The gist of the Bhagavad Gita & the Srimad Bhagavatam.
The Bhagavad Gita, often referred to simply as the Gita, is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the Indian epic Mahabharata. It is a conversation between the prince Arjuna and the God Krishna, who serves as his charioteer. The Gita is set in the midst of the battlefield of Kurukshetra, where Arjuna is filled with doubt and moral dilemma about fighting in the battle.
The gist of the Bhagavad Gita can be summarized as follows:
1.Dharma and Duty: Krishna emphasizes the importance of fulfilling one's duty (dharma) without attachment to the results. Arjuna, as a warrior, is duty-bound to fight for righteousness.
2.Self-Realization: Krishna teaches Arjuna about the nature of the self (Atman) and the ultimate goal of life, which is self-realization or union with the divine (Brahma).
3.Detachment: Krishna advises Arjuna to perform his duty without attachment to success or failure, pleasure or pain. Detachment from the fruits of actions leads to freedom from suffering.
4.Yoga: The Gita outlines different paths of yoga including Karma Yoga (path of selfless action), Bhakti Yoga (path of devotion), and Jnana Yoga (path of knowledge). Each path leads to the same ultimate goal of self-realization.
5.Unity of Existence: Krishna teaches Arjuna that the entire universe is interconnected and that all beings are manifestations of the same divine essence. Therefore, one should see the self in all beings and treat them with compassion and equality.
6.Importance of Faith: Krishna emphasizes the importance of faith and surrender to the divine will. Arjuna is encouraged to have faith in Krishna's guidance and to surrender his ego.
7.Renunciation and Action: The Gita reconciles the seemingly conflicting ideas of renunciation and action by teaching that true renunciation is not abstaining from action but performing one's duty without attachment.
8.Immortality of the Soul: Krishna assures Arjuna of the immortality of the soul, which transcends birth and death. The body is temporary, but the soul is eternal.
9.Sanskrit Verse:
Vāsāṃsi jīrṇāni yathā vihāya,
Navāni gṛhṇāti naro 'parāṇi;
Tathā śarīrāṇi vihāya jīrṇāni,
Anyāni saṃyāti navāni dehī.
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 22 :
Translation:
Just as a person discards old, worn-out clothes and puts on new ones, in the same way, the soul discards old, worn-out bodies and takes on new ones.
Explanation:
In this verse, Lord Krishna explains to Arjuna that the soul is eternal and indestructible, whereas the body is temporary. When the body becomes worn out, the soul simply moves on to another body, much like changing clothes. Krishna conveys that death is not the end but a mere transition, and one should not be afraid of it. This teaching is meant to help Arjuna overcome his fear of death and understand the cycle of life and rebirth.
10. Sanskrit Verses:
Yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati Bhārata,
Abhyutthānam adharmasya tadātmānaṃ sṛjāmy aham.
(Chapter 4, Verse 7)
Paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṃ vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām,
Dharma-saṃsthāpanārthāya sambhavāmi yuge yuge.
(Chapter 4, Verse 8)
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 4, Verses 7-8:
Translation:
"Whenever there is a decline in righteousness and an increase in unrighteousness, O Arjuna, at that time I manifest Myself. To protect the virtuous, to annihilate the wicked, and to reestablish the principles of dharma, I appear millennium after millennium."
Explanation:
These verses represent Lord Krishna’s divine promise to restore balance in the world. Whenever injustice and immorality become dominant, He incarnates in the world to protect those who follow the righteous path, destroy the forces of evil, and reestablish the principles of dharma (moral order). This declaration reassures humanity that divine intervention will always take place when dharma is threatened, ensuring the continuity of justice and righteousness across the ages.
Overall, the Bhagavad Gita serves as a guide to living a righteous life, fulfilling one's duties with dedication, and attaining spiritual wisdom and liberation. It addresses the fundamental questions of human existence and provides timeless teachings on morality, ethics, and spirituality.
Here are some famous verses (slokas) from the Bhagavad Gita:
Chapter 9, Verse 7-8:
सर्वभूतानि कौन्तेय प्रकृतिं यान्ति मामिकाम्।
कल्पक्षये पुनस्तानि कल्पादौ विसृजाम्यहम् ।7।
प्रकृतिं स्वामवष्टभ्य विसृजामि पुन: पुन:।
भूतग्राममिमं कृत्स्नमवशं प्रकृतेर्वशात्। 8।
हे कुन्ती पुत्र! एक कल्प के अन्त में सभी प्राणी मेरी आदि प्राकृत शक्ति में विलीन हो जाते हैं और अगली सृष्टि के प्रारंभ में, मैं उन्हें पुनः प्रकट कर देता हूँ। प्राकृत शक्ति का अध्यक्ष होने के कारण मैं बारम्बार असंख्य योनियों के जीवों को उनकी प्रकृति के प्रभाव के अनुसार पुनः-पुनः उत्पन्न करता हूँ।
Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 6, Verse 1
अनाश्रितः कर्मफलं कार्यं कर्म करोति यः ।
स संन्यासी च योगी च न निरग्निर्न चाक्रियः ॥
वे मनुष्य जो कर्मफल की कामना से रहित होकर अपने नियत कर्मों का पालन करते हैं वे वास्तव में संन्यासी और योगी होते हैं, न कि वे जो अग्निहोत्र यज्ञ संपन्न नहीं करते अर्थात अग्नि नहीं जलाते और शारीरिक कर्म नहीं करते।
BG 9.7-8:
sarva-bhūtāni kaunteya prakṛitiṁ yānti māmikām
kalpa-kṣhaye punas tāni kalpādau visṛijāmyaham
prakṛitiṁ svām avaṣhṭabhya visṛijāmi punaḥ punaḥ
bhūta-grāmam imaṁ kṛitsnam avaśhaṁ prakṛiter vaśhāt.
At the end of one kalp, all living beings merge into My primordial material energy. At the beginning of the next creation, O son of Kunti, I manifest them again. Presiding over My material energy, I generate these myriad forms again and again, in accordance with the force of their natures.
Chapter 2, Verse 13:
देहिनोऽस्मिन्यथा देहे कौमारं यौवनं जरा।
तथा देहान्तरप्राप्तिर्धीरस्तत्र न मुह्यति॥
जैसे देहधारी आत्मा इस शरीर में बाल्यावस्था से तरुणावस्था और वृद्धावस्था की ओर निरन्तर अग्रसर होती है, वैसे ही मृत्यु के समय आत्मा दूसरे शरीर में चली जाती है। बुद्धिमान मनुष्य ऐसे परिवर्तन से मोहित नहीं होते।
Translation: Just as the boyhood, youth, and old age come to the embodied Soul in this body, in the same manner, is the attaining of another body; the wise man is not deluded at that.
Chapter 2, Verse 14:
मात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय शीतोष्णसुखदुःखदाः।
आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तितिक्षस्व भारत॥
हे कुन्तीपुत्र! इन्द्रिय और उसके विषयों के संपर्क से उत्पन्न सुख तथा दुख का अनुभव क्षण भंगुर है। ये स्थायी न होकर सर्दी तथा गर्मी की ऋतुओं के आने-जाने के समान हैं। हे भरतवंशी! मनुष्य को चाहिए कि वह विचलित हुए बिना उनको सहन करना सीखे।
Translation : O son of Kunti, the contact between the senses and the sense objects gives rise to fleeting perceptions of happiness and distress. These are non-permanent, and come and go like the winter and summer seasons. O descendent of Bharat, one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.
Chapter 2, Verse 47:
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन |
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥
तुम्हें अपने निश्चित कर्मों का पालन करने का अधिकार है लेकिन तुम अपने कर्मों का फल प्राप्त करने के अधिकारी नहीं हो, तुम स्वयं को अपने कर्मों के फलों का कारण मत मानो और न ही अकर्मा रहने में आसक्ति रखो।
Translation: You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction.
Chapter 6, Verse 5:
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्।
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः॥
मन की शक्ति द्वारा अपना आत्म उत्थान करो और स्वयं का पतन न होने दो। मन जीवात्मा का मित्र और शत्रु भी हो सकता है।
Translation: Let a man lift himself by himself; let him not degrade himself; for the Self alone is the friend of oneself, and the Self alone is the enemy of oneself.
Chapter 9, Verse 22:
अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जनाः पर्युपासते।
तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम्॥
किन्तु जो लोग सदैव मेरे बारे में सोचते हैं और मेरी अनन्य भक्ति में लीन रहते हैं एवं जिनका मन सदैव मुझमें तल्लीन रहता है, उनकी जो आवश्यकताएँ होती हैं उन्हें मैं पूरा करता हूँ और जो कुछ उनके स्वामित्व में होता है, उसकी रक्षा करता हूँ।
Translation: To those who are constantly devoted and who worship Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.
Chapter 9, Verse 14:
सततं कीर्तयन्तो मां यतन्तश्च दृढव्रताः।
नमस्यन्तश्च मां भक्त्या नित्ययुक्ता उपासते॥
मेरी दिव्य महिमा का सदैव कीर्तन करते हुए दृढ़ निश्चय के साथ विनय पूर्वक मेरे समक्ष नतमस्तक होकर वे निरन्तर प्रेमा भक्ति के साथ मेरी आराधना करते हैं।
Translation: Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.
Chapter 9, Verse 30-31:
अपि चेत्सुदुराचारो भजते मामनन्यभाक्।
साधुरेव स मन्तव्यः सम्यग्व्यवसितो हि सः ॥
यदि महापापी भी मेरी अनन्य भक्ति के साथ मेरी उपासना में लीन रहते हैं तब उन्हें साधु मानना चाहिए क्योंकि वे अपने संकल्प में दृढ़ रहते हैं।
क्षिप्रं भवति धर्मात्मा शश्वच्छान्तिं निगच्छति।
कौन्तेय प्रतिजानीहि न मे भक्तः प्रणश्यति।।
वे शीघ्र धार्मात्मा बन जाते हैं और चिरस्थायी शांति पाते हैं। हे कुन्ती पुत्र! निडर हो कर यह घोषणा कर दो कि मेरे भक्त का कभी पतन नहीं होता।
Translation: Even if the most sinful worships Me with unwavering devotion, he too must be considered righteous, for he has rightly resolved.
Chapter 18, Verse 66:
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज।
अहं त्वां सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुच:।।
सभी प्रकार के धर्मों को त्याग दो और केवल मेरी शरण में आ जाओ। मैं तुम्हें सभी पापों से मुक्त कर दूंगा; डरना मत।
Translation: Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.
The Vedas contain 100,000 mantras, describing varieties of rituals, practices, prayers, ceremonies, and gems of knowledge. All these are given with only one aim—to help unite the soul with God.
वेदों में एक लाख मंत्रों का उल्लेख किया गया है जिनमें विभिन्न धार्मिक विधि विधानों, अभ्यास, प्रार्थनाओं, अनुष्ठानों, और दिव्य ज्ञान के रत्नों का वर्णन किया गया है। इन सबका एक ही उद्देश्य आत्मा को परमात्मा के साथ एकीकृत करने में सहायता करना है।
वासुदेवपरा वेदा वासुदेवपरा मखाः।
वासुदेवपरा योगा वासुदेवपराः क्रियाः।।
सांख्य योग वासुदेवपरं ज्ञानं वासुदेवपरं तपः।
वासुदेवपरो धर्मो वासुदेवपरा गतिः।।
“The goal of all the Vedic mantras, the ritualistic activities, spiritual practices, sacrifices, cultivation of knowledge, and performance of duties, is to help the soul reach the divine feet of God.”
However, just as a medicine pill is often sugar-coated to make it more palatable, similarly to attract materially-minded people, the Vedas also give material allurements. The underlying motive is to help the soul gradually get detached from the world and attached to God. Thus, one who is attaching the mind to God is automatically fulfilling the purpose of all the Vedic mantras. Shree Krishna advises Uddhav:
"सभी वैदिक मंत्रों, धार्मिक विधि-विधानों, आध्यात्मिक अभ्यास, यज्ञ, ज्ञान पोषित करने और कर्तव्यों का निर्वहन करने का लक्ष्य भगवान के दिव्य चरणों में आत्मा की प्रीति उत्पन्न करने में सहायता करना है।" जिस प्रकार औषधि की टिकिया पर प्रायः शक्कर का लेप लगा होता है ताकि वह स्वादिष्ट लगे, उसी प्रकार वेद भौतिक प्रवृत्ति वाले मनुष्यों को सांसारिक प्रलोभनों की ओर आकर्षित करते हैं। इनमें अन्तर्निहित उद्देश्य मनुष्य की आत्मा को धीरे-धीरे सांसारिक मोह-माया से विरक्त कर उसे भगवान में अनुरक्त करने में सहायता करते हैं। इस प्रकार जब किसी मनुष्य का मन भगवान में लीन हो जाता है तब स्वतः ही सभी वैदिक मंत्रों का प्रयोजन पूरा हो जाता है। श्रीकृष्ण द्वारा उद्धव को दिया गया उपदेश
आज्ञायैवं गुणान् दोषान् मयाऽऽदिष्टानपि स्वकान्।
धर्मान् सन्त्यज्य यः सर्वान् मां भजेत स सत्तमः।।
(श्रीमद्भागवतम्-)
“The Vedas prescribe varieties of social and ritualistic duties for individuals. But those who grasp their underlying motive, and rejecting all intermediate instructions, wholeheartedly fulfill their duty toward me, I consider them to be the highest devotees.”
"वेदों में मनुष्य के लिए सामाजिक और धार्मिक विधि विधानों से संबंधित विभिन्न कर्त्तव्य निर्धारित किए गए हैं लेकिन वे मनुष्य जो इनके अंतर्निहित अभिप्राय को समझ लेते हैं और उनके मध्यवर्ती उपदेशों की अवहेलना करते हैं तथा पूर्ण समर्पण भाव से मेरी भक्ति और सेवा में तल्लीन रहते हैं, उन्हें मैं अपना परम भक्त मानता हूँ।"
धर्मः प्रोज्जिहते कैतवाः प्रोक्ते धर्मे नाथे कपिलाः।
न यत्र धर्मः स्थिरोऽभूत् तत्रैव सत्यस्य योजया॥
"When there is an advent of deceitfulness, righteousness is vanquished. O Kapila, in the age when righteousness is spoken of, when the Lord of Righteousness is propounded, only there does righteousness stand firm; there alone, indeed, is the union with Truth."
तपसा ब्रह्मचर्येण त्यागेनैकेन योगिना।
कामेन द्वारमादिष्ट्य लोकानां हितकाम्यया॥
"Endeavors merely for sense gratification or material happiness through economic development are not to be performed, for they result only in a loss of time and energy, with no actual profit."
सत्यं शौचं दयामार्जवं दानं योगस्तपः क्रियाः।
प्रजास्त्रीणि च या विद्या योऽन्यत्र गुणवान्भवेत्॥
"The eightfold yoga mysticism consisting of observances such as yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi is automatically practiced in the process of devotional service."
आदौ कुतश्चिदुदयान्नपि संप्राप्ते यदन्यत्।
यत्राप्यन्यस्तिते देवे तदप्यद्य स्थिते हि सः॥
"The Personality of Godhead said: O Brahma, whatever appears to be of any value, if it is without relation to Me, has no reality. Know it as My illusory energy, that reflection which appears to be in darkness."
तस्मिन् दृष्टे परावरे स्वरूपे अवस्थितेरुदाहृते विशुद्धबुद्धयः।
योगेश्वरो हरिरव्ययात्मा भक्तैरुपेतो गुणकर्मवर्गैः॥
"Thus when the Supreme Personality of Godhead was visible while present on the earth, the virtuous respected Him, and thus they accepted that which is accepted by the great."
ये मे मतं यथा मतं भगवता तथा विदुः।
स्वर्गापवर्गभागाय तदर्थमायातुः पुनः॥
Translation:-
"ये (ye)" - Those who,
"मे (me)" - by me,
"मतं (matam)" - opinion or instruction,
"यथा (yathā)" - as,
"मतं (matam)" - opinion or instruction,
"भगवता (bhagavatā)" - by the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
"तथा (tathā)" - so,
"विदुः (viduḥ)" - understand,
"स्वर्गापवर्गभागाय (svargāpavargabhāgāya)" - for the purpose of attaining heaven and liberation,
"तदर्थम् (tadartham)" - for that purpose,
"आयातुः (āyātuḥ)" - come or approach,
"पुनः (punaḥ)" - again.
Meaning:-
"Just as those who follow my instruction, as given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, understand it, similarly, they come again, for the purpose of attaining heaven and liberation."
तुल्या ददाति तेनैष स्वपाके पूयते सु धीः।
सर्वार्था परितो दत्ताय यस्यैते सुकृता भवः॥
Translation:-
"तुल्या (Tulyā)" - He makes equal,
"ददाति (dadāti)" - awards or gives,
"तेनैष (tena eṣa)" - by that (punishment),
"स्वपाके (svapāke)" - to the sinner or the one who has committed an offense,
"पूयते (pūyate)" - is purified or becomes cleansed,
"सु धीः (su dhīḥ)" - the intelligent or wise person.
"सर्वार्था (sarvārthā)" - all kinds of (interests or goals),
"परितो (parito)" - in every way or completely,
"दत्ताय (dattāya)" - given,
"यस्यैते (yasya ete)" - to whom these (sufferings or punishments),
"सुकृता भवः (sukṛtā bhavaḥ)" - become good deeds or merits.
Meaning:-
"The Supreme Lord awards just punishment to the offender, and by undergoing that punishment, the intelligent person is purified. To the one to whom all events are given completely, these sufferings become acts of merit."
एषा ह्यज्ञानसंभूता नारायणपरायणा।
मुहुर्वितरते येन सृष्टिस्थितिप्रलयाः॥
"यह (माया) अज्ञान से उत्पन्न है और नारायण को समर्पित रहती है। जिसके द्वारा सृष्टि, स्थिति और प्रलय (उत्पत्ति, पालन और संहार) बार-बार संपन्न होते हैं।"
"This (Maya) is born out of ignorance and remains devoted to Narayana. Through it, creation, preservation, and dissolution (birth, sustenance, and destruction) repeatedly take place."
This translation captures the essence of the verse, emphasizing the role of Maya, its connection with ignorance, and its function in the cycle of creation, maintenance, and dissolution under the guidance of Narayana.
येनेमौ पुरुषौ लोके कृत्स्नां लोकस्य चाक्षयाम्।
स्तुवतः कामये यज्ञं प्रादाय प्रविभूतये॥
Translation:
10.
नायमात्मा बलहीनेन लभ्यो
न च प्रमादात्तपसो वाप्यलभ्यः।
यमेवैष वृणुते तेन लभ्यस्तस्यैष आत्मा विवृणुते तनूं स्वाम्॥
"यह आत्मा बलहीन व्यक्ति द्वारा प्राप्त नहीं की जा सकती। न ही यह प्रमाद (अलस्य) या केवल तपस्या द्वारा ही प्राप्त होती है। जिसे यह (आत्मा) स्वयं चुनती है, वही इसे प्राप्त कर सकता है। उस व्यक्ति को आत्मा अपनी वास्तविकता (स्वरूप) प्रकट करती है।"
