Vision of the Bhagavad Gita

Preface

The Bhagavad Gita, or the Song of the Lord, holds a special place in classic literature and Hindu philosophy. For centuries it has served as a manual for daily living to people from all walks of life. It is a dialogue between a young warrior prince, Arjuna; and his revered friend Lord Krishna. Arjuna is considered to be the incarnation of Nara, the average person, and Lord Krishna of Narayana, the supreme indwelling Lord. On the verge of a war with his cousins, Arjuna is confused and does not know how to respond to the situation. Lord Krishna instructs him on how to win the battle of life, the war being symbolic of the conflict of choice that we all face in everyday situations. With his inspiring words Lord Krishna is able to lift Arjuna out of his despondent state, and ultimately Arjuna becomes a mighty personality with tremendous inner strength and balance.

             This book has been transcribed from Swami Tejomayananda’s discourses to students at a two-month program of scriptural study and contemplation known as the Dharma Sevak Program, which was held in Piercy, California in 1998. It was at this retreat that Swami Tejomayananda gave us a new approach to the study of the Bhagavad Gita. Giving selected verses from a number of chapters, he gave an overview of its essence without sacrificing the subtle and detailed analysis of relevant verses that is a hallmark of the teachings initiated by his teacher, Swami Chinmayananda.

        Swami Tejomayananda is now the chief Acharya and head of Chinmaya Mission worldwide. He has been teaching Vedanta around the world for over twenty years. He has the rare ability to make complex topics appear simple. Swamiji uses everyday examples to provide deep insight into the nature of the Self and the world. The Gita is said to contain the essence of all the Upanishads, Self-knowledge being the main theme of both these scriptures. But the Gita is unique and has universal appeal because it guides us in the fundamental problem of humankind – that of right choice. This universal problem is identified in Part One.

          Part Two deals with the resolution of that problem. In choosing wisely between options we need to have a clear understanding of the vision of life. We have to know our identity and our goal, what do we want to achieve in life? Thus clear understanding is the firm basis for right thinking. And correct thinking leads to right action. This is what Lord Krishna taught Arjuna in the Gita and through that dialogue it remains a lesson for all humanity. He began the teaching with the absolute standpoint of highest Truth and then taught Arjuna to also understand the relative perspective of right conduct in society – the standpoint of dharma. In order to resolve our topical problems we need to view life in its totality.

          We also study the teachings of the Gita in regard to karma yoga. Life is nothing but a series of experiences. Therefore we must know what constitutes action. We do not have a choice of whether or not to act. But we do have the choice of selecting which actions to perform and with what attitude.

          Part Three examines the value system of the Gita. What are the virtues that lead us to liberation and what are the negative qualities that strengthen our bondage to the world? Often we understand the significance of values, but those values are not always lived for it requires immense discipline on our part. When our thoughts are different than our actions we develop a so-called “split personality” and we find ourselves constantly agitated. Hence the importance of learning the value of these values.

          Lastly, Part Four looks at the person who has transformed himself after having understood all of the above – the problem of life, the goal of life and how one should live in the world wisely. He is described as a man of Wisdom.

          Our life is nothing but a transaction between this world and ourselves in the form of perception and response. Once we are born, we cannot escape it. The world is such that we have to respond. But how we respond is what matters. It is only when we have a vision of the totality of life that we can make right choices in the complex problems that confront us in life. That is the knowledge that Lord Krishna imparted to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.  For our benefit it was set into metrical form by Shri Veda Vyasa as the 700 verses of the Bhagavad Gita. Throughout the Gita the various names used in reference to Arjuna have a special significance. But for the sake of simplicity, except in some verses, we have replaced them with Arjuna.