Introduction To Bhagavad Gita
- 1. Introduction to Bhagavad-Gita Understanding the Mission Of the Human Form of Life
- 2. “ Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: O Sañjaya, after my sons and the sons of Pāṇḍu assembled in the place of pilgrimage at Kurukṣetra, desiring to fight, what did they do?” (BG 1.1)
- 3. Background of the Bhagavad-Gita
- 4. The Dhrtarastra Principle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhxKnys7Ryw&eurl=http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=earthlings&hl=en&sitesearch=#
- 5. The Drtharastra Principle Earthling-one who inhabits the earth.
- 6. There’s no sexism, racism, or specism is the term earthlings.
- 7. It encompasses each and everyone of us, warm or cold blooded, vertebrae or invertebrate. Bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, and human alike.
- 8. Humans, therefore, being not the only species on the planet, share this world with millions of other creatures, as we all evolve here together.
- 9. However, it is the human earthling that tends to dominate the earth, often times treating other earthlings and living beings as mere objects.
- 10. If a being suffers, there can be no moral justification, for refusing to take that suffering into consideration
- 11. No matter what the nature of the being, the principle of equality requires that one suffering can be counted equally with the like suffering of any other being.
- 12. Racist violate the principle of equality by giving greater weight to the interest of people of their own race when there is a clash between their interest and the interest of those of another race.
- 13. Speciest allow the interest of their own species to override the interest of members of other species.
- 14. Among the members of the human society we recognize the imperative for respect; every human is a somebody not a something.
- 15. Morally disrespectful treatment occurs when the power end of a power relationship treats the less powerful as if they’re mere objects… In each and all such cases, those who have power exploit those who lack it.
- 16. Perils of False Proprietorship Encroachment Principle of might is right replaces morality Degradation of Character/Qualities Disparity in relationships ranging from friends to family to community to nations Destruction of peace both internal and external
- 17. “ As in the paddy field the unnecessary plants are taken out, so it is expected from the very beginning of these topics that in the religious field of Kurukṣetra, where the father of religion, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, was present, the unwanted plants like Dhṛtarāṣṭra's son Duryodhana and others would be wiped out and the thoroughly religious persons, headed by Yudhiṣṭhira, would be established by the Lord.” Purport BG 1.1
- 18. Gita Study versus Academia Study What is the difference between studying Bhagavad-Gita and studying material subjects in school/colleges? Transformation of heart and life and development of qualities after hearing Bhagavad-Gita! Arjuna was in total dejection in the beginning of Bhagavad-Gita, but was completely transformed after hearing Bhagavad-Gita. Depression is the increasingly growing disease around the world despite “advancement” of civilization. Plenty of information but no transformation.
- 19. The Paradox of Our Time in History is… Taller buildings but shorter tempers…
- 20. Wider freeways but narrower viewpoints…
- 21. We buy more but enjoy less…
- 22. More conveniences but less time…
- 23. More Medicine but less wellness…
- 24. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values
- 25. We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life, not life to years.
- 26. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.
- 27. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more than ever, but we communicate less and less.
- 28. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion.
- 29. Big men and small character…
- 30. Steeper profits and shallow relationships…
- 31. These are the days of two incomes and more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.
- 32. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.
- 33. Arjuna Before Hearing Bhagavad-Gita Dejected and not able to cope with life’s challenges
- 34. Arjuna After Hearing Bhagavad-Gita Enthused and ready to deal with the tribulations that life presents
- 35. Specialty of the Human Form What is the difference between animals and human beings? Humans eat-Animals eat Humans sleep-Animals sleep Humans mate-Animals mate Human defend-Animals defend
- 36. Eating
- 37. Sleeping
- 38. Mating
- 39. Defending
- 40. SO What’s the Difference? “ The activities of eating, sleeping, mating and defending are common in animals and human beings. The Human beings are considered superior only when they inquire about the Absolute Truth, otherwise they are considered just like animals.” Hitopadesa
- 41. The Human Mission What is the special prerogative of the human body? Athato Brahma jijnasa “Therefore, Inquire into the Absolute Truth.” The importance of relevant inquires: Who am I? Why am I suffering? What is the Goal of Life? These are proper inquiries for the human mission.
- 42. “ The human body, which can award all benefit in life, is automatically obtained by the laws of nature, although it is a very rare achievement. This human body can be compared to a perfectly constructed boat, having the spiritual master as the captain and the instructions of the Personality of Godhead as favorable winds impelling it on its course. Considering all these advantages, a human being who does not utilize his human life to cross the ocean of material existence must be considered the killer of his own soul.” Bhagavatam 11.20.17
- 43. Working hard in material life is like cleaning cage of the bird. We should not neglect the bird inside the cage which is compared to the soul inside the body.