84 - Attaining Liberation While Living | Swami Tattwamayananda

-8th chapter: verses 26, 27, 28<br />-The lecture was given by Swami Tattwamayananda on May 28, 2021.<br />-To properly understand the 28th verse, we need to understand the context of the 8th chapter, which starts with seven questions from Arjuna. He asks: “What is Brahman? What is Adhyatma? What is Karma? What is Adhibhuta? What is Adhidaiva? Who and in what way is Adhiyajna present in the human body? How are You known at the time of death by those practicing spiritual disciplines?<br />-In answer, Lord Krishna says: Aksharam(Brahman) - as the imperishable, indestructible, impersonal, unmanifest reality - is the supreme truth. Its presence in every human being is called Adhyatma. The vibration of this potentiality into creative and evolutionary activities is called Karma. What is perishable – comes into existence and later disappears – is Adhibhutam. The reflection of the supreme reality in the human body is Adhidaivam. The supreme reality itself is Adhiyajna, as the cause of evolutionary activity and sustenance of the universe. Those who remember Me alone at the time of death, they attain Me. <br />-Lord Krishna then discusses the two spiritual paths that Yogis take upon departing from this body. <br />-Yogis of the highest type, who lead a pure life and are free from selfish desires, follow the bright path of Shuklagati or Devayana. It is the path of fire, flame, daytime, the bright fortnight, and the six months of the northern passage of the sun - departing by this path the knowers of Brahmanattain Brahman. Bhishma in Mahabharata decided his time of death, to take this path.<br />-Yogis whose spiritual practices are driven by a motive, follow the dark path of Krishnagati or Pitrayana. It is the path of smoke, nighttime, dark fortnight, and the six months of the southern passage of the sun – departing by this path, the Yogi reaches a higher abode, but returns to Samsara.<br />-We find two types of teachings in Hindu scriptures. First type of teaching is linked to belief systems of ancient India – some of them