Geethartha Chinthane – 82: From Sorrow to Amrita Yoga

Team Udayavani, Nov 2, 2024, 9:04 AM IST

In the Mahabharata, Krishna, the charioteer, is noted for blowing the conch, marking a unique symbolism in this epic. If Arjuna had been left to his own devices, the outcomes might have been far different. The initial chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is called “Vishada Yoga” or “The Yoga of Despair,” for transformation often begins with sorrow.

Many sages, including Purandara Dasa, first experienced despair, which serves as a turning point. Without this intense sense of regret, Krishna’s counsel to Arjuna may never have occurred, as it was Arjuna’s remorse that opened the path for enlightenment.

This sorrow, however, is a phase that people can turn into a source of growth. Even for the righteous, adversity can be a stepping stone. Transforming sorrow into yoga exemplifies this satvic trait, signifying spiritual maturity. Initially, sorrow may appear overwhelming, but it ultimately leads to the bliss of “Amrita Yoga,” a phase of profound fulfillment.

In the same way that Ashwatthama truly understood the value of milk only after drinking rice water, adversity enhances appreciation. Many philosophers begin their discourse from the second chapter, as Arjuna’s sorrow is relatable to everyone, marking a universal experience of despair that eventually paves the way for inner transformation.

~ Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji of Paryaya Sri Puthige Sri Krishna Matha

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