UB: ब्रह्मभूतः प्रसन्नात्मा न शोचति न काङ्क्षति। समः सर्वेषु भूतेषु मद्भक्तिं लभते पराम्।।18.54।। 18.54 Attaining ब्रह्म (ब्रह्मभूतः) with a cheerful mind (प्रसन्नात्मा), one neither grieves (न शोचति) nor seeks anything (न काङ्क्षति). Being the same towards all beings (समः सर्वेषु भूतेषु), he obtains (लभते) the ultimate (पराम्) भक्ति to Me (मद् भक्तिं). भक्त्या मामभिजानाति यावान्यश्चास्मि … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussions among novices_18th Chapter_Verses 54 to 78

UB: Last two days, we have seen the words ज्ञान & कर्म seen from the perspective of त्रिगुण. This approach will continue for a few more words over the next few days - कर्ता or doer, बुद्धि, धृति or will power and सुख. By the end of this, we will be fed up of course … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussions among novices_18th Chapter_Verses 26 to 53

UB: अर्जुन उवाच संन्यासस्य महाबाहो तत्त्वमिच्छामि वेदितुम्। त्यागस्य च हृषीकेश पृथक्केशिनिषूदन।।18.1।। 18.1 अर्जुन said - O महाबाहो! O हृषीकेश! O केशिनिषूदन! I want (इच्छामि) to know (वेदितुम्) distinctly (पृथक्) the truth (तत्वं) about संन्यास (संन्यासस्य) as also about त्याग (त्यागस्य च). श्री भगवानुवाच काम्यानां कर्मणां न्यासं संन्यासं कवयो विदुः। सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं प्राहुस्त्यागं विचक्षणाः।।18.2।। 18.2 The भगवान् … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussions among novices_18th Chapter_Verses 1 to 25

UB: अर्जुन उवाच ये शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य यजन्ते श्रद्धयाऽन्विताः। तेषां निष्ठा तु का कृष्ण सत्त्वमाहो रजस्तमः।।17.1।। 17.1 "अर्जुन asked: O कृष्ण! Those who (ये) do यज्ञ (यजन्ते), casting away (उत्सृज्य) scriptural injunction (शास्त्र-विधिम्) yet being endowed (तु अन्विताः) with श्रद्धा (श्रद्धया), what is (का) their (तेषां) disposition (निष्ठा)? Is it सत्त्वम्, रजस् or तमस् (सत्त्वमाहो रजस्तमः)? श्री … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussions among novices_17th Chapter_Verses 1 to 28

UB: Pre-notes for Ch 16 Let us take a person who has taken up study of Engineering. He has to study hard for four years till he gets his degree. The four qualities stated in Ch 15 may be taken as four years of Engineering study. However, one cannot get admission in an Engineering college … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussions among novices_16th Chapter_Verses 1 to 24

UB: श्री भगवानुवाच ऊर्ध्वमूलमधःशाखमश्वत्थं प्राहुरव्ययम्। छन्दांसि यस्य पर्णानि यस्तं वेद स वेदवित्।।15.1।। 15.1 The भगवान said They say of (प्राहु:) the Imperishable (अव्ययम्) अश्वत्थ viz peepul Tree, which has its roots (मूलम्) upward (ऊर्ध्वम्) and the branches (शाखम्) downward (अध:), and its leaves (यस्य पर्णानि) are the Vedas (छन्दांसि). The one who (य:) knows that … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussions among novices_15th Chapter

PK: Any particular rationale to separate the senses (5) from the objects of the senses (5) - seems to have some redundancy/overlap. Also, can you please explain what is the unmanifested stage of the three modes of nature? PA: You mean for example smell and nose; taste and tongue; sound and ear; form and eye; … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussions among novices_14th Chapter_Verses 1 to 27

VB: If we are all connected by same one, why do we need to slap. U May try to justify it by saying that it is to acquaint the other with his purush. But what gives us the authority to do so. He is doing wrong because of his past Karma's and because he is … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Animated exchanges post 13th Chapter with summary towards the end

VB: This has always been confusing. If I am i, who is making me say that. No worries. Chai down. Ready to face another day in paradise PK: Amen 👍👍👍 UB: बस और थोडे दिन का suspense है, उसके उपरान्त आनन्द ही आनन्द होगा. So when people like the Satguru keep saying that there is … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussions among novices_13th Chapter_Verses 18 to 35

PK: 👍👍👍... all thanks to you for teaching chapters 1-11 so well 🙏🙏. Seriously though, you are a wise and patient teacher .. your teacher should be very proud of you indeed 🙏🙏  I will confess I was sceptical about my ability to learn as many times the explanations are dry and abstruse .. ..you … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussions among novices_13th Chapter_Verses 1 to 17

PA: 👏🏻👏🏻👍 The last verses slowly lay the foundation for the next chapter where Bhakti is of primary importance . Complete surrender complete sharanagadi. If one is completely surrendered to God then there would not be a question of attachment to the results of one work. It's like for example we are doing everything for … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussions among novices_12th Chapter_Verses 1 to 20

PA: I suppose words just cannot describe the state Arjuna must be! Capturing in words is impossible for such a limitless experience. So to reach towards such a state we have to maintain this equilibrium faced with the opposite situations – at least try. UB: 👍🏼👍🏼 Indeed PA: So basically we need to be happy all … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussions among novices_11th Chapter_Verses 29 to 55

अर्जुन उवाच मदनुग्रहाय परमं गुह्यमध्यात्मसंज्ञितम्। यत्त्वयोक्तं वचस्तेन मोहोऽयं विगतो मम।।11.1।। 11.1 अर्जुन said: This (अयं) delusion of mine (मम मोह:) has departed (विगत:) as a result of (तेन) that speech (वच:) which is most secret (परमं गुह्यम्) and known as (संज्ञितम्) pertaining to the आत्मन् (अध्यात्म), and which (यद्) was uttered by You (त्वया उक्तं) … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussions among novices_11th Chapter_Verses 1 to 28

PA: So all that is manifesting for power, grandeur, brilliance, awe is considered as God's presence shining through. However, sometime, as humans, we are surrounded by anxieties and fears (Tamasic energies) - are these emotions also a part of God's Vibhutis? UB: This is a very good question for which giving an answer is not easy … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussions among novices_Chapter 10_Summary and other discussions

वेदानां सामवेदोऽस्मि देवानामस्मिवासवः।इन्द्रियाणां मनश्चास्मिभूतानामस्मि चेतना।।10.22।। 10.22 Among the Vedas (वेदानां) I am सामवेद:; among the देव (देवानाम) I am इंद्र (वासवः). Among the sense organs (इन्द्रियाणां च) I am the mind (मन:), and I am the बुद्धि (चेतना) in creatures (भूतानाम्). UB: 10:22 (1) - He is इंद्र among all देवता. Next - While He … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussions among novices_Chapter 10_Verses 22 to 42

UB: श्री भगवानुवाच भूय एव महाबाहो श्रृणु मे परमं वचः।यत्तेऽहं प्रीयमाणाय वक्ष्यामिहितकाम्यया।।10.1।। 10.1. The भगवान् - O महाबाहो ! Listen (श्रृणु) again (भूय एव) to My (मे) words (वचः) (revealing) the limitless (परमं). To you (ते) who are pleased (प्रीयमाणाय) at this (यद्),  I will expound (अहं वक्ष्यामि), with a desire for your benefit (हित … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussions among novices_Chapter 10_Verses 1 to 21

UB: अहं क्रतुरहं यज्ञः स्वधाऽहमहमौषधम्। मंत्रोऽहमहमेवाज्यमहमग्निरहं हुतम्।।9.16।। 9.16 I am the क्रतु (अहं क्रतु:), I am the यज्ञः (अहं यज्ञः), I am the स्वधा (अहं स्वधा), I am the औषधम् (अहं औषधम्), I am the मंत्र: (अहं मंत्र:), I Myself am the आज्यम् (अहं आज्यम्), I am the fire (अहं अग्नि:), and I am the … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussions among novices_Chapter 9_Verses 16 to 34

UB: श्री भगवानुवाच इदं तु ते गुह्यतमं प्रवक्ष्याम्यनसूयवे। ज्ञानंविज्ञानसहितं यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात्।।9.1। 9.1. The भगवान् said Whereas (तु) (apart from that travelling to various लोक), I will tell (प्रवक्ष्यामि) to you (ते), who is not inclined towards jealousy, (अन् असूयवे) this (इदं) most secret (गुह्यतमं ) knowledge (ज्ञानं), together with its assimilation (विज्ञान सहितं), by knowing … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussions among novices_Chapter 9_Verses 1 to 15

PK: I have a proposal while we wait for chapter 9; I found this chapter 8 abstract and would like a revision and reiteration to fix thus in my aging brain 😃 So, i propose that in this break each member picks 2 shlokas from this chapter that connected with them the most and give … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussion among novices_Chapter 8 summaries

UB: अर्जुन उवाच किं तद्ब्रह्म किमध्यात्मं किंकर्म पुरुषोत्तम। अधिभूतं चकिं प्रोक्तमधिदैवंकिमुच्यते।।8.1।। 8.1 अर्जुन said O पुरुषोत्तम, what is that ब्रह्म? What is अध्यात्मं? What is कर्म? And what is अधिभूतं? What is that which is said to be अधिदैव? अधियज्ञः कथं कोऽत्रदेहेऽस्मिन्मधुसूदन। प्रयाणकाले च कथं ज्ञेयोऽसिनियतात्मभिः।।8.2।। 8.2 O मधुसूदन, what (क:), and how (कथम्), is अधियज्ञः (attained) here (अत्र) in this body (अस्मिन् … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussion among novices_Chapter 8

UB: चतुर्विधा भजन्ते मां जनाःसुकृतिनोऽर्जुन।आर्तो जिज्ञासुरर्थार्थीज्ञानी च भरतर्षभ।।7.16।। 7.16. Men (जनाः) of good action (सुकृति) who worship Me (मां भजन्ते) always are of four types (चतुर्विधा): the afflicted (आर्तो), the seeker of knowledge (जिज्ञासु:), the seeker of wealth (अर्थार्थी) and the man of wisdom (ज्ञानी), O भरतर्षभ! तेषां ज्ञानी नित्ययुक्तएकभक्तिर्विशिष्यते। प्रियो हिज्ञानिनोऽत्यर्थमहं स च ममप्रियः।।7.17।। 7.17 Of these (तेषां), the man of knowledge (ज्ञानी), being ever engaged … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussion among novices_Chapter 7_16 to 30

UB: श्री भगवानुवाच मय्यासक्तमनाः पार्थ योगंयुञ्जन्मदाश्रयः। असंशयं समग्रं मांयथा ज्ञास्यसि तच्छृणु।।7.1।। 7.1. The भगवान् said O पार्थ! Please listen to that (तद् श्रुणु) by which, having your mind committed (आसक्त मनाः) to Me (मयि), practising योगं (योगं युञ्जनम्) and taking refuge in Me (मद् आश्रयः) you shall understand Me (मां ज्ञास्यसि) fully (समग्रं), without any doubt (असंशयं). ज्ञानं तेऽहं सविज्ञानमिदंवक्ष्याम्यशेषतः। यज्ज्ञात्वा  नेहभूयोऽन्यज्ज्ञातव्यमवशिष्यते।।7.2।। 7.2 I (अहम्) … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussion among novices_Chapter 7_1 to 15

UB: सङ्कल्पप्रभवान्कामांस्त्यक्त्वा सर्वानशेषतः।मनसैवेन्द्रियग्रामं विनियम्य समन्ततः।।6.24।। 6.24 By totally eschewing all काम which arise from सङ्कल्प, and restraining with the मन itself all the organs from every side; शनैः शनैरुपरमेद् बुद्ध्या धृतिगृहीतया।आत्मसंस्थं मनः  कृत्वा न किञ्चिदपिचिन्तयेत् ।।6.25।। 6.25 Little by little one should withdraw oneself from the objects other than the self with the help of the बुद्धि held by धृति (firm … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussion among novices_Chapter 6_24 to 47

UB: As usual, the blog has been updated. My submission is that given the focus of Chapter 6 continuing on त्वम् viz individual except that the nature of discussions becoming more subtle, I continue with the narrative. Once 6 is also done with and before we start with 7 which takes a sudden big turn, … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussion among novices_Chapter 6_1 to 23

VB: UB, I will not even attempt to summarize Chapter 4. I have read entire chapter 4 many times and I still find it very abstract. In the sense, it does not help me too much in how to apply it in practical life. I liked the simplistic summary of 4.11/12 given by PK. And … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussion among novices_Chapter 5

UB: ॐ तत्सदिति श्री मद्भगवद्गीतासु उपनिषद्सु ब्रह्मविद्यायां योगशास्त्रे श्रीकृष्णार्जुनसंवादे ज्ञानकर्मसंयासयोग नाम चतुर्थोध्याय: । This is the line narrated at the end of 4th chapter by the अद्वैत संप्रदाय UB: 1) ॐ तत्सदिति - Significant words the meaning of which will come in Chapter 17 2) श्रीमद्भगवद्गीतासु उपनिषद्सु - these verses are from the text श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussion among novices_Chapter 4_Full Summary

UB: यदृच्छालभसन्तुष्टो द्वन्द्वातीतो विमत्सरः । समः सिद्धावसिद्धौ च कृत्वापिन निबध्यते ॥४.२२॥ The one who is happy with whatever comes by chance (यदृच्छालभसन्तुष्टः), who is unaffected by the opposites (द्वन्द्वातीतः), free from jealousy (विमत्सरः), and even-minded (समः) with reference to success (सिद्धौ) and (च) failure (असिद्धौ), is not (न) bound (निबध्यते) even though (अपि) performing action (कृत्वा). गतसङ्गस्य मुक्तस्य ज्ञानावस्थितचेतसः । यज्ञायाचरतः कर्म समग्रंप्रविलीयते ॥४.२३॥ The … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussion among novices_Chapter 4_22 to 42

SUMMARY PREPARED BY PA USING COMMENTARY BY SWAMI YOGANANDA IN 'GOD TALKS WITH ARJUNA' Verses 11/12: The Lord points out that in whatever way one tries to reach out to Him, The Lord fulfills the persons desires and bestows those specific fruits for which the person yearns. The yearning or the reason why one reaches … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussion among novices_Chapter 4_Summary_11 to 21

UB: श्रीभगवान् उवाच । इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवान् अहमव्ययम् । विवस्वान् मनवे प्राहमनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत्॥४.१॥ श्रीभगवान् उवाच: I (अहम्) taught (प्रोक्तवान्) this (इमम्) imperishable (अव्ययम्) yoga (योगम्) to विवस्वान्  (विवस्वते), विवस्वान्  taught (प्राह) it to मनु  (मनवे) and मनु taught (अब्रवीत्) it to इक्ष्वाकु (इक्ष्वाकवे). UB: अध्याय name is ज्ञानकर्मसंयास योग विवस्वान् means the Sun and श्रीकृष्ण says that he taught the original कर्मयोग to the Sun itself. For someone wanting … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussion among novices_Chapter 4_1 to 21

UB: न मे पार्थास्ति कर्तव्यं त्रिषु लोकेषुकिञ्चन । नानवाप्तमवाप्तव्यं वर्त एव च कर्मणि॥३.२२॥ O! पार्थ, for me (मे ),  there is (अस्ति) nothing (न) to be done (कर्तव्यम्). In the three (त्रिषु) worlds (लोकेषु), there is nothing (किञ्चन न) to be accomplished by me (अवाप्तव्यम्), which is not yet accomplished (अनवाप्तम्). Yet (च), I am engaged (वर्ते) in action (कर्मणि एव). यदि ह्यहं न वर्तेयं जातु कर्मण्यतन्द्रितः। मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः॥३.२३॥ Because (हि), should I (यदि … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussion among novices_Chapter 3_22 to 43

UB: अर्जुन उवाच । ज्यायसी चेत् कर्मणस्ते मताबुद्धिर्जनार्दन । तत्किं कर्मणि घोरे मां नियोजयसिकेशव ॥३.१॥ अर्जुनः said: If (चेत्), O! जनार्दन, your (ते) contention (मता) is that knowledge (बुद्धिः) is better (ज्यायसी) than action (कर्मणः), why (किम्) then (तत्) do you impel (नियोजयसि) me (माम्) into this gruesome (घोरे) action(कर्मणि), O! केशव. व्यामिश्रेणेव वाक्येन बुद्धिं मोहयसीवमे । तदेकं वद निश्चित्य येनश्रेयोऽहमाप्नुयाम् ॥३.२॥ With words (वाक्येन) that are seemingly (इव) contradictory (व्यामिश्रेण), you appear to be (इव) confusing (मोहयसि) my (मे) mind (बुद्धिम्). Having decided (निश्चित्य) which is better (तत्), tell me (वद) the … Continue reading श्रीमदभगवद्गीता – Discussion among novices_Chapter 3_1 to 21

PK: Interesting VN ... I wonder though if it is possible to live a life where one is aware and still engaged in pleasures of life offered by senses or is that by definition mutually exclusive ?i am still unclear as to what being aware means .,, when one is conscious of one's decisions /actions … Continue reading श्रीमद भगवद गीता – Discussions post Chapter II

UB: स्वधर्ममपि चावेक्ष्य न विकम्पितुमर्हसि। धर्म्याद्धि युद्धाछ्रेयोऽन्यत्क्षत्रियस्य नविद्यते।।2.31।। 2.31 Further, considering also your स्वधर्म, it does not befit you to waver. For, to a क्षत्रिय, there is no greater good than a धर्मयुद्ध. यदृच्छया चोपपन्नं स्वर्गद्वारमपावृतम्। सुखिनः क्षत्रियाः पार्थ लभन्तेयुद्धमीदृशम्।।2.32।। 2.32 Happy are the क्षत्रिय, O अर्जुन, to whom a war like this comes of its own accord; it opens the gate to स्वर्ग. अथ चैत्त्वमिमं धर्म्यं संग्रामं न करिष्यसि। … Continue reading Bhagavadgita_Discussions among novices_Chapter 2_31 to 72

UB: सञ्जय उवाच तं तथा कृपयाऽविष्टमश्रुपूर्णाकुलेक्षणम्।विषीदन्तमिदं वाक्यमुवाचमधुसूदनः।।2.1।। 2.1 सञ्जय said - To him, who was thus overcome with pity, whose eyes were wet with tears, who was sorrow-stricken and who bore a bewildered look, श्रीकृष्ण spoke as follows: श्री भगवानुवाच कुतस्त्वा कश्मलमिदं विषमे समुपस्थितम्। अनार्यजुष्टमस्वर्ग्यमकीर्तिकरमर्जुन।।2.2।। 2.2 भगवान said - Where from comes on you this despondency, O अर्जुन, in this crisis? It is … Continue reading Bhagavadgita_Discussions among novices_Chapter 2_1 to 30

UB: धृतराष्ट्र उवाच धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः। मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वतसञ्जय।।1.1।। 1.1   धृतराष्ट्र said On the holy field of कुरुक्षेत्र, gathered together eager for battle, what did my people and the Pandavas do, O Sanjaya? UB: Either in the title or the first word or a group of words, most Indian texts convey the intent of the book. Use of the word धर्म … Continue reading Bhagavadgita_Dialogue among Novices_Chapter I