Quran Embodies Gita & Gita Embodies Quran

Quran Embodies Gita & Gita Embodies Quran

Philosopher poet Allama Dr. M. Iqbal in one of his poem narrates this line

          “Gita main hay Quran to hay Quran maen Gita”

(Translation: – Gita Embodies Quran and Quran Embodies Gita)

( Bang-e-Dara, see last chapter Zarifana Kalam)

Triad Theory Of Quran:-

We have so far mentioned some Triads of Quran  ( see—details of all Triads in my book “ JAMI-UL-KALAM”)

According to one Tradition (Hadith) of Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him),

“Inn-ul-laha juz-ul-Qurana salasah ujzaa” (Allah has divided Quran in three parts

(Sahih Muslim vol.2, page-284, chapter-Baab Fazail-e-Quran)

                   Now this 3-partite (Triad) formula can be seen in Gita as well (Note—in some traditions, the earlier revealed books have been called Quran, like in one tradition of Sahi Bokhari, vol.6, page—210, Bab wa aataina Dawooda Zaboora) translates that Quran was made easy for Prophet David, (“khuffafa ala Dawooda ul-Quran). Before discussing Triads in Gita, let me guide one verse of Allama Iqbal as:

“shakti bhi, shaanti bhi, bhaqton kay Geet mein hay”

“Dharti kay basion ki mukti pareet mein hay”

 ( Nia Shawala—Bange-Dara)

Translation:-

                   Yes the strength (shakti), yes the peace (shanti) is portrayed in Bhagvad Gita. The sons of soil can attain salvation (Mukti) through love ( pareet).

Each verse of this couplet carries one triad. There are thus two Triads in this couplet of Iqbal as under:-

Triad no 1.

      I.            Shakti (strength, power)

   II.            Shaanti (peace)

III.            Geets of Bhagvad ( i.e. Bhagvad Gita)

Triad no 2.

           I.            Sons of soil (Basi of Dharti)

        II.            Salvation ( Mukti)

     III.            Love (Pareet)

Correspondence Of The Two Triads NO. 1 & NO.2

We will see that both these are singing the same song as we  arrange these two triads of Gita as under:-

                        I.            Here Shakti corresponds to inhabitants (sons) of soil ( baasi of Dharti)

                     II.            Shanty (Peace) corresponds to Mukti ( Salvation)

                   III.            Geet of Bhagwad corresponds to love ( pareet), (The same meaning is derived by Franklin Edgerton in his translation of Bhagvad Gita

                                                    i.            ISBN 81-208-1138-0 (cloth)

                                                  ii.            ISBN-81-208-1140-6 (paper)

(At volume-2, first part, chapter 1

 (First Indian edition Delhi, 1994, it says:

                                 I.            And no means for attaining salvation is more emphasized in the Gita than “Bhagti”to God, or fervent love of Him (Page-26).

                               II.            This is what the Gita furnishes by the famous doctrine of Bhakti (Bhagti), devotion or “Love of God”. (chapter 9 of Gita—at page 70).

(Note: chapter 9 of Gita mentions):-

                               I.            Three-Veda-men ( Traividya mam)- verse at 9/20—Gita.

                             II.            Three fold scripture ( Trayidharmam)- verse-9/21—Gita.

Net result of above discussion is that both Quran & Gita contain 3-D message (Triads) of which correspondence (comparison) can be made. This correspondence can be made easier if we first compare 3-D models in both on material plane ( prakriti in Gita ). The secret lies in 3-D mode of circulation of income in the system (called garden or (“Jannah”) (“Jannat” which is also translated as paradise) i.e.

                                                       I.            1/3rd  income paid as sadaqat or Taxes as “Right (Huq) of Allah”. (Dain in Arabic or Daan in Sansikrit). This is management share. 

                                                     II.            1/3rd income re-invested into the system (Garden) as “Zakat” for purification and future development—this is capital share.

                                                  III.            1/3rd income for workers as reward of wages —labor share.

What Gita says in the physical body (material) nature called Prakrite nature (or non-soul)

A.    Material Nature (Prakriti—a feminine gender) or non-soul is what performs all acts. It assumes many-fold firms (Avatars) and is constantly subject to change—evolution, devolution and variation (P-39 Bhagwad Gita- vol. 2 by Franklin Edgerton).

B.    The variety of material nature is expressed in 2 ways—First it is composed of 3 elements called “Gunas” that is Threads, Strands or qualilities namely (i) Sattava  purily –“ Khair” or “Zaka” in Arabic (ii) Rajas ( passion) ( power, sexual power—Shakti). (iii) Tamas (inactivity –we will see it corresponds to physical inactivity but mental faculty on opposite side).

C.    Mingled in varying proportions, these 3 strands or qualities make up all matter.

D.    Preponderance of one or another of them determines the character of any given part of material nature” (P-39).

E.      But material nature includes what with us are often called the “mental” faculties of living creatures especially of man (P-39—Gita– vol.2 & chapter—13/5-6, clarifies this)

Net result Gita discusses material nature (Prakriti) & its 3-fold areas (Quran also refers to “ threefold shadows—calls it “yellow strands –Jamaala-tun sufr” ( Surah no.77/30–33—Al-Mursalaat).

In nut-shell, Quran & Gita discuss material well-being in Triad form where

                                                                       i.            Mind, intellect or knowledge (management area) plays one role of collecting taxes (sadaqat in Arabic or Daan in Sanskrit) & doling out to poor 8 sections of society (Surah—Tauba—9/60).

                                                                     ii.            Capital, Wealth ( Artha) is second area of Prakriti where Capital Development ( sustainable  Growth) is called  Khair or “Zaka”, i.e. Sattava (Goodness).

                                                                  iii.            Third area is physical labor (“Kasb”—Shakti—Kama or Tapasya which are cause of productivity”—Quran mentions this Triad in anecdote of Moses & Khizr  journey ( Sorah Kahf –18/65—82, while in Gita the same Triad gist can be seen  in chapter 3/5 & chapter 5/25)

“For he is made to perform action willy-nilly, every one is, by the Strands (the 3 Gunas) that spring from material nature ( Prakriti jair gunaih) –( verse—3/5 & page no.59. Gita vol.2)

                   And Resorting to my own material nature ( Prakvitim) , I came into being by my own mysterious powers  (chapter 4/6—this refers to different “Avatars” (manifestations) from time to time ( age after age—“yuge—yuge”—chapter 4/8). Being 3—fold, verse 4/8 details these three as under:-

1.    Firm footing for the right that is right of Dharma ( right of Allah— as Sadaqat or Daan)

2.    Protection of the good ( Sadhunam) “( Khair in Arabic—Khair means goodness & capital (both)

3.    Destruction of Evil—(Duskartam)—one role of Shiva ( spouse of Shakti)—(verse chapter 4/8)

“This is beginning of famous system of Avatars or incarnation of god, which became so characteristic of later Vishnuism, here in Gita the avatar of Vishnu is Krishna – (P-53—vol.2, Gita”) 

So with this triad, what is achieved is described by Franklin Edgerton (in Gita at page 83, vol.2), as under:-

“Thus one of the most striking and emphatic of ethical doctrines of the Gita is substantially that of the golden rule. Man must treat all creatures alike from this highest to the lowest–namely like himself (verse. 5/18 & verse. 6/9).

“The perfected man “in the welfare of all beings (verse.5/15 Gita + see equivalence in Mathew (22/39) + Tradition in Mishkat no. 43—Baab kitab-ul-Iman). Which says —the best faith is to develop “love of Allah” and standard to judge “love of Allah” is to desire for fellow human beings what one desires for himself.

This principle is usually regarded as perhaps the highest formation of practical ethics that any religion has attained (Christ says it to be two greatest commandments that all Prophets (or Avatars) have preached / followed. (Mathew—22/37-40).   

Verse 5/25 (Gita) calls it Brahman –Nirvana (Salvation by extinction in Brahman —“blissful ecstasy” (Buddhist terminology) or union with God” (see details at page 23 & 67—Gita by F.E) “illumination within / enlightenment that is Nirvan by taking delight in welfare of all beings ( Sarvabhutahite ratah)—but again through a Triad in verse.5/25, Gita as below:-

                                                                                             I.            Destroy sins ( Ksinakalmasah) by Seers ( Rshyah or rishis).

                                                                                           II.            Clearing of doubts (Chinnadvaidha)

                                                                                        III.            Souls are controlled ( Yatatmanah)

So the highest achievement of Nirvana in Gita is through a Triad for well being of all (human) beings. The correspondence of above Triad with our Fundamental Triad can be easily made with little introspection.

Note: The first Quranic Triad in Surah Baqra ( no.2) is as follows:- (Ayat no.2/2 refers) Triad no. 1

                                 I.            This is a scripture where of there is no doubt ( compare with above Gita’s Nirvana requirement of clearing of doubts–chinnadvaidha)

                               II.            Guidance (“Hadya”) (i.e. leading to straight path clear of sinful off–shoots – as in Surah no —1/6—parallel of Ksinakalmasah).

                            III.            For “ Muttaqeen” ( those who preserve them self on  piety course ( Muttaqi in Arabic is from root word “Waqi” which means “ preserve or guard (control) from sin / evil” ( see “Arabic English Lexicon” by E.W.Lane—part 2—page—3050. i.e. control of self ( or soul i.e atman
) i.e. Yatatmanah ( in Gita) 5/25 + page 16 ( vol no 2 of Gita by F.E).

So Triad in Gita ( 5/25)corresponds to Triad no.1 of Ayat no 2/2 of Surah Baqra. Thus mutaqi correspondes to yatatmanah.

So above triad in Gita in verse 5/25 correspondes to triad no. 1 of ayat no. 2/2 of Surah Buqra.

(Note: Triad no 2 of Surah  Baqra  in Quran in Ayat no 2/3 is as under:

                                             I.            Who believe in unseen (“ghaib”)

                                           II.            Who establish prayers

                                        III.            Those who spend of that food (““rizq”), which we have provided (this is equivalent of sadqa or “daan” of Hindu Scriptures.

Some other important Triads in Gita:

Triad no 1. In the garb of material nature ( Prakriti) & through mysterious power ( verse 4/6), I come into being age after age ( yuge—yuge), to perform 3 things:

1-protection of Good (“sadhunaw”)

2-Destriction of Evil Doers

3-To make firm forting for the right—guided ( Dharma—guided)

Triad no 2 According to verse 14/4, the 3 strands of Material Nature ( gunah prakriti——) are:

a)- Sattava ( Goodness—khair in Arabic)

b)- Rajas ( passion to action)

c)- Tamas ( darkness of securing knowledge —refer to verse 14/9), as fruit of darkness is ignorance —refer 14/16)+ 14/21( 3 strands)

Triad no 3 The negative forces ( Demons –i.e. asurah) have 3 failings as verse no 16/7 mentions them as under:-

a)- Neither purily ( “Zaka”in Arabic or “Saucam”)

b)-Nor yet “Good conduct” (Pi ca caro. i.e. “ Ahsana Amala” in Arabic.

c)- Nor Truth ( Satyan or “sidq” (Sadaqat is a root of this Sidq).

(Compare this triad  with 3-way distribution of income of garden which comes as Sadaqa (Tax), purification ( “Zakat—savings & Reinvestment) & Labor share ( the best of Action ( Aml) and earning bread by human labor ( Aml) is best appreciated ( Prophet David used to earn by his hand labour as tradition goes. Verse no. 18/12 In (Gita) says “3 fold is the Fruit of action ( Trividham Karma nah phalam) and no fruit at all where no work was –see page no.166, vol.2 ( Gita) by F.E .

Triad no.4 In verse 16/21, Hell (narak) is covered by 3 fold gates which kills soul (nasamam atman), as under
:-

i)                   Kamah ( desire , lust & sexual urge) shahwah in Arabic

ii)                Krodhas ( wrath—Ghazb in Arabic)

iii)              Lobhas (Greed or Avarice of Wealth / profit making (like riba & usury) verse no. 16/21 recommends to shun these 3 negative qualities leading to hell).

(Note: Last three Ayats of  first Surah Fateh of Quran correspond to these 3 negative qualities as Ayat no. 1/5 asks for straight path —the Ayat no. 1/6 & 7 then explain the path to be 3-fold as path (3-fold) recommended is :

i) – Path of those who develop bounties of Allah ( “Na’mah”—mean all material benefits ( called wealth—“Maal” or “Na’mah” ) nature has provided as detailed in Surah Nahl no. 16/5—18 + Surah Ibrahim no. 14/32—44.

ii) – Not path of those who were under wrath (“Ghazb” / “krodha”).

iii) – And not path of those who went astray ( “Zilal”) ( as through Shahwah or kama . see correspondence in Gita 16/21 as explained above).

                   So we can easily find 3-fold correspondence (parallelism) in Gita verse no. 16/21 & Quranic Verse 1/5-6.

(Note: verse no. 18/29 & 18/40 in Gita clearly point-out several 3-fold forms/ explanation of material-nature (Prakritijair) in (Heavens & Earth) i.e. 3 strands ( yad ebbih syat tribhir gunaih) & all above exercise was to point out the facts that all the Triads have material-nature in their basic form which are then rationally explained in different spiritual ( or ethical) metaphors. (I.e. physical manifestation should be seen in Rational interpertation (“Ma’qoolat”) as put by Abdul –Raihan Al Bairuni  in his Kitab-ul-Hind ( chapter no. 2, which says—“general masses prefer physical manifestations  ( “ Mahsoosat”) but specially endorsed wise persons ( like Rishis) prefer Rational interpretation which demand research on principles (facts).

Therefore in Gita we do not find Triads on physical manifestations / as triad of Trimurti is not clearly mentioned in Bhagwad Gita —see page no. 31 & note at page 52 by Franklin Edgerton– but Triads of Rational Interpretation are given in Gita instead.  ( Like Triad of (1)-Sarswati / Brahma (2)- Vishnu / Lakshmi  (3)- Shiva / Shakti— Trimurti Triad of Physical manifestation, but  its rational interpretation is——-

Knowledge / Mental work / management ( Sarsoti is goddess of knowledge “ Aalma “ in Hebrew / Arabic , and Lakshmi is goddess of wealth with god of sacrifice ( vishnu) & third couple is Shakti ( goddess of power / labor with corresponding. god of power/  lust power ( Shiva). In Rational outlet, these 3-D couples are Management, Capital & Labor (in modern economic terms). Only Hindu caste system is shown to be image of these 3 strands (18/ 41. Verse refers) where the 3 strands are:

i)-Brahman (knowledge-based

ii)-Khaslri (warriors on war footing managing wordly affairs)

iii)-Valsh & Sudhra (working class / labor class according to capital holding where Sudhra are at the lowest ladder of capital holding).

          The Hindu religious system has still preserved these 3-fold areas of economy (Management, Capital & Labor), though in religions which came after (Judaism, Christianity & Islam) allowed inter-caste movements in material development & marriages even.

Triad no. 5– Next Triad is given in verse 17/27 & 18/3 & 18/5 (Gita) & its 3 fold ( 18/4—Trividha) form is (i)-“Yajna”(sacrifice or “Qurban” and Vishnu is associated with this (page—184, vol. 1, Gita). (ii)_ “Tapasya” (literally mean “Heat / Physical Exertion / fever/force of evolution (page—27, vol.2, Gita). (iii)—“Daan” ( “Aims/ Sadaqat”/ gift).

Then three have been named as purifiers of the wise (Verse. 18/5).

In Economic term there are Sadaqat (Taxes), reinvestment in the system as sacrifice of material animals ( note Vishnu god of sacrifice is coupled with Lakshmi i.e. wealth ) & third force of labor  ( Tapasya) in its literal meaning   as labor cause Tapas ( “Heat”) —you will earn / eat food by sweat of your brow ( Bible—Genesis—3/19).

End Triad In Gita (Verses 13/20 + 18/18)

We have seen fundamental Triad is that “People of Garden” (Ashab-ul-Jannah) practiced 3-fold distribution of income as under: (Alberuni in his book “ Kitab-ul-Hind”(written in 1030 A.D) at chapter–67, mentions the similar tripartite i.e. 3-D distribution of annual income from agriculture and trade sector as practiced by the Hindutva).

1)    1/3rd for laborers (He is Agent or Doer—called Kartr. (verse no. 13/20)

2)    1/3rd for garden (re-investment in medium of prakirti –agency called—“Karana” verse no. 13/20.

3)    1/3rd for end result ( Taxes called “ Daan, Sadaqat for general 8 poverty area—called Karman ( Karma) or Karya ( verse no. 13/20 + 18/18)

So the three mediums are:

Kartr, Karana & Karya ( or Karman)—This is what is explained in Gita Verse no. 13/20 when Karya, Karana & Kartir are 3 forms of prakriti ( Material nature & same as explained in verse 18/18 as Trividhya (3 fold) Karana, Karma & Kartir as medium of instrument, Karma as end result & Agent (Doer) as Kartir ( Note 18/18 & 13/20) Karya & Karma have been used with same meaning ( see page 187 & 189, vol. 2, Gita by Franklin Ed Garton).

This result is explained earlier in Verse no. 7/16 as under:

“Four fold (Caturvidha) are those that worship me ( Bhajan), (All) Virtuous folk ( Sukhritino) Arjuna.

(i)                The Afflicted (“arto”),

(ii)              The knowledge-seeker (“jijnasur”),

(iii)He who seeks capital development (Artharthi ) and

 (iv) possessor of knowledge (jnani) –Bull of Bharta.—

Here we analyze the 4 vidhas, then they sum up as 3 as knowledge-seeker (student of knowledge) & possessor of knowledge ( giver of knowledge), both fall in some category of knowledge (seeker & possessor). Thus trividha (3 fold from 4 folds) are:

1.    Knowledge (seeker & possessor) ( as Sarswati in Trimurti).

2.    The medium of action i.e. Capital Development Area ( Artharthi as “ Garden or field” (“Hars” in Arabic ) ( see “Ksetram” in chapter 13 (13/1, 13/2/ 13/6—–) used as “Field”( form of capital) (Artha) (Lakshmi in Trimurti).

Note:  The parallelism of two words Ksetram (Field) and ksatri ( caste of warriors) would be interesting to linguists of Sanskrit).

3.    Workers or Agents of “Tapasya” as labors–third force                  in Economy as “Arto” (Afflicted Person) as Agent (“Kartir”) (Shiva in Trimurti).

   So we see Gita talks of Maqoolat (inner meanings, rational renderings) instead of Mahsoosat (physical manifestations).

See my Essay “ Communication Gap” as language ( mode of expression) had travelled from hieroglyphics ( scriptures) to Alphabets in march of History. (The End of Essay).

Some Thoughts To Ponder

1)    One proverb says “early to bed & early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy & wise”.

These are the three forces which are the agents of economy (management, capital, labor).

2)    The Arabic word Fateh means to conquer. The word Fateh in Aarabic lexicon also means to conquer with pride the three areas of Ilm, Maal, Adab (knowledge, capital and food sustenance).

These are the two thoughts for my readers to ponder.

Note: My next essay will discuss / cover the Triads of Prophet David’s Psalms ( Zaboor, Mazamir).