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LESSON-1- The Spirit of the Bhagavad-gita

TRANSLATION
sri-bhagavan uvaca
idarh tu te guhyatamarh pravak?yamy anasuyave
jnanarh vijflana-sahitarh yaj jflatva mok?yase 'subhat
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Arjuna, because you are never envious of Me, I shall
impart to you this most confidential knowledge and realization, knowing which you shall be relieved of
the miseries of material existence. [BG 9.1]
Importance of the Bhagavad-gita amongst the Vedic Literatures
Now having taken shelter of the spiritual master, one should study the scriptures under his guidance in
a spirit of devotion. Amongst all the Vedic literatures, Bhagavad-gita is a transcendental literature, which
is considered the summum bonum of all Vedic literatures and can free one from all the miseries and
anxieties of life, if one follows the instmctions as they are. The Bhagavad-gita is glorified in Gita
mahatmya as follows:
maline mocanam pumsam jala-snanam dine dine
sakrd gitamrta-snanam samsara-mala-nasanam
"One may cleanse himself daily by taking a bath in water, but if one takes a bath even once in the sacred
Ganges water of Bhagavad-gita, for him the dirt of material life is altogether vanquished" [Gita
Mahatmya 3].
sarvopanisado gavo dogdha gopala-nandanah
partho vatsah su-dhir bhokta dugdham gitamrtam mahat
"This Gitopanisad, Bhagavad-gita, the essence of all the Upanishads, is just like a cow, and Lord Krishna,
who is famous as a cowherd boy, is milking this cow. Arjuna is just like a calf, and learned scholars and
pure devotees are to drink the nectarean milk of Bhagavad-gita" [Gita mahatmya 6] .
ekam sastram devaki-putra-gitam eko devo devaki -putra eva
eko mantras tasya namani yani harmapy ekam tasya devasya seva
"Let there be one scripture only, one common scripture for the whole world - Bhagavadgita. Let there
be one God for the whole world - Shri Krishna, son of Devaki. Let there be only one mantra, one hymn
- the chanting of His name: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare I Hare Rama, Hare
Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Let there be one work only - the service of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead" [Gita Mahatmya7].
In Kali Yuga, people are short-lived. It is almost impossible for anyone to gain understanding of the
entire Vedic literature. But Bhagavad-gita is the essence of all Vedic literature and it can give guidance to
modern man about the way of perfecting his life.
The Spirit of the Bhagavad-gita
Although Bhagavad-gita is well known, only one who has taken it up in a spirit of devotion can
understand it. Bhagavad-gita is not a mythological treatise spoken by some mortal, but it is the eternal,
timeless, mature voice of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Shri Krishna, who is addressed as
Bhagavan, the possessor of all six opulences.
Story: 'The South Indian brahmana who attained perfection in reading Bhagavadgita' In the Chaitanya
Charitamrita, the multi-volume treatise on the life and teachings of Lord Chaitanya, there is a beautiful
story of a South Indian brahmana. It illustrates how Lord Krishna, although the source of all that exists,
is completely renounced and becomes the humble servant of His loving devotees, out of His love for
them. This is due to his opulence of renunciation.
In the holy place of Shri Ranga-ksetra, a Vaishnava brahmana would daily visit the temple of Lord
Ranganath and recite the entire Bhagavad-gita. However he was not able to pronounce the Sanskrit
words correctly, and so Sanskrit scholars around the temple used to make fun of him. But because, just
by reading the Bhagavad-gita, he was overflowing with great spiritual ecstasy, he did not in the least
bother about what people were talking about him.
Once on his South India tour, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu met the brahmana and asked him, "My dear
sir, why are you in such ecstatic love? which portion of Bhagavad-gita gives you such transcendental
pleasure?"
The brahmana replied, "My Lord, I am not very learned and therefore do not know the meaning of the
words. Sometimes I read Bhagavad-gita correctly and sometimes incorrectly, but in any case I continue
with my recitation because it is the order of my spiritual master."
The Lord then asked him why he was crying. The brahmana replied, "Whenever I sit down with the
Gita, the form of Lord Krishna as Partha-sarathi [Arjuna's chariot driver] appears in my heart. And as
soon as I see this form I immediately remember how the Lord is bhakta-vatsala [especially kind to His
devotees]. This thought makes me cry." -
Upon seeing the devotion of the South Indian brahmana, Lord Chaitanya embraced him and then told
him that he had perfected the recitation of the Gita. Lord Chaitanya's approval of the brahmana-'.&
perfection is far superior to millions of university doctorates. This accolade from the Lord proves that
the Bhagavad-gita cannot be studied with material intelligence. The knowledge of the Gita must be
received through the chain of acharyas, or spiritual masters, coming down in disciplic succession. That
is the only method; otherwise studying the Gita is an exercise in futility.
The Mayavadis are persons who consider the form of Lord Krishna to be maya, or made of material
elements. Out of envy they deny the sac-cid-ananda spiritual form of the Lord. Their goal is not to serve
the Lord but to merge with the impersonal Supreme Brahman and become God. Thus, their small brains
cannot understand how the Supreme Personality of Godhead can become the charioteer of His devotee
and carry out his orders.
The message of Bhagavad-gita is confidential and will remain hidden to the mundane scholars who try to
misinterpret the Lord's words. They do so out of envy for the Lord and to put themselves in the
forefront. Such commentators can be compared to a bee licking the outside of a bottle of honey. One
cannot have the taste of honey unless one opens the bottle and licks the contents. No matter how much
one is well versed in computer software, one cannot do anything without knowing the password of the
computer. Similarly the password to understand Bhagavad-gita is the spirit of devotion and
submissiveness to the Lord and His devotees.
Story: 'Make the choice: You want Me or My energies?'
Once when the Kurukshetra war was declared, Duryodhana sent messengers to every part of the globe to
seek the assistance of various kings. But Krishna was so powerful that he warranted a personal request.
Also Duryodhana knew that Krishna was the main support of the Pandavas, and if Duryodhana could get
His assistance, then the Pandavas would stand no chance in winning the war. Arjuna also thought of
Krishna, so both of them decided to go to Dwaraka.
vVhen Arjuna arrived in Dwaraka, he saw the palace guards receiving Duryodhana. The two princes,
after greeting each other, went together to Krishna's chamber. They found him asleep on a large bed.
One of his wives was fanning him gently. Duryodhana went straight to the head of the bed and sat down,
but Arjuna remained at Krishna's feet, standing with palms folded and gazing at his face with tears of
affection in his eyes.
After a while when Krishna awoke, He saw Arjuna bowing to Him in love. Then Krishna sat up and saw
Duryodhana by his head. After honoring them, He inquired why they had come. Duryodhana replied, "It
is well known that you are equally disposed toward both myself and Arjuna. I have come here to seek
your assistance in the war. Indeed, I arrived before Arjuna and thus it is only right that you assist me
rather than him. This is the practice of good men and you, Krishna, are the best of men."
Krishna looked smilingly at Duryodhana. "I accept that you arrived first. But I saw Arjuna first.
Therefore, I think I will help both of you. Scripture ordains that one should help the youngest first, so I
will first offer my assistance to Arjuna. I have an army of one million soldiers known as the Narayanas,
all equal to me in battle. Let one of you take them and let the other take me alone. But I will not fight.
Indeed, I plan to leave my weapons aside during the entire battle. 0 son of Kun ti, what do you choose?"
Without hesitating Arjuna chose-Krishna. Duryodhana could hardly conceal his joy. Arjuna's
sentimentality had overpowered his reason, he thought. Smiling slightly, Duryodhana said, "It seems
then that I am left with the army.
With your permission, 0 Keshava, I shall now depart." After Duryodhana left , Krishna asked Arjuna,
"Why did you choose Me, knowing I will not fight over My armyl" "There is no doubt that wherever
You are, there will be victory", said Arjuna.
This devotional spirit of Arjuna towards Krishna is an essential ingredient for understanding Bhagavad-
gita,. Duryodhana was materially calculative, lacking understanding of Krishna's supremacy. Arjuna
chose the Lord owing to his love for Him, whereas Duryodhana chose the Lord's energies owing to his
desire to exploit them to fulfill his own selfish interests. Ask yourself this question: To whom will you be
attracted? To someone who loves you and jw;t_wants to exchange love with you or to another person,
who comes to you to flatter you and to get some money from you because you are rich? One is attracted
to you, the etfteF-to your pocket. Similarly, devotees like Hanuman are attracted to the Supreme
Rama and His service; on the other hand, demons like Ravana are attracted to the Lord's energy, mother
Sita. Thus such demons want the kingdom of God without God, and so they invite their own
destruction.
The Lord tells us about the position of Arjuna in Bhagavad-gita ( 4.3) 'bhakto 'si me sakha ceti' 'Arjuna,
you are My devotee and friend; thus I am teaching you the most confidential wisdom'. We have to
approach Bhagavad-gita in the mood Arjuna did.
Arjuna is the student of Bhagavad-gita. If we hear in the same mood, we can benefit from the study
of Bhagavad-gita; otherwise our study will simply be an outward show with no tangible transformation
of heart.
Requirements for Understanding the Bhagavad-gita
One should understand the following points before beginning to learn Bhagavad-gita:
(1) ls the Bhagavad-gita Real or Symbolic?
Bhagavad-gita is a real, historical dialogue between the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Shri
Krishna, and Arjuna. This historical dialogue was recorded for the benefit of all future generations.
Kurukshetra is a historical place that exists even today. All the characters of Mahabharata like Arjuna,
Yudhisthira, Bhisma, Duryodhana ,etc., are all real characters who truly existed. Modern scientists based
on the research on excavations have proved that a personality called Shri Krishna existed 5000 years ago
and that welldeveloped city Dwaraka also existed. The exhibits of such excavations can be seen today
in the museums at Kuruksetra and Dwaraka. One should never twist the actual truth and try to pull out
some allegorical meaning. Some mundane commentators speculate that Kurukshetra is the body and the
Pandavas are the five senses, Krishna is a liberated soul, and Arjuna represents a conditioned soul, etc.
In India there are hundreds of commentaries of Bhagavad-gita interpreted by authors with no devotion
but only mental speculation. Such commentaries full of speculation are lying in old libraries covered
with dust, devoid of any practical applicability. Such misinterpretations have no potency to invoke the
dormant devotion in the heart of living beings towards Shri Krishna. However, when Srila Prabhupada,
Founder Acharya ofISKCON, presented 'Bhagavad-gita As It ls', within four or five short years
thousands of people all over the world became Krishna conscious. Now over a million people worldwide
are chanting Krishna's names. This is the potency of presenting Bhagavadgita As It ls without changing
the purpose for which Lord Krishna presented the Bhagavad-gita.
(2)ls the Bhagavad-gita Mythology or a Historical Account?
The word 'Hindu Mythology' was coined by Indologists who wanted to divert the sincere Vedic followers
away from their own religion to Christianity.
In 1876, Max Muller wrote to a friend, "India is much riper for Christianity than Rome or Greece were
at the time of Saint Paul." He added that he would not like to go to India as a missionary, because that
would make him dependent on the government. His preference was this: "I should like to live for ten
years quietly and learn the language, try to make friends, and then see whether I was fit to take part in a
work, by means of which the old mischief of Indian priest-craft could be overthrown, and the way
opened for the entrance of simple Christian teaching." Thus Indologists portrayed all the Vedic
literatures as mythology to promote Christianity.
Srila Prabhupada writes: Agama, "which is coming from higher plane," not manufactured here. Agama-
purana. And Purana means the old history of the world, Purana. Purana, some of the modern scholars,
they take everything as mythology, imagination. That is not fact. They're real history. Purana
means very old. Nityal). sasvato yam purar.io [Bg. 2.20}. In Hindi it is called Purana. Purana means old.
The Puranas means the old history, not only of this world, but of the whole universe. It is important to
know that Ramayana and Mahabharata are real histories that took place and were carefully recorded.
And the Bhagavad-gita, which forms a part of Mahabharata, also is a historical event that took place at
Jyotisar, Kurukshetra, which is worshiped by millions even today.
(3)Do not miss the_goal of the Bhaga-vad-gita
In modern times, people form Gita societies hold meetings, but they keep a lamp instead of Krishna's
picture. Shri Krishna spoke the Bhagavad-gita. How can there be no Krishna in a Gita society meeting?
Even in ordinary affairs, if there is some political meeting, one keeps Gandhi's photo, Nehru's photo,
because they are political leaders.
Lord Shri Krishna is the Central point, Subject and Goal of Gita. Therefore Bhagavadgita cannot be
understood without reference to Lord Krishna.
The goal of the Bhagavad-gita is given in the Bhagavad-gita itself [BG 18.66). There Lord Shri Krishna is
ordering Arjuna to surrender to Him alone completely by surpassing all other lower platforms of good
work and religious formularies. The Lord promises Arjuna that He will vanquish all his sinful reactions
and deliver him from this world of birth and death. If someone does not come to this conclusion and
goal after reading Bhagavad-gita, they have missed the essential point. If someone puts Krishna aside
considering Him to be an ordinary person and thinks that the goal of Bhagavad-gita is to do social
service, to become patriot of our nation, to become a good person who does not harm others, to become
a Sanskrit scholar, etc., he is unfortunate. He is like that foolish man who, after hearing the whole
Ramayana asked the speaker, "Sir, how is Sita to Rama?"
(4)Who is Krishna?
Krishna is not simply a mystic yogi, a learned man, a powerful man, a great politician, a powerful
diplomat, and an: ordinary cowherd boy, a living being blessed with great powers due to past karma, etc.
Lord Krishna is not an ordinary man or even an extraordinary man. He is the Supreme Personality of
Godhead Himself. All great like Shankaracarya, Ramanujacarya, Madhvacarya, Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu and all great sages like Narada, Devala, Asita have accepted Shri Krishna as the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. The Lord declares this in Bhagavad-gita, Arjuna proclaims it, and the Lord's
pastimes such as Vishvarupa darshan and showing the universe in His mouth prove His supremacy. One
should at least theoretically accept Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead to understand
Bhagavad-gi ta.
One cannot take up the reading of Bhagavad-gita like one would read a comic novel or a read-and-throw
quick 'tips' book. The Bhagavad-gita is considered very valuable, read and appreciated universally
because it is spoken by Lord Krishna, because He is God Himself. Bhagavad-gita is the song of God,
containing valuable lessons, spoken by the Lord for the benefit of every human being to attain the
ultimate salvation.
(5)Relevance of the Bhagavad-gita Today
Relative knowledge (like that of Science-- Physics or Chemistry) can become out-dated or modified with
the passage of time. Scientists are struggling with their imperfect senses to defeat an imperfect relative
truth and to introduce another better imperfect relative truth. But Bhagavad-gita is not like that.
Bhagavad-gita carries the Absolute Knowledge, spoken by the Absolute Person, Shri Krishna, the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, who has perfect senses. He gave the same knowledge a hundred and
twenty million years ago to Vivasvan as He mentions it in Bhagavad-gita ( 4.1). Today the same message
is available without any change. So the knowledge of Bhagavad-gita is Raja Vidya, the King of all
knowledge. It is beyond time, place and circumstance.
Despite the advancement of science and technology, there has been no change in man's taking birth,
aging, getting diseases and dying, as these problems can never be solved by any amount of scientific or
technological advancement. The amount of pain and pleasure that one has to experience is aecided at
the time of birth according to one's karma, and no one can escape from it without surrendering to the
Lord. All modern electronic gadgets like mobiles, computers, TV, etc., have apparently brought great
comfort to our bodies and senses, but we have not escaped the pains at all. The pains have now taken
the shape of stress, tension, depression, inferiority complex, cutthroat competition for survival, mental
diseases, etc., that are far more painful. Bhagavad-gita has solution to all these and is most relevant in the
modern era. This is the reason why more than Indians, Americans, Europeans and people from all over
the world are able to appreciate the process of Krishna consciousness. People have taken to Krishna
consciousness and felt not only relief from sufferings, but have found great purpose to life and
completeness in their aspiration for great achievements in life. Bhagavad-gita can elevate one beyond the
material platform of caste, creed, color, nationality, language, age bar, educational time,
place, circumstance, etc., and help one get in touch with Shri Krishna and His divine instructions that
can benefit the soul eternally.
(6) Is it Scientific to accept the knowledge of the Bhagavad-gita?
Bhagavad-gita is a Science. True religion is a Science. The knowledge given in Bhagavad-gita is
understandable, applicable, experiencable and practically verifiable. This is confirmed by Lord
Krishna-'Pratyaksavagamam dharmyam' [B.G.9.2] -Any religion without philosophical basis is
sentimentalism; any philosophy without religion is mere mental speculation. Bhagavad-gita is a scientific
presentation of philosophy and true religion.
world-renowned personalities like Einstein, Thoreau, Gandhi have expressed their deep appreciation for
Bhagavad-gita. Gandhi says, "vVhen doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare me in the face, and I
see not one ray of hope on the horizon, I turn to Bhagavad-gita and find a verse to comfort me; and I
immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming sorrow. Those who meditate on the Gita will
derive fresh joy and new meanings from it every day."
* * * * *
Quiz: 1- SPIRIT OF BHAGAVAD GITA
Answer the following questions within TvVO or THREE sentences: (10 x 2 = 20 marks)
1. Explain the analogy of milkman, cow, calf from Gita Mahatmya.
2. According to Gita Mahatmya, state the ONE scripture, God, Mantra and vVork?
3. What are the right and wrong spirits in taking up Bhagavad-gita study?
4. Why did Lord Chaitanya glorify the brahmana to have achieved all perfection despite his reading
Bhagavad-gita mistakenly and pronouncing not so clearly?
5. vVhat was Duryodhana's miscalculation?
6. What were the choices of Duryodhana and Arjuna? What was their intent?
7. Who has missed the goal of Bhagavad-gita and is unfortunate despite reading Bhagavad-gita?
8. Is Bhagavad-gita real or symbolic? What about the speculative commentaries on Bhagavad-gita?
9. How did Indians come to think the Vedas and Puranas to be mythological?
10. Give an example to show that Bhagavad-gita cannot be truly tasted by one who lacks the spirit of
devotion in approaching Bhagavad-gita.
11. vVhat are the different misinterpretations of the Bhagavad-gita found in society? How
will you r e f u t ~ them?
12. Why should we accept Krishna as the Supreme?
13. One of your friends is ridiculing that the Bhagavad-gita is meant only for old people
and not relevant today, that too for young educated men like him. What would you
tell him briefly?
14. Ramayana and Mahabharata are considered to be mythological by many educated
Indians. What was the reason that has brought India to this plight?
Bhagavad-gita As It Is Quiz: The Spirit of the Bhagavad-gita
Answer the following questions i ~ ONE or TWO sentences in a separate sheet: (1 x 25 =
25 marks)
Syllabus for the following Quiz: Bhagavad-gita As It ls 4.2-4, 9.1, 10.10
1. For whom is the Bhagavad-gita never meant? (4.2)
2. Eor whom is the Bhagavad-gita meant? ( 4.2)
3. On what basis can we say that the purpose of Gita appears to be lost? ( 4.2)
4. Why do mundane scholars take to the writing of interpretations of Bhagavad-gita? ( 4.2)
5. What is the nature of demons? Which spirit is demonic? (4.2)
6. What is a great boon to humanity? (4.2)
7. What is simply a waste of time? (4.2)
8. 'vVhy did the Lord choose Arjuna as a recipient of the Bhagavad-gita? ( 4.3)
9. Who is addressed as 'demon' in this purport? (4.3)
10. What is the"'warning' given about the 'misleading paths' ? ( 4.3)
11. If Arjuna is_ a devotee of the Lord, then why does he doubt that the Lord could have given the
knowledge of Bhagavad-gita to Vivasvan long before? ( 4. 4)
12. How do demons depict Krishna? (4.4)
13. Why should one know about the science of Krishna? (4.4)
14. When Krishna Himself speaks about Himself, what happens: a) to the world, b) to devotees, c) to
demons? (4.4)
15. How does one understand the science of Krishna in the association of devotees? (9.1)
16. Which chapters of Bhagavad-gita describe confidential, more confidential, most confidential
knowledge? What do they describe? (9.1)
17. What is the meaning of the word 'jnanam' in this verse? (9.1)
18. How can our heart be cleansed of all material contaminations? What happens when the heart is
cleared of material contaminations? (9.1)
19. Why are the commentaries by erudite scholars useless? (9.1)
20. In some commentaries Krishna's character is questioned. How should we see it? (9.1)
21. For whom are the middle six chapters of Bhagavad-gita beneficial? (9.1)
22. How is devotional service different in the mature stage from the preliminary stage?
(10.10)
23. 'People don't know this'. What do they not know? What is the remedy? (10.10)
24. 'vVhat happens to a person who has a bona fide spiritual master, but is not intelligent
enough to make progress? (10.10)
25. What is the only qualification needed on the part of a devotee? (10.10)