Introduction - The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita Explained by Paramhansa Yogananda

[TronaldDump420]

I read Bhagavad Gita as you start reading it feels like a War Story of a great General uplifting his solider. There are a lot of good metaphors to be gained from it but it is not the deepest and does not offer a complete understanding of Mankind internally. the Nag Hammadi offers a more to me but in combination they are more effective, the greatest values/teachings from each of the ancient beliefs may prove most effective. Still this is a good video

[jasmitsingh1993]

This is not Paramhansa Yogananda narrating video...

[SirSmokeALot667]

The GITA tells the truth BUT not the absolute truth.

If you read it carefully you will understand that there is NO GUILT, because all souls in every dimension of matter are in MAYA and controlled by the three gunas.

There is NO GUILT, because the souls do not act. The gunas make them to.

Reincarnation (guilt) is MAYA.

This is the problem of the krishna community.

They are stuck in a "guilt-dogma" which is part of the illusion.

Read, think for yourself and become really free!

Namaste :)

[Suds27786]

@SirSmokeALot667 thanx for your enlightment..... namaste frm india

[hyperloke]

Incredible talk! I love it so much

[NinetiesYouth]

I don't believe one can find peace unless sexual lust is satisfied daily. It is the strongest of desires.

[truthseeker010101]

@NinetiesYouth you can shed that desire. If I can shed it then any man can. anyman!

[NinetiesYouth]

@truthseeker010101 maybe some day, cause I'm never gonna have a woman for it...

[mikkeljs]

@NinetiesYouth I thought EXACTLY the same thing. Untill I discovered that it wasnt that kind of "peace" peace, I had to find. More likely a "fucking hell peace", its not emotionally pleasant, but entirely perceptional, which ultimately is nothing but words, associations and reaction patterns...

[NinetiesYouth]

@mikkeljs I didn't understand that

[mikkeljs]

@NinetiesYouth What I mean is, that giving up sexuality will always feel like getting a castration every day. One can learn to "appreciate" the feeling of castration over time, but it will still feel the same.

[TAMYCRON]

@stonedrenched

Cool, thank you.

[stephgadda]

i come to religion and eastern ideas, to find peece, or seek peace. not war. so i think you are mistaken...it seems you are looking for war, not peace...in meditation in prayer i seek peace...not war...you have let me down...

i can find battle, and war, and so on , anywhere...

?...

[AnandaWorldwide]

@stephgadda The Bhagavad Gita is about the inner war we all fight to overcome our lower qualities. Only then will we have the lasting inner peace of God consciousness. Please, watch this video again. In no way shape of form is Swami Kriyananda advocating war in any of these videos.

[griesgramius]

What would you suggest inspite of letting them "shoot me first" as Ghandi said? Because i wouldnt want to be shot and then have the whole village shot, either, on the contrary i would want to stop them. But shooting back at them, obviously isn't the right way.

Thanks.

[FromJoyICame]

@griesgramius Swami Kriyananda has said on this point that it would indeed be better to shoot back than to let yourself and other innocent people die.

Of course, I'm sure he'd prefer non-violent means if possible, but sometimes it just isn't realistic.

[TAMYCRON]

Is there a good English translation available anywhere?

[AnandaWorldwide]

@TAMYCRON

I don't quite understand what you mean by English translation. Do you mean a book? If so, the book Swami Kriyananda is talking about in these talks is The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita: Explained by Paramhansa Yogananda, As Remembered by His Disciple, Swami Kriyananda.

[TAMYCRON]

@AnandaWorldwide

Ya, I mean an English Bhagavad Gita.

[tauwilltriumph]

@TAMYCRON Sir Edwin Arnold's fantastic translation. You can get a Dover Thrift Edition for $2 on Amazon.

[ancientchilde]

i will always be grateful to you, Swamiji, for introducing me to the great master Yogananda and for showing me what it means to be a true disciple! You are a great light in this world.

[descentfromhistory]

Its a great spiritual tale....but how accurate is claiming it as history? Its probably semi historical but its probably also mixed with mythology.

[ambardarlane]

Thank you for sharing True Wisdom of Human beings!

[carlosramirezs]

Thaks for these videos i remeber that a few years ago i read the Bhagavat gita and gave me a lot of peace, recently im having so much troubles thats makes so hard to handle the pressure, and i remember what i felt when i read the Bhagavat, so im starting my path to achieve peace.

Saludos desde MÉXICO!!

[serpent7700]

It is difficult to appreciate for the western outward looking person to have a slight pause in a life and look inside ,to learn aboutBhavadGita ! Still few of you guys study and appreciate it ! 10/10 with deep respect !

[OzeBoy25]

The Bhagavad Gita is allegorical. It actually took place and is from God (Krsna) himself. The main thing to get from the BG is that we are to surrender to Krishna/God himself. The BG teaches bhakti above all other paths of yoga.

[iorkra]

SE io non sapesse di te... yogi che non lo sei e non sei mai stato...

[parousia555]

Nice message

God bless u 2

[spiritualistgirl]

thankyou very much for your time and effort in doing this

[omadon7]

when was th gita written?

[SunnyChawla1992]

@omadon7 it wasn't written actually .... the bhagvad geeta is the conversation between lord krishna and arjuna during the war of kurukshetra .. so bhagvad geeta is the element of mahabharat

[omadon7]

when was mahabharat written

[SunnyChawla1992]

@omadon7

There are no records for that ...

People believe its more than 10000 years old ....

[chromakey84]

yea I was assuming there would be more, I read the gita all the time its nice to see videos about real knowledge and our consciousness, peace guys

[chromakey84]

wheres the rest of them?

[AnandaWorldwide]

The rest of what? If it's the Bhagavad Gita shows you are referring to, we will be uploading one per week to Youtube until all 108 episodes we have filmed are available online.

[thetzfreak]

@AnandaWorldwide Thank you very much for this video.

I assume that chromeakey84 assumed there are a lot more videos continuing on from this one because the title says "Introduction", implying more parts.

[HotZetiGer]

I wonder about sadists who take Happyness from Pain. I wonder about who feel Happy when they enter into EXTAZ and start to wank on blades, drill holes in their arms. -Spiritual world is not all about meditating!

[AnandaWorldwide]

Spirituality is about realizing God in our lives. God is bliss. The happiness found on this earth are only passing pleasures. Meditating will bring you God's never ending bliss eventually. Nothing of this earth will bring that bliss.

[HotZetiGer]

You can`t meditate near lions! They don`t know that you are meditating! You can`t meditate near ants nest! You must clear forests & build safe places ( city ) to meditate. Look around you no animal meditates! they are at war to survive! Do you think they have no god? You want to find a god! But don`t you think God itself must find you! Untill then you must live a normal life! Do you really think that Bush ppl meditate? Meditation is part of Indian culture and it is their theory about this life!

[manojeetc]

But the saddest part is people meditate in west more than in India.

Insects dont have high form of life as you humans have. Try to use what makes you different from other forms of life.

How igorant you can be to say "Bush ppl" , Bhagwat Gita is also about a great war.

Dont decide before knowing things.

[chromakey84]

well no my cats meditate all the time. same with my dog.. all these things are just notions.. even god is an idea.. all is notions and ideas of perception, life, death, god, spirit, space, time and all

[thetzfreak]

@chromakey84 I don't think you noticed that he didn't say "find peace in God". He said to find peace within yourself. That's the main point here. No abstract ideas.

[manojeetc]

Oh really , Christ , Mohammad and budha got enlightment from meditation.

every body has right to potray their opinion , but aleast potray an educated one.

Know the real philosophy , before critisizing it.

No hindu will say walking on blades is devine. Because body is the container of your soul and it has to be respected.

Have you ever thought why PAIN exists, it is to make you aware that your body is precious.

[HotZetiGer]

Time will tell!

[Imperativism]

@HotZetiGer The Gita describes exactly the manner of soul you're describing. They're souls entangled in Guna Tamas (Mode of Darkness/Ignorance). They are so entangled in the power of Maya (illusion of the material world) that they cannpt distinguish between pleasure and pain, happiness or sadness. They occupy the lowest rungs of Spiritual Development and are referred to as having Demonic Natures because theirs are furthest from Brahmin's. Yet the Gita says in time they, too, will be liberated.

[MikeTysonEatsKids]

What is the difference between the Vedas and the Gita?

[AnandaWorldwide]

The Bhagavad Gita is a part of the Mahabharata. It is an epic story of ancient times in India. The Bhagavad Gita is a dialog between Krishna and Arjuna and comprises the basis for living the spiritual path. The battle described in the Gita happened about 4,000 years ago.

The Vedas are a large volume of ancient texts. They are texts that constitute the oldest scriptures of Hinduism. Wikipedia can give you more details on the Vedas.

[videos1234567899]

VERY TRUE JAI SHREENATHJI

[whitemisa]

he is sooo cute...

[MrNed55]

Autobiography of a Yogi catapulted me into this whole realm. Before coming across that book, I had vague ignorant notions of Hinduism and eastern spirituality. But since that book, I have learned soooo much. So much wisdom in that book and the truth that the Vedas & all true cores of other religions come from.

[Hinduismglance]

I love you.

[DeviSky]

Wonderful :) Re-reading it now. Thank you for insights. I like to put on my cd in the background while medititating on its subtle deep wisdom.

[Damis101]

Thank you Swami for this video. One would think that civilizations should make linear progress. Why, at this time in history, does it seem as though we are going backward? Intellect, reason and use of technology for the benefit of all people and not individual power and greed, seems to have gone by the wayside. War-mongering and superstition seems to be the rising force at the moment. How do we combat this?

Your thoughts please.

[AnandaWorldwide]

We're presently moving from the darkest age (Kali Yuga) into a higher age (Dwapara Yuga). People are becoming more conscious and there is much more energy in this new age. There is also a lot of energy magnifying the darkness at this time. Pray, meditate and love heroically to counteract this.

a disciple

[angelforfreedom]

Kind sir, after Kali Yuga comes a minor pralaya, and then loops back to Satya Yuga. Dwapara Yuga was the Yuga prior to Kali Yuga. In fact, some years after the end of the war at Kurukshetra marked the end of the Dwapara Yuga! The sequence of the Yuga's go as such: Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dwapara Yuga, and then Kali Yuga. Paramhans Yogananda's spiritual master, Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, laid out the yuga and manvantara system of time in his book "The Holy Science".

Aum Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.

[AnandaWorldwide]

Thank you. That is our understanding of the Yugas as well. I was trying to simplify my answer in my previous post.

[Zhamtao]

Superlative commentary is deep? Fascinating. Please continue.

[gjsterp]

Great message!

Much wisdom.

Much truth.

All done without magic or miracles.

[poeureka]

does he come from parampara?

[AnandaWorldwide]

I'm sorry. I don't quite understand your question. Could you restate it?

[poeureka]

Parampara means succession of spiritual teachers and disciples.

[AnandaWorldwide]

Swami Kriyananda is a direct disciple of his guru Paramhansa Yogananda. Swami Kriyananda is our teacher. Members of Ananda (which Kriyananda founded) are disciples of Paramhansa Yogananda, just like Kriyananda. He's been a disciple of Yogananda for over 60 years. He is in God's bliss all the time now. Keep watching these shows. You will feel his bliss.

[lionreb]

Thank you dear swami for your remarks and blessings.. This story about Mahatma Ghandi always bothered me, especially as he applied it to the Jews of Israel in their struggle for statehood shortly after the holocaust in ww2. So many people uncritically worship him without considering this insensitivity. You present a wonderful and balanced view. God bless you and those who read this and listen to it.. om shanti veshalom

[mkayp27]

Peace = Battle within ourselves to combat evil qualities within.

Happiness is to love everybody.

Definition of God is the Bliss.

Our goal in life is to reunite with God.

Beautiful commentary..Thanks for posting.

[Ramshobraja]

I needed this video. Time to walk through life with a smile!

[elimi]

It is what it is

[Janaki1965]

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti! What a beautiful soul Swamiji is! Thank you so much for this commentary about the Gita.

Peace and Blessings.

[agga100200]

Lovely, thank you !

[MahaMantraSwami]

Very Nice

[Jerryfollower]

yeah im with the lotus

[girlywhirlyclm07]

thank you so much for your beautiful commentary.

I actually need to read excerpts from the Bhagavad Gita for my Asian Religion class for Tuesday :)

[thelotus8]

Its says alot about the world today when a powerful video like this only gets a few thousand plays and a video of a guy eating worms can get a few million...

[OneHeart75]

thelotus8 - Yes....sadly, you are correct.

[ivanmikhailov]

@thelotus8 Maybe some people have found meaning in their own lives and experiences without feeling like this world is something they need to escape from.

[Aumblessings]

A very inspiring commentary that allows you to get to the true meaning of this incredible scripture.

[borntofreedom]

I've watched this like, 5 times, and still can't get everything... Lots of information here. I'm glad these are short videos... pls keep 'em coming. Beats watching the news!

[AnandaWorldwide]

Ananda is a worldwide movement based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda and founded by Swami Kriyananda, a direct disciple of Yogananda. You can find out more on Ananda's website. I can't give you the exact web address here because Youtube does not allow that. Do a search for Ananda on the web.

[borntofreedom]

Amazing. A whole world of books and video on spirituality... and not just some new age mumbo-jumbo... who ARE these people?

[borntofreedom]

I wish someone would explain the Bible in the same comprehensive way... all those parables leave me scratching my head...

[guru108py]

Have you read "Revelations of Christ Proclaimed by Paramhansa Yogananda Presented by his disciple, Swami Kriyananda?"

This book is very easy to read and explains the Gospels in clear language.

[borntofreedom]

Thanks for the suggestion... where can I get it? Is there a video series on that book too?

[dbinghamnc]

Right here on Youtube. Search for Revelations of Christ.

[guru108py]

Revelations of Christ can be ordered from Crystal Clarity publishers. The book The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita can be ordered there as well.

[firstdance2000]

Parables cannot be read for storybook form...If you do not know God's word you have nothing for which to bring meaning to the words...

The Prodigal Son is so significant and practical. But, its about the one true God...

[andisciple]

I so appreciate the clarity, practicality and humor in which you present this ancient scripture. These commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita openly reveal the universal truths that lead to lasting happiness. Thank you for your dedication to Yogananda's mission in bringing these truths to us all, in a way that I can understand and apply in my own life.

[romanophilip]

After listening to Swami Kriyananda, I finally "get" the essence of the gita. It truly is the song of spirit, and this version sings!

[TreasuresAnanda]

Thank you Swamiji!

[joyiswithinyoudotcom]

"How to be peaceful right now!" Big sigh of relief that there are tools, techniques,  things I can do to be peaceful right now! :) To know that we can find peace inside and that we are given encouragement to fight that battle, is just what I needed to hear. TY!

[peppilepiu]

Wonderful talk. Stay well.

[joyiswithinyoudotcom]

The Bhagavad Gita was a mystery to me before reading "The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita Explained by P. Yogananda"

Thank you Swami Kriyananda for making the subtle teachings of Krishna, Christ, Yogananda, and the path of kriya yoga so available and practical to us.

[yogabear108]

For me too, this great scripture was a puzzle...what a blessing to have Swami Kriyananda's clear, really clear, discourse as he channels his great guru, Yogananda.