Meditation styles and Yoga practice

The Bhagavad Gîtâ

Introduction
Translated by Dr. Ramanand Prasad 06/01/1988

Among the world's scriptures, The Bhagavad Gîtâ is one of the most popular texts. Its popularity is demonstrated by the fact that, next to the Bible, it is perhaps the most widely translated of scriptural texts. This scripture is suited for the entire man- kind, irrespective of a person's religious or ethnic background. The Gîtâ is considered as the Revelation given by Lord Krishna to Arjuna, in the battle field to help him resolve his mental conflict and was put in the present form by sage Vyâsa. In India, ever since the great Shankarâ wrote his commentary on it, many eminent scholars of the vedanta philosophy have given their interpretations of this exemplary text.

It is not the ancient Indian thinkers alone, but many leaders of modern times had also taken it as a text for expounding their noblest thoughts. Many books such as Tilak's Gîtâ Rahasya, Aurobindo's Essays on Gîtâ and Mahatma Gandhi's Anâsakti Yoga show the continued preference and admiration for Gîtâ over centuries. The tremendous appeal of The Gîtâ is because it deals with practical problems of Life, and contains lessons that we can follow to resolve our day to day conflicts.

Chapter 1 and 2
Dhritaraashtra said: O Sanjaya, assembled in the holy field of Kurukshetra and eager to fight, what did my people and the Paandavas do? (1.01) Sanjaya said: Seeing the battle formation of the Paandava's army...

Chapters 3 and 4
Arjuna said: If You consider that transcendental knowledge is better than work then why do You want me to engage in this horrible war, O Krishna? (3.01) You seem to confuse my mind...

Chapter 5 and 6
Arjuna said: O Krishna, You praise transcendental knowledge (the Saamkhya or Karma-Samnyasa) and also performance of unattached action, Karma-yoga. Tell me, definitely, which one is better of the ...

Chapters 7 and 8
The Supreme Lord said: O Arjuna, listen how you shall know Me completely without any doubt, with your mind absorbed in Me, taking refuge in Me, and performing yogic practices.

Chapter 9 and 10
The Supreme Lord said: I shall reveal to you, who do not disbelieve, the most profound secret of Self-knowledge and Self-realization. Having known this you will be freed from the miseries ...

Chapters 11 and 12
Arjuna said: My illusion is dispelled by Your profound words, that You spoke out of compassion towards me, about the supreme secret of the Self. (11.01) O Krishna, I have heard from You in detail ...

Chapter 13 and 14
The Supreme Lord said: O Arjuna, this body (the miniature universe) may be called the field or creation. One who knows the creation is called the creator by the seers of truth. (13.01)...

Chapters 15 and 16
The Supreme Lord said: They (or the wise) speak of the eternal Ashvattha tree having its origin above (in unmanifest Brahman) and its branches below (in the cosmos) whose leaves are the ...

Chapter 17 and 18
Arjuna said: What is the state of devotion of those who perform spiritual practices with faith but without following the scriptural injunctions, O Krishna? Is it Saattvika, Raajasika, or Taamasika?

For much more information about spiritual healing, alternative, complimentary medicine, health and spirituality visit David Wells, Spiritual Healer and Teacher at his retreat.
Also pay a visit to our Shopping Mall for organic, outdoor and recreational products.
Please read our Terms of Use.