Bhagavad-Gita Encyclopedia
Part II

By
The Man Who Saw God Face To Face
The Testimonies Of Raphael Okechukwu Nweze

By
The Man Who Saw God Face To Face
Raphael Okechukwu Nweze


Acknowledgement
         The contents are an Edwin Arnold translation SBE vol. 8
         Contents in blue colour, where available, were added by the man who saw God face to face.


CHAPTER 3

PATH OF SERVICE

Arjuna asked: If You consider that acquiring transcendental knowledge is better than working, then why do You want me to engage in this horrible war, O Krishna? You seem to confuse my mind by apparently conflicting words. Tell me, decisively, one thing by which I may attain the Supreme. (3.01-02)

Lord Krishna said: In this world I have stated a twofold path of spiritual discipline in the past. The path of Self-knowledge for the contemplative ones, and the path of unselfish work (Seva, Karma-yoga) for all others. (3.03) (Those who engage in the worship of Saints and images are like the ignorant travelers, who were given a direction to a destination. On the way, they saw a signpost to the destination. Then they settled down around the signpost, worshiping it, without getting to their destination. Indeed, many engage themselves in unnecessary pieties, thinking thereby to please the heavens, not knowing that they delay their own spiritual growth and entrance into the kingdom of life.
No wonder Jesus said, "7 Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me (all ignorant religious teachers and leaders) are thieves and robbers (by misleading the populace, teaching what they do not know. They can neither teach the Truth nor explain the realities of life), but the sheep did not hear them (majority have not attained God, and have not experienced heavenly life). 9 I am the door. (I am Spirit, and it is only Spirit, and those who know the Spirit, that can explain spiritual things.) If anyone enters by Me (learns my teachings and does them), he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. (He will be able to experience heavenly life, even while on earth)." John 10:7-10)

One does not attain freedom from the bondage of Karma by merely abstaining from work. No one attains perfection by merely giving up work, because no one can remain action-less even for a moment. Everyone is driven to action, helplessly indeed, by the forces of Nature. (3.04-05) Anyone, who restrains the senses but mentally dwells upon the sense objects, is called a pretender. (3.06) (Sainthood does not consist in idleness or continuous praying. It is the ability to recognize the truth about life, and thenceforth know the Truth, live in the Truth, by the Truth, for the Truth, with the Truth and as the Truth. )

WHY ONE SHOULD SERVE OTHERS?
The one who controls the senses by the trained and purified mind and intellect, and engages the organs of action to selfless service is considered superior. (3.07) (Self discipline is very important to spiritual growth.)

Perform your obligatory duty, because working is indeed better than sitting idle. Even the maintenance of your body would not be possible without work. (3.08) (To religious and ordinary persons, work is both necessary and compulsory. One should not remain idle simply because he wants to be a reverend, saint, monk or nun. Work is a necessary exercise for the body. Those who go for training in the seminary or convent should not expect to be engaged in prayers and worship only. )

Work other than those done as a selfless service (Seva) binds human beings. (People should be made to understand the consequences of all selfish engagements. The quickest road to heaven is selflessness, charity or philanthropy. ) Therefore, becoming free from selfish attachment to the fruits of work, do your duty efficiently as a service to Me. (3.09) (One special advantage of selfless works is that they make the talents of God in us manifest and useful. Another great benefit is that selfless services brings the joy of the Holy Spirit into our heart, into our life, even to such extents that joyfulness and gladness of heart overflows to others.)

TO HELP EACH OTHER IS THE FIRST COMMANDMENT OF THE CREATOR
In the beginning the creator created human beings together with selfless service (Seva, Sacrifice) and said: By serving each other you shall prosper and the sacrificial service shall fulfill all your desires. (3.10) (People are free to make and save money and wealth. However, such savings should be made available whenever somebody is in need. Man’s greatest asset is his fellow man. Hence, the Golden Rule demands that we first attend to the needs of others.
Almost every religion of the world defines Golden Rule as ‘Do unto others as you would like them do unto you.’ In other words, the definitions of Golden Rule by the world religions have not stated, correctly, what the Almighty demands from His children. Today, I give the world a new Golden Rule that is better than what already know about Golden rule: First attend to the needs of others, and God shall attend to your own needs, in ways that are inexplicable. )

Nourish the celestial controllers with selfless service, and they will nourish you. Thus nourishing one another you shall attain the Supreme goal. (3.11)

The celestial controllers, served by selfless service, will give you all desired objects. One who enjoys the gift of celestial controllers without sharing with others is, indeed, a thief. (3.12) (John the Baptist said it clearly, “7 Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 9 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

10 So the people asked him, saying, "What shall we do then?"
11 He answered and said to them, "He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise." Luke 3:7-11

Jesus preached and practiced the same, always attending to the needs of others. He said, “ 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.” Matthew 5:42)

The righteous who eat after feeding others are freed from all sins, but the impious who cook food only for themselves without first offering to God, or sharing with others verily eat sin. (3.13)

The living beings are born from food grains, grains are produced by sacrificial work or duty performed by farmers and other field workers. Duty is prescribed in the scriptures. Scriptures (such as the Vedas, the Holy Bible, the Holy Koran) come from the Supreme Being (
From time to time, God sends His messengers (ministers) to the world, such that every age and nation has a guide, a master soul, a prophet or a saviour.

These ministers recognize each the others, and acknowledge them as good ministers from God. For example, Islam acknowledges that both Judaism and Christianity are religions established by God. Jesus Himself paid glowing tributes to several ministers that did well, referred to their teachings and writings, and said that those ministers foretold of His coming. Unlike the some of the modern day ministers, who would like to glorify themselves only, Jesus would not hesitate to mention and confirm Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Elijah, Isaiah, Zechariah, Moses, and the Sages from other religions and climates, including the three wise men.

That should be expected from every minister of God. For as all the leaders of world religions and the successor ministers came from God, “a string of unity, purpose or recognition” should be expected of them, from them, about them and by themselves (by each acknowledging the others).

Hinduism acknowledges that other religions are valid ways that lead people to God. The three wise men from the east were great mystics, prophets and astrologers from other religions and nations. On the world map, you will find on the east of Israel: India, China, Persia, etc. They came to Israel to honour the baby Jesus, without discriminating against Jesus, who was not a member of their own religion.

All inter-religious condemnations, violence, contradictions, decadence, naivety, competitions, accusations and counter-accusations, etc, are all caused by human beings, who are so prompted and encouraged by the evil spirits. These problems are caused out of jealousy, out of hatred, out of competitions, out of envy, and above all, out of ignorance (darkness).) Thus the all-pervading Supreme Being or God is ever present in selfless service. (3.14-15)

The one who does not help to keep the wheel of creation in motion by sacrificial duty (Seva) and rejoices sense pleasures, that sinful person lives in vain. (3.16)

The one who rejoices the Supreme Being, who is delighted with the Supreme Being, and who is content with the Supreme Being alone, for such a Self-realized person there is no duty. Such a person has no interest, whatsoever, in what is done or what is not done. A Self-realized person does not depend on anybody, except God, for anything. (3.17-18) (Jesus said it clearly, “Nobody can receive anything, except it is given to him from heaven.”)

LEADERS SHOULD SET AN EXAMPLE
Always perform your duty efficiently and without any selfish attachment to the results, because by doing work without attachment one attains Supreme. (3.19)

King Janaka and others attained perfection of Self-realization by selfless service (Karma-yoga) alone. You should also perform your duty with a view to guide people, and for the welfare of the society. (3.20)

Because whatever noble persons do, others follow. Whatever standard they set up, the world follows. (3.21)

O Arjuna, there is nothing in the three worlds — heaven, earth, and the lower regions — that should be done by Me, nor there is anything unobtained that I should obtain, yet I engage in action. (3.22)

Because, if I do not engage in action relentlessly, O Arjuna, people would follow My path in everyway. These worlds would perish if I do not work, and I shall be the cause of confusion and destruction of all these people. (3.23-24)

WHAT SHOULD THE WISE DO TO THE IGNORANT
As the ignorant work with attachment to the fruits of work, so the wise should work without attachment, for the welfare of the society. (3.25)

The wise should not unsettle the mind of the ignorant ones who are attached to the fruits of work, but the enlightened one should inspire others by performing all works efficiently without selfish attachment. (See also 3.29)(3.26)

ALL WORKS ARE THE WORKS OF NATURE
The forces of Nature do all works. But due to delusion of ignorance people assume themselves to be the doer. (See also 5.09, 13.29, and 14.19)(3.27)

The one who knows the truth about the role of the forces of Nature in getting work done does not become attached to the work. Such a person knows that it is the forces of Nature that get their work done by using our organs as their instruments. (3.28)

But those who are deluded by the illusive power (Maya) of Nature become attached to the works done by the forces of Nature. The wise should not disturb the mind of the ignorant whose knowledge is imperfect. (See also 3.26) (3.29)

Do your duty dedicating all works to God in a spiritual frame of mind free from desire, attachment, and mental grief. (3.30)

Those who always practice this teaching of Mine ? with faith and are free from cavil ? become free from the bondage of Karma. But those who carp at this teaching and do not practice it, consider them ignorant, senseless, and lost. (3.31-32)

All beings follow their nature. Even the wise act according to their own nature. What, then, is the value of sense restraint? (3.33)

TWO MAJOR STUMBLING BLOCKS ON THE PATH OF PERFECTION
Attachments and aversions for the sense objects remain in the senses. One should not come under the control of these two, because they are two major stumbling blocks, indeed, on one’s path of Self-realization. (3.34)

One’s inferior natural work is better than superior unnatural work. Death in carrying out one’s natural work is useful. Unnatural work produces too much stress. (See also 18.47) (3.35)

LUST IS THE ORIGIN OF SIN
Arjuna said: O Krishna, what impels one to commit sin as if unwillingly and forced against one’s will? (3.36)

Lord Krishna said: It is the lust born out of passion that becomes anger when unfulfilled. Lust is insatiable and is a great devil. Know this as the enemy. (3.37)

As the fire is covered by smoke, as a mirror by dust, and as an embryo by the amnion; similarly, Self-knowledge gets covered by different degrees of this insatiable lust, the eternal enemy of the wise. (3.38-39)

The senses, the mind, and the intellect are said to be the abode of lust; with these it deludes a person by veiling the Self-knowledge. (3.40)

Therefore, O Arjuna, by controlling the senses first, kill this devil of material desire that destroys Self-knowledge and Self-realization. (3.41) (All the while I did not know that the Lord destined me for special purposes. I had no liking for material wealth or accumulation. At a time, my parents complained that whenever I was given money to go to the market to buy something for myself that I usually returned home from the market with the money to say that I did not see anything to buy. It is now that I have had several face to face encounters with God Almighty that I understand what was actually happening. This does not mean that people should not accumulate wealth or that people should not go to market to but what they need. Instead, what is necessary is that they should not set the hearts after such things as if their lives depend solely on things of the world.)

HOW TO CONTROL LUST
The senses are said to be superior to the body, the mind is superior to the senses, the intellect is superior to the mind, transcendental knowledge is superior to the intellect, and the Self is superior to transcendental knowledge. (3.42) (After the self, it is the Supreme Being that is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent.

Object => Body => Senses => Mind => Intellect => Transcendental Knowledge => Self => Supreme Being )

Thus, knowing the Self to be superior to the intellect, and controlling the mind by the intellect that is purified by spiritual practices, one must kill this mighty enemy, lust, O Arjuna. (3.43)


CHAPTER 4

PATH OF RENUNCIATION WITH KNOWLEDGE

KARMA-YOGA IS AN ANCIENT FORGOTTEN COMMANDMENT
Lord Krishna said: I taught this Karma-yoga, the eternal science of right action, to King Vivasvan. Vivasvan taught it to Manu. Manu taught it to Ikshvaku. Thus handed down in succession the saintly Kings knew this science of proper action (Karma-yoga).

After a long time this science was lost from this earth. Today I have described the same ancient science to you, because you are my sincere devotee and friend. This science is a supreme secret indeed. (4.01-03)

Arjuna said: You were born later, but Vivasvan was born in ancient time. How am I to understand that You taught this science in the beginning of the creation? (Following is a clear demonstration of being calm and undisturbed in the face of irritaions. Arjunah's comment - "You were born later, but Vivasvan was born in ancient time." - would offend many a carnal and wicked ruler. But the Almighty was not offended. He was not irritated. He simply continued His explanations as if there was no insultive statement. Blessed be the Lord, who is in every way kind.) (4.04)

THE PURPOSE OF INCARNATION OF GOD
Lord Krishna said: Both you and I have taken many births. I remember them all, O Arjuna, but you do not remember. (4.05)

Though I am eternal, immutable, and the Lord of all beings, yet I manifest Myself by controlling the material Nature using My own divine potential energy (Maya). (See also 10.14) (4.06)

Whenever there is a decline of Dharma (Righteousness) and a predominance of Adharma (Unrighteousness), O Arjuna, then I manifest Myself. I appear from time to time for protecting the good, for transforming the wicked, and for establishing world order (Dharma). (4.07-08) (He came in the person of Melchizedek. He appeared to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He restored righteousness through Moses. He came as Jesus Christ. Again, He is doing the same thing by this very author, who has seen and experienced the Lord Almighty several times. Blessed indeed is he who studies, delights in and practices the teachings of this website and library.)

The one who truly understands My transcendental appearance, and activities of creation, maintenance, and dissolution attains My Supreme Abode and is not born again after leaving this body, O Arjuna. (The Angels have told me that I shall not reincarnate again in this world. When they said that many years ago, I did not understand what they said or why they said it. Today, after seeing, attaining and experiencing the Almighty, I now know what they meant and why they said it. Should be necessary to come at all, my coming shall be in the company of Hosts of Angels who visit the world from time to time.) (4.09)

Many have become free from attachment, fear, anger, and attained salvation by taking refuge in Me, by becoming fully absorbed in My thoughts, and by getting purified by the fire of Self-knowledge. (4.10) (This is true, indeed.)

PATH OF WORSHIP AND PRAYER
With whatever motive people worship Me, I fulfill their desires accordingly. People worship Me with different motives. (4.11) (While this is true, the best motive is to perform all works as service offering to God. Doing so, without expecting rewards, without expecting thanks, without being persuaded and without being forced.)

Those who long for success in their work here on the earth worship the celestial controllers. Success in work comes quickly in this human world. (4.12)

DIVISION OF LABOR IS BASED ON THE APTITUDE OF PEOPLE
I created the four divisions of human society based on aptitude and vocation. Though I am the author of this system of the division of labor, one should know that I do nothing directly and I am eternal. (See also 18.41)(4.13)

Works do not bind Me, because I have no desire for the fruits of work. The one who fully understands and practices this truth is also not bound by Karma. (4.14)

The ancient seekers of salvation also performed their duties with this understanding. Therefore, you should do your duty as the ancients did. (4.15)

ATTACHED, DETACHED, AND FORBIDDEN ACTION
Even the wise ones are confused about what is action and what is inaction. Therefore, I shall clearly explain what is action, knowing that one shall be liberated from the evil of birth and death. (4.16)

The true nature of action is very difficult to understand. Therefore, one should know the nature of attached action, the nature of detached action, and also the nature of forbidden action. (4.17)

A KARMA-YOGI IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE KARMIC LAWS (SUCH A PERSON HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD)
The one who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is a wise person. Such a person is a yogi and has accomplished everything. (See also 3.05, 3.27, 5.08 and 13.29)(4.18)

A person, whose desires have become selfless by being roasted in the fire of Self-knowledge, is called a sage by the wise. (4.19)

The one who has abandoned selfish attachment to the fruits of work, and remains ever content and dependent on no one but God, such a person though engaged in activity does nothing at all, and incurs no Karmic reaction. (4.20)

The one who is free from desires, whose mind and senses are under control, and who has renounced all proprietorship, does not incur sin the Karmic reaction by doing bodily action. (4.21)

A Karma-yogi who is content with whatever gain comes naturally by His will, who is unaffected by pairs of opposites, and free from envy, equanimous in success and failure is not bound by Karma. (4.22)

All Karmic bonds of a Karma-yogi who is free from attachment, whose mind is fixed in Self-knowledge, and who does work as a service to the Lord dissolves away (4.23)

The Spirit shall be realized by the one who considers everything as a manifestation, or an act, of the Spirit. (Also see 9.16)(4.24) (Jesus said He has overcome the world. Many of His followers do not know what He meant by that statement. He lived a selfless life. He was not working for any rewards or benefits. He did good to all, without discrimination.
He was always calmly active and actively calm, even in the face of tempest and humiliation. He slept in the face of raging storm. Despite insults and accusations by the Scribes and Pharisees, who suppose to give Him honour and support, He consistently carried on His ministry, teaching and healing even when every leader was in doubt and in error.
In every situation, He depended solely on God. When Herod boasted that he had power to release Jesus from being crucified, Jesus told him that no one can have anything, except such was given to him from heaven.
He is unaffected by pairs of opposites. For while many a Saint or Sage would not allow women to be close to them, Jesus had His feet washed by a woman, who cleaned His feet with her hairs.
He never for once wavered from the Truth, because Himself is Truth. He allowed His suffering as a necessity for the sake of children of God. He was fearless even at death. )

DIFFERENT TYPES OF SPIRITUAL PRACTICES OR SACRIFICES
Some yogis perform the service of worship to celestial controllers, while others study scriptures for Self-knowledge. Some restrain their senses and give up their sensual pleasures. Others perform breathing and other yogic exercises. Some give charity and offer their wealth as a sacrifice. (4.25-28)

Those who are engaged in yogic practices, reach the breathless state of trance by offering inhalation into exhalation and exhalation into inhalation as a sacrifice (by using short breathing Kriya techniques)

. (4.29)

Others restrict their diet and offer their inhalations as sacrifice into their inhalations. All these people are the knowers of sacrifice, and are purified by their sacrifice. (4.30)

Those who perform selfless service obtain the nectar of Self-knowledge as a result of their sacrifice and attain the Supreme Being. O Arjuna, even this world is not a happy place for the non-sacrificer, how can the other world be? (See also 4.38, and 5.06)

. (4.31)

Many types of spiritual disciplines are described in the Vedas. Know that all of them are the action of body, mind, and senses prompted by the forces of Nature. Understanding this, one shall attain Nirvana or salvation. (See also 3.14)(4.32)

ACQUIRING TRANSCENDENTAL KNOWLEDGE IS A SUPERIOR SPIRITUAL PRACTICE Acquiring transcendental knowledge is superior to any material sacrifice such as giving charity. Because, purification of mind and intellect that eventually leads to the dawn of transcendental knowledge and Self-realization is the sole purpose of any spiritual action. (4.33)

Acquire this transcendental knowledge from a Self-realized master by humble reverence, by sincere inquiry, and by service. The empowered ones, who have realized the Truth, will teach you. (4.34)

After knowing the transcendental science, O Arjuna, you shall not again become deluded like this. With this knowledge you shall see the entire creation within your own higher Self, and thus within Me. (See also 6.29, 6.30, 11.07, 11.13)

(4.35)

Even if one is the most sinful of all sinners, one shall yet cross over the ocean of sin by the raft of Self-knowledge alone. (4.36)

As the blazing fire reduces wood to ashes; similarly, the fire of Self-knowledge reduces all bonds of Karma to ashes, O Arjuna. (4.37)

TRANSCENDENTAL KNOWLEDGE IS AUTOMATICALLY REVEALED TO A KARMA-YOGI Verily, there is no purifier in this world like the true knowledge of the Supreme Being. One discovers this knowledge within, naturally, in course of time when one's mind is cleansed of selfishness by Karma-yoga. (See also 4.31, and 5.06, 18.78)

. (4.38)

The one who has faith in God, is sincere in yogic practices, and has control over the mind and senses gains this transcendental knowledge. Having gained this knowledge, one quickly attains supreme peace or liberation. (4.39)

The irrational, the faithless, and the disbeliever (atheist)

perishes. There is neither this world, nor the world beyond, nor happiness for the disbeliever. (4.40)

BOTH TRANSCENDENTAL KNOWLEDGE AND KARMA-YOGA ARE NEEDED FOR NIRVANA Work does not bind a person who has renounced work ? by renouncing the fruits of work ? through Karma-yoga, and whose confusion with regard to body and Spirit is completely destroyed by the application of Self-knowledge, O Arjuna. (4.41)

Therefore, cut the ignorance-born confusion with regard to body and Spirit by the sword of Self-knowledge, resort to Karma-yoga, and get up for the war, O Arjuna. (4.42)