The great teacher, SHREE KRISHNA tries to correct his friend and disciple ARJUNA who goes into depression right at the beginning of the Mahabharatha war.
Here, Arjuna represents all of us- ordinary people who are sincere to know the truth.
B.Gita is the essence of all our Upanishads as is considered as one of the three great works of Sanatana dharma- the Prasthana traya. The other two are - Brahmasootras and the Upanishads.
In the first chapter, Arjuna gets into despondency and describes the horrendous fallout of the war.
Krishna admonishes him (in the second chapter) and starts a long philosophical discourse. Since the soul is immortal, there should not be grievance over death and destruction. When a work is done as duty without detachment, it leads to perfection. A perfect man becomes equanimous under the vicissitudes of life.In the third chapter, Krishna clears the doubts about Jnana and karma and says that the path of karma is easier. He advises to perform duties without selfish motives.
Again,in the fourth chapter, he extols the greatness of jnaana or spiritualwisdom while saying that He is God himself and has come down to savedharma.Clearing thedoubt as to whether renunciation of action (karma sanyasa) or yoga ofaction (karmayoga) is better, he says that karmayoga is better andadvises to maintain
equanimity while doing karma (in the fifth chapter). The process of dhyana (Meditation) is described in the sixth. A graphical description of the methods to control the mind is depicted.In the seventh,Krishna says that He has created the Universe drawing from Prakrithiand only if one surrenders to Him can transcend His power of delusion(Maya) . Then he describes how a person who remembers Him at the time of death attains Him. The paths taken by the jeevas after death € '¶ the paths of light and smoke- are explained (in the eighth).If a person can worship Him with devotion, He accepts them and blesses. His devotees will never perish (ninth). The tenth chapter is devoted to the delineation of divine manifestations. In the eleventh, He reveals His vishvaroopa and Arjuna offers prayers. This celestial form
can be seen by those who have intense devotion.Contemplat ion on the Unmanifest form (avyakta) is difficult and so, He advises to cultivate devotion to Him. The characteristics of a bhakta (ideal devotee) are explained in the twelfth chapter.The thirteenth describes the body (kshetra) and the Self (Kshetrajna)
. The concepts of Jnana, Jneya, prakrithi and Purusha (the Knowledge, Brahman, nature and the self) are introduced. Prakriti or Nature comprises of three gunas- the sattva, rajas and tamas. A detailed description of all the three is given in the fourteenth and also of the person who has transcended them.In the fifteenth, Samsara is described as an inverted tree with its roots above (in Brahman). By
taking refuge in Him, the tree can be cut and moksha attained. Description of transmigration of soul is also given. Krishna then goes on (in the sixteenth) to describe the the traits which make a person divine or a demon. He advises Arjuna (through him to us too) to avoid three gateways to hell- lust, anger and greed.The seventeenth describes Shraddha (faith), food, sacrifices (yajna), austerity (tapas) and gifts (daana). He gives the aphorism OM TAT SAT. The eighteenth is the longest chapter. It deals with several miscellaneous topics like renunciation, tyaga, karma, karta, jnaana etc. The division of the society into four varnas according to the nature and vocation is mentioned. He finally advises Arjuna to surrender himself to the Lord and promises him to free him from all sins. Arjuna finally vows to fight the righteous war before him.
Here, Arjuna represents all of us- ordinary people who are sincere to know the truth.
B.Gita is the essence of all our Upanishads as is considered as one of the three great works of Sanatana dharma- the Prasthana traya. The other two are - Brahmasootras and the Upanishads.
In the first chapter, Arjuna gets into despondency and describes the horrendous fallout of the war.
Krishna admonishes him (in the second chapter) and starts a long philosophical discourse. Since the soul is immortal, there should not be grievance over death and destruction. When a work is done as duty without detachment, it leads to perfection. A perfect man becomes equanimous under the vicissitudes of life.In the third chapter, Krishna clears the doubts about Jnana and karma and says that the path of karma is easier. He advises to perform duties without selfish motives.
Again,in the fourth chapter, he extols the greatness of jnaana or spiritualwisdom while saying that He is God himself and has come down to savedharma.Clearing thedoubt as to whether renunciation of action (karma sanyasa) or yoga ofaction (karmayoga) is better, he says that karmayoga is better andadvises to maintain
equanimity while doing karma (in the fifth chapter). The process of dhyana (Meditation) is described in the sixth. A graphical description of the methods to control the mind is depicted.In the seventh,Krishna says that He has created the Universe drawing from Prakrithiand only if one surrenders to Him can transcend His power of delusion(Maya) . Then he describes how a person who remembers Him at the time of death attains Him. The paths taken by the jeevas after death € '¶ the paths of light and smoke- are explained (in the eighth).If a person can worship Him with devotion, He accepts them and blesses. His devotees will never perish (ninth). The tenth chapter is devoted to the delineation of divine manifestations. In the eleventh, He reveals His vishvaroopa and Arjuna offers prayers. This celestial form
can be seen by those who have intense devotion.Contemplat ion on the Unmanifest form (avyakta) is difficult and so, He advises to cultivate devotion to Him. The characteristics of a bhakta (ideal devotee) are explained in the twelfth chapter.The thirteenth describes the body (kshetra) and the Self (Kshetrajna)
. The concepts of Jnana, Jneya, prakrithi and Purusha (the Knowledge, Brahman, nature and the self) are introduced. Prakriti or Nature comprises of three gunas- the sattva, rajas and tamas. A detailed description of all the three is given in the fourteenth and also of the person who has transcended them.In the fifteenth, Samsara is described as an inverted tree with its roots above (in Brahman). By
taking refuge in Him, the tree can be cut and moksha attained. Description of transmigration of soul is also given. Krishna then goes on (in the sixteenth) to describe the the traits which make a person divine or a demon. He advises Arjuna (through him to us too) to avoid three gateways to hell- lust, anger and greed.The seventeenth describes Shraddha (faith), food, sacrifices (yajna), austerity (tapas) and gifts (daana). He gives the aphorism OM TAT SAT. The eighteenth is the longest chapter. It deals with several miscellaneous topics like renunciation, tyaga, karma, karta, jnaana etc. The division of the society into four varnas according to the nature and vocation is mentioned. He finally advises Arjuna to surrender himself to the Lord and promises him to free him from all sins. Arjuna finally vows to fight the righteous war before him.
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