Meditations on Transcendence

Verse 60: Bhagavān Bhagahā Nandī Vanamālī Halāyudhaḥ Ādityo Jyotirādityaḥ Sahiṣṇur Gatisattamaḥ ||60|| He is Bhagavān —the possessor of all opulences, and Bhagahā —the one who can withdraw them at will. Though all divine qualities and powers ( vibhūtis ) emanate from Him, He retains the freedom to reclaim them, especially at the time of pralaya or cosmic dissolution. By His inherent nature, He is Ānandī —always blissful, because He is full of bhaga , the six-fold opulences. This bhaga is intrinsic to Him and never diminishes; instead, it constantly flows back into Him, signifying no loss whatsoever. He is Nandī because He is in a perpetual state of bliss, and to access this bliss, one must associate with and serve the Ānandī —the ever-blissful Lord. This bliss is maintained by constantly remaining in service ( sewa ) to the son of Nandagopa—Śrī Krishna. The idea that this verse refers to the son of Nandagopa is supported by Bhīṣmadeva's following words in the Mahābhārata....

  An Essay on Tolerance in the Face of Temporariness In the grand scheme of our existence, the awareness of jagat , the ever-moving temporariness of the world, fosters a profound tolerance within us. This tolerance is akin to enduring minor nuisances during a journey by train, comforted by the hope that our home is near. The Bhagavad Gita enlightens us on this matter, as Lord Krishna proclaims, "mātrā-sparśās tu kaunteya śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ / āgamāpāyino ‘nityās tāṁs titikṣasva bhārata" (2.14). Here, we are advised to tolerate the fleeting sensations of pleasure and pain, knowing their impermanence. Our true home, the supreme and inexhaustible abode, lies beyond this temporary sojourn. The Bible echoes this sentiment in 2 Corinthians 4:18, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” This divine promise of an eternal home cultivates in us an infinite sahisnuta (tolerance), for the end of...

 **The Symbolism of the Tree in Spiritual Growth** The tree, with its profound symbolism and universal presence, serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual growth across various traditions and teachings. From ancient scriptures to modern practices, the tree exemplifies strength, endurance, and the interconnectedness of life. Here, we explore why the tree stands as such an exemplary model for spiritual growth. One of the most striking references to the tree in spiritual literature is the concept of the inverted tree, or "urdhva mūlam," as described in the Bhagavad Gita. This image depicts the tree with its roots upward and branches downward, symbolizing the eternal connection to the divine and the temporal world. The roots represent the unseen, spiritual foundation, while the branches signify the manifested universe. This metaphor underscores the idea that true spiritual growth originates from an internal, divine source. Another profound example is the notion of tolerance, il...