Decoding the Bhagavad-Gita

   There is need for a proper insight into the ancient scriptures, particularly when it comes to texts like the Bhagavad-Gita, Brahma Sutras and the like, It is indeed, the only unscripted spoken words of the Supreme Lord ever fund in the world and it is the first ever spoken to the Sun God! Bhagavan Shree Krishna says that, "He revealed this yoga to Vivasvan, the Sun God, (at the beginning of Creation?)! See imam vivasvate yogam proktavaan...| (Ch. IV. Verse 1). And, then He goes on to say, "Arjunaa, you are dear to Me. So, I am revealing the most secret of the secrets to you. "idam tu te guhyatamam pravashyaam... \ and, rajavidya rajaguhyam pavitram idam... | (Ch. IX. Verse 2).

  Thus, it is clear that the Supreme Lord is revealing jnyana vijnyana, brahma vidya and yoga shastra, as also, some of the secrets of creation, sustenance, liberation and even the means of attaining to Him via salokya, samipya, sannidhya, and sayujya. He also assures that the jiva caught in a vicious cycle, suffering from the repeated births and deaths will be redeemed after understanding and practicing this supreme knowledge (yoga shastra).

  However, it must be cautioned that this secret knowledge cannot be obtained without the help of an attained yogacharya. Here, Bhagavan Shree Krishna comes as Yogacharya to His ardent disciple Arjuna. So, we mortals have to wait for his grace! There are a number of steps prescribed for this purpose. But, the humans struggling hard to come over hunger, thirst, and old age, diseases and death find no clue as to escape the wretched sensuous worldly life. It is extremely difficult to overcome the inherent ego and surrender to the Lord. We, the mortals, cannot worship the Lord with unflinching faith and devotion like Dhruva or Prahalada. First we must develop renunciation (vairagya) like the great saints and sages and sit in constant contemplation, meditation.. 

  Hence, the study of the Bhagavad-Gita needs a steady mind, contemplation and constant thinking about the sayings of the Lord. Each and every word of the Lord needs to be decoded since there are deeper esoteric aspects involved here. Study of the Gita (Gita adhyayana) is a life-time pursuit and needs a thorough preparation right from the child-hood days under an able teacher.  

  Some of the Chapters of the Gita like the Karma-sanyasa yoga, jnyana-vijnyana yoga, dhyana yoga, bhaktiyoga, Vibhuti yoga, Purushothama yoga,  are very important. These are really the means of liberation (mukti-mokshaprada). 

(To be contd.)