Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita

Review of “Knowledge of Self”

AcknowledgementsThese notes are based on Purna Vidhya,

Vedic Heritage Teaching Programme.This material covers pages 44-53 of

“Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita” Part 12, written by: Swamini Pramananda Saraswati and Sri Dhira Chatanya.

Some material based on commentaries posted at: http://www.bhagavad-gita.org

Slide deck prepared by: V. “Juggy” Jagannathan.

Instruction teamV. “Juggy” JagannathanAshutosh DasSubra NatarajanK. Subramani

Review of previous class

Verse 14 discussion – Life LessonsEquanimity in facing all situations – pleasant and unpleasant. Means controlling emotions and not give into excessive joy or grief or anger.

All situations are transitory.

Don’t worry about situations that you don’t control.

Does not mean you should not do your duty.

Does not mean you should not try to rectify an unpleasant situation or enjoy a pleasant situation – just be cognizant that they are temporary.

Verse 15 discussion – Life LessonsPrescription:

Results in afterlife:

Fit to reach heaven.

Results in this life – pragmatic and practical

A life devoid of stress and all the attendant problems.

Equanimity in facing all situations – pleasant and unpleasant. Means controlling emotions and not give into excessive joy or grief or anger.

Verse 16

asatah – for the unreal

isbeing;

durationnot

Verse 16

for the unreal there is never any being – in the unreal

there is no duration

for the real there is never non-being – in the real there is no cessation

Verse 16

antah - the ultimate truth;

conclusion

indeed of these

(two)

alsoboth

is seen; has been analyzed

by the knowers of truth

Verse 16

For the unreal, there is never any being. For the real, there is never non-being.The ultimate truth of both of these is seen by the knowers of truth.

* In the unreal there is no duration and in the real there is no cessation; indeed the conclusion between both of these have been analyzed by knowers of the truth.

* Source: http://www.bhagavad-gita.org/Gita/verse-02-16.html

Verse 16 - Discussion

asat – that which does not exist independently; that which is material; perceived by sense organs; transitory; not permanent

sat – that which exists independently; that which is eternal; imperishable;

Verse 16 discussion – Life LessonsEverything you see and perceive in life is temporary. Nothing, but the soul, atman is permanent.

Given that, don’t excessively celebrate or give in to sorrow or grief.

Endure life stoically and always, do your duty. And, that is the path to ensure self-realization of the soul – moksha/heaven.

From a practical standpoint, knowing that everything is temporary, allows one to bear difficult times (we know that it will end some time) and be balanced during good times (knowing that too will end).

Verse 17

is indestructible

indeed

that knowby

whichthe entire

world (body)

this

is pervaded

Verse 17

Know that by which this entire world is pervaded, to be indeed indestructible.

Verse 17

destruction

no one

to do

is able

of the one that does not change; of the imperishable

soul

Verse 17

* Know that by which this entire body is pervaded, to be indeed indestructible.

No one is able to cause the destruction of the imperishable soul.

* Source: http://www.bhagavad-gita.org/Gita/verse-02-17.html

Verse 17 Discussion and Life Lessons

Underscores the concepts presented earlier:Soul is indestructible – permanent.Body is perishable – impermanent [next verse].

Endure life stoically and always, do your duty. And, that is the path to ensure self-realization of the soul – moksha/heaven.