Emptiness – In Gita Verse 3.11 The demigods, being pleased by sacrifices, will also please you, and thus, by cooperation between men and demigods, prosperity will reign for all.
The celestial gods, or devatās, are responsible for the administration of the universe. The Supreme Lord delegates the task of managing the universe to these celestial beings. These devatās reside within the material universe, in higher planes of existence known as swarg, or celestial abodes. It is important to note that the devatās are not God; they are souls similar to us who occupy specific roles in the governance of the world. To draw a parallel, consider the Federal government of a country, which has various officials such as the Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Defense, and Attorney General. These are positions filled by individuals for a limited tenure, after which the government changes and new individuals occupy these roles. Similarly, in the administration of the universe, there are roles such as Agni Dev (the god of fire), Vāyu Dev (the god of wind), Varuṇa Dev (the god of the ocean), and Indra Dev (the king of the celestial gods). Souls, selected based on their deeds in past lives, occupy these positions for a fixed number of ages and manage the affairs of the universe. These are the devatās (celestial gods).
The Vedas prescribe various ceremonies and processes to satisfy the celestial gods, who in turn bestow material prosperity. However, when we perform yajña for the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord, the celestial gods are automatically appeased. This is akin to watering the root of a tree, which ensures that the water reaches its flowers, fruits, leaves, branches, and twigs. The Skandh Purāṇ states: “By worshipping the Supreme Lord Shree Vishnu, we automatically worship all the celestial gods, since they all derive their power from him.” Thus, the performance of yajña naturally pleases the devatās, who then create prosperity for living beings by favourably adjusting the elements of material nature.
Krishna explains that by performing yajña, humans and gods become allies, mutually supporting each other. This cooperation leads to ultimate welfare. It is crucial to understand the term “devatās” correctly. The term is broad and often misunderstood. In this context, a devatās refers to souls that do not immediately reincarnate after death. Ordinary souls are reborn almost immediately, but exceptionally auspicious or sinful souls must wait for a suitable womb. Superior souls awaiting reincarnation are known as devatās, while extremely sinful souls are known as ghosts. These spirits, unable to remain idle, may influence living beings to perform good or bad deeds.
When individuals perform bad deeds, they may inadvertently receive support from malevolent spirits eager to commit similar acts. This phenomenon explains why people sometimes feel an extraordinary surge of strength during negative actions. Conversely, Krishna advises Arjuna to relinquish his ego and become a mere instrument in the grand scheme of yajña. By doing so, Arjuna can transcend his individual ego and align with the cosmic order, thereby achieving true freedom.
Krishna tells Arjuna that acting from one’s subjectivity connects an individual with the universe, receiving support from demigods. In contrast, acting from the objective world leaves one isolated. Recognising and embracing one’s subjectivity reveals a deeper connection with the universe, transforming perceived emptiness into fullness, peace, silence, and light.
There are two ways to live: from the core of one’s being (subjectivity) or from the ego (objective world). Meditation helps individuals discover their true selves, which society often suppresses to maintain control. An individual aware of their true self becomes independent, rejecting societal norms and superstitions. Such a person lives with integrity and beauty, posing a threat to established institutions.
For example, Guru Gobind Singh exemplified living from one’s true self. As both a saint and soldier, he fought to protect his community, driven by his awareness of his true self and connection to the universe. His actions were not merely personal but aligned with a higher purpose.
Krishna urges Arjuna to drop his ego and misery, connecting with his subjectivity to transform the war into a divine assignment. By doing so, Arjuna’s actions would become an expression of the universe’s will, with his body serving as a vehicle for cosmic purposes. This shift from ego-driven actions to those aligned with the universe’s intention leads to true liberation and fulfilment.
Tags: Emptiness
