Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 1- Cause of Grief-Part 1

Study of the Bhagavad Gita by Swami Nikhilananda Saraswati

The very source of our spiritual wisdom comes from the Vedas, the most ancient scriptures of the world. They are revealed texts and not the product of human intellect. When the mind becomes still, in a state of perfect tranquillity, knowledge happens. This is called intuition or intuitive knowledge. Such intuitive knowledge forms the scriptures, revealed to the Rishis. The Upanishads comprise the knowledge portion of the Vedas.

The Bhagavad Gita found in the middle of the Mahabharata is a dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna and is considered as the essence of the Upanishads. The essence of the book is conveyed by the first word dharma and last word mama or my i.e. my dharma. Dharma signifies the path of righteousness and it also means nature. The theme of the Bhagavad Gita is to reveal to us our real Nature: Who am I? What is my real Nature? Arjuna represents all of us and the first chapter is an exposition of his confusion. He was confused about two things, his duties as a warrior and about his own essential Nature. This confusion led to great grief. In order to remove this grief Lord Krishna gave him this wisdom and guidance. Through Arjuna the Lord gives us and all of humanity - this knowledge.

Whatever be our goal in life we all seek happiness and peace. The Bhagavad Gita shows us that the path of righteousness when followed gives internal peace and external prosperity. Three important factors are told to us: goodness and purity of heart, complete wisdom and efficiency in action. All are necessary in making our life complete. To have no hatred, to be friendly, to have empathy and forgiveness, to be free from pride, vanity, envy and fear, to be good at heart, to be happy at other happiness, coupled with the ability to see the world in a different light with a vision of oneness and not division - all this is dharma. Both goodness of heart and wisdom of mind will express outwardly as efficiency in action. When we study the Bhagavad Gita, the wisdom contained therein transforms us. Relationships become perfect, interactions with people harmonious and our actions productive. The Gita transforms our self-view into one of clarity, our world-view into a positive, friendly and holistic one, and our God-view into one that is proper and as explained in the scriptures.

This study will gradually refine our understanding that will give us a new world-vision; a vision of oneness that transforms so that we respond with purity in our hearts, subtle intelligence in our intellects and efficiency in our actions.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Vedanta
• Bhagavad Gita
• Swami Nikhilananda Saraswati
• Chinmaya Mission Delhi
• Enlightenment
• Peace
• Spiritual Knowledge
• Wisdom.

[mymdmp]

Where are the videos for the other chapters?

[prakritivaswani]

hari om :)