The Bhagavad Gita is a comprehensive manual on the tangible and subtle quality enveloping the entire range of existence. Spoken by the Supreme Brahman who is the architect of this wonderful creation, the truth expressed carries the stamp of the highest authority ever. Krishna’s revelation of the absolute truth begins as practical instruction to Arjuna who is confused about his choice of the right path. Gradually Krishna raises Arjuna’s mind to a higher level to transcend the limitations of human understanding, pointed out Swami Gautamananda in a lecture. Spiritual awareness is a state of super-consciousness and can be reached only through divine grace and is an experience felt in one’s inner being as enlightenment about the truth of existence. It is a direct perception of the abstract spiritual truth. It is bestowed as a divine gift and Arjuna is made aware of the tremendous potential of the Supreme Being which is a matter of unimaginable bewilderment and wonder.
In contrast, normal awareness in beings is the ability to be sensitive to one’s immediate surroundings and context. The human mind records past experiences and these are stored in the subconscious and unconscious memory. The state of consciousness in us is bound by the limitations of the intellect, mind and senses that are responsive to outward forms. But the potency of the super-conscious level far exceeds that of human consciousness. The vision seen by Arjuna goes beyond the finite mind. Krishna grants Arjuna divine eyes or super-consciousness to enable him to understand the integral unity of creation subsumed in the universal form of Brahman.
