Avoiding A Perfectionist Trap । CH18 । EP 3 । Krishna Bhatta । Amitava Ghosh । सर्वारम्भा हि दोषेण

Added: 2026-05-22

[00:00:00]for [music] you.

[00:00:24]Shant shanty shanty.

[00:00:29]Well, [clears throat] chapter 18 is uh is pretty important and I I noticed one thing he said and which really stuck with me that Krishna doesn't give a commandment he just elaborates the action of or the effects of our traits how it modifies our thoughts and action and that is the essential part of it and I think it is rather important us to know so we can catch ourself if we are sleeping and we are we understand it.

[00:01:07]>> Yeah. And it is part of priti part of >> Yes.

[00:01:11]>> the environment part of the nature part part of our existence.

[00:01:15]>> Yes.

[00:01:16]>> Yeah. So we are starting on 29.

[00:01:19]>> Yeah. Um and 29 is buddhesham shenu. So he's now talking about buddhi and diti.

[00:01:36]So in the in the previous you know shlokas the three gonas how they apply to he talked about gan he talked about kum and he talked about kartha >> yes >> and uh I want to you know bring this up because there is confusion in some people's mind about ghan and buddhi >> yes >> and Krishna very well defines what gan you know gan is separate and buddhi is separate so um you want to say what your thoughts are on that >> yes basically succently said gan is the brahma gan gran is self-realization who we are what is our connection of our atman with brahman and what atman is that is gan Buddhi is related to our action. Buddhi is a filtering mechanism and how buddhi is something which is which we can control to some extent.

[00:02:51]>> Okay. Gan is the whole knowledge about the whole phenomenon our existence who we are what is Brahman. Okay. What is atman and all those things but buddhi is part of our mechanism from sense object when it percolates into action buddhi and that's where buddhi is active.

[00:03:15]>> Yeah. So basically you are talking about brahagan but gan is different uh um kind of um kind of levels you can say is the ultimate of one of course but >> in in some ways for simple understanding and know from my like surgery point of view you know like we are surgeons or or engineers or whoever their profession is in a way gan is the database.

[00:03:43]>> Yes. So you read the books and you know how to do surgery but when you go to do surgery then you have that discrimination that you have to do when to do when not to do what to cut what not to cut.

[00:04:01]>> Yes know it's like that whole process is the buddhi domain.

[00:04:07]>> Yes that's very much true. GAN is the basic con uh con concept learning whereas >> uh yes whereas buddhi is something which we apply in our daily life during action.

[00:04:23]>> Yeah. So yeah it's the content GAN is the content you know it's like >> our GAN is growing now because of this AI and technology I think so but I think it's still the action part yes we can have self-driving car the human kind of intervention or buddhi is still needed to even create that uh self-ding you know like what to put in there for it to happen right?

[00:04:53]>> Or when to get onto the self-driving car and when not to. [laughter] [laughter] >> So, so I thought it it is good to kind of you know have this. So Buddhi is the discernment or discriminate you know discriminating mind that you sometimes say you know use that word.

[00:05:18]So talking about that he he talks about exactly that you know so what is satic buddhi you know it's like he saysima it's like you should know when when to do something and when not to do something and you know it's like whether it is worth doing or not.

[00:05:52]Buddhis so you know it's like basically and aaria you know you can say worth doing not worth doing I mean this discrimination the person knows and uh he also knows prai you know what he's in intended to do niti is you know it's like knowing when to pause you know it's like this whole process is and it applies so much to our work and I'm sure it applies to general living as well [clears throat] and abai I mean he knows when to fear and when to be you know fearless so in a way it's not indiscriminate right I mean he knows he has this discrimination um and what is going to bind you and what is liberate mo what will give M. So all the knowledge aside this person how they use their buddhi is important. You may have all the content same database and two people can do totally different uh take different actions.

[00:07:08]>> Yes. Basically it's effect of the traits on our discriminating intelligence. So that is the and how it functions in those under the three different types of traits and these are the next few slokas that you are going to you are elaborating.

[00:07:27]>> Yeah. And you know if you combine this with this what is what was satic guan gan the knowing or the knowledge you know the database we talked so satic it said that it's integrated you know it's like the universe is one you know it's like the one who sees unity in diversity um whereas rajas was you know everything is separate >> so in a way your wholesome knowledge Right. I mean is important there you know. It's like I have I mean because I'm a surgeon, you are a surgeon. It's easier to understand that if you are in the operating room and you think that everything you are the center and everyone else is there to kind of do what you command versus it's the whole team that's doing this, you know, doing the surgery and everyone is doing their own part.

[00:08:27]in a in an efficient manner. Um it's the outlook is so important right I mean if you become self-centered suddenly everyone is fearful of you in the room >> but if you become integrated you know everything moves on more smoothly. Yes.

[00:08:46]Uh simply stating we have got to aim to do a particular job to the best of our ability. So in that case if you the the importance of global view is very important or the teamwork is very important in that way rather than individualistic myopic view.

[00:09:05]>> Yeah.

[00:09:05]>> Okay. And that's what it is >> that myopic view is rajas.

[00:09:10]>> Yes.

[00:09:10]>> I mean that's what you know >> here they say that's >> so in buddhi you know the same thing. So this buddhi again you know that was the satwic buddhi there is a blur of duty in in the rajasik one you know it's like dharma adharm and you know he knows the difference but you know it's like there is some blurring there in rajas you know becomes as you said if it is centered on you uh you might take take a decision you may not be objective about it you you suddenly become subjective so that's becomes and >> can I cite one example from our own professions you have seen many a times that certain surgeons get into trouble because they keep on driving knowing they think that I can do it I can do it but they do not know how they're getting deeper and deeper into trouble >> you have seen that too >> so when when to because the the from a surgeon's point of you it's more important that how um how the patient does rather than what I do.

[00:10:26]>> Yeah.

[00:10:26]>> Okay.

[00:10:27]>> So in they are kind of because of their ego they may not ask for help. That's what you're >> getting to. I mean it's >> so so in Raj Ro ra Ro ra Ro ra Ro ra Ro ra Ro ra Ro ra Ro ra Ro ra Ro ra Rogers the intelligence is there but it is clouded by their ego desire complex.

[00:10:42]Yeah, but you know the tamas is right. Damn right. It's like you know it's total mis total misinterpretation.

[00:10:53]>> Total misinterpretation of the whole thing.

[00:10:56]>> You can say inverted intellect.

[00:10:59]So you know k you you have the intellect. You have the buddhi. It's not that you are not you don't have the buddhi but you are you using it to you know it's like a in mahabharat you know it's like they they had shakun was intelligent duryodhan was intelligent and they used their buddhi to plot against the you know five brothers pandas to how to how to eliminate them all the time. Yes. Using using your intelligence for wrong purposes, wrong aim.

[00:11:33]>> Right. That's that's so having a buddhi itself, you know, you may have the same database, same gan uh and you can go to the same school and achieve all the knowledge. But how your buddhi works, I mean Krishna is so amazing in this 18th chapter because he has taken dissected it out. how our action how do we act I mean this is what he's saying and how our actions are affected by these three gamas >> yes and and this is my uh my favorite part of concept in Gita that how from sense of I think we elaborated I elaborated that before how from the sense object the afferent stimuli all the sensations we get and then how it gets modulated Once we receive it through mind, intellect, our our perception, our goas and it translates into the action. So this >> yeah that perception some people are saying gan is a kind of perception right?

[00:12:41]>> No not really perception is little different perception perception happens at the mind level >> as I understand and perception is basically built upon your ego desire and conditioning.

[00:12:56]Okay. Yeah. How you perceive you know how you perceive the world or you know people. Yeah.

[00:13:02]>> Yes.

[00:13:03]>> Yeah. So, so in in a way it's a total invert inverted thought process and chronic uh misalignment. So they don't even see that they are doing something wrong.

[00:13:17]>> They because they use wrong logic.

[00:13:19]>> Yeah. [laughter] >> And they don't even realize that's a wrong logic.

[00:13:23]>> Right. So yeah, all the time they have this the same thing going on.

[00:13:31]The next one I like as well because now he's talking he talked about gan of course gan and karta and ker whereas buddhi is is what is guiding what else guides us for the worki you know driti is the other word that he uses and it's likei is how do you translate translate diti you know >> fortitude >> yeah fortitude you know it's like the grit Yeah. Yeah. Determination determined determined effort or fortitude >> how it affects even your fortitude. Now this is very important.

[00:14:08]>> Yeah.

[00:14:09]>> Now we have we have a person who may be very driven >> may not be but the we have desired to do something.

[00:14:21]>> Yeah.

[00:14:22]>> We are create creating the effort.

[00:14:25]>> Yeah. But goas the traits will act upon it and it transform into those three classifications.

[00:14:31]>> Right?

[00:14:33]>> So even fortitude gets diverted by that or or affected by that. So you knowi you know what are the things in thei you know what are the things in the fortitude right um you know the one that kind of grounds you know it's like keeps you moving >> because [clears throat] otherwise you may drop it you know after two days you know so >> what what what are the things mana prana indria so he he he translates these three things. mind. You need that mind. You need the pran energy you know it's like uh or you know good body you can say in a way but yeah breathing and the energy there >> we we discuss about the types of prana because the pran pran actually >> is how the energy is presented in the body and then we talked about prana bana udana sana all these from but basically what it is different physiology in the body.

[00:15:47]>> Yeah. And you know there is a word that he uses here. So mana so indria so sense objects working and then he uses the word >> unwavering.

[00:16:07]>> Yes. Unwavering you say fortitude right?

[00:16:12]>> Yes.

[00:16:13]>> Yeah.

[00:16:14]>> A determined effort fortitude.

[00:16:17]>> Yeah. Yogi now I mean sapartha. So you know somebody who is unwavering you know is established in man and indriakar ka.

[00:16:30]He is talking about efficiency of work.

[00:16:33]>> Yes. Actually very often we have heard that manasabana.

[00:16:38]>> Yeah. And he goes on to say that determinant factor of the rajasik you know the second one is fala.

[00:16:48]>> Exactly.

[00:16:53]So everything being that is what they want maybe but they are focused on the result that I want this result >> you see the word akanka ak is very important therea >> yes it's the it's the desire for the result >> so that's part of the ego desire complex >> yeah That's attachment.

[00:17:20]>> Yes.

[00:17:21]>> So yeah the two things are you know the attachment and the fala you know. So >> yes >> so that is the and then there is a dist destructive persistence.

[00:17:40]So swapnam bayam sham vishadam mud all these things are kind of this uh driving the person >> basically negative emotions.

[00:17:54]>> Yeah. All the negative is emotions and he's thinks that it is all you know it's like really there.

[00:18:02]>> Yes.

[00:18:02]>> The whole world is trying to kind of you know grab him by his neck kind of thing.

[00:18:09]And now he's his dity is different now. I mean he's he's totally clouded you know I mean his duty is not to do anything.

[00:18:21]>> Yeah. [laughter] >> So basically they are becoming what is the negative emotions take hold of them.

[00:18:31]>> Yeah.

[00:18:31]>> You you can see many people may be doing something and they become very very suspicious. they become u I would say uh everybody's against them the whole world is against them okay and then I would not do it or I do it but you always instead of looking at the focus of the action they look of all other factors which are probably much less important and not important at all so that that's causes the negative emotions to thrive there >> yeah but you know Now I mean so he he picks all these things. He picks gan of course the karta and the k is there action. So gan and then buddhi and theni three things.

[00:19:20]>> Yes.

[00:19:21]>> And what do you get the result?

[00:19:23]>> Suk.

[00:19:24]>> Yes.

[00:19:29]>> So now he's talking about what kind of suk you get or what kind of result you get. Suk or d. Now he talks about the uh the three uh traits how it affect the happiness. I would not I I'm a little bit reluctant about using the word happiness.

[00:19:48]>> Yeah.

[00:19:48]>> I I I rather use the word bliss the equipoise type of state of mind because happiness sometimes we >> I don't think he's talking about somehow. I don't think he's talking he's talking pure souk.

[00:20:04]>> You you're right about that but But the bliss is the thing. Happiness is always sometime most of the time it is with excitement.

[00:20:12]>> Yeah. So sukum is not translate into happiness. Right.

[00:20:16]>> That's right. As long as you say that we are clear about it. Yes.

[00:20:19]>> Yeah. Sukum doesn't I mean it's it's a positive term but not necessarily happiness. Is that >> in this? If we look at really sukum, sukum is also associated with prasanti.

[00:20:39]>> Shanti, >> shanti, prasanti is associated with suk.

[00:20:43]>> Yeah.

[00:20:43]>> Okay.

[00:20:45]So it is happiness plus prasanti is the suk. [laughter] >> But he also talks about dantum. Dantum.

[00:20:57]>> Yes. So yeah it's like so he's again abhas comes here practice >> yes >> you know practice comes here um and uh how do you end duk you know it's like a very much like a Buddha now you know G1 is duk and how do you end the duke? I mean you can do something about it.

[00:21:31]>> Yeah. Basically he said the eightfold path is is to allay the suffering of the dukum.

[00:21:37]>> Yeah.

[00:21:38]>> So so I think that from that point of view here Krishna is saying you know similar thing that you can >> how do you end your so you know [clears throat] Yeah. What brings you happiness? If you if bhajan dhan you know and service if meditation or kind of devotion if this brings you happiness that is satic.

[00:22:14]So it's interesting that it does if you get into that you know it's like kha. [laughter] Okay.

[00:22:26]>> Yeah. So it it's like >> taking taking the duty as a sacrifice for for my own good and others good.

[00:22:37]Okay. Austerity with very much determination and and and action.

[00:22:44]>> Okay. Tapum. Okay. Yeah. And that's all dharma.

[00:22:48]>> That's all. And karma. Do the action that way.

[00:22:53]But you know this is I love this one but I don't know how true it is but you know it's like we'll have to deliberate you and I wish >> yes >> so he's saying that something that feels like wish means poison in the beginning but the result is like omrit like a >> yes nectar >> nectar that is satik and or [clears throat] that's what happens is that's sukam that suk is satik uh I don't know I mean what is that you know so painful in the beginning is it like we have to work hard to you know go to medical school or go to high school and you know it doesn't feel good when we have to study hard or train >> I was going to I was going [laughter] Yeah, I was going to give the same example. Okay, if you if we study hard or >> train hard or study hard during the whole year, we don't have to have the fear of the exam at that point very much. But if we did not then then of course >> we enjoyed now but may fail later. I mean it could be as simple as that, right?

[00:24:15]>> Yes, it that's what it is. Okay.

[00:24:18]When we take a determined effort at something, >> yeah, >> we realize that we have to go through the grind. Okay. But we go through the grind and the result most often is in in favor of us. Okay. That's the amit the nectar. Okay. On the other hand, when we while away our time going and enjoying ourselves and don't do the work or do not pay attention to our uh prescribed work and then when the time of exam comes or some other real comes then we are all anxious how am I going to perform okay so Amitab you know it's like I I was watching some I don't know YouTube or somewhere and there was a some >> [laughter] >> One of our teachers maybe sir Panand uh you know it was mentioned that this person goes to Mandr and ask God you know I want like prosperity or happiness and uh then he goes back and uh now he has difficulties he has to work hard And you know he has to do all that. He's complaining why did you give me this?

[00:25:39]And the answer comes that well you asked for you know prosperity you have to work for it. [laughter] >> So you know I mean these are anecdotes but it's I I love this kind of story but yes in you go and ask God something then you think God will work for you. No, you have to do the work and that's what Krishna is saying here that you know it's like a uh >> it may it may feel difficult when you are going through that grind however the result is much better but uh on the other hand if you enjoy and do not do the work then the end is going to be tough too >> and that's the next verse >> you know it will feel like um happiness in the beginning well I Amrit in the beginning but then you the end result is like like a poison.

[00:26:37]>> Yes. that is that is uh the the rajas and uh um tamas is you know it's like completely happiness which arises I mean happiness is suk that arises from the contact of the sense senses and their objects which is like nectar at first but then becomes a poison at the end. So it is like a sensory trap right?

[00:27:08]>> Yes. My favorite example all the time I say that you you buy a very nice car okay beautiful and you are all so happy and everything it's nectar okay 15 years down the road you're driving in the snowy salt salt and snow it [clears throat] it catches rust and all that then you are and the other new models has come out then you want to get rid of it right [laughter] >> I know it it just keeps going right >> that's right >> so in a Satwic which is verse 37 invest in the poison or discipline or you know hard work to harvest the nectar.

[00:27:50]>> That's right.

[00:27:51]>> Whereas the rajasik you know the verse 38 consumes nectar in the indulgence and everything else and you know the sensory indulgence and is left with a poison. So >> you see this this rajasic thing you'll often see in the among the uh prominent people okay they do initially most of the prominent people they do good work okay they reach to a certain position then they get the power then the prominence and everything.

[00:28:25]>> Yeah.

[00:28:25]>> But gradually it seeps into their character they divert them and then they they go down. Yeah.

[00:28:33]>> Okay. And that's [laughter] the so this e I always thought that this ego desire complex within us which the abramanics religion call them shaitan okay and that slowly sips in and divert us completely even for good people.

[00:28:55]So so that's important to realize.

[00:29:05]It is like mo in a way you know it's like he's in delusion but he stays in delusion he's doesn't even know that it's happening and then there is three important words that he uses nidra alas brahmad and u I can't um but you know I have to mention this uh that the problem of say you know alcohol or drugs and all that is is very much like that you know this is what is happening to them they are kind of not getting out of that rut that's what he's describing Nidra alasi and pramad >> I mean you are absolutely right and I say that to any you know if we have problem in the life we have to solve weight but going to the bar is not and drowning in alcohol is not going to do any good to you.

[00:30:06]>> I mean going to bar is okay but >> going to bar is drowning as you said there all the time.

[00:30:12]>> Yeah. I mean if you that's not going to solve the going to the bar and having a nice hamburger or something like that is great or good food is great but the point is if you are going to drown yourself in those habit forming uh agents then you are not taking the uh taking the effort to solve the problem itself okay >> yeah and here I think you know it it's hard for them to get out of that unless probably some intervention happens Yes. And this is >> somebody helps them bring up to you know a different level of you know and then they can start understanding that it's not I mean yeah I mean how do you teach them because they're not unintelligent. I think many of them are they can understand once they understand the logic behind it.

[00:31:09]>> Yes.

[00:31:10]somehow might pull them. But >> you see the important thing here in this chapter it every time you as you deal with the the tamasic character you can see how our traits okay insinuates within the character and becomes destructive.

[00:31:33]>> Yeah.

[00:31:34]>> Okay. So the somebody who is very much aware if that person is willing to correct themselves somebody gives shows them the path and they they can correct themselves and some people does not want to correct themselves because that's that's a lot of effort. Okay. So so it is it is like poison in the beginning but they don't see the nectar at the end.

[00:31:57]>> Yeah. I mean they don't see they think that is nectar where they are.

[00:32:03]>> That's right. So it's kind of mo you know it's like >> it is mo >> it is mo and pramad too.

[00:32:10]>> Yeah. Yeah. And pmad is kind of being careless or negligence. I don't know there is English word for pmad >> pramadam means disaster basically >> total delusion. You can say you know they're living in a different total destruction >> different level.

[00:32:28]>> Yes.

[00:32:29]>> But instead of saying that yeah we will leave them there. I mean there is once they start understanding that yes this influence is dragging them there >> they may be able to kind of you know get over that with help.

[00:32:44]>> Yes. And you can I mean they will need some help >> to recognize what kind of inclination or the gonas are are driving them to that particular state of affairs. Once they see that then they can correct themselves either with someone's help or by themselves.

[00:33:04]>> Yeah.

[00:33:06]>> Okay. So, so that's very very important in it's a it has got a great practical application in life.

[00:33:13]>> I I think so. I think it's it's very practical but at the same time nowhere Krishna says they are lower person than a >> I I really appreciate you to point that out. Okay. Krishna just tells them these are the different kind of different different kind of factors that affects our action and thoughts. Okay. So the knowledge that he imparts if we if we know that most often we can correct ourself and and get us to the right path. That's the whole thing.

[00:33:52]>> So he is telling Arjun that you know these are the factors.

[00:33:55]>> Yes.

[00:33:56]>> You choose what you want to do basically.

[00:33:59]>> Exactly.

[00:34:00]>> No this is this is amazing. But then he goes to on to divide people or class you know classification of people according to this these gonas and this influence of all that creates a personality in us. So we are we don't end up being the same. We are not carbon copies of each other or we are not the kind of robot that is made in in a factory because they they will be all the same. Um because of this combination of uh gan buddhi and different levels of uh this gonas I think there is variety of us each one is unique. you made a very important point when I was a student.

[00:34:57]>> Yeah.

[00:34:57]>> Okay. And in the in the eastern part of India, there was a movement of communism and which was and with some of my friends I we often got into discussion.

[00:35:11]Socialism thinks everybody is equal.

[00:35:14]Okay. From psychological part and the constitution and the action.

[00:35:20]People are different. You are never going to have everybody equal. Okay.

[00:35:25]However, there the society can function with different people accumulating all their attributes and then fun society function can function in a very way good way but you cannot say the all people are same or similar.

[00:35:43]So, so this distinction is important and in chapter four Krishna already said >> okay that the first line >> yes in their action and their traits >> people get into different social classification it is important to remember he uses that word vera rather than jati >> the vera yeah and and Here it means it is not a birthright.

[00:36:15]>> Yeah.

[00:36:16]>> The problem of this a lot of people associated with birthight. Okay.

[00:36:22]>> One can be one can >> it's not a birth right. That's what >> that is a very important point to realize.

[00:36:28]>> Yeah.

[00:36:29]>> Okay. So >> but before he gets into that this is a radical you know verdict by him or radical verse I would say.

[00:36:45]There is nobody on this earth or in other you know di like d or any other place that is outside of this influence of these three gonas.

[00:36:59]>> Yes.

[00:36:59]>> This is a radical.

[00:37:01]>> So you have to make an effort to go beyond that.

[00:37:05]>> Yes.

[00:37:05]>> You know gatid.

[00:37:07]>> Yes. But when you are working, when you exist, you are under the influence of these three.

[00:37:13]>> Yes. I the concept before uh we already discussed that anything which is in the physical uh world made of nature will always have the three traits. That's discussed in >> like this is an universal field theory.

[00:37:31]>> An universal field. These three factors are going to work there. Okay. Now the only way we can get out of the spell of this one to a great extent by our knowledge.

[00:37:48]>> Yeah.

[00:37:48]>> Once we once we have the knowledge then we can do that and then he will talk about non-attachment and all of the things little later.

[00:37:56]>> It's so interesting because you know this is a thing that happened to me and I didn't pay attention then but I keep coming back to you know this thing. So when I first came and you were kind of you know it's like the person who kind of helped at that time in me kind of u getting my way in America or USA and I went to an interview at Mayo Clinic and uh I think the the job was to do a research in bladder cancer you know that area biochemical marker or layers there And I had a great interview and and perfect and you know he by the way asked what is your real interest and I said well stones at that time that was my you know kind of passion and he simply said most people lateralize to what their interest are and of course I didn't get the job and I ended up doing research in stone and laser you know some pioneer work but it's so interesting that he's saying the same thing as Krishna is saying >> yeah [laughter] >> you know that so here >> sohow yeah >> yeah so you every all of us because of this all these factors influences on us can be classified into certain you know it's like we went into medicine and you remember I And it's like politics didn't attract us.

[00:39:39]>> Yeah.

[00:39:40]>> And there were people who were going to politics at that time. There were people going to engineering school. So we all self- selected. I think this self- selection goes through you know your aptitude or whatever word we use. Here he's using the word you know swabha you know everybody's be you know gets divided into brahman chhatria vasha and sodra um and you know it's like brahma is ethics knowledge chhatria is a strategy and protection and vaisha is you know it's like resources um scaling business you know that kind of thing And sudra is like technical executives in today's world. But as you said, you know, if you make it by birth, I think you have killed the system.

[00:40:38]>> Exactly.

[00:40:40]>> This is a very very important point.

[00:40:43]Okay. I mean a a sudra I mean a a lower class by their fortitude by their intelligence >> can rise to the top of the society.

[00:40:58]Okay.

[00:40:59]>> It is not that if he's belongs to the lower soio economic class he is bound to that level all the time. Okay. On the other hand, who is in the top, if they act in a wrong way, they have got bad characteristics.

[00:41:17]>> Yeah.

[00:41:17]>> Then they also are relegated to the lower social class.

[00:41:21]>> Yeah.

[00:41:21]>> Okay. Ultimately, so this kind of permutation combination will continue to happen. The problem problem will happens when he attach it to birthright and that is because lust of power.

[00:41:36]>> Yeah. Well, that is uh yeah that somehow sometimes you know social system becomes rigid and then you you start you know defining like that and that's the danger of any system but >> any system >> but this exists we all are different we all have tendencies of trying to be you know I mean the word Gita is not sa but sadharam that's what Gita says Um and that sadharma is a um I mean there is a detailed description of the Brahman and Chhatria and Sudra and [clears throat] and uh the whole >> system but it is a different classification today uh of course but still those segments do exist.

[00:42:35]Yes, it exists because of our lack of knowledge. Okay, because most of the time what happens the society gets conditioned. Okay, they think that's the same it is the same thing. Okay, but it is not the the birthright thing is mostly a phenomenon of holding to the power. Okay. There was a time in ancient India the only the upper class uh could read the scriptures. Nobody else could.

[00:43:08]>> Why not? Okay. Today and then they said you have to learn Sanskrit only have to read in that. No.

[00:43:14]Today we you and I mostly were not very much verse with Sanskrit. We can read it in English and we cannot catch the concept. Okay.

[00:43:23]>> Yeah. We are doing that.

[00:43:24]>> Yeah. We are doing that. So see [laughter] the point therefore I'm trying to make is that a rigid social classification is because of holding on to certain >> so it is a byproduct of you know something that yeah somebody rajistic you know tendency again uh but what I'm saying is that we still have you know it's like blue collar white collar I mean yes the classifications we have >> yes >> um you know the workers are different you know We all have different section in our hospital right you know the doctors you know the nurses the everybody has a different role so and everybody goes because of their interest not because they're forced to go there >> they are doing their job okay it's a basically in a teamwork >> okay everybody contributes >> right >> okay so the so functioning of the society depends upon all different class of people the objective is a functioning society.

[00:44:29]>> The moment moment we try to box them in one corner and we do not propagate them the society becomes disintegrated.

[00:44:37]>> Right. So it's a kind of architecture of natural alignment.

[00:44:44]>> Yes. Architecture of societal alignment.

[00:44:47]>> Yeah. like we all have that tendency or sad dharma and we go in this you know side or the other you know >> that's right >> and the classifications may have different name today you know um but it exist in different forms different name or whatever it is okay I mean the in politics you will see all these things being played okay or even in a in a rigid society these things are being played Bottom line as you say to me I can summarize in one line.

[00:45:23]>> Yeah.

[00:45:23]>> It is basically meritocracy. Wherever you fit in according to your work your aptitude.

[00:45:30]>> Okay. I like this verse you know that says 45 which he says everybody is doing their own responsible job you know responsibility and they're carrying out and they are experts in that you know everybody is doing their you know perfection to the job to their perfection.

[00:46:01]>> Yes, that's very important. If you ask a surgeon to fix the fix the restroom in the hospital, he probably don't do the good job compared [laughter] compared to the guy who does it all the time. So, so, so whatever we do, >> we are nuts and bolts of the society in our own realm.

[00:46:24]>> Yeah.

[00:46:25]>> And when everything works, the society works that way. Okay. And and the this verse is very very important >> that through our assigned work duty or whatever you want to call if we do through perfection we >> that is the that is what I mean you have mastery >> master it then we reach the liberation.

[00:46:51]This is the this is the key point of Gita. I think this is a very valid important point because you know it's like hate to admit that I can't do it but I did try once you know I thought I will go and learn woodworking and uh uh there was a kind of a person who used to do a lot of woodworking so I thought okay I'll go there and I'll learn from him and u so this 38 and you know it's like I had to cut some pieces of wood, you know, 38 and 48. By the time I cut one, he had cut 10, you know, the measure and cut. By the time I put, you know, one nail in, you know, he had done 20 nails. So, uh, yes, I mean, even though I can say that it was I was the beginner, I could have learned, but I I don't think it was for me. So, uh, >> can I say one thing Krishna just to say?

[00:47:53]So to have the proper perspective, you should have taken him to do some robotic surgery [laughter] and you could see how he would have fumbled and he would have done it.

[00:48:04]>> Well, yeah, I know.

[00:48:05]>> No, I'm just kidding. [laughter] >> That will not be the right thing to do.

[00:48:09]But >> no, no, no. I'm just I'm just kidding.

[00:48:11]in the same so we are all we all have this alignment natural alignment in one area or the other and we are all different and we can be experts in that and and do that job to perfection and I think that's what Krishna is kind of trying to say yeah um so that is where we are but then there is a 47 seven which is uh very much a um >> Krishna before we leave this verse once again I think >> uh I should mention because it's so important verse okay >> that whatever we do >> whatever class we belong if we do our job to the best of our ability and towards perfection that we can do >> master it then through that we get the liberation.

[00:49:13]So this is the essence treat part of karma yoga and this is how the society should function. The next one the 46 you know is bringing the whole kind of you know like the cosmic cause of cosmic cause of any action. Um you know it's like it's not just you.

[00:49:40]So in it may be coming.

[00:49:44]So you are part of that big picture you know that he Krishna has always mentioned and he's saying that do it as a you know as an offering >> do the perfection but do it as an offering to the whole you know it's like universe or the cosmos or the brahman whatever word you do. So you know even though he talks about very mundane things suddenly he brings this the you know it's like uh wow you know >> uh I often mention and previously I did mention we are the human component of this world order >> right >> okay so that places where we are okay and as a human component so that we don't do not let our ego desire or conditioning Yeah.

[00:50:35]>> Or the or the traits >> have influence over us. We think that we are human component of this world order >> and therefore we function that way. So ego desire dispelled so also the so also the traits >> and you are towards liberation.

[00:50:56]>> And then he says again sim he wants you to do perfection.

[00:51:02]>> Yes. But even you know probably it will be more perfect if you are making it like you know okay it's not self-centered it's not I me mine kind of thing >> agent of the deed >> yeah and then of course this is a repeat of previous verse you know sayan swadho viguna that it is better to do what you are expert in rather than me doing the woodwork, you know, or the woodworker doing the robotic surgery as you mentioned. So, yeah, I think the 335 I I checked it has this same exactly same verse and you know for just for um I will go to 335 and read that.

[00:52:04]It's exact same first line and the second line.

[00:52:14]So you know even it is better to die in your you know what you're doing and here it is a different you know the second line so why karma you know so but you are destined to do something or you are kind of built to do something do that just be why do you want to follow somebody else you know sah you know let it flow out of you and that this is I can really relate to this you know it's like once you become trained to do what we do you know it's like surgery suddenly everything flows out of you it's not no more an effort you know it's like you somehow you and the tissue and everything else and the knife and the retractor everything kind of falls in place and the whole room also flows nicely you know you know people if you have worked with the people that assist you that help you and the operating room [clears throat] if it is a flowing thing the outcomes are totally totally different right but you don't give up just because there is some in that I mean this is beautiful you know it's like Yes, when you do there there will be bleeding, there will be you know surgery implies certain things, right? You have to cut the tissue, you have to put the tissue together, it will be painful, you know, for the patient. I mean there is always something that is the word he is used here and because of that you're not saying that I won't do it and then this is the and this is like every action that you want to start has a do has some defect in it or some downside to It like every agny has a smoke.

[00:54:34]So where there is fire there is a smoke.

[00:54:39]You have to deal with the smoke. And this reminds me I mean any laparoscopic surgery or robotic surgery if you use cartery there is a smoke.

[00:54:52]You have you know there will be a smoke.

[00:54:54]You have to figure out how to get that smoke out so that you can see rather than try to do it through, you know, with a with a dented vision or a blurred vision.

[00:55:06]So I love this ending. I mean this we tend to talk about you know zero defect or zero complications and zero you know it's like achieve zero state. It's a good goal to have but you know it's like perfection trap.

[00:55:32]>> Uh remember uh I mentioned to you about the karmic triangle. You can be perfect, your tools can be perfect and then there's the external factor.

[00:55:42]>> You cannot control all the external factors, >> right?

[00:55:46]>> So you can control to the extent that you can but >> you cannot control all. So there is a small chance of failure is also always >> inherent inherent >> inherent and you have to realize that because if you say that I'm going to be successful 100% you are going to have failures frustration anger and and buddhinasam the loss of intelligence so and >> yeah I mean what you are saying is that failure is inherent in any work you do but you don't dwell on failure.

[00:56:20]>> Exactly.

[00:56:21]>> Yeah. Exactly. Because your chance to to do it towards perfection is always most of the time rewarded. Realize that there is a small percentage of failure can happen.

[00:56:34]>> Yeah.

[00:56:34]>> But because we are not >> focusing on the result rather than the duty that part is minimized.

[00:56:42]>> Yeah.

[00:56:44]>> No, it's it's I love this verse you know. I want to read it again and you know we can try.

[00:57:03]Oh, beautiful.

[00:57:06]Yeah, >> that's a very very important thing to learn.

[00:57:12]>> Okay, just because I mean I have studied very hard that doesn't mean that I become the magnum laud. Okay, I may be in the top 10%. But not that is not always it is always your [clears throat] I remember when I was a student uh this was somebody whom I really appreciated told me that >> okay you you work hard you increase your chances okay are you going to make 100% success no >> so that was a learning from my childhood and that was very very important very important I remember one time. This is a very funny story. Uh I think I told you that one time after my first year college, we took the exam and bioscience department. My good friend got the top position. I came second and I was young and I was sitting on the ver steps and I I was weeping because I didn't get the top position. Okay. So, [laughter] so my mom was going by the veranda to the worshiing room and she asked me why like that and I said so and so got the first position. I didn't get it. I said why are you crying? I mean you used to study with him and he's your good friend.

[00:58:41]Okay. So enjoy your friend's success and work harder. Maybe you will get that next time.

[00:58:48]>> And you did.

[00:58:50][laughter] My po my point is my mom taught me that but only maybe maybe two three minutes >> discussion about that but it was very very important okay >> it is especially in those age you know I mean when >> yeah it's very important to learn that and >> that's what shapes you and shapes me I mean what kind of things we went through right >> at that point I thought my mom was pretty cruel >> [laughter] >> So Krishna is talking about you know so I just want to summarize that you know there is an identity you are not a generic worker >> yes >> you know you have an USP you you know it's like you have a specific frequency and that frequency you should know and it depends on your so you know sadharm and subhav and then there is integrity which is you must act in your lane you You know it's like even if there is some issues and some things you don't like but you are good at that you know so stay there you know. Um then you have to accept that yes perfection is is is not there. There is some imperfection in every action you will do. So that part you should accept doesn't mean that you are going to always look for you know bad outcome and then transcendence you know once you have done all this then uh that's where we will be going next uh um so here it's like so far we have seen doing I think Krishna has been talking up to this 48 about doing I think he moves moves on to being next. So it's like how you know it's like what determines your actions and what determines you know this uh the factors that determine those things and I think the next you know will be very interesting you know when the being comes [singing] >> [music]