Gita: The Song of Life – 10
In the sixteenth chapter of the Gita, Sri Krishna describes the good qualities and the temperament of a satwic person. He says that, through practice and prayer, man can transform himself into a loving and a caring person.
( Intro | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 )
Arjuna:
“The gunas?
Krishna?
This is something new—
Quite startling, indeed.
What are gunas?
I know the word means a ‘rope.’ Do they bind?
Can we unite the knots?
Can we escape? How strong?”
Sri Krishna:
“Yes,
You are bound
With a triple twisted
Rope:
Satwa, Rajas, tamas their names.
Satwa is—calm and steady goodness.
Rajas is—quickness, action, skill.
Tamas is—dullness, stupid, sloth.
Satwa leads you up;
Tamas pulls you down;
Rajas keeps you busy,
In between.
Satwa is a golden chain, still it chains you;
Rajas is a copper chain, so it ropes you;
Tamas is an iron chain, so it binds you;
Atma—no rope can bind it. Know It!
Be the atma,
You are free!
The gunas shape the form and style of
Thought and word and deed.
Whether
You will surely reach the goal,
Or take the paths
That ruin you—
They can make you God or beast,
Deva or Asura, as they please.
Who will be pleased, Arjuna,
If Asura he becomes?”
Arjuna:
“Tell me, Lord, the gunas I should gain
To make this home of clay Deva-dwelling paradise,
Where no asura can come
And play his pranks.”
Sri Krishna:
“I am glad, Arjuna,
You really want to learn
And practice
What I teach.
The Deva man has no fear.
He causes fear in none.
He is pure in thought and word and deed.
He knows the true from the false.
He is eager to give to those in need
The proper gift at the proper time.
He is Lord of all his senses
They cannot drag him, the way they go.
He helps in plenty, studies fully, suffers gladly,
Keeps himself straight, does not plan evil,
Or speak a wee bit harsh…
Or act without love to hurt or pain.
He is honest, anger-free, detached and cool
Forgets other’s faults, is kind.
He is a hero, who can keep desires in check.
He is ashamed to mix with evil men and things.
Unmoved by outer charm, he finds no taste in praise.
Intelligent, patient, bold and calm,
Devoid of itch to cause any harm
These are the signs of the Deva man.
And let Me tell you,
You are
Almost,
One!”
Arjuna:
“Now,
Krishna,
How to spot the Asura man?
That I may keep him far, far away!”
( Intro | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 )
