Chapter 2 Lesson 8
What is Viveka? Most people will answer that it is conscience. The voice inside us that tells us what is right and what is wrong.

I like to believe that it is the power to discriminate.

But then I also explained about ‘dharma’ What may be right for one person may not be right for another.

And also what may be right when you are older may not be right for when you are younger.

That means that time is also a factor.

Let me give some examples.

For a young mother it is ‘right’ that she spends time with her offspring to help with their physical, mental, spiritual needs.

But when the child is an adult, it would be the mother’s ‘dharma’ to let go.

Another example: When you live in a joint family, your mother in law wants you to do something which may be against what your husband wants. Your child may want something else from you and you require something else from yourself !

Who do you please? This is what is called a ‘Dharma sankat’

How does one acquire this ‘power to discriminate right from wrong.

In the Ramayana there is a couplet:

Bin satsang viveka na hoi

Ram kripa bin sulabh na soi

Which means:

Without ‘satsang’ (meeting with positive people to discuss truths of life)

One will not learn the power to discriminate.

And without the Lord’s Grace, one attains neither. (Viveka or satsang)





Krishna says:

Krodhaad bhavati sammohah sammohaat smriti vibhramah

Smriti bhramsaat buddhi naaso buddhi naasaat pranasyati





Let us now understand the Geeta Chapter 2 Verse 63

(When ones desires are not fulfilled) one gets angry,

From anger, one loses ones memory (One is not able to perceive things the way they are)

One becomes deluded, ones discrimination power is then destroyed,

And the result? One perishes!



To read what I have written so far

Click:

http://www.dalsabzi.com/wisdom_script/bhagvad_gita.htm