The Bhagavad-gita is considered by many sages and scholars
to be the essence of all Vedic knowledge. It was spoken five thousand years ago
by Lord Krishna to the warrior, prince Arjuna.
This discourse is one of the most
profound philosophical literatures in the canon of the world’s religious texts.
It takes place right before a monumental
battle. The whole story is very dramatic
and is contained in the epic Mahabharata,
the classic of ancient India. The Mahabharata is eight times longer than
the Iliad and Odyssey combined. It tells
about the rulers of those times and, in doing so, describes the qualities of
genuine leadership and the importance of understanding Dharma.
Krishna had appeared
on the earth at the request of
Bhumi – Mother Earth – as well as the demi-gods, in order to save the earth from the demoniac
kings who sought to plunder this world.
Krishna had originality taught the principles of Dharma to the sun-god
Vivasvan, millions upon millions of years earlier. Now he had descended to the earth to re-establish
those principles in the midst of turmoil.
Bhagavad gita means “The Song of God.” Therein, Krishna describes to Arjuna the various paths of yoga, and also the very
goal of yoga. He describes karma yoga, jnana yoga, astanga yoga, and bhakti
yoga. He describes the three modes of material nature (goodness, passion,
ignorance) and their effect upon the living entities. He describes the divine
and demoniac natures. Krishna describes the process of renunciation and transcendence.
In the Gita, Krishna reveals that He is none other than the Supreme Godhead
Himself.
In one sense Arjuna is the proverbial everyman. Krishna is offering this teaching to him as
well as to all of us. But why does Krishna
specifically offer the teaching to Arjuna?
Because Arjuna is “not envious” and “seeks to be a friend to all living
beings.” In our lives, we also have to
strive for this. In that way, we can turn jnana (knowledge) into vijnana (realized knowledge).
In the end, Krishna tells
Arjuna – “I have given you this confidential knowledge, now reflect on
it, and do what you think is best.” Krishna goes on to expllain that anyone who studies
and reflects upon this sacred text of Bhagavad Gita worships God by the use of their
intelligence.
Sankirtana Das (ACBSP) is a sacred storyteller, workshop
leader and author of the award-winning Mahabharata: The Eternal Quest. See - www.Mahabharata-project.com
