Happy Gita Jayanti 2022

 Today marks the day the Bhagavad Gita came into existence. 

 What is the Bhagavad Gita? 

 

Bhagavad means “Beloved Lord” 

Gita means “song” 

Translation: The song of the Beloved Lord or The Song of God. 

 

This is one of the most influential Hindu scriptures and is often taught to those who practice yoga. The Gita is a 700-verse epic poem that actually takes place within the Mahābhārata which is a 100,000-verse poem. In a narrative setting, it is the dialogue between Prince Arjuna and his charioteer Krishna, a divine incarnation of Vishnu.

 

The Gita is broken up into eighteen chapters that is dedicated to different types of yoga. The various types of yoga are meant to lead one to a path of Self-Realization. 

 

There is no right or wrong way to approach this text. The teachings, practices and philosophies presented by Krishna are timeless universal truths. Through practice of yoga one can attain the supreme goal of Brahman.

I'd like to share a few of my favorite passages:

Chapter 2, verse 61

Even a dragged mind that knows the path

Can be dragged from the path:

The senses are so unruly.

But he controls the senses

And recollects the mind

And fixes on me.

I call him illumined.

Chapter 4, verse 17

One should understand action,

understand wrong action,

and understand inaction too;

the way of action is obscure.

Chapter 10, verse 12

You are the Supreme Brahman,

the supreme dwelling place,

the supreme means of purification;

The eternal divine Person,

the original Divinity,

the unborn, all-pervading one.