INITIAL DISCUSSION

I am born as a creature on this earth.
Instincts or geans, make me to behave like an animal and a human. I accept the labels 'animal' and 'human'.

Parents, relatives, teachers and neighbors tell me to accept the label 'Hindu'. I might have been born in a family, community, state, country where Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism and many other religions are practised.

My education does not allow me to accept such 'attributes'. All religions are good and bad in different respects. But, they have one common characteristic - making a human subservient to non-existent entities like God, as formulated and dictated by the priests and preachers. Why should we, therefore, become serfs?

My translating and presenting this text here, does not mean that I am endorsing everything contained in the text.


Just as we cannot have perfect white or black, we cannot have a perfectly great book or the worst book. There are good things and bad things in this book also, as can be seen in sacred texts of other religions like Islam and Christianity.

I have been trying to practise, things which I perceive to be good. I do not claim 100% success.

Sunday, July 29, 2007

SUMMARY OF CHAPTERS IN BHAGAVAD GITA

SUMMARY OF CHAPTERS
1. Arjuna Vishaada YoogaARJUNA'S GRIEF Arjuna expresses his unwillingness to kill Dhartarasht`ras though they harmed him.
2. SANKHYAYOGA TRANSCENDENTAL UNIONSpirit of Life changes bodies like clothes.
3. Karma Yooga ACTIONDischarge prescribed duties without demor.
4. Gnaana YoogaKNOWLEDGEKrishna orates and praises himself.
5. Karma Sanyas YoogaRENUNCIATION OF ACTIONKrishna continues to praise himself. He insists on prescribed duties. BODY ORIENTED SENSATION
6. Aatma Samyama YoogaSELF CONTROLStress on self-regulation and balance of mind.Voracious Eater
7. Vignaana Yooga SUPER KNOWLEDGEKrishna orates and indulges in self praise.
8. Akshara Parabrahma Yooga INDELIBLE SUPER SPIRITI am Supreme!
9. Raaja Vidya Raaja Guhya Yooga SUPREME ART AND SUPREME SECRETWorship me!
10.Vibhuuti Yooga
FORMS AND ATTRIBUTES OF THE SUPREME SPIRIT
Krishna explains his attributes. He lists out some physical and absolute attributes and selects the best as his own.
11.Vis`va Ruupa Samdars`ana Yooga
VISION OF THE SUPREME SPIRITKrishna shows his cosmic and universal form, in a gigantic figure. May be with intent to mesmerise Arjuna into surrender. Arjuna surrenders.
12.Bhakti YoogaPATH OF DEVOTIONKrishna preaches: Be my devotee. Practise meditating on me.e is dear to me
13.Ksheetra Ksheetragna Vibhaaga YoogaFIELD AND ITS RESIDENTBody is the field. Spirit is the resident.
14.Gunatraya Vibhaaga Yooga THREE ATTRIBUTE QUALIFICATIONKrishna (Priests) classifies humans into three categories with three qualities. 1. Satva (Capable, forbearing). 2. Rajoo (kingly, lustful, irritable) . 3. Tamoo (ignorant, inactive).
15.Purushoottama Praapti YoogaATTAINMENT OF THE SUPREME SPIRITHow the Human Soul attains the Supreme Spirit.
16.Deeva asura Sampad Vibhaaga Yooga
GODLY AND DEVILISH POSSESSIONSDelineation and classification of possessions and qualities into "Divine" and "Satanic".
17.S`raddhaa traya Vibhaaga Yooga THREE DISPOSITION DELINEATIONTrifurcated classification of human endeavours and interests. Satvic Food
Rajasic Food
Tamasic Food
18.Mooksha Sanyasa Yooga
DELIVERANCE AND RENUNCIATION
Krishna explains the link between renunciation of fruits of actions and the deliverance.