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Religious Literature Section ---- > Bhagavadgita
Bhagavadgita Summary:
The Bhagavadgita was intended as teachings told for the welfare of humanity by Krishna. It is through the discussions with Arjuna that this is made available. It was written in form of a dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna. Krishna who is referred to as the divine one represents the a manifestation of God and that God that exists in all beings as the innermost Self. According to this writing in every heart Krishna is hidden, and only when the mind is quieted of desires, pleasures, etc… can we hear the very voice of God.
The Bhagavadgita states that there are many paths to God (four different Yogas) and that there is only one God. The overall message presented is that, there is a fundamental distinction between the temporary material body and the eternal spirit soul. This is further explained by the process of reincarnation (or transmigration,) the nature of selfless service to the Supreme and the characteristics of a self-realized person. Everyone must engage in some sort of activity in this material world. But actions can either bind one to this world or liberate one from it. By acting for the pleasure of the Supreme, without selfish motives, one can be liberated from the law of karma (action and reaction) and attain transcendental knowledge of the self and the Supreme. It also states that by remembering Krishna in devotion throughout one's life, and especially at the time of death, one can attain to His supreme state, beyond the material world. Krishna grants Arjuna a divine vision and reveals his spectacular unlimited form, thus conveying his divinity. Krishna explains that humanlike form is the original form of Godhead and one can perceive this form only by pure devotional service.
Bhagavadgita – Chapter 1:
The story starts with a conflict that has existed between Pandavas (the righteous) and the Kaurava (non-righteous - due to injustices done to the Pandavas.) Brave warrior Arjuna with Krishna as his charioteer are standing between the two armies ready to start the battle. King Dhritarashtra, father of Kauravas was blind and unable to witness the actual war. Therefore the messenger Sanjaya provides the King with what is transpiring. The King asks Sanjaya, what did they do? Sanjay describes the situation. Two armies arrayed opposite each other. Sanjaya then goes on to explain the names of those on both armies. Duryodhana, boasting of his superiority in numbers over his enemy, predicts easy defeat.
Arjuna is well aware that he has come to kill and defeat his cousins, friends and relatives to win his legitimate right to half the kingdom. However Arjuna, finds himself suddenly overwhelmed with the feeling of depression, grief and fear over having to fight them. He was contemplating that it may be wiser to escape rather than kill his own family and close friends. Filled with this anxiety he pleads to escape from the consequences of this war. His emotions of love for near ones, his concepts of duty appear to be confusing. Unable to determine the correct approach he lays down his arms to retire.
In reading this story I could sympathize with Arjuna, thinking that he was justified. With these thoughts upon him, Arjuna tries to justify his thoughts of pity and kindness for his relatives. He paints the picture of the horrific effects that the war will bring. He contemplates escaping the war and turning toward a life like that of a Monk, who gives up material things to pursue spiritual matters. Arjuna appeals to Krishna telling him that he does not want to kill his relatives, even though they are morally wrong and ready to kill him. Arjuna is thinking that isn’t just as bad for him to kill them. It would be better for him to be killed weaponless by his opponents then to battle them. Arjuna then casts aside his weapon and sat down in his chariot.
Bhagavadgita – Chapter 2:
Instead of sympathizing with Arjuna, Krishna asks how this delusion has come over him. Do not be weak, it is not worthy of you. Cast off your weakness of heart and face your enemies. Arjuna asks, how can I fight family, friends, and teachers. It is better to live poor without slaying them, then it is to kill them in a form of wealth and sense-enjoyment. What is better, for them to kill us or us to kill them? Arjuna is confused and puzzled with regard to duty, he asks Krishna what is best for him to do. Arjuna decides to not fight.
Krishna then tell Arjuna that he is grieving over those who should not be grieved for, because no one can be killed, for everyone is immortal souls and not the body. There was never a time when I was not or when you were not, nor is it a fact that hereafter, we shall cease to be. You shall never die, you are immortal. What Krishna is saying is that the body and not the self (or Atman – the true nature which is eternal and imperishable), is the reality of body. So how can it be annihilated, destroyed or killed. It is not affected by the changes in the body and mind. Krishna further explains that contact between the senses and their sense objects (which give rise to feelings – hot/cold, pain/pleasure) are transitory and fleeting, there for ignore them. To wise men, pain and pleasure are alike, the one who is not tormented by such contacts becomes eligible for immortality. Mortal body has not real existence. The Real inside is the “Atman,” which never ceases to be. The reality of this is perceived by wise men. “Atman” is imperishable and it pervades the whole universe. It cannot be destroyed, nor can anyone be destroyed by it. Krishna tells Arjuna, to know that he is “Atman.”
Because of their non-righteous actions, whether Arjuna attacked them or not, the weakened Kauravas were sure of doom and destruction. Krishna explains that you can not kill anyone, nor can you save anyone. So do not grieve, know your true nature as Atman, follow you duty to fight the war. If Arjuna deviates from this duty, he would lose his reputation and invite undying infamy on himself.
Krishna then introduces the concept of Karma Yoga to prove this point. He tells Arjuna that the attitude of mind thus far has been presented to you from the point of Jnana Yoga; now hear the same as presented from the point of Karma Yoga (Yoga of selfless action.) Equipped with attitude of mind you will be able to shake off completely the shackles of karma.
Arjuna was confused about the true nature of duty, karma and action. Krishna tells him about the nature of karma and its affects, utility and limitations. Krishna emphasizes the fact that whether one follows path of knowledge or path of selfless action, the end result is the same, to gain true knowledge of self or “Atman.” Arjuna, your right is to work only, but never to the fruit thereof. Let not the fruit of action be your object, nor let your attachment lead to inaction. Perform your duties dwelling in Yoga, relinquishing attachment and indifferent to success and failure.
Arjuna now puts a very relevant question to Krishna. What is the mark of a God-realized soul, stable of mind and established in perfect tranquility of mind? How does such a person speak, sit, and walk. Krishna states that when one thoroughly abandons all cravings of the mind and is satisfied in the self through the joy of Self, then that person is called stable of mind. One who is free from passion, fear, and anger, such a person is called stable of mind. One whose mind does not react to good or evil, one who is unattached to the outcome is said to have stable mind. Man of stable mind withdraws his senses from the sense objects. However this not yet the supreme state, because taste or desire for the senses might persist still in his mind. This desire to relish mentally mist disappear and this occurs only when one experiences the supreme Atman. To only break oneself from external sense craving is not enough; one must control the mind to eras all the desires of sense pleasure as well. Sense are very powerful, they forcibly carry away the mind of even a wise man practicing self-control Therefore, by controlling these senses one should sit for meditation devoting his whole mind and heard complete to the highest Truth.
Bhagavadgita – Chapter 3:
Arjuna has an interesting question. Between the path of knowledge and the path of selfless action, which is the better of the two. It seems that Krishna is suggesting that Arjuna follow the path of knowledge. Therefore if you consider knowledge as superior to actions, why then does Krishna urge him to engage in a dreadful action. Krishna says, “Man does not attain freedom from action without entering upon action, nor does he reach perfection merely by renunciation of action.” Just by outward restraint of senses or giving up sense activities the man just deludes his intellect and becomes a hypocrite. One who engages in selfless action, actually gets clarity and concentration of mind that is known as purification of mind. This purified mind clears the reason and allows one to intuitively realize higher truth.
Therefore, Krishna tells Arjuna to perform his allotted duty; for action is superior to inaction. Only those karmas bound the man in their shackle as are performed with the desire to gain something out of them. When one performs sacrifice dedicating all the fruits and results to the Lord, he becomes free from attachment and. Perform the allotted duty most efficiently and only in the spirit of sacrifice. It is expected of every person to give something he as to others. He should not enjoy without offering some part of his wealth to God as an act of sacrifice. Every person is bound by individual and collective obligations, or duties. He cannot avoid them without harming himself and the society. Arjuna, he who takes delight in the Self alone and is gratified with the Self, and is contented in the Self that person has not duty. No use whatsoever for things done, nor thing nit done; nor has he selfish dependence on any kind on any creature. Doing work without attachment leads to Supreme Goal. Having an eye to maintenance of work order, one should take to action. Whatsoever a great man does that very thing other men also do, whatever standard he sets up the rest of them follow.
Krishna advises Arjuna to dedicate all his action to God with mind fixed on God. All being follow their nature. Just restraining the sense is not enough. It is necessary to follow our own nature and duty. Insatiable desires is the great enemy of man. He tells Arjuna, to first control the sense and kill this wicked desire. The order of control should be senses, mind, and then intellect, thereby making way to transcend them to reach the Highest Self. The essence of Karma Yoga is the creation of this ability through non-attachment of overcoming desires.
Bhagavadgita – Chapter 8:
Arjuna asks Krishna to tell him what Brahman, “adhyatma”, “karma,” “adhibhuta”, “adhidaiva” and adhyajna” are. Also he wants to know how at the time of death a person of steadfast mind is to realize Highest Truth. Krishna explains that the Supreme indestructible or imperishable Principle of Consciousness is Brahman. Individual self is called “adhyatma.” Conditions and compulsion which bring forth the existence of beings is called Karma. The name and form, which are sure to perish, are called “adhibhuta”, while what remains after name and form are removed is Brahman known as “adhidaiva” in those manifest forms. The lord Himself dwells as “adhiyajna” in every heart as the inner witness.
Krishna says that a simple solution to realize God is, “he who departs from the body, thinking of God alone, even at the time of death, attains Gods state; there is no doubt about it.” One tends to think only those thoughts in which one’s life is immersed. Thinking of whatever object one leaves the body at the times of death, that and that alone he attains being over-absorbed in its thought. Therefore Arjuna, think of God at all times and fight. With mind and reason those surrender to him, you will doubtlessly come to him. This is achieved by practice of Yoga, meditation and contemplation. Virtues should be inculcated in our character to seek realization of higher Self, the Supreme Truth. All those who do not reach the final Destiny of knowing God, will have to come back to earth again and again to attain Final Liberation.
Bhagavadgita – Chapter 11:
Arjuna desires to see the Krishna (God) in his universal glory. Krishna reveals himself in a glorious awe-inspiring universal form. Sanjaya was also blessed to view scenes on the battleground so as to explain it to Dhritarashtra, also saw the universal form. Krishna tells Arjuna, have no fear. I have taken this form to annihilate the non-righteous. Look I have already killed your enemies, you just have to become my instrument/medium for what is already determined and accomplished. Now be ready for war, if you die in your duty heaven will be your abode, and if you win the whole earth will be your Kingdom.
Therefore one should carry out one’s duty with humility and perfection. He who works for God’s sake, depends on God, is devoted to God, has not attachment, and is free from malice towards all beings, will reach God.