The Bhagavad Gita, often referred to as the Gita, is a
701-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the epic Mahabharata, dated to the
second century BCE. It is considered to be one of the main holy scriptures for
Hinduism. The
Bhagwad Gita consists of 18 chapters.
Each chapter is called a yoga. Yoga is the existence of the individual
consciousness attaining communion with the Ultimate Consciousness. Each chapter
is a highly specialized yoga revealing the path of attaining realization of the
Ultimate truth. Gita is also a ‘song’
which raises the hope and possibility for human individual and collective well
being. So in everyone’s life also, the 18 chapters of the Bhagavad Gita
happen.
A
deluded mind cannot get clarity on its own, it can happen only through grace.
When life seems like a battle, Bhagavad Gita can help the seeker come out of
misery and find equanimity. It helps you attain many skills which will enhance
your actions because it is the actions which bring happiness or sorrow. When you
are skillful in your action, then it will bring you happiness, or less misery.
In a world full of cravings and aversions, it is easy to find the attachment in
material and lose track of our lives.
Although
Bhagwad Gita is a subject which a person may not be able to understand
completely in his entire life span, I will try to overview in short, Bhagwad
Gita chapter by chapter, for the benefit of my readers:
Chapter
1 
Lamenting the Consequence of War: After naming major warriors on both sides, and on seeing his intimate relatives, teachers and friends, Arjun feels dejected due to the fear of losing many of them in the consequence of the impending war and the subsequent sins attained by such actions. Overcome by brief and pity, Arjuna fails in strength, his mind becomes bewildered and he gives up his determination to fight.
The Eternal Reality of the Soul’s Immortality: Often deemed to be the summary of the entire Bhagwad Gita, this second chapter in your life predominantly deals with the immortal nature of the soul existing in all living entities and it has been described in great detail. Arjuna submits to Lord Krishna as His disciple, and Krishna begins His teachings to Arjuna by explaining the fundamental distinction between temporary material body and the eternal spiritual soul. Lord Krishna explains the nature of selfless service to the Supreme and the characteristics of a self realized person.
Chapter 3
Chapter 4: 
Approaching the Ultimate Truth : The fourth chapter tells you, now that you are acting you must also listen to knowledge. Lord Krishna explains how spiritual knowledge is received by disciples and the necessity of approaching a ‘guru’ a realized teacher. He also explains the paths of actions and knowledge as well as wisdom regarding the supreme knowledge which results in the culmination of the two paths. Every act can be an act of Prayer.
Chapter 5
Action & Renunciation: The fifth chapter tells you about
material and spiritual knowledge. Lord
Krishna deals with detachment and renunciation explaining that both are means
to the same goal. He explains how salvation is attained by the pursuance of
these paths. You cannot say, “Everything is being done and there is nothing for
me to do”, or you cannot think, “I am doing everything. I did this and I did
that”. This is not going to work for you. Wake up and see, are things
happening or are you really doing it? Renounce the ego of
individuality and rejoice in the bliss of infinity. Outwardly performing all
actions but inwardly renouncing their fruits, the wise man, purified by the
fire of transcendental knowledge, attains peace, detachment, forbearance,
spiritual vision and bliss.
Chapter 6 
Connect to the Higher Consciousness : The sixth chapter is when you learn to meditate and connect to the Higher consciousness. Lord Krishna reveals ‘astanga’ yoga, and the process of practicing such yoga. Astanga Yoga controls the mind and the senses and focuses on Parmatma ( the Supersoul). He explains in detail the difficulties of the mind and the procedures by which one may gain mastery of their mind through yoga which reveals the spiritual nature of a living entity.
Chapter 7 
Knowledge
of the Ultimate Truth.
In the seventh chapter Lord Krishna gives concrete knowledge of the absolute
reality as well as opulence of divinity. He also declares how extremely
difficult it is to surmount Maya. He says “I am the Supreme Truth, the supreme
cause and sustaining force of everything, both material and spiritual”.
Advanced souls surrender unto Him in devotion, whereas impious souls divert
their minds to other objects of worship.
Chapter
8 
Attainment
of Salvation: In the eighth chapter Lord
Krishna emphasizes the science of yoga. He also gives information on the
creation of the material world as well as establishing a distinction between
them and the spiritual world. Here He reveals that one attains whatever one
remembers at the end of one’s life. Krishna emphasizes the utmost importance of
the very last thought at the moment of death. It means that by remembering Lord
Krishna in devotion throughout one’s life, and especially at the time of death,
one can attain to His supreme abode, beyond the material world.
Chapter
9 
The
Most Confidential Knowledge : In chapter
nine Lord Krishna explains how the entire material existence is created,
pervaded, maintained and annihilated by His external energy and all beings are
coming and going under His supervision. He is the Supreme Godhead and the Supreme object of worship. The soul is eternally related to Him. Then after
that is knowing the universal self and knowing that ‘everything is in me and I
am in everything’.
Chapter 10
The Infinite Glory of
the Ultimate Truth: Chapter ten reveals
Lord Krishna’s exalted position as the cause of all causes and the support and
essence of everything. Also specifying His special manifestations and
opulences, Krishna is the supreme object of worship. When you meditate miracles
happen in your life. Wake up and see the miracles! This is Vibhuti. Vibhuti
means giving a chance for miracles in your life, exploring it. Then you
understand what are the divine qualities and what are the demonic qualities and
you realize that you have all the divine qualities in you.
Chapter 11
The Vision of the Universal Form: In chapter eleven Lord Krishna grants Arjuna divine vision and reveals His spectacular unlimited universal form showing all of existence. Thus He conclusively establishes His divinity. Have enough surrender to see the Truth as it is. Then after that is knowing the universal self and knowing that everything is in me and I am in everything.
Chapter 12
The Path of Devotion or Absorb your mind in the Higher. In chapter twelve Lord Krishna extols the glory of devotion to God. Along with this He explains the different forms of spiritual disciplines and discusses the qualities of the devotees who by performing their activities in this way become very dear to Him. Then comes love and devotion. You know and understand all this, but then what? It is not enough. You should be in deep love! When you know that the divine loves you, you cannot but fall in love with divine! This chapter deliberates between bhakti yoga, and the pure devotional love for Krishna, which is the highest end of spiritual existence.
Chapter 13
The Individual and Ultimate Consciousness or Detach from Maya and
attach to Divine. In chapter
thirteen Lord Krishna reveals the distinct difference between the physical body
and the immortal soul. He explains that the physical is transitory and
perishable whereas the soul is immutable and eternal.Then you understand what are the divine qualities and what are the
demonic qualities and you realize that you have all the divine qualities in
you.
Chapter 14
The Three Qualities of Material Nature : In chapter fourteen Lord Krishna reveals that all embodied souls are under the control of three modes, or qualities , of material nature : goodness, passion and ignorance, which influence everything in the material existence. Here He clearly advises to relinquish oneself from ignorance and passion and adopt the path of pure goodness until acquiring the ability to transcend them.
Chapter 15: Purusottama Yoga
Realization
of the Ultimate Truth or Give priority to divinity.
In chapter 15 Lord Krishna reveals the virtues, the glories and the
transcendental characteristics of God being omnipotenet. Also He
explains the purpose and value of knowing about God and the means by which He
can be realized. One who understands Krishna’s
supreme identity surrenders to Him and engages in His devotional service. People who have self-discipline and follow the
path of yoga recognize God in themselves as their Self.
Chapter 16: Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga
The Divine and the Demoniac Natures. In chapter sixteen Lord Krishna describes explicitly, explaining separately and in detail the divine properties, conduct and actions which are righteous in nature and conducive to divinity. Krishna says that those who possess demoniac qualities and who live whimsically, without following regulations of scripture, attain lower births and further material bondage. But those with divine qualities and regulated lives and abide by the spiritual authority, gradually gain spiritual perfection.
Chapter 17: Sraddhaatraya Vibhaga Yoga
The
Three Divisions of Material Existence. In chapter seventeen Lord Krishna clarifies
the three divisions of faith, revealing that it is these different qualities of
faith in the Supreme that determine the character of living entities. He warns Arjuna against doing things counter to the teachings of the
scriptures. Studying scripture still holds a place of utmost importance. Krishna tells Arjuna that by devoted and
heart-centered study of the scriptures, a person "has worshipped / and
loved me with the yoga of knowledge."
Acts performed by those whose faith is in passion and
ignorance yield only impermanent, material results; whereas acts performed, in
goodness, in accord with scriptural injunctions, purify the heart and lead to
pure faith in Lord Krishna and devotion to Him.
Chapter 18: Moksha Opadesa Yoga
The
Final Revelations of the Ultimate Truth, Renounce and Relinquish. In chapter eighteen Lord Krishna sums up the ultimate
conclusion of Gita and describes the meaning of renunciation and attainment of
salvation by the paths of karma.
The Lord explains that while doing so, one must offer without reservation
everything to God. What Krishna means by
renouncing is that actions should not be driven by desire. Relinquishing, on
the other hand, means not having attachment to the results of actions. He tells
Arjuna that even acts done with good intentions, such as worshipping, should be
done without attachment to outcomes. Lord Krishna says that the unconditional
loving surrender to Him frees one from all sins, and enables one to return to
Krishna’s eternal spiritual abode.
Let go, let’s move to union with God. The final chapter is knowing that you cannot wash your own sins. Drop them and understand what is being said, “I am here to take care of your sins. Feel that you are mine, be connected to me and I will take care of everything. Just relax !’.
Krishna addresses aspects of human nature and the wonders of the universe in the Bhagavad Gita. One of his core teachings is the idea of doing "right action," or karma yoga, as worship to God, while the devotee remains unattached to results.
Anyone who studies the Gita with discipline and good
intent is on the pathway to reaching God. Krishna tells Arjuna that by devoted
and heart-centered study of the scriptures, a person "has worshipped / and
loved me with the yoga of knowledge."
‘The Bhagvad Gita is for
anyone who wants to succeed, approach any given situation with level-headedness
and skill, and find the sparkle within oneself’. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
These are the 18
chapters and these chapters are all a part of everybody’s life. Sometimes we
don’t reach up to the 18th chapter. It takes many lifetimes to reach there!
Even I cannot say with authority that I have understood ‘Gita’.
This blog has taken me
weeks together to summarize the vast subject that ‘Bhagwad Gita’ is but I still
feel it is too little. I would like to be excused if I have missed something as summarizing the grand 'Bhagwad Gita' in a few words is beyond anybody's capacity.
Inputs
and pics courtesy Google, Krishna.com, bhagvad gita.com,Wikipedia,Reddit
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