The Gita is a practical philosophy. It promises no transformation with immediate effect. A lot of revaluation of the way one looks at life is required. Many personality readjustments will slowly and surely take place as one ruminates deeply on the principles of the Gita. Only the student must be a sincere seeker.
The most interesting and honest proclamation by the Lord is, that this philosophy should never be spoken by one to someone who desires not to listen. The reason is simple. Such a person has not the quietude of the mind nor the control of the senses to receive it. They will reject it without even applying their mind to it if it is forcefully given out. Therefore, it’s a waste of effort on the side of the teacher as well as the listener who has a closed mind.
The last condition is that this knowledge should not be given out to one who harbours a disrespect for the teacher (here, Krishna the Lord is the teacher). The respect for the Guru is insisted upon in Hindu tradition. This is because of the nature of knowledge. Like water, it can only flow from the higher to the lower. That is the reason that in Indian tradition the student symbolically always sits lower than the teacher. The very term Upanishad means, sit below and near the teacher. So this knowledge will be absorbed much better if the student has the humility and a deep desire to learn.
This opens up his mind and conditions it with alertness to gain knowledge. Those that cavil at the Lord, or talk ill of him are not ready nor the fit recipients for this knowledge, as they will in any case mentally reject this philosophy. Though this couplet is composed negatively, it truly translates into a very meaningfully positive psychological truth.
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Prarthna Saran, President, Chinmaya Mission Delhi.
