Dr. Shriniwas Janardan Kashalikar published a new study of the Bhagavad Gita containing discussions over several topics. He questions details in the scripture regarding female anatomy and encourages questioning scriptures respectfully. He also discusses how to reconcile desires and instincts with spiritual practice, dealing with failure and success, and reconciling specific goals and objectives with the Gita's teachings on detachment from results. The study aims to bring new perspectives that help the reader experience the ecstasy and freedom of following their swadharma.

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NEW STUDY OF BHAGAVAD GITA
DR. SHRINIWAS JANARDAN KASHALIKAR

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NEW STUDY OF BHAGAVAD GITA
STUDY
OF
GITA
Dr.
Shriniwas
Kashalikar
DR. SHRINIWAS JANARDAN KASHALIKAR

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NEW STUDY OF BHAGAVAD GITA
NOVEMBER 28, 2009, 7:30 AM
Are there 9 doors (NAVADWRA)?
In 5th chapter there is reference to 9 doors of the body.
This concept is well known. But is this true for females?
It has to be noted, that in females there are 2 eyes, 2 ears,
2
nostrils, 1 mouth, 1 urinary opening 1 anal opening (9)
doors but there is also 1 more door and that is genital
opening viz. vagina, making 10 ‘doors’ to female body.
I feel that questioning an authority is not insulting the
authority, but showing confidence that you would be
heard, attended to and responded to; properly. Not
raising doubts
is like being closed and already prejudiced that if you
question; the authority would feel offended, insulted and
or may not be able to answer!
This point is minor one; with respect to anatomy, but
initially I was feeling inhibited to raise it, because of the
popular contention that scriptures should never be
doubted. Later I realized that by raising doubts; we do
not reduce the importance of Gita; but show that inspite
of doubts in terms of minutia, the essence of Gita takes
us from our subjective frame of mind; to the objective
and cosmic consciousness!
DR. SHRINIWAS JANARDAN KASHALIKAR

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How to deal with our instincts?
One point from 2nd chapter is about the description of the
deterioration (DHYAYATO VISHAYAN….) of an
individual due to entrapment in the dragging instinctual
forces.
I feel that as the feeling of attraction about opposite sex
is natural, hatred of it is not advocated in Gita. What is
highlighted is; how by focusing exclusively on the innate
core of one’s self e.g. through NNAMASMARAN, one
experiences the sublimation of most desires; especially
the sexual desire into sublime and respectful love! Hatred
about or slavery of instincts; such as sexual attraction;
are not conducive to individual and global blossoming!
They can not give warmth of romance or any other bond
involved in different relationships.
On the contrary, when we evolve from within; we do not
hate the opposite sex. We do not become bitter. We
experience and enjoy the sublime attraction in opposite
sex and not obscene carnal cravings. This is probably the
basis of worshipping feminine and masculine principles
in the nature, i.e. Goddess and God and not merely
(male) god by males and (female) goddess by females!
This holds true for all other instincts and desires and that
is exactly what is; the hallmark of the imminent global
culture.
DR. SHRINIWAS JANARDAN KASHALIKAR

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I feel this point is extremely important for a person like
me,
who is often afraid of a state of desirelessness, which is
dreadfully similar to total void or actually death. Hence I
reiterate that in the course of evolution our subjective
desires sublimate or culminate into cosmic or objective
desire/s and do not vanish. They vanish only as
subjective or petty preoccupations or obsessions. They
vanish as fanatic and exploitative compulsions. Thus
Gita makes us free and not hollow or empty! This is what
makes us
fearless and buoyant! This positive content of Gita is
extremely reassuring and rejuvenating. It ensures
emergence of objective, cosmic and immortal love in the
feeble, fragile and frail body that we have! This is how
we realize our immortality; and that of; the self realized
seers; of the past!
How to reconcile the utopia of better world?
When I was charged with the idea of a better world, I
used feel totally upset, disturbed, agitated and at times
disheartened and depressed by any argument opposite to
it or negating it! Hence initially Gita used to depress me
tremendously because except the last verse of Gita, there
is not even an indirect indication or assurance of a better
world in Gita. On the contrary she seemed to be
revolving around the life and death and individual
emancipation.
DR. SHRINIWAS JANARDAN KASHALIKAR

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To accept that you have to follow your SWADHARMA
and not expect a global change was extremely painful
and
appeared to be irrational, unrealistic, pessimistic,
deterministic, fatalistic and so disheartening and
depressing.
Now; even when it is becoming clear that it was the
cosmic consciousness that manifested in the conceptual
form of the goal of global blossoming (though; partially
and/or ambiguously; due to the constitutional
limitations); in my mind; it has been painful to give up
that utopia of global
wellbeing, because, without it; the life has appeared
meaningless, purposeless, hopeless and dead! I have felt
impotent and helpless by the philosophy of detachment!
Gradually I have started realizing that this is not the
message of Gita! In stead; Gita reassures that my core is
immortal and that it is one with the spirit of Gita and
hence, would keep on manifesting from time to time
through this individual or that. Thus Gita gives full stop
to the fear of
dying without accomplishing my dream and assures that
the global blossoming though not exactly as per my
specification; would continue from time to time and )!
DR. SHRINIWAS JANARDAN KASHALIKAR

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Gita teaches us that, the world would continue to have
resurgence of cosmic consciousness and enlightenment
and the necessary and appropriate rectification!
Hence Gita teaches that I have; the freedom and privilege
to practice; the SWADHARMA with total involvement,
which ensures moment to moment ecstasy, that does not
depend on fruit! The universe is going to continue with
its characteristics and this enlightenment springing from
Gita; would also keep resurfacing from time to time
through generations! I am learning to free myself from
the visible changes (which are never permanent and
hence deceptive) of individual and global blossoming. I
am beginning to understand and experience my role,
without unrealistic optimism or pessimism due the inner
assurance of eternal continuity and periodic
manifestation of universal consciousness (and my spirit)!
SWADHARMA is neither a utopia that aims at visible
changes in the conditions of the people, nor is it shackled
by the pursuits; restricted to (visible benefits) in the
individual conditions! Neither it is pessimistic nor is it
optimistic. It is unconditionally victorious!
I have realized that even though I could once get elated;
by
the idea of “working for the others” or “serving the
mankind”, I could never get the fulfillment or peace in it,
which I have started experiencing, these days. This is the
reason I have shifted from Marxism and other
DR. SHRINIWAS JANARDAN KASHALIKAR

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philosophies and ideologies (as I understood) to the core
of Marxism and all of them (again as I understood)!
Gita teaches us; to go to our own core and also that of the
cosmos! Gita is immortal and hence she is going to keep
enlightening generations after generations and hence
there is no aim of or a mission of “permanent” or
“defined” or
“specifically envisaged” global welfare! What global or
local changes would ensue; would be pleasing but
impermanent and changing; and would essentially be the
by product of the practice of SWADHARMA by
individuals like me from the every corner of world; and
from millennia to millennia.
However this was not as easy as it sounds. The SATVA,
RAJA and TAMA keep on interfering with the
realization
of SWADHARMA; thus making the process tardy,
difficult and full of tribulations; probably designed for
one’s chastisement!
November 28, 2009, 12:55 PM
Do we really care for Gita?
I just realized that today; it is Gita Jayanti.
I had read about government ban on many animal shows
on road, in circus and celebrations of NAGPANCHAMI
DR. SHRINIWAS JANARDAN KASHALIKAR

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in Battis Shirala. Yesterday I read that 200 000 animals
were to be slaughtered in Deonar slaughter house. The
study of Gita can engender proper policy on animal
slaughter. Mere worship of Gita or mere hatred of Gita
are not only sterile but come in the way of individual and
global blossoming through SWADHARMA.
What is the meaning of NIRASHI?
At this point of time I want to discuss the word
NIRASHI used in 3rd and 4th chapters.
The word NIRASHI and UDAS are used in philosophical
literature pretty often and more often than not have given
me the impression of depression and frustration. I always
wondered then, how and why Gita is considered to be
one of the best counselors.
In fact, I have experienced getting frustrated, depressed
or ultimately helpless and indifferent; umpteen numbers
of times; with respect to many government policies and
happenings in the society! I guess; frustration,
helplessness, depression and indifference and
melancholy are not uncommon.
The clarification that emerged in my mind is; the words
NIRASHI, UDAS and possibly others with similar
connotations, do not mean getting frustrated. They do not
mean “giving up” or remaining “indifferent”!
DR. SHRINIWAS JANARDAN KASHALIKAR

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They simply mean that you may not get the same results
as envisaged by you. Do not get vacillated and perturbed
in that event. Do not get disturbed. Do not get
disheartened. Do not get depressed. Do not lose hope.
Remember that the results depend on several factors and
not necessarily on your subjective liking or preferences.
Hence they do not indicate your incompetence. Not only
one; but even several failures per se; do not indicate your
incompetence. So do
not judge and humiliate yourself from your failures. Just
try to keep on getting closer to your SWADHARMA (by
continuous rectification of your perspective and
behavior; thus bringing more and more accuracy in it,
which is said to be made easier by practice of
NAMASMARAN).
Alternatively; Gita also teaches us that even if you get so
called tangible success, do not get enamored. Because
success also depends on several factors! It does not
indicate
(merely) your competence! Do not get excited and lose
your sense of proportion; as you may become arrogant
and indiscrete in terms of what is benevolent and what is
harmful to you and society. Further; being unrealistic,
you may get distanced from your true self and get
degenerated and decomposed!
Essence of Gita; realized in this way; keeps me far more
buoyant and triumphant in spirit; than what it otherwise
used to be.
DR. SHRINIWAS JANARDAN KASHALIKAR

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In recent days; I am learning from Gita; that when our
aim or target is not convincing to our innate core (i.e. in
variance with SWADHARMA), then our performance is
also unsatisfactory, painful, miserable and/or socially
harmful.
Thus I was not convinced about the sectarian non-holistic
curriculum of the MBBS and MD and hence I was not
fully satisfied with my own performance in learning as
well as
teaching! In addition; my resilience and tenacity to
achieve a particular goal in my learning and teaching
career also were not fully satisfactory to me! I think this
is true for any person and in any business, profession or
duty.
When the targets, goals, laws and regulations are not
convincing, (in variance from SWADHARMA), then
performance and the involvement in any field become
unsatisfactory!
As and when I am convinced about my actions to the
core, i.e. identify my SWADHARMA, my enthusiasm,
buoyancy, resilience, tenacity, perseverance,
forbearance, courage and dedication and overall
application also multiply!
I begin to get ecstasy in every small thing I do and my
life becomes a source of unending vitality! This brings
DR. SHRINIWAS JANARDAN KASHALIKAR

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charm and sweetness to all relationships, including
family, relatives, friends, peers, colleagues and so on,
because my patience, consideration, and flexibility also
multiply! My brittleness, fragility, impatience, obstinacy,
whims, fancies, adamancy, uncertainty, doubts,
diffidence; all begin to dwindle and make me more
active, freer and happier, for increasingly longer intervals
of time!
November 28, 2009, 07:30 pm
Gita teaches us to carry on our activities without
getting trapped in the results. How to reconcile
various activities going on with specific
objective?
In 4th chapter and latter in 7th, 17th and 18th chapters there
is reference to activities performed with intentions i.e.
expectations of returns.
Gita does not condemn them, but guides us on the path of
evolving further and performing actions decreasing
subjective intentions or expectations in tune with the
cosmic will through e.g. NAMASMARAN!
I have begun to understand that just as I went through
different stages of development; it could also be true
with other people. I must not expect a simultaneous,
uniform and regimentalized change!
DR. SHRINIWAS JANARDAN KASHALIKAR

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I must understand and be considerate about the changing
activities with varying interests; depending upon the age
and stage of development of the people as has been the
case with me! I should not condemn people or should not
get disheartened because there is no change! Rather I
should provide (according to my capacity) assurance and
solution, in the form of perspective, policies, plans and
implementation conducive to individual and global
blossoming!
In fact from this point of view, it is important to realize
from time to time the importance of the accessories
(food, sleep, residence, company etc) helpful in merging
with cosmic will! In other words; just as we can not
overlook or undermine the importance of different needs,
during our physical development; similarly even in the
process of reaching the final stage of merging with
cosmic consciousness; we have to utilize and respect the
skills, techniques and specializations such as those
described in Vedic Karmas! This is why Gita in 2nd, 3rd,
4th, 17th and 18th chapters advises us not to quit the
activities but to evolve from the activities of personal
interest and perform SWADHARMA!
Thus everything that helps to focus and get connected
with the cosmic consciousness must be done and not
despised. If we are atheist, iconoclast, nonconformist,
(usually because of inadequate study and petty ego,
fanatic adamancy and
DR. SHRINIWAS JANARDAN KASHALIKAR

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lethargy) then we may suffer from periodic depression,
which can be overcome through study of Gita and
practice of NAMASMARAN!
This became especially clearer when I read the excellent
translation and explanation of Shri Sukta by Pundit
Shripad Shastri Kinjavadekar. I realized that the practice
of SUKTAS, STOTRAS, ARATIS, and BHAJANS and
so on; helps in overcoming imminent depression,
fragility and fickle mindedness, which keep piling up
subconsciously.
I seem to appreciate deeply that the inspiring, energizing,
encouraging, rejuvenating and revitalizing guidance
about performing all activities supporting and nurturing
the “ecstatic and freeing involvement in the
SWADHARMA, conducive to individual and global
blossoming”; is the greatest source of superlife in Gita,
Vishnusahasranam and
NAMASMARAN!
DR. SHRINIWAS JANARDAN KASHALIKAR

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DR. SHRINIWAS JANARDAN KASHALIKAR