Shrimad Bhagawad Geeta (also referred to simply as the Geeta) is the most revered of Indian scriptures that comprehensively presents the highest spiritual philosophy in the Indian tradition. It is believed to be told by Lord Shri Krishna to Arjuna on the Mahabharat battle field of Kurukshetra. Just before the epic war between Pandavas and Kauravas was to begin, Arjuna was suddenly overcome by confusion about whether it was right for him to fight and kill his own cousins and other relatives as also his revered teachers ...
Read More
Shrimad Bhagawad Geeta (also referred to simply as the Geeta) is the most revered of Indian scriptures that comprehensively presents the highest spiritual philosophy in the Indian tradition. It is believed to be told by Lord Shri Krishna to Arjuna on the Mahabharat battle field of Kurukshetra. Just before the epic war between Pandavas and Kauravas was to begin, Arjuna was suddenly overcome by confusion about whether it was right for him to fight and kill his own cousins and other relatives as also his revered teachers (gurus) and other elders who were standing opposite him as his enemies. As a result, he dropped his weapons and sat down in his chariot in a completely distraught mood. It was then that Shri Krishna who took upon himself the job of being Arjuna's charioteer, preached the complete spiritual philosophy by way of Shrimad Bhagawad Geeta. It helped Arjuna understand clearly what this creation is and what the purpose of human life in it is. He could then proceed with fighting the Mahabharat war as a duty in a detached manner.The power of the Bhagawad Geeta philosophy is tremendous. One who reads/listens to it in complete faith and with total devotion gets liberated from the bondage to the bodily identity. Arjuna had been completely overwhelmed by moha (attachment and wrong notions of "me/mine") at the beginning and had refused to accept Shri Krishna's initial arguments. But later, as Shri Krishna unfolded the profound spiritual philosophy, even that otherwise extremely debilitating moha of Arjuna completely vanished and he became ready to act in accordance with Shri Krishna's preaching. This also drives home the potent influence of a true guru on his disciple. We can understand this as a change in the relationship between Arjuna and Shri Krishna as the Geeta progresses. Initially, Arjuna was still seeing Shri Krishna as a friend and a relative. Then gradually, he realized that Shri Krishna was Divine incarnated and hence accepted Him as his guru. Shri Krishna also then put in His all into His preaching and revealed all that is worth knowing in spirituality. In fact, Shri Krishna even granted His Vishwaroopa Darshan to show Arjuna that everything is just one, namely the Divine, and nothing exists apart from Him. No wonder Arjuna's moha disappeared totally.In this book, I have presented my understanding of Shrimad Bhagawad Geeta (referred simply as Geeta) from an ordinary seeker's perspective. It is not a scholarly treatise. I trust it is simple enough for anybody and everybody to understand and adopt in the day to day life too. The book is organised into three volumes. Chapter 1 of the Geeta basically describes the armies of Kauravas and Pandavas. Then it goes on to describe the sudden state of mental confusion on the part of Arjuna that causes him to drop his weapons and say that he wouldn't want to fight a bloody war that will kill many loved and respected ones at his hands. The actual spiritual philosophy starts from chapter 2, verse 11. This is Volume 1 which starts from chapter 2, verse 11 and covers upto and including chapter 6. The book covers all verses, sometimes singly and often as a bunch of a few related verses. The verse is first given in Sanskrit followed by the literal meaning and then my insight into it.I have often used a few very commonly used Sanskrit (the oldest Indian language) terms because Indian readers with some interest in spirituality would be familiar with them and will be able to identify with the idea that much better. Also, non-Indian readers interested in Indian spiritual philosophy would find it useful to familiarise themselves with some key Indian terms. These terms have been italicised. For those who are not familiar with Sanskrit, I have also given the closest English term / explanation alongside. For convenience, a glossary of all such terms used is also given at the end of this book.
Read Less
