Ome, Vasudeva, Suttam, Devam, Kamsajanurramadanam,

Devaki, Paramanandandam, Krishna, Vandhya Jagad Gurum.

We are studying the sixth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita.

Though the chapter is about meditation,

still Sri Krishna is starting with some preparatory practices.

He says meditation is an advanced practice.

First, the mind must be prepared.

Those who wish to scale the ladder of yoga,

they must first purify themselves. So action is the means to begin with. And then meditation

becomes the means later on. Means to what? Means to enlightenment, to God realization or self-realization.

So first it is action. And action means

all kinds of action, not only our daily round of duties and activities in the world, but also

worship, ritualistic action of all sorts. So all of that is preparatory and it purifies and makes us ready for meditation.

Now comes the fifth verse is a famous verse and justly so.

It's very inspiring, very positive and often quoted.

The fifth verse.

Udhhhhet atmanatmanam,

Nath man am avasadayat,

Atmayva yatmano,

Bhandhu,

Atmayvari puratmanah.

One should raise oneself through the self and never lower oneself.

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