Gita GD Discussions 4/11/2021 - Slokas 2.14,15

Gita GD Discussions 4/11/2021, Slokas 2.14, 2.15 Millions of experiences are collapsed to five inputs + mind. Perceiving these as good/bad/pleasant/unpleasant is based on mind. We need to develop titiksha. Titiksha - forebearance; strength. Titiksha also is a result of our prarabdh. Stories about non-retorting snake & mudslinging match with pigs shows the need to understand correctly and acting rightly according to nature. These stories highlight how to understand titiksha correctly. Thirukkural #301: controlling anger can be done in 3 places: with people who are equal, with people who are powerful, with people who are weaker. It is the third category that is important discipline. Other two are no brainer - we automatically control our anger! One need not be angry in mind - even if roles demand anger, do the duty (like a policeman) but without being affected. Discussion on pain, suffering, happiness & sadness: We can be in pain, but suffering is optional. People suffer when they don't understand Vedantic concept of Atma, identity of one's true Self. How should one go about pain & suffering? Does suffering have a role? Purpose? - Acceptance or Prarabda?  - Take action - give tit for tat? - Delegate to God - Settle score? - Is this a case of mistaken identity? Settling scores does not work. My karma is mine and other's karma is others. Sama-Dana-Bheda-Danda has to be employed like Rama did. Maintaining equipoise is the goal. Eventually this is what is going to solve the topical problems: - yoga, samatvam, stitapragya, stay with one's true nature. - This state is our nature! Anger, greed and others take away from this state. So, the question is how can we prevent 2KLM3 and related aspects? How does Sukh lead to Dukh: If sukh can come from an external object then it can also lead to dukh, We want the sukh it to continue, we fear losing it, leads to attachment to that sukh...so best not to be elated with sukh and depressed when dukh. ...It can also make us arrogant, proud... The same attitude is applicable at body, mind, intellect levels - heat/cold, pleasure/pain, praise/criticism. Yoga, Karma or Bhakti or Jnana? Ashtanga yoga comes from the practical side and Upanishads come from theoretical side - both are needed. Known ->Uknown and Unknown -> Known: Both are valid paths. 4% is theory; 16% is upasana and 80% is dharma: Dharma is what we need to focus on in our daily life! Other: Dhira word means intelligence, buddhi, wisdom and one who applies the wisdom of knowledge of Atma to overcome sufferings. Rudyard Kipling's IF poem seems to be a rough translation of Bhagavad Gita's concepts.