Essence of Bhagavad
Gita
Session 1
Introduction and Chapter 1
Teacher : Namita Purohit
Essence of Bhagavad Gita || http://OpenPathshala.com/Bhagavad-Gita
Bhagavad gita – as it is
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada
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References by the Commentator
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Essence of Bhagavad Gita || http://OpenPathshala.com/Bhagavad-Gita
Setting The Scene
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Chapter 1:
Observing the Armies on the
battlefield of kuruksetra
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Chapter 1: Sections
Verses 1-12 Verses 12-20
Preparation for Signs of victory for
the War the Pandavas
Verses 21-27 Verses 28-46
Krsna as Bhakta Arjuna’s 5 reasons
Vatsala not to fight
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Chapter 1: Sections
• Verses 1-12
D • Dhritarashtra and
Duryodhana
Verses 1-12 Verses 12-20 • Verses 13-20
O
Preparation for the Signs of victory for • Ominous Result
War the Pandavas
• Verses 21-27
U
• Uncertainty
Verses 28-46 • Verses 28-30
Verses 21-27 B
Arjuna’s • Bewilderment
Krsna as Bhakta
Bewilderment and 5
Vatsala • Verses 31 to 42
reasons not to fight T
• Turning Point
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Verses 1-11: Preparation for
the war 1.1
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca
dharma-kṣetre kuru-kṣetre samavetā
yuyutsavaḥ
māmakāḥ pāṇḍavāś caiva kim akurvata sañjaya
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: O Sañjaya, after my sons and
the sons of Pāṇḍu assembled in the place of
pilgrimage at Kurukṣetra, desiring to fight,
what did they do?
(Bhagavad Gita As It Is :
vedabase.com/bg/1/1)
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Verses 1-11: Preparation for
the war
Dhrtarashtra inquiry reveals Dhrtarashtra’s doubtful and
fearful mind (Shown by 2 points)
1. Partial to his own sons – Dhrtarashtra refers to only his
sons as ‘Kurus’ which shows his specific position in
relation to his nephews, the Pandavas
2. Dhrtarashtra is fearful about the holy influences on the
fate of the battle because:
1. It may influence his own sons to compromise, or
2. He hoped that under the holy influence, the
Pandavas may renounce their claim, to avoid
bloodshed
3. Analogy: Paddy field (Kshetra) – unnecessary
weeds taken out, similarly in religious ‘field’ of
Kuru-kshetra in the presence of the ‘father of
religion’ Sri Krishna, unwanted plants like
Dhrtarashtra and his son Duryodhana and others
would be wiped out
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Verses 1-11: Preparation for
the war
Duryodhana(King) talks Mentions great heroes
He taunts Dronacharya
to Dronacharya equal in strength in to
for teaching
(Commander ) out of Bhima and Arjuna (1.4 -
Drstadyumna. (1.3)
fear.(1.2) 1.8)
Praises Bhishma ( Wants everyone to
Mentions heroes ready
confident of support as support Bhishma (
to lay their lives down for
they did not support Aparyatam). Makes
him(1.9)
Draupadi) everyone feel important
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Verses 12-20: Signs of Victory
For The Pandavas( 9 points)
Krishna’s personal presence Goddess of Fortune is Hanumanji on Kuruksetra is a
confirms victory (1.14) present wherever the Arjuna’s Holy Place
Lord is present Chariot Flag
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Verses 12-20: Signs of Victory
For The Pandavas( 9 points)
• Arjuna and Krishna’s transcendental
conchshells + Conchshell =symbol of vishnu
• Bhisma’s conchshell to pacify Duryodhana
(1.12*)
• Agnideva’s Chariot given to Arjuna
• It was capable of conquering all directions
(1.14)
• Shattering of hearts
• Conchshells of Pandavas shattered
Kauravas hearts (1.19)
• Pandavas hearts not shattered – because
of confidence in Krishna
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Verses 12-20: Signs of Victory
For The Pandavas( 9 points)
• Arjuna and Krishna’s transcendental
conchshells + Conchshell =symbol of vishnu
• Bhisma’s conchshell to pacify Duryodhana
(1.12*)
• Agnideva’s Chariot given to Arjuna
• It was capable of conquering all directions
(1.14)
• Shattering of hearts
• Conchshells of Pandavas shattered
Kauravas hearts (1.19)
• Pandavas hearts not shattered – because
of confidence in Krishna
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Verses 21-27: Krishna as Bhakta
Vatsala
Chapter one repeatedly
presents the following 2
themes:
1. The Lord’s protection –
Devotees who surrender to
the Lord’s protection are
assured victory, regardless
of the material odds
2. The Lord as an intimate
servant – The Bhagavad-
gita introduces Krishna,
the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, as the intimate
servant of His devotees.
(e.g. As Arjuna’s
charioteer)
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Verses 21-27: Krishna as Bhakta
Vatsala
Relationship between Arjuna Overwhelmed
Meaning and Gudakesh and
Lord and Devotee is with compassion on
Significance of Acyuta Hrishikesh, Parth
sweet and seeing different
( Infallible) (24,25)
transcendental relatives
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Verses 28-46: Arjuna’s 5
arguments not to fight
• Arjuna Vishada Yoga
• Arjuna put under Yogamaya ( Gudakesa)
• 28-30 – Bodily Symptoms
• Identification with, and attachment to the
body disables one from executing his religious
duties, which is ultimately to execute
Krishna’s will .
• It is interesting to analyze the cause and
effect of Arjuna’s bewilderment
• It is brought on by seeing in terms of one’s
own self-interest
• The result of such vision is fear, loss of
composure, indecision, and confusion of
moral codes
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Verses 28-46: arjuna’s 5
arguments not to fight
Compassion (1.28- Fear of Sinful
Enjoyment (1.31-35)
30) Reactions (1.36-38)
Destruction of Family
Traditions and Indecision( 2.6)
Samskaras(1.39-43)
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Verses 28-46: arjuna’s 5
arguments not to fight
Arjuna’s saintliness is revealed by the following points:
• Softheartedness (1.28)
• Does not want to kill even for exchange of three
worlds (1.35)
• Ready to forgive any aggressors (1.36)
• Considers evil consequences even at the risk of
refusing obligation to fight (1.37 – 1.38)
• Conscious of obligations to protect family traditions
and morals (1.39 – 1.44)
• He does not think that: “I am transcendental and I
have no obligations” Arjuna being saintly is conscious
of moral principles – How he can kill one’s relatives
based on selfish motives (1.44)
• Ready to be killed unarmed, but not retaliate (1.45)
• Custom according to Ksatriya fighting principles –
unarmed and unwilling foe should not be attacked
• These symptoms are due to softheartedness resulting
Conclusion: Such a kind and
from being a great devotee
softhearted person is fit to receive • Kept his bow down (even broke his vow of not
self-knowledge (1.46 purport) keeping the bow once lifted) (1.46)
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Discussion
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Acknowledgements
Amritananda Das for some of his slides
Gauranga Priya Das for his Bhagavad Gita Study Guide
Bhurijana Das – Book Surrender Unto Me
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