Turn To Sai Baba Always And The Gita

Mrs. Seetha Vijayakmar

Do you find yourself torn between the devil and the deep blue sea? Are you cruising along and suddenly you get knocked down by a challenge? Do you get overwhelmed by doubt and indecision? Lord Sainath and Sai Satcharita help you resolve the conflict within – “One who concentrates on ME, for him nothing is difficult. But the moment he forgets ME, Maya will attack him.” – Shri Sai Baba (Chap 3, Ovi 143-148)

Though 5,000 years old, the Gita is timeless. The inner space of uncertainty and indecision, emptiness, and unfulfillment that Arjuna faced is one we all know. The eternal principles of the Gita have inspired generations of young seekers across the world to gain victory over their frailties. All challenges are within. You have to gain mastery over yourself to win external problems.

Arjuna gets pushed into battle and buckles under the challenge. Krishna says there is no place for grief in life. He speaks of joy, cheer, and exhilaration. All problems stem from slight maladjustment within. Correct that and the problems vanish.- “Whatever is perceived is my image only, whether it is a worm, an ant, a poor wretch or a king.” – Shri Sai Baba (Chap 3, Ovi 143-148)

Dhritrashtra, the blind king and father of the Kauravas, asked Sanjay, the commentator of the battle, what his sons and the sons of Pandu were doing. The root of all conflict and war is a feeling of separateness – mine versus yours – which Dhritrashtra displays. Pandu was his brother. He should have seen Pandu’s sons as his own. But he views them as enemies.

Dhritrashtra epitomizes the mind, the abode of emotions and feelings. The mind is blind. Gandhari represents the intellect, the domain of judgment and discrimination. The intellect can see. However, when the intellect gets smitten with emotion, it gets blinded too. This is indicated by Gandhari blinding herself after marrying Dhritrashtra. The result is devastation and destruction.

“Such pious persons have become my followers whose sins have been destroyed and they have understood me.” – (Chap 13, Ovi 11-13)

Sanjay points to Duryodhan’s arrogance. Arrogance blocks the intake of knowledge. Duryodhana disregards the wise counsel of elders like Bhishma and Dronacharya and embarks on this foolhardy battle.

Duryodhana’s army is one and a half times that of the Pandavas, and yet he is insecure. Insecurity stems from viciousness, wrongdoing, and a feeling of otherness. A warrior’s strength comes from noble ideals. Duryodhana has nothing but his selfishness and foolishness to fall back on.

“Whatever is perceived is my image only, whether it is a worm, an ant, a poor wretch or a king.” – Shri Sai Baba (Chap 3, Ovi 143-148)

Arjuna is battle-ready and asks Krishna to drive him between the two armies so he may see those who have gathered to please Duryodhana. Krishna drives Arjuna in front of Bhishma and Drona to show that not everyone is there to pander to Duryodhana. He wants Arjuna to follow their example and just do his duty. Arjuna, however, succumbs to sentiment. He sees in the enemy lines his beloved patriarch Bhishma who had renounced the kingdom for which they were fighting. He sees his guru Dronacharya who had taught him archery. He sees relatives when he should see warriors. When the emotion comes in the way of intellectual conviction he falters and falls. He makes absurd arguments to justify his stand and displays false vairagya and dispassion. Confused and exhausted, he collapses, unable to stand, his mind whirling, mouth dry, body trembling, and hair standing on end.

Thus, the mighty Arjuna breaks down, overcome with frail pity, oblivious of his obligation as a Kshatriya, ruler, to uphold dharma — righteousness. When we lack a higher vision, we are weakened by wavering emotions. We get bogged down by irrelevant things. The intellect gets clouded and we embark on a disastrous action plan. This is Arjuna’s state. “You may go anywhere on the face of this earth, I am always with you. I reside in your heart and I am within you” – Shri Sai Baba (Chap 15, Ovi 67-73)

Arjuna had not asked for the war. Yet he had to play a central role in it. He had to first resolve the conflict between his head and his heart, both of which are saying different things. The stage was set for Krishna to teach Arjuna, and through him, all confused and troubled souls down the ages. Millions of people have turned to the Gita in their hour of crisis and found the light of wisdom, the clear path out of darkness to Truth. And so will we if we listen to Krishna’s advice with an open mind. Do not keep a distance from me. There is no difference between you and ME. Whoever regards ME in this way, he is indeed fortunate.” – Shri Sai Baba (Chap 15, Ovi 67-73)