Relevance and Summary of Bhagavad Gita

Relevance and Summary of Bhagavad Gita

Dr. M.M. Goel

(Graduate School or International Area Studies,

Hankuk Univ. of Foreign Studies, Seoul)

(Prof. Deptt. Of Economics,Dean of Social Science,

Kurukshetra University Kuruksetra)

Bhagavad Gita (BG) is a ism neutral religion free treatise on management and welfare economics most relevant for the entire society of consumers, producers, distributors and traders in economics of today as a modern science with ethics. Economics without ethics is like eyes without sight.
Bhagwat Gita says that unlike animals and other species whose lives are driven solely by their instincts, it is only a human being who has the faculty of decision-making and is independent to make a choice of his actions.

BG as good as Vedas is a song divine (Upanishad), the science of Brahma and the scripture of yoga, the science of relationship at Dharmakshetra-Kurukshetra. BG consists of 18 chapters with 700 slokas. Lord Krishan spoke 574 slokas to deliver the sermon to Arjuna who spoke only 84 slokas. The commentator of thee BG Sanjaya spoke 41 slokas. There is only one sloka by Dhrstarastra (the father of Duryodhan). It is a mass communication of highest order better than today on Radio, TV, mobile and internet chatting and what not.

The sole objective in this humble attempt of the author is to reach the modern society (S = A – I) with the relevance (mahatmya) of BG chapter wise as under:

Ch. 1

The Yoga of Dejection of Arjuna is the title of this chapter consisting of 46 slokas. There is no slka spoken by Lord Krishna in Ch. 1. Sanjaya spoke 25 slokas followed by 20 slokas by Arjuna. It is a running commentary for which Dhrstarastra wanted to hear from Sanjaya by asking a question in sloka 1 of ch. 1, the only sloka he spoke in entire BG by calling Kurukshetra as Dharmakshetra (sacred soil) and not a battle field as narrated by many of us the so called commentators of BG in Mahabharata. I appeal to the readers to remember Kurukshetra as a place to be the first ever University (because of BG) on the planet and not as a battle field of Mahabharata.

 It does not behoove us to spoil our relations for just the sake of others who proved to be villains in our lives. To open the eyes of the minds blinded by greed, we have to understand the message of BG. We need to desist from foul deeds.

To purify completely, one needs to recite the holy name of Lord Krishan who is CMD (Creator, Maintainer and Destroyer) of y (our) organizations.

To cross over the ocean of material miseries (mm), we need to read First Ch. Of BG as Susharma become pure by the pious credit of the prostitute who was purified by the caged parrot in her house (home) by reciting Ch. 1 of BG.

Ch. 2

Sankhyayoga- the Yoga of Knowledge is the title of this chapter consisting of 72 slokas. Lord Krishan spoke 63 followed by Arjuna 06 and Sanjaya 03 slokas only. To drive away the grief, one need to get motivation from sloka no 37 of Ch 2. Death will get heaven, conquer you will enjoy sovereignty of the earth. Therefore stand up Arjuna (son of Kunti) to fight with determination, said Lord Krishan to Arjun.

To concentrate on one goal, one need to use intellect with determination. (BG 2.41)

To achieve anything Goals, Objectives and Destinations (GOD), one need to be motivated to read, chant and listen slokas of Ch 2.

Logo of Kurukshetra University- my Alma meter and karma Bhoomi “Yogestha Kuru karmani” (BG 2.48) appeals us to perform our duties with even minded attention (yoga) without attachments of no thrust and hunger.

Ch. 3

Karma yoga – the Yoga of Action is the title of this chapter consisting of 43 slokas. Lord Krishan spoke 40 followed by Arjuna 03. For sankhayogi sadhana proceeds along the path of knowledge and is equal to karamayogi whose sadhana proceeds along the path of action.

To get freedom from actions, one needs to act with wisdom. No one can remain in active even for a moment due to nature born qualities and tendencies (BG 3.5)

One need not be hypocrite-a deluded intellect. Outwardly restraining the organs of sense and action, sits mentally dwelling on the objects of senses (BG 3.6)

To excel, one needs to control senses of organ with willpower and remaining unattached. (Yoga of action).

We should do our duties with efficiency for the sake of sacrifice alone and prosper. It should be remembered that selfish dependence on any one is bad. (BG 3.14-15)

By reciting Ch. 3 of BG, we can free our relatives from bad sins for going to Vaikuntha. Let it be.

Being well wisher, I request you to believe in GOD, trust in GOD, worship GOD for all that you need in life. To reach perfection like ‘Janak’, one need to do actions without attachments for the maintenance of an order in life (BG 3.20). One’s own duty (devoid of merit) is better than another’s action well performed. Even death as one’s own duty brings blessedness. Another’s duty is fraught with fear (BG 3.35). True self is better to IQ which is superior to mind which is superior to senses and which is superior to body (BG 3.42). Knowledge is the best purifier.

Ch. 4

The Yoga of Action and Knowledge is the title of this chapter consisting of 42 slokas. Lord Krishan spoke 41 followed by Arjuna 01. Lord Krishan says in sloka no 7 of Ch 4 that Arjuna, when ever righteousness is on the decline; unrighteousness is in the ascendant, than I body myself forth.

The yoga of knowledge as well as the disciplines of actions needs to be understood in totality of knowledge. Ishvaku- the son of Manu- the son of Vivasvan sun god got the knowledge of Bhagavad Gita which is immortal yoga from ME. (BG 4.1)

To reduce your weight of desires for enjoying the material World, one need to read, chant and understand the slokas of Ch 4 of BG.

Ch. 5

The Yoga of Action and Knowledge is the title of this chapter consisting of 29 slokas. Lord Krishan spke 28 followed by Arjuna 01.

We need to believe that GOD is the selfless friend of all beings. Karma Yoga (Simple) = knowledge (little difficult).

To be free from bondage, one senses to perform of any action with offering of fruit to GOD.

Ch. 6

The Yoga of Self Control is the title of this chapter and consists of 47 slokas. Lord Krishan spoke 42 followed by Arjuna 05.

Doing duty without the fruits is an action of Sankhayogi as well as Karamayogi.

One should make own efforts to lift oneself. One own-self is the friend as well as enemy.

Self control (Sanyam) is the yoga and the best mantra of peace and progress in life. (BG 6.5)

The best yoga is to concentrate on Lord Krishan. Be submissive to be liked by others.

Ch. 7

The Yoga and Knowledge of Nirgun Brahma and Knowledge of Manifest Divinity is the title of this chapter and consists of 30 slokas. Lord Krishan spokes 30. OM is Lord Krishan (BG 7.8)

Applied knowledge of Lord Krishan is power. To fill our ears with divine nectar, we need to understand and recite slokas from Ch 7 of BG.

Ch. 8

The Yoga of Indestructible Brahma is the title of this chapter and consists of 28 slokas. Lord Krishan spoke 26 followed by Arjuna 02.

To have joy and happiness in life, we need to chant the half of the sloka no 01 ‘kim tad brahma Kim adhyatam, kim  Karma pursottama’ (Oh my Lord, What is Brahma, What is the self. What are the fruitive activities?).

To know the reality of time read sloka (BG 8.17). World is mortal can be understood from sloka 8.21.

Ch. 9

The Yoga of Sovereign Science and the Sovereign Secret is the title of this chapter consisting of 34 slokas. Lord Krishan spoke all the 34. To be free from the evils of worldly existence birth & death, think of Lord Krishan, worship HIM in disinterested spirit. HE provides full security and personally attend to the need of the devotees.

The sloka no 22 of Ch 9 is the heart as well as soul of BG and is most relevant for the present materialistic world suffering from the maladies of all kinds including the so called Global Economic Crisis. It is capable of releasing one from all fearful situations – a kind of insurance for everything needed in life. Kurukshetra is a place which is capable of giving liberation.

Ch. 10

Yoga of Divine Glories is the title of this chapter and consists of 42 slokas. Lord Krishan spoke 35 followed by Arjuna 07.

Supreme words are loving for the welfare-prime cause of everything is GOD who is supreme among everything but everything is not GOD. November – Magsirsa is the month of GOD. Spring season is season of GOD. BG in general and Ch. 10 in particular is the gateway-stairway to the spiritual world which purifies from all the sins one might save committed. To attain the Darshan of Lord Vishnu, one who chants Ch 10 of BG is insured for it.

Ch. 11

Yoga of the Vision of the Unverrsal from is the title  of this chapter and consists of 55 slokes. Lord Krishan  spoke 14, Arjuna 33 and 08 slokes are spoken by Sanjaya.

The glories of Ch 11 of BG are infinite. To remember of the universal form of GOD, one needs to chant slokes from CH 11 of BG. Which are also required for gaining caompletw contro over senses. To attain the abode of Lord Vishnu and break the tight knot whicb  is binding us to the wheel of birth and death. We need to hear and recite the discourse of Ch 11 of Bg which is also of destroying all sinful reactions.

Ch. 12

The Yoga of Devotion is the title of this chapter and consists of 20 slokes. Lord Krishan spoke 19, Arjuna spoke only 01. Faith and turst is the  name of the game in relationship management. We should not become a source of annoyance to any one. Be merciful. Be kind. To get back the lost image in the eyes of others, hear and chant slokas from Ch 12 of Bg. It is also capable of fructifying and fulfilling desires for others.

Ch. 13

The Yoga of discrimination between field and its knower is the title of this chapter and consists of 35 slokas. Lord Krishan spoke 34, Arjuna spoke only 01.

To prevent every thing  in the world. One need to use the eyes of wisdom flowing from the message of Bg in Ch 13 which is the science of Brahma. The five objects senses (Smell, sound, cloour, touch and Taste) with ten organs of perception and action needs to be done with wisdom.

To be happy, one should listen the recitation of Ch 13 of BG from a devotee which will free from the reactions of the past sinful activities.

Ch. 14

The Yoga of division of Three gunas is the title of this chapter and consists of 27 slokas. Lord Krishan spoke 26 Arjuna spoke only 01.

To be liberate and stain highest perfection and to lift above the three Gunas Satvaik, rajsik and tamisk, one should sit like a witness and hear and caht slokas from Ch 14 of BG with exclusive devotion. We need to enage ourselves eternally in the service of the lotus feet of of Lord Vishnu for establishing an identity with HIM

Ch. 15

The Yoga of the Supreme person is the tile of this chapter and consists of 20 slokas. Lord Krishan spoke all the 20.

To know the purpose of Veda, we need to understand, analyze and interpret the tree ‘Pipala’ which is imperishable.

To seek supreme state diligently. One should mediate and dwell of GOD. To be endowed with the eyes of wisdom, one need to realize the existence of GOD every where all the time.

To become wise for achieving the mission in life , we should understand the teaching imparted  by Himself in BG 15.20.

Lord Krishan is the father of Vedanta and the knower of Vedas.

HE has sung Upanishad in the form of BG. Soul in imperishable where as this body of a human being is perishable. We need to read, recite and listen again and again Ch 15 of BG.

Ch. 16

The Yoga of Division between the Divine and the Demonical Properties is the title of this chapter and consists of 24 slokas. Lord Krishan spoke all the 24.

We need to abstain from malicious gossip, frivolous pursuits of lust rather good conduct with purity.

Nonviolence in thought, Looks, Actions and words (LAW) and deeds, truthfulness, absence of anger and compassion can be learnt by reading and chanting of Ch. 16 of BG (16.2).

Gypocrisy impurity, pride and arrogance are the features of demonic disposition (BG 16.10).

Understand the highest limit of joy in doing any activity which can be considered appropriate. (BG 16.11).

Adopt sacred rituals in our life is the message of BG.

To perform only actions as are ordained by the scriptures, we need to get guidance from Ch 16 of BG.

To attain amazing powers and peacefulness, one need to recite and listen some slokas from Ch 16 of BG.

Ch.17

The Yoga of the Division of the Threefold Faith is the title of this chapter and consists of 28 slokas. Lord Krishan spoke 27, Arjuna spoke only 01.

The yoga of threefold faith promoting health (Longevity, Intelligence and Cheerfulness) LIC, happiness, we need to eat vegetarian food (satvik nature) which are juicy, succulent and substantial (Bg 17.8).

To learn the art of relationship management, we need to hear and recite sloka no 15 of Ch 17 in BG. Never use strong words (harsh).

Can you please me with your beautiful poetry.

OM (TYruth), TAT (Consciousness of GOD) and SAT (Bilss) are the triple appellation of Brahma (BG17.23).

OM is recited to begin any act of CAS- Charity, Austerity and sacrifice by noble persons even reciting Vedic mantras. (BG 17.24).

To see liberation from birth and death, on esjhould not expect returns from CAS. (BG 17.25).

CAS- an action for the sake of Krishan (GOD) is termed as SAT (sense of praise worthiness) (BG 17.27).

We need to understand the nectarine glories of Ch 17 of BG for attaining the lotus feet of Lord Krishan.

Ch. 18

The Yoga of Liberation through the path of Knowledge and Self Surrender is the title of this chapter and consists of 78 slokas. Lord Krishan spoke 71, Arjuna 02 and 05 slokas are spoken by Sanjaya.

Looks (body), Actions (with mind) and Words (Speech) is a LAW and is a function of five factors- body & the doer, organs, different function  and daiva (destiny). (BG 18.14).

Actins Is motivated by three-knower, knowledge and the object of knowledge (BG 18.18).

By reciting five slokas from Ch 18, one can attain the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu and Vaikuntha.