The term Bhagavad Gita, means ‘The Eternal Song’ and is the very essence of ‘Mahabharata’ – an ancient Indian epic poem. It has 700 verses covered in 18 chapters. Each chapter is called ‘Yoga’ – the science of individual consciousness attaining communion with the Ultimate Consciousness. Each chapter is a highly specialized Yoga revealing the path of attaining realization with the Ultimate Truth. The first six chapters have been classified as the ‘Karma Yoga’ section – dealing with the science of attaining communion ‘through actions’. The next six are designated as ‘Bhakti Yoga’ section – attaining this communion travelling the ‘path of devotion’. The final six chapters are regarded as ‘Jnana Yoga’ section- the science of this communion ‘through the intellect’.
Written some five thousand years ago, it’s an unusual text amongst all scriptural works. The text covers a whole gamut of issues. Presented in the form of a conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna – it occurs in the thick of the war-field, where the almighty Lord Vishnu in His avatar as Lord Krishna, advises a disillusioned Arjuna on the various facets of Life and Works. The Bhagavad Gita is as much unusual as it is endearing.
It has a message to people from all walks of life. Philosophers delight in the description of the ‘Karma Yoga’ and ‘Samkhya Yoga’. The proponents of Bhakti cult extol the several manifestations of the Lord – His almighty ‘Visvarupa’ (Devine form). The description of the ‘Gunas’ (sattva, rajas and tamas) can surprise even a hardcore psychologist. The common man finds solace in the concept of the ‘stitaprajna’ (equipoised soul) to overcome his ever increasing anxieties. Management experts see in it the entire process of Change management. Perhaps, the greatest (and the most modern) idea is the focus on commitment to work, without getting excited about the rewards. The portrait of a ‘Karma Yogi’ has made many a scholar – from both the occident and the orient, to sit up and take notice of the elegant truth behind all human endeavors. Hence, the Gita has universal appeal and it transcends the boundaries of time and space.
Bhagavad Gita was originally revealed in the classical language of Sanskrit spoken in the Indian sub-continent. In 1785 it was translated into English by Charles Wilkins, then to Latin in 1823 by Schlegal, into German in 1826 by Von Humbolt, into French in 1846 by Lassens and into Greek in 1848 by Galanos. By now it has been translated into all major languages of the world such as Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Hebrew, Portuguese, and Arabic to name a few.
– Sri Swami Sivananda
Bhagavad Gita is not a book teaching just how to worship God; many other texts do so. It focuses more on the eternal quest to reach Godhead itself. It edits the wisdom of the Upanishads and presents them in a more digestible format. It teaches the three basic paths to reach the Almighty – namely Bhakti Yoga, karma Yoga and Jnana Yoga. It also paves the path for a householder to lead a more rewarding and meaningful life. It makes a forceful thrust on action and condemns inactivity in no certain terms. In fact it combines the best aspects of both Eastern and Western thought processes. No wonder, it is revered by millions not only as a sacred text, but also as a guide for leading a better and fulfilling life!
34 Comments
Nicely done… I need to read it 4th time …revision
Thankyou for your kind words🙏
Very rightly said, it’s so mystic…everytime it’s a different revelation…. Not sure how many revisions are needed 😇🌸
Thank you Gunjan for the precise explaination and reminder of ”why we are here?”🙏💞🧘♀️
Thankyou Anna… We all need that reminder/little pushback once in a while to be able to stay connected with our True Self 🌸❣️🙏
Having studied Hatha yoga for a decade, the Western world focuses too much on the exercise and not the divine. Folks seem to be more interested in tight behinds & great selfies than the intent behind it.
Well yes, I’m aware of it. But the good thing is even in doing that, they are somewhere working on their breath and so the mind-body complex. That’s the first step needed to even think of anything beyond our ownself. And so maybe in this respect something is better than nothing… Least it keeps them fit and happier 😊… The only unfortunate thing is, some of them never go beyond those postures. It’s important to understand the journey is much deeper!
Having said that, I also know people from the West who have much deeper understanding of the philosophies of Yoga. Guess everyone travels their own journey.
Thankyou for your comment and concern. It says a lot about the Practitioner that you must be of Yoga… I love it most when people who practices and understands Yoga appreciate the context. Thanks again 🌸🙏🌸
It is great.
Thank you for following my articles well. Hoping you are happy there.
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Best wishes
Thankyou for the kindness 🌸🙏🌸
You are welcome in London at any time .
Best wishes
Great Post 👌It goes to show that yoga is not just stretching exercises but have so much deeper and divinity attached 🙏
Yes thats truly what Yoga is!!! Thankyou for your kind appreciation 🌸🙏🌸
Today we are carried away by vanity and attachment to the material. The media flood us with propaganda about it. We have left behind the most important as looking at the spiritual. Your reminder is necessary to raise awareness that there is a spiritual and divine world that brings us closer to happiness. The earthly ends and often hurts. You are not close to me, but I feel your vibrations that give peace and tranquility when I read you. Or when I appreciate your smile, like Giocanda, it never ends. A hug.
That’s true Mac! But I feel sooner or later as one starts to question his/her being… Who we are, purpose of life, where we go, about sufferings despite all luxuries… Is the time when it definitely hits! One gets inquisitive to know more…and that’s when spirituality is best understood.
Thankyou for always appreciating my efforts. Your way to praise is special and it certainly bring smile to me always. Keep visiting… Your visits are important. A hug. 😊🌸🙏
I am very happy to read an answer with so much content to reflect. An excellent week for you.
😇… Wonderful week for you too🙏
This is not just a book. I think this is a way of living.
Great post👍👍
Very rightly said, it’s the way of life! Thankyou for your kind appreciation 🌸🙏
Great post and Beautifully explained 👍
Thankyou for your kinds words 🌸🙏🌸
Thanks so much for sharing
Thank-you for your kind words 🙏🌸
I always find your articles very interesting, Gunjan. I know the Mahābhārata is the longest poem ever written, but I wasn’t aware the Bhagavad Gita was part of it. I saw a western TV movie adaptation of the Mahābhārata many years ago.
Thankyou Sean. It’s always a pleasure receiving such beautiful appreciation from you. Means a lot.
It’s great to learn the popularity of Mahabharata and of course Bhagavad Gita around the world. More fascinating is that people across cultures could relate with it. Thankyou for your comment and visit 🌸🙏🌸
Very nicely explained.
Thankyou for your kind words. It means a lot 🌸🙏🌸
I have been doing yoga since a really long time, and I love your blog. It is insightful and has taught me so much more about this beautiful practice.
Thankyou for appreciating the efforts 🙏… I’m so glad a practitioner like you could connect with it; means a lot 🌸
It is informative.
Thank you so much for sharing well.
XOXO
Thank you for your kind appreciation. It means a lot 🙏
You are so clever in choosing your cute useful topics.
Hoping to visit London to help you much.
XOXO
Awesome post.
Thank you for your kind appreciation. Means a lot 🙏🌸
this one
Thankyou 🙏
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