1. The Source of the Bhagavad-Gita- Unknown! In the words of Bhagavan, “It was first imparted to Vivasvan, the Sun (4.56 billion years ago!)”. (See Ch. IV. Verse 1). It is the ‘spoken words’ of the Lord, as stated in the Gita (Bhagavan uvacha). Since He, the Lord, is the self of all, seated within us all anybody can hear it! His voice is heard when one sits calm and quiet and intently looks within, in a transcendental state of mind (samadhi yoga). There is no doubt this!
2. Who is the author of the ‘Divine Song’ the Gita?
The Bhagavad-Gita is a narration of what Minister Sanjaya of the Blind King Dhrutarashtra about the happenings on the Battleground ‘Kuru-kshetra’ of Hastinapura. Here, Sanjaya starts with “Bhagavan said ...”, and as such, It is none other than the supreme Lord, Shree Krishna speaking! However, the popular belief is that Vedavyasa dictated the epic Mahabharata in which the Bhagavad-Gita appears! Thus, these are Shree Krishna’s own pronouncements. Bhagavan Shree Krishna, as pure Consciousness, imparted this secret knowledge of ‘brahmavidya’ and ‘yogashastra’ to Arjuna (personified as the confused Mind) This is repeatedly stated at the end of each of chapter of the Gita as: “Bhagavad-Gitasu upanishatsu brahmavidyaya yogashastre ….”
3. Who is Shree Krishna?
At the outset, there are the great epics- Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavatam in which Shree Krishna is the central figure. The Bhagavad-Gita appears as an episode in the Bhishma parva of the Mahabharata, These epics are believed to be authored by Sage Vedavyasa, who is none other than Shree Krishna Dvaipayana as stated in the Gita! (Ch. X). Bhagavan is the Supreme Self (‘Param-Atman’), pure consciousness (purnam-prajnyam). He, the Lord, is divine, non-dual; however, may enter anywhere, pervade (pravishat) as ‘in divi dual’ consciousness, manas (Mind) as Arjuna! Bhagavan Shree Krishna says that “He is never born, nor does He die.” He actually descends from the Heavens! The Lord says that “He always exists as the formless (‘nirakara’), without any attributes (‘nirguna’), Eternal (‘nitya’), always exists (‘nirantara’), and never perishable! He may take any form anywhere, anytime as He wills! He is smaller than the smallest and larger the largest (anoraniyan mahatomahiyan)! He, the Lord, further says, “Neither the learned sages, nor the Gods and Goddesses, will ever know Him, nor can He be known through the study of scriptures, or by any other means!” This is because, “He only exists and, nothing else exists besides Him!” Further, He asserts that, “He, the Lord Paramatman, exists in all as the Self (Atman) of all.” If He only exists and nothing else besides Him, it is for us to see Him within us, and realize, experience, visualize, and become one ‘merged in Him’- discarding all that we have acquired as body, senses, mind, intellect, ego and all the qualities associated with Prakruti (Nature). This is the spiritual essence of the Gitopadesha. The term ‘Krishna’ means, “that which has no limit of time, that will not diminish with time.”
4.Who is Arjuna?
Arjuna is the individualized consciousness, albeit ‘divine’, a blemished mind (polluted by desire, ego, and other qualities) the blessed child ‘mantrasya-putrah’ of blessed by Indra, the ‘God of all Gods’ (devaadideva). In fact, all the Pandava (Karna included) are born by the ‘Grace of Gods’, the boon (in the form of mantra) given to Kunti, and not born as children from King Pandu like ordinary mortals!
5. What is the main theme of the Gita?
As ‘brahmavidya’ and a ‘yogopanishat’ the theme of Bhagavad-Gita is ‘liberation of the embodied soul’. The basic concept is that the “the jiva existed in the beginning in its pure state as an ‘energy particle’- chaitanya (prana), chit (prajnya), and vital-airs. It got enmeshed as a jiva on the earth!! The pure energy particle, chaitanya, ‘prana’, has now become a ‘prani’ (living being) embodied in an earthen shell (bhuti-sharira). This living being (prani) looks out for liberation, release from its earthly existence! The jiva is locked in a chain, condemned to a repeatedly embodied state in one form or the other. Once, the jiva realizes its predicament it (as confused mind) looks for guidance to a higher power (pure consciousness). Here comes the Gita as “Words of Bhagavan” that helps the jiva to revert to its pure state! The supreme Lord only comes here to teach ‘yoga’ and ‘Atmajnyan’ and ‘brahmavidya’ and thereby, helps the troubled souls to revert to their pure state. With the help of the Gita, the jiva can get cleansed of all its karma klesha and merge in Bhagavan. Here, the term ‘yoga’ (meaning, ‘yuj’) is taught in order to merge in Him, ‘get united’ with the Lord! It does not matter whether one accepts or not this fundamental principle! The Lord knows this and says, “Those who do not faith or believe My words will perish”! samshayatma vinashyati | The exact way of creation of life-forms, as well as, their release from cycle of rebirths, bondage, is described here. Hence, the purpose of this entire unwritten scripture, spoken words of Bhagavan Shree Krishna, is to enlighten the ignorant jivas and liberate them from suffering; it comes as a guide, a handbook, for all humanity to live a fruitful life, seek solace in times of distress and revert back to the pure pristine formless state!
6. What is ‘Brahmavidya’?
‘Brahmavidya’ is the highest knowledge, ‘para-vidya’. It is the ‘Knowledge supreme’ (Vedanta)! It is the Knowledge of the Self, Atmajnyan.
7. What is ‘yoga shastra’?
'Yoga' is the means of attaining to ‘unity-consciousness’ (samprajnyata), ‘oneness (‘yuj’) with brahmn’. Having arrived on this Earth (mrutyu loka) where that which is born has to die. Here, death is certain, besides ill-health, sickness, and old age, the suffering jivas look forward for some divine help and appeals to God! The Gitopadesha comes as a divine help, the means of emancipation, liberation, getting back or reverting to pure state, of Consciousness, ‘chit’, gains knowledge of the Self, Atmajnyan.
8. What is ‘emancipation (Mukti and Moksha)?
'Mukti' and 'Moksha' have much deeper meaning as revealed in the last Chapter of the Gita. This is the very sum and substance of the Gita. This is imparted by the Lord. It is the ‘Realization of the Self’ or ‘Atmajnyan’ that brings about liberation.
9. What is taught by the Lord here and what is the methodology”?
The Bhagavad-Gita deals with emancipation step by step. It starts with the troubled mind and ends with enlightenment. The supreme Lord, Bhagavan Shree Krishna goes on advising we the mortals through ‘Arjuna’ how to attain to ‘Self’. First, He, the Lord, advises us (through Arjuna) to perform our ordained duties without any expectations (‘nishkama karma’) and then goes on to explain how bhakti, jnyan, dhyana, and samadhi as regular practice, ‘abhyasa yoga’ and ‘nirasakti yoga’ will help the troubled souls, confused minds, seeking solace to realize its true nature, and thereby, get released from bondage. Since the Lord Himself is seated as ‘antaryamin’, the very consciousness of the jivas, the spoken words of the Lord is not very difficult to understand by any ordinary person. Here Bhagavan Shree Krishna speaks in very clear terms. He, the Lord, says, “The jiva can obtain knowledge and wisdom and thereby gets discretionary power (viveka) to know ‘what to do’ and ‘what not to do’. Then, the jiva takes to sacrificial rituals, yajnya, daana, and finally, sanyasa (renunciation).
Thus, the jiva is redeemed from its bondage, released from the shackles of kala, niyati and other limitations (‘maya’). Once the jiva is enlightened as to its true nature- sat chit, and ananda, the shackles of karma are broken and the consequent rebirths (punarjanma) in different forms and the associated sufferings end.
Conclusion: Bhagavan Shree Krishna comes here as ‘friend, philosopher, and guide’ not only to Arjuna, but to all of us. As a friend, He says “I am always with you. I shall take care of you”. As a philosopher, He advises us not to worry, whatever happens, happens. It is beyond your limits!” And, as a Guide, Bhagavan gives several options and allows liberty to pick and choose whatever means that suits you. Finally, He, the Benevolent Lord, assures that “Ultimately all will reach Him!”
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