becomes eligible for liberation (2.15)

3. Refutation of Mayavadi – Their theory of oneness of spirit soul cannot be entertained because
 Spirit soul cannot be cut into pieces as fragmental portions
 Our Philosophy

Spirit Soul as eternal fragments – They cannot be cut, if could be cut then that would make Supreme cleavable as against principle of Supreme Soul’s being unchangeable.
Spirit Soul (Fallible) vs Krishna (Infallible) – Fragmental portions exist eternally (Sanatana) but are Ksara (Fallible – tendency to fall) (Bg. 15.16 – 15.18)
Spirit Soul never merges in the Supreme Soul – even after liberation spirit soul remains fragmental.
Spirit soul vs Supersoul (Theory of Reflection) –
▪ The theory of reflection can be applied to the Supersoul, who is present in each and every individual body and is known as the Paramatma
▪ He is different from the individual living entity.
▪ When the sky is reflected in water, the reflections represent both the sun and the moon and the stars also.
▪ The stars can be compared to the living entities and the sun or the moon to the Supreme Lord.
▪ The individual fragmental spirit soul is represented by Arjuna, and the Supreme Soul is the Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna.

4. Soul is never equal to Supersoul – Established by:

Theory of reflection (as explained above)
If they are equal-position of instructor and instructed, holds no value
Thus Lord Krishna is the ‘Supreme Personality of Godhead’ and Arjuna is the ‘living entity’ who is the forgotten soul deluded by Maya.

THEME: Tolerate dualities – One should not abandon religious duties due to bodily inconveniences or transformations because:

Nonpermanent appearance and disappearance of happiness and distress are like appearance and disappearance of summer and winter seasons
They arise from sense perception
Learn to tolerate them without being disturbed

Learnings from Purport 2.14

1. Importance of ‘Kaunteya’ and ‘Bharata’ – Great heritage brings great responsibility in the matter of proper discharge of duties

‘Kaunteya’ (Son of mother Kunti) signifies blood relation from mother’s side
‘Bharata’ (Decendent of King Bharata) signifies blood relation from father’s side

2. Basis of Tolerating Dualities

Knowledge of ‘illusion’ – They know that dualities arise only from sense perception
Higher goal – Focus on path of liberation

3. Examples of tolerating dualties

Early morning bath in Month of Magh (winter season)
Women cooking in May/June
To fight as a religion – even with relatives if needed
Renounced order of life which is full of austerities – Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu renouncing wife and mother (2.15)

THEME : Focus on the higher goal of liberation and overcome dualities of happiness and distress

Learnings from Purport 2.15

1. Eligibility for liberation from material bondage

Steady in prescribed duties – Anyone who is steady in his determination for the advanced stage of spiritual realisation
Tolerates – One who can equally tolerate the onslaughts of distress and happiness

2. Examples of Tolerance for the purpose of a higher goal

First example: Renounced order of life – Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu renounces wife and mother, at an early age for the preaching mission.
o Sannyasa is a painstaking situation but one who is serious, surely adopts this order in spite of all difficulties (difficulties usually arise from having to sever family relations).
Second example: Arjuna is also advised to persevere his duties even at the cost of fighting with ‘family members’ .

SUMMARISED THEME 2B

VISION OF SEERS OF TRUTH (2.16 – 2.25)

No death for soul and no endurance for the body. This implies Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill

It is done under Krishna’s direction
And with knowledge of soul and body

THEME : This verse gives the vision of “seers of truth” – It is the beginning of instruction by the Lord to the living entities who are bewildered by influence of ignorance.

Of the non-existent (material body) there is no endurance
Of the eternal (the soul) there is no change

Learnings from Purport 2.16

1. Difference between matter (body) and spirit

Body – Modern science admits that the body is changing at every moment
Spirit – Spirit soul exists permanently despite all changes of body and mind
All opinions agree – This conclusion is established by all classes of seers of truth – both Impersonalists and personalists.
Supporting Reference – Ref. Vishnu Purana – “Vishnu and His abodes all have selfilluminated spiritual existences”. The words existent and non-existent refer only to spirit and matter.

2. Influence of ignorance – Living entities are bewildered and identify themselves with the body or mind. Two kinds of ignorance/misgivings are:

Identifying with matter
Identifying oneself as God

3. Removal of ignorance – It involves:

Re-establish relationship – Re-establishment of the eternal relationship of the worshiper and worshipable.
Correct understanding of duality – Consequent understanding of the difference between the part and parcel living entities and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

4. Understanding the nature of the Supreme

One can understand by through study of oneself, the difference between oneself and the Supreme being understood as the relationship between the part and the whole.
Supreme has been accepted as the source of all emanations in the Vedanta sutras and the Srimad Bhagavatam
o Living entities belong to the superior nature (Ref. Bg. 7.5).
o Although there is a difference between energy and energetic, the energetic is accepted as the Supreme and energy or nature is accepted as the subordinate.
o This implies the living entities are always subordinate, just like ‘master and servant’, or ‘teacher and taught’.

5. Purpose of Bhagavad-gita

To drive away all ignorance (Refer to second point of this purport)
Enlightenment of all living entities for all time to come

SUMMARISED THEME 2C

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SOUL (2.17 – 2.25)

Part and parcel of the Supreme

and does not take birth

and therefore never dies

It is too small to be measured by any material means

Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad – 1/10,000th tip of a hair (2.17 purport)

Soul is steady (2.20) – does not undergo six changes like the body
Immutable – (2.21 & 2.25)
o Never changes like matter – Unlike body which goes through six changes (2.25 purport)
o Never become God – Soul always remains atomic to Infinite Supreme (2.25 purport)
Cannot be cut, burnt, dried or wet (2.23)
Immovable, unchangeable, everlasting and eternally the same (2.24)

Situated in the region of the heart (2.17 & 2.22 & Mundaka Upanishad)
Present everywhere (Sarva-Gata) (2.24) – Living entities are also present in sun & fire

Soul is invisible and inconceivable (2.25) – No human experiements can conceive the soul
Symptom of the soul– Soul is perceived by ‘individual consciousness’ (2.17 purport)
The only proof for the soul– Vedic scriptures – Sruti (2.25 purport)

Pervades entire body (Mundaka Upanishad)

Analogy: Like sun pervades entire universe and maintains, similarly light of soul maintains the material body
Analogy: Active principle of medicine spreads all over the body

Soul is surrounded by 5 kinds of life airs. Hatha Yoga – helps in liberation

COMMON THEME (2.17 – 2.18): The soul cannot be killed and the body cannot be saved from death.

Therefore Arjuna should not refrain from the necessity of war
This implies that the Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill

Learnings from Purport 2.17

1. Essence of purport – This verse more clearly explains “the nature of the soul”

2. Symptom of the soul – “Individual consciousness”

This consciousness is spread all over the body e.g. one can experience the pain and pleasures of the body.
Each and everybody is the embodiment of an individual soul, one cannot perceive the pains and pleasures of another’s body.

3. Size of the soul – Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad

It is one ten-thousandth (1/10,000th) of the tip of the hair
This is a spiritual atom smaller than the material atom
This spark is the basic principle of the material body

4. Ref. Mundaka Upanisad 3.1.9 – Explains the measurement of the atomic spirit soul

Size – The soul is atomic in size and can be perceived by perfect intelligence
Life airs – Atomic soul is floating in five kinds of airs (prana, apana, vyana, samana, udana)
Position – The soul is situated within the heart and spreads its influence all over the body
o Opinion of scientists – Because the measurement of the atomic soul is beyond their power of appreciation, they foolishly assert that there is no soul
Purification of soul – When the soul is purified from the contamination of the five kinds of material airs, it’s spiritual influence is exhibited.

5. Influence of soul all over the body

Material body minus consciousness equals a dead body
Two analogies to explain this:
o Active principle of medicine spreads all over the body, similarly the current of the spirit soul is felt all over the body as consciousness.
o Like the sun pervades the entire universe and maintains it, similarly the light of soul maintains the material body.
Conclusion – Consciousness is not due to any amount of material combination and cannot be revived by any material administration.

6. ‘Vedic science’ vs ‘Modern science’ on the soul – The heart is the seat of all energies of the body

Vedic science
o Individual soul is present in the heart along with the Supersoul, and therefore all energies of the body are emanating from the heart.
Modern science
o It accepts the important of red corpuscles and the heart as the seat of all energies
o But it cannot ascertain that the source of energy is the soul

7. Never mistake atomic soul to be all-pervading Vishnu-tattva

Constitution of atomic soul is admitted in all Vedic literatures and is also felt in the practical experience of any sane man.
Only an insane man can think of the atomic soul as all-pervading Vishnu-tattva.

Learnings from Purport 2.18

1. Body:

Body is perishable by nature – may perish immediately or after a hundred years
Basis of acquiring material bodies
o One acquires body according to one’s work
o Practical application: Observance of religious principles should to utilized to elevate because one acquires the body according to one’s work

2. Soul:

Soul as indestructible – The soul is too minute to be seen by the enemy what to speak of being killed.
Soul as immeasurable – It is too small to be measured.

3. How does this verse help Arjuna to overcome lamentation and material compassion

Because the living entity cannot be killed
Nor can the material body be saved for any length of time

4. The Spirit soul is important, not the body because

As soon as the spirit soul is out of the body, the body begins to decompose
Ref. Vedanta Sutra: Analogy – The living entity is qualified as light, because of being the part and parcel of the Supreme light.

5. Practical application for Arjuna based on this verse:

He is advised to fight
Not sacrifice the cause of religion for material, bodily considerations

COMMON THEME (2.19 – 2.21): Krishna reiterates the same points of the body and soul from different angles in these verses.

THEME (2.19) : The soul can neither kill nor is killed.

“Neither he who thinks the living entity to be the slayer, nor he who thinks it slain is in knowledge, for the self slays not, nor is slain”

Learnings from Purport 2.19

1. Living entity is never killed, when the body is hurt by weapons

The soul is too small to be killed by any material weapon
Nor is the living entity killable because of spiritual constitution

2. Immortality of soul – Does not encourage killing of the body – (Refer to Summarized Theme 2D)

Practical application: Immortality of soul does not encourage animal slaughter
Killing of body without authority is abominable

3. What justifies Arjuna’s killing

Arjuna was engaged in killing for the principle of religion and not whimsically

THEME : Clearly delineates the eternality of the soul

This verse is like quoting sastra to support the opinion of Krishna, because the Katha Upanisad also mentions a similar passage
For the soul there is neither birth nor death
He has not come into being, does not come into being and will not come into being
He is unborn, eternal, ever existing and primeval

Learnings from Purport 2.20

1. Soul as steady vs Body as temporary

Body – undergoes 6 changes like birth, growth, sustenance, by-products, dwindling & death
“Kuta-stha” (Steady) which implies that the soul does not undergo these six changes

2. Practical proof that soul never becomes old – Old man in same spirits as young man

3. Perception of soul by “consciousness” as the symptom:

Analogy: Sun covered by clouds and light is the symptom

3. Two kinds of soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad) – Anu (infinitesimal) and Vibhu (infinite)

4. Difference between consciousness of the soul and the Supreme

Supreme Soul knows past, present and future; individual soul is prone to forgetfulness

6. The relationship between Krishna and Arjuna

Krishna is the fountainhead of the Supersoul and Arjuna is the atomic soul forgetful of his real nature
Therefore Arjuna needs enlightenment by Krishna

7. Who can understand the glories of the soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad)

Only one free from all material desires and lamentations and by the grace of Supreme

8. Similar passage like this verse is found in Katha Upanisad

One word differs i.e. “Vipascit” – learned or ‘with knowledge’

Progress Chapter 1 50%

1. Supporting verse for “Eternal individuality”: Ref. Katha Upanisad & Svetasvatara Upanisad “Nityo Nityanam…”)

3. Only a ‘devotee’ can understand the ‘Bhagavad-gita’ and the concept of ‘Spiritual Individuality’(Ref. Bg. Chapter 4)

THEME: A ‘Dhira’ is not bewildered by change of bodies – Change of body – “boyhood to youth to old-age to another body”.

Learnings from Purport 2.13

1. This verse proves that there is no cause of lamentation because:

Bhisma and Drona will get fresh bodies
Also being noble, they will get spiritual or at least heavenly bodies, which implies higher elevation is guaranteed.

2. Definition of ‘Dhira’ – One who has perfect knowledge of the constitution of the soul, Supersoul and nature (Both material and spiritual)

Undisturbed by change of bodies (2.13)
Tolerates dualities (2.14)
Thus becomes eligible for liberation (2.15)

3. Refutation of Mayavadi – Their theory of oneness of spirit soul cannot be entertained because
 Spirit soul cannot be cut into pieces as fragmental portions
 Our Philosophy

Spirit Soul as eternal fragments – They cannot be cut, if could be cut then that would make Supreme cleavable as against principle of Supreme Soul’s being unchangeable.
Spirit Soul (Fallible) vs Krishna (Infallible) – Fragmental portions exist eternally (Sanatana) but are Ksara (Fallible – tendency to fall) (Bg. 15.16 – 15.18)
Spirit Soul never merges in the Supreme Soul – even after liberation spirit soul remains fragmental.
Spirit soul vs Supersoul (Theory of Reflection) –
▪ The theory of reflection can be applied to the Supersoul, who is present in each and every individual body and is known as the Paramatma
▪ He is different from the individual living entity.
▪ When the sky is reflected in water, the reflections represent both the sun and the moon and the stars also.
▪ The stars can be compared to the living entities and the sun or the moon to the Supreme Lord.
▪ The individual fragmental spirit soul is represented by Arjuna, and the Supreme Soul is the Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna.

4. Soul is never equal to Supersoul – Established by:

Theory of reflection (as explained above)
If they are equal-position of instructor and instructed, holds no value
Thus Lord Krishna is the ‘Supreme Personality of Godhead’ and Arjuna is the ‘living entity’ who is the forgotten soul deluded by Maya.

THEME: Tolerate dualities – One should not abandon religious duties due to bodily inconveniences or transformations because:

Nonpermanent appearance and disappearance of happiness and distress are like appearance and disappearance of summer and winter seasons
They arise from sense perception
Learn to tolerate them without being disturbed

Learnings from Purport 2.14

1. Importance of ‘Kaunteya’ and ‘Bharata’ – Great heritage brings great responsibility in the matter of proper discharge of duties

‘Kaunteya’ (Son of mother Kunti) signifies blood relation from mother’s side
‘Bharata’ (Decendent of King Bharata) signifies blood relation from father’s side

2. Basis of Tolerating Dualities

Knowledge of ‘illusion’ – They know that dualities arise only from sense perception
Higher goal – Focus on path of liberation

3. Examples of tolerating dualties

Early morning bath in Month of Magh (winter season)
Women cooking in May/June
To fight as a religion – even with relatives if needed
Renounced order of life which is full of austerities – Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu renouncing wife and mother (2.15)

THEME : Focus on the higher goal of liberation and overcome dualities of happiness and distress

Learnings from Purport 2.15

1. Eligibility for liberation from material bondage

Steady in prescribed duties – Anyone who is steady in his determination for the advanced stage of spiritual realisation
Tolerates – One who can equally tolerate the onslaughts of distress and happiness

2. Examples of Tolerance for the purpose of a higher goal

First example: Renounced order of life – Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu renounces wife and mother, at an early age for the preaching mission.
o Sannyasa is a painstaking situation but one who is serious, surely adopts this order in spite of all difficulties (difficulties usually arise from having to sever family relations).
Second example: Arjuna is also advised to persevere his duties even at the cost of fighting with ‘family members’ .

SUMMARISED THEME 2B

VISION OF SEERS OF TRUTH (2.16 – 2.25)

No death for soul and no endurance for the body. This implies Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill

It is done under Krishna’s direction
And with knowledge of soul and body

THEME : This verse gives the vision of “seers of truth” – It is the beginning of instruction by the Lord to the living entities who are bewildered by influence of ignorance.

Of the non-existent (material body) there is no endurance
Of the eternal (the soul) there is no change

Learnings from Purport 2.16

1. Difference between matter (body) and spirit

Body – Modern science admits that the body is changing at every moment
Spirit – Spirit soul exists permanently despite all changes of body and mind
All opinions agree – This conclusion is established by all classes of seers of truth – both Impersonalists and personalists.
Supporting Reference – Ref. Vishnu Purana – “Vishnu and His abodes all have selfilluminated spiritual existences”. The words existent and non-existent refer only to spirit and matter.

2. Influence of ignorance – Living entities are bewildered and identify themselves with the body or mind. Two kinds of ignorance/misgivings are:

Identifying with matter
Identifying oneself as God

3. Removal of ignorance – It involves:

Re-establish relationship – Re-establishment of the eternal relationship of the worshiper and worshipable.
Correct understanding of duality – Consequent understanding of the difference between the part and parcel living entities and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

4. Understanding the nature of the Supreme

One can understand by through study of oneself, the difference between oneself and the Supreme being understood as the relationship between the part and the whole.
Supreme has been accepted as the source of all emanations in the Vedanta sutras and the Srimad Bhagavatam
o Living entities belong to the superior nature (Ref. Bg. 7.5).
o Although there is a difference between energy and energetic, the energetic is accepted as the Supreme and energy or nature is accepted as the subordinate.
o This implies the living entities are always subordinate, just like ‘master and servant’, or ‘teacher and taught’.

5. Purpose of Bhagavad-gita

To drive away all ignorance (Refer to second point of this purport)
Enlightenment of all living entities for all time to come

SUMMARISED THEME 2C

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SOUL (2.17 – 2.25)

Part and parcel of the Supreme

and does not take birth

and therefore never dies

It is too small to be measured by any material means

Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad – 1/10,000th tip of a hair (2.17 purport)

Soul is steady (2.20) – does not undergo six changes like the body
Immutable – (2.21 & 2.25)
o Never changes like matter – Unlike body which goes through six changes (2.25 purport)
o Never become God – Soul always remains atomic to Infinite Supreme (2.25 purport)
Cannot be cut, burnt, dried or wet (2.23)
Immovable, unchangeable, everlasting and eternally the same (2.24)

Situated in the region of the heart (2.17 & 2.22 & Mundaka Upanishad)
Present everywhere (Sarva-Gata) (2.24) – Living entities are also present in sun & fire

Soul is invisible and inconceivable (2.25) – No human experiements can conceive the soul
Symptom of the soul– Soul is perceived by ‘individual consciousness’ (2.17 purport)
The only proof for the soul– Vedic scriptures – Sruti (2.25 purport)

Pervades entire body (Mundaka Upanishad)

Analogy: Like sun pervades entire universe and maintains, similarly light of soul maintains the material body
Analogy: Active principle of medicine spreads all over the body

Soul is surrounded by 5 kinds of life airs. Hatha Yoga – helps in liberation

COMMON THEME (2.17 – 2.18): The soul cannot be killed and the body cannot be saved from death.

Therefore Arjuna should not refrain from the necessity of war
This implies that the Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill

Learnings from Purport 2.17

1. Essence of purport – This verse more clearly explains “the nature of the soul”

2. Symptom of the soul – “Individual consciousness”

This consciousness is spread all over the body e.g. one can experience the pain and pleasures of the body.
Each and everybody is the embodiment of an individual soul, one cannot perceive the pains and pleasures of another’s body.

3. Size of the soul – Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad

It is one ten-thousandth (1/10,000th) of the tip of the hair
This is a spiritual atom smaller than the material atom
This spark is the basic principle of the material body

4. Ref. Mundaka Upanisad 3.1.9 – Explains the measurement of the atomic spirit soul

Size – The soul is atomic in size and can be perceived by perfect intelligence
Life airs – Atomic soul is floating in five kinds of airs (prana, apana, vyana, samana, udana)
Position – The soul is situated within the heart and spreads its influence all over the body
o Opinion of scientists – Because the measurement of the atomic soul is beyond their power of appreciation, they foolishly assert that there is no soul
Purification of soul – When the soul is purified from the contamination of the five kinds of material airs, it’s spiritual influence is exhibited.

5. Influence of soul all over the body

Material body minus consciousness equals a dead body
Two analogies to explain this:
o Active principle of medicine spreads all over the body, similarly the current of the spirit soul is felt all over the body as consciousness.
o Like the sun pervades the entire universe and maintains it, similarly the light of soul maintains the material body.
Conclusion – Consciousness is not due to any amount of material combination and cannot be revived by any material administration.

6. ‘Vedic science’ vs ‘Modern science’ on the soul – The heart is the seat of all energies of the body

Vedic science
o Individual soul is present in the heart along with the Supersoul, and therefore all energies of the body are emanating from the heart.
Modern science
o It accepts the important of red corpuscles and the heart as the seat of all energies
o But it cannot ascertain that the source of energy is the soul

7. Never mistake atomic soul to be all-pervading Vishnu-tattva

Constitution of atomic soul is admitted in all Vedic literatures and is also felt in the practical experience of any sane man.
Only an insane man can think of the atomic soul as all-pervading Vishnu-tattva.

Learnings from Purport 2.18

1. Body:

Body is perishable by nature – may perish immediately or after a hundred years
Basis of acquiring material bodies
o One acquires body according to one’s work
o Practical application: Observance of religious principles should to utilized to elevate because one acquires the body according to one’s work

2. Soul:

Soul as indestructible – The soul is too minute to be seen by the enemy what to speak of being killed.
Soul as immeasurable – It is too small to be measured.

3. How does this verse help Arjuna to overcome lamentation and material compassion

Because the living entity cannot be killed
Nor can the material body be saved for any length of time

4. The Spirit soul is important, not the body because

As soon as the spirit soul is out of the body, the body begins to decompose
Ref. Vedanta Sutra: Analogy – The living entity is qualified as light, because of being the part and parcel of the Supreme light.

5. Practical application for Arjuna based on this verse:

He is advised to fight
Not sacrifice the cause of religion for material, bodily considerations

COMMON THEME (2.19 – 2.21): Krishna reiterates the same points of the body and soul from different angles in these verses.

THEME (2.19) : The soul can neither kill nor is killed.

“Neither he who thinks the living entity to be the slayer, nor he who thinks it slain is in knowledge, for the self slays not, nor is slain”

Learnings from Purport 2.19

1. Living entity is never killed, when the body is hurt by weapons

The soul is too small to be killed by any material weapon
Nor is the living entity killable because of spiritual constitution

2. Immortality of soul – Does not encourage killing of the body – (Refer to Summarized Theme 2D)

Practical application: Immortality of soul does not encourage animal slaughter
Killing of body without authority is abominable

3. What justifies Arjuna’s killing

Arjuna was engaged in killing for the principle of religion and not whimsically

THEME : Clearly delineates the eternality of the soul

This verse is like quoting sastra to support the opinion of Krishna, because the Katha Upanisad also mentions a similar passage
For the soul there is neither birth nor death
He has not come into being, does not come into being and will not come into being
He is unborn, eternal, ever existing and primeval

Learnings from Purport 2.20

1. Soul as steady vs Body as temporary

Body – undergoes 6 changes like birth, growth, sustenance, by-products, dwindling & death
“Kuta-stha” (Steady) which implies that the soul does not undergo these six changes

2. Practical proof that soul never becomes old – Old man in same spirits as young man

3. Perception of soul by “consciousness” as the symptom:

Analogy: Sun covered by clouds and light is the symptom

3. Two kinds of soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad) – Anu (infinitesimal) and Vibhu (infinite)

4. Difference between consciousness of the soul and the Supreme

Supreme Soul knows past, present and future; individual soul is prone to forgetfulness

6. The relationship between Krishna and Arjuna

Krishna is the fountainhead of the Supersoul and Arjuna is the atomic soul forgetful of his real nature
Therefore Arjuna needs enlightenment by Krishna

7. Who can understand the glories of the soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad)

Only one free from all material desires and lamentations and by the grace of Supreme

8. Similar passage like this verse is found in Katha Upanisad

One word differs i.e. “Vipascit” – learned or ‘with knowledge’

Progress Chapter 1 50%

1. Who is learned –Supreme Personality of Godhead ‘chastises’ Arjuna for posing as a learned man

2. Definition of ‘Knowledge’ – To know matter, soul and supreme controller of both

3. Different levels of sastra – Texts 2.11 – 2.30 establishes Jnana sastra (knowledge of body and soul) to be higher than Dharma Sastra (In comparison to Arjuna’s recommendation of Dharma Sastra / Religious principles as higher than Artha-sastra / Politics or Sociology in Bg.1.36).

4. Arjuna called foolish because intelligence is used without considering ‘essential nature of the soul’

REFUTATIONS IN (2.12 – 2.30) FOR ARJUNA’S MATERIAL COMPASSION PLEASE NOTE: The refutations presented here are based on the commentaries of the ‘acharyas’ as used in ‘Surrender unto me’ book. They reflect the ‘thinking’ of Arjuna and may not be seen directly expressed in the Sanskrit verses or translations.

FIRST

Krishna says :

Individuality is never lost (2.12) – All living entities are eternal and continue their individuality in future without interruption – Therefore no lamentation for death (2.12).

SECOND

Arjuna may argue :

Change of body is still a cause of lamentation

Krishna refutes :

Change of body is as natural as change of boyhood to youth to oldage. Nobody laments for such a natural change (2.13).

THIRD

Arjuna may argue :

But we do lament for loss of youth to old-age

Krishna refutes :

But Bhisma and Drona will get fresh bodies which can be heavenly birth or spiritual bodies – therefore no lamentation (2.13) (e.g. King Yayati traded his old age and got a fresh youthful body – that was the cause of rejoicing).

FOURTH

Arjuna may think :

But attachment to current body of relatives will still be a cause of lamentation on losing them

Krishna advises :

No choice but to tolerate such non-permanent dualities (2.14). They arise from sense perception.

FIFTH

Krishna establishes
vision of seers of truth
and rebukes arjuna
(2.16 – 2.18)

Soul is eternal / Body is temporary Implies Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill (body is sure to end – 2.18).

SIXTH

Arjuna may argue :

Violence incurs sinful reaction

Krishna refutes :

Violence under My direction does not incur any sinful reaction (2.21 purport).

SEVENTH

Arjuna may argue :

Bhisma and Drona will lose their present bodies which are sources of enjoyment for them.

Krishna refutes :

Change of body is like change of dress – They will get fresh bodies and thus happiness (2.22).

EIGHTH

Anyway Arjuna’s weapons cannot kill the soul (2.23 – 2.24)

NINTH

One may think :

There is no soul, the body is all in all

Krishna refutes :

Even if there is no soul, still there is no cause of lamentation for a loss of chemicals (2.26)

THEME : We are all eternal individuals – Therefore there is no cause of lamentation for change of bodies.

Learnings from Purport 2.12

1. Supporting verse for “Eternal individuality”: Ref. Katha Upanisad & Svetasvatara Upanisad “Nityo Nityanam…”)

Supreme Personality of Godhead is the maintainer of innumerable living entities
How is He maintaining?
o In terms of different situations according to ‘individual work’ and ‘reaction of work’
o Also by plenary portion, He is alive in the heart of all living entities
Visions of Saintly Persons who achieve ‘perfect and eternal peace’ – They can see same Supreme Lord within and without.

2. Refutation of Mayavadi Theory – The following points are refuted:

What is their theory?

Individual soul is separated or broken from original consciousness by covering of Maya or illusion
Refutation – But we know that the soul is unbreakable (Ref. Bg. 2.13 & 2.23)
After liberation the soul merges or dissolves homogenously into impersonal Brahman and lose individual existence
Refutation – But we know that the soul is insoluble and never dissolves (Ref. Bg. 2.24)

Also refutes the following points

Mayavadi may argue: “Individuality exists only in conditioned state”
Refutation – Krishna clearly states individuality of the Lord and the living entities for future also (importance of Krishna’s statement as authoritative – because Krishna cannot be subject to illusion).
Mayavadi may argue: “ Individuality is material and not ‘spiritual’
Refutation – Then how can one distinguish Krishna’s individuality. Krishna confirms His individuality in the past and also in the future. If Krishna is an ordinary conditioned soul, born of four defects, then Bhagavad-gita loses all value
Mayavadi argues: “Plurality mentioned in this verse refers to body”
Refutation – But Bodily conception condemned in the previous verse, Why would Lord place a conventional proposition on the body again
If “Individuality refers to the Empirical universe”
Refutation: Then there is no need of teaching by the Lord Krishna.

3. Only a ‘devotee’ can understand the ‘Bhagavad-gita’ and the concept of ‘Spiritual Individuality’(Ref. Bg. Chapter 4)

Who cannot understand – Those who are envious of the Lord

4. Failure of Mayavada

Analogy to explain ‘Failure of Mayavadis/Non-Devotees’ – Bees licking the bottle of honey
Ref. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu on Mayavada
o He forbids us to read the most misleading Mayavada presentations on Bhagavad-gita

THEME: A ‘Dhira’ is not bewildered by change of bodies – Change of body – “boyhood to youth to old-age to another body”.

Learnings from Purport 2.13

1. This verse proves that there is no cause of lamentation because:

Bhisma and Drona will get fresh bodies
Also being noble, they will get spiritual or at least heavenly bodies, which implies higher elevation is guaranteed.

2. Definition of ‘Dhira’ – One who has perfect knowledge of the constitution of the soul, Supersoul and nature (Both material and spiritual)

Undisturbed by change of bodies (2.13)
Tolerates dualities (2.14)
Thus becomes eligible for liberation (2.15)

3. Refutation of Mayavadi – Their theory of oneness of spirit soul cannot be entertained because
 Spirit soul cannot be cut into pieces as fragmental portions
 Our Philosophy

Spirit Soul as eternal fragments – They cannot be cut, if could be cut then that would make Supreme cleavable as against principle of Supreme Soul’s being unchangeable.
Spirit Soul (Fallible) vs Krishna (Infallible) – Fragmental portions exist eternally (Sanatana) but are Ksara (Fallible – tendency to fall) (Bg. 15.16 – 15.18)
Spirit Soul never merges in the Supreme Soul – even after liberation spirit soul remains fragmental.
Spirit soul vs Supersoul (Theory of Reflection) –
▪ The theory of reflection can be applied to the Supersoul, who is present in each and every individual body and is known as the Paramatma
▪ He is different from the individual living entity.
▪ When the sky is reflected in water, the reflections represent both the sun and the moon and the stars also.
▪ The stars can be compared to the living entities and the sun or the moon to the Supreme Lord.
▪ The individual fragmental spirit soul is represented by Arjuna, and the Supreme Soul is the Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna.

4. Soul is never equal to Supersoul – Established by:

Theory of reflection (as explained above)
If they are equal-position of instructor and instructed, holds no value
Thus Lord Krishna is the ‘Supreme Personality of Godhead’ and Arjuna is the ‘living entity’ who is the forgotten soul deluded by Maya.

THEME: Tolerate dualities – One should not abandon religious duties due to bodily inconveniences or transformations because:

Nonpermanent appearance and disappearance of happiness and distress are like appearance and disappearance of summer and winter seasons
They arise from sense perception
Learn to tolerate them without being disturbed

Learnings from Purport 2.14

1. Importance of ‘Kaunteya’ and ‘Bharata’ – Great heritage brings great responsibility in the matter of proper discharge of duties

‘Kaunteya’ (Son of mother Kunti) signifies blood relation from mother’s side
‘Bharata’ (Decendent of King Bharata) signifies blood relation from father’s side

2. Basis of Tolerating Dualities

Knowledge of ‘illusion’ – They know that dualities arise only from sense perception
Higher goal – Focus on path of liberation

3. Examples of tolerating dualties

Early morning bath in Month of Magh (winter season)
Women cooking in May/June
To fight as a religion – even with relatives if needed
Renounced order of life which is full of austerities – Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu renouncing wife and mother (2.15)

THEME : Focus on the higher goal of liberation and overcome dualities of happiness and distress

Learnings from Purport 2.15

1. Eligibility for liberation from material bondage

Steady in prescribed duties – Anyone who is steady in his determination for the advanced stage of spiritual realisation
Tolerates – One who can equally tolerate the onslaughts of distress and happiness

2. Examples of Tolerance for the purpose of a higher goal

First example: Renounced order of life – Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu renounces wife and mother, at an early age for the preaching mission.
o Sannyasa is a painstaking situation but one who is serious, surely adopts this order in spite of all difficulties (difficulties usually arise from having to sever family relations).
Second example: Arjuna is also advised to persevere his duties even at the cost of fighting with ‘family members’ .

SUMMARISED THEME 2B

VISION OF SEERS OF TRUTH (2.16 – 2.25)

No death for soul and no endurance for the body. This implies Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill

It is done under Krishna’s direction
And with knowledge of soul and body

THEME : This verse gives the vision of “seers of truth” – It is the beginning of instruction by the Lord to the living entities who are bewildered by influence of ignorance.

Of the non-existent (material body) there is no endurance
Of the eternal (the soul) there is no change

Learnings from Purport 2.16

1. Difference between matter (body) and spirit

Body – Modern science admits that the body is changing at every moment
Spirit – Spirit soul exists permanently despite all changes of body and mind
All opinions agree – This conclusion is established by all classes of seers of truth – both Impersonalists and personalists.
Supporting Reference – Ref. Vishnu Purana – “Vishnu and His abodes all have selfilluminated spiritual existences”. The words existent and non-existent refer only to spirit and matter.

2. Influence of ignorance – Living entities are bewildered and identify themselves with the body or mind. Two kinds of ignorance/misgivings are:

Identifying with matter
Identifying oneself as God

3. Removal of ignorance – It involves:

Re-establish relationship – Re-establishment of the eternal relationship of the worshiper and worshipable.
Correct understanding of duality – Consequent understanding of the difference between the part and parcel living entities and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

4. Understanding the nature of the Supreme

One can understand by through study of oneself, the difference between oneself and the Supreme being understood as the relationship between the part and the whole.
Supreme has been accepted as the source of all emanations in the Vedanta sutras and the Srimad Bhagavatam
o Living entities belong to the superior nature (Ref. Bg. 7.5).
o Although there is a difference between energy and energetic, the energetic is accepted as the Supreme and energy or nature is accepted as the subordinate.
o This implies the living entities are always subordinate, just like ‘master and servant’, or ‘teacher and taught’.

5. Purpose of Bhagavad-gita

To drive away all ignorance (Refer to second point of this purport)
Enlightenment of all living entities for all time to come

SUMMARISED THEME 2C

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SOUL (2.17 – 2.25)

Part and parcel of the Supreme

and does not take birth

and therefore never dies

It is too small to be measured by any material means

Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad – 1/10,000th tip of a hair (2.17 purport)

Soul is steady (2.20) – does not undergo six changes like the body
Immutable – (2.21 & 2.25)
o Never changes like matter – Unlike body which goes through six changes (2.25 purport)
o Never become God – Soul always remains atomic to Infinite Supreme (2.25 purport)
Cannot be cut, burnt, dried or wet (2.23)
Immovable, unchangeable, everlasting and eternally the same (2.24)

Situated in the region of the heart (2.17 & 2.22 & Mundaka Upanishad)
Present everywhere (Sarva-Gata) (2.24) – Living entities are also present in sun & fire

Soul is invisible and inconceivable (2.25) – No human experiements can conceive the soul
Symptom of the soul– Soul is perceived by ‘individual consciousness’ (2.17 purport)
The only proof for the soul– Vedic scriptures – Sruti (2.25 purport)

Pervades entire body (Mundaka Upanishad)

Analogy: Like sun pervades entire universe and maintains, similarly light of soul maintains the material body
Analogy: Active principle of medicine spreads all over the body

Soul is surrounded by 5 kinds of life airs. Hatha Yoga – helps in liberation

COMMON THEME (2.17 – 2.18): The soul cannot be killed and the body cannot be saved from death.

Therefore Arjuna should not refrain from the necessity of war
This implies that the Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill

Learnings from Purport 2.17

1. Essence of purport – This verse more clearly explains “the nature of the soul”

2. Symptom of the soul – “Individual consciousness”

This consciousness is spread all over the body e.g. one can experience the pain and pleasures of the body.
Each and everybody is the embodiment of an individual soul, one cannot perceive the pains and pleasures of another’s body.

3. Size of the soul – Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad

It is one ten-thousandth (1/10,000th) of the tip of the hair
This is a spiritual atom smaller than the material atom
This spark is the basic principle of the material body

4. Ref. Mundaka Upanisad 3.1.9 – Explains the measurement of the atomic spirit soul

Size – The soul is atomic in size and can be perceived by perfect intelligence
Life airs – Atomic soul is floating in five kinds of airs (prana, apana, vyana, samana, udana)
Position – The soul is situated within the heart and spreads its influence all over the body
o Opinion of scientists – Because the measurement of the atomic soul is beyond their power of appreciation, they foolishly assert that there is no soul
Purification of soul – When the soul is purified from the contamination of the five kinds of material airs, it’s spiritual influence is exhibited.

5. Influence of soul all over the body

Material body minus consciousness equals a dead body
Two analogies to explain this:
o Active principle of medicine spreads all over the body, similarly the current of the spirit soul is felt all over the body as consciousness.
o Like the sun pervades the entire universe and maintains it, similarly the light of soul maintains the material body.
Conclusion – Consciousness is not due to any amount of material combination and cannot be revived by any material administration.

6. ‘Vedic science’ vs ‘Modern science’ on the soul – The heart is the seat of all energies of the body

Vedic science
o Individual soul is present in the heart along with the Supersoul, and therefore all energies of the body are emanating from the heart.
Modern science
o It accepts the important of red corpuscles and the heart as the seat of all energies
o But it cannot ascertain that the source of energy is the soul

7. Never mistake atomic soul to be all-pervading Vishnu-tattva

Constitution of atomic soul is admitted in all Vedic literatures and is also felt in the practical experience of any sane man.
Only an insane man can think of the atomic soul as all-pervading Vishnu-tattva.

Learnings from Purport 2.18

1. Body:

Body is perishable by nature – may perish immediately or after a hundred years
Basis of acquiring material bodies
o One acquires body according to one’s work
o Practical application: Observance of religious principles should to utilized to elevate because one acquires the body according to one’s work

2. Soul:

Soul as indestructible – The soul is too minute to be seen by the enemy what to speak of being killed.
Soul as immeasurable – It is too small to be measured.

3. How does this verse help Arjuna to overcome lamentation and material compassion

Because the living entity cannot be killed
Nor can the material body be saved for any length of time

4. The Spirit soul is important, not the body because

As soon as the spirit soul is out of the body, the body begins to decompose
Ref. Vedanta Sutra: Analogy – The living entity is qualified as light, because of being the part and parcel of the Supreme light.

5. Practical application for Arjuna based on this verse:

He is advised to fight
Not sacrifice the cause of religion for material, bodily considerations

COMMON THEME (2.19 – 2.21): Krishna reiterates the same points of the body and soul from different angles in these verses.

THEME (2.19) : The soul can neither kill nor is killed.

“Neither he who thinks the living entity to be the slayer, nor he who thinks it slain is in knowledge, for the self slays not, nor is slain”

Learnings from Purport 2.19

1. Living entity is never killed, when the body is hurt by weapons

The soul is too small to be killed by any material weapon
Nor is the living entity killable because of spiritual constitution

2. Immortality of soul – Does not encourage killing of the body – (Refer to Summarized Theme 2D)

Practical application: Immortality of soul does not encourage animal slaughter
Killing of body without authority is abominable

3. What justifies Arjuna’s killing

Arjuna was engaged in killing for the principle of religion and not whimsically

THEME : Clearly delineates the eternality of the soul

This verse is like quoting sastra to support the opinion of Krishna, because the Katha Upanisad also mentions a similar passage
For the soul there is neither birth nor death
He has not come into being, does not come into being and will not come into being
He is unborn, eternal, ever existing and primeval

Learnings from Purport 2.20

1. Soul as steady vs Body as temporary

Body – undergoes 6 changes like birth, growth, sustenance, by-products, dwindling & death
“Kuta-stha” (Steady) which implies that the soul does not undergo these six changes

2. Practical proof that soul never becomes old – Old man in same spirits as young man

3. Perception of soul by “consciousness” as the symptom:

Analogy: Sun covered by clouds and light is the symptom

3. Two kinds of soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad) – Anu (infinitesimal) and Vibhu (infinite)

4. Difference between consciousness of the soul and the Supreme

Supreme Soul knows past, present and future; individual soul is prone to forgetfulness

6. The relationship between Krishna and Arjuna

Krishna is the fountainhead of the Supersoul and Arjuna is the atomic soul forgetful of his real nature
Therefore Arjuna needs enlightenment by Krishna

7. Who can understand the glories of the soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad)

Only one free from all material desires and lamentations and by the grace of Supreme

8. Similar passage like this verse is found in Katha Upanisad

One word differs i.e. “Vipascit” – learned or ‘with knowledge’

Progress Chapter 1 50%

1. Who is learned –Supreme Personality of Godhead ‘chastises’ Arjuna for posing as a learned man

2. Definition of ‘Knowledge’ – To know matter, soul and supreme controller of both

4. Arjuna called foolish because intelligence is used without considering ‘essential nature of the soul’

FIRST

Krishna says :

Individuality is never lost (2.12) – All living entities are eternal and continue their individuality in future without interruption – Therefore no lamentation for death (2.12).

SECOND

Arjuna may argue :

Change of body is still a cause of lamentation

Krishna refutes :

Change of body is as natural as change of boyhood to youth to oldage. Nobody laments for such a natural change (2.13).

THIRD

Arjuna may argue :

But we do lament for loss of youth to old-age

Krishna refutes :

FOURTH

Arjuna may think :

But attachment to current body of relatives will still be a cause of lamentation on losing them

Krishna advises :

No choice but to tolerate such non-permanent dualities (2.14). They arise from sense perception.

FIFTH

Krishna establishes
vision of seers of truth
and rebukes arjuna
(2.16 – 2.18)

Soul is eternal / Body is temporary Implies Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill (body is sure to end – 2.18).

SIXTH

Arjuna may argue :

Violence incurs sinful reaction

Krishna refutes :

Violence under My direction does not incur any sinful reaction (2.21 purport).

SEVENTH

Arjuna may argue :

Bhisma and Drona will lose their present bodies which are sources of enjoyment for them.

Krishna refutes :

Change of body is like change of dress – They will get fresh bodies and thus happiness (2.22).

EIGHTH

Anyway Arjuna’s weapons cannot kill the soul (2.23 – 2.24)

NINTH

One may think :

There is no soul, the body is all in all

Krishna refutes :

Even if there is no soul, still there is no cause of lamentation for a loss of chemicals (2.26)

THEME : We are all eternal individuals – Therefore there is no cause of lamentation for change of bodies.

Learnings from Purport 2.12

1. Supporting verse for “Eternal individuality”: Ref. Katha Upanisad & Svetasvatara Upanisad “Nityo Nityanam…”)

Supreme Personality of Godhead is the maintainer of innumerable living entities
How is He maintaining?
o In terms of different situations according to ‘individual work’ and ‘reaction of work’
o Also by plenary portion, He is alive in the heart of all living entities
Visions of Saintly Persons who achieve ‘perfect and eternal peace’ – They can see same Supreme Lord within and without.

2. Refutation of Mayavadi Theory – The following points are refuted:

What is their theory?

Individual soul is separated or broken from original consciousness by covering of Maya or illusion
Refutation – But we know that the soul is unbreakable (Ref. Bg. 2.13 & 2.23)
After liberation the soul merges or dissolves homogenously into impersonal Brahman and lose individual existence
Refutation – But we know that the soul is insoluble and never dissolves (Ref. Bg. 2.24)

Also refutes the following points

Mayavadi may argue: “Individuality exists only in conditioned state”
Refutation – Krishna clearly states individuality of the Lord and the living entities for future also (importance of Krishna’s statement as authoritative – because Krishna cannot be subject to illusion).
Mayavadi may argue: “ Individuality is material and not ‘spiritual’
Refutation – Then how can one distinguish Krishna’s individuality. Krishna confirms His individuality in the past and also in the future. If Krishna is an ordinary conditioned soul, born of four defects, then Bhagavad-gita loses all value
Mayavadi argues: “Plurality mentioned in this verse refers to body”
Refutation – But Bodily conception condemned in the previous verse, Why would Lord place a conventional proposition on the body again
If “Individuality refers to the Empirical universe”
Refutation: Then there is no need of teaching by the Lord Krishna.

3. Only a ‘devotee’ can understand the ‘Bhagavad-gita’ and the concept of ‘Spiritual Individuality’(Ref. Bg. Chapter 4)

Who cannot understand – Those who are envious of the Lord

4. Failure of Mayavada

Analogy to explain ‘Failure of Mayavadis/Non-Devotees’ – Bees licking the bottle of honey
Ref. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu on Mayavada
o He forbids us to read the most misleading Mayavada presentations on Bhagavad-gita

THEME: A ‘Dhira’ is not bewildered by change of bodies – Change of body – “boyhood to youth to old-age to another body”.

Learnings from Purport 2.13

1. This verse proves that there is no cause of lamentation because:

Bhisma and Drona will get fresh bodies
Also being noble, they will get spiritual or at least heavenly bodies, which implies higher elevation is guaranteed.

2. Definition of ‘Dhira’ – One who has perfect knowledge of the constitution of the soul, Supersoul and nature (Both material and spiritual)

Undisturbed by change of bodies (2.13)
Tolerates dualities (2.14)
Thus becomes eligible for liberation (2.15)

3. Refutation of Mayavadi – Their theory of oneness of spirit soul cannot be entertained because
 Spirit soul cannot be cut into pieces as fragmental portions
 Our Philosophy

Spirit Soul as eternal fragments – They cannot be cut, if could be cut then that would make Supreme cleavable as against principle of Supreme Soul’s being unchangeable.
Spirit Soul (Fallible) vs Krishna (Infallible) – Fragmental portions exist eternally (Sanatana) but are Ksara (Fallible – tendency to fall) (Bg. 15.16 – 15.18)
Spirit Soul never merges in the Supreme Soul – even after liberation spirit soul remains fragmental.
Spirit soul vs Supersoul (Theory of Reflection) –
▪ The theory of reflection can be applied to the Supersoul, who is present in each and every individual body and is known as the Paramatma
▪ He is different from the individual living entity.
▪ When the sky is reflected in water, the reflections represent both the sun and the moon and the stars also.
▪ The stars can be compared to the living entities and the sun or the moon to the Supreme Lord.
▪ The individual fragmental spirit soul is represented by Arjuna, and the Supreme Soul is the Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna.

4. Soul is never equal to Supersoul – Established by:

Theory of reflection (as explained above)
If they are equal-position of instructor and instructed, holds no value
Thus Lord Krishna is the ‘Supreme Personality of Godhead’ and Arjuna is the ‘living entity’ who is the forgotten soul deluded by Maya.

THEME: Tolerate dualities – One should not abandon religious duties due to bodily inconveniences or transformations because:

Nonpermanent appearance and disappearance of happiness and distress are like appearance and disappearance of summer and winter seasons
They arise from sense perception
Learn to tolerate them without being disturbed

Learnings from Purport 2.14

1. Importance of ‘Kaunteya’ and ‘Bharata’ – Great heritage brings great responsibility in the matter of proper discharge of duties

‘Kaunteya’ (Son of mother Kunti) signifies blood relation from mother’s side
‘Bharata’ (Decendent of King Bharata) signifies blood relation from father’s side

2. Basis of Tolerating Dualities

Knowledge of ‘illusion’ – They know that dualities arise only from sense perception
Higher goal – Focus on path of liberation

3. Examples of tolerating dualties

Early morning bath in Month of Magh (winter season)
Women cooking in May/June
To fight as a religion – even with relatives if needed
Renounced order of life which is full of austerities – Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu renouncing wife and mother (2.15)

THEME : Focus on the higher goal of liberation and overcome dualities of happiness and distress

Learnings from Purport 2.15

1. Eligibility for liberation from material bondage

Steady in prescribed duties – Anyone who is steady in his determination for the advanced stage of spiritual realisation
Tolerates – One who can equally tolerate the onslaughts of distress and happiness

2. Examples of Tolerance for the purpose of a higher goal

First example: Renounced order of life – Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu renounces wife and mother, at an early age for the preaching mission.
o Sannyasa is a painstaking situation but one who is serious, surely adopts this order in spite of all difficulties (difficulties usually arise from having to sever family relations).
Second example: Arjuna is also advised to persevere his duties even at the cost of fighting with ‘family members’ .

SUMMARISED THEME 2B

VISION OF SEERS OF TRUTH (2.16 – 2.25)

No death for soul and no endurance for the body. This implies Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill

It is done under Krishna’s direction
And with knowledge of soul and body

THEME : This verse gives the vision of “seers of truth” – It is the beginning of instruction by the Lord to the living entities who are bewildered by influence of ignorance.

Of the non-existent (material body) there is no endurance
Of the eternal (the soul) there is no change

Learnings from Purport 2.16

1. Difference between matter (body) and spirit

Body – Modern science admits that the body is changing at every moment
Spirit – Spirit soul exists permanently despite all changes of body and mind
All opinions agree – This conclusion is established by all classes of seers of truth – both Impersonalists and personalists.
Supporting Reference – Ref. Vishnu Purana – “Vishnu and His abodes all have selfilluminated spiritual existences”. The words existent and non-existent refer only to spirit and matter.

2. Influence of ignorance – Living entities are bewildered and identify themselves with the body or mind. Two kinds of ignorance/misgivings are:

Identifying with matter
Identifying oneself as God

3. Removal of ignorance – It involves:

Re-establish relationship – Re-establishment of the eternal relationship of the worshiper and worshipable.
Correct understanding of duality – Consequent understanding of the difference between the part and parcel living entities and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

4. Understanding the nature of the Supreme

One can understand by through study of oneself, the difference between oneself and the Supreme being understood as the relationship between the part and the whole.
Supreme has been accepted as the source of all emanations in the Vedanta sutras and the Srimad Bhagavatam
o Living entities belong to the superior nature (Ref. Bg. 7.5).
o Although there is a difference between energy and energetic, the energetic is accepted as the Supreme and energy or nature is accepted as the subordinate.
o This implies the living entities are always subordinate, just like ‘master and servant’, or ‘teacher and taught’.

5. Purpose of Bhagavad-gita

To drive away all ignorance (Refer to second point of this purport)
Enlightenment of all living entities for all time to come

SUMMARISED THEME 2C

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SOUL (2.17 – 2.25)

Part and parcel of the Supreme

and does not take birth

and therefore never dies

It is too small to be measured by any material means

Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad – 1/10,000th tip of a hair (2.17 purport)

Soul is steady (2.20) – does not undergo six changes like the body
Immutable – (2.21 & 2.25)
o Never changes like matter – Unlike body which goes through six changes (2.25 purport)
o Never become God – Soul always remains atomic to Infinite Supreme (2.25 purport)
Cannot be cut, burnt, dried or wet (2.23)
Immovable, unchangeable, everlasting and eternally the same (2.24)

Situated in the region of the heart (2.17 & 2.22 & Mundaka Upanishad)
Present everywhere (Sarva-Gata) (2.24) – Living entities are also present in sun & fire

Soul is invisible and inconceivable (2.25) – No human experiements can conceive the soul
Symptom of the soul– Soul is perceived by ‘individual consciousness’ (2.17 purport)
The only proof for the soul– Vedic scriptures – Sruti (2.25 purport)

Pervades entire body (Mundaka Upanishad)

Analogy: Like sun pervades entire universe and maintains, similarly light of soul maintains the material body
Analogy: Active principle of medicine spreads all over the body

Soul is surrounded by 5 kinds of life airs. Hatha Yoga – helps in liberation

COMMON THEME (2.17 – 2.18): The soul cannot be killed and the body cannot be saved from death.

Therefore Arjuna should not refrain from the necessity of war
This implies that the Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill

Learnings from Purport 2.17

1. Essence of purport – This verse more clearly explains “the nature of the soul”

2. Symptom of the soul – “Individual consciousness”

This consciousness is spread all over the body e.g. one can experience the pain and pleasures of the body.
Each and everybody is the embodiment of an individual soul, one cannot perceive the pains and pleasures of another’s body.

3. Size of the soul – Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad

It is one ten-thousandth (1/10,000th) of the tip of the hair
This is a spiritual atom smaller than the material atom
This spark is the basic principle of the material body

4. Ref. Mundaka Upanisad 3.1.9 – Explains the measurement of the atomic spirit soul

Size – The soul is atomic in size and can be perceived by perfect intelligence
Life airs – Atomic soul is floating in five kinds of airs (prana, apana, vyana, samana, udana)
Position – The soul is situated within the heart and spreads its influence all over the body
o Opinion of scientists – Because the measurement of the atomic soul is beyond their power of appreciation, they foolishly assert that there is no soul
Purification of soul – When the soul is purified from the contamination of the five kinds of material airs, it’s spiritual influence is exhibited.

5. Influence of soul all over the body

Material body minus consciousness equals a dead body
Two analogies to explain this:
o Active principle of medicine spreads all over the body, similarly the current of the spirit soul is felt all over the body as consciousness.
o Like the sun pervades the entire universe and maintains it, similarly the light of soul maintains the material body.
Conclusion – Consciousness is not due to any amount of material combination and cannot be revived by any material administration.

6. ‘Vedic science’ vs ‘Modern science’ on the soul – The heart is the seat of all energies of the body

Vedic science
o Individual soul is present in the heart along with the Supersoul, and therefore all energies of the body are emanating from the heart.
Modern science
o It accepts the important of red corpuscles and the heart as the seat of all energies
o But it cannot ascertain that the source of energy is the soul

7. Never mistake atomic soul to be all-pervading Vishnu-tattva

Constitution of atomic soul is admitted in all Vedic literatures and is also felt in the practical experience of any sane man.
Only an insane man can think of the atomic soul as all-pervading Vishnu-tattva.

Learnings from Purport 2.18

1. Body:

Body is perishable by nature – may perish immediately or after a hundred years
Basis of acquiring material bodies
o One acquires body according to one’s work
o Practical application: Observance of religious principles should to utilized to elevate because one acquires the body according to one’s work

2. Soul:

Soul as indestructible – The soul is too minute to be seen by the enemy what to speak of being killed.
Soul as immeasurable – It is too small to be measured.

3. How does this verse help Arjuna to overcome lamentation and material compassion

Because the living entity cannot be killed
Nor can the material body be saved for any length of time

4. The Spirit soul is important, not the body because

As soon as the spirit soul is out of the body, the body begins to decompose
Ref. Vedanta Sutra: Analogy – The living entity is qualified as light, because of being the part and parcel of the Supreme light.

5. Practical application for Arjuna based on this verse:

He is advised to fight
Not sacrifice the cause of religion for material, bodily considerations

COMMON THEME (2.19 – 2.21): Krishna reiterates the same points of the body and soul from different angles in these verses.

THEME (2.19) : The soul can neither kill nor is killed.

“Neither he who thinks the living entity to be the slayer, nor he who thinks it slain is in knowledge, for the self slays not, nor is slain”

Learnings from Purport 2.19

1. Living entity is never killed, when the body is hurt by weapons

The soul is too small to be killed by any material weapon
Nor is the living entity killable because of spiritual constitution

2. Immortality of soul – Does not encourage killing of the body – (Refer to Summarized Theme 2D)

Practical application: Immortality of soul does not encourage animal slaughter
Killing of body without authority is abominable

3. What justifies Arjuna’s killing

Arjuna was engaged in killing for the principle of religion and not whimsically

THEME : Clearly delineates the eternality of the soul

This verse is like quoting sastra to support the opinion of Krishna, because the Katha Upanisad also mentions a similar passage
For the soul there is neither birth nor death
He has not come into being, does not come into being and will not come into being
He is unborn, eternal, ever existing and primeval

Learnings from Purport 2.20

1. Soul as steady vs Body as temporary

Body – undergoes 6 changes like birth, growth, sustenance, by-products, dwindling & death
“Kuta-stha” (Steady) which implies that the soul does not undergo these six changes

2. Practical proof that soul never becomes old – Old man in same spirits as young man

3. Perception of soul by “consciousness” as the symptom:

Analogy: Sun covered by clouds and light is the symptom

3. Two kinds of soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad) – Anu (infinitesimal) and Vibhu (infinite)

4. Difference between consciousness of the soul and the Supreme

Supreme Soul knows past, present and future; individual soul is prone to forgetfulness

6. The relationship between Krishna and Arjuna

Krishna is the fountainhead of the Supersoul and Arjuna is the atomic soul forgetful of his real nature
Therefore Arjuna needs enlightenment by Krishna

7. Who can understand the glories of the soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad)

Only one free from all material desires and lamentations and by the grace of Supreme

8. Similar passage like this verse is found in Katha Upanisad

One word differs i.e. “Vipascit” – learned or ‘with knowledge’

Progress Chapter 1 50%

Jñāna (ज्ञान)— FIGHT! (2.11 – 2.20)

THEME: Krishna chastises Arjuna – The truly wise do not mistake the body to be the self. Those who are truly wise lament neither for the living nor for the dead.

Learnings from Purport 2.11

1. Who is learned –Supreme Personality of Godhead ‘chastises’ Arjuna for posing as a learned man

Definition of ‘Learned Man’ – One who knows what is body and soul and does not lament for any stage of the body – Living or dead

2. Definition of ‘Knowledge’ – To know matter, soul and supreme controller of both

4. Arjuna called foolish because intelligence is used without considering ‘essential nature of the soul’

FIRST

Krishna says :

Individuality is never lost (2.12) – All living entities are eternal and continue their individuality in future without interruption – Therefore no lamentation for death (2.12).

SECOND

Arjuna may argue :

Change of body is still a cause of lamentation

Krishna refutes :

Change of body is as natural as change of boyhood to youth to oldage. Nobody laments for such a natural change (2.13).

THIRD

Arjuna may argue :

But we do lament for loss of youth to old-age

Krishna refutes :

FOURTH

Arjuna may think :

But attachment to current body of relatives will still be a cause of lamentation on losing them

Krishna advises :

No choice but to tolerate such non-permanent dualities (2.14). They arise from sense perception.

FIFTH

Krishna establishes
vision of seers of truth
and rebukes arjuna
(2.16 – 2.18)

Soul is eternal / Body is temporary Implies Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill (body is sure to end – 2.18).

SIXTH

Arjuna may argue :

Violence incurs sinful reaction

Krishna refutes :

Violence under My direction does not incur any sinful reaction (2.21 purport).

SEVENTH

Arjuna may argue :

Bhisma and Drona will lose their present bodies which are sources of enjoyment for them.

Krishna refutes :

Change of body is like change of dress – They will get fresh bodies and thus happiness (2.22).

EIGHTH

Anyway Arjuna’s weapons cannot kill the soul (2.23 – 2.24)

NINTH

One may think :

There is no soul, the body is all in all

Krishna refutes :

Even if there is no soul, still there is no cause of lamentation for a loss of chemicals (2.26)

THEME : We are all eternal individuals – Therefore there is no cause of lamentation for change of bodies.

Learnings from Purport 2.12

1. Supporting verse for “Eternal individuality”: Ref. Katha Upanisad & Svetasvatara Upanisad “Nityo Nityanam…”)

Supreme Personality of Godhead is the maintainer of innumerable living entities
How is He maintaining?
o In terms of different situations according to ‘individual work’ and ‘reaction of work’
o Also by plenary portion, He is alive in the heart of all living entities
Visions of Saintly Persons who achieve ‘perfect and eternal peace’ – They can see same Supreme Lord within and without.

2. Refutation of Mayavadi Theory – The following points are refuted:

What is their theory?

Individual soul is separated or broken from original consciousness by covering of Maya or illusion
Refutation – But we know that the soul is unbreakable (Ref. Bg. 2.13 & 2.23)
After liberation the soul merges or dissolves homogenously into impersonal Brahman and lose individual existence
Refutation – But we know that the soul is insoluble and never dissolves (Ref. Bg. 2.24)

Also refutes the following points

Mayavadi may argue: “Individuality exists only in conditioned state”
Refutation – Krishna clearly states individuality of the Lord and the living entities for future also (importance of Krishna’s statement as authoritative – because Krishna cannot be subject to illusion).
Mayavadi may argue: “ Individuality is material and not ‘spiritual’
Refutation – Then how can one distinguish Krishna’s individuality. Krishna confirms His individuality in the past and also in the future. If Krishna is an ordinary conditioned soul, born of four defects, then Bhagavad-gita loses all value
Mayavadi argues: “Plurality mentioned in this verse refers to body”
Refutation – But Bodily conception condemned in the previous verse, Why would Lord place a conventional proposition on the body again
If “Individuality refers to the Empirical universe”
Refutation: Then there is no need of teaching by the Lord Krishna.

3. Only a ‘devotee’ can understand the ‘Bhagavad-gita’ and the concept of ‘Spiritual Individuality’(Ref. Bg. Chapter 4)

Who cannot understand – Those who are envious of the Lord

4. Failure of Mayavada

Analogy to explain ‘Failure of Mayavadis/Non-Devotees’ – Bees licking the bottle of honey
Ref. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu on Mayavada
o He forbids us to read the most misleading Mayavada presentations on Bhagavad-gita

THEME: A ‘Dhira’ is not bewildered by change of bodies – Change of body – “boyhood to youth to old-age to another body”.

Learnings from Purport 2.13

1. This verse proves that there is no cause of lamentation because:

Bhisma and Drona will get fresh bodies
Also being noble, they will get spiritual or at least heavenly bodies, which implies higher elevation is guaranteed.

2. Definition of ‘Dhira’ – One who has perfect knowledge of the constitution of the soul, Supersoul and nature (Both material and spiritual)

Undisturbed by change of bodies (2.13)
Tolerates dualities (2.14)
Thus becomes eligible for liberation (2.15)

3. Refutation of Mayavadi – Their theory of oneness of spirit soul cannot be entertained because
 Spirit soul cannot be cut into pieces as fragmental portions
 Our Philosophy

Spirit Soul as eternal fragments – They cannot be cut, if could be cut then that would make Supreme cleavable as against principle of Supreme Soul’s being unchangeable.
Spirit Soul (Fallible) vs Krishna (Infallible) – Fragmental portions exist eternally (Sanatana) but are Ksara (Fallible – tendency to fall) (Bg. 15.16 – 15.18)
Spirit Soul never merges in the Supreme Soul – even after liberation spirit soul remains fragmental.
Spirit soul vs Supersoul (Theory of Reflection) –
▪ The theory of reflection can be applied to the Supersoul, who is present in each and every individual body and is known as the Paramatma
▪ He is different from the individual living entity.
▪ When the sky is reflected in water, the reflections represent both the sun and the moon and the stars also.
▪ The stars can be compared to the living entities and the sun or the moon to the Supreme Lord.
▪ The individual fragmental spirit soul is represented by Arjuna, and the Supreme Soul is the Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna.

4. Soul is never equal to Supersoul – Established by:

Theory of reflection (as explained above)
If they are equal-position of instructor and instructed, holds no value
Thus Lord Krishna is the ‘Supreme Personality of Godhead’ and Arjuna is the ‘living entity’ who is the forgotten soul deluded by Maya.

THEME: Tolerate dualities – One should not abandon religious duties due to bodily inconveniences or transformations because:

Nonpermanent appearance and disappearance of happiness and distress are like appearance and disappearance of summer and winter seasons
They arise from sense perception
Learn to tolerate them without being disturbed

Learnings from Purport 2.14

1. Importance of ‘Kaunteya’ and ‘Bharata’ – Great heritage brings great responsibility in the matter of proper discharge of duties

‘Kaunteya’ (Son of mother Kunti) signifies blood relation from mother’s side
‘Bharata’ (Decendent of King Bharata) signifies blood relation from father’s side

2. Basis of Tolerating Dualities

Knowledge of ‘illusion’ – They know that dualities arise only from sense perception
Higher goal – Focus on path of liberation

3. Examples of tolerating dualties

Early morning bath in Month of Magh (winter season)
Women cooking in May/June
To fight as a religion – even with relatives if needed
Renounced order of life which is full of austerities – Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu renouncing wife and mother (2.15)

THEME : Focus on the higher goal of liberation and overcome dualities of happiness and distress

Learnings from Purport 2.15

1. Eligibility for liberation from material bondage

Steady in prescribed duties – Anyone who is steady in his determination for the advanced stage of spiritual realisation
Tolerates – One who can equally tolerate the onslaughts of distress and happiness

2. Examples of Tolerance for the purpose of a higher goal

First example: Renounced order of life – Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu renounces wife and mother, at an early age for the preaching mission.
o Sannyasa is a painstaking situation but one who is serious, surely adopts this order in spite of all difficulties (difficulties usually arise from having to sever family relations).
Second example: Arjuna is also advised to persevere his duties even at the cost of fighting with ‘family members’ .

SUMMARISED THEME 2B

VISION OF SEERS OF TRUTH (2.16 – 2.25)

No death for soul and no endurance for the body. This implies Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill

It is done under Krishna’s direction
And with knowledge of soul and body

THEME : This verse gives the vision of “seers of truth” – It is the beginning of instruction by the Lord to the living entities who are bewildered by influence of ignorance.

Of the non-existent (material body) there is no endurance
Of the eternal (the soul) there is no change

Learnings from Purport 2.16

1. Difference between matter (body) and spirit

Body – Modern science admits that the body is changing at every moment
Spirit – Spirit soul exists permanently despite all changes of body and mind
All opinions agree – This conclusion is established by all classes of seers of truth – both Impersonalists and personalists.
Supporting Reference – Ref. Vishnu Purana – “Vishnu and His abodes all have selfilluminated spiritual existences”. The words existent and non-existent refer only to spirit and matter.

2. Influence of ignorance – Living entities are bewildered and identify themselves with the body or mind. Two kinds of ignorance/misgivings are:

Identifying with matter
Identifying oneself as God

3. Removal of ignorance – It involves:

Re-establish relationship – Re-establishment of the eternal relationship of the worshiper and worshipable.
Correct understanding of duality – Consequent understanding of the difference between the part and parcel living entities and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

4. Understanding the nature of the Supreme

One can understand by through study of oneself, the difference between oneself and the Supreme being understood as the relationship between the part and the whole.
Supreme has been accepted as the source of all emanations in the Vedanta sutras and the Srimad Bhagavatam
o Living entities belong to the superior nature (Ref. Bg. 7.5).
o Although there is a difference between energy and energetic, the energetic is accepted as the Supreme and energy or nature is accepted as the subordinate.
o This implies the living entities are always subordinate, just like ‘master and servant’, or ‘teacher and taught’.

5. Purpose of Bhagavad-gita

To drive away all ignorance (Refer to second point of this purport)
Enlightenment of all living entities for all time to come

SUMMARISED THEME 2C

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SOUL (2.17 – 2.25)

Part and parcel of the Supreme

and does not take birth

and therefore never dies

It is too small to be measured by any material means

Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad – 1/10,000th tip of a hair (2.17 purport)

Soul is steady (2.20) – does not undergo six changes like the body
Immutable – (2.21 & 2.25)
o Never changes like matter – Unlike body which goes through six changes (2.25 purport)
o Never become God – Soul always remains atomic to Infinite Supreme (2.25 purport)
Cannot be cut, burnt, dried or wet (2.23)
Immovable, unchangeable, everlasting and eternally the same (2.24)

Situated in the region of the heart (2.17 & 2.22 & Mundaka Upanishad)
Present everywhere (Sarva-Gata) (2.24) – Living entities are also present in sun & fire

Soul is invisible and inconceivable (2.25) – No human experiements can conceive the soul
Symptom of the soul– Soul is perceived by ‘individual consciousness’ (2.17 purport)
The only proof for the soul– Vedic scriptures – Sruti (2.25 purport)

Pervades entire body (Mundaka Upanishad)

Analogy: Like sun pervades entire universe and maintains, similarly light of soul maintains the material body
Analogy: Active principle of medicine spreads all over the body

Soul is surrounded by 5 kinds of life airs. Hatha Yoga – helps in liberation

COMMON THEME (2.17 – 2.18): The soul cannot be killed and the body cannot be saved from death.

Therefore Arjuna should not refrain from the necessity of war
This implies that the Kauravas cannot escape death even if Arjuna does not kill

Learnings from Purport 2.17

1. Essence of purport – This verse more clearly explains “the nature of the soul”

2. Symptom of the soul – “Individual consciousness”

This consciousness is spread all over the body e.g. one can experience the pain and pleasures of the body.
Each and everybody is the embodiment of an individual soul, one cannot perceive the pains and pleasures of another’s body.

3. Size of the soul – Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad

It is one ten-thousandth (1/10,000th) of the tip of the hair
This is a spiritual atom smaller than the material atom
This spark is the basic principle of the material body

4. Ref. Mundaka Upanisad 3.1.9 – Explains the measurement of the atomic spirit soul

Size – The soul is atomic in size and can be perceived by perfect intelligence
Life airs – Atomic soul is floating in five kinds of airs (prana, apana, vyana, samana, udana)
Position – The soul is situated within the heart and spreads its influence all over the body
o Opinion of scientists – Because the measurement of the atomic soul is beyond their power of appreciation, they foolishly assert that there is no soul
Purification of soul – When the soul is purified from the contamination of the five kinds of material airs, it’s spiritual influence is exhibited.

5. Influence of soul all over the body

Material body minus consciousness equals a dead body
Two analogies to explain this:
o Active principle of medicine spreads all over the body, similarly the current of the spirit soul is felt all over the body as consciousness.
o Like the sun pervades the entire universe and maintains it, similarly the light of soul maintains the material body.
Conclusion – Consciousness is not due to any amount of material combination and cannot be revived by any material administration.

6. ‘Vedic science’ vs ‘Modern science’ on the soul – The heart is the seat of all energies of the body

Vedic science
o Individual soul is present in the heart along with the Supersoul, and therefore all energies of the body are emanating from the heart.
Modern science
o It accepts the important of red corpuscles and the heart as the seat of all energies
o But it cannot ascertain that the source of energy is the soul

7. Never mistake atomic soul to be all-pervading Vishnu-tattva

Constitution of atomic soul is admitted in all Vedic literatures and is also felt in the practical experience of any sane man.
Only an insane man can think of the atomic soul as all-pervading Vishnu-tattva.

Learnings from Purport 2.18

1. Body:

Body is perishable by nature – may perish immediately or after a hundred years
Basis of acquiring material bodies
o One acquires body according to one’s work
o Practical application: Observance of religious principles should to utilized to elevate because one acquires the body according to one’s work

2. Soul:

Soul as indestructible – The soul is too minute to be seen by the enemy what to speak of being killed.
Soul as immeasurable – It is too small to be measured.

3. How does this verse help Arjuna to overcome lamentation and material compassion

Because the living entity cannot be killed
Nor can the material body be saved for any length of time

4. The Spirit soul is important, not the body because

As soon as the spirit soul is out of the body, the body begins to decompose
Ref. Vedanta Sutra: Analogy – The living entity is qualified as light, because of being the part and parcel of the Supreme light.

5. Practical application for Arjuna based on this verse:

He is advised to fight
Not sacrifice the cause of religion for material, bodily considerations

COMMON THEME (2.19 – 2.21): Krishna reiterates the same points of the body and soul from different angles in these verses.

THEME (2.19) : The soul can neither kill nor is killed.

“Neither he who thinks the living entity to be the slayer, nor he who thinks it slain is in knowledge, for the self slays not, nor is slain”

Learnings from Purport 2.19

1. Living entity is never killed, when the body is hurt by weapons

The soul is too small to be killed by any material weapon
Nor is the living entity killable because of spiritual constitution

2. Immortality of soul – Does not encourage killing of the body – (Refer to Summarized Theme 2D)

Practical application: Immortality of soul does not encourage animal slaughter
Killing of body without authority is abominable

3. What justifies Arjuna’s killing

Arjuna was engaged in killing for the principle of religion and not whimsically

THEME : Clearly delineates the eternality of the soul

This verse is like quoting sastra to support the opinion of Krishna, because the Katha Upanisad also mentions a similar passage
For the soul there is neither birth nor death
He has not come into being, does not come into being and will not come into being
He is unborn, eternal, ever existing and primeval

Learnings from Purport 2.20

1. Soul as steady vs Body as temporary

Body – undergoes 6 changes like birth, growth, sustenance, by-products, dwindling & death
“Kuta-stha” (Steady) which implies that the soul does not undergo these six changes

2. Practical proof that soul never becomes old – Old man in same spirits as young man

3. Perception of soul by “consciousness” as the symptom:

Analogy: Sun covered by clouds and light is the symptom

3. Two kinds of soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad) – Anu (infinitesimal) and Vibhu (infinite)

4. Difference between consciousness of the soul and the Supreme

Supreme Soul knows past, present and future; individual soul is prone to forgetfulness

6. The relationship between Krishna and Arjuna

Krishna is the fountainhead of the Supersoul and Arjuna is the atomic soul forgetful of his real nature
Therefore Arjuna needs enlightenment by Krishna

7. Who can understand the glories of the soul (Ref. Katha Upanishad)

Only one free from all material desires and lamentations and by the grace of Supreme

8. Similar passage like this verse is found in Katha Upanisad

One word differs i.e. “Vipascit” – learned or ‘with knowledge’

Text 2.20

Learnings from Purport 2.20

Text 2.20

Learnings from Purport 2.20

Text 2.19 – 2.21

Learnings from Purport 2.19

Text 2.20

Learnings from Purport 2.20

Text 2.19 – 2.21

Learnings from Purport 2.19

Text 2.20

Learnings from Purport 2.20

Learnings from Purport 2.18

Text 2.19 – 2.21

Learnings from Purport 2.19

Text 2.20

Learnings from Purport 2.20

Learnings from Purport 2.18

Text 2.19 – 2.21

Learnings from Purport 2.19

Text 2.20

Learnings from Purport 2.20

SUMMARISED THEME 2C

Text 2.17 – 2.18

Learnings from Purport 2.17

Learnings from Purport 2.18

Text 2.19 – 2.21

Learnings from Purport 2.19

Text 2.20

Learnings from Purport 2.20

SUMMARISED THEME 2C

Text 2.17 – 2.18

Learnings from Purport 2.17

Learnings from Purport 2.18

Text 2.19 – 2.21

Learnings from Purport 2.19

Text 2.20

Learnings from Purport 2.20

SUMMARISED THEME 2B

Text 2.16

Learnings from Purport 2.16

SUMMARISED THEME 2C

Text 2.17 – 2.18

Learnings from Purport 2.17

Learnings from Purport 2.18

Text 2.19 – 2.21

Learnings from Purport 2.19

Text 2.20

Learnings from Purport 2.20

SUMMARISED THEME 2B

Text 2.16

Learnings from Purport 2.16

SUMMARISED THEME 2C

Text 2.17 – 2.18

Learnings from Purport 2.17

Learnings from Purport 2.18

Text 2.19 – 2.21

Learnings from Purport 2.19

Text 2.20

Learnings from Purport 2.20

Text 2.15

Learnings from Purport 2.15

SUMMARISED THEME 2B

Text 2.16

Learnings from Purport 2.16

SUMMARISED THEME 2C

Text 2.17 – 2.18

Learnings from Purport 2.17

Learnings from Purport 2.18

Text 2.19 – 2.21

Learnings from Purport 2.19

Text 2.20

Learnings from Purport 2.20

Text 2.15

Learnings from Purport 2.15

SUMMARISED THEME 2B

Text 2.16

Learnings from Purport 2.16

SUMMARISED THEME 2C

Text 2.17 – 2.18