Bhagavad Geeta 147 - Chapter 12 - Bannanje Govindacharya (12.1 - 12.2)

12.1 Before Madhwacharya, this Chapter was interpreted as a discussion about two forms of Upasana - Vyakta/Saakaara Upasana or Avyakta/Nirguna-Niraakaara Upaasana. They would finally conclude Nirguna Upaasana is superior, despite Krishna says worshipping him (Saakaara) is superior. They would give convoluted explanations that nirguna upasana is extremely difficult and therefore Krishna recommended sakara but in reality nirguna upasana is superior. However the Shlokas in this chapter are not aligned with this explanation. But Madhwacharya explained it differently. Arjuna asks a question. "Evam" - In this way - like you described so far with the form you showed "Satata Yuktas" - those who are eternally/Satata the knowers of the solution/Upaaya of how to do Upaasana. Those who are always thinking of you. Bhakta - clarifies because even haters like kamsa always think of Bhagavanta. Bhakti means devotion with Jnyana. Pariupasate - Do Upasana (worship by placing Bhagavanta above them) all the time. They have awareness of God all the time in every action. Thus he's saying that eternal Yuktas (those who have you in their mind always), worship you in this way (with a form and with Gunas), with Bhakti with your awareness all the time. Arjuna's question is: this better or is the other option better? The other option is: Worship him as Avyakta - commonly interpreted as formless and without Gunas. But this isn't right. Can't worship something without form or Gunas. Buddhists practice Vipashana - clearing the mind and focusing on nothing. But this is not what Arjuna is referring to. Samsaara - Upanishad says Bhagavanta placed Jeeva within an area covered by 15 non-living fences. 16th entity is the Jeeva. 17th is the entity that binds Jeeva within the fences - Prakriti. 18th is Bhagavanta who frees Jeeva ultimately, and thus we pray to him. Since Prakriti/Lakshmi is the one who has bound the Jeeva, does it not make sense for the Jeeva to pray to Prakriti to free him? This is actually Arjuna's question. Shaakta Sampradaya preaches worship of Shakti/Lakshmi to free us. It also existed at the time of Arjuna. Avyakta means Prakriti (in earlier chapters too) - invisible entity from which the visible world manifested. Katha Upanishad says Avyakta Tatva (Lakshmi) is higher than Mahat Tatva (Brahma) and Purusha is higher than Avyakta. Meaning of "Shriye Jaata Shriye aaniryaaya..." - One is born for the worship of Shree Tatva, goes to forest to worship Shree. Shree gives long life to those who praise her and gives them wealth too. Those who worshiped Shree went to Moksha. The pair (couple or Guru-shishya) that worships Shree will get all their wishes. She is also Akshara (one without a perishable body) while all Jeevas are Ksharas (perishable bodies). Arjuna asks among the two knowers of solutions (Yoga Vit), who is superior? Madhwacharya is the one explained this meaning. Madhwacharya' answer: Atma Sakshatkara is a prerequisite for Bhagavat Sakshatkara. But there is no special effort required for it. Attempt of Bhagavata Saakshatkaara is enough. Similarly, no special effort required to please Lakshmi, pleasing Bhagavanta is enough. Madhwa also wrote Shree Stuti in Dwadasha Stotra to show how Lakshmi should be worshiped - he prays to her as the one who controls everything but is controlled by a sideways glance of Bhagavanta. Same appears in Ambhrini Sookta - Lakshmi says herself that she controls and created everything but she is controlled by God. Arjuna's question is if among the two, both or correct, or one is wrong, or is one better despite both working? 12.2 Krishna answers that those who fix their mind on him and are always focused on him with Shraddha (faith) are superior. So worship of Bhagavanta is superior to Lakshmi's worship. But Krishna said Shraddha (faith) is the most important thing. Medicine doesn't work without faith in Doctor. Anecdote from Govindacharya's life - a village doctor gives the same medicine to everyone but cures all. It's just faith that's curing. Example of doctor mesmer about cures - said healing power can go from body to body. Example of touch heal - only works if there's faith. Krishna says those who worship his form with faith are most superior in his opinion. It can be any of his forms and any of his names. With faith all forms and all names will be seen as his names. God is called Nirakara not because he has no form - but because he has no material form. He is Nirguna because has no flawed Gunas (Trigunas) but has Jnyanaanadamaya Gunas. So he is both Nirakara and Sakara, Nirguna and Saguna.