Prayer
- Janedu - MP3 - Text
1.
In which sacred text is the Gîtâ incorporated?
The Gîtâ
is incorporated in the sacred scripture of the Mahâbhârata,
Bhîshma-Parva, Ch. 23-40.
2.
What is the special name given to each chapter in the Gîtâ
Each chapter is
called "YOGA".
3. How many chapters are
there in the Gîtâ?
There are eighteen
chapters in the Gîtâ.
4. Mention them.
1. Arjuna
Vishâdha Yoga, 2. Sânkhya Yoga, 3. Karma Yoga, 4.
Jnâna Yoga, 5. Karma Sanyâsa Yoga, 6. Âtmâ
Samyamana Yoga, 7. Vijnâna Yoga, 8. Akshara Parabrahma Yoga, 9.
Râja Vidhya Râja Guhya Yoga, 10. Vibhuthi Yoga, 11.
Vishvarûpa Yoga, 12. Bhakti Yoga, 13. Kshetra Kshetrajna
Vibhâga Yoga, 14. Gunathraya Vibhâga Yoga, 15.
Purushotthama Prâpthi Yoga, 16. Dhaivâsura
Sampadvibhâga Yoga, 17. Shraddhâtharaya Vibhâga Yoga,
18. Moksha Sanyâsa Yoga.
5.
How many Slokas (verses) are there in the Gîtâ?
There are
(679) - 700 slokas in the Gîtâ.
6.
What is the concluding commentary of each chapter?
The concluding
commentary of every chapter is as:
'iti srimad bhagavad
gîtâ su, upanishith su, brahmâ vidyâyâm,
yoga sâsthre, Srî Krishna Arjuna samvadhe'
'In
the Bhagavad Gîtâ, which is the text about the conversation
between Lord Krishna and Arjuna, the philosophy of pure
consciousness and the absolute truth of yoga is propagated'
7.
Where and when was the Gîtâ taught?
The Gîtâ
was taught on the eve of the Kuruksetra battle, in the middle
of the two armies of the Kauravas and the Pandavas.
8.
Why was the Gîtâ taught?
The Gîtâ
was taught to transform Arjuna who had suddenly become a Dhîna
(weak) into a Dhîra, a heroic warrior.
9.
Why was Arjuna overwhelmed by despondency though he had come prepared
to fight?
Arjuna surveyed at a
glance the entire Kaurava army. Beholding the grandfather Bhîshma
who had brought him up, his guru Dronâcârya, who
had trained him as an ace archer, his friends and relatives, he was
overwhelmed by pity. He became weak, the weapons fell down from his
hand. He cried: "Oh! Krishna, how can I fight and kill those with whom
I should have been living in happiness and harmony. Of what avail would
be the victory at the expense of so many lives? Is it not true
according to Sruti that after a war there will be corruption and
injustice. Especially it is said that women may be led astray from the
path of virtue. When women become immoral, the generation would be
immoral. I cannot fight even if I were to win the Lordship of all the
three worlds. I am in a dilemma. Please steer me across the state of
indecisiveness and instruct me what I should do?"
10.
How did Lord Krishna dispel Arjuna's delusion?
In order to dispel
Arjuna's delusion that he was the killer and his kinsmen were going to
be killed, Krishna taught the Gîtâ - that teaches the
knowledge of Âtmâ. Lord Krishna says that there is
none who kills, none who will be killed. It is the body that perishes
and the Âtmâ is imperishable. Above all death is
the final end of man. "jâtasya maranam druvam". Death is
not in the hands of any one but God. So it is foolish to entertain such
thoughts. The duty of a Ksatriya is to fight.
11.
What is the central message of the Gîtâ?
The central message
of the Gîtâ is that every one should regard performance of 'Sva-dharma'
is of utmost importance. It is indicated in the first word of the first
verse of the opening chapter and the last word of the last verse in the
concluding chapter. Mama: mine, Dharma: Duty.
12.
What is 'Sva-dharma' and what is 'Para-dharma'?
'Sva-dharma'
is Âtmâ-dharma; 'Para-dharma' is the dharma
related to the body.
13.
Why did Lord Krishna impart knowledge of Âtmâ only to
Arjuna and not either to Bhîshma or Yudhisthira?
Lord Krishna taught
the Gîtâ only to Arjuna and not either to Bhîshma
or Yudhisthira for the following reasons: Bhîshma
knew that justice was on the side of the Pândavas and had
even made a public proclamation of this. But he took to the side of the
Kauravas and led the army. There was no harmony
between his thought, word and deed. Harmony of thought, word and deed
is the greatest virtue, and its absence is hypocrisy.
As for Dharma-râja (Yudhisthira) he had only 'pascha-thâpa'
and not 'purva-tâpa' (futile regret of the past concern
for the future). Dharma-râja was subject to common human
failing of repentance rather than prior consideration though he was a
noble soul. He lacked foresight and was guilty of remorse for his past
mistakes.
Arjuna alone was fit
to receive the knowledge of the spirit because he had Purva-tâpa,
a wise concern for the welfare of the people. In the midst of the
battlefield even when he had come prepared for the war, he thought of
the future "what would happen after the war"? He at once asked for the
advice of Krishna and acted accordingly.
Moreover, he had the
following qualifications necessary for a spiritual aspirant: Surrender,
desirelessness, dispassion and detachment as revealed in his words: "I
do not care even for the Lordship of all the three worlds".
14.
Krishna addresses Arjuna during the course of the dialogue by many
names. Mention them.
They are:
Prithâ, Kaunteya, Kurunandana, Gudakes'a, Anasûya, Vijaya,
Parantapa, Danañjaya.
15. Give the meaning of each name.
They are:
Arjuna: One who
is pure and unsullied
- Prithâ: One who is the son of Pritvi the
earth, that is, one who is the representative of mankind. (Prithâ: Queen Kuntî,
mother of Arjuna)
Kaunteya: One who can listen with rapt attention to
the divine teaching.
Gudakes'a: One who punishes the enemies
Kurunandana: One who delights in work (action).
Anasûya: One who is free from jealousy.
Parantapa: One who strikes fear in the hearts of his
enemies.
Vijaya: One who is ever victorious.
Danañjaya: One who has earned the merit to receive the
wealth of spiritual wisdom.
16.
What light throw these names on the personality of Arjuna?
They show several
virtues that Arjuna possessed and necessary for a disciple who is ready
to receive knowledge from the Guru.
17.
What is the meaning of yoga?
Yoga means union with
God, pathway to union with God as well.
18.
How is 'yoga' defined in the Gîtâ?
"karmasu kausalam yoga": Doing the allotted work well to the utmost
capacity is Yoga.
"cittavritti niroda yoga": Control of inner and outer senses and
stilling the mind is Yoga.
"samatvam yoga muchyate": Maintaining equanimity under all
circumstances is Yoga.
19.
What are the principal yogas in the Gîtâ?
Karma Yoga, Bhakti
Yoga, Jnâna Yoga and RâjaYoga: Work, Worship, Wisdom and
Yoga of Mind Control.
20.
What is Karma Yoga?
Karma Yoga
means: Performing one's duties and action without interest in the
fruits of action. Performing actions with a spirit of dedication and
devotion to God.
21.
How does Swami explain Karma, Vikarma and Akarma?
Swami explains
Karma, Vikarma and Akarma as follows: Suppose there is a
Jyothi (a flame); the steady flame is Karma, when the
flame flickers due to certain external factors, it is Vikarma;
the light that we get from the flame is Akarma. Akarma
is complete detachment from activity. It is the characteristic of
Âtmâ
22.
Explain the meaning of the verse:
[BG: 2:47]
karmany
evâdhikâras te
mâ phales'u kadâcana
mâ karma-phala-hetur bhûr
mâ te sango 'stv akarmani
It should be
remembered that the Lord has said that it does not mean the doer has no
right for the fruit, the doer has a right for the fruit but he should
not selfishly desire the fruit. The expression 'mâ phalesu' the
results deed yields, should be taken into account.
"You
certainly have the right to do your duty but not the claim over the
fruits whenever; never see yourself as the cause of the results as you
should never let attachment accompany a religious duty".
23.
What is Bhakti Yoga:
Bhakti Yoga
means the path of attaining union with the Lord through intense love of
God. It is not loving God for any selfish benefit but it is single
minded devotion to God and total surrender to God.
24.
How many types of Bhakti are there?
There are four types
of Bhakti: Ârtha, Arthârthi, Jignâsu
and Jñâni. An Ârtha prays to God
intensely when he is in dire distress. He pleads for relief from
difficulties and sufferings. God grants relief and blesses him with
worldly happiness. An Arthârthi prays for money, power,
position and prosperity. God grants his wishes too. A Jignâsu
prays to God to enlighten him with self knowledge. His aim is to
unravel the mystery of existence. God fulfills his longing by sending a
Guru to enlighten him. A Jñâni is one who sees in
every one and in every thing divinity.
25.
Give examples of each.
Draupadî
is an example of Ârtha bhakti. Prahlâda [SB: Canto 7, Ch. 5-10] and Sakku Bai (a famous Krishna
devotee) are other examples of this bhakti; Dhruva, Sudhama
and Arjuna are Arthârthis; Uddhava is an
excellent example of Jignâsu; S'uka Maharishi is
an example of Jñâni.
26.
What are the qualities that a true devotee should have?
A true devotee should
have the following qualities: He should hate none including all other
living beings. He should be friendly, compassionate, without ego, and
should remain equal minded in joy and sorrow. He should be self
controlled, enduring, ever content. The path of realizing God by the
experience of seeing unity in this world of duality and multiplicity
(diversity). This knowledge can be acquired by serving a genuine Guru.
27.
What is Jñâna yoga?
Jñâna
yoga is the path of self enquiry with such
questions as: Who am I? From where have I come? Where will I go? It
begins with negating everything else (This is not, This is not) and
ends in an intuitive experience of the Âtmic reality.
28.
How many types of Jñâna are there?
There are two types
of knowledge: Secular and Spiritual.
29.
How can one earn Jñâna?
Jnâna
can be earned only by Sraddhâ and intense faith in one's
self. Sraddhâ means: earnestness, perseverence and
determination.
30.
What is Râja Yoga?
Râja
Yoga is concerned with the occult or hidden spiritual experience and
inner mysteries of the human soul.
31.
King Janaka, Saint Nâma Dhev, Saint Jnâna Dhev, are
realized souls. What was the yoga they practiced?
King Janaka
[BG 3:20] is the exponent and practitioner of Karma Yoga,
Nâma Dhev of Bhakti Yoga, and Jnâna
Dhev of Jñâna Yoga.
[BG
3:20] For sure even kings like Janaka [father of Sîtâ, the
wife of Râma] and others attained to perfection through this work
and also in consideration of what the world needs you should act.
32.
How does Swami explain the inter-relationship between Karma,
Jñâna and Bhakti Mârgas?
Karma is like
a flower, Bhakti is the raw fruit and Jñâna
is the ripened fruit, one leading to the other.
33.
What is it that prevents a spiritual aspirant from taking to these
paths?
It is the mind that
is ever in agitation that is responsible.
34.
What is mind?
It is a bundle of
thoughts and desires.
35.
Why should mind be controlled?
Mind is responsible
for both man's bondage and liberation. So it should be controlled.
36.
How can mind be controlled?
The mind can be
controlled only by being a master of the senses and not be a servant of
them. it should obey the dictates of the Buddhi or intellect.
37.
What are the other components of the mind?
The other components
of the mind are Buddhi, Chittha and Ahamkâr. The
mind is the seat of ever-wavering thoughts. It is called the 'Buddhi'
when it discriminates (intellect); the 'Chittha' is that mind
which stores impressions of experiences of the past and past lives. 'Ahamkâr'
is the ego-mind.
38.
What are the impurities that affect the mind?
The impurities that
affect the mind are Mala, Âvarana and Vikshepa.
39.
What is Mala?
'Mala' is the
dirt and dust that soils the mind in the form of the imprints of the
offences committed in this life and the previous lives. It is treasured
in the Chittha or storehouse of memory. As a consequence the
mind cannot reflect the Âtmic effulgence.
40.
What is Âvarana?
'Âvarana' is
that which conceals reality and makes man identify with the body.
41.
What is Vikshepa?
'Vikshepa' is
constant wavering of the mind and the projection of the unreal as the
real. It is like one mistaking a rope for a serpent in the
twilight or dawn.
42.
How can these impurities be removed?
'Mala' can be
got rid of by Nishkâma Karma. Hence it is said: 'Chitthasya
Suddhaye Karmah'.
Âvarana' can be got rid of by wisdom, 'Vikshepa' by
Bhakti or devotion.
43.
What is it that is responsible for these impurities?
The three guna's or
the attributes that are inherent in Nature (Prakrithi).
44.
What are Guna's?
The Tamas,
the Rajas and Satva qualities are responsible for the
impurities.
45.
Describe the characteristics of these Guna's.
The characteristics
of these guna's are:
Tamasic is characterized by intellectual
inertia, wavering mind, indecisiveness, non-discriminating and
heedlessness. The Rajasic is characterized by passion, anger,
jealousy, greed and restlessness. The Satvic is full of wisdom,
is calm and serene but experiences happiness. Wisdom belongs to Satva-guna,
activity to Rajo-guna and delusion to Tamo-guna.
46.
What is the basis for these Guna's?
The food that we eat
is the basis for these guna's.
47.
How many types of food are there?
There are three types
of food: Tamasic, Rajasic and Satvic. The Tamasic food is
stale, tasteless, putrid. The Rajasic food is bitter, sour,
saline, excessively hot, pungent and burning. The Satvic food
is savoury, oleaginous and substantial, confers energy, health,
strength, joy and cheer.
48.
What exactly is food according to Swami?
Food according to
Swami is not just what we take by mouth alone. All that we take in
through all the sense organs is food. Hence,
We should not see evil but see only good.
We should not hear evil but hear only good.
We should not speak evil but speak only good.
We should not think evil but think only good.
We should not do evil but do only good.
49.
What should we do to purify the food?
We have to say prayer
and offer the food to God before eating.
50.
What are the impurities related to food?
The purity of food
materials - how it was bought, whether by fair or foul means. The
purity of the cooking utensils. The purity of the person who
cooks.
51.
Who digests the food that we eat?
The digestive fire by
name Vaishvânara digests the food.
52.
What are the types of food that He digests?
Food that is eaten by
mastication (chewing), by sucking in, by devouring and by licking.
53.
How can we get rid of these Guna's?
We can get rid of
these just as a thorn in the foot can be easily removed by a thorn - by
subduing the Tamasic by Rajasic and the Rajasic
by the Satvic and ultimately transcend the three Guna's.
54.
What are the three gates to hell?
Anger, greed and
desire are the three gateways to hell.
55.
How do they affect man?
"kâmam karma
nâshanam". Desire will make
one take to improper actions.
"krodham jnâna
nâshanam". Anger will
destroy wisdom.
"lobham bhakti nasanam". Greed will destroy devotion.
56.
How does the Gîtâ illustrate that 'desire leads to despair'?
Brooding over sense
objects attachments is born;
from attachment comes desire, from desire sprouts anger,
from anger proceeds delusion, from delusion results confused memory and
ruin of reason. Due to the ruin of reason he perishes.
In the verse:
[BG: 2-62]
"dhyâyato
visayân pumsah
sangas tesûpujâyate
sangât sanjâyate kâmah
kâmât krodho 'bhijâyate"
Facing
sense-objects a person develops attachment for those objects. From that
attachment desire develops and from that desire anger [the drift of
passion] arises.
and in the verse:
[BG: 2-63]
"krodhâd
bhavati sammohah
sammohât smrt-vibhramah
smrti-bhramsâd buddhi-nâso
buddhi-nâsât pranasyati"
From
anger [losing one's order] one gets illusioned and from illusion the
memory gets bewildered. With the memory disturbed one loses one's
intelligence and from that loss of intelligence one falls down.
57.
What are the three stages that make an aspirant merge in God?
Jnâthum - knowing about God; Dhrashtum- seeing God face to face, and Praveshtum - merging in God.
58.
What is the illustration given by Swami to explain these stages?
We first hear the
news that sweet mangoes are available in the market. This is the stage
of 'Jnâthum'. Fetching the mangoes and feeling happy of
the possession is 'Dhrashtum'. Tasting and enjoying the fruits
is 'Praveshtum'
59.
Which is more fruitful, the worship of God with name and form or the
worship of God without form and name?
Both the types of
worship is important but as long as a devotee is body conscious and
does Sadhana through the body-, mind-, intellect-complex, he
has to take to the worship of God with name and form.
60.
What does the Gîtâ say about Avatâric mission?
Avatharana
means descent, Avatharana is the descent of God for the ascent
of mankind.
The Lord says: "Whenever there is a decline in de practice of Dharma
and Adharma prevails, I incarnate. I incarnate to protect the
virtuous and punish the wicked".
[BG: 4-7]
yadâ
yadâ hi dharmasya
glânir bhavati bhârata
abhyutthânam adharmasya
tadâtmânam srjâmy aham
Whenever
and wherever it is sure that one weakens in righteousness and a
predominance of injustice does manifest, o descendant of Bharata, at
that time I do manifest Myself.
61.
What is the message of the Vibhuthi Yoga?
The Vibhuthi Yoga
exemplifies how divinity is immanent in the creation.
62.
What is the purpose of the Vishvarûpa Samdharshana Yoga?
The Vishvarûpa
Samdharshana Yoga projects the entire cosmos in the form of the
Lord. God is not exhausted in His creation.
63.
What are the qualities of a Stitha Pragna?
A Stitha Pragna
is one who has complete control over his senses, has steady mind,
unaffected by the world of pluralities, he is ever established in God.
He is equal minded and ever alert. He is free and is always at peace
and joy.
64.
How can the despondency of Arjuna be called a Yoga?
The despondency of
Arjuna was not an ordinary type of despondency characterized by lack of
courage and fear. Arjuna's despondency was beneficial. It tested his
sincerity and steadfastness. It induced him to seek unquestioning
refuge in the Lord. Hence Arjuna's Vishâdha or
despondency is given a dignified name - Yoga.
65.
How does Lord Krishna explain the efficacy of the caste system?
Lord Krishna says
that He Himself has created the caste system according to people's
natural attributes and aptitudes. It is based on Guna and Karma.
The four castes, the brâhmana, the ksatriya, the vaishya
and the sûdra are like the four limbs of the human body.
It is said that the brâhmana's are born from the head of
the Lord, the ksatriya's from the shoulders, the vaishya's
from the thighs and the sûdra's from the feet. Just as
each limb is important and has a function of its own, but
interdependent, so too all these castes are equally important. Further
by virtue of the Guna's they possess, they can transcend the
castes.
66.
What does the Gîtâ say about speech habit?
The words spoken must
be true, must be devoid of passion and should not hurt others even if
it be true.
67.
What is the meaning of the terms Sadhu, Samadhi, Moksha and Pandit as given by Swami?
A 'Sadhu' is
not just a monk or a sanyasi who wears an ochre robe. A 'Sadhu'
is one who has Satva Guna, who practices Sathya (Truth)
and Dharma (compassion). One who fosters Satva Guna in
society and spreads sacred values of life.
'Samadhi' is made of two syllables: Sama and dhi.
Sama means equal and dhi means buddhi;
so it means equal mindedness.
'Moksha' is Moha-kshaya.
'Pandit' is one who has equal vision - Samadarsan.
68.
What is the significance of Dhaivâsura Sampadvibhâga Yoga?
Dhaivâsura
Sampadvibhâga Yoga describes the virtues that one should
cultivate and the vices that one should discard.
69.
Describe the Tree of Samsara.
The tree of Samsara
is compared to the imperishable Asvattha tree (banyan/peepal)
with its roots above and branches below. The leaves are the Veda's.
The branches spread above and below. They are nourished by the three guna's:
sense objects are its buds, the roots stretch forth nourishing the
tree. Œswara is the tap root of the tree sustaining from above.
The roots stretch forth below in the world of men originating in
action. Its form is not perceived here - neither its end, nor its
origin, nor its existence is visible. The phenomenon vanishes to one,
attaining Brahma Jnana. But it continues to exist for all
others, in ignorance. Non-attachment is the axe to cut down the tree of
Samsara, seeking refuge in the eternal cosmic
spirit.
70.
What are the seven excellences (Sthree) of women as mentioned in the
Vibhuthi Yoga?
The excellences in a
women are: Fame, fortune, speech, memory, intelligence, consistency and
endurance.
71.
How does Swami explain the eternal longing of man"I want peace" and how can one
attain peace?
"I want peace":
Remove the I which is the Ego, remove also Want which is
Desire and what
remains is Peace.
72.
Complete these quotations of Swami:
a. Death is the dress of life.
b. Death is sweeter than the blindness of ignorance.
c. As you sow, so you reap.
d. The sloka's of the Gîtâ will banish the soka in our hearts.
e. Mind is the puppet of the food we take.
73.
What is the significance of the following similies:
a. Goods wagon: Just as on the goods wagon the date of its
return is written, so too man is sent into the world with his death
date already fixed.
b. Fan with
three blades: The three blades
stand for the three Guna's. When these three Guna's
(Satva (harmony), Rajas (passion) and Thamas (passivity)) are in
union and when there is balance, the individual is happy, just as the
fan gives good breeze when the three blades move in one direction only.
c. Match box: If we want to light fire, we need not strike
all the matchsticks in the box, one or two would do. Similarly if we
want to attain Jnana (wisdom, knowledge), we need not
memorize all the verses in the Gîtâ. It is enough if we
learn one or two and practise them in daily life.
74.
The following quotations of Swami throws light on certain teachings of
the Gîtâ-explain.
a. Less luggage more
comfort make travel a pleasure:
It
means, the less desires you have, the more comfortable will be your
journey of life. Then the life will be full of joy.
b. Be in the world
but let not the world enter you:
You
may live in the world but should not allow the worldly tendencies to
bind you. You must develop detachment (Vairâgya).
c. Food - Head - God:
As
the food so is the head. As the head so is the mind. As is the mind, so
is the conduct. As is the conduct so is God's grace.
d. Man minus desire
is God:
A
man without desire can realize God.
e. What matters is
renunciation in action and not renunciation of action:
This
is the sum and substance of Karma yoga. One should not desist from
doing work. One must do work without desire for the fruits.
75.
What are the two verses that serve as two banks of the river of life?
[BG 4:39] "sraddhâvân
labhathe jnânam": One who has steadfastness and
sincerity can obtain wisdom.
[BG 4:40] "samsayâtmâ
vinasyati": One who doubts will come to
ruin.
76.
What is the significance of the verse:
[BG 9:26]
"patram
puspam phalam toyam
yo me bhaktyâ prayacchati
tad aham bhakty-upahrtam
asnâmi prayatâtmanah"
This
verse means that God will accept anything you offer with love and
devotion, be it a leaf, a flower or water. But Swami says that body
should be the leaf, the flower is the heart and the water is tears of
joy. We have to offer only these three.
"Whoever
offers Me a leaf, a flower, a fruit, and water with devotion, that
offer brought from the heart by a soul of good habits I accept".
77.
How can a lazy fellow interpret the verse:
[BG: 18-66]
sarva-dharmân
parityajya
mâm ekam saranam vraja
aham tvâm sarva-pâpebhyo
moksayisyâmi mâ sucah
A lazy fellow
who does not work will quote the verse and justify his laziness "Has
not the Lord said: Give up all dharma and seek my refuge, I shall grant
Moksa (liberation from the cycle of birth and dead)".
"Go,
leave the variety of religions behind for surrendering to Me only; I
will deliver you from all the consequences of sin, don't worry!"
78.
Mention at least three verses that point out the immanent divinity.
[BG
7:10]
bîjam
mâm sarva-bhûtânâm
[viddhi pârtha sanâtanam
buddhir buddhimatâm asmi
tejas tejasvinâm aham]
I
am present as the seed in all the living beings.
Know Me as the eternal seed of all beings.
[BG
15:7]
mamaivâmso
jîva-loke
jîva-bhûtah sanâtanah
[manah-sasthânîndriyâni
prakrti sthâni karsati]
An
eternal portion of myself having become the Jîva.
[BG
18:61]
îsvarah
sarva-bhûtânâm
[hrd-dese 'rjuna tisthati
bhrâmayan sarva-bhûtâni
yantrârûdhâni mâyayâ]
The Lord
dwells in all beings.
79.
What are the three types of Saranâgati (absolute
self-surrender)
They
are:
1. "tavaivâham" meaning 'I am Thine'.
2. "mamaiva tvam" meaning 'You are mine'.
3. "tvame
vâham"
meaning 'Thou art I'.
80.
What is the meaning of total surrender?
Total
surrender means surrendering to the Lord with body, mind and heart -
with a feeling "nothing is mine". Everything is Yours. Thy will shall
prevail.
81.
What is the key to gain spiritual wisdom?
The
key is: sense control.
82.
How does Lord Krishna describe Âtmâ?
Âtmâ can not be cut by any weapon, cannot be burnt by fire,
cannot be wetted by water and cannot be dried. It is immutable, all
pervading, stable and firm.
[BG
2:23]
nainam
chindanti sastrâni
nainam dahati pâvakah
na cainam kledayanty âpo
na sosayati mârutah
Never
can this soul (Âtmâ) be cut to pieces, be burnt by
fire; nor can it drown in water or wither in the wind.
83.
What is the meaning given by Swami to MAN?
MAN
means Mâyâ removed, Âtmâ seen and Nirvana attained.
84.
What is the foundation for the mansion of the Gîtâ?
Arjuna
Vishâdha Yoga or the Yoga of Arjuna's despondency is
the foundation of the Gîtâ.
85.
How should one regard and revere the Gîtâ, the song and
word of God?
The Gîtâ is not a text to be worshipped with flowers,
nor is it a text the verses of which should be committed to memory. It
is the Song of the Lord, the Word of God, so the Word should be obeyed
and put into practice.
86.
"Dharmaksetre Kuruksetre" is the line with which the
Gîtâ starts: what is the meaning of these terms?
Dharmaksetre
and Kuruksetre means: Man, when he is born as a child, his
heart is pure and is a dharmaksetra; as he grows it becomes Kuruksetra,
a battle ground. Kuru means to do. Hence by being good and
doing good, kuruksetra can be transformed into dharmaksetra.
87.
Âtmâ is described as free and independent, then what is the
meaning of Âtma-samyamana Yoga?
In
this context Âtmâ means mind. So it stands for mind control
(Dhyânam).
88.
What is meditation?
Meditation
is concentration on God to the exclusion of everything else. In
meditation Dhyâta, one who meditates and Dhyânam
the process of meditation, Dheya the
object of meditation, all the three should merge. The person who
meditates should become one with the object of meditation.
89.
How can we say that the Gîtâ is the Universal Scripture?
The Gîtâ is a
text book on the conduct of life, what man should do to be happy and
peaceful. It is a practical guide to the art and science of life in the
secular world and spiritual world. Its message is for the entire
mankind.
90.
How could Arjuna rise to the occasion and fight?
Arjuna
said "karisye
vacanam tava"
[BG
18:73]: I shall act according to your word. He fought and won.
91.
What is the symbolical significance of the Kuruksetre battle?
The
two armies pitted against one another; the Pandava army and the Kaurava
army stand for the eternal struggle between good end evil forces within
man.
92.
What is Akshara Parabrahma Yoga?
Akshara
Parabrahma Yoga means attainment of yoga through the contemplation
of AUM (Omkâra) the imperishable. Akshara
means that which is imperishable.
93.
Krishna says that He had first taught the Gîtâ to the
Sungod [Vivasvan] and the Sungod to the father of mankind [Vaisvata
Manu] who in his turn spoke it to Iksvaku [founder of the dynasty where
Râma descended in] as He is teaching it to Arjuna. What is
the meaning?
[BG
4:1]
srî
bhagavân uvâca
imam vivasvate yogam
proktavân aham avyayam
vivasvân manave prâha
manur iksvâkave 'bravît
It
means: "Arjuna, I am unborn, I am infinite, I am omniscient and
omnipresent. I have neither beginning nor an end". He is the eternal Sarathi
(charioteer) of mankind.
94.
How can ignorance or Ajnâna be removed?
By
using the sword of Jnaan, by using the fire of Jnâna,
Ajnana can be cut off and burnt.
95.
What is the verse that says "nothing is greater than self-discipline"?
[BG
18:9]
kâryam
ity eva yat karma
niyatam kriyate 'rjuna
sangam tyaktvâ phalam caiva
sa tyâgah sâttviko matah
Without the
observance of discipline, no good can be accrued.
Prescribed
work then indeed done out of discipline, o Arjuna, and in association
with giving up on the result - that renunciation is, in My view, of
goodness.
96.
What is the verse that says "you shall raise self by your own
self"?
Let man raise himself
by his own self; let him not debase himself. For he is himself his
friend, himself his foe.
[BG
6:5]
uddhared
âtmanâtmânam
nâtmânam avasâdayet
âtmaiva hy âtmano bandhur
âtmaiva ripur âtmanah
One
must free oneself by mindfulness and never put oneself down, as surely
that selfinterest is indeed as well the friend of the soul as the self
its enemy.
97.
Who were the people other than Arjuna who heard the
Gîtâ?
Hanuman [see: RRV : 12a] on the flag staff, Sanjaya and
Dhritarâstra.
98.
Did Krishna teach the Gîtâ only to enlighten Arjuna?
Krishna Himself says:
"Arjuna, you are just a pretext for the celestial song to emanate from
Me". 'nimitta-mâtram
bhava savyasâcin', Sage
Vyâsa with his poetic genius describes
that the Gîtâmrita is like the milk drawn from the
Upanishadic cows, having Arjuna as the calf by the cowherd Gopala for
the benefit of men of purified intellect.
[BG 11:33]
tasmât
tvam uttistha yaso labhasva
jitvâ satrûn bhunksva râjyam samrddham
mayaivaite nihatâh pûrvam eva
nimitta-mâtram bhava savyasâcin
Therefore
You must get up and gain fame conquering the enemies and enjoy the
kingdom flourishing by Me; for sure all these were destined to be
killed, be merely the instrument of that, o left-handed one.
99.
Give the meaning of the last verse of the Gîtâ.
The
last verse means: Wherever there is Krishna, the 'Yogesvarah',
one who works for the welfare of the world, one who embodies sacrifice
with all divine attributes, where is Arjuna Dhanurdhara the
wielder of the bow, there will be prosperity, glory and felicity.
[BG
18:78]
yatra
yogesvarah krsno
yatra pârtho dhanur-dharah
tatra srîr vijayo bhûtir
dhruvâ nîtir matir mama
I
am convinced that wherever there is the Lord of Yoga Krishna and the
son of Prthâ carrying the bow and arrows, that there opulence,
victory, great power and morality are assured."
100.
What is the famous quotation of Swami that portrays the greatness of
the Gîtâ?
Baba
says:
Gîtâ
is the universal Mother.
Gîtâ
is the messenger of God.
Gîtâ
is the lifeboat to cross the ocean of life.
Gîtâ
is the staff and support for spiritual seekers.
Gîtâ
is a casket of sacred mantra's.
Gîtâ
is a beautiful garden of flowers.
Gîtâ is the royal road to liberation.
This is the word of Sai
Janedu
Janedu
Potta Nimpukona Chikkula Nonduchu
Koti Vidyalanu Punika Mira Nerchi
Paripurna Sukhammu Nonda Leka
Vi Manava Jathi Lokamuna Mraggaga Netiki
Sri Parathprunv Dhyanamu Cheyu Bhakthulaku
Darini Chuppaka Unne Manava Manava Manava
Why do you suffer in this world of humans
unable to satisfy the belly
(measuring up to one span) with the help
of umpteen (very many) number of skills.
Will not the Supreme Lord show the way
if you but besought his refuge O man?
Links:
Gîtâ
Vahini by Bhagavân Sathya Sai Baba
Bhagavad Gîtâ of
Order by:
Anand Aadhar Prabhu
See also the Family Tree of
the Kuru-Dynasty
Original Text: Quiz
on the Bhagawath Geeta
ISBN: 81-7208-196-0
Published in India by:
The Convenor, Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust,
Prashanthi Nilayam, India
[Links
and pictures by Vahini.org]