Bhagavad Gita Introduction

Srimad Bhagavad Gita
Introduction

Based on the teachings
of
His Divine Grace A.C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada
~Founder Acharya~
International Society for
Krishna Consciousness

nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
shrimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
I offer my respectful obeisances unto
His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada,
who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His
Lotus Feet.
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvishesha-shunyavadi-paschatya-desha-tarine
Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master,
servant of Sarasvati Gosvami. You are kindly preaching the
message of Lord Chaitanya deva and delivering the Western
countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.

Mangalacarana
(Invoking auspiciousness)
Obeisances & Prayers
Born in darkest
ignorance, Spiritual
Master opened my eyes
with Torch of
Knowledge. I offer my
respectful obeisances
unto him.
When will Srila Rupa
Goswami, who is
fulfilling desire of Lord
Caitanya give me
shelter under his Lotus
Feet.
1) Srila Bhaktisiddhanta
Saraswati Thakura & All
Vaishanavas
2) All Goswami
Rupa Goswami, Sanatana
Goswami, Raghunathdas
Goswami, Raghunath
Bhatta Goswami, Gopala
Bhatta Goswami, Jiva
Goswami
3) Panchatattva & associates
Lord Caitanya, Lord
Nityananda, Advaita
Acharya, Gadadhar,
Srivasa & other assoicates.
4) Srimati Radharani, Sri
Krishna, Sri Lalita Sakhi
and Sri Visakha Sakhi
Lord Krishna
Friend of
distressed,Source of
Creation, Master of
Gopis, Lover of
Radharani
All Vaishanavas devotees of
Lord
They are like desire tree can
fulfill desires of everyone, full
of compassion to fallen souls.
Panchatattva
Lord Caitanya, Lord Nityananda,
Advaita Acharya, Gadadhar
Pandit, Srivasa Pandit and others
in line of devotion.
Srimati Radharani
Whose bodily
complexion is like
Molten Gold, Queen
of Vrindavan,
daughter of King
Vrsabhanu, Very dear
to Lord Krsna
Mahamantra
1 2 3 4
5 6 7

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

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
Arjuna
Devotee of
Krsna
Friend of
Krsna
Three Classes of Transcendentalist
Jnani
Impersonalist
Yogi
Meditator
Bhakta
Devotee of Lord
Relationship with Lord
Qualities required to
understand Bhagavad Gita

Relationship with Lord
Parental
Vatsalya rasa
MotherYashoda
Svarupa-siddhi (Perfection of one’s constitutional position)
Passive State
Santa rasa
Trees, Flute
Active State
Dasya rasa
Hanumanji
Friend
Sakhya rasa
Arjuna
Conjugal Lover
Madhurya rasa
Gopis
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

How Arjuna accepted Bhagavad Gita?
Paramam
Bhavan
The Absolute Truth
Purusam
You are a Person,
Supreme Enjoyer
(BG 10.12-14)
AJauRNa ovac
Par& b]ø Par& DaaMa Paiv}a& ParMa& >avaNa( )
Pauåz& XaaìTa& idVYaMaaiddevMaJa& iv>auMa( )) 12 ))
AahuSTvaMa*zYa" SaveR devizRNaaRrdSTaQaa )
AiSaTaae devl ae VYaaSa" SvYa& cEv b]vqiz Mae )) 13 ))
arjuna uväca
paraà brahma paraà dhäma
pavitraà paramaà bhavän
puruñaà çäçvataà divyam
ädi-devam ajaà vibhum
ähus tväm åñayaù sarve
devarñir näradas tathä
asito devalo vyäsaù
svayaà caiva bravéñi me
Arjuna said: You are the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, the ultimate
abode, the purest, the Absolute
Truth. You are the eternal,
transcendental, original person, the
unborn, the greatest. All the great
sages such as Närada, Asita, Devala
and Vyäsa confirm this truth about
You, and now You Yourself are
declaring it to me.

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 should read BG in submissive spirit, else it is very difficult to
understand BG, because it a great mystery.
One trying to study BG should atleast theoretically accept Sri Krsna
as Supreme Personality of Godhead
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.

Reasons for Lord Krsna’s Appearance
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 friends and devotee Arjuna.
Lord Krsna descends :
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
Isvara (God)
Supreme Controller
Jiva (Living Entity)
Controlled,Conditioned
Prakriti
(Material Nature)
Kala
(Time)
Karma
(Activity)
5 Basic Truths
Eternal Not Eternal

Topics of Bhagavad Gita
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.
Isvara (God)
Controller
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 parcel of Lord is considered as Prakriti
(enjoyment) (Superior Energy b/c they are Conscious) BG 7.5

Topics of Bhagavad Gita… Contd.
Inferior prakriti, Inferior Nature (b/c not conscious), Eternal but sometime
Manifest or Unmanifest. Eg. Clouds during rainy season.
Krsna is only Purusha (Enjoyer), Prakriti is female, controlled by Lord is
enjoyment. Eg. Wife controlled by Husband.
Material Nature, Constituted by 3 qualities Modes of Goodness, Passion,
Ignorance
Above these modes are Kala or Time.
Prakriti
(Material Nature)
Kala
(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. Eg. Businessman
Karma is not Eternal, Changes to Karma depends on Perfection of Knowledge.

Difference between Isvara & Jivas
Explained in BG Chapter 13
Lord Living Entity
Ksetra-Jna(knower of the field) Ksetra-Jna (knower of the field)
Conscious (Of all the body), not Materially
contaminated
Conscious (Of ones own body), Materially
contaminated
Heart of all Living entity (Paramatma) Resides only in one’s own body
Controller of all bodies
Gives direction to the living entity as he desires
Controlled or Conditioned
Forced to act as per the modes
Not affected by Karma Determins to act in certain way,
entangled in action & reaction(Karma)
Lord travels with Living Entity to his
next destination
Enters into Another based on Karma
(Transmigration)
-- Karma can be changed when living
entity acts in mode of Goodness,
Hence, Karma is not Eternal.

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 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.
Consciousness is “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.
Lord is the actual Enjoyer and the Living entities are his enjoyment.
When Jiva is Materially Contaminated, its called conditoned, False
consciousness or False Ego (bodily concept of life). Mukti of
Liberation means freedom bodily concept or Material Consciousness.

Antaranga
(Internal)
Tatastha
(Marginal)
Bahiranga
(External)
Sandhini
(Sat)
Samvit
(Cit)
Hladini
(Ananda)
• Eternality
• Spiritual World
(Dham)
• Existential
Potency
• Knowledge
• Krsna knows
about himself &
everyone
• Living entity
can know about
Krsna
• Srimati Radharani is
Hladini Shakti Murti
• Ananda or Bliss or
Pleasure Potency
• Krsna & Jiva gets
Transcendental Bliss
• Bhakti & Prema is
Hladini Swarupa.
• SRR embodiment of
Mahabhava
Ref : CC Madhya 6.157- 160
Spiritual
(Para)
Material
(Apara)
Lacking in Consciousness
Pure Love of
God
Adulterated
Love of God

Different Manifestations of the Lord
Lord Sri Krsna
Supreme Personality of Godhead
The Complete Whole
Sat-cit-ananda vigraha
Eg. Sun God
The Supreme
Controller
Controlled
Living Entities
Cosmic
Manifestation
Eternal
Time
Karma
Impersonal
Brahman
Sat (Eternal)
Eg. Sun rays
Paramatma
Sat-Cit
Eternal/Knowledge
Eg. Sun Disc
Different Energies of the Lord
Different Realizations
Material World
Is Complete unit
24 elements
All Sort of incompleteness
are experienced due to our
in completed knowledge of
the complete.
Bhagavad Gita contains the complete Knowledge of Vedic Wisdom

24 Elements as described in Chapter 13.6-7
Summary of Field of Activity (24 Elements)
1. Maha Bhuta
(5 Great Elements)
Earth
Water
Fire
Air
Ether
2. 5-Knowledge
acquiring senses
Eyes
Nose
Ears
Skin
Tongue
3. 5-Working
Senses
Voice
Legs
Hands
Anus
Genitals
4. 5-Objects of
Senses
Form
Smell
Sound
Touch
Taste
21. Mind
22. Intelligence
23. False Ego
24. Unmanifested
Interactions
Of FOA
Happiness/Distress Desire/Hatred
Living
Symptom
Consciousness &
Conviction
Subtle Body
Mind, Intelligence &
False Ego
Represented by
Manifestation of
Transformations of FOA
(Non-Permanent)
Birth
Grows
Stays
Produces Offspring
Dwindles
Death

Composed by sages
Wording may change from age to age
Revealed absolute Truth
Every word unchanged eternally
sisters sisters sisters
Rajasic
VEDIC KNOWLEDGE
SRUTI SMRTI
UPAVEDAS
Dhanurveda
Ayurveda, etc.
VEDAS
Rg, Yajur,
Sama, Atharva
VEDANGAS ItihasasPuranas Six Darshanas
Tantras
Spoken by Lord
Siva to Parvati
Ritual Sutras
Connected to
Kalpa-vedanga
Pancaratras
Srauta Sutras
explains
public yajnas
Grhya Sutras
explains
home yajnas
Dharma Sutras
Law books
Vedanta
(Vyasa)
(Metaphysics)
theology of
Upanisads
Mimamsa
(Jaimini)
(Hermeneutics)
interpreting
scriptural texts
Nyaya
(Gautama)
(Epistemology, logic)
philosophy of
knowledge
including logic
Vaisesika
(Kanada)
(Metaphysics)
philosophy of
existence
Yoga
(Patanjali)
(Sadhana)
Sankhya
(Atheist Kapila)
(Metaphysics)
Dharma Sastras
including Manu-
samhita and others
18 Major
18 Minor
Samhitas
mantras
Brahmanas
ritual explanation
of mantras
Aranyakas
esoteric explanation
of mantras
Upanisads
Jnana-kanda
philosophy of Brahman
Kalpa
ritual details
Siksa
pronunciation
Vyakarana
grammar
Nirukta
etymology
Chandas
meters
Jyotisa
astronomy-time
calculation
Vaisnava
worship
Tamasic
Sattvic
Compliments : Tyaga Caitanya Das

prasthana-traya
Sruti Prasthana
Hearing
Upanishads
Smriti Prasthana
Remembrance
BG, Puranas,
Mahabharata
Nyaya Prasthana
Logic
Vedanta Sutra or
Brahma Sutra
Vedic Instructions
Indicating Ultimate
Goal of Life
logical text that sets
forth the philosophy
systematically.
555 Aphorisms
Commentaries on Brahma Sutra OR Vedanta Sutra
Adi Sankaracharya Advaita School Sariraka-Bhasya
Ramanujacharya Vishishhtadvaita School Sri-Bhasya
Sri Madhavacharya Ddvaita School Purnaprajna-bhasya
Vallabhacharya Shuddhadvaita School Anubhasya
Nimbaraka Dvaitadvaita School Vedanta Parijata Sourabha
Baladev Vidyabhushana Achintya Bhedabheda Tattva Govinda Bhasya
Three Divisions of Knowledge

Chief
Disciplic
Succession
Brahma
Sampradaya
Lakshmi
Sampradaya
Rudra
Sampradaya
Kumara
Sampradaya
Other
Names
Madhva Sampradaya Ramanuja Sampradaya
Sri Sampradaya
Srivaisnava Sampradaya
Rudra Sampradaya
Visnuswami
Sampradaya
Vallabha Sampradaya
Nimbarka Sampradaya
Nimbaditya Sampradaya
Sanakadi Sampradaya
Acharya’s Madhvacarya,
Lord Caitanya
Ramanujacarya Visnusvami,
Vallabhacarya
Nimbarka
Commentary
On Vedanta
Purnaprajna-bhasya
Govinda-bhasya
Sri-bhasya Sarvajna-bhasya,
Anubhasya
Parijata-Saurabha-
bhasya
Tattva Madhvacarya: suddha-
dvaita-vada (purified
dualism)
Lord Caitanya: Acintya-
bhedabheda-tattva
(inconceivable oneness
and difference)
Visistadvaita-vada
(specific monism)
Suddhadvaita-vada
(purified monism)
Dvaitadvaita-vada
(monism and dualism)
Mayavada
Sampradaya
Smarta
Sampradaya
Shankaracarya
Sariraka-bhasya
Advaita
Kevaladvaita
(monism)
Four Vaishanava Sampradaya

Vedic Knowledge
Vedic Knowledge is complete, infallible beyond & mistakes, b/c its
apaurseya(spoken by Lord Himself) beyond 4 defects. Eg. Cowdung,
4 defects
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).
Commit Mistakes
Illusioned
Cheating tendency
Imperfect senses
Disciplic Succession (Parampara)
Lord Krsna
Imparted into heart of
Lord Brahma
Arjuna
PitamahaPrapitamaha
Spoke BG to Arjuna
Message passed in DS

Goal of Human Form of Life
Realize the importance of Human Form of Life
Realize that the Goal of Human Life in all Vedic Scriptures, essence
Srimad Bhagavad Gita.
Sanatana Dharma
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.
According to Sripada Ramanujacarya “Sanatana”-> No beginning or end.
Sanatana-Dharma do to 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 covey 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.

Sanatana Dharma (Svarupa)
Dharma
Constantly
Existing with
Particular object
Eg. Heat & Light with Fire,
Sweetness with Sugar
Living Entity
Rendering Service
to Supereme
Personality of Godhead
Svarupa
Constitutional Position
CM to Sanatana Goswami
Eg. Living Entities are always enjoys 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.

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)
surrenders 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 do not worship Demigods. b/c
their ultimate goal is to return to his abode.

Lords Abode (Goloka Vrindavan)
Goloka Vrindavan
BG 15.6
Sun Moon
Not Illuminated by
Fire Electricity
Nor Illuminated by
One who reaches
there (Goloka)
never returns
Back to Material World
Illuminated by
Brahmajyoti
Effulgence of Lord
Goloka
Spiritual Planets floating in Brahmajyoti

Material World
Satya Loka (Lord Brahma)
Tapa Loka
Jana Loka (7 Sages)
Mahar Loka
Svarga Loka (Lord Indra)
Bhuvar Loka(Raksasa & Ghost)
Earth
Patala Loka
Rasatala Loka
Mahatala Loka
Talatala Loka
Sutala Loka
Vitala Loka
Atala Loka
Higher Planetary System
Subtle
Middle Planetary System
Gross & Subtle
Lower Planetary System
Gross
Sun
Moon
Yantidevavratadevan
Pitra Loka & Hellish Planets
Birth,Death,OldAge&Disease

 Nourishment
The three modes
(goodness, passion, ignorance)
The only way out
of the tree is
DETACHMENT
Find one in knowledge
Surrender to the Lord
Attains eternal abode
a) hear properly from him
b) about the relationship between Lord & living entity
a) through the spiritual master
b) no false prestige that he is Lord of material nature
c) not in illusion
d) gives up false association
c) free from dualities



Reflection on desire
Roots
- Real root grows upwards (Brahmaloka)
- Secondary root grows downwards
(Bhuloka)
a) attachment & aversion
b) bound by fruitive actions by human
society

Branches
Upper & Lower planet

Leaves
Vedic hymns

Twigs
Sense objects

Tips of branches
senses

Fruits
dharma, artha,
karma, moksa

Living entities involvement
Hops from one branch to another
trying to taste the fruit
a) up is down & down is up
b) can’t see how far the tree
extends or where it ends
c) although living entities are
eternal fragmental parts of
Krishna, they are
struggling with
the senses


MaterialWorldSpiritualWorld

How to attain abode of Krsna?
Eternal Kingdom
Spiritual World
Sanatana Dhama
Nirmana-Moha
Free from designation
Can be attained by one who is
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.
Avyakta
(Unmanifested)

How to Attain Abode of Krsna?
Quits body
Remembering
Krsna
Spiritual Kingdom
Attains Krsna’s
Nature
Mad-bhavam
Sat
Eternal
Cit
Knowledge
Ananda
Bliss
Asat
Temporary
Acit
Ignorance
Nirananda
Misery
Present Body
BG 8.5
anta-kāle ca mām eva
smaran muktvā kalevaram
yaḥ prayāti sa mad-bhāvaḿ
yāti nāsty atra saḿśayaḥ
And whoever, at the end of his
life, quits his body, remembering Me
alone, at once attains My nature. Of
this there is no doubt.
Fate decided by
Higher Authorities
According to Activities
of this life
Does not remember Krsna

Destination of different Transcendentalists
Goloka
SpiritualPlanets(Vaikuntha)(3/4)MaterialPlanets(1/4)
Brahmavadi
Devotees
&
Paramatma-vadi
Materialist
Earth
Heavenly
Planets
Hellish
Planets
Superior
Energy
Para
Transcendental
Inferior
Energy
apara
Material
Jiva
Jiva
General Principle of Quiting Body (BG 8.6)
Whatever state
One remembers
While quitting body
Attains
That
State

Purpose of Vedic Literature
Material
Energy
Spiritual
Energy
Transfer
Thoughts
from
Example :
Newspapers
Magazines
Novels,TV
Internet
Puranas
Vedas
Vedanta Sutra
Srimad Bhagavatam
Mahabharata
Bhagavad Gita
Complied by
Vyasadeva
and other Sages
Instead cultivate
reading
Possible to
Remember
Lord at the
time of death
Krishna
Arjuna
Always think of me in the
Form of Krsna & carry out
Your Prescribed Duties
Activities dedicated
to Krsna
Mind & Intelligence
fixed on Krsna
Attain
Krsna
Without doubt
Krishna advice to Arjuna

Division of Society
According to
Work
Human Society
Brahmana
Intelligent
Kshatriya
Administrative
Vaisya
Mercantile
Sudra
Labourer
Has to Work
In order to
Maintain body
4 Division of Social Order
While remembering
Krsna
Perform Duties
Possible to remember
Krsna
At the time of death
Example
Married Women
Attached
How is it possible?
Develop Strong
Sense of Love
For Krsna
Topmost Yogi
Most intimately
Unite with Krsna
Great Faith Abides in Me
Thinks of me
Transcendental
Loving Service
Then

How do we work?
Mind
Work
Body
Engage Mind &
Intelligence in
thoughts/service of
Krsna, hence body
and senses will be
automatically
engaged.
Intelligence
Not with
Senses
with
Secret of Bhagavad
Gita
Total Absorption in
thoughts of Lord Krsna

Cultivating Devotional Service (9 Processes)
Sanskrit Meaning Devotees
Sravanam (easiest) Hearing Maharaj Parikshit
Kirtanam Chanting/Glorifying Sukadev Goswami
Vishnu Smaranam Remembering Bhakta Prahalad
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

Thinking
Describing Glories
Cleansing
Hearing about Lord
Taking Darshan
Touching Devotees
Fragrance
Eating Prasadam
Visiting Temple
Bowing down
Serve Lord 24 Hours a day
sa vai manaù kåñëa-padäravindayor
vacäàsi vaikuëöha-guëänuvarëane
karau harer mandira-märjanädiñu
çrutià cakäräcyuta-sat-kathodaye
mukunda-liìgälaya-darçane dåçau
tad-bhåtya-gätra-sparçe 'ìga-saìgamam
ghräëaà ca tat-päda-saroja-saurabhe
çrémat-tulasyä rasanäà tad-arpite
pädau hareù kñetra-padänusarpaëe
çiro håñékeça-padäbhivandane
kämaà ca däsye na tu käma-kämyayä
yathottamaçloka-janäçrayä ratiù
SB 9.4.18-20

How to achieve Total Absorption?
Hearing
Sravanam
Smaranam
Rememberance
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.
Kirtanam
Chant/Glorify
Most Important

Stages to reach Perfection (by SBSST)Different Stages
Of Remembrance
Sravana dasa Varana dasa Smaranavastha Sampatti dasa
Hearing Acceptance
Remember &
Chant in Ecstasy
5 Stages
of Smarana
Interrupted Uninterrupted
Uninterrupted &
Concentrated
Meditation Expands
& Becomes
Constant
Uninterrupted &
Unceasing
Anusmrti
Anusmrti Samadhi
Eternal Relationship
Revealed

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
• 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

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.

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

Benefits of Study of Bhagavad-Gita… Contd
Gita-Mahatmya 2
sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
moksayisyami ma sucah
Abandon all varieties of religion and
just surrender unto Me. I shall
deliver you from all sinful reactions.
Do not fear.
Gita-Mahatmya 3
maline mocanam pumsam
jala-snanam dine dine
sakrd gitamrta-snanam
samsara-mala-nasanam
One may cleanse himself daily by
taking a bath in water, but if one takes
a bath even once in the sacred Ganges
water of Bhagavad-gita, for him the dirt
of material life is altogether
vanquished.
Gita-Mahatmya 4
gita su-gita kartavya
kim anyaih sastra-vistaraih
ya svayam padmanabhasya
mukha-padmad vinihsrta
Because Bhagavad-gita is spoken by the Supreme Personality
of Godhead, one need not read any other Vedic literature.
One need only attentively and regularly hear and read
Bhagavad-gita. In the present age, people are so absorbed in
mundane activities that it is not possible for them to read all
the Vedic literatures. But this is not necessary. This one
book, Bhagavad-gita, will suffice, because it is the essence of
all Vedic literatures and especially because it is spoken by
the Supreme Personality of Godhead

Benefits of Study of Bhagavad-Gita… Contd
Gita-Mahatmya 5
bharatamrta-sarvasvam
visnu-vaktrad vinihsrtam
gita-gangodakam pitva
punarjanma na vidyate
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
Lord Krishna, the Original Vishnu.
****************
Bhagavad-gita comes from the mouth of the Supreme Personality
of Godhead, & the Ganges is said to emanate from the lotus feet
of the Lord. Of course, there is no difference between the mouth
& the feet of the Supreme Lord, but from an impartial study we
can appreciate that Bhagavad-gita is even more important than the
water of the Ganges.
Gita-Mahatmya 6
sarvopanisado gavo
dogdha gopala-nandanah
partho vatsah su-dhir bhokta
dugdham gitamrtam mahat
This Gitopanisad, Bhagavad-gita, the essence of all
the Upanisads, is just like a cow, and Lord Krsna,
who is famous as a cowherd boy, is milking this
cow. Arjuna is just like a calf, and learned scholars
and pure devotees are to drink the nectarean milk
of Bhagavad-Gita.
Gita-Mahatmya 7
ekam sastram devaki-putra-gitam
eko devo devaki-putra eva
eko mantras tasya namani yani
karmapy ekam tasya devasya seva
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,
one common scripture for the whole world--Bhagavad-gita. Eko
devo devaki-putra eva: let there be one God for the whole world--
Sri Krsna. Eko mantras tasya namani: and one hymn, one mantra,
one prayer--the chanting of His name: Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna,
Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare
Hare. Karmapy ekam tasya devasya seva: and let there be one work
only--the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead

The Disciplic Succession
1. Krnsa 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

Breakup of 700 Verses of Bhagavad Gita
Dhrtarashtra
1
Sanjaya
41
Arjuna
84
Lord
Sri Krishna
574

Compiled by Amritananda das email : amritanandadas@yahoo.com

Srimad Bhagavad Gita
End-Introduction

Bhagavad Gita Introduction

More Related Content

What's hot (20)

Similar to Bhagavad Gita Introduction (20)

Recently uploaded (20)

Bhagavad Gita Introduction