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The Bhagavad Gita is a dialogue between Lord Krishna and his beloved friend and disciple Arjuna. The latter was a mighty warrior facing the paradox of fighting against his own relatives, which included his great grandfather. At a total loss as to where his duty at this crucial juncture lay, Arjuna took refuge under Lord Krishna.
The discourse given by Krishna in response to Arjuna's perplexed condition is known as the Bhagavad (divine) Gita (song). Krishna clearly demonstrated to Arjuna that his immediate duty demanded that he (Arjuna) fight this war with all his might.
This war was not of Arjuna's creation. Rather it was the result of the misdeeds of their cousins who wanted to misappropriate the kingdom rightly belonging to Arjuna and his brothers. The popularity of the Gita can be gauged from the fact that maximum commentaries have been written (and continue to be written) on this text than any other, by sages, philosophers, bhaktas etc. Each finds what he is looking for in this great scripture.
Collected at one place here are more than one hundred Gitas, including commentaries, studies, essays, linguistic and grammatical analysis plus interpretations following various philosophical schools.
India is known as the land of spiritual knowledge. Many people from different countries come to India to receive knowledge about the Absolute Truth. This knowledge is mentioned and explained in the Vedic scriptures, which are popularly read in India.
It is believed that these scriptures are so vast and complex that it may take thousands of years to read and understand everything mentioned in them. Therefore, many Indian monks and authors have written spiritual books to inspire everyone to take to God’s consciousness.
The Bhagavad Gita explains the five basic truths:
1. Ishvara (the Supreme Lord) – The Supreme Lord is the enjoyer, controller, and proprietor of everything. He is the cause of all causes.
2. Jiva (the living entity) – The living entities are parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord. They are qualitatively one with the Supreme Lord but quantitatively insignificant.
3. Prakriti (the material nature) – Material nature is the inferior energy of the Supreme Lord and acts under the directions of the Supreme Lord. It is temporary, but not false.
4. Kaal (eternal time) – Kaal, the powerful force of the Supreme Lord, offers the conditioned souls both happiness and misery. It destroys everything in this material world.
5. Karma (activities) – The living entities engage in various kinds of activities (Karma), according to which, they suffer or enjoy in this material world.
Srimad Bhagavad Gita is considered the essence of all Vedic knowledge and is therefore read by whoever is serious in their spiritual journey. The last verse of the Gita explains that wherever there is Supreme Lord Krishna and the great warrior Arjuna (Bhagavad Gita), all good fortune (victory, opulence, extraordinary power, and morality) arises. What then to speak of the place where the divine words of the Supreme Lord Krishna are recited and understood? That house becomes no less than a pilgrimage.
There are no hard and fast rules for reading the Bhagavad Gita. You may read it anywhere and anytime – while traveling, before sleeping, after bathing, after you have taken your meal, etc. However, you should follow some basic principles while reading. The first and foremost principle is that of cleanliness.
Since the Gita is considered non-different from the Lord Himself, you should handle it with care and not touch it with dirty hands, especially after having eaten something. The other principle is related to the attitude with which we read the Bhagavad Gita. It is recommended to understand the Gita in a submissive and faithful mood.
Many commentaries have been written to date on Srimad Bhagwat Geeta, the most glorious Vedic scripture. If you are a beginner and want to relish the nectar of the knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita, you should prefer reading Bhagavad Gita as It Is by His Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. You will find an elaborate purport in each verse of the Gita that explains the context very well. You can easily find this book and many such spiritual books on Exotic India.
Bhagavad Gita is undoubtedly the best book when it comes to knowing about religion (spiritual knowledge). It is a divine conversation between Lord Krishna and His intimate friend Arjuna. Since the speaker of the Gita is the Supreme Lord Krishna, the mystic of all mystics, the knowledge received by anyone who reads it is perfect.
The Lord elaborately explains to Arjun the highest perfection of life and how to achieve it. Anyone who tries to apply the knowledge of Gita in their life is protected from the greatest dangers and is never bewildered.
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