Worksheet 65

Karishye Vachanam Thava

(I Will Do As You Command)

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At the end of the Bhagavad Gita Krishna confides to Arjuna:

“Our impromptu seminar on the principles governing humanity’s spiritual development is now finished…

___ 1) You must not tell this sacred truth to anyone who is not devoted to Me, nor to anyone who speaks ill of Me, nor to anyone who does not care to listen.

___ 2) No one should impose this holy information on another.

___ 3) And yet, those who love me and teach these profound secrets to people who are ready to listen, render a high service to Me. No one on Earth is dearer to Me.

___ 4) Those who study this sacred dialogue but are not given to teaching others, are also directly revering Me.

___ 5) Even those who simply listen to these holy words with faith and acceptance will attain happier worlds.

___ 6) You have been attentive, Warrior, but have you listened carefully? Have you truly grasped this teaching? What now of your delusions and ignorance?”

– Krishna

The Warrior immediately responds:

___ 7) “My delusion has gone. My self-created problems have dissolved. Through Your Divine Grace my doubts have left me, my power and joy have returned to me. My faith is now firm. I am aware of my true reality (Atma), and am committed to my dharma.

___ 8) I will do as You command. (Karishye vachanam thava.)”

– Arjuna

The final words in the Bhagavad Gita are from a minister to the King named Sanjaya. Because of his honest character (his very name means “victorious over the self”) Sanjaya was granted temporary yogic powers to see and hear what was taking place on the distant battlefield. His job was to witness and report this astonishing dialogue between God and His friend man as it was happening. He ends the Gita with these words:

___ 9) “Be certain that wherever Divinity and humanity are found together, with humanity armed and ready to fight wickedness, there will be victory in the battle of life.

And there also will be a life expanded to Divinity, a life crowned with prosperity and success, a life of adherence to Dharma, and a life in tune with the Cosmic Plan.

Rejoice again and again whenever you recall these holy teachings.”

– Sanjaya

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Final Self-Inquiry—Reflect and Ponder:

Contemplate the 9 teachings above, (especially #9), and then mark three ratings on each of the five scales below:

(a) On the scales below, mark a plus sign "+" to indicate where you

are when you're at your best …

(b) Place a minus sign "—" for where you are when at your worst …

(c) And mark an "X" for where you usually are in your life regardless

of the other two ratings.