Srimad Bhagavad Gita – Essence E-Book

Dr. N.K. Srinivasan

• Herausgeber: V&S Publishers
• Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2018

Seitenzahl: 77

Beschreibung

What Gita actually teaches us

Leseprobe

Essence of

SRIMAD

BHAGAVAD GITA

Commentary on selected 90 verses (Slokas).

By

Dr N K Srinivasan

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© Copyright: ISBN 978-935-05723-8-2

DISCLAIMER

While every attempt has been made to provide accurate and timely information in this book, neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for errors, unintended omissions or commissions detected therein. The author and publisher make no representation or warranty with respect to the comprehensiveness or completeness of the contents provided.

All matters included have been simplified under professional guidance for general information only without any warranty for applicability on an individual. Any mention of an organization or a website in the book by way of citation or as a source of additional information doesn't imply the endorsement of the content either by the author or the publisher. It is possible that websites cited may have changed or removed between the time of editing and publishing the book.

Results from using the expert opinion in this book will be totally dependent on individual circumstances and factors beyond the control of the author and the publisher.

It makes sense to elicit advice from well informed sources before implementing the ideas given in the book. The reader assumes full responsibility for the consequences arising out from reading this book. For proper guidance, it is advisable to read the book under the watchful eyes of parents/guardian. The purchaser of this book assumes all responsibility for the use of given materials and information. The copyright of the entire content of this book rests with the author/publisher. Any infringement/ transmission of the cover design, text or illustrations, in any form, by any means, by any entity will invite legal action and be responsible for consequences thereon.

 

Dedication

This book is dedicated to

MY LORD

Shirdi Sainath

Contents

Preface

Introduction

1.JNANA YOGA

2.KARMA YOGA

3.BHAK YOGA

4.DHYANA YOGA

5.YOGA OF RENUNCIATION

6.SYNTHESIS OF YOGAS AND PATH OF SURRENDER

7.THE COSMIC FORM

Bibliography

Preface

The Bhagavad Gita, also known as ‘The Lord’s Song’ or ‘The Song Celestial’, is a Hindu scripture that represents the essence of Vedanta for millions of Hindus. Because of the universality of its message, it goes far beyond being merely a Hindu text. In truth, it is a formula for successful living, valid for all time—an imperishable spiritual heritage bequeathed to all humanity.

This long poem is of 700 verses, in fairly straightforward Sanskrit. Several English translations are available. It is, however, a formidable task to study and to assimilate the essence of this long scripture. Therefore a shorter version - a condensation with only about 90 verses - is attempted in this book. This should appeal to modern readers who have limited time or are less inclined to study the full text.

The Gita is divided into 18 chapters; each chapter has been labelled a yoga or Upanishad. This apparently convenient division, however, suffers from a severe limitation in that certain concepts are repeated and re-introduced in several chapters. Traditional teachers and preachers discuss the chapters one by one either by way of written texts or in the form of discourses, from Chapter 1 to Chapter 18. Some scholars choose to focus on only one or two chapters in their discourses. I have adopted a different approach; the verses are presented thematically For instance, in Jnana yoga, all relevant verses from Chapters 1 to 18 are presented in sequence.

I have selected and explained Jnana yoga, Karma yoga, Bhakti yoga, Dhyana yoga and Sannyasa yoga in separate chapters. Another chapter - Synthesis of yogas - presents other verses that are a kind of summary and the ultimate message of ‘surrender’. A final chapter briefly narrates the ‘Cosmic Form’ displayed by the Lord to Arjun—a condensation of Chapter 11 of the Gita. I hope this thematic condensation would be easy to follow and make the concepts and messages clearer to readers.

I have provided brief annotations/notes after most of the verses. These notes clarify certain terms, explain specific points, or touch upon any conflicting views relating to a particular verse. A few notes provide historical perspective in relation to Vedic times, the practices that were then prevalent, and the later trends.

As a Vedantic text, the Gita is a superb summary of the Upanishads. Traditional scholars include three texts of Vedanta-Upanishads, Brahma Sutras and the Gita -as a trilogy: foundational texts (prasthaana triya). ‘Lord Krishna is the divine milkman, the Upanishads are the cows, and the Gita is the milk obtained for the sake of Arjun and all mankind’, states a poem.

The Upanishads and the Brahma Sutras are admittedly difficult texts to study. The Gita is much simpler and delightful to read and follow. It is of later origin than the Upanishads, but perhaps precedes the Brahma Sutras. Therefore, it can be inferred that the Gita is an improved version of Upanishadic teachings. The Bhakti or devotional aspects are merely mentioned in the Upanishads, while Bhakti yoga (devotional path) occupies a major part of the Gita. As such, the Gita is much more than a mere summary of the Upanishads.

I have mentioned that the Gita is delightful to read and easy to follow. One of the reasons for this is that it takes the form of a dialogue between Arjun and the Lord, Sri Krishna. While dialogues exist in the Upanishads too, they are heavy and use abstruse terms. Arjun raises many everyday questions that trouble a person’s mind. The Lord’s answers to these dilemmas of day-to-day existence are direct and specific, hence the powerful appeal of this text to scholars and lay persons alike.

Many scholars have interpreted the Gita as essentially a document emphasising Karma yoga (selfless action) or Jnana yoga (the path of knowledge or enquiry), or even the path of devotion and surrender (Bhakti yoga). The Gita is much more than this. It is a superb integration of several yogas, for it is hardly possible to practice any one yoga in isolation. It is this synthesis that is unique in the Gita. Unfortunately, this point has been overlooked by many translators who are content with literal interpretations, preferring to rely on word-for-word translations, or by appending specific notes based on sectarian beliefs with a slant towards one of the yogas. The present book gives the integrated view of yogas as elucidated by the Lord.

There are more than 250 commentaries on the Gita. The main commentaries have come from the three great Acharyas—Adi Sankara, Sri Ramanuja and Sri Madhwa. Many others have followed these, with minor variations. However, these are sectarian-based commentaries. Which commentary should one follow?—I have preferred not to follow any one commentary, but have taken specific views and interpretations for each verse, guided largely by my own intuitive perception—what seemed most suitable for a given verse. While doing so, I have kept historical perspectives intact, because the commentaries are inevitably coloured by historical compulsions.

One should note that Sankara’s commentary came about in the 9th century—almost three thousand years after the Mahabharata war and the original version of the Gita. (If the Gita was written sometime between the 3rd century BC and the 2nd century AD, then Sankara’s work was written about a thousand years after the original manuscript was produced.) The passage of ten centuries would certainly have effected substantial changes in the social fabric, which would have inevitably impacted a commentator’s interpretations and reflected his perceptions as coloured by the milieu prevalent at that time in history.

There is again a gap of nearly two hundred years between Sankara and Sri Ramanuja, and another gap of about a hundred years between Sri Ramanuja and Sri Madhwa. Therefore, one should not be surprised at the striking variations in their respective interpretations and sectarian beliefs. It is unfortunate, though, that sectarian beliefs have been allowed to undermine the force of the essential message given by the Lord. The modern reader can steer clear of these sectarian interpretations only by dint of considerable effort. This small book should be helpful in this respect.

I realise that selecting about 90 verses out of 700 is a highly subjective action. Another author might well have decided on a different assortment. However, I feel I have included all the important verses - the ones that are always heavily commented upon - as well as several others basically for the sake of maintaining coherency of presentation.

A detailed bibliography includes several works that are readily available to any English language reader. Some of the books mentioned therein address the subtle differences in interpretation and take the process to deeper levels appropriate for serious readers.

Above all, I hope that this small book will motivate the reader to study the full text with passion and devotion, and pursue spiritual goals towards liberation/moksha/nirvana/ eternal bliss or - in the Hindu context - freedom from the cycle of births and deaths or samsara.

Sarvam Krishnarapamastu !

—Dr N K Srinivasan