I had a doubt in BG 12.12. In GM's commentary he says that Baladeva Vidyabhusana recommends meditation for one with no-self knowledge and knowledge for one who can't practice abhyasa.
I really did not understand how meditation is possible before self-knowledge, is it a misprint there?
Thanks for sharing your misgiving. Here's Baladeva's commentary on Bg. 12.12 (I don't know whose translation this is):
This verse praises karma yoga without seeking results, because it is easy to perform, can be done with full attention, and contains the seeds of knowledge.
Better than not accomplishing (the practice of) continuous remembrance of Me (abhyasat) is jnana, direct perception of your own atma. Better than unaccomplished realization of atma (jnanat) which is the door to realization of paramatma, is the practice of meditation (dhyanam) on ones own atma. This is better, in the sense that it is beneficial for you for attaining realization of atma. But better than unsuccessful practice of meditation is renunciation of results, performing actions without seeking results. After giving up results in activities, one attains purification of the mind (santih). Then with a pure mind one can perform meditation. With proper meditation, one can realize atma. As a result of atmajnana, one gains knowledge of paramatma. By that knowledge of paramatma, one takes to pure bhakti. By that, one attains Me, in the mood of majesty. The meaning is that this method is difficult.
Moreover, this is not an instruction for Arjuna, because he was an exclusive devotee. Those who are sanistah, engaged in niskama karma and meditating on the Lord, realize their own atma. Then para bhakti to the majestic form of the Lord arises, and by that bhakti, the devotee realizes Hari, the seat of prema, and become liberated. This is the method indicated in the Gita. However, one should understand that this instruction is meant for those who are devoid of exclusive devotion.
Thanks for sharing your misgiving. Here's Baladeva's commentary on Bg. 12.12 (I don't know whose translation this is):
This verse praises karma yoga without seeking results, because it is easy to perform, can be done with full attention, and contains the seeds of knowledge.
Better than not accomplishing (the practice of) continuous remembrance of Me (abhyasat) is jnana, direct perception of your own atma. Better than unaccomplished realization of atma (jnanat) which is the door to realization of paramatma, is the practice of meditation (dhyanam) on ones own atma. This is better, in the sense that it is beneficial for you for attaining realization of atma. But better than unsuccessful practice of meditation is renunciation of results, performing actions without seeking results. After giving up results in activities, one attains purification of the mind (santih). Then with a pure mind one can perform meditation. With proper meditation, one can realize atma. As a result of atmajnana, one gains knowledge of paramatma. By that knowledge of paramatma, one takes to pure bhakti. By that, one attains Me, in the mood of majesty. The meaning is that this method is difficult.
Moreover, this is not an instruction for Arjuna, because he was an exclusive devotee. Those who are sanistah, engaged in niskama karma and meditating on the Lord, realize their own atma. Then para bhakti to the majestic form of the Lord arises, and by that bhakti, the devotee realizes Hari, the seat of prema, and become liberated. This is the method indicated in the Gita. However, one should understand that this instruction is meant for those who are devoid of exclusive devotion.
Thanks, I am not still clear completely. Is realization of the atma and knowledge of the atma synonymous here? Knowledge here is realized knowledge and not theoretical knowledge. Maybe GM can help or I will try to dig into sanskrit commentary.