What is Bhagwad Geeta?

The Bhagwad Geeta is one of the most revered and influential Hindu scriptures, and has a universal appeal and relevance. It has been translated into many languages and has inspired many thinkers, leaders, and artists from various fields and backgrounds. The Bhagwad Geeta is not only a religious text, but also a literary masterpiece, a philosophical treatise, and a spiritual guide. It is a source of wisdom, inspiration, and solace for millions of people who seek to understand the meaning and purpose of life.

The Bhagwad Geeta, or simply the Gita, is a sacred Hindu scripture that is part of the epic Mahabharata. The word Bhagwad means “of God” and the word Geeta means “song”. Therefore, the Bhagwad Geeta can be translated as “The Song of God”

The Bhagwad Geeta is a dialogue between the warrior prince Arjuna and his charioteer and guide Lord Krishna, who is an incarnation of the supreme God Vishnu. The dialogue takes place on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, where Arjuna is about to fight against his own relatives and friends in a war for the throne of Hastinapura.

Arjuna is filled with doubt, confusion, and sorrow, as he does not want to kill his kinsmen and teachers. He asks Krishna for advice and guidance on his duty and destiny. Krishna then reveals to Arjuna the essence of Hindu philosophy and spirituality, and instructs him on how to live a righteous and fulfilling life.

The Bhagwad Geeta consists of 18 chapters and 700 verses, which are divided into three sections: Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Jnana Yoga. These are the three paths or disciplines of action, devotion, and knowledge, respectively, that lead to the ultimate goal of liberation or moksha. The Bhagwad Geeta teaches that one can attain moksha by performing one’s duty or dharma without attachment to the results or fruits of one’s actions, by surrendering one’s will and ego to the will of God, and by realizing one’s true nature as the eternal soul or atman, which is identical with the supreme soul or brahman. The Bhagwad Geeta also explains the concepts of reincarnation, karma, dharma, maya, samsara, and yoga, among others, and provides practical and ethical guidance for living in the world.

Some of the key teachings or verses of the Bhagwad Geeta are:

“You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.” (2.47)

This verse teaches the principle of Karma Yoga, which is the path of action without attachment to the results. It advises us to perform our duties and responsibilities with sincerity and integrity, without being attached to the outcomes or the rewards. By doing so, we can free ourselves from the bondage of karma and attain peace and happiness.

“Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion – at that time I descend Myself.” (4.7)

This verse reveals the concept of avatar, which is the incarnation of God in human or animal form. It explains that God descends to the earth whenever there is a need to restore the balance of dharma, which is the cosmic order and the moral law. It also shows the compassion and the power of God, who intervenes in the affairs of the world to protect the righteous and to punish the wicked.

“Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.” (18.66)

This verse teaches the essence of Bhakti Yoga, which is the path of devotion and surrender to God. It urges us to give up all other forms of worship and to dedicate ourselves completely to God, who is the supreme and the personal reality. It also assures us that God will take care of all our needs and will free us from all our sins and sufferings. It also invites us to trust and love God, who is our ultimate refuge and friend.

“As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change.” (2.13)

This verse explains the doctrine of reincarnation, which is the cycle of birth and death of the soul. It states that the soul is eternal and distinct from the body, which is temporary and subject to change. It also implies that the soul transmigrates from one body to another according to its karma, which is the law of cause and effect. It also advises us to be detached and calm in the face of the inevitable changes of life and death.

"That knowledge by which one undivided spiritual nature is seen in all living entities, though they are divided into innumerable forms, you should understand to be in the mode of goodness.” (18.20)

This verse teaches the vision of Jnana Yoga, which is the path of knowledge and enlightenment. It describes the knowledge that sees the unity and the diversity of existence, and recognizes the supreme soul or brahman as the underlying reality of all living beings. It also indicates that such knowledge is in the mode of goodness, which is the quality of purity, clarity, and harmony. It also suggests that such knowledge leads to liberation and bliss.

These are some of the key teachings or verses of the Bhagwad Geeta. There are many more verses that contain profound insights and guidance for various aspects of human existence.

The Bhagwad Geeta is a source of wisdom, inspiration, and solace for millions of people who seek to understand the meaning and purpose of life.