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
|
Foods, Sacrifices and
Charity:
SATTVA GUNA
( Goodness ) |
RAJO GUNA
( Passion ) |
TAMO GUNA
(Ignorance ) |
|
Food
|
Fresh, Soothing,
Juicy, Fatty
Pleasing to heart,
health & happiness
|
Spicy, Salty,
Too Bitter, Dry etc.
Causing distress,
misery & disease
|
Preserved, Rotten,
Decomposed,
Untouchable things.
|
Sacrifices
|
Direction of
Scriptures,
Matter of Duty,
No desire of
any reward
|
Material benefit,
Sake of Pride
|
Without chanting
Vedic Hymns,
No faith & importance to
Scriptures,
Without Right Priests & Distribution of Parsad
|
Charity
|
At proper time
& proper place,
Given out of Duty,
Without expectation
of Return
|
Expectation
of Return
in some way as
fruitive results,
In grudging mood
|
At improper time
& improper place,
Without proper
attention and respect
|
Three Types of Austerity i.e.
Self-Discipline:
Austerity of Body
|
Worship of God, Respect for Guru, No-Injury to All Creatures
|
|
Austerity of Speech
|
Truthfulness, Pleasant & Beneficial, Less Excitement
|
|
Austerity of Mind
|
Good Heartedness, Silence, Self Control, Purity of Nature
|
|
Knowledge, Action and
Performer of Action:
SATTVA GUNA
( Goodness ) |
RAJO GUNA
( Passion ) |
TAMO GUNA
(Ignorance ) |
|
Knowledge
|
One undivided spiritual nature is seen
in all living beings
|
Different living beings have different
souls
|
No Truth Exists
|
Action
|
Without Attachment, Without desire of
Fruit, Without Love or Hatred
|
Sense of False Ego, Satisfying Desires
|
Against the Scriptures, Future Bondage,
Violence/
Distress to Others
|
Performer
of Action
|
With Great Determination,
Without Fear of
Success or Failure
|
Greedy, Envious, Desiring to enjoy
fruits of actions.
|
Cheating, Obstinate, Lazy, Insulting
others
|
Understanding, Determination
and Happiness:
SATTVA GUNA
( Goodness ) |
RAJO GUNA
( Passion ) |
TAMO GUNA
(Ignorance ) |
|
Understanding
|
Making difference b/w Liberation &
Bondage,
Attachment & Moksha.
|
Distinguishing b/w Religion – Irreligion.
What to be done &
What not to be done
|
Considering all Irreligious activities
as Religious under the influence of
Dark
illusion.
|
Determination
|
Unbreakable, Steadfast, Controlling
mind, senses & life by (Yoga)
Practice.
|
Finding furtive result for self-sense gratification in economic, social &
religious development
|
Dreaming, Fearfulness, Illusion,
Lamentation, Dejected
|
Happiness
|
Move towards Self-Realization
In Beginning: Poison
In End: Nectar
|
Contact of senses with sense objects
In Beginning: Appear Like Nectar
In End: Poison
|
Blind to Self-Realization, Poison from
begging to end due to illusion and laziness.
|
Gita Mahatmya (Glorification of Bhagavad Gita) :
Gita-Mahatmya is a conversation between Lord
Shiva and his consort Srimati Parvati. Gita-Mahatmya is Lord Shiva's
glorification of the Bhagavad Gita. Anyone who hears or studies this Gita-Mahatmya
will quickly have all his accumulated sins destroyed. And one who remembers
this discourse with great faith will surely attain the results of all pious
acts and great sacrifices. Each chapter of Baghavad Gita has its specific Mahatmya.
The
benefits of reading Bhagavad Gita are clearly elaborated in “Gita Sastram Idam
Punyam” written in Padma Purana by Sage Ved Vyaas.
(1) If one properly follows the instructions of Bhagavad Gita, one can be freed from all the miseries and anxieties of
life. One will be freed from all fears in this life, and one's next life will
be spiritual.
(2) If one reads Bhagavad Gita
very sincerely and with all seriousness, then by the grace of the Lord the
reactions of his past misdeeds will not act upon him.
(3) One may cleanse himself daily by taking a bath in water,
but if one takes a bath even once in the sacred Ganges water of Bhagavad Gita, for him the dirt of material life is altogether
vanquished.
(4) Because Bhagavad Gita is
spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
one need not read any other Vedic literature. One need only
attentively and regularly hear and read Bhagavad Gita.
In the present age, people are so absorbed in mundane activities that it is not
possible for them to read all the Vedic literatures. But this is not
necessary. This one book, Bhagavad Gita
will suffice, because it is the essence of all Vedic literatures and especially
because it is spoken by the Supreme
Personality of Godhead.
(5) One who drinks the water of the Ganges attains salvation,
so what to speak of one who drinks the nectar of Bhagavad Gita? Bhagavad
Gita is the essential nectar of the Mahabharata,
and it is spoken by Lord Krsna
Himself, the Lord Vishnu.
(6) This Gitopanisad,
Bhagavad Gita, the essence of all the Upanisads, is just like a
cow, and Lord Krsna, who is famous
as a cowherd boy, is milking this cow. Arjuna
is just like a calf, and learned scholars and pure devotees are to drink the
nectarean milk of Bhagavad
Gita.
(7) Let there be one
scripture only, one common scripture for the whole world — Bhagavad Gita. Let
there be one God for the whole world — Sri Krsna. Let there be only one hymn,
one mantra, one prayer — the chanting of His name: Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna,
Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Let there
be one work only — the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
The 18 Chapters of Bhagavad Gita:
(Refernce by Sri A.C BhaktiVedanta Swami Parbhupada
Bhagavad Gita As it As…)
Ch #
|
Name
and Summary of Contents
|
1
|
Observing the
Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukshetra
As
the opposing armies stand poised for battle, Arjuna, the mighty warrior, sees
his intimate relatives, teachers and friends in both armies ready to fight
and sacrifice their lives. Overcome by grief and pity, Arjuna fails in
strength, his mind becomes bewildered, and he gives up his determination to
fight.
|
2
|
Contents
of the Gita Summarized ( Sankhya Yoga )
Arjuna submits to Lord Krishna as His
disciple, and Krishna begins His teachings to Arjuna by explaining the
fundamental distinction between the temporary material body and the eternal
spiritual soul. The Lord explains the process of transmigration, the nature
of selfless service to the Supreme and the characteristics of a self-realized
person.
|
3
|
Karma-yoga
Everyone
must engage in some sort of activity in this material world. But actions can
either bind one to this world or liberate one from it. By acting for the
pleasure of the Supreme, without selfish motives, one can be liberated from
the law of karma (action and reaction) and attain transcendental knowledge of
the self and the Supreme.
|
4
|
Transcendental
Knowledge ( Jnana Yoga )
The spiritual knowledge of the soul,
of God, and of their relationship - is both purifying and liberating. Such
knowledge is the fruit of selfless devotional action (karma-yoga). The Lord
explains the remote history of the Gita, the purpose and significance of His
periodic descents to the material world, and the necessity of approaching a
guru, a realized teacher.
|
5
|
Karma-yoga -
Action in Krishna Consciousness
Outwardly
performing all actions but inwardly renouncing their fruits, the wise man,
purified by the fire of transcendental knowledge, attains peace, detachment,
forbearance, spiritual vision and bliss.
|
6
|
Dhyana-yoga
Ashtanga-yoga,
a mechanical meditative practice, controls the mind and senses and focuses
concentration on Paramatma (the Supersoul, the form of the Lord situated in
the heart). This practice culminates in samadhi, full consciousness of the
Supreme.
|
7
|
Knowledge of
the Absolute
Lord
Krishna is the Supreme Truth, the supreme cause and sustaining force of
everything, both material and spiritual. Advanced souls surrender unto Him in
devotion, whereas impious souls divert their minds to other objects of
worship.
|
8
|
Attaining the
Supreme
By
remembering Lord Krishna in devotion throughout one's life, and especially at
the time of death, one can attain to His supreme abode, beyond the material
world.
|
9
|
The most
confidential knowledge
Lord
Krishna is the Supreme Godhead and the supreme object of worship. The soul is
eternally related to Him through transcendental devotional service (bhakti).
By reviving one's pure devotion one returns to Krishna in the spiritual
realm.
|
10
|
The Opulence
of the Absolute
All
wondrous phenomena showing power, beauty, grandeur or sublimity, either in
the material world or in the spiritual, are but partial manifestations of
Krishna's divine energies and opulence. As the supreme cause of all causes
and the support and essence of everything, Krishna is the supreme object of
worship for all beings.
|
11
|
The Universal
Form
Lord
Krishna grants Arjuna divine vision and reveals His spectacular unlimited
form as the cosmic universe. Thus He conclusively establishes His divinity.
Krishna explains that His own all-beautiful humanlike form is the original
form of Godhead. One can perceive this form only by pure devotional service.
|
12
|
Devotional
Service (Bhakti-yoga)
Bhakti-yoga,
pure devotional service to Lord Krishna, is the highest and most expedient
means for attaining pure love for Krishna, which is the highest end of
spiritual existence. Those who follow this supreme path develop divine
qualities.
|
13
|
Nature, the
Enjoyer and Consciousness
One
who understands the difference between the body, the soul and the Supersoul
beyond them both attains liberation from this material world.
|
14
|
The Three
Modes of Material Nature
All
embodied souls are under the control of the three modes, or qualities, of
material nature: goodness, passion and ignorance. Lord Krishna explains what
these modes are, how they act upon us, how one transcends them, and the
symptoms of one who has attained the transcendental state.
|
15
|
The Yoga of
the Supreme Person
The
ultimate purpose of Vedic knowledge is to detach oneself from the
entanglement of the material world and to understand Lord Krishna as the
Supreme Personality of Godhead. One who understands Krishna's supreme
identity surrenders unto Him and engages in His devotional service.
|
16
|
The Divine and
Demoniac Natures
Those
who possess demoniac qualities and who live whimsically, without following
the regulations of scripture, attain lower births and further material
bondage. But those who possess divine qualities and live regulated lives,
abiding by scriptural authority, gradually attain spiritual perfection.
|
17
|
The Divisions
of Faith
There
are three types of faith, corresponding to and evolving from the three modes
of material nature. Acts performed by those whose faith is in passion
and ignorance yield only impermanent, material results, whereas acts
performed in goodness, in accord with scriptural injunctions, purify the
heart and lead to pure faith in Lord Krishna and devotion to Him.
|
18
|
Conclusion
- The Perfection of Renunciation
Krishna explains the meaning of
renunciation and the effects of the modes of nature on human consciousness
and activity. He explains Brahman realization, the glories of the
Bhagavad-gita, and the ultimate conclusion of the Gita: the highest path of
religion is absolute, unconditional loving surrender unto Lord Krishna, which
frees one from all sins, brings one to complete enlightenment, and enables
one to return to Krishna's eternal spiritual abode.
|
Famous Reflections on the Bhagavad Gita :
Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati: “The Bhagavad-Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam (Puranas) fully reveals the true import of the doctrine which is
transmigration of the soul. On reading of the first chapter of Bhagavad-Gita one may think that they
are advised to engage in warfare. When the second chapter has been read it can
be clearly understood that knowledge and the soul is the ultimate goal to be
attained. On studying the third chapter it is apparent that acts of
righteousness are also of high priority. If we continue and patiently take the
time to complete the Bhagavad-Gita and try to ascertain the truth of its
closing chapter we can see that the ultimate conclusion is to relinquish all
the conceptualized ideas of religion which we possess and fully surrender
directly unto the Supreme Lord”.
Sri Aurobindo: “The Bhagavad-Gita is a true scripture of
the human race a living creation rather than a book, with a new message for
every age and a new meaning for every civilization”.
Adi Shankara: “From a clear
knowledge of the Bhagavad-Gita all
the goals of human existence become fulfilled. Bhagavad-Gita is the manifest quintessence of all the teachings of
the Vedic scriptures”.
Ramanuja: “The Bhagavad-Gita was spoken by Lord Krishna to reveal the science of
devotion to God which is the essence of all spiritual knowledge. The Supreme Lord Krishna's primary purpose
for descending and incarnating is to relieve the world of any demoniac and
negative, undesirable influences that are opposed to spiritual development, yet
simultaneously it is His incomparable intention to be perpetually within reach
of all humanity”.
Albert Einstein: “When I read
the Bhagavad-Gita and reflect about
how God created this universe everything else seems so superfluous”.
Swami
Vivekananda:
"The secret of Karma Yoga which
is to perform actions without any fruitive desires is taught by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita".
Mahatma Gandhi: “When doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare me in the face, and I see not one ray of hope on the horizon, I turn to Bhagavad-Gita and find a verse to comfort me; and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming sorrow. Those who meditate on the Gita will derive fresh joy and new meanings from it every day”.
Ralph Waldo Emerson: “I owed a
magnificent day to the Bhagavad-Gita.
It was the first of books; it was as if an empire spoke to us, nothing small or
unworthy, but large, serene, consistent, the voice of an old intelligence which
in another age and climate had pondered and thus disposed of the same questions
which exercise us”.
Henry David Thoreau: “In the morning
I bathe my intellect in the stupendous philosophy of the Bhagavad-Gita, in comparison with which our modern world and its
literature seem pathetic and trivial”.
Dr. Albert Schweitzer: “The Bhagavad-Gita has a profound influence on the spirit of mankind by its devotion to God which is manifested by actions”.
Herman Hesse: “The marvel of the Bhagavad-Gita is its truly beautiful revelation of life's wisdom which enables philosophy to blossom into religion”.
Refernces
Bhagavad Gita.. As it As
by Srila ParbhuPada
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