A FREE CORRESPONDENCE COURSE ON GITA
By The International Gita Society
Phone (510) 791-6953, E-mail:
INTRODUCTION
LESSON 1
The "Bhagavad-Gita" is a
doctrine of universal truth. Its message is universal, sublime, and
non-sectarian although it is a part of the scriptural trinity of Sanaatan
Dharm, commonly known as Hinduism. The Gita is very easy to understand in any language
for a mature mind. A repeated reading with faith will reveal all the sublime
ideas contained in it. A few difficult verses are interspersed here and there
but they have no direct bearing on practical issues or the central theme of
Gita. The Gita deals with the most sacred metaphysical science. It imparts the
knowledge of the Self and answers two universal questions: who am I and how can
I lead a happy and peaceful life in this world of dualities. It is a book of
yog---the
moral and spiritual growth---for mankind based on the cardinal principles of
Hindu religion.
The message of Gita came to humanity
due to Arjun's unwillingness to do his duty as a warrior, because fighting
involved destruction and killing. Nonviolence
or Ahimsaa is one of the most fundamental tenets of Hinduism. All
lives, human or non-human, are sacred. This immortal discourse between the Supreme
Lord, Krishn, and His devotee-friend, Arjun, occurs not in a temple or a
secluded forest or on a mountain top but in a battle field on the eve of war
and is recorded in the great epic, Mahaabhaarat. In Gita Lord Krishn advises
Arjun to get up and fight. This may create a confusion
of the principles of Ahimsaa if the background of the war of Mahaabhaarat is
not kept in mind. Therefore, a brief historical description is in order.
In ancient times there was a king
who had two sons, Dhritaraashtr and Paandu. The former was born blind;
therefore, Paandu inherited the kingdom. Paandu had five sons. They were called
the Paandavs. Dhritaraashtr had one hundred sons. They were called the
Kauravs. Duryodhan was the eldest of the Kauravs. After the death of king
Paandu, the Paandavs became the lawful king. Duryodhan was a very jealous
person. He also wanted the kingdom. The kingdom was divided into two halves
between the Paandavs and the Kauravs. Duryodhan was not satisfied with his
share of the kingdom. He wanted the entire kingdom for himself. He unsuccessfully
planned several foul plays to kill the Paandavs and take away their kingdom. He
unlawfully took possession of the entire kingdom of the Paandavs and refused to
give back even an acre of land without a war. All mediation by Lord Krishn and
others failed. The big war of Mahaabhaarat was thus started. The Paandavs were
unwilling participants. They had only two choices: fight for their right as a
matter of duty or run away from war and accept defeat in the name of peace and
nonviolence. Arjun, one of the five Paandav brothers, faced the dilemma in the
battlefield whether to fight or run away from war for the sake of peace.
Arjun's dilemma is, in reality, the
universal dilemma. Every human being faces dilemmas, big or small, in their
everyday life in course of performing their duties. Arjun's dilemma was the
biggest of all. He had to make a choice between fighting the war and killing
his most revered guru, very dear friends, close relatives, and many innocent
warriors or running away from the battle field for the sake of preserving the
peace and nonviolence. The entire seven hundred verses of the Gita is a
discourse between Lord Krishn and the confused Arjun in the battle field of
Kurukshetr near
Ajnaan, the ignorance of metaphysics
(the transcendental knowledge, or Self-knowledge) is humanity's greatest
predicament. The language is incapable and translations are defective to
clearly impart the knowledge of the Self. In this rendering an attempt has
been made to keep the style as close as possible to the original Sanskrit
poetry and yet make it easy to read and understand. An attempt has been made to
improve the clarity by adding words or phrases. The simpler 133 key verses out of 700 total verses
(in 18 Chapters) of the Gita are selected for this introductory correspondence
course for the beginners and busy people as well as for the daily reading of the Gita. The beginners should
first read and understand the meaning of these simpler key verses before
delving deep into the bottomless ocean of transcendental knowledge of the Gita.
" ...... Dr. Ramanand Prasad now
offers his deft translation to the holy mount of Gita. His renderings are elegantly
simple, easy to understand, and unencumbered by commentary. " --- HINDUIS
Some of our students write: “This course is the clearest presentation of the basic principles to be
learned from the Gita.” “I no longer see everything with the eyes of my mind,
but with my heart.” “Had I taken this
course earlier, I would not be in the prison today.”
HOW TO GET MOST OUT OF THIS COURSE
You should devote at least 20
minutes to every lesson. Read and contemplate on the meaning of the verses and
reread it everyday. Please feel free to call us at (510) 791-6953 on Mondays between
6 and
This course is designed for the busy
people, young adults, executives, professionals, students, as well as all
those who want to get introduced to Gita. Young
children or persons below 11th grade level will need parents' or some help. IGS's help is there just for the asking. After seriously completing this course
you will be able to read, understand, discuss the subject matter of Gita, and
pursue further study on your own using "Pocket
size Gita", but feel free to ask us for help in understanding certain
difficult verses or concepts. Total number of lessons is 8, or only 13 pages.
With
best wishes for your spiritual progress
NOTE:
This program is also available Free on the "Internet" The address
is: www.gita-society.com
CHAPTER 2 TRANSCENDENTAL
KNOWLEDGE
The
Supreme Lord said: O Arjun, you speak
like a wise, but grieve for those who are not worthy of grief. The wise should
not lament for the living or for the dead. (2.11) NOTE: Numbers inside the parenthesis are the
Chapter number and
Verse number, respectively, of the Gita. Because, just as the soul acquires a
childhood body, a youth body, and an old age body during this life, similarly,
the soul acquires another new body after death. The wise should not become
bewildered by the thoughts of unavoidable death. (2.13) The one who thinks
that Atmaa (Spirit, soul) is a slayer, and the one who thinks that the soul is
slain, both are ignorant. Because, the soul neither slays nor
is slain. (2.19) Just as a person puts on a new dress after discarding the
old one, similarly, Atmaa (Spirit) acquires a new body after giving up this
body. Does one moan getting a new dress? (2.22). Other
metaphors used for the body are: a vehicle, an abode, and a cage for Atmaa, the
spirit soul. All beings, O Arjun, have a
formless or subtle body before birth, and after death. They have a physical
body only in between the birth and the death. What is there to grieve about?
(2.28) Just do your duty to the best of your abilities
and without becoming discouraged by the thoughts of outcome or the outcome
itself that may be success or failure, gain or loss, victory or defeat. By
doing your duty with this attitude, you will not incur any sin or Karmic
bondage. (2.38) To a God-realized person
Vedas, the books of knowledge, are as useless as a reservoir of water when
there is floodwater available everywhere. A scripture is no longer needed after
one has already realized God. A scripture is only an aid in God-realization.
(2.46) One has the ability and privilege to do one's respective duty, but has no
control over the results. The fruits of work should not be the motive. Also,
one should never remain inactive. (2.47)
(Everybody in
CHAPTER 3.
PATH OF KARMYOG LESSON 2
The Supreme Lord said: There are two methods
or
CHAPTER 4.
PATH OF KNOWLEDGE LESSON 3
Whenever there is a decline of Dharm (or
the righteousness) and the rise of Adharm (or the unrighteousness) then I
incarnate Myself, O Arjun. I incarnate in every age for the protection of the
good, for the destruction (or transformation) of the wicked, and for the
establishment of Dharm. (4.07-08) (Another very important verse to remember) The four divisions of labor in
human society, based on individual aptitude, were created by Me. Though I am
the author of this system of division of labor, one should know that I do
nothing and I am eternal. (4.13) (The lord has created people with multitude of
skills to run all the affairs of the world) The one who sees inaction in action,
and action in inaction, is a wise person. Such a person is a yogi and has
accomplished everything. (Also see 3.27) (4.18). (To see inaction
in action and vice versa is to understand that the Lord does all the work
indirectly through His power by using us. He is the inactive actor. We
are actively inactive, because we cannot do anything without the flow of His
power. Therefore, we are not the doer, just an instrument in His hands.) A KarmYogi abandons the attachment to the
fruits of work, is always contented, and depends on no one but God. Though
engaged in activity, a true KarmYogi is not held responsible for his action,
and therefore does not incur Karmic bondage. (4.20) The oblation or offering
of grain in the fire sacrifice is Brahm (or Brahman, the Absolute, Spirit,
Atmaa, the cause of all causes) and the clarified butter is also Brahm. The
fire as well as the one who offers is also Brahm. Brahm shall be realized by
one who always considers everything as Brahm. God is in everything, so everything
is God or Brahm (4.24). Those who
perform selfless service obtain the nectar of knowledge (Jnaan), in due course
of time, as a result of their sacrifice and attain eternal Brahm. (4.31) Acquiring of spiritual knowledge is superior
to any other material activity such as austerity and charity, because, spiritual
knowledge is the goal and the end result of KarmYog. (4.33) Acquire this
knowledge by sincere inquiry and service to a Self-Realized guru, and the faith
in guru, god, and the scriptures. The wise who have realized the truth will
give you the knowledge, Jnaan. (4.34) As
the fire reduces wood to ashes, similarly, the fire of Jnaan reduces one's all
accumulated Karm, the root cause of soul's transmigration, to ashes and one is
freed from the cycles of repeated birth and death, O Arjun. (4.37) The spiritual
knowledge is automatically revealed when one's mind and intellect become purified
by KarmYog. KarmYog leads one to Self-knowledge (Jnaan), the supreme purifier.
(4.38)
CHAPTER SUMMARY: Gives the purpose of the incarnation of God
in human form such as Raam, Krishn, Buddh, Mahaaveer, Moses, Christ, Muhammad,
Naanak, and many others. Describes the nature and the practice
of KY; and the supremacy of Jnaan, that cuts the bonds of Karm, in the process
of God-realization.
CHAPTER 5.
PATH OF RENUNCIATION
The
wise see no difference between Samnyaas, the renunciation of selfish
activities, and KarmYog, the performance of one's worldly duty as a Sevaa. The
renunciation or Samnyaas, according to the Gita, does not mean leaving this
world and living in the forest. (5.04) Both, the KarmYogi and the Samnyaasi living in the forest,
reach the same goal. One who can see the
CHAPTER 6. PATH OF MEDITATION LESSON 4
When
there is no desire for sensual pleasures, or attachment to the fruits of work,
and one has renounced all selfish desires, then one is said to have attained
yogic perfection. (6.04) One can elevate or degrade oneself by one's own mind. The
mind can become one's best friend, or the worst enemy. The mind becomes a
friend to the one who has control over it, and becomes an enemy for the one who
is controlled by the mind, because the uncontrolled mind will take one for a
ride on the dark streets of sin. (6.05-06). (Guru Naanak said: "Master the
mind and you master the world") One
who is impartial towards everybody, including friends, enemies, neutrals,
haters, relatives, non-relatives, saints, sinners, rich, poor, and criminals
is considered superior. (6.09) The yogi practices meditation for the purification of mind
by controlling the roving thought waves of the mind and focusing the mind on
God. (6.12) Sit in meditation (or Dhyaan) by holding the spine, neck, and head
erect, and steady in a comfortable position. Close the eyes, and focus the
eyes and mind gently at the heart or the forehead, take few deep breaths and
chant any mantra, or the sound of O...o..o m....m ....(orally or mentally).
(6.13) Wheresoever this restless
and unsteady mind wanders away during meditation, one should gently bring it
back to the contemplation of God. The yoking of mind with God is called yog. (6.26) A yogi perceives the
same Self (or spirit) abiding (or present) in everybeing, and all beings
abiding in the Self. (6.29) Those who see Me in everything and see everything in Me, are
not separated from Me and I am not separated from them. (6.30) One is considered the best yogi who regards
everybeing like himself, and who can feel the pain and pleasures of others. One
should consider all living beings as one's own parents, brothers, sisters, children. (6.32) The Supreme Lord said: Undoubtedly, O
Arjun, the mind is restless
and difficult to control, but it can
be subdued by sincere spiritual practice such as meditation, and by detachment.
(6.35) The
unsuccessful yogi is instinctively carried towards God in the next life by
virtue of the impressions of yogic practices of previous lives. No spiritual
effort is ever wasted. (6.44) I consider
one to be the most devoted of all the yogis who lovingly remembers Me with faith, and whose mind is ever absorbed in Me. (6.47)
CHAPTER SUMMARY: Defines yog,
teaches how to meditate and control the mind, gives
the benefits of meditation and the destiny of unsuccessful yogis.
CHAPTER 7. KNOWLEDGE OF THE ABSOLUTE
The
matter is My lower energy. My other higher energy is
the spirit by which this entire universe is sustained, O Arjun. (7.05) All creatures are
born from a combination of matter and spirit. Brahm is the origin as well as
the support of the entire universe. (7.06)
There is nothing higher than Brahm. Everything
in the universe is sustained by Brahm as jewels in the necklace are supported
by the thread. Brahm is present in all creatures and supports them. (7.07) My divine power
(Maayaa) consisting of the three modes (Gunas) or states of mind is difficult
to overcome. Only those who surrender unto Me cross
over this Maayaa. (7.14) (See more on Gunas in Chapter 14) The four types of virtuous people
worship Me, O Arjun. They are: the distressed, the seeker of Self-knowledge, the seeker of wealth, and the wise who knows the Supreme.
(There is nothing wrong in praying to God for health, wealth, and
Self-knowledge) (7.16) The wise surrender to Me by realizing (after many births)
that everything in the universe and
the world is nothing but a manifestation of Brahm. Such a great soul is
very rare. The Vedas declare that all this universe is
nothing but Brahm. (7.19) People worship
the deity with faith and fulfill the wishes through the deity. I am the one who
really fulfills those wishes through the deity. The image of deity helps to
draw God's power. (7.22) The ignorant does not know God as the unborn and eternal.
Human senses and intellect cannot comprehend the transcendental form and
personality of Brahm, because God cannot be perceived by our senses (7.25).
Brahm appears in the form of great souls such as Raam, Krishn, Buddh,
Mahaaveer, Jesus, Muhammad, Naanak and many other great teachers from time to
time as needed.
WITH
BEST WISHES
How to start a Gita Study
Group
1 Talk
to few like-minded people in your friend and neighborhood circle about the idea
of starting a Gita Satsang. Arrange a meeting with the spiritually inclined
people and decide on time, place, and how often the group should meet. Evenings
and weekends are usually preferred time. The meeting place could be a local
school, temple/church, conference room of an office building, or a public
library. Home should be the last choice.
The frequency of the meeting could be once a month, twice a month, or every
Sunday. The duration of Satsang should
be two hours.
2. A meeting format in
which all members of the group are encouraged to partici
3. Assign next two sets
of five verses to two different speakers for the next meeting thereby giving
everybody a chance to study, learn, partici
IMPORTANT NOTES ON
PRONUNCIATION OF SANSKRIT WORDS and NAMES
The alphabet 'a' at the end
of English transliteration of Sanskrit words should be pronounced very softly,
or should not be generally pronounced; but never pronounced as ‘aa’, except in
Sanskrit poetry or in chanting. For example, the word 'Rama' should be pronounced
as Raam (r=m=),
not as Raamaa (r=m==), except in chanting. We
have, therefore, dropped all “a”s from the end of
Sanskrit words in these lessons to correct the long formed habit of
mispronunciation of Sanskrit terms in the West which has spread even to
QUIZ I
(Open Book) Print your name here __________________________________________
e-mail this sheet with your
answers to the AmericanGita Society after you have read and understood first
four Lessons. The remaining
lessons (with the graded Quiz) will be mailed after we get this Quiz back from
you.
(1) The Ten
Commandments of Hinduism, also commonly known as sage Patanjali's Yam
and Niyam are:
(1)
(English word...............................) and (in
Sanskrit............................)
(2) Truthfulness (3) Non-stealing
(4) Celibacy (before marriage, and
mastery/control over the senses and no adultery after marriage) (5)
Detachment (6) Purity of word, deed, and thought (7) Contentment (8) Sacrifice
or Sevaa (9) Study of scriptures (10) Faith in God. Fill in the first and the
most important commandment. ( Hint: Mentioned in the
introduction. Learn the Sanskrit word for it, and practice in daily life)
(2) Please explain how cultivating these ten
(10) good qualities may lead one to God or perfection.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
(3) What is
meditation? What are its benefits? Mention two methods to subdue the mind as
given in Chapter 6.
(a) What is meditation:
_________________________________________________________________________
(b) Benefits of meditation are:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
(c) Two methods to Subdue the mind
are: (i)_________________________________________________________
and
(ii)_________________________________________________________
(4) Verse 2.70 says that one who desires material
objects is never peaceful. Explain
why. ______________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
(5) Why does Gita put so much emphasis on keeping
the mind and senses under control? What
are the two major stumbling blocks
on the
(a)
Why we should keep a good control over our mind and senses: ____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
(b) Two major
stumbling blocks on the
____________________________________________________________________________________________
(6) Mention,
briefly, a few significant things you have learned from these lessons so far as
well as your suggestions for improving this course, or any question, doubt,
confusion etc.
____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________