Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita

Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita Review of “Knowledge of Self”

Acknowledgements • These notes are based on PurnaVidhya, Vedic Heritage Teaching Programme. • This material covers pages 44-53 of “Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita” Part 12, written by: SwaminiPramanandaSaraswati and Sri DhiraChatanya. • Some material based on commentaries posted at: http://www.bhagavad-gita.org • Slide deck prepared by: V. “Juggy” Jagannathan.

Instruction team • V. “Juggy” Jagannathan • AshutoshDas • Subra Natarajan • K. Subramani

Review of previous class

Verse 14 discussion – Life Lessons Equanimity in facing all situations – pleasant and unpleasant. Means controlling emotions and not give into excessive joy or grief or anger. All situations are transitory. Don’t worry about situations that you don’t control. Does not mean you should not do your duty. Does not mean you should not try to rectify an unpleasant situation or enjoy a pleasant situation – just be cognizant that they are temporary.

Verse 15 discussion – Life Lessons Prescription: Equanimity in facing all situations – pleasant and unpleasant. Means controlling emotions and not give into excessive joy or grief or anger. Results in afterlife: Fit to reach heaven. Results in this life – pragmatic and practical A life devoid of stress and all the attendant problems.

Verse 16 being; duration asatah – for the unreal is not

Verse 16 for the unreal there is never any being – in the unreal there is no duration for the real there is never non-being – in the real there is no cessation

Verse 16 also indeed of these (two) both antah - the ultimate truth; conclusion by the knowers of truth is seen; has been analyzed

Verse 16 For the unreal, there is never any being. For the real, there is never non-being. The ultimate truth of both of these is seen by the knowers of truth. * In the unreal there is no duration and in the real there is no cessation; indeed the conclusion between both of these have been analyzed by knowers of the truth. * Source: http://www.bhagavad-gita.org/Gita/verse-02-16.html

Verse 16 - Discussion asat – that which does not exist independently; that which is material; perceived by sense organs; transitory; not permanent sat – that which exists independently; that which is eternal; imperishable;

Verse 16 discussion – Life Lessons Everything you see and perceive in life is temporary. Nothing, but the soul, atman is permanent. Given that, don’t excessively celebrate or give in to sorrow or grief. Endure life stoically and always, do your duty. And, that is the path to ensure self-realization of the soul – moksha/heaven. From a practical standpoint, knowing that everything is temporary, allows one to bear difficult times (we know that it will end some time) and be balanced during good times (knowing that too will end).

Verse 17 indeed this is indestructible that know by which is pervaded the entire world (body)

Verse 17 Know that by which this entire world is pervaded, to be indeed indestructible.

Verse 17 of the one that does not change; of the imperishable soul to do destruction is able no one

Verse 17 * Know that by which this entire body is pervaded, to be indeed indestructible. No one is able to cause the destruction of the imperishable soul. * Source: http://www.bhagavad-gita.org/Gita/verse-02-17.html

Verse 17 Discussion and Life Lessons Underscores the concepts presented earlier: Soul is indestructible – permanent. Body is perishable – impermanent [next verse]. Endure life stoically and always, do your duty. And, that is the path to ensure self-realization of the soul – moksha/heaven.

Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita