Changes

In the chapter preceeding the Aila Gita, Shri Krishna describes the effects of the trigunas and their combinations one by one. It is mentioned therein that human beings are bound to trigunas because they manifest in the mind and lead to attachment to life-forms and sense-objects. However, those who take shelter of the Supreme Being become free from the trigunas and attain the Supreme Being.<ref name=":0">Anand Aadhar (2022), Srimad Bhagavatam ([https://www.srimadbhagavatam.org/pdf/canto11-eng.pdf Canto 11])</ref> It also emphasizes that happiness generated by sense objects is rajasik in nature while that which arises from realising the Supreme Being is beyond the Gunas.<ref name=":1">Swami Sivananda (2000), [https://www.dlshq.org/download2/lordkrishna.pdf Lord Krishna His Lilas and Teachings], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society.</ref>   

In the chapter preceeding the Aila Gita, Shri Krishna describes the effects of the trigunas and their combinations one by one. It is mentioned therein that human beings are bound to trigunas because they manifest in the mind and lead to attachment to life-forms and sense-objects. However, those who take shelter of the Supreme Being become free from the trigunas and attain the Supreme Being.<ref name=":0">Anand Aadhar (2022), Srimad Bhagavatam ([https://www.srimadbhagavatam.org/pdf/canto11-eng.pdf Canto 11])</ref> It also emphasizes that happiness generated by sense objects is rajasik in nature while that which arises from realising the Supreme Being is beyond the Gunas.<ref name=":1">Swami Sivananda (2000), [https://www.dlshq.org/download2/lordkrishna.pdf Lord Krishna His Lilas and Teachings], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society.</ref>   

Infact, elsewhere also, the Bhagavata Purana (Canto 11, Chapter 15) states that when one focusses one's mind that is pure in the Supreme Being, the impersonal brahman that is free from material qualities, one obtains the supreme of happiness wherein one's desire finds its complete fulfillment.<ref name=":0" />  <blockquote>निर्गुणे ब्रह्मणि मयि धारयन्विशदं मनः । परमानन्दमाप्नोति यत्र कामोऽवसीयते ।। १७ ।।<ref>Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 11, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AB Adhyaya 15]</ref>

Infact, elsewhere also, the Bhagavata Purana (Canto 11, Chapter 15) states that when one focusses one's mind that is pure in the Supreme Being, the impersonal brahman that is free from material qualities, one obtains the supreme of happiness wherein one's desire finds its complete fulfillment.<ref name=":0" />  <blockquote>निर्गुणे ब्रह्मणि मयि धारयन्विशदं मनः । परमानन्दमाप्नोति यत्र कामोऽवसीयते ।। १७ ।।<ref>Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 11, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AB Adhyaya 15]</ref> nirguṇe brahmaṇi mayi dhārayanviśadaṁ manaḥ । paramānandamāpnoti yatra kāmo'vasīyate ।। 17 ।।  </blockquote>The Bhagavad Gita also iterates that one discovers happiness in the Self when unattached to the external contacts. And that, with the self engaged in the meditation of the Brahman one attains endless happiness.<ref>Swami Sivananda (2000), [https://holybooks-lichtenbergpress.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/BHAGAVAD-GITA-By-SRI-SWAMI-SIVANANDA.pdf Bhagavad Gita], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society.</ref>  <blockquote>बाह्यस्पर्शेष्वसक्तात्मा विन्दत्यात्मनि यत् सुखम् । स ब्रह्मयोगयुक्तात्मा सुखमक्षयमश्नुते ॥५.२१॥<ref>Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 5 (Karma Sannyasa Yoga)].</ref>   

 

nirguṇe brahmaṇi mayi dhārayanviśadaṁ manaḥ । paramānandamāpnoti yatra kāmo'vasīyate ।। 17 ।।  </blockquote>The Bhagavad Gita also iterates that one discovers happiness in the Self when unattached to the external contacts. And that, with the self engaged in the meditation of the Brahman one attains endless happiness.<ref>Swami Sivananda (2000), [https://holybooks-lichtenbergpress.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/BHAGAVAD-GITA-By-SRI-SWAMI-SIVANANDA.pdf Bhagavad Gita], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society.</ref>  <blockquote>बाह्यस्पर्शेष्वसक्तात्मा विन्दत्यात्मनि यत् सुखम् । स ब्रह्मयोगयुक्तात्मा सुखमक्षयमश्नुते ॥५.२१॥<ref>Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 5 (Karma Sannyasa Yoga)].</ref>   

bāhyasparśeṣvasaktātmā vindatyātmani yat sukham । sa brahmayogayuktātmā sukhamakṣayamaśnute ॥5.21॥  </blockquote>

bāhyasparśeṣvasaktātmā vindatyātmani yat sukham । sa brahmayogayuktātmā sukhamakṣayamaśnute ॥5.21॥  </blockquote>

== पार्श्वभूमिः ॥ Background ==

== पार्श्वभूमिः ॥ Background ==

In the chapter leading to the Aila Gita it is explained that material substance, place, fruit of action, time, knowledge, activity, the performer, faith, the state of consciousness and the species and the destinations of life, all are affected by the trigunas (30). In fact, all that exists is a composition of the trigunas (31). These forms of existence and stages of life of the repeatedly incarnating living beings are bound to the operation of the gunas. However, those who being dedicated to the Supreme Being in bhakti yoga conquer these gunas that manifest in the mind, qualify for the transcendental love of the Supreme being (32).<ref name=":0" />

In the chapter leading to the Aila Gita it is explained that material substance, place, fruit of action, time, knowledge, activity, the performer, faith, the state of consciousness and the species and the destinations of life, all are affected by the trigunas. In fact, all that exists is a composition of the trigunas.<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>द्रव्यं देशः फलं कालो ज्ञानं कर्म च कारकः । श्रद्धावस्थाकृतिर्निष्ठा त्रैगुण्यः सर्व एव हि ।। ३० ।। सर्वे गुणमया भावाः ...<ref name=":2">Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 11, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%AB Adhyaya 25]</ref>

 

dravyaṁ deśaḥ phalaṁ kālo jñānaṁ karma ca kārakaḥ । śraddhāvasthākr̥tirniṣṭhā traiguṇyaḥ sarva eva hi ।। 30 ।। sarve guṇamayā bhāvāḥ ...</blockquote>However, though the various forms of existence and stages of life of the repeatedly incarnating living beings are bound to the operation of the gunas, those who being dedicated to the Supreme Being in bhakti yoga conquer these gunas that manifest in the mind, qualify for the transcendental love of the Supreme being.<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>एताः संसृतयः पुंसो गुणकर्मनिबन्धनाः । येनेमे निर्जिताः सौम्य गुणा जीवेन चित्तजाः ।। ३२ ।। भक्तियोगेन मन्निष्ठो मद्भावाय प्रपद्यते ।<ref name=":2" />

Having elaborated on the human body as the substratum of the trigunas that lead one to be bound by attachments, it further emphasizes on the human body as the means by which one acquires knowledge and develops wisdom. Therefore, it is suggested that those who obtain the human body should be smart enough to shake off their attachment to the gunas and worship the Supreme Being (33).<ref name=":0" />

etāḥ saṁsr̥tayaḥ puṁso guṇakarmanibandhanāḥ । yeneme nirjitāḥ saumya guṇā jīvena cittajāḥ ।। 32 ।। bhaktiyogena manniṣṭho madbhāvāya prapadyate ।</blockquote>Having elaborated on the human body as the substratum of the trigunas that lead one to be bound by attachments, it further emphasizes on the human body as the means by which one acquires knowledge and develops wisdom. Therefore, it is suggested that those who obtain the human body should be smart enough to shake off their attachment to the gunas and worship the Supreme Being.<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>तस्माद्देहमिमं लब्ध्वा ज्ञानविज्ञानसम्भवम् ।। ३३ ।। गुणसङ्गं विनिर्धूय मां भजन्तु विचक्षणाः ।<ref name=":2" />

It is said that when the wise worship the Supreme Being with alertness, controlled senses and without attachment to anything else; when one conquers Rajas and Tamas by developing Sattva and thereafter overcomes even Sattva by means of desirelessness and by concentrating the mind on the Supreme Being, one goes beyond the Gunas, abandons the body and attains the Supreme Being.   

tasmāddehamimaṁ labdhvā jñānavijñānasambhavam ।। 33 ।। guṇasaṅgaṁ vinirdhūya māṁ bhajantu vicakṣaṇāḥ ।</blockquote>It is said that when the wise worship the Supreme Being with alertness, controlled senses and without attachment to anything else; when one conquers Rajas and Tamas by developing Sattva and thereafter overcomes even Sattva by means of desirelessness and by concentrating the mind on the Supreme Being, one goes beyond the Gunas, abandons the body and attains the Supreme Being.   

And such a person who is released from the body and from the Gunas which arise in the mind, being full of the Para Brahman, shall not do anything external or internal i.e., leading to Samsara or Moksha. Such a person will have nothing to do with the objects of sense externally through actual contract nor internally through thought.<ref name=":1" />

And such a person who is released from the body and from the Gunas which arise in the mind, being full of the Para Brahman, shall not do anything external or internal i.e., leading to Samsara or Moksha. Such a person will have nothing to do with the objects of sense externally through actual contract nor internally through thought.<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>जीवो जीवविनिर्मुक्तो गुणैश्चाशयसम्भवैः । मयैव ब्रह्मणा पूर्णो न बहिर्नान्तरश्चरेत् ।। ३६ ।।<ref name=":2" />

This discussion on the trigunas highlighting the need to go beyond material desires and develop the quality of detachment forms the basis for the Song of Pururava or Aila Gita that appears in the succeeding chapter (Chapter 26) of the 11th Canto in the Bhagavata Purana.   

jīvo jīvavinirmukto guṇaiścāśayasambhavaiḥ । mayaiva brahmaṇā pūrṇo na bahirnāntaraścaret ।। 36 ।।</blockquote>This discussion on the trigunas highlighting the need to go beyond material desires and develop the quality of detachment forms the basis for the Song of Pururavas or Aila Gita that appears in the succeeding chapter (Chapter 26) of the 11th Canto in the Bhagavata Purana.   

== विषयविस्तारः ॥ Subject Matter ==

== विषयविस्तारः ॥ Subject Matter ==