Benefits of studying Bhagavad-Geeta

Benefits of studying Bhagavad-Geeta

from

Skanda Purana

स्कन्दे अवन्ती खण्डे श्री व्यासोक्तौ

गीता सुगीता कर्तव्या अन्यैः शास्त्रविस्तरैः |
या स्वयं पद्मनाभस्य मुक्तपद्माद् विनिःसृता ||

In the Skanda-purana, Srila Vyasadev says, “Memorize and sing sweetly this Bhagavad-gita. What need is there to elaborate on other scriptures? She has descended directly from the lotus mouth of Lord Padmanabh (Krishna).”

सर्वशास्त्रमयी गीता सर्वदेवमयी यतः |
सर्वधर्ममयी यस्मात् तस्मात् एतां समभ्यसेत् ||

The Bhagavad-gita contains the essence of all literatures. It is the sum total of all the demigods and the sum total of all religion. Therefore, one should study the Bhagavad-gita thoroughly.

शालग्रामशिलाग्रे  तु गीताध्यायं पठेत् तु यः |
मन्वन्तरसहस्राणि वसते ब्रह्मणः पुरे ||

One who recites a chapter from the Bhagavad-gita in front of a shalagrama-shila resides for a thousand manvantaras in Lord Brahma’s abode.

हत्वा हत्वा जगत् सर्वं मुषित्वा सचराचरम् |
पापैर् न लिप्यते चैव गीताध्यायी कथञ्चन ||

One who reads the Bhagavad-gita is not touched  by sin even by repeatedly killing or plundering the whole world with its moving and non-moving entities.

तेनेष्टं क्रतुभिः सर्वैर् दत्तं तेन गवायुतम् |
गीतां अभ्यस्यता नित्यं तेनाप्तं पदं अव्ययम् ||

Such a person attains the result of donating ten thousand cows and the result of conducting all Vedic sacrifices. Those who constantly study the Bhagavad-gita attain to the eternal spiritual world.

गीताध्यायं पठेद् यस् तु श्लोकं श्लोकार्धं एव वा |
भवपापविनिर्मुक्तो याति विष्णोः परं पदम् ||

By reading a chapter, a verse or even half a verse from the Bhagavad-gita, one is liberated from all sins and attains the topmost destination of Lord Vishnu’s (Krishna's) planets.

यो नित्यं विश्वरूपाख्यं अध्यायं पठति द्विजः |
विभूतिं देवदेवस्य तस्य पुण्यं वदाम्यहम् ||

A brahmin who studies the tenth and eleventh chapter of the Bhagavad-gita attains the following result [as described in the next verse].

वेदैर् अधीतैर् यत् पुण्यं सेतिहासैः पुरातनैः |
श्लोकेनैकेन तत् पुण्यं लभते नात्र संशयः ||
आब्रह्मस्तम्बपर्यन्तं जगत् तृप्तिं करोति सः |
विश्वरूपं सदाध्यायं विभूतिं च पठेत् तु यः ||

By studying a single verse from these two chapters one attains the same result as studying all the Vedas, Itihasas and Puranas (histories), of which there is no doubt. One who studies the tenth and eleventh chapters enjoys all pleasures enjoyed by all living entities - from the ordinary blades of grass up to Lord Brahma (Leader of demigods).

अहन्य अहनि यो मर्त्यो गीताध्यायं पठेत् तु वै |
द्वात्रिंशद् अपराधांस् तु क्षमते तस्य केशवः ||

Lord Keshava (Krishna) forgives all thirty-two kinds of offences for a mortal who recites a chapter of the Bhagavad-gita.

लिखित्वा वैष्णवानां च गीताशास्त्रं प्रयच्छति |
दिने दिने च यजते हरिं चात्र न संशयः ||

There is no doubt that those who copy and gift this literature to the devotees of the Lord attain the same result as worshipping Lord Hari (Krishna) daily.

चातुर्णां एव वेदानां सारं उद्धृत्य विष्णुना |
त्रैलोक्यस्योपकाराय गीताशास्त्रं प्रकाशितम् ||

For the benefit of the three worlds, Lord Vishnu (Krishna) has extracted the essence of the four Vedas and manifested that essence in the form of the literature known as Bhagavad-gita.

भारतामृतसर्वस्वं विष्णोर् वक्त्राद् विनिःश्रुतम् |
गीतागङ्गोदकं पीत्वा पुनैर् जन्म न विद्यते ||

Everything in the Mahabharata has emanated from the mouth of Lord Vishnu (Krishna). Those who drink the Ganges-like water of the Bhagavad-gita do not take birth again in the material world.

धर्मं चार्थं च कामं च मोक्षं चापीच्छता सदा |
श्रोतव्या पठनीया च गीता कृष्णमुखोद्गता ||

Those who desire religiosity, economic development, sense gratification, or liberation should always hear, study and sing the Bhagavad-gita, which has emanated from the mouth of Lord Krishna.

यो नरः पत्ते नित्यं गीता शास्त्रं दिने दिने |
विमुक्तः सर्वपापेभ्यो याति विष्णोः परं पदम् ||

The person who constantly reads the Bhagavad-gita day after day gets liberated from all sins and attains Lord Vishnu’s (Krishna's) abode.

 

Glories of Bhagavad Gita

|| श्री गीता महात्म्य ||

गीता शास्त्रं इदं पुण्यं यः पठेत प्रयतः पुमान् |
विष्णोः पदं अवाप्नोति भय शोकादि वर्जितः || 

If one properly follows the instructions of Bhagavad-Gita, one can be freed from all the miseries and anxieties of life and achieves lotus feet of Lord Vishnu. 1

गीताध्यायनशीलस्य प्राणायामपरस्य च |
नैव सन्ति हि पापानि पूर्व जन्म कृतानि च ||

If one reads Bhagavad-Gita very sincerely and with all seriousness, then by the grace of the Lord the reactions of his past misdeeds will not act upon him. 2

मलनिर्मोचनं पुंसां जलस्नानं दिने दिने |
सकृद् गीतामृतं स्नानं संसार मल नाशनम् ||

One may cleanse himself daily by taking a bath in water, but if one takes a bath even once in the sacred Ganges water of Bhagavad-Gita, for him the dirt of material life is altogether vanquished. 3

गीता सुगीता कर्तव्या किं अन्यैः शास्त्र विस्तरैः |
या  स्वयं पद्मनाभस्य मुखपद्माद्  विनिःसृता ||

Because Bhagavad Gita is spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one need not read any other Vedic literature. One need only attentively and regularly hear and read Bhagavad Gita. In the present age, people are so absorbed in mundane activities that it is not possible for them to read all the Vedic literatures. But this is not necessary. This one book, Bhagavad-Gita, will suffice, because it is the essence of all Vedic literatures and especially because it is spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.  4

भारतामृतसर्वस्वं विष्णुवक्त्राद विनिःशृतं |
गीतागङ्गोदकं पीत्वा पुनर्जन्म न विद्यते ||

One who drinks the water of the Ganges attains salvation, so what to speak of one who drinks the nectar of Bhagavad-Gita? Bhagavad-Gita is the essential nectar of the Mahābhārata, and it is spoken by Lord Krishna Himself, the original Vishnu.  5

सर्वोपनिषदो गावो दोग्धा गोपालनन्दनः |
पार्थो वत्सः सुधीर्भोक्ता दुग्धं गीतामृतं महत् ||

This Gītopaniṣad, Bhagavad-Gita, the essence of all the Upaniṣads, is just like a cow, and Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is famous as a cowherd boy, is milking this cow. Arjuna is just like a calf, and learned scholars and pure devotees are to drink the nectarean milk of Bhagavad-Gita. 6

एकं शास्त्रं  देवकीपुत्रगीतं
एको देवो देवकीपुत्र एव |
एको मन्त्रस् तस्य नामानि यानि
कर्माप्य एकं तस्य देवस्य सेवा || 

In this present day, people are very much eager to have one scripture, one God, one religion, and one occupation. Therefore, let there be one scripture only, one common scripture for the whole world — Bhagavad-gītā, let there be one God for the whole world — Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and one hymn, one mantra, one prayer — the chanting of His name: Hare, Kṛṣṇa and Rāma and let there be one work only — the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. 7

Author : आद्य शंकराचार्य

Advent of Srimad Bhagavad Gita

17 December 2010, Moksha Ekaadashi.

This is the anniversary day commemorating the day that Srimad Bhagavad Gita was spoken by Lord Sri Krishna to His dear most devotee Arjuna at the place now known as Jyotisar Tirtha amid the waring families of the Kurus and the Pandavas at Kurukshetra. If one wishes one can still go and visit that place and see the monument erected there with Krishna as Parthasarati (the chariot driver) and Arjuna the warrior on their chariot. It is claimed by the ashram who maintain the shrine that the tree that is next to Them is a continuum growth of the original tree witness that was there at the actual day of speaking.

Traditionally devotees come to Kurukshetra (Dharmakshetra) and recite Bhagavad Gita from early morning until the next morning, perform aarati to Bhagavad Gita and to Krishna and Arjuna upon the chariot, offer lamps 'deep daan' at Brahma Sarovar, shloka recitals, shobha yatras and seminars on the significance of the Gita.

Devotees who cannot get to Jyotisar Tirtha remember the blessed event by reciting Bhagavad Gita, performing Bhagavad Gita ahuti of each verse or selected chapters into the sacred fire, and discussing the subject matter of Bhagavad Gita in the association of devotees. Distribution of Bhagavad Gitas on this day is also a very auspicious activity to perform.

Remembering the Scene:

The Pandava army took the western side of the battlefield of Kurukshetra. They were facing the east. Their army was stationed near a lake. A white royal umbrella was seen in the Kaurava army. The soldiers started warming up at the thought of the battle ahead. Blowing of couch-shells raised a great tumult and beating of drums and many other instruments were sounded to announce the readiness for the war. Excitement was building up.

The warriors of both the sides met and settled the rules of the war. Only equals will fight in personal duels. Those who surrender, their lives will be spared, No charioteer, animal, or servants who were not soldiers were to be attacked. These and some other rules that were usual in a Dharma-Yuddha or a righteous war were finalized and both the sides agreed to abide by them.

On the eve of the war, sage Vyasa visited the palace of Dhritarastra, who was his son. He said to Dhritarastra as follows. " Now the terrible days are ahead. All your sons and the kings will be killed soon. This is settled by fate. It is ordained so, do not be sorry. I shall grant you your eyesight so that you may witness the war". 

Dhritarastra was shaken by the stark words of the sage. He said, ‘ My lord, I have been blind all my life. I do not want to see my sons dying in the battlefield. If someone can give me an account of the war as it unfolds, I shall be happy'. 

Vyasa said, " Sanjaya would get the power to see everything that happens in the war. He will be able to see during the day as well as in the night. He shall be even able to know the thoughts of the persons engaged in the war. He shall not be tired or exhausted. The omens are all against the Kauravas." Saying this the great sage departed.

After this the entire account of the war is as related by Sanjaya to the blind king Dhritarastra.

Duryodhana was busy arranging his troops in a battle array. He told Dusshasan, ‘take care to protect our grand sire, Bhishma. All the chariots and warriors should be placed in such a position to protect Bhishma. He alone is capable of destroying the entire army of the Pandavas led by Dhristadhyumna. We should pay special attention to kill Shikhandi. He could be a source of danger to Bhishma.

One akshauhini of army comprises of 21870 chariots, 21870 elephants, 65610 horses and 109350 men. Then eleven akshauhinis of the Kaurava army was arranged in Vyuha (battle array) and one akshauhini was under the direct control of Bhishma. Bhishma's chariot was white-silver colored, it was driven by white horses and his flag was golden, bearing his personal insignia. The Sun was rising in a golden dawn. Bhishma spoke to his soldiers, "Today is a very auspicious day. The gates of heavens are open to all the Kshatriyas who will be fortunate to die in the battle. It is not beckoning of a Kshatriya to die in bed or of sickness. Battlefield is the only glorious place to die. Without thinking about tomorrow do your best to win the war. Karna was the only warrior who had not joined the war. Bhishma's chief body guard was Ashwathama, who was supported by seven more warriors. Salya and Bhurishrava were among them. Duryodhana's banner was proudly fixed at the top of his chariot.

Looking at the vast army of the Kauravas, Yudhisthira said to Arjuna," Their army is so huge. They have eleven akshauhinis against which we have only seven. How best can be arrange our army in battle formation? Bhishma is quite formidable". Arjuna said that he would arrange the army in a ‘Vyuha’ named ‘Vajra’. This was the favorite arrangement of lord Indra. Dhristadhyumna was in the center of the army. Bhima, Yudhisthira protected him and Arjuna supported Shikhandi. The most prominent banner in the Pandava side was that of Arjuna, having lord Hanumana himself on it, driven by Krishna, having white horses. All those who knew the reality, saluted Krishna. Krishna said to Arjuna, ‘See the army of the Kauravas, led by your old grand sire. The lion among the Kaurava heroes, is your first victim.

What is the Bhagavad Gita?

The Bhagavad Gita (BG) was spoken by Sri Krishna to His friend and disciple, Arjuna at the beginning of the epic war, Mahabharata. BG provides the concise conclusion of the millions of verses in all the Vedic scriptures. In just eighteen chapters containing seven hundred verses, Sri Krishna answers all questions about the duty of the living entity. In glorifying the BG, Lord Shiva says in the Gita Mahatmya (Padma Purana) that it is sufficient to lead one to liberation.

How should one read the BG?

The BG should be studied in the same mood as it was heard by Arjuna. Sri Krishna declares that He is revealing this most confidential knowledge to Arjuna because Arjuna is not envious of Krishna and is a friend.  So one must read and understand the BG in the mood of at least theoretically accepting the position of Krishna as God. This knowledge is never revealed to one who reads it in a challenging and speculative mood.

Owing to the universal message in the BG, many people take to it instinctively. Unfortunately its importance has also given rise to many people speculating and misinterpreting it. In order to protect the trusting people from this kind of cheating, Sri Krishna stresses the importance of Paramapara (disciplic succession) and Guru (spiritual master) in receiving the knowledge of the BG.

Who should read the BG?

The BG is often referred to as the "Handbook for humanity". Never in the BG has Sri Krishna restricted the scope of the BG to Hindus or Indians. It is completely non-denominational, meant for any one inquiring about his reason for existence. Indeed many people following Christianity or Islam get a much better perspective of their own religion after reading the BG and are able to follow their religions with greater conviction.

What is Purpose of the BG?

The BG was spoken to guide the conditioned soul on the path of the spiritual advancement. It is presented as principle and details. The dominating principle of the BG is to develop God consciousness. In the details, Sri Krishna explains three primary ways of doing this and then further expands on these paths. He then relates them to each other and brings forth the single most effective path for returning back to God.

What are the three paths?

These paths are explained as yoga. The Sanskrit word "yoga" means connecting to the absolute, and it is in this context that the word yoga is used in the BG.

The three paths given by Sri Krishna are Karma yoga, Dnyana yoga and Bhakti yoga. The first six chapters primarily discuss Karma yoga, liberation by performing prescribed activities. The last six chapters primarily talk about Dnyan yoga, liberation by worshiping the Lord through one's intelligence. Ensconced between these two "protective" covers, like a pearl in the oyster, in the middle six chapters, Krishna reveals the most confidential of all knowledge, Bhakti yoga, the path of pure, unalloyed devotional service. He declares this to be the highest, the easiest and the fastest path to Him, and for one who is fortunate to embark on it, the binding illusions of Maya are dispelled in no time.

What is Karma yoga?

A person situated in Karma yoga executes one's prescribed duties. These duties are as prescribed by the Varnashrama system created By Krishna through the Vedas. According to one's ability and inclination, a person may acquires a particular varna. He may become a Brahaman (teacher, guide), Ksatriya (administrator, warrior), Vaishya (merchant, farmer) or Sudra (worker). According to his situation he lives in one of the four ashrams: Brahamacari (student), Grahastha (married), Vanaprastha (retired) and Sannyasa (detached). The eight fold Varnashram system is created to allow one to be aware of his prescribed duties and execute them properly. It is important to note here that the BG stresses that a varna is acquired by one's ability and inclination, never by birth. So in the BG, there is no support of the "caste-system" prevalent in India. The Varnashram system appears naturally in all societies over the world.

Performing prescribed duties will earn a person much pious credit, but it will also continue to bind him to the material world. So Karma can be "sakarma" (done in anticipation of enjoying its fruits) or "nishkarma" (detached from the results). In both cases a person is attached to performing the activity. However, when a person performs activities only for the pleasure of the Lord, he has reached the stage of Bhakti. For instance Sadhana (japa, arati, kirtan) are activities performed with no material motives, simply to glorify or remember the Lord. Thus Karma yoga can be used to elevate one self to the position of Bhakti yoga by first performing prescribed activities, then renouncing the fruits of the activities to Krishna and finally by renouncing the activity in itself to Krishna.

What is Bhakti yoga?

The path of devotion is described as the most confidential path back to Godhead. It is described as the "elevator" approach to Krishna as opposed to all the other "staircase" paths. The essence of the Bhakti yoga is summarized by Sri Krishna in Chapter 9, Verse 34, as follows: "Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, become My devotee, offer obeisances to Me and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me."

This verse, often considered to be the summary verse of the entire BG, contains the essence of the existence of a spirit soul. In the material world, trapped in the illusory sense of identifying with the body and its extensions, a spirit soul remains forever bewildered by the duality of existence. However by simply surrendering to Krishna, understanding Him to be the original, primeval cause of all causes and thus worshiping Him without any desires of material benefit, one can easily go back to Him.

Bhakti yoga does not mean inactivity. Indeed a bhakta is the most active, for he sees all his activities now in relation to the Supreme. But he is detached from the activity and the fruits of the activity, neither happy in success nor distressed in failure, understanding that all this is ultimately for Krishna and coming from Him only.

What is Jnana yoga?

In the Jnana section Krishna elaborates about the five factors of existence: Isavara (God), Jivatma (Soul), Kala (Time), Karma (actions) and Prakriti (Nature). He explains that while Kala, Prakriti, Jiva and Isavara are eternal, Karma is not. As long as one is involved in fruitive activities, the cycle of Karma, performed in one of the three modes of material Nature (goodness, passion, ignorance) is binding. For every action, good or bad, there is a reaction. This cycle can only be broken by performing devotional service, since that does not have any reactions, good or bad. In this stage the person transcends the material plane of existence and enters into the spiritual realm.

When Krishna explains the path of spiritual advancement by knowledge, Arjuna gets confused between the Karma (action) and Jnana (inaction). Krishna explains that one must strive for activities performed in knowledge of Him, which will ultimately lead to Bhakti. Philosophy without faith is speculation, and faith without philosophy is rituals. The two must complement each other. Thus, Krishna once again stresses that the ultimate goal of all transcendentalists is Him. They may reach Him directly by Bhakti or first reach Bhakti through Karma or Jnana.


Why has Krishna given alternatives?

A confusing aspect of the BG is the fact that while acknowledging the superiority of Bhakti yoga, Krishna spends considerable time talking about Jnana and Karma yoga. He even speaks briefly about the eight fold Ashtanga yoga process followed by the mystics. For many people this is very confusing if not apparently contradictory.

In reality, Krishna is offering some thing for every one according to their levels of advancement and inclination. As God, He does not interfere with the free will of a living entity. But as the most compassionate well wisher, He wants every one to leave this material world of misery and return to the original spiritual abode.

So, for a person attracted to action, there is Karma yoga. For the intellectual there is Jnana yoga. For the mystic there is Ashtanga yoga. The BG meets the person at the level they are in and gradually elevates them to the platform where they become qualified to execute Bhakti yoga, pure devotional service. A very few fortunate souls, by the causeless mercy of Krishna and His devotees, are able to take directly to Bhakti, and for them the way back to Godhead is quick and easy.

Conclusion
We hope that these points address your interests and motivate you to read the Bhagavad Gita As It Is.