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Bhagavad-gita study course
What follows is a Study course designed for Bhagavad-gita. It is very
long, so those who are interested should save this article and download it.
________________________________________________________________________
This study course was originally designed for the ISKCON gurukula in
Sridhama Mayapur. This is a sumarization of the original course. The
original course was a two year course entitled "Bhakti-sastri Study
Guide" which was based on Srila Prabhupada's analysis of Bhagavad-gita,
which he wrote in 1947 while staying in Jhansi (sp?). Srila Prabhupada
had written the "Analysis of Bhagavad-gita" as a study system for members
of his League of Devotees. It was reprinted in the 1981 Vyasapuja book
under the section entitled "nectar from the BBT archives".
This present sumarized form of the Bhakti-sastri study guide was designed
to be a seven days course (instead of a two year course) for the purpose
of teaching in schools throughout South India. It is a very successful
program, and all of the ISKCON temples in South India are conducting it.
If you are interested in the original unabridged "Bhakti-sastri Study
Guide" you may contact the Australian BBT (address available on request)
or you can purchase a photocopy of the book from me (it is out of print
in U.S.). Both versions, the "Bhakti-sastri Study Guide" as well as the
"Bhagavad-gita Study Course" were both compiled by Sriman Atmatattva Das
Adhikari, former director of the Mayapur gurukula. This document is also
available printed as a booklet.
your servant,
Jahnava-Nitai Das
_______________________________________________________________________
BHAGAVAD GITA - SEVEN DAYS COURSE
LESSON - 1
Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Bhagavan.(15.18).
He spoke Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna, who is in a direct relationship
with Krsna as His friend and devotee.(4.3). Only by the process
of devotional service can one revive one's relationship with
Krsna.(18.55). Therefore, Bhagavad Gita should be taken up in a
spirit of devotion.(18.67)
Everyone is full of anxiety because of the material existence
(8.15). The cause of suffering and the actual destination of
life are proper subjects of enquiry. Krsna answered these
questions, through Bhagavad Gita, and thus relieved Arjuna from
all material miseries by making him understand his constitutional
position.
The following is a summary of Sri Krsna's explanations of
Absolute Truth in Bhagavad Gita:
"Sri Krsna is the Supreme enjoyer, controller and friend of
all.(5.29). Nature (prakrti) is His energy.(15.7). Jiva the
individual living entity, is part and parcel of His spiritual
(internal) energy.(7.5). Material nature (constituted of three
qualities or modes viz., sattva, rajas, and tamas)(14.5)
consisting of eight elements namely earth, water, fire, air,
ether, mind intelligence and false ego,(7.4)is His external
energy. By a combination of the three modes of material nature
and under the control of time (which is another energy of Krsna)
there are activities and resultant reactions. Material nature is
real and eternal, whereas the manifestation of the material world
(of these activities and reactions) is real but temporary.(13.20)
The Supreme conscious Lord Krsna, is conscious of all the bodies,
everything and every atom.(13.3) Even when He appears within the
material creation in any form, His consciousness is never
materially affected. Jiva is only conscious of his own
body(13.2) Matter is unconscious, without the presence of jiva."
Due to material pollution of the consciousness, the living entity
is entangled in bodily actions and reactions(15.8) which are
actually carried on by the modes of material nature.(3.27) This
pollution can be purified by dovetailing the activities in full
co-operation with the will of Krsna. These activities in pure
consciousness called bhakti are transcendental to the three modes
and thus the performer becomes free from actions and reactions.
In this liberated stage one attains his constitutional position
as servant of Sri Krsna.
All the planets within material existence have the material
miseries of repeated birth, death, old age and disease.(8.16)
The spiritual world has no such inebrieties. Following in the
footsteps of Arjuna, if we act according to Krsna's instructions,
we can attain the abode of Krsna from where we never have to
return to this material world. (15.6/8.21)
Our thinking, which is now absorbed in material energy, must be
transferred to the spiritual energy. This is made possible by
practicing to remember Sri Krsna by always chanting His names
(which are spiritual, non-different from the Lord) and molding
our life's activities in such a way that we can remember Him
always.(9.14)
It is Krsna's instructions that this process must be learnt by
rendering service to and enquiring submissively from a self
realized soul, in an unbroken disciplic succession from
Krsna.(4.34)
Vedic knowledge is infallible, above all doubts and mistakes.
The purpose of Vedic knowledge is to know the Supreme Lord Sri
Krsna. Sri Krsna reveals this knowledge through Bhagavad Gita.
Therefore, Bhagavad Gita should be accepted 'as it is' without
interpretation, deletion or addition.
QUESTIONS
1. How should one take up the study of Bhagavad Gita? Why?
2. What are the proper subject matters for enquiry?
3. How did Krsna relieve Arjuna of all miseries?
4. Rewrite the passage containing the summary of explanations
on the absolute truth in the Bhagavad Gita.
5. What is the cause of miseries in the material existence and
what is the real destination of life?
6. What is the process for attaining the real destination of
life?
7. What is Krsna's instruction on learning the process?
8. Why should one accept Bhagavad Gita 'as it is'?
9. In what way has your understanding of Bhagavad Gita changed
since studying this lesson?
LESSON - 2
(Ch. 1 to 3)
As the opposing armies stand poised for battle in Kuruksetra,
Arjuna the mighty warrior, sees his enemies who are all his
intimate relatives, teachers and friends. Overcome by grief
and pity, his mind bewildering, Arjuna fails in his strength and
gives up his determination to fight.
Arjuna submits himself to Lord Krishna as His disciple and
Krishna begins His teachings by explaining the fundamental
distinctions between the temporary material body and the eternal
spiritual soul. The Lord explains the transmigration, the nature
of the selfless service and the characteristics of a
self-realized person.(3.19)
A self-realized person is not diverted by various types of
fruitive activities because he is firmly situated in self, the
soul - as part and parcel of Krishna.(3.17). The revival of
such relationship is the highest perfectional stage of all
vedic knowledge.
It is not possible to curb the forces of sense gratification by
human endeavor.(3.33). The senses require real engagement. By
usingeverything in the service of the Lord one can save oneself
from becoming the victim of material consciousness. Thus by
the strength of Krishna consciousness one should direct his
steady intelligence towards his pure identity.(3.43)
QUESTIONS:
1. Why did Arjuna give up his determination to fight?
2. Can you explain how it was relevant to discuss self
realization with Arjuna on the battlefield?
3. What is the highest perfectional stage of all Vedic
knowledge?
4. How can one become free from material consciousness?
LESSON - 3
(Ch. 4 to 6)
The principles of religion are direct orders of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, laid down in the Vedas, that push one
towards complete surrender unto Him. Whenever such principles
are disturbed by the demoniac the Lord appears in His own
spiritual energy.
The truth about the appearance and activities of Krsna, when
known can free one from the cycle of birth and death.(4.9)
Such knowledge should be gained by hearing from self
realized soul. Material attachments make one bereft of such
knowledge(4.10)
Negligence of spiritual life, fear of spiritual identity and the
conception of void that arises from frustration in life are three
kinds of material attachments. To become free from these
material conceptions one should take shelter of the Lord, in
Krsna consciousness. Krsna consciousness is gradually awakened
by different types of sacrifices. All sacrifices are based on
regulated actions, where the important factor is self
realization.(4.32/3.15)
Devotional activities to satisfy Krsna, strengthen one's
knowledge of self, and the complete knowledge of the Lord as the
supreme controller and enjoyer of all sacrifices. By becoming
perfect in such devotional life one attains liberation in Krsna
even while performing service with the material body.(5.10,13)
Thus the culmination of all kinds of yoga practices is bhakti
yoga. Hearing the transcendental names and activities of Krsna
is an expert treatment for the mad mind and eating foodstuff
offered to Krsna is the appropriate diet for the disease
of material existence. This treatment is the process of krsna
consciousness, the real and topmost yoga system for this
age.(6.47)
QUESTIONS
1. What is the purpose of the principles of religion?
2. What is the truth about the appearance of the Lord?
How can one know this truth?
3. Why should one become free from material attachments?
4. What is the culmination of all kinds of yoga? How?
5. Explain the simplicity and greatness of the Krsna conscious
process.
LESSON - 4
(Ch. 7 to 10)
There is no truth superior to Krsna. Everything rests upon Krsna
as pearls strung on a thread. Though everything comes from Him,
He is fully independent.(7.7) He is the controller of the three
modes that delude everyone in the material existence.(7.13) So,
those who surrender to Him can cross over His divine
energy.(7.14)
Grossly foolish, lowest among mankind, those whose knowledge is
stolen by illusion and those who wilfully take to demoniac nature
do not surrender to Krsna.(7.15) Those who are distressed, who
desire wealth, who are inquisitive and who seek knowledge
surrender to Krsna.(7.16)
The material manifestation is temporary. It is periodically
created and annihilated. Any place within the material existence
is full of miseries where repeated birth and death take place.
But those who surrender to Krsna, can cross this ocean of birth
and death and attain the Lord's abode which is eternal and
transcendental.(8.16) He is attainable only by unalloyed
devotional service.(11.54)
Sense enjoyment through the Vedas results in repeated birth and
death. (2.42) Since Krsna is the supreme controller those who
worship the demigods are worshipping Him only, but in a wrong
way.(9.23) They take birth among the demigods as much as the
worshipers of ancestors and ghosts take birth amongst them. But
those who worship Krsna attain Him.(9.25-26) Krsna can be
worshiped with genuine love by offering even a leaf, a drop of
water, a fruit or a flower.
If one does not become perfect in worshipping Krsna in one life,
he can continue from where he left off in his next life. There
is no loss or diminuation for devotional service.(2.40)
All wondrous displays of beauty, grandeur or sublimity, either
in the material or spiritual world, are but partial
manifestations of Krsna's divine energies and opulences. As the
supreme cause of all causes and the support and essence of
everything Krsna is the Supreme object of worship for all
beings.(10.41-42)
QUESTIONS:
1. List the kinds of people who surrender to Krsna and those
who don't.
2. Explain how one can cross over the material energy.
3. What should be the purpose of Vedic life and why?
4. What is wrong in worshipping demigods?
5. What is the most important factor in worship of Krsna?
6. Why should Krsna be worshipped by all?
LESSON - 5
(Ch. 11 to 13)
Lord Krsna grants Arjuna divine vision and reveals His
spectacular, unlimited form as the cosmic universe. Thus He
conclusively establishes His divinity.(11.5) Krsna explains that
His own, all beautiful human-like form is the original form of
Godhead, One can perceive this form only by pure devotional
service.(11.54)
The universal from is material and temporary, just as the
material world is temporary. A devotee is not much interested in
the universal form, for it does not enable one to reciprocate
loving feelings.
Bhakti yoga, loving devotional service to Lord Krsna, is the
highest and the most expedient means for attaining pure love for
Krsna, which is the highest conclusion of spiritual existence.
Those who follow this supreme path develop divine qualities.
One should be attracted to the personal form of Krsna, for that
is the highest spiritual realization. The path of impersonalism
is troublesome for those who have a body. As far as a devotee is
concerned, Krsna Himself delivers His pure devotee. Therefore
one should not try to deliver himself in spiritual realization.
Everyone must take shelter of the supreme omnipotent Godhead,
Krsna, by practicing the process of Krsna consciousness and fully
engaging himself in devotional service.(12.5-7)
To reach the highest goal, Krsna, there are two processes:
Renouncing the fruits of one's activity and coming to knowledge
by such renunciation, and then to the stage of meditation and
then to the stage of understanding Supersoul and, at last,
approaching the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the step by
step, indirect process.(12.8-14)
Devotional service is the direct method. In this process there
are two stages. To practice the regulative principles of Bhakti
yoga under the guidance of an expert spiritual master for the
purification of the senses is the first stage. In this stage,
one can finally develop an attachment for Krsna. In the second
stage, when that attachment develops into a natural
transcendental love for Krsna, one is in direct relationship with
the Supreme Lord in devotional service.
The preliminary stage of understanding devotional service
perfectly, is known as knowledge. In terms of Vedic literatures,
perfect knowledge of the constitution of the body, the
constitution of the soul, and the constitution of the Supersoul
is that knowledge.
The purpose of knowledge is to understand distinctly that the
living entity has by chance fallen into the material existence.
If he reverts to spiritual or Krsna consciousness by the process
of devotional service, then it is certain that he will never come
again into this material existence. He will be transferred to
the spiritual world for a blissful, eternal life of knowledge.
QUESTIONS:
1. What have you understood about the universal form of Krsna
from this lesson?
2. What are the two different processes to attain the ultimate
goal? Which path would you prefer and why?
3. What is knowledge and what is the purpose of knowledge?
LESSON - 6
(Ch. 14 to 16)
Krsna is the seed giving father of all the living beings
conceived by the material nature. When the living beings come
into contact with the material nature they become conditioned by
the three modes, goodness, passion and ignorance. (14.4-5)
Goodness conditions one to happiness, passion to fruitive actions
and ignorance covers one's knowledge and binds one to
madness.(14.9) Those in goodness go upward to the higher
planets; those in passion come back to earthly life. Those in
ignorance go down to hellish worlds.(14.18)
In his constitutional position a living entity is above the three
modes of material nature. By engagement in devotional service in
full Krsna consciousness, he is immediately re-situated in the
transcendental position and his unlawful desire to control the
material nature is removed. Therefore the process of devotional
service beginning with hearing, chanting and remembering should
be practiced in the association of devotees under the guidance of
the spiritual master. Thus one can become firmly situated in
Krsna's transcendental loving service.
The purpose of the Vedas is to cut down the illusory tree of the
material world and attain the real tree of the spiritual world.
The problems of material existence are due to weakness of the
heart. By understanding the philosophy of the Supreme Personality
of Godhead and engaging in His service, everyone can become free
from this weakness.(15.3)
Everything comes from Krsna; He is the maintainer of the
world.(15.4) He is the object of all the Vedas. He is the
source of the Supersoul too. (15.15) He is celebrated both in
this world and in the Vedas as the Supreme Person.(15.17) One
who knows Krsna as such is the knower of everything. Therefore
he engages in His service and attains to His eternal
abode.(15.19)
Those who are in the modes of passion and ignorance deride the
scriptures, deride the holy men and deride the proper
understanding of Krsna.(16.18) They are not attracted to
devotional service. Gradually they sink down to the most
abominable type of existence and thus lose the chance of
approaching Krsna.(16.20) But there are others who develop the
divine qualities and gradually become situated in realization of
Krsna.(16.22) In dividing the divine and demoniac natures there
is no other criteria but obedience to the regulative principles
of scriptures.
QUESTIONS:
1. What do you understand by 'conditioned soul'?
2. What are the results of three modes of nature respectively?
3. How can one become situated firmly in Krsna's service?
4. What is the value of the philosophy of the Supreme Person to
those who are suffering the material existence?
5. Who are the two kinds of people described at the end of this
lesson and which group would you like to join with? Why?
LESSON - 7
(Ch. 17 to 18)
The living being is originally a part and parcel of the Supreme
Lord. Therefore one is originally transcendental to all the
modes of material nature. So, when one forgets his
constitutional position, influenced by goodness, passion and
ignorance one develops resultant artificial faiths which
are material.(15.7) In goodness one worships demigods, in
passion powerful humans and demons, and in the mode of ignorance
the ghosts and spirits.(17.4)
The real principle of religious faith is situated in the mode of
pure goodness. But because the heart is tainted we find
different types of religious principles. According to
different types of faith based on different modes of nature there
are different kinds of worship.
In the pursuit of all Vedic instructions, the ultimate goal is
the understanding of Krsna. One can achieve faith in Krsna by
accepting the proper spiritual master and receiving training
under his direction.(4.34) When that faith matures, in course of
time, it is called love of God. This is the ultimate goal of all
living entities. One should, therefore, take to Krsna
consciousness directly.
One who surrenders to Krsna does not have to execute so many
different methods. That simple surrender unto Krsna will save
him from unnecessarily wasting time.(18.66)
One can thus make all progress at once and be freed from all
sinful reactions. If one is perplexed about giving up all kinds
of religious forms and simply surrendering unto Krsna, such worry
is useless, because Krsna says, "DO NOT WORRY." (18.66)
Anyone who tries sincerely to present Bhagavad Gita as it is,
will advance in devotional activities and reach to the pure
devotional state of life. As a result of such pure devotion, by
chanting HARE KRSNA HARE KRSNA KRSNA KRSNA HARE HARE, HARE RAMA
HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE and engaging all his senses in
active devotional service, he is sure to go BACK HOME, BACK TO
GODHEAD.(18.68)
QUESTIONS:
1. Why are there different faiths and religions?
2. What is the real religious faith? Why?
3. After reading this lesson, what do you think you should do
in your life to become perfect?
4. Describe in three sentences the process of becoming perfect
according to this lesson.
