The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the importance of aligning knowledge and action. It teaches that true wisdom is not merely intellectual understanding but the practical application of that understanding in everyday life. In the words of the great master, Sri Amit Ray, “By practicing Karnyaasah, one activates and purifies the hand chakras with the heart and brain chakras, which helps individuals bridge the gap between theory and practice, thereby ensuring that their actions are in line with their spiritual understanding.”
Nyaasah ( (also spelled as “Nyasa”) is not merely a physical or mechanical act but is performed with deep reverence, concentration, and intention. It serves as a means to enhance the practitioner’s spiritual experience, deepen their connection with the divine, and attune their consciousness to higher states of awareness.
Bhagavad Gita Karnyaasah:
॥करन्यासः॥
ओं अस्य श्रीमद्भगवद्गीतामालामन्त्रस्य।
भगवान्वेदव्यास ऋषिः।
अनुष्टुप् छन्दः।
श्रीकृष्ण परमात्मा देवता।
अशोच्यानन्वशोचस्त्वं प्रज्ञावादांश्च भाषसे इति बीजम्।
सर्वधर्मान् परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज इति शक्तिः।
अहं त्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुच इति कीलकम्।
नैनं छिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावक इत्यङ्गुष्ठाभ्यां नमः।
न चैनं क्लेदयन्त्यापो न शोषयति मारुत इति तर्जनीभ्यां नमः।
अच्छेद्योऽयमदाह्योऽयमक्लेद्योऽशोष्य एव च इति मध्यमाभ्यां नमः।
नित्यः सर्वगतः स्थाणुरचलोऽयं सनातन इत्यनामिकाभ्यां नमः।
पश्य मे पार्थ रूपाणि शतशोऽथ सहस्रश इति कनिष्ठिकाभ्यां नमः।
नानाविधानि दिव्यानि नानावर्णाकृतीनि च इति करतलकरपृष्ठाभ्यां नमः।
॥इति करन्यासः॥
॥karanyāsaḥ॥
oṃ asya śrīmadbhagavadgītāmālāmantrasya।
bhagavān-Vedavyāsa ṛṣiḥ।
anuṣṭup chandaḥ।
śrīkṛṣṇa paramātmā devatā।
aśocyānanvaśocastvaṃ prajñāvādāṃśca bhāṣase iti bījam।
sarvadharmān parityajya māmekaṃ śaraṇaṃ vraja iti śaktiḥ।
ahaṃ tvā sarvapāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śuca iti kīlakam।
nainaṃ chindanti śastrāṇi nainaṃ dahati pāvaka ityaṅguṣṭhābhyāṃ namaḥ।
na cainaṃ kledayantyāpo na śoṣayati māruta iti tarjanībhyāṃ namaḥ।
acchedyo’yamadāhyo’yamakledyo’śoṣya eva ca iti madhyamābhyāṃ namaḥ।
nityaḥ sarvagataḥ sthāṇuracalo’yaṃ sanātana ityanāmikābhyāṃ namaḥ।
paśya me pārtha rūpāṇi śataśo’tha sahasraśa iti kaniṣṭhikābhyāṃ namaḥ।
nānāvidhāni divyāni nānāvarṇākṛtīni ca iti karatalakarapṛṣṭhābhyāṃ namaḥ।
॥iti karanyāsaḥ॥
Bhagavad Gita Hridayadi Nyaasah:
The Gita addresses profound existential questions and provides insights into the nature of life, duty, righteousness, and the path to spiritual liberation. The importance of hridayadi nyaasah lies in its practical application and relevance in our daily lives. It purifies and awaken the divine aspects of the heart, head, and eyes, which serve as symbols of spiritual power and perception.
॥हृदयादि न्यासः॥
नैनं छिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावक इति हृदयाय नमः।
न चैनं क्लेदयन्त्यापो न शोषयति मारुत इति शिरसे स्वाहा।
अच्छेद्योऽयमदाह्योऽयमक्लेद्योऽशोष्य एव चेति शिखायै वषट्।
नित्यः सर्वगतः स्थाणुरचलोऽयं सनातन इति कवचाय हुम्।
पश्य मे पार्थ रूपाणि शतशोऽथ सहस्रश इति नेत्रत्रयाय वौषट्।
नानाविधानि दिव्यानि नानावर्णाकृतीनि चेति अस्त्राय फट्।
॥श्रीकृष्णप्रीत्यर्थे पाठे विनियोगः॥
॥hṛdayādi nyāsaḥ॥
nainaṃ chindanti śastrāṇi nainaṃ dahati pāvaka iti hṛdayāya namaḥ।
na cainaṃ kledayantyāpo na śoṣayati māruta iti śirase svāhā।
acchedyo’yamadāhyo’yamakledyo’śoṣya eva ceti śikhāyai vaṣaṭ।
nityaḥ sarvagataḥ sthāṇuracalo’yaṃ sanātana iti kavacāya hum।
paśya me pārtha rūpāṇi śataśo’tha sahasraśa iti netratrayāya vauṣaṭ।
nānāvidhāni divyāni nānāvarṇākṛtīni ceti astrāya phaṭ।
॥śrīkṛṣṇaprītyarthe pāṭhe viniyogaḥ॥
The meaning is as follows:
- “Nainaṃ chindanti śastrāṇi, nainaṃ dahati pāvaka iti hṛdayāya namaḥ”: Salutations to the heart, which is the abode where weapons cannot pierce and fire cannot burn. It signifies the invincibility and strength of the inner self or soul.
- “Na cainaṃ kledayantyāpo, na śoṣayati māruta iti śirase svāhā”: Salutations to the head, which is not wetted by water nor dried by the wind. It symbolizes the eternal and unchanging nature of the soul.
- “Acchedyo’yamadāhyo’yamakledyo’śoṣya eva ceti śikhāyai vaṣaṭ”: The “śikhā” refers to the tuft of hair on top of the head. It is said that the soul is indestructible, unburnable, unmoistenable, and undryable. “Vaṣaṭ” is a Vedic mantra used to sanctify the chant. This verse further emphasizes the immortality and imperishable nature of the soul.
- “Nityaḥ sarvagataḥ sthāṇuracalo’yaṃ sanātana iti kavacāya hum”: The soul is eternal, omnipresent, immovable, and imperishable. It is like an unchanging armor or shield that protects the individual.
- “Paśya me pārtha rūpāṇi śataśo’tha sahasraśa iti netratrayāya vauṣaṭ”: The eyes are invoked and saluted here. It means, “Behold, O Arjuna, my countless divine forms with hundreds and thousands of eyes.” This indicates the divine vision that allows one to perceive the vastness and diversity of the divine presence.
- “Nānāvidhāni divyāni nānāvarṇākṛtīni ceti astrāya phaṭ”: Salutations to the astras (celestial weapons) of various divine forms and diverse colors. This verse acknowledges the multiple divine powers and forms that exist.
- Finally, the phrase “śrīkṛṣṇaprītyarthe pāṭhe viniyogaḥ” means that these verses are recited with the purpose of pleasing Lord Krishna.