Srimad Bhagavad Gita

Introduction
 Mangalacarana
(Invoking auspiciousness)

Obeisances & Prayers

1 2 3 4

1) Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Lord Krishna Srimati Radharani

Born in darkest
ignorance, Spiritual Saraswati Thakura & All Whose bodily
Friend of
Master opened my eyes Vaishanavas complexion is like
distressed,Source of
with Torch of Molten Gold, Queen
2) All Goswami Creation, Master of
Knowledge. I offer my of Vrindavan,
Gopis, Lover of
respectful obeisances Rupa Goswami, Sanatana daughter of King
Radharani
unto him. Goswami, Raghunathdas Vrsabhanu, Very dear
Goswami, Raghunath to Lord Krsna
When will Srila Rupa
Goswami, who is
Bhatta Goswami, Gopala 5 6 7
Bhatta Goswami, Jiva
fulfilling desire of Lord
Goswami
Caitanya give me
shelter under his Lotus 3) Panchatattva & associates
Feet.
Lord Caitanya, Lord
Nityananda, Advaita
All Vaishanavas devotees of Mahamantra
Acharya, Gadadhar, Panchatattva
Lord
Srivasa & other assoicates.
Lord Caitanya, Lord Nityananda,
They are like desire tree can
4) Srimati Radharani, Sri Advaita Acharya, Gadadhar
fulfill desires of everyone, full
Krishna, Sri Lalita Sakhi Pandit, Srivasa Pandit and others
of compassion to fallen souls.
and Sri Visakha Sakhi in line of devotion.
Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
Necessity of Bhagavad Gita As It Is
BG also known as Gitopanishad
Essence of Vedic Knowledge, Most important Upanishad
Many commentaries of Bhagavad Gita Available, Why this edition?
None of them strictly authoritative b/c all of them
commentator has expressed their own opinion without
touching spirit of Bhagavad Gita As It Is.
Spirit (Vital Principle) of Bhagavad Gita
Spirit of Bhagavad Gita is mentioned in Gita itself.
Eg. Taking medicine as per direction given by Physician not by whim.
BG Should be accepted as directed by speaker, Lord Sri Krsna.
Lord Sri Krsna is establishes himself as Bhagavan, Supreme
Personality of Godhead
Also confirmed by Great Acaryas (Spiritual Master) like
Sankarcarya, Ramanujacarya, Madhavacarya, Nimbarka Swami, Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Also mentioned in Scripture such as BG, BS, SB and all puranas
Therefore BG should be taken as directed by Lord Sri Krsna
 Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
Knowledge revealed in Disciplic Succession (Parampara)
BG 4.1,4.2,4.3

Lord
Sri Krishna Vivasvan
Sun God
Manu
Iksvaku

Lord Krsna has descended to

Re-establish the Message

Devotee of
Krsna Qualities required to
Arjuna understand Bhagavad Gita
Friend of
Krsna

Three Classes of Transcendentalist

Jnani Yogi Bhakta

Impersonalist Meditator Devotee of Lord
Relationship with Lord
Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
Relationship with Lord
Congugal Lover
Madhurya rasa
Gopis

Passive State Parent

Santa rasa Vatsalya rasa
MotherYashoda
Trees, Flute Lord
Sri Krishna

Active State Friend

Dasya rasa Sakhya rasa
Arjuna
Hanuman

Svarupa-siddhi (Perfection of one’s constitutional position)

Everyone has one particular relationship with Krsna, called Svarupa
At present stage we have forgotten Lord and the eternal relationship
That relationship is can be revived by process of Devotional
Service, that stage is called Svarupa-siddhi
Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
How Arjuna accepted Bhagavad Gita?
BG 10.12-14
Arjuna Said :
Your are Supreme Truth (param brahma) (Living Entity->Brahman, Lord-> PB)
Ultimate abode (param dhama)
The Purest (pavitram), untainted by material contamination
The Absolute Truth (paramam bhavan)
You are a Person (purusam), Supereme Enjoyer
Eternal (sasvatam)
Transcendental (divyam)
Original Lord (Adi-devam)
The Unborn (ajam)
The greatest (vibhum)
All great sages such as Narada, Asita, Devala and Vyasa confirm
this truth about you. (Accepted by all acharyas)
You yourself are declaring it to me. I TOTALLY ACCEPT AS
TRUTH YOU HAVE TOLD ME.
Neither Demigods or the Demons can understand your personality.
(Even great personalities cannot understand then how human beings
can understand?)
Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
How Bhagavad Gita should be understood?
Bhagavad Gita should be taken Spirit of Devotion
One should not think that he is equal to Krsna
One should not think Krsna as ordinary personality or even very great
personality but Krsna is Supreme Personality of Godhead.
One trying to study BG should atleast theoretically accept Sri Krsna
as Supreme Personality of Godhead
One should read BG in submissive spirit, else it is very difficult to
understand BG, because it a great mystery.
Purpose of Bhagavad Gita?
Deliver mankind from nescience of material existence.
Everyman is full of difficulty & Anxiety in the Material World
We are put into Asat (Temporary), but we are eternal
Out of so many suffering, some inquires why suffering? Wants
solution, inquires. In Brahma Sutra this is inquiry is called Brahma-
Jijsasa. (Athato Brahma Jijsasa).
For such sincere students Bhagavad Gita is spoken.
Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
References – About importance of inquiry
BG 4.34
tad viddhi praëipätena
paripraçnena sevayä
upadekñyanti te jïänaà
jïäninas tattva-darçinaù

VedantaSutra 1.1.1
athato brahma jijnasa

SB 1.2.10
kamasya nendriya-pritir
labho jiveta yavata
jivasya tattva-jijnasa
nartho yas ceha karmabhih
 Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
Reasons for Lord Krsna’s Appearance
Lord Krsna descends :
Re-establish the real purpose of life
Out of many human beings, some awakens, of them one who actually
enters the spirit of understanding his position, for them BG is spoken.
Lord is very merciful upon living entities (nescience), thus spoke BG
to his friend and devotee Arjuna.
Arjuna’s position
Arjuna is close associate of Krsna and above ignorance. He was
put into ignorance to deliver message of Bhagavad Gita.

Topics of Bhagavad Gita

5 Basic Truths

Isvara (God) Jiva (Living Entity) Prakriti Kala Karma

Supreme Controller Controlled,Conditioned (Material Nature) (Time) (Activity)

Eternal Not Eternal

Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
Topics of Bhagavad Gita
Isvara (God)
Controller

Supreme Godhead or Krsna or Brahman or Supreme Controller or

Paramatma or Supreme Consciousness and is Greatest of All.
Living entities are same as Lord in quality not quantity.
Material Nature, Kala are working under direction of Lord.
Eg.Cosmic Nature, Automobile etc.

Jiva (Living Entity)

Controlled,Conditioned

Jivas are Part and Parcel of the Lord. Eg.Particle of Gold & Goldmine, Drop Ocean
and Ocean.

Jivas are same in quality and minute in quantity.

Subordinate Isvaras, Tendency to control but are always controlled.
Jiva although parts and parcels of Lord are considered as Prakriti
(enjoyed) (Superior Energy b/c they are Conscious) BG 7.5
Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
Topics of Bhagavad Gita… Contd.
Prakriti
(Material Nature)
Inferior Nature (b/c not conscious), Eternal but sometimes Manifest or
Unmanifest. Eg. Clouds during rainy season.
Krsna is only Purusha (Enjoyer), Prakriti is female, controlled by Lord, is
enjoyed. Eg. Wife controlled by Husband. BG 9.10
Constitutes of 3 qualities Modes - Goodness, Passion, Ignorance

Kala
(Time)

Above these modes are Kala or Time.

Karma
(Activity)

Combination of the Modes and under the control and puriew of eternal time
there are activities, this activities are called Karma.
Activities are carried out from time immemorial and we are suffering or
enjoying fruits of our activities (also Karma). Eg. Businessman
Karma is not Eternal, Karma changes with Perfection of Knowledge.
 Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
Difference between Isvara & Jivas
Explained in BG Chapter 13.2-3

Lord Living Entity

Ksetra-Jna(super knower) (BG 13.3) Ksetra-Jna (knower of the field) (BG 13.2)
Conscious (Of all the bodies), not Materially Conscious (Of ones own body), Materially
contaminated (BG 7.13, 9.10) contaminated (BG 13.2, 14.5)

Heart of all Living entities (Paramatma) Resides only in one’s own body
(BG 13.23)
Controller of all bodies Controlled or Conditioned
Gives direction to the living entity (BG 15.15) Forced to act as per the modes (BG 15.7)
Not affected by Karma (BG 3.22, 4.14) Entangled in action & reaction
(Karma) (BG 13.22)
Lord travels with Living Entity to his Enters into another body based on
next destination Karma (Transmigration) (BG 2.13, 8.6)
Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
What is Consciousness and Bhakti ?
Jiva is conscious and Lord is supreme conscious.
Consciousness is not generted by association of matter.
For Jiva the conciousness is covered eg. Light covered by colored glass.
When Lord descends into material world his consciousness is not
covered or affected. (BG 9.10)
BG teaches us how to purify consciousness and any activity in
purified consciousness is called Bhakti. Pure consciousness is
transcendental to the 3 modes of material nature.
When Jiva is Materially Contaminated, its called conditoned. False
consciousness or False Ego (bodily concept of life). Mukti or
Liberation means freedom bodily concept or Material Consciousness.
Consciousness is “I am”. Contaminated - I am the Lord. I am the
Creator and I am the Enjoyer. But actually he is the co-operator. Eg. Part
of the machine co-operates with the machine, part of the body co-operates with the body, watering root
of the tree and master and servant.

Lord is the actual Enjoyer and the Living entities are enjoyed. Living
entities enjoy by cooperating.
Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
Different Energies (Shakti’s) of the Lord

Antaranga Tatastha Bahiranga

Internal Marginal External

Samvit (Cit) Hladini (Ananda)

Sandhini (Sat)
Knowledge Pleasure Potency
Eternity Bliss
Cognitive

-Eternality -Knowledge -Srimati Radharani is

-Spiritual World (Dham) -Krsna knows about Hladini Shakti Murti
himself -Ananda or Bliss or
-Krsna knows about Pleasure Potency
everyone -Krsna & Jiva gets
-Living entity can know Transcendental Bliss
about Krsna -Bhakti/Prema is Hladini
Swarupa.
 Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
Different Manifestations of the Lord
Lord Sri Krsna
Supreme Absolute Truth
Complete Personality of Godhead
The Complete Whole Different Realizations
Sat-cit-ananda vigraha
Eg. Sun God

Different Energies of the Lord

Impersonal Paramatma
Brahman Sat-Cit
The Supreme Controlled Cosmic Eternal
Karma Sat (Eternal) Eternal/Knowledge
Controller Living Entities Manifestation Time Eg. Sun Disc
Eg. Sun rays

All Sorts of incompleteness

Material World are experienced due to our
is Complete unit incomplete knowledge of
24 elements the complete.

Bhagavad Gita contains the complete Knowledge of Vedic Wisdom

 Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
24 Elements as described in Chapter 13.6-7
24 Elements

1. Maha Bhuta 2. 5-Knowledge 3. 5-Working 4. 5-Objects of 21. Mind

(5 Great Elements) acquiring senses Senses Senses 22. Intelligence

23. False Ego
Earth Eyes Voice Form 24. Unmanifested
Water Nose Legs Smell modes
Fire Ears Hands Sound
Air Skin Anus Touch
Ether Tongue Genitals Taste

FOA

Interactions
Happiness/Distress Desire/Hatred
 Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
VEDIC KNOWLEDGE

Revealed absolute Truth Composed by sages

Every word unchanged eternally SRUTI SMRTI Wording may change from age to age

VEDAS UPAVEDAS Ritual Sutras Tantras

Rg, Yajur, Dhanurveda VEDANGAS Connected to Spoken by Lord Pancaratras Puranas Itihasas Six Darshanas
Sama, Atharva Ayurveda, etc. Kalpa-vedanga Siva to Parvati

Srauta Sutras Vaisnava

Samhitas Kalpa
explains 18 Major
mantras ritual details worship
public yajnas

Brahmanas Grhya Sutras

Siksa
ritual explanation
pronunciation
explains 18 Minor
of mantras home yajnas Tamasic
Aranyakas
Vyakarana Dharma Sutras
esoteric explanation
grammar Law books
of mantras Rajasic

Upanisads Nirukta
Jnana-kanda
etymology Dharma Sastras
philosophy of Brahman including Manu- Sattvic
samhita and others
Chandas
meters

Jyotisa Vedanta Mimamsa Nyaya Vaisesika

astronomy-time (Gautama)
(Vyasa) (Jaimini) (Kanada) Yoga Sankhya
calculation (Epistemology, logic)
(Metaphysics) (Hermeneutics) (Metaphysics) (Patanjali) (Kapila)
philosophy of
theology of interpreting philosophy of (Sadhana) (Metaphysics)
knowledge
Upanisads scriptural texts existence
including logic
Compliments : Tyaga Caitanya Das
sisters sisters sisters
Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
Vedic Knowledge
Vedic Knowledge is complete, infallible, beyond mistakes, b/c it is
apaurseya(spoken by Lord Himself) beyond 4 defects. Eg. Cowdung,
4 defects
Imperfect senses
Commit Mistakes
Illusioned
Cheating tendency
Bhagavad Gita is Essence of all Vedic Scriptures, we should accept
without interpretation.
Vedas Knowledge is not matter of research. Its comes down in Parampara
(disciplic succession).
Disciplic Succession (Parampara)
Prapitamaha Pitamaha
Imparted into heart of Message passed in DS
Lord Krsna Lord Brahma

Spoke BG to Arjuna
Arjuna
Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
Goal of Human Form of Life
Realize the importance of Human Form of Life
Direction given in Vedic literatures, essence in Srimad Bhagavad Gita.

Properly utilize instructions of Bhagavad-Gita.

Purify our existence, Re-establish our eternal relationship with Lord &
Go Back to Godhead (Spiritual Sky) which is eternal, Knowledge &
Bliss, this is Sanatana Dharma.
Sanatana Dharma
According to Sripada Ramanujacarya “Sanatana”-> No beginning or end.
Sanatana-Dharma does not refer to any sectarian process or religion.
It is eternal function of the eternal living entities in relationship with
eternal Supreme Lord.
Difference between Religion & Sanatana Dharma
Religion coveys the idea of faith and faith may change, but Sanatana
Dharma never changes. Eg. Hindu may become Muslim, Christian.
For instance Liquidity of water, Heat of Fire.

Religion can have beginning or end but Sanatana Dharma is eternal.

Eg. Other Religions.
Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
Sanatana Dharma (Svarupa)
Constantly
Eg. Heat & Light with Fire,
Dharma Existing with Sweetness with Sugar
Particular object

CM to Sanatana Goswami
Rendering Service
Svarupa to Supereme
Living Entity Constitutional Position Personality of Godhead

Eg. Living Entities are always serving. Husband serves wife, wife
serves child, President serves country. There is no exception in
society.
Religion or faith of person may change, Hindu may become Muslim
or Christian, but rendering the service still continues. Therefore
rendering service is Sanatana-Dharma.
We are factually related to Supreme Lord in service. Supreme Lord
is Supreme Enjoyer and we living entities are His servitors. We are
created for his enjoyment and we become happy in serving him,
We cannot become happy otherwise. Eg. Part of body cannot be happy without co-
operating with stomach.
Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
Demigod Worship (Devatas)
Demigods (Devatas) are subordinate controllers in the Material
World. Eg Sun God (Vivasvan), Moon God (Soma)
Demigod Worship is not recommended or approved by Krsna
Those whose intelligence has been stolen by material desires (lust)
surrender unto demigods. They follow the particular rules and
regulations of worship according to their own nature.

Reason for Lord’s Appearance

Lord is Ananda-mayo-bhyasat (Reservior of All Pleasure). Living
entities are his parts & parcel and participate in his enjoyment.
Lord descends in this Mortal World to show His pastimes in
Vrindavan, which are full of bliss, by which living entity can get
attracted to him. He performs various passtimes with his devotees
and by his pastimes he shows they need not worship Demigods. b/c
their ultimate goal is to return to his abode.
Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
Lords Abode (Goloka Vrindavan)

Not Illuminated by

Sun Moon
Goloka Vrindavan
BG 15.6
Nor Illuminated by

Fire Electricity

One who reaches

there (Goloka) Illuminated by
never returns Brahmajyoti
Back to Material World Effulgence of Lord

Spiritual Planets floating in Brahmajyoti

Goloka
 Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
Material World

Yanti deva vrata devan

Satya Loka (Lord Brahma)
Tapa Loka
Birth, Death, Old Age & Disease

Jana Loka (7 Sages) Higher Planetary System

Mahar Loka Subtle
Svarga Loka (Lord Indra)

Bhuvar Loka(Raksasa & Ghost)

Moon
Sun
Middle Planetary System
Earth
Gross & Subtle

Atala Loka
Vitala Loka
Sutala Loka
Lower Planetary System
Talatala Loka Gross
Mahatala Loka
Rasatala Loka
Patala Loka
Pitra Loka & Hellish Planets
 Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction

 Nourishment  Reflection on desire

The three modes
(goodness, passion, ignorance)
 Roots
- Real root grows upwards (Brahmaloka)
 Living entities involvement - Secondary root grows downwards
(Bhuloka)
Hops from one branch to another
trying to taste the fruit a) attachment & aversion
a) up is down & down is up b) bound by fruitive actions by human
society
b) can’t see how far the tree
extends or where it ends
 Branches
Upper & Lower planet
c) although living entities are
eternal fragmental parts of
Krishna, they are  Leaves
struggling with Vedic hymns
the senses
 Twigs
 Fruits Sense objects
dharma, artha,
karma, moksa  Tips of branches
senses

The only way out a) hear properly from him

of the tree is  Find one in knowledge b) about the relationship between Lord & living entity

DETACHMENT a) through the spiritual master

 Surrender to the Lord

b) no false prestige that he is Lord of material nature
c) not in illusion
d) gives up false association
Compliments : Tyaga Caitanya Das  Attains eternal abode c) free from dualities
Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
How to attain abode of Krsna?
Eternal Kingdom
Spiritual World Avyakta
Sanatana Dhama (Unmanifested)

Can be attained by one who is

Nirmana-Moha
Free from designation

Designation means bodily concept of Life. Eg. Sir, Lord,

President, King
Designations are due to bodily attachments and wants
of recognition, which is due to lust, desire and
propensity of lording over material nature.
Actually we are not this body but we are eternal
servant of the Lord.
AS LONG AS WE ARE BEWILDERED BY THE
ATTRACTIONS OF FALSE MATERIAL
ENJOYMENTS, WE DO NOT GET ENTRY TO
SPIRITUAL KINGDOM.
 Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
BG 8.5
How to Attain Abode of Krsna? anta-kāle ca mām eva
smaran muktvā kalevaram
Spiritual Kingdom yaḥ prayāti sa mad-bhāvaḿ
Attains Krsna’s yāti nāsty atra saḿśayaḥ
Nature
And whoever, at the end of his
Mad-bhavam
Sat Cit Ananda life, quits his body, remembering Me
Eternal Knowledge Bliss alone, at once attains My nature. Of
this there is no doubt.

Quits body
Remembering
Krsna

Present Body

Nirananda
Misery
Does not remember Krsna

Acit Fate decided by

Ignorance
Higher Authorities
According to Activities
Asat of this life
Temporary
 Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
Destination of different Transcendentalists
Spiritual Planets (Vaikuntha) (3/4)

Goloka
Devotees Superior
& Energy
Paramatma-vadi Para
Transcendental

Jiva
Brahmavadi

Jiva Inferior
Material Planets (1/4)

Energy
Heavenly
Planets
Materialist apara
Material
Earth
General Principle of Quiting Body (BG 8.6)
Hellish
Planets Whatever state Attains
One remembers That
While quitting body State
 Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
Purpose of Vedic Literature
Transfer
Material Spiritual
Thoughts
from Energy Energy
Complied by
Vyasadeva
Example : Puranas and other Sages
Newspapers Vedas
Magazines Instead cultivate Vedanta Sutra
Novels,TV reading
Srimad Bhagavatam Possible to
Internet Mahabharata
Remember
Bhagavad Gita
Lord at the
time of death
Krishna advice to Arjuna
BG 8.7
Krishna
Always think of me in the
Form of Krsna & carry out
Your Prescribed Duties Attain
Arjuna Activities dedicated Krsna
to Krsna Without doubt
Mind & Intelligence
fixed on Krsna
 Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
Division of Society
Has to Work
Human Society In order to
Maintain body

According to
Work
4 Division of Social Order

Brahmana Kshatriya Vaisya Sudra

Intelligent Administrative Mercantile Labourer

Topmost Yogi (BG 6.47)

While remembering Develop Strong
Great Faith Abides in Me Krsna How is it possible?
Sense of Love
Perform Duties For Krsna
Then
Most intimately
Unite with Krsna Possible to remember Example
Married Women
Krsna
Attached
Thinks of me
Transcendental At the time of death
Loving Service
 Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
How do we work? Secret of Bhagavad
Body Gita
Not with
Work

Senses
with

Mind Intelligence

Engage Mind &

Intelligence in
thoughts/service of
Krsna, hence body
and senses will be
automatically
engaged.

Total Absorption in
thoughts of Lord Krsna
 Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
Cultivating Devotional Service (9 Processes)
Sanskrit Meaning Devotees
Sravanam (easiest) Hearing Maharaj Parikshit
Kirtanam Chanting/Glorifying Sukadev Goswami
Vishnu Smaranam Remembering Prahlad Maharaja
Pada-sevanam Serving Lords Lotus Feet Mother Laxmi
Arcanam Deity Worship Maharaj Prthu
Vandanam Praying Akrura
Dasyam Executing Orders Hanuman
Sakhyam Friendship Arjuna
Atma-nivedanam Complete Surrender Bali Maharaj

All 9 Processes  Maharaj Ambrisha

 Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
How to achieve Total Absorption?
Nectar of Instruction - 8
tan-nama-rupa-caritadi-sukirtananu-smrtyoh kramena rasana-manasi niyojya
tisthan vraje tad-anuragi jananugami kalam nayed akhilam ity upadesa-saram
The essence of all advice is that one should utilize one's full time — twenty-four hours a day —
in nicely chanting and remembering the Lord's divine name, transcendental form, qualities and
eternal pastimes, thereby gradually engaging one's tongue and mind. In this way one should
reside in Vraja (Goloka Vrindavan dhama) and serve Krsna under the guidance of devotees.
One should follow in the footsteps of the Lord's beloved devotees, who are deeply attached to
His devotional service.

Most Important

Hearing Kirtanam Smaranam

Sravanam Chant/Glorify Rememberance
 Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
Different Stages Stages to reach Perfection (by SBSST)
Of Remembrance

Sravana dasa Varana dasa Smaranavastha Sampatti dasa

Remember & Eternal Relationship

Hearing Acceptance
Chant in Ecstasy Revealed

5 Stages
of Smarana

Meditation Expands Uninterrupted &

Uninterrupted &
Interrupted Uninterrupted & Becomes Unceasing
Concentrated
Constant Anusmrti

Anusmrti Samadhi
Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
How to Cultivate Devotional Service?
tad-vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet
samit-panih srotriyam brahma-nistham
(Mundaka Upanishad-1.2.12)

To understand these things properly, one must humbly

approach, with firewood in hand, a spiritual master who
is learned in the Vedas and firmly devoted to the
Absolute Truth
• Must Approach a Spiritual Master (BG 4.34)
• Focus mind on SPG

• The ways and the means for ultimate realization,

ultimate attainment, are stated in the Bhagavad-Gita
• Open to everyone, NO RESTRICTIONS (BG 9.32-33)
Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
Essence of Srimad Bhagavad Gita

By adopting the
principles enunciated in
Srimad Bhagavad-Gita,
One can perfect their
life and permanently
solve all the problems
of life.
Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction

Gita-Mahatmya
Glorification by Sripad Sankaracharya
Gita-Mahatmya 1 If one properly follows the instructions
gita-sastram idam punyam of Bhagavad-gita, one can be freed from
yah pathet prayatah puman all the miseries and anxieties of life.
visnoh padam avapnoti One will be freed from all fears in this
bhaya-sokadi-varjitah life, and one's next life will be spiritual.
Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
Benefits of Study of Bhagavad-Gita… Contd
Gita-Mahatmya 2
If one reads Bhagavad-gita very
gitadhyayana-silasya
sincerely and with all seriousness, then
pranayama-parasya ca
by the grace of the Lord the reactions of
naiva santi hi papani
his past misdeeds will not act upon
purva-janma-krtani
him.

Gita-Mahatmya 3 One may cleanse himself daily by

maline mocanam pumsam taking a bath in water, but if one takes
jala-snanam dine dine a bath even once in the sacred Ganges
water of Bhagavad-gita, for him the dirt
sakrd gitamrta-snanam of material life is altogether
samsara-mala-nasanam vanquished.
Because Bhagavad-gita is spoken by the Supreme Personality
Gita-Mahatmya 4 of Godhead, one need not read any other Vedic literature.
gita su-gita kartavya One need only attentively and regularly hear and read
Bhagavad-gita. In the present age, people are so absorbed in
kim anyaih sastra-vistaraih mundane activities that it is not possible for them to read all
the Vedic literatures. But this is not necessary. This one
ya svayam padmanabhasya book, Bhagavad-gita, will suffice, because it is the essence of
all Vedic literatures and especially because it is spoken by
mukha-padmad vinihsrta the Supreme Personality of Godhead
 Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
Benefits of Study of Bhagavad-Gita… Contd
Gita-Mahatmya 5 One who drinks the water of the Ganges attains salvation, so what
to speak of one who drinks the nectar of Bhagavad-gita? Bhagavad-
gita is the essential nectar of the Mahabharata, and it is spoken by
bharatamrta-sarvasvam Lord Krishna, the Original Vishnu.
****************
visnu-vaktrad vinihsrtam Bhagavad-gita comes from the mouth of the Supreme Personality
of Godhead, & the Ganges is said to emanate from the lotus feet
gita-gangodakam pitva of the Lord. Of course, there is no difference between the mouth
& the feet of the Supreme Lord, but from an impartial study we
punarjanma na vidyate can appreciate that Bhagavad-gita is even more important than the
water of the Ganges.

Gita-Mahatmya 6 This Gitopanisad, Bhagavad-gita, the essence of all

the Upanisads, is just like a cow, and Lord Krsna,
sarvopanisado gavo who is famous as a cowherd boy, is milking this
dogdha gopala-nandanah cow. Arjuna is just like a calf, and learned scholars
partho vatsah su-dhir bhokta and pure devotees are to drink the nectarean milk
of Bhagavad-Gita.
dugdham gitamrtam mahat
Gita-Mahatmya 7 In this present day, people are very much eager to have one
scripture, one God, one religion, and one occupation. Therefore,
ekam sastram devaki-putra-gitam: let there be one scripture only,
ekam sastram devaki-putra-gitam one common scripture for the whole world--Bhagavad-gita. Eko
devo devaki-putra eva: let there be one God for the whole world--
eko devo devaki-putra eva Sri Krsna. Eko mantras tasya namani: and one hymn, one mantra,
one prayer--the chanting of His name: Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna,
eko mantras tasya namani yani Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare
Hare. Karmapy ekam tasya devasya seva: and let there be one work
karmapy ekam tasya devasya seva only--the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
 Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
The Disciplic Succession
1. Krsna 17. Brahmanya Tirtha
2. Brahma 18. Vyasa Tirtha
3. Narada 19. Laksmipati
4. Vyasa 20. Madhavendra Puri
5. Madhva 21. Isvara Puri, (Nityananda, Advaita)
6. Padmanabha 22. Lord Caitanya
7. Nrhari 23. Rupa, (Svarupa, Sanatana)
8. Madhava 24. Raghunatha, Jiva
9. Aksobhya 25. Krsnadasa
10. Jayatirtha 26. Narottama
11. Jnanasindhu 27. Visvanatha
12. Dayanidhi 28. (Baladeva) Jagannatha
13. Vidyanidhi 29. Bhaktivinoda Thakura
14. Rajendra 30. Gaurakisora
15. Jayadharma 31. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati
16. Purusottama 32. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada
 Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
The Disciplic Succession
1. Krsna 17. Brahmanya Tirtha
2. Brahma 18. Vyasa Tirtha
3. Narada 19. Laksmipati
4. Vyasa 20. Madhavendra Puri
5. Madhva 21. Isvara Puri, (Nityananda, Advaita)
6. Padmanabha 22. Lord Caitanya
7. Nrhari 23. Rupa, (Svarupa, Sanatana)
8. Madhava 24. Raghunatha, Jiva
9. Aksobhya 25. Krsnadasa
10. Jayatirtha 26. Narottama
11. Jnanasindhu 27. Visvanatha
12. Dayanidhi 28. (Baladeva) Jagannatha
13. Vidyanidhi 29. Bhaktivinoda Thakura
14. Rajendra 30. Gaurakisora
15. Jayadharma 31. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati
16. Purusottama 32. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada
 Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Introduction
Breakup of 700 Verses of Bhagavad Gita
Dhrtarashtra
1

Sanjaya
41

Arjuna
84
Lord
Sri Krishna
574
 DIVISIONS
• Chapters 1-6 : Types of yogas
• Chapters 7-12 : Bhakti yoga
• Chapters 13-18 : Jnana
Srimad Bhagavad Gita
End-Introduction