Bhagavad Gita
The Song of Lord (Bhagvan)
In the present Age of Kalyug, it is next to impossible for the people being absorbed in
the mundane activities to read all Sanatana
Dharma Vedic Literature. So by all the merciful Nature of Lord Shri Krishna,
He Himself descended on the earth planet in His Divine form and gave His
instructions in the form of one book which will be sufficient for, we the people
of Kalyug, called Bhagavad Gita.
Bhagavad Gita is the transcendental
literature, the essence of all Vedic
Literature and theme of all the Divine philosophies. It is also called Gitopanishad,
being essence of all the Upanishads.
The proper conscientiously understanding and following the instructions of Bhagavad
Gita will make one freed from all sorts of anxieties and miseries of this
earthly life and the for the life here after. Srila Parbhupada summarizes that Bhagavad Gita is the Permanent
Solution of All Problems of life, if one follows it whole heartedly.
Lord Shri Krishna Himself summarizes the
teachings of the Bhagavad Gita as:
“O
Arjuna! You are very dear to Me. So, for your own good, I am telling you the
greatest secret of the Divine world. Listen carefully. If you or any soul of
the world desires to come to Me and be with Me forever, the easiest path is
that he should worship Me, love Me, remember Me all the time and dedicate his
life for Me. Then surely he will come to Me. It’s My promise.” (Chatper 18, Verses 64, 65)
Lord Shri Krishna takes all responsibility
for one who surrenders unto Him.
“Abandon all varieties of religion and
just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver your from all the sinful reactions. Do
not fear”. (Chapter 18 Verse No. 66)
The Advent of Bhagavad Gita:
The Bhagavad Gita comes under the Bhishma Parva of the Mahabharata and comprises the 18
Chapters consisting of 700 verses. Its authorship is traditionally ascribed to Sage
Vyasa, the compiler of the Mahabharata.
The sacred text of Bhagavad Gita is a conversation between Lord Shri Krishna
and Arjuna (one of the Pandava)
taking place at the mid of the battlefield before the start of the Kurukshetra War. Arjuna although having divine weapons and master in Dhanur Vidya but was confused and went in
moral dilemma about fighting with his own cousins, elders, teachers etc. on a
disputed empire of Hastinapur and Indraprastha.
Lord Shri Krishna then pacify the
desponded Arjuna and explain him, his duties as a warrior and being Khastriya; elaborates him on different
Vedic philosophies, and explains
different ways in which the soul can reach the Supreme Being with examples and
analogies. This has led to the advent of Bhagavad Gita, a concise guide to Sanatana Dharma; a practical,
self-contained guide to life. During the discourse, Lord Shri Krishna reveals
His identity as the Supreme Being Himself (Supreme
Personality of Godhead, Swayam Bhagwan), blessing Arjuna with an
awe-inspiring vision of His Divine Universal Form (Virat Swaroop).
(Note: Shri Krishna
reveals His Universal form in Chapter 11 of BhagavadGita).
The audience who somehow listen the
conversation of Lord Shri Krishna with Arjuna on the battle field of Kurukshetra
War included:
- Sanjaya using Divya Drishti gifted by the Sage Veda Vyasa so that he can watch the war and narrates the events to King Dhritarashtra.
- Lord Hanuman (in the flag of Arjuna’s chariot)
- Barbarika, son of Ghatotkacha, who also witnessed the complete 18 days of action at Kurukshetra
Contents of Bhagavad Gita (Some Brief Info):
The main philosophical subject matter of
the Bhagavad Gita is the explanation of five basic “Truths”:
Ishwara
|
The Supreme Controller, Super-Soul
|
Jiva
|
Living Beings, Individual Soul
|
Prakarti
|
Nature, Matter
|
Kaal
|
The Time, Destroyer
|
Karma
|
Duty in Accordance with Divine Laws
|
The Four Yogas:
Karma Yoga
|
A process whereby one performs his work for God.
(Selfless
Action)
|
Jnana Yoga
|
A process of elevation to spiritual consciousness through
cultivation of philosophical knowledge. (Self-Transcending Knowledge)
|
Astanga Yoga
|
Mechanical meditation practice meant to control the mind and the
senses to help focus one’s
concentration on the supreme
|
Bhakti Yoga
|
The yoga of selfless, ecstatic, love of God through
transcendental devotional service.
|
The Three Modes of Material Nature:
SATTVA GUNA
( Goodness ) |
RAJO GUNA
( Passion ) |
TAMO GUNA
(Ignorance ) |
·
Knowledge
·
Free
from sins
·
Conditioned
by sense of happiness
|
·
Unlimited
desires
·
Fruitive
activity
·
Attraction
between man and woman
|
·
Madness
·
Laziness
·
Sleep
and intoxication
|
The Four stages of Life ASHRAMS:
Brahamchari
|
Student life, Celibacy
|
Grihasta
|
Household life
|
Vanaprastha
|
Retired life
|
Sannyasa
|
Renounced Life
|
The Four Castes of Society VARNAS:
Brahmins
|
Teachers
and Priests
|
Kshatriyas
|
Warriors
and Kings
|
Vaishyas
|
Businessman,
farmers, merchants etc
|
Shudras
|
Servants,
Labours
|
Karma
|
As per Scriptural directions, Pious
|
Vikarma
|
As per Scriptural directions, Sinful
|
Akarma
|
For which one does not suffer any reaction
|