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Session 1 : Session 1 Introduction to Bhagavad Gita

Humans Vs. Animals : Humans Vs. Animals Different animals and birds have different abilities Eating, sleeping, mating and defending is common to animals and humans Human can inquire about cause of suffering and destination of life Animals act by instinct; Humans are endowed with free will

Quote : Quote ahara nidra bhaya maithunam ca samanyam etad pasubhir naranam dharmo hi tesam adhiko viseso dharmena hina pasubhir samanam “The activities of eating, sleeping, mating and defending are common in animals and human beings. The human beings are considered superior only when they inquire about the Absolute Truth, otherwise they are considered as good as animals.” MAHABHARAT

Slide 4 : Why am I suffering? What is the actual destination of life?

3 Ways of Gaining Knowledge : 3 Ways of Gaining Knowledge Pratyaksa Praman: Empirical sensual perception We cannot obtain knowledge about the Absolute Truth through material senses because:- Senses are imperfect Senses put us into illusion We commit mistakes Cheating propensity

Slide 6 : Anuman Praman: Theories based on Evidence or process of inference or hypothesizing on the knowledge acquired by direct perception Sabda praman: Hearing from a bonafide authority – knowledge obtained through this process is free from the four human defects

THE INFALLIBLE VEDIC WISDOM : THE INFALLIBLE VEDIC WISDOM Vedic scriptures are called as ‘Apaurusheya’ – they have no human author. Vedas are directly word of God revealed at the time of Creation

Example of a manual : Example of a manual When we buy a motor cycle, we get an instruction manual explaining how to use it Similarly, at the time of creation, God gives us the Vedic scriptures for direction on how to behave in this world

Examples : Examples Vedas long ago revealed that the earth is round and it has 7 continents which information was not known to most of Europe even 500 years ago Plants have life is asserted by the Vedas and is proved now to be true Vedas present accurate predictions of great personalities who will appear in future with great detail and accuracy

Importance of Bhagavad Gita Amongst the Vedic Literatures : Importance of Bhagavad Gita Amongst the Vedic Literatures

Quote : Quote Sarvopanisado gavo dogdha gopala-nandanah partho vatsah su-dhir bhokta dugdham gitamrtam mahat “This Gitopanisad, Bhagavad Gita, the essence of all the Upanisads, is just like a cow, and Lord Krsna, who is famous as a cowherd boy, is milking this cow. Arjuna is just like a calf, and learned scholars and pure devotees are to drink the nectarean milk of Bhagavad Gita” [Gita Mahatmya 6]

Requirements for Understanding Bhagavad Gita : Requirements for Understanding Bhagavad Gita

One should understand the following points before beginning to learn Bhagavad Gita : One should understand the following points before beginning to learn Bhagavad Gita Bhagavad Gita is a real historical dialogue between Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and Arjuna. Kuruksetra and all characters like Arjuna, Bhima and others are all real. One should not twist this truth and bring out some allegorical meaning.

Slide 14 : Bhagavad Gita should be read and understood as it is coming in disciplic succession. Only this can change the hearts of people and free them from sinful activities and purify their lives Krishna is the goal of Bhagavad Gita. Many editions of Bhagavad Gita have brushed aside Krsna and Arjuna and carry self-motivated interpretations.

Slide 15 : Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is not an ordinary or even an extra-ordinary man. Bhagavad Gita should be heard in the spirit of devotion like Arjuna.

Slide 16 : Bhagavad Gita is spoken by the Absolute person and it is the Absolute knowledge. It is valid all the time and never out-dated. It is not like the relative knowledge that the Scientists with imperfect senses provide. The same knowledge in Bhagavad Gita was spoken 120 million years ago also by Krsna.

Slide 17 : There is a significance why Bhagavad Gita is spoken on a battle field. Life is a struggle just like a battle. Bhagavad Gita is for those who want to tackle the battle of life and to deliver us from the ignorance.

From Whom Should I hear Bhagavad Gita? : From Whom Should I hear Bhagavad Gita? Tad vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet samit-panih srotriyam brahma-nistham “In order to learn the transcendental science, one must submissively approach a bonafide spiritual master, who is coming in disciplic succession and is fixed in the Absolute Truth” [Mundaka Upanisad 1.2.12]

Why do I need a Guru? : Why do I need a Guru? Why should I not think for myself, Why should there be one particular authority? Why should I not accept only those things that I feel is right/good and reject the rest?

Slide 20 : By accepting the advice and medicines from a qualified physician, we are accepting the Doctor’s authority. As soon as we ride in a bus we are allowing ourselves to be controlled by the bus-driver An Electrical Engineering student accepts the authority of B.L.Theraja.

These are some of the Everyday Examples where we believe authorities in order to get knowledge : These are some of the Everyday Examples where we believe authorities in order to get knowledge From Newspapers we understand that such and such events took place in India and America. We do not know if really those incidents took place but we accept the authority of Newspapers. A child accepts his mother as authority and comes to know of everyone– his father, brother, etc., only through her

The senses cannot give us perfect knowledge of even this material world, then what to speak of things beyond matter i.e., spiritual subjects? No one should dare speculate about spiritual subjects, it is beyond our mind and senses. : The senses cannot give us perfect knowledge of even this material world, then what to speak of things beyond matter i.e., spiritual subjects? No one should dare speculate about spiritual subjects, it is beyond our mind and senses.

We accept teacher in every walk of life. Why not accept the authority of a teacher in spiritual life? : We accept teacher in every walk of life. Why not accept the authority of a teacher in spiritual life?

The chain of masters in which a particular guru hears and speaks the truth is called his SAMPRADAYA. : The chain of masters in which a particular guru hears and speaks the truth is called his SAMPRADAYA.

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE GURU : QUALIFICATIONS OF THE GURU

Fake or Professional Gurus… : Fake or Professional Gurus… Charge fees for secret mantras giving false promises Allow their students to disregard all the Vedic regulative austerities Maintain that the purpose of yoga is material well being and not as a means of connecting one to God Defy the Vedas by saying ‘I am God, You are God, Everyone is God’ and so on.

A bonafide Spiritual Master : A bonafide Spiritual Master He has heard the Absolute Truth in a disciplic succession coming from Krsna Himself He has realized the conclusions of the scriptures by deliberation and is able to convince others of these conclusions He should teach by personal example His senses must be controlled, must be truthful, interested in the welfare of all living beings

3 Point Check : 3 Point Check There is also a check-and-balance system called guru-sadhu-sastra. The teachings of guru must correspond with the teachings of Sadhu (the previous spiritual masters in the disciplic succession) which in turn, must all correspond with the direct meanings of Sastra (the scripture). This is the proof of perfect knowledge.

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE DISCIPLE : QUALIFICATIONS OF THE DISCIPLE

A Disciple must … : A Disciple must … Sincerely inquire about the Topmost Long-term Goal of life which is spiritual welfare Submissively inquire with an open mind Have service attitude Be a devotee of the Supreme Lord Have faith in the Spiritual Master Obedient to carry out the instructions of his Guru

Bhagavad Gita deals with 5 basic truths : Bhagavad Gita deals with 5 basic truths Isvara – the Supreme Controller, God Jiva – the living entity, a subordinate controller controlled by God Material nature constituted of three qualities: sattva, rajas, tamas Eternal time – an energy of Krsna Karma – activities performed by a combination of 3 modes and under the control and purview of eternal time

For further information: : For further information: Narottamanand Das ISKCON Sector 36-B Chandigarh Ph:09417106255,09216506255 nndasa@gmail.com