In the AY in the chapter life of lahiri Mahasaya pg 326 the subject of knot-points unexplained.OK go ahead explain please.
—jeff wells, Homer AK
Dear Jeff,
The “knot-points” revealed by Lahiri Mahasaya (and expanded upon by others in the lineage, that is, Swami Sri Yukteswar and Paramhansa Yogananda) in the great epic of the Mahabharata are found in the names of the main characters. An intuitive and analytical understanding of the Sanskrit roots of their names reveals the psychological and spiritual qualities that each character represents. While these knot-points don’t play as large a role in understanding the Bhagavad Gita (the main interest of Yogananda’s teachings), they represent an enormous revelation to the evolution of the Mahabharata in the cultural and religious understanding of Hindus (who know all these characters and whose deeds have informed the culture and religion of India.)
This revelation of the story’s deeper meaning gives important insights into human psychology which can help anyone who is sincere on the spiritual path. It links the story of the Mahabharata far more closely to the Bhagavad Gita (which comprises but one chapter in the world’s longest epic!) Like extracting computer files from a compressed file, the story suddenly opens up an entire vista of how-to-live. Nonetheless, the Bhagavad Gita will always also stand on its own as a scripture not just of the past but our times and into the future.
There is a project underway in India by Ananda members that will first put online and thereafter into physical form in a temple to be built in Delhi, India, the key points to this revealed understanding of the Mahabharata. You can find these in Swami Kriyananda’s landmark book, Essence of the Bhagavad Gita (published by Crystal Clarity). There are other publications, too, both in America and the United States with more information on these knot-points.
Do you know much about the storyline of the Mahabharata? Learn the true identity and significance of the five Pandava brothers and their “shared” wife, Draupadi. Who is the great warrior Bhishma and why does he fight on the “wrong” side? Why too does their guru, Dronacharya, fight for the “evil” Kauravas?
May your journey to Self-realization be illuminated by the wisdom of the Masters,
Nayaswami Hriman