Bhagavad Gita

Lord Krishna spoke the Bhagavad-Gita on the battlefield of Kuruksetra just prior to the commencement of the Mahabharata war when Arjuna wanted to quite the war as he felt weak abotu killing his own relatives he was fighting against. The date is supposed to be around 3102 B.C. It was originally revealed in the classical language of Sanskrit spoken on the Indian sub-continent. Through Gita, Krishna made Arjuna understand the essence of Karma and finally helped him get over his weakness.

According to the Gita, there are three paths which lead directly to establishing a relationship with God. These paths have been designated as the yoga of perfect actions, the yoga of perfect devotion and the yoga of perfect knowledge. These three paths with great care and attention have been fully explained in the Bhagavad-Gita which comprises chapters 23 through 40 in the Bhishma-Parva section of the epic of Mahabharata.

The Bhagavad-Gita consists of 18 chapters. Each chapter is called a yoga. Yoga is the science of the individual consciousness attaining communion with the Ultimate Consciousness. So each chapter is a highly specialized yoga revealing the path of attaining realization of the Ultimate Truth. The first six chapters have been classified as the Karma Yoga section as they mainly deal with the science of the individual consciousness attaining communion with the Ultimate Consciousness through actions. These chapters are:

Chapter 1 : Visada Yoga
Chapter 2 : Sankhya Yoga
Chapter 3 : Karma Yoga
Chapter 4 : Jnana Yoga
Chapter 5 : Karma Vairagya Yoga
Chapter 6 : Abhyasa Yoga

The middle six chapters have been designated as the Bhakti Yoga section as they principally are pertaining with the science of the individual consciousness attaning communion with the Ultimate Consciousness by the path of devotion.

Chapter 7 : Paramahamsa Vijnana Yoga
Chapter 8 : Aksara-Parabrahman Yoga
Chapter 9 : Raja-Vidya-Guhya Yoga
Chapter 10 : Vibhuti-Vistara-Yoga
Chapter 11 : Visvarupa-Darsana Yoga
Chapter 12 : Bhakti Yoga

The final six chapters are regarded as the Jnana Yoga section as they are primarily concerned with the science of the individual consciousness attaining communion with the Ultimate Consciousness through the intellect.

Chapter 13 : Ksetra-Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yoga
Chapter 14 : Gunatraya-Vibhaga Yoga
Chapter 15 : Purusottama Yoga
Chapter 16 : Daivasura-Sampad-Vibhaga Yoga
Chapter 17 : Sraddhatraya-Vibhaga Yoga
Chapter 18 : Moksa-Opadesa Yoga

Here goes some of the shlokas (couplets) from the Gita...along with their meanings....the numbers on the top of each give the chapter-verse.



1-17
Avinashi Tu Tadvidhi Yena SarvamidanTatam
Vinashamvyayasyasya Na Kaschit Kartumarhati

By whom the entire body is pervaded is indestructible.
Noone can destroy the immortal soul.

1-19
Ya Enan Vetti Hantar Yashrvyanan Manyate Hatam
Ubhau Tau Na Vijanito Nayan Hanti Na Hanyate

One who thinks the soul is the slayer and one who thinks the soul is slain, both are ignorant.
The Soul never slains nor is slain.

1-23
Nainan Chindanti Shashtrani Nainan Dahati Pavakah
Na Chainan Klyedyantapo Na Shoshyati Marutah

Weapons cannot harm the soul, Fire cannot burn the it
Water cannot wet it, air cannot dry it

2-47
Karmanyevadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachan
Ma Karmaphalheturbhuta Ma Te Sanghostaviswakaramani

Only doing your duty, your karma is in your right, never think about the results
Never attach your works with the thought of getting the results

2-55
Prajhati Yada Kaman Sarvan Partha Manogatan
Atmanyevyatmana Tushth Sthitapragyastadochyate

One who gives up all the desires for gratification of senses within the mind, and becomes satisfied with the realization of the Self in the pure state of the soul
Then the one properly stays in the state of complete knowledge

4-6
Ajopi Sanvayayatma Bhutanamishvaropi San
Prakritin Swamdhishtay Sambhavamyatmamayaya

Although being birthless, imperishable and immutable, the Lord of all living things
Being so, I appear in the world in my original transcendetal form by my internal potency

4-7
Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya Glanirbhavati Bharata
Abhiyutthanamdharmasya Tadatmanam Srijamyaham

Whenever there is a decline in righteousness
To eradicate unrighteousness, I appear in the world


4-8
Paritranay Sadhunam Vinashay Cha Dushkritam
Dharmasansthapanarthay Sambhavami Yuge Yuge

To protect good, to end bad
To establish righteousness, I appear at times




5-17
Tadbudhyastdatmanastannisthastatparayana
Gachchantyapunaravrittim Gyananirdhutnirmisha

Those whose illusions are dispelled by illumination, who are endowed with spiritual intelligence
Who medidate on the inner self, whose faith is fixed and who have taken complete shelter of the ultimate truth, attain liberation from the material existence.

5-23
Shaknotihaiva Ya Sodum Prak Sharirvimokshanat
Kamkrodhodvawam Vegam Sa Yukta Sa Sukhi Narah

One who is able to neutralize in this life, the physical, mental and emotional urges generated from desire and passion, before the death of the body; he is fully self controlled and certainly happy.

6-6
Bandhuratmatmanastasya Yenatmaivatmana Jitah
Anatmanstastu Shatrutve Vartetatmaiva Shatruvat

For the One who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best friend
But for the one whose mind is uncontrolled, it is his worst enemy

9-4
Maya Tatmidam Sarvam Jagadavyaktamurtina
Matsthani Sarvabhutani Na Chaham Teshvavasthitah

The entire universe is pervaded by Me, in an imperceptably subtle manifestation
And all living entities find their support in Me, but I am not supported in them.





12-15
Yasmannodvijate Loko Lokannodvijate Cha Yah
Harshamarshabhayodvegairmukto Yah Sa Cha Me Priyah

One who never disturbs the world, who never is never diturbed by the world
One who is free from the joy, fear, anxiety; The One is dear to me

13-17
Avibhakta Cha Bhuteshu Vibhaktamiv Cha Sthitam
Bhootbhartri Cha Tajgeyam Grasishnu Prabhavishnu Cha

Undivided yet IT appears divided among the living things
It is known as the preserver of living things, the destroyer as well as the creator.

13-23
Upadrashtanumanta Cha Bharta Bhokta Maheshwarah
Parmatmeti Chapyukto Deheasmin Purusha Parah

Within the body, superior to the individual consciousness, the Supreme Consciousness dwells as an observer, sanctioner, preserver, enjoyer and the ultimate controller.

15-6
Na Tad Bhasyate Suryo Na Shashanko Na Pavakah
Yad Gatva Na Nivartante Taddham Paramam Mama

There is no light of the Sun, none of the Moon or Fire
There is no return from that supreme abode after reaching there once

16-21
Trividham Narakasyedam Dvaram Nashanmatmanah
Kaamah Krodhastatha Lobhastasmadetattrayam Tyajet

Three doors to Hell and destruction are Lust, Anger and Greed
Hence they should be abandoned from the self.

17-12
Abhisandhay Tu Phalam Dambharthamapi Chaiva Yat
Ijyate Bharatshreshtha Tam Yagyam Vidhi Rajasam

When done for results, pride or money
A sacrifice becomes akin to passion

17-16
Manah Prasadah Saumyatvam Maunamatmavinigrah
Bhavsanshuddhirityetat Tapo Manasmuchyate

Serene thoughts, compassion, gravity, self-control, purity of purpose
These are the quality of austere mind

Here is a link where you can read Gita online --- get the translations, explanations and also the vocals!
Available in 16 languages (including russian, German etc.)
I will not say that the explanations are the best --- but still ---acceptable! (as explanations from more than one sources are given) and a good starting point for peple who want to know it!I hope you enjoy!
in Enlish:
http://www.bhagavad-gita.org/index-english.html
Homepage:
http://www.bhagavad-gita.org/

Listen the Gita here

http://www.yatharthgeeta.com/download.htm

also you can read in the second link.

This is absolutely outstanding post.This is a very valuable information and I want to know more about bhakti yoga...please suggest the procedure to practice bhakti yoga.[url]http://www.hathayogasite.com/yoga-systems/bhakti-yoga [/url]

bhaktiyogaa wrote:

please suggest the procedure to practice bhakti yoga

There are nine activites to practice Bhakti:

1. Hearing about the Lord - singing & chanting God's names (japa), hearing stories from scripture.

2. Glorifying the Lord - describing God's all-attractive features.

3. Remembering the Lord - internal meditation on the Lord's form, activities, names or personality.

4. Serving the lotus feet of the Lord - providing a form of physical service.

5. Worshiping the Lord - deity worship (puja) is a popular form of this within India.

6. Offering prayers to the Lord - any form of prayer offered to please God.

7. Serving the Lord - offering a service for Lord's pleasure, such as preaching activity.

8. Building a friendship with the Lord - having an internal, loving relationship with God.

9. Surrendering everything unto the Lord - surrendering one's thoughts, actions and deeds to God.

bhaktiyogaa
I want to ask something - why you wish to practice Bhakti?