Science of Bhagavadgita: Chapter- Summary, Samskrita Slokas, Translation and Scientific Commentary

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

Srimad-bhagavadgita occupies a prominent place in the religious literature of India, next only to Upanishads, and is rapidly gaining world-wide popularity for several reasons. First, its language is simple, easy enough to understand with an elementary knowledge of Samskritam in comparison with the more difficult language of the Upanishads. Second, it serves as a practical guide of religion and philosophy even to a common man. Third, it contains the essence of all religions and guides men in all walks of life, saint and sinner alike, to the highest knowledge of the Self.

Fourth, it does not forbid those not belonging to the 'privileged' class from reading and therefore, can be studied by anyone who has deep devotion and firm faith in God, regardless of religious affiliation through a qualified Guru. Fifth, unlike others, this piece of religious literature contains no myths or unauthentic blind beliefs; therefore it appeals to the scientific mind. Sixth, it is a store-house of knowledge containing the highest truth in the most precise language and is capable of giving solace to the distressed mind and knowledge of the Self. Finally, the truths contained in Bhagavadgita have remained un-swayed by the tide of time and are quite germane to the problems of modern life as they were to the ancient times.

Srimad Bhagavadgita is one of the three important books prescribed for deep study and cogitation to a sanyasi for emancipation. The other two are a set of ten Upanishads and Brahmasutra. It should be studied under a qualified guru, with firm faith and devotion.

Srimad-Bhagavadgita appears as an inset in Mahabharata, which is a colossal work consisting of eighteen huge parvas or volumes, containing more than a lakh slokas (verses). The author of the epic is the celebrated sage Maharshi Vyasa, also known as Krishna Dwaipayana, because, of his dark complexion and birth in an island (dwipa). Bhagavadgita has eighteen chapters with a total of 700 slokas. It is in the 6th parva, called Bhishma Parva, covering chapters 25 to 42. The author or the preacher of this divine song of knowledge is Bhagavan Sri Krishna. Therefore it is called the song of Bhagavan. He taught it to His devoted disciple, Arjuna. The scene is a battlefield, where the rival armies of cousins, Kauravas (100 sons of and Pandavas (five sons of Pandu) are ranged against each other. Arjuna, notable of Pandava brothers, is suddenly overtaken by despair.

Arjuna is tormented by the conflicting thoughts whether to fight or not. If he fights he will have to kill his own revered elders and his kindred, which is a great sin. If he does not fight, he will be guilty of not discharging his duty as a warrior. Torn between opposites, he sits dejected. Arjuna's charioteer Bhagavan Sri Krishna's advice at this juncture forms the subject of Bhagavadgita. Sri Krishna advises him to do his duty without attachment. He should first fight his internal enemies and conquer the lower nature, which is the cause of his grief. Attachment to body and objects of senses is the cause of suffering. Three paths, jnanayoga, karmayoga and bhaktiyoga are advised to break the bondage and attain the goal of life, moksha.