Bhagavad Gita-Synopsis 18 Chapters:CHAPTER ONE

May 20, 2011

Hari Om. I am happy to launch this series as an offering in the birthday month (May) of my Guru Pujya Swami Chinmayanandaji- who is one the foremost exponent of the Bhagvad Gita.Every month we will feature one chapter of the Gita written by Kamini Khanna. May the message of Mother Gita bless you all! -Prem & Om Shubhraji

BHAGAVAD-GITA

The Bhagavad Gita : Chapter ONE.[compiled by Kamini Khanna. Mombasa, Kenya.Africa]

The Bhagavad Gita begins with the Yoga of Arjuna’s despondency or Vishada Yoga. It’s backdrop is the Mahabharata War, with both armies facing each other. Arjuna wants to survey the scene of war. He requests the Lord to position his chariot in the middle of the battlefield. Faced with members of his family on both sides, his dilemma begins. His emotions get better of him and he is confused about his duties. This is OUR problem – the problem of all humanity, and Arjuna is our representative. Literally the title of the chapter ‘Vishada Yoga’ means ‘The Yoga of Sorrow’. Mere sorrow would not qualify for this title, because sorrow is not Yoga. Only that sorrow is Yoga, which propels us towards God, our Goal.

It is that grief which ignites in us a thirst for the Lord, simultaneously removing our mind from things of the world. It is the same grief that had engulfed Lord Buddha too.

Sri Krishna is Arjuna’s friend, the embodiment of love and compassion. In his immense passion, He becomes Arjuna’s Charioteer. He is there to guide him and impart this vast knowledge of the Gita to him. This reveals the close relationship between the devotee and the Lord, and the boundless passion He has for his devotees.

Our spiritual journey begins, when we surrender ourselves at the Lord’s feet. In applying the dust of His feet to our lives, we receive a great blessing. The Lord speaks only one sentence in the first chapter, “Partha pasyaitan samavetan kurun – Look Partha, at the assembled Kauravas.” With that He announces the presence in our lives. He touches an inner cord.

Chapter 1 is like the dust on the Lord’s feet. The dust represents our humble relationship with God and His compassion for us. It provides a release from all our sorrows and confusion. It is the very foundation of the Bhagavad Gita; it clarifies our understanding of the structure on which the Gita stands.

“A deep, wise, and wonderful exploration of the Vedanta path for relationships both with yourself and with others. Shubhraji provides everything you need to create healthy, fulfilling relationships…”

— Arielle Ford. Author of Wabi Sabi Love and The Soulmate Secret
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