What is the Bhagavad Gita?
Lord Krishna volunteers to be Arjuna’s chariot driver during the war between Kauravas and Pandavas, who are blood relatives, fighting for the throne of Hasthinapura. Just before the war starts, Arjuna wants to see the rival army and he orders his chariot driver to take him in front of them and he only sees his relatives and friends in the rival army and he is totally discouraged. Unwilling to gain the throne by killing his own blood relatives, he throws his bow and arrow to the ground and sits wistfully. Then Krishna consoles him and encourages him with his Divine teachings to do the duty regardless of the outcome. Finally, Arjuna gets the necessary clarification and goes to war.
The scope of this article:
Reading the Bhagavad Gita in its original script (Sanskrit) is the best. However, several English translations with transliteration are available and the work of Bhakthivedanta Swami Prabhupata, founder of ISKCON, is considered here.
What is ISKCON?
ISKCON, International Society for Krishna Consciousness was founded by Sri Bhakthi Vedanta Swami Prabhupada in the United States and has now spread throughout the world. Prabhu has written several books, mainly translated from the Hindu scriptures. His translation of the Bhagavad Gita in English is one of the best and simplest (904 pages) and is reviewed here for the benefit of those who wish to learn the Bhagavad Gita and those who do not. know Sanskrit in which language the teachings are originally available.
The format of the book:
Sanjaya is broadcasting live to the blind king Dhridharashtra, father of the Kauravas, about the events on the Kurukshetra battlefield. Therefore, the Bhagavad Gita is also contained in the narration of it (perhaps this is the first LIVE commentary in the whole world).
Bhagavad Gita (Gita for short) contains 18 chapters, each containing a number of verses known as Slokas. They are listed as follows:
1. Arjuna Vishadha Yoga (Arjuna’s pain) 47 verses
2. Sankhya Yoga (Yoga of Knowledge) 72 Verses
3. Karma Yoga (yoga of action) 43 verses
4. Karma gyana Yoga (Yoga of Karma through knowledge) 42 Verses
5. Karma Sanyasa yoga (Yoga of renunciation) 29
6. Dhyana Yoga (Yoga of meditation) 47.
7. Gyana vigyana Yoga (Yoga of knowledge and experience) 30
8. Akshara Brahma Yogam (Yoga to attain the Eternal Brahma) 28
9. Raja Vidhya Raja Guhya Yoga (Yoga of Secret Mystic Knowledge) 34
10. Vibuthi Yoga (Yoga of Divine Glory) 42
11. Viswaroopa Dharsana Yoga (Vision of GOD in His Universal form) 55
12. Bhakthi Yoga The Yoga of Devotion 20
13. Kshetra kshetragna yoga The Yoga of the abode and the dweller. 3. 4
14. Gunathra vibhaga yoga: The three Gunas (three incorporated characters) 27
15. Purrushothuma yoga: The Supreme Being 20
16. Deyvasura sampath Yoga: Comparison of the divine and diabolical qualities of Yoga. 24
17. Shradhathray Vibhaga yoga: Differences in worship according to 3 gunas 28
18 Moksha Sanyasa Yoga The Yoga of renunciation 78
A brief synopsis of the content of each chapter is provided below, which can serve as a catalyst for going through the entire book.
Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishadha Yoga
This chapter explains Arjuna’s plight at the start of the war through Sanjaya’s words. who explains the situation on the battlefield where the battle is about to begin. Arjuna wants his chariot driver (Lord Krishna) to place the chariot midway between the two armies. He only sees his relatives, friends and Gurus (Masters) in the opponent’s field. He laments “why should I kill my relatives and friends and aspire to return?” Saying this, he throws all the weapons away from him and sits on the car because he is in a totally confused state.
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga
Lord Krishna begins His sermon from this chapter which consists of two aspects.
1. The first aspect is: There is no death for the soul. “Wise people never lament either life or death, because the existence of the soul is there all the time. The Atma (soul) travels from one body to another upon death. No one could destroy that imperishable soul. The body it dies definitively, but the soul accepts another body as a person puts on new clothes.
2. The second aspect insists that One has the inescapable duty to carry out the work that has been assigned to him. As a kshatriya (warrior), it is his inescapable duty to fight and defeat the enemy. “You have the right only to fulfill your duty and not for its fruits. Perform your duty in balance, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called Yoga”
Thus spoke Krishna in the second chapter.
Chapter 3: Karma Yoga
Lord Krishna explains the cause of any action and the methods of performing the duty.
“Active aspirants find enlightenment through the path of action. Activity is better than inertia. The world is imprisoned in its own activity, except when actions are performed as worship of God. Therefore you must perform every action sacramentally and be free from all attachments to the results thereon.
After expounding various factors in support of performing duties and methods in this regard, Lord Krishna says:
“You only have the duty to comply, you have no right to the result.
Therefore, O Arjuna, with full knowledge of me, give me all your works.
Not to be profit-seeking, without any property rights and free from lethargy,
Fight.” (verse 30 of chapter 3)
Chapter 4: Karma gyana Yoga, Yoga of Karma (action) through knowledge.
Kṛṣṇa continues…
“What is action? What is inaction? Even the wise are puzzled by this question. Therefore, I will tell you what action is. When you know this, you will be free from all impurities. The true nature of action it is difficult to understand. He who sees the inaction that is in the action and the action in the inaction is truly wise.
Krishna cites various actions prescribed by the Vedas. The reward of all actions is found in enlightenment. When you have attained enlightenment, ignorance will deceive you. No more. You will see all creation within your own Atman and me.
Therefore, the doubts that have arisen in your heart due to ignorance must be cut with the weapon of knowledge. Armed with yoga, oh Arjuna, stand up and fight.”
Chapter 5: Karma Sanyasa yoga (Renunciation Yoga)
On the one hand, Krishna defends that doing one’s duty is the best path to salvation, on the other, he praises renunciation as the best path. Arjuna wants to know which is the safest path and Krishna explains it in the fifth chapter.
Krishna: “Both action and renunciation of material benefits will help to attain paradise (Heaven). But performance of duties is more important between the two. Renunciation is not possible without realization. As water falls on a lotus leaf, a Sanyasi (saint) who performs without attachment is unaffected by sins, if any, as a result of that action.
A yogi is not attracted by the material pleasures of the senses, but is always in a trance, enjoying inner pleasure. In this way, the self-realized person enjoys unlimited happiness, because he concentrates on the Supreme.”
The essence of the teachings is given in the summary of 5 chapters. We have seen the nature of duties and the effects of renunciation. God willing, other chapters will be dealt with in the course of time.
I highly recommend readers to read all the chapters for complete wisdom and success in life.