The Gospel of the Bhagavad- Gita for Holy Life

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The goal of holy life is the attainment of spiritual perfection from where there is no further defilement of the embodied Soul. It is characterised by total elimination of all mental taints and cravings leading to the supreme state of enlightenment. Moral and ethical life is a prerequisite for holy life but not a sufficient condition for spiritual perfection. Escape from the cycles of birth and death is possible only by inculcating holiness and not through rational analysis of Science . This holiness has been totally neglected in the present secular system of education .

The Srimad Bhagavad - Gita is a treatise on liberation . It is considered as the most Holy Scripture in the world by all the seekers oh liberation irrespective of their caste , creed, religion , and nationality . The Gospel of Bhagavad – Gita is based on the perennial philosophy of Vedanta.

This book deliberates on the present and practice of holy life in the perspective of the Gospel of the Bhagavad – Gita . It gives an insight into the true doctrine of the Bhagavad –Gita by presenting English translation and notes on the selected verses of this most Holy Scripture .

The author has been an earnest seeker of the spiritual knowledge for more than a decade . Having completed his graduation in Engineering from National Institute of Technology , Tiruchirapalli , Tamil Nadu , he went on to pursue Masters Degree in Business Administration from Sri Sathya Sai University , Prasanthi Nilayam , Ananatapur District , Andhra Pradesh . Compelled by an inner spiritual urge, he decided to dedicate his life in search of Truth . Presently, he is residing at the Ashram in Prasanthi Nilayam , the abode of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba . He is leading a holy life by pursuing spiritual knowledge and rendering services at the Ashram . He is also the author of books entitled ‘ Path of Knowledge ‘ and ‘ Eight Minor Upanishads ‘ .

The Gospel of the Bhagavad –Gita is the essence of the teachings of all the Upanishads. This is the most Holy Scripture widely read by the spiritual aspirants all over the world in almost all the languages. Bhagawan Veda Vyasa is the seer of this most holy scripture who encompassing the mind of Lord Krishna imparted this most sacred spiritual knowledge in the form of dialogues between the omniscient Lord Krishna and Arjuna . Scholars opine that Veda Vyasa was a title conferred upon who had the knowledge of all the Vedas . There had since been many Veda Vyasa in different ages (Yugas) . The actual name of the Veda Vyasa who composed the Bhagavad –Gita was sage Krishna Dwaipayana . He is also known by another name Sage Badarayana . The Bhagavad – Gita is called Moksha Grantha , a treatise on liberation , comprising of 700 verses which are spread over 18 Chapters . It adopts an integrated approach for the liberation of the Soul by bringing perfection through the disciplines of Karma , Bhakti , Yoga and Jnana . It forms a part of the Bhisma Parva of Mahabharata starting from the Chapter 25 to 42 of Mahabharata . It is treated as Smriti Grantha and considered one among Prasthana Traya.

The Bhagavad –Gita gradually unfolds t he six –fold steps of Sense-Control , Virtues , Meditation, Knowledge Dispassion , and Liberation. The first step towards this supreme adventure is sense-control. All the five sense are to be restrained from pursuing their objects . Second steps is inculcation of virtues . Virtues can have basis only when all the five sense are under control . When a person possesses virtues, it is then alone that he can practice right meditation . Through right meditation he attains real knowledge and noble vision of things around beyond sense perceptions . It is then alone that one becomes aware of soul personality through intuition . Right knowledge and noble vision creates a dispassion from worldly life . He no longer strives to possess worldly objects for his sense enjoyment . He feels himself different from the body and mind . When the mind becomes dispassionate , all knowledge about enlightened and attains liberation.

The Gospel of the Bhagavad –Gita can be summed in two words by combining the last and first words of the book viz. , ( Mam Dharma) . The Bhagavad – Gita teaches Dharma ( righteousness) to entire mankind . He is the greatest teacher who makes every one perform ones own Dharma .The Lord imparts the philosophy of self –restraint for the celibates , Karma – Yoga and Karma – Sannyasa for the house - holders, Dhyana - yoga for the forest dwellers and Sankhya – Yoga for the renunciants . However , this prescription of Dharma ( duty ) is only for bringing the purity of the mind . The Ultimate Doctrine of Bhagavad – Gita is not to enjoin any duty on anybody but to enlighten he soul with Self –knowledge which grants freedom from all duties . The Bhagavad –Gita gradually elevates the soul from ignorance to full enlightenment. Its teachings are methodical , scientific and based on the direct experiences of Yogis . This makes the teachings of the Bhagavad –Gita universal , beyond the limited boundaries of religion , caste , creed and nationality .

This book presents the Sanskrit texts, English translation , and Notes on the selected verses of the Bhagavad – Gita which were felt essential for leading a holy life .I have referred to the commentary of Bhagavad Pada Sri Adi Shankaracharya while rendering translation. I have also included certain passages from the Upanishads and Vedas for better understanding of the subject. Sanskrit text with English translation and notes have been presented here in such a manner so that the true inner significance is not lost .

Great merits accrue to those who study this holy science of Bhagavad – Gita and practice its teachings. I dedicate this work in the service of the Almighty who is the indweller of all hearts . May this work help the sincere seekers in attainment of liberation .

**Contents and Sample Pages**