The Bhagavad Gita contains a concise summary of the vast wisdom of the Vedic literature. Its influence has extended far beyond India, many people around the world have admired its message and progressive ideas. Bhagavad Gita originally appeared as a chapter within the Hindu epic the Mahabharata. The Gita is a conversation between Prince… Continue reading Introduction
Month: Oct 2021
Chapter 18 – The Path to Freedom
The Vedic scriptures describe three types of renunciation. You should not abandon acts of sacrifice, charity and austerity because they purify the heart. But you should perform even these activities without attachment or expectation of a reward. That is my supreme conclusion. You should never renounce the duties prescribed by the scriptures. To abandon routine… Continue reading Chapter 18 – The Path to Freedom
Chapter 17 – The Three Divisions of Faith
Arjuna said, Krishna, what is the position of those people who perform worship with faith but disregard the scriptural rules and regulations? Are they acting in goodness, passion or ignorance? Lord Krishna said, Faith arises from the modes of material nature acquired by the embodied living beings. Faith can have the quality of goodness, passion… Continue reading Chapter 17 – The Three Divisions of Faith
Chapter 16 – The Godly and the Ungodly Natures
Lord Krishna said, The qualities of people with a godly nature are fearlessness; purity of heart; development of spiritual knowledge; charity and generosity; self-control; performance of sacrifice; study of the Vedas; austerity and simplicity; non-violence; honesty; freedom from anger; detachment from the mundane; tranquillity; disinclination to find fault with others; compassion; freedom from greed; freedom… Continue reading Chapter 16 – The Godly and the Ungodly Natures
Chapter 15 – The Supreme Person
Lord Krishna said, The Vedic scriptures say this material world is like a banyan tree with its roots above and its branches down below. Those who know this tree know the Vedas. The leaves of the tree represent the verses of the Vedic scriptures. The branches represent the living beings, and the twigs represent the… Continue reading Chapter 15 – The Supreme Person
Chapter 14 – The Three Modes of Material Nature
Lord Krishna said, Now I will describe the supreme wisdom, the highest of all knowledge. The sages who know this achieve the ultimate perfection. By taking shelter of this knowledge, the soul attains the spiritual nature. Having achieved this, one is not born in the material creation nor dies in the material dissolution. All forms… Continue reading Chapter 14 – The Three Modes of Material Nature
Chapter 13 – Distinguishing between Matter and Spirit
Arjuna said, Krishna, would you please tell me about material nature; the enjoyer; the field and the knower of the field; knowledge and the object of knowledge. Lord Krishna said, This body is the field, and one who knows this body is the knower of the field. I am also the knower in all bodies.… Continue reading Chapter 13 – Distinguishing between Matter and Spirit
Chapter 12 – The Path of Devotion
Arjuna said, Of those who are exclusively devoted to worshipping you and those who meditate on the impersonal spirit, who is superior? Lord Krishna said, In My opinion, those who faithfully worship me with exclusive devotion are superior. But those who control their senses, view everything with an equal mind, are dedicated to the welfare… Continue reading Chapter 12 – The Path of Devotion
Chapter 11 – The Vision of the Universal Form
Arjuna said, My dear Krishna, you have kindly imparted all these confidential spiritual matters to me and my illusion is now gone. I have heard your elaborate description of the appearance and disappearance of the living beings and your unlimited glories. Krishna, although I see you standing before me I would like to see how… Continue reading Chapter 11 – The Vision of the Universal Form
Chapter 10 – The Divine Glories of the Lord
Lord Krishna said, Arjuna, listen once again to my words because they will bring you peace and happiness. The demigods and the great sages do not know my source, because I am the origin of the demigods and sages. Only those who are wise and undeluded can know me as the Supreme Lord of all… Continue reading Chapter 10 – The Divine Glories of the Lord