THE PREAMBLE TO THE GITA

  The Gita starts with the words of Blind King Dhrutarashtra asking his Minister Sanjaya about the goings on at the Battlefield of Kurukshetra. In fact, Krishna asks Dhrutarashtra whether he is interested in seeing the happenings at the Battlefield himself and He would give the divine eyes, divya chakshus, afraid of seeing the evil that would befall on the unrighteous children, Kouarvas, Dhrustarashtra declines and Sanjaya is given this gift, instead. With this divine eyes, Sanjaya would not only see what is going on th Battlefield but also would read the minds of the persons! Thus the running commentary goes on.

   However, after giving the details about who all are there assembled in the Battlefield in the First Chapter, the very Second Chapter of the Gita does not tell anything about the impending War!

The very trend changes to  one of advice to Arjuna to discharge his duties. Also, interestingly, there is an ccount of the ‘Path of Knowledge, the spiritual aspect! The paradox of the situation is clear. Arjuna decides not to fight the war since it involves bloodshed and killings of the nearest and dearest including Bhishma, the Grand Sire and Dronacharya, his teacher. Krishna coula have stopped the war and return. Arjuna would take to Sanya! But, this is not so. The entire story is woven in such a way as to indirectly teach us through Ajuna, ‘the intricacies of the nature of this make-believe world’ and need for wisdom and renunciation with the help of Knowledge of the Self (Atmajnyan).

   Thus, it is surmised here that the purpose of the Bhagava-Gita is to educate the people as to the sane and sensible living and release of bondage of the embodied soul, thereby escape the shackles of Maya, binding us eternally to attachment, greed, anger, ego, jealous, ill-will and strife, hunger, thirst, diseases, old age and death and rebirth.

   Incidentally, when a TV crew of a Channel went to Kurukshetra in order to present a picture of Hastinapura and Kurukshetra, they found a couple of stone idols called Pandavas and a broken stonedevice called a small temple; rest all included thorny bushes and scrubs with no sign of anything like a Great War of the epic Mahabharat. The so called Hastinapura is our own body of skeleton and the kurukshetra is the turbulent mind full of greed, desire and conflicts of interests. Mind is the Battlefield. Thoughts and ideas, desires and attachments, greed, jealous and ill-will and strife, etc. are the characters (names of the warriors) depicted here.  

     The First Chapter- ‘Arjuna Vishada Yoga’ brings out the predicament of the afflicted Mind, Arjuna. Conflict goes on in the mind of this confused soldier Arjuna, who suddenly decides to quit the Battlefield. Once resolved to fight, that too as a Kshatriya it was his duty to fight as soon as the battle drums and bugles were sounded and the war was legally declared. But, seeing his Grandfather Bhishma, Teacher Dronaacharya, and his cousins and friends in the Battlefield he feels it is a sin (ghora papa) to kill them in the battle; he decides not to fight, drops his bow and arrows and tells his Mentor Charioteer Krishna that “his arms and limbs are trembling, becoming numb at the thought of killing the Grand Sire Bhishma, Acharya Drona, cousins Kauravas and friends, and he wants to quit.”

    Since Arjuna wanted to retrace his steps and leave the battlefield Krishna advices him not to neglect his ‘duty’ and he reminds him of his Kshatriya norms (dharma), ‘fight’ and not run away from the battlefield. He also reminds him of the grave consequences of neglect of ordained duties (of a Kshatriya). He says, dharmo rakshati rakshitah | meaning, Dharma protects who abides dharma, and walks in the path of righteousness.

     In contemporary politics, this reminds us of the predicament of erstwhile President Bush of the United States of America ‘whether to withdraw the Force from Iraq, or add some more men, arms and ammunitions to fight to finish to the end’. Like Arjuna, President George W. Bush also got embroiled in the War in Iraq. The exact reason for the war is not very clear to most of the people who are far away from him and his country. At first, it was deemed an invasion and war to unearth the hidden arsenals and weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Many people are prone to think that it is a war on Iraq to get control over the oil fields of Iraq, get an undue economic advantage over the oil resources of that country; some think it is to fight religious fundamentalism, use of oil money for acts of terrorism; and some people also think that it is a war of different religious faiths within the Islamic world of Shias and Sunnis and fight those who supported the Ruler (Saddam Hussain) in Iraq; however the contention was that of unearthing the Weapons of Mass Destruction supposed to be hidden in Iraq by the Dictator Saddam Hussain. Most of the experts, and common people, as well, all over the world think that the USA unnecessarily got involved in the conflict. They also think that the USA have no business to get entangled and also involve other nations (NATO) too in this embraglio. In fact, it is like the riddle of the Sphinx!

    No body knows ‘who the enemy is’ and ‘Who fights who’ in this war since the countries involved are no neighboring countries involved in border conflicts and rsolve to settle their disputes. They are from distant lands, far distant separated geographically from each othe by an ocean- the Atlantic Ocean. As seen from the aftermath of of war, It seems not even a war between the people of one country and the other; here the people are fighting among themselves within their own country, too, in spite of the presence of armies of different nationalities under the UN Flag. It all a big confusion!

    Even today, the problems of the Iraq-Iran, Afghan, and the Israel wars pose serious threat to other nations. In fact, Jimmy Carter, Former US President warned against war with Iran. He decried the US involvement in unjust conflicts (while addressing the summit of Nobel Peace Prize laureates in Chicago, TOI April 25, 2012). Jimmy Carter who served as Democratic President (1977-1981) said, while he is “not against conflict when necessary” the criteria for war are often not met. He says, ‘War is only a last resort after evry other possible peaceful resolution is exhausted”. The war should make the situation better, not worse- causing loss of life and property. The criteria should be that the society in general agrees to wage war and is redy for sacrifice, and when “the level of violence is proportional to the injury received?”

      As already stated, “the war should justify the cause and ultimately help establish peace and prosperity!” But, a war-torn country is totally devastated. So where is the justification? It is wisely suggested that the world situation today does not warrant a war and poor nations cannot afford to wage a limited war since it would soon engulf the whole region and the world due to involvment of Treaty-nations and power blocks. Still the nations are spending a large proportion of their budget for defence expenditures and building war equipments.

    At the time of the U.S - Iraq war, when dead bodies of soldiers arrived in California it was an emotional outburst; reported in the Media and widely discussed with disgust and concern was the senseless involvement of the USA in the War game. People expressed deep sense of sorrow at the loss of young lives. The question was one of ideologies. Some said, “It is simply disgusting that our people are dieing there in Iraq for no reason. Is it a war between the rich and the poor? Or, is it a war between the advanced and backward socio-economic groups, or is it an economic warfare involving market economies? Is it a war to gain control over oil-fields or just to promote one’s own faith, or for that matter, is it to promote the political idealogy of democracy in a far-off country ruled by a Dictator?”

       Another question is whether the enemy is present in the battlefield only or elsewhere? The enemies are everywhere, hidden in the forests, hills and mountains, rather, in the inaccessible crevices of human mind only. The most tragic part of the story is that the war is declared to fight an ‘unknown enemy’! They are still hunting for him, the ‘inivisible man’ all over the world! Some Senator said, “Virtually, there is an enemy behind every tree! In the mean time, the reason for the war is also invented. One reason is the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). Where are these weapons?” And the war is almost over now and no body has found it (the WMD)! Also, they shot the person dead who is supposed to be behind all these wild goose chase- the “Weapons of Mass Destruction” and he (Saddam Hussain) was charged with crimes of brutalities, atrocities on innocent people- like the Kurds in the neighboring Turkey, as also, the President Saddam squandering public money on self-aggrandizement, construction of luxurious building, statues, and palaces, promoted indulged in favoritism, corruption and nepotism, etc. He is also charged with war crimes! Finally, they hunted down and killed him!

     But, ‘Who is killing whom’? There are factions like the Al Qaeda’s foreign fighters, Sunni insurgents, and Shiite militants, the al quaida, the talibans, the IMs, etc. The interesting thing is that the persons who declared war and those who became party to it- both are slowly, withdrawing from the scene and people are still fighting! In the meanwhile, it is unfortunate that innocent people are killed by car-bombs, suicide bombers and this and that. People are either being tormented, persecuted, or subjected to misery, poverty and destitution. Millions are rotting in jails as war prisoners, suspects, terrorists, or persons waiting for trail and justice. In the mean time, the key figure, the master-mind behind the 9/11 Tragedy that brought down the WTC building to rubbles killing nearly 5000 people- Osama Bin Laden is also killed in a daring action by the US troops. Under these circumstances, some may even think that it would have been a better strategy to fight a well organized war, the Third World War, and, may be, that would have established lasting peace!

     The most intriguing part of the story of Iraq War is that a large country like the United States of America- strong, rich, and prosperous, is involved and actively engaged in all these wars. Right now, almost 400 000 men are involved in this War in Iraq of which the US Force accounts for 140 000, and it intends to send another 50,000 more! A columnist in the Mercury Times writes, “The American people have bled long enough in Viet Nam and could not, for the life of them, figure out why”, “These many years later, it’s even harder to answer that question. Just why was that war about? This is the same question as that of the Mahabharata War at Kurukshetra. As per the latest developments, ‘violence soars to record’. The civilian casualities in the attacks in October crossed 1000 mark!” [Mercury News: Dated, Dec. 19, 2006]. The tragedy is that the more the armies infused the more the fighting and the more the killings. The rivalries, hatreds, and desire for revenge that are so much a part of Iraqi religious, sectarian, tribal and God-knows what else! Animosities exist there.  Earlier it was in Viet Nam, Korea, Afghanistan, and now in Iraq that the USA got involved and all these are in the name of promoting peace, freedom, democracy, and economic prosperity. The USA believes that peace and prosperity could be established by war and destruction! This country is ideally located, safely and securely, between two large Oceans and no body can imagine any threat to its safety and security even remotely by any country, one can imagine. The days of Pearl Harbor are over and there is no more a Soviet Union (the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR); even the erstwhile harsh Communist China- the dreaded enemy of the USA, has become a close friend and soft ‘most-preferred’ trading Partner. Hence, it is surprising that the USA is afraid of ‘an unknown enemy’ and feels insecure. It is here that the doctrine of the Bhagavad-Gita applies to this situation- ‘waging a War on an unknown enemy’ in distant lands, i.e., the ‘unknown field of the Self within’.

     Thus, it is a psychological warfare. There is no name and form of the enemy here. The fight takes place within the same person- his ‘Lower Self’ and ‘Higher Self’; it is the fight between the good and the bad, the right and the wrong, the likes and dislikes, etc. This duality exists as a part of our nature of existence on this Earth. There is no USA, Iraq, or Iraq here since it is just ‘One Earth and One World’ that exists here. Almost all the countries of the world are represented here in the population of the USA. This search for a home, as is the case with the Palestinians, too, has been going on in the history of mankind, may be, eversince man appeared on this earth’s surface; Man is constantly on the move, migration from country to country, like the Nordic Race, the Aryans, and now the unskilled labor, and the skilled la’bor like Engineers, Doctors, Scientists and Technocrats. All sorts of people move in search of not only bread and butter, but jam and cheese, too, and the butter and cheese moves on! There is a constant move towards greener pastures. Movement is Natural Law and, to promote movement, change is natural, Dharma. One day, children may read in school History Text Books, that “people from all over the world migrated to the newly found America in search of butter and jam on their bread” just as they read now that “Aryans migrated from Asia Minor to Indus Valley, about a Two or Three thousand years ago (may be, even much earlier!) in search of fodder for their cattle”.

     The United States of America is a large country of immigrants where all the different types of nationals live and work; of course, there is an undercurrent of dissatisfaction and frustration and everything is not that rosy. Both ‘desire’ and ‘fear’ are the inherent weaknesses of man and, not even God can erase them. This often leads to conflicts of interests. But there is rule of law. So, it is easily discernible as obvious that anybody who heads the Government of the United States of America finds that he is duty-bound to preserve and protect the high ideals established by the founding fathers oif the nation. They have to preserve liberty, fraternity, and uphold ‘Rule of Law’ and, also provide safety and security as also provides a free and fearless working atmosphere for their smooth functioning, at any cost! Thus, it is the bounden duty of every person to perform his function like a hero / ‘dheera’ and Krishna advises Arjuna to fight. It is cowardly, and a sin to run away from one’s responsibilities. Leaving the task half done is much more dangerous as in Afghanisthan.

   Thus, in the light of the above, it may be argued that there is no justification for a war in Mahabharata. The parties involved are just cousins! Not even two nations or nationalities are involed here. It is just a family feud. It is given a colour of great ‘spiritual significance’ since basic principles are involved here. Lord Krishna urges Arjuna to fight to finish these unknown enemies- fear, desire and greed, and false notions of numerous Gods and ‘faiths’. “He emphasizes that there is no other supreme power and He alone is the Lord of the Universe” in unmistakable terms. He insists “maamekam sharanam vrajaa”, meaning, that ‘one should ‘adore and worship Him and Him only, exclusively’. By adoring lesser gods, one can get material happiness but not salvation, mukti, release from bondage of the worldly dualities, sansar. He assures that will protect all those who repose full ‘faith in Him, ’the Lord.”

    By now, much water has flown down the R.Ganga and the war scenes have shifted to Afghanistan from Iraq; in the mean time there are upheavals and turmoils in Turkey, Somalia, Egypt, France, Italy, and elsewhere. There are mass upsurges, much against dictatorship, authoritarian rule and military juntas. Hence, these are matters concerning the human Mind, attitudes and behavior of persons at the helm of affairs. 

       At the outset, it must be made very clear here, that the Bhagavad-Gita is an extraordinary intuitional speech of Lord Krishna that comes in the form of a dialogue with his friend Arjuna and it reveals the secret of the origin of the universe and evolution of Man, as also, the very purpose of his existence here. This ‘Eternal Science of the Spirit’ transcends time and space. It is complete Knowledge- the Veda Samhita. It is “Para Vidya”/ Higher Knowledge or the ‘Knowledge Supreme’. It is the secret knowledge of Self-Realization and emancipation or Mukti in saMskRutAM. It is also known as ‘Gitopadesha’ or the ‘Celestial Song’. Since it incorporates the Upanishad Doctrine of ‘Tat tvam asi’ and teaches the technique of ‘Yoga’ to attain supreme Knowledge, it is called YOgOpanishad.

      Lord Krishna is the Bhagavan or God in human form and He is the incarnation / Avatara Purusha* [see Notes]. It is also important here to note that this entire scripture is of divine nature, a secret, not to be revealed to those who have no faith and do not respect ancient scriptures as of divine nature.’ Faith’ is of utmost importance here. This knowledge is useless to all those who are immersed in the worldly affairs of mundane material wealth. Even those who are educated with modern science and technology cannot understand this higher spiritual knowledge for it requires a different kind of teaching and practice. However, there are separate universities like the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Vedic University in India, USA, and Russia where these subjects are taught up to Post Graduate and Doctoral level. In spite of all efforts, the subject matter of the Bhagavad-Gita remains a secret. First, it is difficult to understand that God has spoken these words! Second it is in Devanagari script and Sanskrit Language although, now it is translated into almost all the Languages of the World. Still it is not possible to understand it because it concerns the Soul, the spirit that is abstract. It is an abstract spiritual science. It governs the inner life of Man and forms the basis of the future of Mankind. 

     The Bhagavad-Gita is the Book of ‘Sermons’; These Teachings are the ‘Commandments of God’. It says, “If you want success and happiness, liberation and Salvation, Mukti, you do as I say”. Lord Krishna is the source of Joy. What He speaks is the ‘Gospel of Truth’ and the only means of emancipation. It establishes the Truth that “Lord dwelling in man and divinity is inherent in every soul.”  It shows how to tap the inner potential and excel in all walks of life and shine in His glory.  But, it is not possible to decode the secret of the words of God.  Nobody can ever fully understand and translate accurately these words spoken by the Lord Krishna to Arjuna in the battlefield of Kurukshetra. It is attempting the impossible; it is describing the ‘Knowledge of Brahman’ by a human being, the Infinite by the finite, of the Abstract Absolute in the concrete relative, here. Further, it requires a child-like simplicity and innocence to know Him; and, all our knowledge, Intellect, understanding, mind and senses, language and expression are of no use here. They are an obstacle in the pursuit of ‘Truth’. When we drop everything, including our sense of existence in human form on earth, and delve into His realm by sheer dhyan, that He will reveal the Truth, as also, His supreme Self, that too, in a transcendental state of supreme Consciousness! In this state of our non-individual consciousness, merged in Him in trance, everything becomes crystal clear. This is the state of ‘fulfillment’ one attains from the study of the Bhagavad-Gita.

    In spiritual aspects like this, the intuitional knowledge, the language, or the word and its meaning, or the expression, by itself, act as an obstacle to experience the divine! Only divine thought prevails; the divine language is also absent.

  So we pray in silence:

       “Let the Supreme Lord, who is adored by all Gods and Goddesses, bestow on us the humility, innocence, and the ability to surrender our self and understand Him, perceive Him, and hear Him in His divine sweetness.”

        The Bhagavad-Gita is the Divine Song, the gospel of Truth, the Lord. It is the ‘Science of the Eternal’, ‘the Spirit of the Soul’.  “Ishavasyam idam sarvam”, says the Upanishad. Everything in this universe is pervaded by Ishvara; the Lord. says, “I am the only one who exist, and all other existence are illusory (TRANSITORY); nothing exists besides Me. I am the Eternal, Unborn, and Omnipresent and ever free. Know Me as thyself.” Tvam tat asi meaning, ‘Thou art That’ is the Basic Principle. Realize this supreme Truth, says Lord Shree Krishna. The Bhagavad-Gita enunciates this supreme Principle.

     The term ‘Krishna’ means, ‘that Anand / joy and happiness which never diminish’; here, ‘Krish’ means reduce and ‘na’ means ‘Anand’ / Bliss that never get reduced. It is supreme Bliss, “mahat Ananda”. It is supreme Consciousness, or ‘Parabhrahm’. Krishna is called ‘Bhagavan’/ ‘Praramatman’ through out the Bhagavad-Gita. He is the Higher Self. He is love compassion and piety. He assures of His divine grace and protection to all like the Sun shines and makes no differentiation whatsoever!

     He implores: “Sarva dharma parityjya, maameva sharanam vraja,” meaning, “Throw away all your wares and come to me, I shall protect you”.

    Further, He adds:

“Paritraanaaya sadhunaam sambhavaami yuge yuge” meaning, ‘He will take repeated birth on earth to protect the pious and the righteous.’

   We carry a lot of burden of our own making and find it impossible to move. More often, we do not even realize the fact that, the wares we are carrying are merely the trash that has been with us since many previous lives’ and, surprisingly, ‘it has not been possible for us to drop them! Most of us do not even believe in the idea of a rebirth, let alone previous births! In spite of the assurance of the Lord, we worry a lot about this fleeting world of trash and flimsy goings-on, the people around us- of all sorts of minds and moods, etc. For want of faith in Him, the Lord Almighty, we fight among ourselves and foolishly try to defend ourselves, our faith, our belief in the mortal, our strength and prowess, and our skill and technology, our achievements and what not?

     Albert Einstein remarked that, “Having read the Bhagavad-Gita, I find that all other knowledge sounds superfluous”! (may we quip, rather, redundant?). This Gospel of Truth- “The Bhagavad-Gita” is also apourusheya like the Rk Veda (Rk Veda, Mandala 8, Sukta 96 mantra 13 – 15). It is the intuitional sayings heard in anahata dhvani, literally the sound emanating from pure Consciousness / the Mahat Prajnyaa- the sweet breath of the Lord! It is a Upanishad like the Mundaka or Shvetashvatara Upanishads. Thus, it is the ‘Ancient Wisdom’ of much higher consciousness; in fact, it appears to have emanated from a higher mental / psychological status than the Veda and the Upanishads, or the Bhrahma Sutra; unlike the latter, that are much restricted to a few privileged class- the learned section of Brahmins, it is easily understood by common people.

     The Bhagavad-Gita is now very popular and is widely known all over the world. It has been translated into German, Russian, French, English and almost all the prominent languages of the world. The Vaishnavites or the Bhagavts have special regard for the scripture since the very beginning, the Golden Age, and they attach sanctity to it; it is deemed as the Lord’s ‘anugraha vakya’, Blessings. Many others treat it in high esteem, as the Prasthanathrayee, dearest as the Veda, the Upanishads, and the Bhrahma Sootras- the ‘Three-in-one’.

       In fact, the words of the Veda are attributed to the skill of the Creator Chaturmukha Bhrahma and he in turn imparted it to his son Atharvan. The learned Sage Krishna Dvaipayana, an incarnation of Vishnu is believed to be the author of almost all the known ancient scriptures- the Epics and Puranas. There are eighteen epics / Puranas of which the Mahabharata is the magnum opus. It is a voluminous literature consisting of almost a Hundred-thousand verses in Twenty-eight Cantos (Volumes). It depicts the times, life and work of people of the by-gone days, Dvapara yug (‘dva’-‘para’ meaning the Second Higher Age). Many historians are of the opinion that the epic war was fought for Eighteen days at the plains of Kurukshetra near Delhi and, about Four hundred thousand soldiers (Eight Akshohinis) were involved in the battle. But, the Bhagavad-Gita is altogether a different kind of a scripture that appears as an appendage in the main Text since it appears as the one put in the words of Sanjaya, explaining the incidents on the battlefield to the blind King Dhritarashtra as a running commentary. In fact, the whole dialogue is going on between King Parikshit and Sage Shuka, son of Veda Vyasa. And, that is a different story. Sage Krishna Dvaipayana is also an avatara Purusha, incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and had divine powers vested in him. In fact, he offered to give sight to the blind Dritarashtra if he wished to actually see the state of affairs in the battle field; but, the latter refused to see it and would be rest content to hear the on-goings through his able Confidant Sanjaya. So Sanjaya was given the intuitional eye and extra-sensorial ability to know the minds, thoughts, words and deeds of the persons in the battlefield. He could see with this divine intuition everything and thus narrated at great length what all happened, word-by-word.

      The Bhagavad-Gita is the Mukti Yoga Sutra.*[The second and the last Chapter depict this secret in detail). It is the ‘Vedanta Sara’- the sum and substance of supreme Knowledge. It is the spoken words of the Lord that has been re-told to various disciples- not once or twice, but several times! Every time the earth was flooded and deluded it was resurrected (from the loss of Vedia/collapse of dharma). Shri Hari Narayana has appeared again and again, in one form or the other and has resurrected the earth, rather rescued or retrieved it (the Veda/Dharma).

      Sreemad Bhagavatam is the last of the eighteen epics, is in which the details of creation and all the interesting episodes since its appearance has been described in minute detail. Here the various reincarnations of the Lord are explained. [See Appendix for details]. One such re-incarnation is that of Sage Narada, who narrated the same ‘Mukti Yoga Rahasya’ as ‘Vedanta Sara’ to Sage Veda Vyasa and, again this was retold to many others. Shuka Muni, son of Sage Veda Vyasa, tells King Parikshita when the latter contended that there is considerable difficulty in believing all these stories. Here again, this King Parikshit, Grandson of Arjuna, who ascends the throne of Hastinapura represents the modern educated men (Pundits) who do not believe in ancient scriptures. The secret of creation and the path of Salvation are conveyed to Vaivasvanta Manu, the first-born of the present Samvatsara. Acharya Madhva of Udupi is also believed to be a re-incarnation of Hanuma and Bheema; he has written a commentary on Bhagavad-Gita, Gita Saroddhara. This is further explained further in the Text. 

   Shree Madhvacharya (1199 – 1276) is a Vaishnavite who virtually held the idol of Shree Krishna that came in a ship from Dwarka on his head and danced in the streets of Udupi (Coastal Karnataka) singing in praise of the Lord Krishna. Shree Madhvacharya lived in Udupi during the Twelfth Century A.D. and promoted Dvaita Siddhanta and insisted that “the Lord (Paramatman) is supreme and none (Jivatman) can ever attain to that status of that highest extraordinary divinity” in human form. The very fact that the Bhagavad-Gita, or the entire voluminous Mahabharata epic for that matter, was not at all written by the Sage, but it was dictated to the God of Impediments, Ganadhipati, also called Lord Vighneshwara* who wrote with one of his tusks shows that it is a fiction of an enlightened Mind! Further, it should be remembered that Ganapati is the virtual son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Parvati made Him with a lump of clay! Hence, it is all mysterious how a great work of this sort ever came into the hands of the ancient Vedic people. It is their spiritual pursuit and yajnic or sacrificial rituals that gave them supreme intuitional or divine knowledge and creative power that we have these scriptures as Shrutis and Smrutis. Thus, for all practical purposes, Bhagavad-Gita may be considered a scripture of mysterious nature and of extraordinary sanctity- unspoken and unwritten work ever existed!

    ‘Gitopadesha’, i.e., the Sermons of the Lord- the Maha Vakya- the Commandments like the doctrine of ‘tatvamasi’ and ‘aham brahmasmi’ are imparted to Arjuna by Krishna here. It was revealed to the first Manu, Sumanvanta (Vivasvan) but it was soon lost into oblivion over times. Hence, it was told again to the next Manu, and the next, and continued like that to all the seven Manus. The Seventh Vivasvanta Manu is the one who is supposed to be the Great–great-grandfather (prapitamaha) of all the human beings homo sapiens of the present eon. In fact, the secret of creation, ‘Srishti Rahasya’ was first revealed to the Sun God by the supreme Lord Sri Hari Narayana. It is Shree Hari Narayana as ‘Govinda’, Lord of the Universe (Galaxies and Stars), who sustains them with energy and creative power. He gives energy to the Satrs and Galaxies. Vivasvan, called the first svayambhu Manu, is one such small Star that created our Solar System. He is our God- Surya (Ravi/ Bhaskara/ Aditya/ Sun-God) created by the supreme Lord Sri Hari Narayana. May we adore Him, the Lord of the Universe!

     Thus, the knowledge imparted to the Sun at the beginning, known as Gitopadesha, the secret knowledge of creation and dissolution, has been subsequently imparted to each of the succeeding Manus, and finally, it has come to the present Vaivasvata Manu (Seventh in the series) who in turn told this to King Ikshvaku- the descendant of the Ruler of the Earth, Pruthu. The King Pandu of Hastinapura is the direct descendent of King Bharata of Ikshvaku dynasty. In another instance, Lord Vishnu told this to the Creator-designate Brahmao was to carry out the work of creation; thus the secret was revealed when the latter requested Him.

      There are geomorphologic evidences to prove the “changing face of the earth” over the eons and the Millennia and, today the Mountains, plateaus, valleys and plains, and Lakes stand where there existed none. There are reports of large scale earth movements, convulsions and belchings of extraordinary magnitude accompanied by terrific explosions, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and incessant torrential down-pours that caused total devastation. There are some accounts of fossil records of one or two such catastrophic events in recent history of the morphology of the earth’s surface, (Geomorphology). Indeed, there were six such events recorded in the fossil history of recent millennia too Anyway, these are depicted as the ‘Parlay’ at the end of each human history as also, in the history of the earth- just similar to the deluge that washed away the land, as depicted in Shreemad Bhagavatam and, the supreme Lord. descended to earth- may it be in the form of a leaf of the Banyan tree, an animal like the Boar (Varaha), Turtle (Koorma), Nara Shardoola (a half-man and half Lion) Nr’Simha, Shree Rama, Shree Krishna, or the Buddha, as incarnation to restore it to its previous pristine glory and furtherance of creation, The pious and the learned spiritual Sages were thus saved and their Spiritual knowledge (the Veda) traditionally restored. These passed on from father to son and teacher to his trusted disciple as the ‘Shrutis’ and ‘Smrutis’. The first- born Manus of each Samvatsara retold the same secret of ‘Reality of Existence’ and the supreme Truth to their children and trusted their disciples. And, here, at the end of Dvapara Yuga, the Lord stands as the Charioteer of his nephew, trusted friend and disciple- the confused mind- Arjuna, in the battle field of Hastinapura and reveals the same secret that was first told to Vivasvan, the Sun.

    The Mahabharata War is described as what Sanjaya is narrating (the details of the happenings on the battle field of Kurukshetra) to the blind King Dhrutarashtra. So, it starts with the words: “Sanjaya uvacha”, meaning, Sanjaya said. . . ” This term ‘Sanjaya uvacha’ is used in the main Text to remind us that it is  Sanjaya who is narrating the scene affairs going on in the battle field  and Blind Dhrutarashtra is hearing it. Since Sanjaya is endowed with intuitional eye, he could not only virtually see what was going on in the Battlefield but could read the minds of the warriors. The battlefield (Armageddon) of Kurukshetra is in the minds of the warriors rather than in the field, on the ground. Sanjaya could, as well know as to what transpired at night in the camp also. Thus, he could foretell events, as well. In fact, Shree Krishna Dvaipayana Veda Vyasa offered eyesight to King Dhrutarashtra. But, the blind king said, “O Chief of the Maharishis! I have no desire to see with my own eyes this slaughter of my family, but I should like to hear all the details of the battle.” Hence, the gift of insight was given to Sanjaya instead so that he could narrate the goings-on,

or the happenings, on the battlefield as a running commentary. Thus, this is more like a reading by way of ‘loud thinking’ and an imaginary conversation that the entire Bhagavad-Gita is narrated here rather than what ordinarily we assume In a normal way. There is neither the Battlefield called Kurukshetra, nor Shree Krishna and an Arjuna there. The name Kurukshetra is of a sacred place of Vedic rituals, Yajnya and Yagas. Even the Dharmaksetra is a place where Dharma is first established on Earth.

   Now, Sanjaya narrates to the King all that transpires within the individual (Mind) who introspects about the pros and cons of ones action. Yoga or karma such as the ones performed as one’s rituals,  “kartavyam daivamaanhikam”, one’s ordained duty of Vedic customary duties, etc. with sincere self-less action are prayer for the welfare of mankind (nitya karma), with full devotion to Lord (Bhakti), and superior divine Self.

      But, the fact that Bhagavad-Gita appears as a part of the main Text is still a mystery to many scholars, since the subject matter of this is entirely different from the main Text of the epic.It appears as a sermon, Upadesha of the Lord, that come as an interlude, carrying with it the Sankya and Yoga aspects of the philosophy, aiming at ‘fulfillment’ and ‘Self-Realization’ by different methods of knowledge of existence (Jnyana), and total renunciation (Vairagya or Nirasakti), indifference to fruits of action. It is here that the Lord speaks of redeeming a person from the bondage, cycle of repeated births and deaths, on this earth. He explains how the soul / the jeeva gets embodied repeatedly, and gets embroiled in physical elements and suffers in an illusory world running after insatiate objective world of hunger, thirst, profit and pleasure, in the name of enjoyment. He reveals the secret of ‘Fulfillment’ that lies in realizing the Truth / ’sat’, and, not just simply knowing it. The Knowledge of Truth / Reality of existence are ‘Mukti Yoga Rahasya’. Mukti Yoga Rahasya, is the ‘Secret of Emancipation’ or ’Gospel of Truth’. It is the Yoga or secret technique of getting connected and staying tuned to Parabhraman (Truth) through yoga. It is the ‘Unity Consciousness’ attained by regular spiritual practice in Samadhi  (Transcendental Meditative state) where in individual consciousness is connected to the universal Consciousness.      

____________________________________________________________

  *Geomorpholology is the study of the history of the “Changing Face of the Earth”, i.e., transformation of landscapes.

    Thus, it is possible that this ‘Gitopanishad’ (Mantropanishad or Yogopanishad) is introduced as an episode in the midst of the Mahabharata scripture. Anyway, it serves well to dispel the ignorance of Arjuna; in a way, it is a boon to us, as well.   Arjuna says at the end, “My illusion has vanished.”  It also helps us to realize our Self and attain to liberation.   

    Since the Bhagavad-Gita is a part of Mahabharata*, Bhisma Parva (Cantos 30 – 47) it is associated with the characters such as Karna, Dronaacharya, Bheeshmacharya and others only as far as the first introductory part is concermned. Later on only Arjuna and Krishna become the main characters here. Hence these characters appear only when Arjuna wants to see who all have assembled in the battlefield. Thus he sees all those who are named in the first canto [see Text and Notes].

      Hence, the First Chapter of the Bhagavad-Gita starts as an introduction to the War; but, the war is not the main issue here. The background that necessitated the war is also not mentioned here since it is the part of the main story of the epic Mahabharata*. Only the need for action, ‘performing the necessary ordained duty’, is necessary ordained duty’, is stressed here. Every body has to perform his/her duty as per the Natural Law, Dharma. These duties are very clearly defined in Manu Dharma Shastra. If one wants success, happiness, progress, development, or fulfillment, it is necessary that one should abide by dharma.

     Significantly enough, there is a Svasthi vachana Mantra that is used as invocation in Hindu cultural tradition. It is based on this ‘Natural Law’. It invokes the Lord’s grace for firm establishment of oneself, as also all others in their respective position. This is very important. If the laments are disturbed in their orderly performance of their function, there will be confusion anarchy and delusion. No body can change places unless ordained by the Lord. It is Dharma to perform one’s duty however lowly it might be; in fact, to excel himself in his avocation is the main teaching here. Krishna says, “Whatever is the best in every thing is His Self”. He goes on to explain “Who He is” and makes it very clear that, “He exists and everything else is His reflection (pratibimba). He exists in all living creatures as Prana and Prajnya, He is’ antryamin, seated in the cavity of the heart of one and all”.

____________________________________________________________  *The epic Mahabharata is virtually written by none other than the Lord of Impediments Vighneshwara (Ganaadhipati /Ganesha/Ganapati) as dictated by Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa, an incarnation of Vishnu.

      Although, as a matter of academic interest, the modern historians put the date of this scripture around 3000 to 3500 B.C. (some put it at least 10, 000 years!), it is at least 197.60 Million Years ago that the Lord told this secret science of the eternal to the Sun Vivasvan. It looks ridiculous to all those who have no spiritual knowledge and experience of this different kind of sense of time and space, defined in Sankhya and Yoga Shastra. This divine experience is gained from Yoga Sadhana.

        Hence, meditation aspect is specially addressed to in greater detail in this work. Thus, this ‘Gospel of Truth’, spoken by none else than the Lord Himself. It is a guide to sane and sensible living on this beautiful, rich and resourceful attractive ‘Living Planet’-the Earth. It spells out the secrets of health, happiness, peace and contentment, as also, ways and means of attaining to supreme Knowledge, liberation, ‘Mukti’ or Moksha.

   Even a light reading of this Text assures supreme Bliss to all those who have trust and faith in Him. There are innumerable versions of the Bhagavad-Gita. Some have presented word-by-word meaning and elaborate explanations to the verses. And,

some have strained themselves to provide literal meaning to the Verses / Shlokas and there are seven hundreds of them in the -- strained themselves to provide literal meaning to the Verses / Shlokas and there are seven hundreds of them in the --

eighteen chapters / sections, or cantos. Many scholars have presented exhaustive dissertations trying to explore the hidden meaning of the verses; these are the philosophical treatises, yogic formulae of the Upanishad Doctrines in the Bhagavad-Gita (the yogopanishad). All these efforts are praiseworthy, for they show the interest of the scholars in the Lord’s divine sayings. In fact, the Bhagavad-Gita is the oldest and the most widely-read of the holy Scriptures- both in the East and the West, even to this day.

     The most significant aspect of the Bhagavad-Gita is that the reader gets a new revelation every time he goes through the Text; and he gets a different meaning with a deeper insight and greater depth of understanding! But, one has to get into the serious mode of spiritual exercise of transcendental states of existence if one wants to experience the meaning of the statements made in the Bhagavad-Gita. It is simply not possible to ordinary people. It is not possible to know everything stated in the Bhagavad-Gita in one or two lives! May be, one has to take repeated births to experience the meaning of the statements made in the Bhagavad-Gita and realize for oneself the real meaning and purpose of life. At present, we simply live for living sake. Our understanding is that ‘having born, to somehow live till we die is the next best’. We have no other knowledge. All our time is spent in searching for a comfortable life, eking out a livelihood taking to some avocation, and then just eat, sleep, and spend time in recreation. Never does it occur to us to think a little higher than these. We never bother to know “who we are, where do we come from, and where do we go from here and.what is expected of us and what for are we struggling here, etc.”

    However, we have a number of persons like Swami Yogananda, Sri la Prabhupada, Swamijis like Bhrahmananda, Shivananda, Krishnanda, Swami Chinmayananda, Swami Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Acharya Rajaneesh (Osho), Sree Ramana Maharshi, Jiddu Krishna Murthy, who have devoted their life to study of scriptures, particularly the spiritual and psychological aspects of the Bhagavad-Gita. It is interesting to note that most of them rely on the Commentary of Shankaracharya (Shankara Bhashya) of the Bhagavad-Gita- Advaitamrutavarshini, showering the elixir that highlights the unity consciousness (advaita philosophy). Also, there are the commentaries (Bhashya) particularly that of Shree Madhvacharya (of Udupi, Karnataka), Ramanujacharya (of Tamil Nadu and Melukote in Karnataka), AC Bhakti Vedanta, Nimbaraka or Nimbaditya (West Bengal) who have followed Dvaita philosophy since they are followers of Shree Vaishnava cult and follow either dvaita or vishishtaadvaita siddhanta (Doctrines/philosophy); Chaitanya Maha Prabhu, his disciple Sri la Prabhupada, and many others have explored Bhagavata Dharma in the Gita in the light of Dwaita Siddhanta, or the Bhedaabheda, or Vishishtadvaita Philosophy, and propagated these Teachings in the States of West Bengal, Orissa, and Assam, Karnataka, etc. in India.

     Ultimately, one finds that. Shankara’s Commentary on Bhagavad-Gita seems to be very apt one that focuses attention on the Advaita Doctrine as presented in the Upanishads. Many others- both the Eastern and the Western thinkers’, have gone in to the depth of the philosophy of life, as they have found it apt to their knowledge and experience in life. But, none of these is ever satisfactory when we go into the central theme of attaining to Moksha, Mukti, or Self-Realization / ‘Atma Jnyaan’ or ‘Bhrahm Jnyaan’- as propounded in the Fourth Chapter and the last Chapter of the Bhagavad-Gita- the ‘Jnyana Yoga and the ‘Mukti Yoga Rahasya’, respectively. This remains an eternal secret science and an endless quest.

       The study of Bhagavad-Gita is not merely meant for achievements of success and happiness in worldly life, material progress, and a life of profit and pleasure of the flesh, but mukti or liberation from bondage, as well. In fact, it is beyond all that. It aims at the one eternal happiness, supreme Bliss that brings in its wake an aversion to worldly life- Renunciation /‘vairagya’, and the seeker will have no more of hankerings for the leftovers, hash and trash, of the world. We find King Janaka who is a ‘Videhamukta’, relieved from bondage of the physical restraints, performs Yajnya / Action for the sake of the Adhi Devatas or Demigods and their elemental counterparts- ‘adhibhutas’. King Jayadeva says that he cannot enjoy pleasures of life, even smell attached to nose forms of sight attached to the eyes, etc. In that sense, he has conquered the principle / Tattva of elements, such as the Agni Tattva, Jala Tatva and the Pruthvi Tattva. It is transcending the ‘bhu, bhvar and svah’ realms / ‘Vyahrutis’. It refreshes one to the core of his soul’s contentment and leaves him or her totally happy and blissful.  It is total emancipation, emancipation or mukti, at that!

  Just like the human body that has three distinct layers- one made of the physical elements, second astral body, and the third divine soul, called the adhi-bhuta, the adhidaivika, and the adhyatmika, respectively. The sayings of the Bhagavad-Gita can also be interpreted appealing to each one according to one’s level of intelligence, level of Consciousness and the level of spiritual experience, capacity to understand, previous knowledge and experience, etc. Ultimately, only the spiritual aspects of the Bhagavad-Gita are to be experienced within in order to get the benefit of the Lord’s sayings. An attempt is made here to present the spiritually experienced version of the Bhagavad-Gita and this experience can vary from person to person according to his spiritual attainments. It is hoped here that the readers would try to get into trance and experience the doctrines themselves; the ‘mahat tatvas’ / basic principles enunciated in the Bhagavad-Gita are elaborately described here. The ultimate joy and the Bliss lie in total emancipation, ‘freedom of the Soul’.

     This version of the Bhagavad-Gita- ‘Science of the Eternal’, may be called “The Bhagavad-Gita Revisited” in the 21^st Century and this is the first edition of the New Millennium with a new practical approach to better health, happiness, prosperity, and ‘Salvation’, too. It is called the ‘Mukti Yoga Rahasya’ / ‘The Secret Science of Salvation’ since it absolves human beings of all sins and bondage, ‘paapakarma’. It is the secret technique of crossing the ocean of Sansar. It has come as a result of divine grace of the Lord and his humble attempts at the spiritual attainment. Even the Phalashruti and Geeta Mahatmya given at the end of this Text proclaim that extra-ordinary spiritual or mystic powers accrue to those who study the Bhagavad-Gita with utmost devotion. Ultimately, it is what the adhyatmic experience that the Bhagavad-Gita brings that matters and, it is available to all the human beings born on this earth irrespective of nationality, caste and creed, religious faith and beliefs. It is divine Bliss.

    The casual readers might feel, at times, that there are some repetitions in the Text here and there and a few statements appear to be a little out of context. The Mahat Tatvas or the Basic Principles are deliberately repeated in different contexts in order to drive home the basic tenets of the Bhagavad-Gita Doctrine of Self-Realization. Further, certain aspects of the Upanishads, Bhrahma Sutra and the Yoga Sutra are elaborately dealt with wherever possible in order to provide an insight into the principles of the Yoga Rahasya of the Bhagavad-Gita. Knowledge can be obtained from Vedic Literature (see Notes) which explain the ‘Qualities of Intelligence’ that are needed in order to understand the Lord’s message here. But, it is impossible to bring all of these in one ambit of the present volume. Hence, certain details presented here and there seem to be out of context, but these are really essential for our background knowledge and help us better understanding the Secrets (Rahasya) of Yoga.

    No effort is made here to present the Bhagavad-Gita in the order it is normally presented Chapter by Chapter, shloka-wise. However, it is given for ready reference. The summary of the different chapters are presented in a way that helps to get to the root of the problems of our mundane life and find the solutions that the Teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita offer to attain salvation / Mukti. Ultimately, what is it we want from the study here is the question. Unless, it helps us to understand the nature of this world and see things as they are in Reality, rather than what they appears to be to our limited perceptions of the mind and the senses, it is of no use to us. The knowledge and wisdom one gained from the spiritual aspects of the study of the Bhagavad-Gita are the supreme knowledge, ‘parAvidyA’. It is Vedanta and there is no substitute for it. It brings salvation, emancipation, mukti and Moksha, and enlightenment to all those who aspire for it.

     May Lord Krishna give the necessary courage, courage of conviction, necessary knowledge and spiritual strength to make it a reality in words from its initial thoughts, strong intuitional desire and resolve that have arisen in my heart and Mind?   

     These writings are purely the feelings of the author and do not in any way bind any other faith or beliefs and the author begs of pardon if it in any way  hurts the feelings of the readers or followers of other faiths and beliefs. Nothing but a spiritual aspiration guides in this venture, not even profit or pleasure of any sort and the author does not even preserve the copyright of this work. Any strong feeling that arises out of this work in the minds of the readers, other than the spiritual, should be dismissed and ignored as an aberration, a natural human error that is worthy of pardon in the name of the Lord. No body should take this as personal and think that it upholds only the Vaishnavite or the Hindu philosophy.

     It must be remembered that this scripture is undated and not addressed to any particular sect or creed, but it addresses the whole of mankind. It was there even before the origin of different languages, cultures, and faiths and beliefs! It was there when the whole world was one single family and all lived as brothers and sisters of one joint-family. The question of the Bhagavad-Gita belonging to a particular sect does not arise at all. Only thing is that a small section of people still follow this age-old tradition and principles even today while most others have given it a go-by. Even now it is possible to substitute the Sanskrit verses for any other language and substitute the names of the Deities by the appropriate words that convey the meaning and realize the Truth. [See Notes and Glossary given at the end].

    The Bhagavad-Gita could be a world religion that can ably substitute all other conflicting Religions of the present day since each one of them addresses the question of faith in humanity. It upholds oneness, equity and justice,   dharma, piety, universal welfare, and treats the entire world as one ‘Home’ and treats all as ‘one family’. It aims at universal peace and welfare of mankind. In fact, all the religions aim at this, but in a narrow and parochial way that is self-destructive. Hence, there is some sense in talking of this amalgamation of religions and faiths since all believe in one supreme power that guides this universe.

     May the Supreme Lord bestow His ‘Divine Grace’ and Bless us all like the Sunshine, help us establish peace everywhere, promote economic prosperity and plenty to all. May the supreme Deity of the ‘Divine Word’- vAk dEvata, Veda Mata Saraswati bless us all with proper understanding and ‘Knowledge’ of Truth?  May the Deity Durga Parvati give us courage of our conviction, help us to fight injustice, or at least, give us strength to protest and stand against injustice wherever and whenever it raises its head and protect the weak and the helpless. 

        As already pointed out, this is a subject that is not open for discussion or public debate. It is not to be argued or debated as questions of propriety discussed by human beings. It is meant for deep meditation, contemplation, and spiritual experience only. It is foolish to find fault with the statements of the Lord. Who can dare question God? Even if there are doubts and questions to ask, who will answer them? All are searching for the answer to these eternal problems of mankind sine times immemorial; may be, Jesus Christ, or the Buddha found their answer. But, there is no one now who can stand apart and answer with full knowledge and authority these questions of such importance that the future existence of the whole humanity rests on it. Only God will answer our questions if we surrender to Him completely and contemplate on any question in deep Meditation. The answer would come to us as divine intuitional knowledge that needs no further proof whatsoever.

   In fact, this book is the result of intence Meditation- a spiritual exercise, sadharana of the author after learning yoga under an eminent yogacharya. It is the product of divine intuitional knowledge obtained in deep contemplation on the words of the Lord stated in the Gita; rather, it is due to divine prodding that this writing has come as Revelations! The very exercise of yoga, concentrating all our energy on thoughts of the divine, is by itself ‘divine Bliss’. Brahma jijnyasu eva brahma viduH, i.e., “One who is merged in thoughts of Brahman is Brahman”, says the Brahmasutra of Great Badarayana.  This is a subject that cannot be discussed by ordinary human beings since it is para vidya, paramarthika jnyana. The Lord only says, “The power of the Absolute by which the Bhagavad-Gita is spoken can never be retold in the same vigor and strength of words”. Yet an effort is made here to present yet another version of the Bhagavad-Gita to add to those multitudes of publications that already exist (almost 200 000 of them!) and, this by divine grace and prodding.

   Hence this is a piece of work on Meditation contemplating on what is called ‘Self-consciousness’ i.e., Krishna Consciousness.                  

     The Bhagavad-Gita comes as a piece of advice to Arjuna by Krishna in the battlefield of Kurukshetra, an episode in the great epic Mahabharata; it comes as if an interlude to fill the gap of time since Lord Ganapati had put a condition ‘not to pause’ during dictation failing which he would leave in the middle. The entire epic is credited to Maharshi Veda Vyasa, who in fact is none else but Shree Krishna Dvaipayana only. The central theme of Mahabharata is ‘Dharma’- equity and justice. A detailed account of the background to the War is given under the epic  Mahabharata at the end in Notes.

     The concept of God, Bhagavan is beautifully explained here in Shreemad Bhagavatam. Unless a person is deeply spiritual (not just religious) it is impossible to get a proper grasp of this subject. The mind and the senses have to be kept closed and it is mere meditation /dhyan, contemplation and Samadhi or transcendent state of Consciousness getting beyond three realms of earth, sky and heavens / ‘Bhurbhuvahsvah’, into the ‘Mahat”, as also, rising from the energy plexus of Mooladhaara, Svaadhishthaana and Manipura, high into the Anahata chakra/ plexus of energy level; rather, when one drops himself from the states of awareness such as jagrata, svapna, sushupti and the transcends deeper and higher, he attains the turiya and turiyaateeta /s amadhi /transcendental state of Consciousness that helps in understanding the Parabhrahman called ‘tat’    / ’tyat’ or ‘THAT or IT. The entire concept is deeply adhyatmic exercise beyond theoretical knowledge. A micron of dust of practical exercise here is better than a ton of knowledge of the Veda, Upanishads, and the Bhrahma Sutra. It is something beyond this objective world and has nothing to do with the earthly existence at all. 

       The Vedic and the Upanishad doctrines explained in the Bhagavad-Gita require the background knowledge of not only the ancient scriptures, but  a bit of knowledge of modern science, especially that of advanced physics, quantum mechanics, as also, biology especially, cell biology, neuroscience, advanced psychology, genetic engineering and the DNA - RNA studies, as well. It calls for the knowledge of the language of the Veda (Jharbhari) that is much difficult than the one we find in Bhagavad-Gita- the Samskruta (Sanskrit) language. Mere know-how of the language will not help to convey the meaning of words unless one knows about all its etymology, phonetics, grammar, nirukta, tarka, etc. Otherwise, it simply becomes a tell-tale and the whole purpose of the scripture is defeated. In fact, there is a separate Text called ‘Nirukta’ that can always be referred to in case of doubt.

     Thus, it is very difficult to understand the meaning of what is spoken by the Lord, here. Every intellectual person, spiritually trained person, or sadhaka, tries his hand first on writing a commentary (Bhashya) on the Bhagavad-Gita. It is the ultimate test for spiritual attainment, perfection, and fulfillment of life on this Planet. We find almost 176,000 titles of Bhagavad-Gita in different languages, styles, prose and poetry forms, with elaborate details, and a number of them with limited explanation and word by word meaning of words.

     A religious study of this scripture is prescribed for every Vaishnavite (followers of Vishnu) as a part of self-study, svadhyaaya. It is the regular practice to read a chapter or two every day in some religious families and most of the people read a few verses now and then. Although it appears that Geetopadesha begins here with the reluctance of Arjuna to fight the battle and his Charioteer Shree Krishna advising him not to run away from the ordained duty as a warrior, Kshatriya (warrior clan) of the chaturvarnashrama Dharma, it was in fact, first told by Shri Hari Narayana to Sun-God, Surya Deva, who in turn told it to the first human born, Manu with whose name the Manvantara started.  Manu later told this to Ikshvaku whose dynasty still runs and among them the famous are the King Janaka, King, Dasharatha and Sree Ramachandra., Bharata and later on Bheeshmacharya, Pandu and Dhrutarashtra started their own dynasties.

    Again, Arjuna requested Shree Krishna to repeat the Hitopadesha in the presence of his brothers after the war was over. This is known as the Anu Gita. We see a devotee of Krishna, Uddhava came to see Krishna at the end of the Mahabharata War when Krishna was ready to depart from the earth; and again, Krishna repeated the fundamentals of the Gita to Uddhava as the famous the Uddhava Gita. The famous Sage Ashtavakra who is a Bhrahma Jnyaani puts it in a very simple way this whole Bhagavad-Gita as is literally practiced by him in letter and spirit in the famous Ashtavakra Gita. Thus, we find the famous words of Lord Krishna reverberating ever since He first spoke to the Sun-God.