What Is Bhagavad Gita? Effects Of Bhagavad Gita On Our Lives.

What is Bhagavad Gita? This is one of the most asked questions related to the Bhagavad Gita. Bhagavad Gita is one of the greatest scriptures in the world. Its greatness can be understood from the fact that thousands of versions of this epic have been written.

What Is Bhagavad Gita?

Whenever this question is asked what is Bhagavad Gita, the answer of most people is that it is a religious book. But it is not right to say so.

The Bhagavad Gita is not related to any religion, caste, or community. If it were so, the name of that religion, or caste would have been mentioned in this book. There are 700 verses in Bhagavad Gita. The name of any religion, caste, or community is not written in any one of these 700 verses. So, it not a religious book.

In response to the question of what is Bhagavad Gita, some ignorant people associate it with books of worship or religious rituals. Misleading people in this way is nothing less than a sin. The Bhagavad Gita is not at all related to any religious act of worship or path of worship.

What Is Bhagavad Gita Exactly?

Bhagavad Gita is an epic that teaches us how to live life. The backdrop of this epic is Kurukshetra where the Kauravas and the Pandavas stood face to face for war.

Just before the war, Arjun gets frustrated seeing his dear relatives in the opposition army. Arjun’s hands start to tremble at the thought of killing his relatives. He begins to faint and decides not to fight.

The Bhagavad Gita begins with Arjuna’s skepticism, dilemma, frustration, despair, fear, and cowardice. He makes many excuses for not fighting the war to Krishna. When the list of excuses is over with him, he puts his bow and arrow down and starts mourning.

These weaknesses of Arjuna are depicted very accurately in Chapter 1 of Bhagavad Gita.

Then Krishna, who was a dear friend of Arjuna and the charioteer of his chariot, now becomes the mentor of Arjuna. Krishna liberates Arjuna from doubt, dilemma, frustration, despair, fear, and cowardice.

Hearing and understanding Krishna’s words, all of Arjun’s worries, doubts, and fears are overcome and he is ready for war. This conversation between Krishna and Arjuna is preserved in the Bhagavad Gita.

These conversations between Krishna and Arjuna took place 5000 years before today on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Although this dialogue between them is 5000 years old, yet it is equally relevant today.

Chapters Of Bhagavad Gita

What is Bhagavad Gita? We can understand the answer to this question only after reading this precious book. We need to be patient to read and understand this. An impatient person can never understand Bhagavad Gita deeply.

The precious verses of Bhagavad Gita have been divided into 18 chapters. Verses of Bhagavad Gita are also known as Quotes of Bhagavad Gita. The 18 chapters are as follows:

1. Chapter 1-The Despair Of Arjuna: Before the battle of Mahabharata, Arjun gets nervous seeing his loved ones in the army of Kauravas (opposition army). Arjun does not want to be the cause of the death of his loved ones and gives up his arms. In this chapter, Arjun’s state of mind just before the war is depicted very beautifully.
2. Chapter 2-The Sankhya Yoga: This is the most important chapter in the Bhagavad Gita. Scholars also call this chapter the essence of the entire Bhagavad Gita. In this chapter, Krishna introduces Arjuna to the reality of the physical world. Apart from this, Krishna also veils from the mystery of truth (soul) beyond the physical world. If you try to understand this chapter by reading it again and again, then in this chapter you will find the answer to the question that arises in your mind, what is Bhagavad Gita?
3. Chapter 3-The Yoga Of Action: In this chapter, Krishna has revealed the mystery of Action (karma). What are the different types of karmas? How to do karma? When and how does a man get the fruits of his actions? Which actions lead us to liberation? Krishna has answered all these questions in this chapter.
4. Chapter 4-The Yoga Of Wisdom: In this chapter, Krishna has explained the importance of knowledge to Arjuna. Krishna made Arjuna aware of the eternal knowledge. In this chapter, Krishna has revealed the mystery of who is tied to birth and karma (actions) and who is free. This chapter also shows the ways to get rid of the bondage of birth and karma.
5. Chapter 5-The Yoga Of Renunciation Of Action: In this chapter, Krishna has explained to Arjuna the real meaning of the renunciation of actions. Renunciation from actions does not mean that you should leave to do your work. Renunciation of actions means that every karma and the fruits of that karma should be left to God.
6. Chapter 6-The Yoga Of Meditation: What is meditation? What is the goal of meditation? Why should we meditate? How to meditate? How does a person move towards liberation by meditating? What is the relationship between body and mind? Krishna has answered all these questions in this chapter.
7. Chapter 7-The Yoga Of Wisdom & Realisation: What is devotion? How to do devotion? What are the types of devotion? Which devotees do I like the most? What is my nature? Why do actions not affect me? Krishna has answered all these questions related to devotion and science in this chapter.
8. Chapter 8-The Yoga Of The Imperishable Brahman: In this chapter, Krishna has explained the Brahman and its qualities. What is Brahman? How one can attain liberation at the time of death? What is imperishable reality? What is the highest goal for all living beings? Answers to all these questions are given in this chapter.
9. Chapter 9-The Yoga Of The Kingly Science And The Kingly Secret: In this chapter, Krishna has explained to Arjuna the ultimate goal of human life. What is their relationship with (God) and ours? How have we forgotten ourselves? Krishna has revealed all these secrets to Arjuna.
10. Chapter 10-The Yoga Of The Divine Glories: In this chapter, Krishna explains to Arjuna that he is involved in every particle of this material world. He also explains to Arjuna how a true devotee can see him everywhere in this material world.
11. Chapter 11-The Yoga Of The Vision Of The Cosmic Form: In this chapter, Krishna shows Arjuna his cosmic form at his request. Arjuna sees thousands of sun, moon, past, present, future, all the warriors present on the battlefield, etc. in this form of Krishna. Seeing this huge form of Krishna, Arjuna loses his senses for a few moments.
12. Chapter 12-The Yoga Of Devotion: In this chapter, Krishna explains devotion to Arjuna. What is a true devotee like? What is the identity of a true devotee? Krishna informs Arjuna about all these things. In this chapter, Krishna has also told that he is always present to serve and protect his true devotees.
13. Chapter 13-The Yoga Of The Distinction Between The Field And The Knower Of The Field: If you reach this chapter reading the Bhagavad Gita from the first chapter in sequence, then you will know what is Bhagavad Gita. Krishna has discussed the body, soul, and what is above both of them in this chapter.
14. Chapter 14-The Yoga Of Three Gunas: Krishna describes the three qualities of nature in this chapter. He tells Arjuna what qualities of nature that humans have. Which quality is best and dear to them. It can be easily understood by reading this chapter that what is Bhagavad Gita?
15. Chapter 15-The Yoga Of The Supreme Spirit: In this chapter, Krishna has explained our real destination. In this material world, we are so entangled that we forget our real place, which is the home of God. Krishna explains that this material world is our temporary destination. Due to its attachment, humans get nothing but bondage.
16. Chapter 16-Tha Yoga Of The Division Between The Divine & The Demon: In this chapter, Krishna has divided the qualities inside us into two parts. We all have some good qualities and some bad qualities. Which properties lead us to progress and which properties lead to degradation, Krishna has explained them all.
17. Chapter 17-The Yoga Of The Threefold Faith: In this chapter, Krishna has explained three kinds of faith, three kinds of food, three kinds of austerity, and three kinds of charity. He also has described the three words Om, Tat, and Sat.
18. Yoga Of Liberation By Renunciation: In this last chapter, Krishna explains the difference between renunciation and surrender to Arjuna. He tells Arjun that surrender is better. Krishna says that all the fruits of actions should be surrendered to me in this material world, only then one gets freedom from the bondage of karma (actions). Surrender of results leads to liberation.

Effects Of Bhagavad Gita On Our Lives

After knowing what is Bhagavad Gita, let us now know what positive effect Bhagavad Gita has on our lives.

As we have already mentioned that this is not a religious book. The positive impact of this great book will be seen only when we adopt the said things in our lives. Let us know the benefits of bringing the said things in Bhagavad Gita in life.

1. Our Self-Confidence Grows

What is Bhagavad Gita? In response to this question, many intellectual people also answer that this is a book to increase self-confidence. It is 100 percent true.

By regularly reading the Bhagavad Gita, we begin to understand the things said in it. As soon as we start to understand it deeply, our self-confidence grows tremendously.

2. The Fear Within Us Ceases

There are two types of fear:

1. Real fear and
2. Imaginary fear

The real fear is good for us to some extent. It protects us very often. But this fear is more inside someone. It is harmful to have more than one needs inside.

But imaginary fear is a disease. If it is not treated, its results can be harmful. It is due to imaginary fear that people fail in life and later blame their fate.

The study of Bhagavad Gita completely removes the imaginary fear inside us. Due to the elimination of imaginary fear, we can easily make the right decisions in our life.

3. We Begin To Understand The Importance Of The Present Moment

The present itself is true. There is no existence of past and future. Bhagavad Gita teaches us the art of living in the present. It teaches us how to free ourselves from the shackles of past and future and establish ourselves in the present.

By staying in the present moment, almost all the problems of life are overcome. By staying in the present moment, almost all the problems of life are overcome. Bhagavad Gita introduces us to reality. Imaginations have no place in this. The Bhagavad Gita also talks that most problems are imaginary.

4. Our Patience Increases

As we understand Bhagavad Gita deeply, our patience increases amazingly. Lack of patience is one of the major problems of today.

Due to the lack of patience we are not able to succeed in life, our relationships with others deteriorate, and our self-confidence decreases. Bhagavad Gita is the exact solution to this big problem.

5. We Understand Ourselves

Through the study of this epic, we get to know a lot about ourselves. Who are we? Where did we come from? What is the purpose of our life? What is the relationship between body and mind?

All these questions have been answered in simple words in this epic. Knowing the truth ends the turmoil within us. We become strong and stable from the inside.

6. We Understand Our Duties

Bhagavad Gita teaches us to perform our duties regardless of the outcome. It also teaches us what our ultimate duties are?

Arjun was withdrawing from his duties due to the weaknesses of the mind. He had decided not to fight the war. Krishna then made Arjuna aware of his duties. Hearing and understanding Krishna’s words, he got ready for war.

7. We Lose Attachment To The Materialistic World

Through the study of Bhagavad Gita, we get to know that this material world is impermanent. Its attachment only hurts. We start to understand this thing deeply. When we understand this, then our attachment to this material world starts to decrease on its own.

The Bhagavad Gita gives us a sense of the permanent. Knowing about the permanent, our attachment grows for this. The ultimate aim of our life is to move from impermanent to permanent.

8. Makes Us Practical

This is an important benefit of regular study of Bhagavad Gita. This material world works on the principle of the transaction (give and take). Our close relations also work on the same principle.

If we do not become a good practical person in this world, then there is physical, mental, and financial loss. The study of Bhagavad Gita develops practicality in our lives. It also makes us virtuous.

9. Makes Us Spiritual

In response to the question of what is Bhagavad Gita, some people have a direct answer that this is a spiritual book. There are millions of books related to spirituality. But Bhagavad Gita is still the best today.

Some people run away from this epic only after hearing the name of spirituality. Those who do not know the true meaning of spirituality run away from it. Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual epic that speaks of the physical and spiritual world.

Through its study, we get to know the true meaning of spirituality. Bhagavad Gita makes spirituality so interesting that we keep drowning in it.

FAQ

Conclusion

What is Bhagavad Gita? This question, despite being simple, is extraordinary. It is difficult to understand Bhagavad Gita, even though it is easy. Thousands of books have been written on the Bhagavad Gita to answer this question.

This is an epic in which words from all over the world will fall short. There is no question in this world that does not have an answer in the Bhagavad Gita. This is a precious book to teach the art of living life.

There are a total of 18 chapters and 700 verses in this epic which leads our life to progress. In Bhagavad Gita, the dialogues between Krishna and Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra have been preserved in verses. Every word of this wonderful dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna is miraculous.

If we adopt the things said in the Bhagavad Gita, we see miraculous results. We get some education from every verse of Bhagavad Gita.

If you too are looking for the answer to the question of what is Bhagavad Gita and want to know the true meaning of its verses in detail, then you can understand the Bhagavad Gita deeply by attending the ISKCON lectures.

We have made a small effort to give you information about what is Bhagavad Gita? We hope you liked this article. Thanks for reading this article on “What is Bhagavad Gita?”.

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