Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita

Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita Review of “Knowledge of Self”

Acknowledgements • These notes are based on PurnaVidhya, Vedic Heritage Teaching Programme. • This material covers pages 34-43 of “Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita” Part 12, written by: SwaminiPramanandaSaraswati and Sri DhiraChatanya. • Some material based on commentaries posted at: http://www.bhagavad-gita.org • Slides prepared by: V. “Juggy” Jagannathan.

Sri Bhagavan said words of wisdom, and Those who should not be grieved for grieve you you speak

Those from whom breath has left (dead) And, those from whom breath has not left (alive) do not grieve wise

Verse 11 Discussion What is deserving of grief? The wise do not grieve Source of sorrow Pragmatic view Bhishma and Drona have no compunction in fighting Arjuna – they know their duty - svadharma Arjuna appears to be wise in his comments.

nor you (was time that you did not exist) nor these kings. There was never a time that I did not exist.

all of us hereafter (future) and, not true, shall not exist

Verse 12 Discussion The use of double-negatives Atma  Soul Atma is everlasting – belief in re-incarnation of soul with different bodies

Just as for an individual, there is in this body Childhood, youth, and old age

The wise person does not come to grief. So also, the gaining of another body

O – son of Kunti, Arjuna. The sense organs contacts with the sensory world, indeed Sita-usna-sukha-duhka-dah give rise to cold and heat , pleasure and pain

anithyah - not constant Endure them, O descendant of Bharatha . coming and going

Verse 14 discussion Krishna addresses Arjuna as both son of Kunti and descendant of Bharatha. He is saying, you have a great lineage on both your fathers’ side and mothers’ side – and Arjuna’s actions does not reflect well on that lineage. Krishna basically is saying don’t be fooled by sensory perceptions which are transitory. Endure them (titiksasva).

Verse 14 discussion – Life Lessons Equanimity in facing all situations – pleasant and unpleasant. Means controlling emotions and not give into excessive joy or grief or anger. All situations are transitory. Don’t worry about situations that you don’t control. Does not mean you should not do your duty. Does not mean you should not try to rectify an unpleasant situation or enjoy a pleasant situation – just be cognizant that they are temporary.

Arjuna – bull among men – prominent among men ete - these two (sukha and dukkha) do not affect To whom indeed person

One who is discriminating The same in pleasure and in pain He, for gaining liberation (moksa), is fit.

Verse 15 discussion Krishna is saying to Arjuna, a wise person does not get affected by happiness or sorrow. Such persons are fit to reach heaven. * Pura – in purusa (person) implies full of noble qualities. Being un-affected by life events and sensory perceptions is a noble quality. * Notes based on: http://www.bhagavad-gita.org/Gita/verse-02-15.html

Verse 15 discussion – Life Lessons Prescription: Equanimity in facing all situations – pleasant and unpleasant. Means controlling emotions and not give into excessive joy or grief or anger. Results in afterlife: Fit to reach heaven. Results in this life – pragmatic and practical A life devoid of stress and all the attendant problems.

Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita