About Bhagavad Gita

1. Is it some kind of preaching?
Well, its just Krishna and Arjuna talking to each other. The reader is the third person. Aren't you curious what they were up to?

2. It is a very big book, will take months to read!
The actual conversation is small. Bhagavad Gita is a dialogue which took place between Krishna and Arjuna before commencement of a war. It took place for a couple of hours. Its the explanation given by many authors that makes the book look big.

3. Its difficult to understand Sanskrit
Even if you cannot understand Sanskrit, the translation is good enough.

4. What are its contents?
For the ease of understanding, the Bhagavad Gita has been divided into 18 chapters by the ancient Rishis; each chapter revealing and unfolding many unknown mysteries and wisdom.

5. Bhagavad Gita promotes violence?
It is a teaching of non-violence amidst war! An act without hatred is what Bhagavad Gita propounds. The Bhagavad Gita epitomizes the correct action - of righteousness, of upliftment of spirit and an action or duty that ought to be performed even in the most compelling situation.
In the last 5150 years of the existence of the Bhagavad Gita, there is no evidence of someone becoming a terrorist after reading it. In fact, Mahatma Gandhi wrote commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita and it was an inspiration for his non-violent movement. The Bhagavad Gita is a unique scripture which caters to the entire range of human evolution, comprising every level of this vast existence.

6. What makes Gita unique?
It is the unfolding of the highest wisdom amidst war. It is the scripture of bravery in both realms of physical and metaphysical. Bhagavad Gita helps one transcend one's identity, encourages reason and infuses wisdom. Bhagavad Gita stands for poise and equanimity and for performing one's designated duty.

7. Anyway, before I read, tell me what is Lord Krishna upto in the Gita?
Arjuna was angry, upset, sad and wanted to run away. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna said not to be a coward. Lord Krishna said, "Bravery is the way - face the war when it is inevitable and do your duty."

A message from the Bhagvad Geeta

Srimad Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 59

Visaya vinivartante
niraharasya dehinaha
rasa varjam raso py-asya
parama drstva nivartate ||

Translation :
Though the embodied soul may be restricted from sense enjoyment, the taste for sense objects remains. But, ceasing such engagement by experiencing a higher taste, he is fixed in consciousness.

Explanation :
Unless one is transcendentally situated, it is not possible to cease from sense enjoyment. The process of restriction from sense enjoyment by rules and regulations is something like restricting a diseased person from certain types of vegetables. The patient, however neither likes such restrictions not loses his taste for eatables. Similarly, sense restriction by some spiritual processes like "Astanga-Yoga" in the matter of yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, etc is recommended for less intelligent persons who have no better knowledge. But one who has tasted the beauty of the Supreme Sri Krishna, in the course of his advancement in Sri Krishna consciousness, no longer has a taste for dead, material things. Therefore, restrictions are there for the less intelligent neophytes in the spiritual advancement of life, but such restrictions are only good until one actually has a taste for Sri Krishna consciousness. When one is actually Sri Krishna conscious, he automatically loses his taste for pale things.

So friends, I suppose you have got your answer. Enjoy it but at the same time give some time for higher spiritual conscious, it will help you out in the later stages of life.

OM Shanti Shanti Shanti

Srimad Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 9.

Suhrn-mitrarya udasina
madhyastha dvesya bandhusu
sadhusva api ca papesu
sama buddhira visisyate ||

Translation :
A person is considered still further advanced when he regards honest well-wishers, affectionate benefactors, the neutral,mediators, the envious, friends and enemies, the pious and the sinners all with an equal mind.

There is no particular explanation on this, so I shall put it in my words, hope it's okay. In the 2nd chapter, not very much sure with the verse number though, Sri Krishna tells that we should not get depressed when any of our near one dies, as it's only the physical entity which has perished and not the soul, which is indestructible. We can connect this verse with that as this particular verse tells us to be free from all attachments, thus making us to neutral when any near one passes away. A person who knows that the soul is indestructible will be on the highest stage of enlightenment.

OM Shanti Shanti Shanti

Srimad Bhagavad Gita : Chapter 2, Verse 62

Dhyayato visayana pumsaha
sangasa tesupajayate
sangata sanjayate kamaha
kamata krodho bhijayate ||

Translation :
While contemplating the objects of the sense, a person develops attachment for them and from such attachment lust develops and from lust anger arises.

Explanation :
One who is not Sri Krishna conscious is subject to material desires while contemplating the objects of the senses. The senses require real engagements and if they are not engaged in the transcendental loving service of the Lord, they will certainly seek engagement in the service of materialism. In the material would everyone which includes the Demi-Gods are subjected to the influence of sense objects, and the only method to get out of this puzzle is to become Sri Krishna conscious. An easy example which can be given is; Sri Yamunacarya, a sincere devotee of the Lord shuns all material sense enjoyment due to his higher taste for spiritual enjoyment in the association of the Lord. That is the secret of success. One who is not, therefore in Sri Krishna consciousness, however powerful he may be in controlling the senses by artificial repression, is sure ultimate to fail, for the slightest thought of sense pleasure will agitate him to gratify his desires.

Friends, this is one of my favourite verses from the Bhagavad Gita because it has an enormous meaning in it. It might take a lot of time to actually get there, but letting yourself free from bondage is the aim. For getting out of the bondage, all attachment of worldly desires must be sacrificed, and it cannot be done immediately, you can do it as time progresses.

OM Shanti Shanti Shanti

Srimad Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, Verse 27.

Prakrteha kriyamanani

gunaiha karmani sarvasaha

ahankara vimudhatma

kartahama iti manyate ||

Translation :

The spirit soul bewildered by the influence of false ego thinks himself the doer of activities that are in actuality carried out by the three modes of material nature.

Explanation :

Two persons, one in Sri Krishna consciousness and the other in material consciousness, working on the same level, may appear to be working on the same platform, but there is a wide gulf of difference in their respective positions. the person in material consciousness is convinced by false ego that he is the doer of everything. He does not know that the mechanism of the body is produced by material nature, which works under the supervision of the Supreme Lord. The materialistic person has no knowledge that ultimately he is under the control of Sri Krishna. the person in false ego takes all credit for doing everything independently, and that is the symptom of his nescience. He does not know that this gross and subtle body is the creation of material nature, under the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and as such his bodily and mental activities should be engaged in the service of Sri Krishna, in Sri Krishna consciousness. The ignorant man forgets that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is known as Hrishikesha, or the master of the senses of the material body, for due to his long misuse of the senses in sense gratification, he is factually bewildered by the false ego, which makes him forget his eternal relationship with Sri Krishna.

So friends, as told afore, human beings are the creation of God and this has been followed traditionally since time immemorial. The actions by one and all are controlled by the God, it can be either Sri Vishnu or Lord Shiva. Thus, the success which we get are solely not by our OWN actions, but with their help. So, do not take success into your head, try to be as thankful as possible.

OM Shanti Shanti Shanti!!

Srimad Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 6

Bandhur atmatmanasa tasya
yenatmaivatmana jitaha
anatamanasa tu satrutve
vartetatmaiva satru-vata ||

Translation :
For one who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends, but for one who has failed to do so, his mind will remain the greatest enemy.

Explanation :
The purpose of practicing eight-fold Yoga is to control the mind in order to make it a friend in discharging the human mission. Unless the mind is controlled, the practice of yoga is simply a waste of time. One who cannot control his mind lives always with the greatest enemy, and thus his life and its mission are spoiled. The constitutional position of the living entity is to carry out the order of the Superior. As long as one's mind remains an unconquered enemy, one has to serve the dictations of lust, anger, avarice, illusion, etc. But when the mind is conquered, one voluntarily agrees to abide by the dictation of the Personality of Godhead, who is situated within the heart of everyone as Paramatma. Real Yoga practice entails meeting the Paramatma within the heart and then following his dictation. For one who takes to Sri Krishna consciousness directly, perfect surrender to the dictation of the Lord follows automatically.

So friends, try to control your mind, it isn't easy nor very tough. It just takes time and practice. Try to involve yourself in Yoga and Meditation, trust me it helps a lot, and I am sure you are aware about it. Let us take the pledge of demolishing the enemy who is inside us.

OM Shanti Shanti Shanti

Srimad Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 7

Jitatmanaha prasantasya
Paramatma samahitaha
sitosna sukha duhkhesu
tatha manapamanayoha ||

Translation -
For one who has conquered the mind, the Supersoul is already reached, for he has attained tranquility. To such a man happiness and distress, heat and cold, honour and dishonour are all the same.

Explanation -
Actually, every living entity is intended to abide by the dictation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is seated in everyone's heart as Paramatma. When the mind is misled by the external illusionary energy, one becomes entangles in material activities. Therefore, as soon as one's mind is controlled through one of the Yoga systems, one should be considered to have already reached the destination. One has to abide by the Supreme dictation. When one's mind is fixed on the superior nature, he has no alternative but to follow the dictation of the Supreme. The mind must admit some superior dictation and follow it. The effect of controlling the mind is that one automatically follows the dictation of the Paramatma or Supersoul. Because, this transcendental position is at once achieved by one who is in Sri Krishna consciousness, the devotee of the Lord is unaffected by the dualities of material existence, namely distress and happiness, cold and heat. This state is practical Samadhi, or absorption in the Supreme.

So friends, my little advise to you is keep your mind clear atleast as of now, when you reach the appropriate age you can fix your mind on self-realization.

OM Shanti Shanti Shanti

Srimad Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 8

Jnana vijnana trptatma
kuta-stho vijitendriyaha
yukta itya ucyate yogi
sama lostrasma-kancanaha ||

Translation :
             A person is said to be established in self realization and is called a Yogi when he is fully satisfied by virtue of acquired knowledge and realization. Such a person is situated in transcendence and is self-controlled. He sees everything, whether it be pebbles, stones or gold, as the same.

Explanation :

         The Bhagavad Gita is the science of Sri Krishna consciousness. No one can become Sri Krishna conscious simply by mundane scholarship. One must be fortunate enough to associate with a person who is in pure consciousness. A Sri Krishna conscious person has realised knowledge by the grace of Sri Krishna, because he is satisfied with pure devotional service. By realised knowledge, one becomes perfect. By transcendental knowledge one can remain steady in his convictions, but by mere academic knowledge one can be easily deluded and confused by apparent contradictions. It is the realised soul who is actually self-controlled, because he is surrendered to Sri Krishna. He is transcendental because he has nothing to do with mundane scholarship. For him mundane scholarship and mental speculation, which may be as good as what are precious metals to others.

     So friends, the best way to reach the stage of self-realisation is to study yourself, know more about yourself, retrospect your actions it will lead you to your goal. Knowledge of an individual is for greater good, do not use it for activities which can harm others or the society in general.

OM Shanti Shanti Shanti

Srimad Bhagavad Gita : Chapter 4, Verse 22.

 

Yadrccha-labha-santusto
dvandvatito vimatsaraha
samaha siddhava asiddhau ca
krtvapi na nibadhyate

Translation -
He who is satisfied with gain which comes of its own accord, who is free from duality and does not envy, who is steady in both success and failure, is never entangled, although performing actions.

Explanation -
A Sri Krishna Conscious person does not make such endeavor even to maintain his body. He is satisfied with gains which are obtained of their own accord. he neither begs nor borrows, but he labors honestly as far as in his power, and is satisfied with whatever is obtained of his honest labour. He is therefore independent in his livelihood. He does not allow anyones service to hamper his won service in Sri Krishna consciousness. However, for the service of the Lord he can participate in any kind of action without being disturbed by duality of the material world. The duality of the material world is felt in terms of heat and cold, or misery and happiness. A Sri Krishna conscious person is above duality because he does not hesitate to act in any way for the satisfaction of Sri Krishna. Therefore he is steady both in success and failure. These signs are visible when one is fully in transcendental knowledge.

So friends, try and do your work without any profit or gain motive, that's the least I can say, rest assured. The simple reason is, if the do a work for gaining and if we don't gain as expected, we are gonna look down for sure, but instead if we do to the best of our ability, we will get the results on the basis of our hard work,

OM Shanti Shanti Shanti!!

Srimad Bhagavad Gita --- Chapter 2, Verse 52.

Yada te moha kalilama
Buddhira vyatitarisyati
tada gantasi nirvedama
srotavyasya srutasya cha ||

Translation :

When your intelligence has passed out of the dense forest of delusion, you shall become indifferent to all that has bee heard and all that is to be heard.

Explanation :

There are many good examples in the lives of the great devotees of the Lord of those who become indifferent to the rituals of the Vedas simply by devotional service to the Lord. When a person factually understands Sri Krishna and his relationship with Sri Krishna, he naturally becomes completely indifferent to the rituals of fruitive activities, even though an experienced Brahmana,
The Vedic rites and rituals are imperative for neophytes : comprehending all kinds of Prayers three times a day, taking a bath early in the morning, offering respects to the forefathers, etc. but when one is fully in Sri Krishna consciousness and is engaged in his transcendental loving service, one becomes indifferent to all these regulative principles because he has already attained perfection. If one can reach the platform of understanding by service to the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna, he has no longer to execute different types of penances and sacrifices as recommended in relevant Scriptures. And similarly, if one has not understood that the purpose of the Vedas is to reach Sri Krishna and simply engages in the rituals, etc., then he is uselessly wasting time in such engagements. Persons in Sri Krishna consciousness transcend the limit of Sabda-Brahma, or the range of the Vedas and Upanishads.

So friends, the best advise I can give is that try and be in Sri Krishna consciousness whenever possible. In this dynamic world it seems tough to be, but I am sure before we go to bed, or when we wake up or whenever we are free we can think of the Supreme, right?

OM Shanti Shanti Shanti!!!!!