Srimad Bhagavad-gita-mahatmyam
THE GLORY OF SRIMAD BHAGAVAD GITA
from Sri Vaisnaviya-tantra-sara

Verse 1

rsir uvaca
gitayas caiva mahatmyam, yathavat suta me vada
pura narayana-ksetre, vyasena muninoditam

    The sages said:
    — O Suta, please kindly reiterate to us the glory of the Gita, as it was spoken long before at Narayana-ksetra by tbe great sage Srila Vyasadeva.

Verse 2

suta uvaca
bhadram bhagavata prstam, yaddhi guptatamam param
sakyate kena tad vaktum, gita-mdhatmyam uttamam

    Suta Goswami said:
    — O venerable ones, you have certainly asked the most glorious question. Verily, who can describe the supreme, grand glory of the Gita, the most hidden of all treasures?

Verse 3

krsno janati vai samyak, kincit kunti-sutah phalam
vyaso va vyasa-putro va, yajna-valkyo 'tha maithilah

    Certainly Lord Sri Krsna is in full knowledge of that glory; Arjuna, the son of Kunti, knows something of its fruit; and Vyasadeva, Sukadeva, Yajnavalkya, and the saintly King Janaka-they are all somewhat conversant with it as well.

Verse 4

anye sravanatah srutva, lesam sankirtayanti ca
tasmat kincid vadamy atra, vyasasyasyan maya srutam

    Apart from them, others who have heard from one another about it are engaged in singing the praises of a tiny fraction of its greatness.

Verse 5

sarvopanisado gavo, dogdha gopala-nandanah
partho vatsah sudhir-bhokta, dugdham gitamrtam mahat

    All the Upanisads are the cow personified, and the cowherd boy Sri Krsna is their milker. The son of Prtha is the calf personified, this ambrosia of the Gita is the superexcellent milk, and the highly intelligent virtuous souls are its tasters.

Verse 6

sarathyam arjunasyadau, kurvan gitamrtam dadau
loka-trayopakaraya, tasmai krsnatmane namah

    To begin with, I offer my obeisances unto Lord Sri Krsna who accepted the position of the chariot driver of Arjuna, just to distribute this ambrosia of the Gita for the benefit of all the three worlds.

Verse 7

samsara-sagaram ghoram, tartum icchati yo narah
gita-navam samasadya, param yati sukhena sah

    A person who wants to cross over the ghastly ocean of material suffering can do so very easily by taking shelter of the boat of the Bhagavad Gita.

Verse 8

gita-jnanam srutam naiva, sadaivabhyasa yogatah
moksam icchati mudhatma, yati balaka-hasyatam

    That fool, who wants to attain liberation by constant yoga practice without hearing the wisdom of the Gita, is fit to be laughed at - even by a child.

Verse 9

ye srnvanti pathanty eva, gita-sastram ahar-nisam
na te vai manusa jneya, deva-rupa na samsayah

    One who day and night hears and recites the Gita is never to be taken as a mere human being. Without a doubt, he is a veritable god.

Verse 10

gita jnanena sambodham, krsnah praharjunaya vai
bhakti-tattvam param tatra, sa-gunam vatha nirgunam

    In order to enlighten Arjuna by the knowledge of the Gita, Lord Krsnacandra has sung the praises of the supreme principle of devotion, both relative and absolute.

Verse 11

sopanastadasair evam, bhukti-mukti samucchritaih
kramasas citta-suddhih syat, prema-bhakty adi karmasu

    In this way, the heart is purified by the knowledge of the Gita, a ladder of eighteen chapters which refutes all doctrines propounding sense enjoyment and liberation (bhukti-mukti). Step by step, the qualification to practice loving devotional service is developed.

Verse 12

sadhor gitambhasi snanam, samsara-mala-nasanam
sraddha-hinasya tam karyam, hasti-snanam vrthaiva tat

    Bathing in the pure waters of the Gita, the devotees are liberated from contamination of the mundane world. But such an attempt by faithless per-sons is utterly useless, just like the elephant's bathing (and immediately rol-ling in the dust afterwards).

Verse 13

gitayas ca na janati, pathanam naiva pathanam
sa eva manuse loke, mogha-karma-karo bhavet

    A person who knows nothing about learning and teaching the Gita is a failure in the duty of the human form of life.

Verse 14

tasmad gitam na janati, nadhamas tat paro janah
dhik tasya manusam deham, vijnanam kula silatam

    Therefore, there is no one more fallen than he who does not know the teachings of the Gita. His family, his practices, his conceptions, and his human birth are all condemned.

Verse 15

gitartham na vijanati, nadhamas tat paro janah
dhik sariram subham silam, vibhavantad grhasramam

    There is no one more fallen than he who does not know the meaning of the Gita. His beautiful body, personality, opulence, and married life are all condemned.

Verse 16

gita-sastram na janati, nadhamas tat paro janah
dhik prarabdham pratistham ca, pujam danam mahattamam

    There is no one more fallen than the person who does not know the scripture Bhagavad Gita. His undertakings are condemned, his reputation is condemned, and his worship, charity, and good qualities are all condemned.

Verse 17

gita-sastre matir nasti, sarvam tan nisphalam jaguh
dhik tasya jnana-dataram, vratam nistham tapo yasah

    A person who does not care for the holy Gita is to be known as a failure in all respects. His teacher is condemned, his vows are condemned, and his conviction, austerity, and fame are all condemned.

Verse 18

gitartha-pathanam nasti, nadhamas tat paro janah
gita-gitam na yaj jnanam, tad viddhy asura-sammatam
tan mogham dharma-rahitam, veda vedanta garhitam

    There is none more fallen than he who does not study the purport of the Gita; and that knowledge which is not sung in the Gita should be known as useless, irreligious, offensive to the Veda and Vedanta, and demoniac.

Verse 19

tasmad dharma-mayi gita, sarva-jnana-prayojika
sarva-sastra-sara-bhuta, visuddha sa visisyate

    Therefore, the Gita should be offered all respects at all times and in all places as the inaugurator of all religious wisdom and the spotless essence of all Holy Scriptures.

Verse 20

yo 'dhite visnu-parvahe, gitam sri hari-vasare
svapan jagrat calan tisthan, satrubhir na sa hiyate

    A person who studies the Gita at the time of holy festival days, espe-cially the fasting day known as Ekadasi - such a person, whether awake or asleep, moving or still, is never defeated by enemies.

Verse 21

salagrama-silayam va, devagare sivalaye
tirthe nadyam pathed gitam, saubhagyam labhate dhruvam

    One who recites the Gita in the presence of the Deity Salagram-sila, or in a temple of the Supreme Lord, or a temple of Lord Siva, at a holy place of pilgrimage or on the bank of a holy river - such a person becomes qual-ified to become the recipient all good fortune.

Verse 22

devaki-nandanah krsno, gita-pathena tusyati
yatha na vedair danena, yajna-tirtha- vratadibhih

    The son of Devaki, the Supreme Lord Sri Krsna, cannot be satisfied by anyone's study of the Vedas, charity, sacrifice, pilgrimage, or vows, as much as He is satisfied by the devotional recitation of the Gita.

Verse 23

gitadhita ca yenapi, bhakti-bhavena cetasa
veda-sastra-puranani, tena dhitani sarvasah

    The study of the Vedas and Puranas - verily, the study of all scriptures - is completed in all respects by one who studies the Gita with devotion.

Verse 24

yoga-sthane siddha-pithe, silagre sat-sabhasu ca
yajne ca visnu-bhaktagre, pathan siddhim param labhet

    The highest perfection of life is attained by one who recites the Gita at a place where yoga meditation is performed, at an exalted holy place, before the Salagram-sila, and during the performance of a sacrifice, and especially, in the association of devotees.

Verse 25

gita-patham ca sravanam, yah karoti dine dine
kratavo vajimedhadyah, krtas tena sa-daksinah

    Great sacrifices such as the Asvamedha, along with their remunerations, are naturally achieved by one who daily hears and recites the Gita.

Verse 26

yah srnoti ca gitartham kirtayaty eva yah param
sravayec ca parartham vai, sa prayati param padam

    One who attentively hears and sings the glories of the purport of the Gita, or reiterates that purport to others - such a person attains to the supreme destination.

Verse 27-28

gitayah pustakam suddham, yo 'rpayaty eva sadarat
vidhina bhakti-bhavena, tasya bharya priya bhavet
yasah-saubhagyam-arogyam, labhate natra samsayah
dayitanam priyo bhutva, paramam sukham asnute

    One who, with respect and devotion, and according to scriptural regulations makes a gift of this holy book, the Gita - such a person will have a devoted wife, and without a doubt will attain fame, fortune, and good health. Furthermore, he becomes extremely beloved by those near and dear to him, and enjoys great happiness.

Verse 29

abhicarodbhavam duhkham, vara-sapagatam ca yat
nopasarpati tatraiva, yatra gitarcanam grhe

    The misery caused by a curse or black rites can never enter into that house where the Gita is worshiped.

Verse 30

tapa-trayodbhava pida, naiva vyadhir bhavet kvacit
na sapo naiva papam ca, durgatir narakam na ca

    In that house there is never any suffering from the threefold miseries, nor is there ever fear of any type of sickness, curse, sin, or misfortune.

Verse 31

visphotakadayo dehe, na badhante kadacana
labhet krsna-pade dasyam, bhaktim cavyabhicarinim

    In that house, no one is ever born with an infected or deformed body; and those residing there achieve exclusive and continuous devotion in the mood of survivorship unto the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krsna.

Verse 32

jayate satatam sakhyam, sarva-jiva-ganaih saha
prarabdham bhunjato vapi, gitabhyasa-ratasya ca

    A person who is devoted to studying the Gita, acquires a friendly dis-position to all living beings, despite his accruing the reactions of his previous actions in this world.

Verse 33

sa muktah sa sukhi loke, karmana nopalipyate
maha-papati-papani, gitadhyayi karoti cet
na kincit sprsyate tasya, nalini-dalam-ambhasa

    That person is liberated and happy. Although acting in this world, he is not implicated. Even if by chance a person who studies the Gita happens to commit extremely horrible sin, he cannot be affected by that, just as a lotus leaf cannot be touched by even a drop of water.

Verse 34-35

anacarodbhavam papam, avacyadi krtam ca yat
abhaksya-bhaksajam dosam, asprsya sparsajam tatha
jnanajnana-krtam nityam, indriyair janitam ca yat
tat sarvam nasamayati, gita-pathena tat ksanat

    Sin arising from offensive behavior or speech, the offense of eating for-bidden things, and sinful activities incited by the senses and committed knowingly or unknowingly in daily routine activities - all kinds of sins are at once eradicated by devotional recitation of the Gita.

Verse 36

sarvatra pratibhokta ca, pratigrhya ca sarvasah
gita-patham prakurvano, na lipyeta kadacana

Although he may accept foodstuffs at all places or charity in all circumstances, the devoted speaker of the Gita is distinguished in that he re-mains totally unimplicated by these actions at all times.

Verse 37

ratna-purnam mahim sarvam, pratigrhyavidhanatah
gita-pathena caikena, suddha sphatikavat sada

    Even one who, against the injunctions of the scriptures, accepts in char-ity as many precious jewels as would cover the entire surface of the Earth and oceans - such a person becomes as spotless as pure crystal simply by devotionally reciting the Gita only once.

Verse 38

yasyantahkaranam nityam, gitayam ramate sada
sa sagnikah sada japi, kriyavan sa ca panditah

    A person whose heart is always absorbed in the Gita is certainly to be taken as superbly replete in the performance of sacrifices and the constant repetition of the holy names or mantras (japa). All his actions are properly adjusted, and he is truly learned (pandita).

Verse 39

darsaniyah sa dhanavan, sa yogi jnanavan api
sa eva yajniko yaji, sarva-vedartha-darsakah

    Certainly he is fit is fit to be seen (i.e. to have the darsana of), he is truly wealthy, he is a yogi, and a genuine scholar. He is a knower of sacrifice, a performer of sacrifice, and a knower of all the Vedas.

Verse 40

gitayah pustakam yatra, nitya-pathas ca vartate
tatra sarvani tirthani, prayagadini bhutale

    All the holy places in this universe such as Prayaga are eternally present wherever the Gita, the eternal book of divine song, is present.

Verse 41

nivasanti sada dehe, deha-sese 'pi sarvada
sarve devas ca rsayo, yogino deha-raksakah

    The protectors of the body, in the form of demigods, Rsis, or yogis, all reside within the body of one who constantly studies the Gita, and they are even present at the demise of his body.

Verse 42

gopalo bala-krsno 'pi, narada-dhruva-parsadaih
sahayo jayate sighram, yatra gita pravartate

    Accompanied by His associates such as Narada and Dhruva, the cowherd boy Lord Sri Krsna personally appears as a guardian wherever the Gita is present.

Verse 43

yatra gita-vicaras ca, pathanam-pathanam tatha
modate tatra sri krsno, bhagavan radhaya saha

    With supreme ecstasy, the Supreme Lord Sri Krsna and His divine con-sort Sri Radhika are graciously present wherever the conception of the Gita scripture is discussed, studied, and taught.

Verse 44

sri bhagavan uvaca
gita me hrdayam partha, gita me saram uttamam
gita me jnanam aty ugram, gita me jnanam avyayam

    The Supreme Lord said:
— O Partha, the Gita is My heart, the Gita is My supreme essence, and the Gita is intense, imperishable knowledge of Me.

Verse 45

gita me cottamam sthanam, gita me paramam padam
gita me paramam guhyam, gita me paramo guruh

    — The Gita is My supreme shelter, the Gita is My supreme abode, the Gita is My most hidden treasure, and especially, the Gita is My supreme guru.

Verse 46

gitasraye 'ham tisthami, gita me paramam grham
gita-jnanam samasritya, trilokim palayamy aham

    — I am present within the Gita, and the Gita is my supreme residence. Only by the knowledge of the Gita do I maintain the three worlds.

Verse 47

gita me parama-vidya, brahma-rupa na samsayah
arddha-matra-hara nityam, anirvacya-padatmika

    — Know without a doubt that the eternally ineffable Gita, as My other Self, is My supreme wisdom of the Absolute personified.

Verse 48

gita namani vaksyami, guhyani srnu pandava
kirtanat sarva-papani, vilayam yanti tat ksanat

    — O Pandava, I shall now utter those holy names of the Gita by singing which all sins are immediately destroyed. Hear now those confidential names from Me:

Verse 49-51

ganga gita ca savitri, sita satya pativrata
brahmavalir brahma-vidya, tri-sandhya mukta-gehini
arddha-matra cidananda, bhavaghni bhranti-nasini
veda-trayi parananda, tattvartha-jnana-manjari
ity etani japen nityam, naro niscala-manasah
jnana-siddhim labhen nityam, tathante paramam padam

    — Ganga, Gita, Savitri, Sita, Satya, Pativrata, Brahmavali, Brahmavidya, Trisandhya, Mukta-gehini, Arddhamatra, Cidananda, Bhavaghni, Bhranti-nasini, Vedatrayi, Parananda, and Tattvartha-jnana-manjari. A person who with a sober mind continuously utters these confidential holy names achieves the perfection of divine knowledge, and in the end he reaches the supreme destination.

Verse 52

pathe 'samarthah sampurne tad arddham patham acaret
tada go-dana-jam punyam, labhate natra samsayah

    One should recite at least half the Gita if he is unable to recite the entire text at one time. Then without a doubt, one achieves the piety, which is accrued from donating cows in charity to worthy recipients.

Verse 53

tri-bhagam pathamanas tu, soma-yaga-phalam labhet
sad-amsam japamanas tu, ganga-snana-phalam labhet

    One will achieve the fruit of the Soma sacrifice by reciting one-third of the Gita, and the result of bathing in the holy river Ganga is achieved by uttering one-sixth of it.

Verse 54

tathadhyaya-dvayam nityam, pathamano nirantaram
indra-lokam avapnoti, kalpam ekam vased dhruvam

    One who regularly recites two of its chapters with full conviction, will without a doubt attain to residence in the planet of Lord Indra for one millennium (kalpa).

Verse 55

ekam adhyayakam nityam, pathate bhakti-samyutah
rudra-lokam avapnoti, gano bhutva vasec ciram

    One who recites with devotion one chapter daily is perpetually taken to be on a par with the gods known as Rudra, and he thus attains to the planet of Lord Siva.

Verse 56

adhyayarddham ca padam va, nityam yah pathate janah
prapnoti ravi-lokam sa, manvantara-samah satam

    A person who regularly recites one-half or one-quarter chapter will achieve residence in the sun planet for a duration of one hundred Manus.

Verse 57

gitayah sloka-dasakam, sapda-panca-catustayam
tri-dvy-ekam-arddham atha va, slokanam yah pathen narah
candra-lokah avapnoti, varsanam ayutam tatha

    A person who faithfully recites ten, seven, five, three, two, one, or even only half a verse of this Gita, will attain to residence on the moon for ten thousand years.

Verse 58

gitarddham eka padam ca, slokam adhyayam eva ca
smarams tyaktva jano deham prayati paramam padam

    One who, at the time of death, remembers half the Gita, a quarter of the Gita, one chapter of the Gita, or even one verse of the Gita - such a person reaches the supreme destination.

Verse 59

gitartham api patham va, srnuyad anta-kalatah
maha-pataka yukto 'pi, mukti-bhagi bhavej janah

    By uttering or hearing the purport of the Gita at the time of death, even a gravely sinful person becomes entitled to liberation.

Verse 60

gita-pustaka samyuktah, pranams tyaktva prayati yah
sa vaikuntham avapnoti, visnuna saha modate

    One who has a devotional connection with a book of the Gita will, at the time of death, attain to Vaikuntha and reside with the Supreme Lord Visnu in divine ecstasy.

Verse 61

gitadhyaya samayukto, mrto manusatam vrajet
gitabhyasam punah krtva, labhate muktim-uttamam

    One whose concentration is intent on just one chapter of the Gita will attain a human birth after death. Then, by again studying the Gita, he achieves ultimate liberation.

Verse 62

gitety-uccara-samyukto, mriyamano gatim labhet

    Even if at the time of death one simply utters the word Gita, a happy destination is achieved by him.

Verse 63

yad yat karma ca sarvatra, gita-patha prakirtimat
tat tat karma ca nirdosam, bhutva purnatvam apnuyat

    Certainly all actions performed along with the recitation of the Gita be-come purified and are then accomplished to perfection.

Verse 64

pitrn-uddisya yah sraddhe, gita-patham karoti hi
santustah pitaras tasya, nirayad yanti svargatim

    A person who recites the Gita in the performance of obsequial cere-monies (sraddha) satisfies his forefathers. Departing from hell, they as-cend to heaven.

Verse 65

gita-pathena santustah, pitarah sraddha-tarpitah
pitr-lokam prayanty eva, putrasirvada tat parah

    The forefathers, having been offered obsequial libations by the recitation of the Gita, offer that son their blessings, and ascend to the heavenly plane known as Pitr-loka.

Verse 66

gita-pustaka danam ca, dhenu-puccha samanvitam
krtva ca tad dine samyak, krtartho jayate janah

    To make a gift presentation of a book of the Gita along with a yak-tail whisk, enables a man to achieve complete success on that day.

Verse 67

pustakam hema-samyuktam, gitayah prakaroti yah
dattva vipraya viduse, jayate na punar-bhavam

    One who donates a gold-bound Gita to a learned brahmana, never takes birth in the material world again.

Verse 68

sata pustaka danam ca, gitayah prakaroti yah
sa yati brahma-sadanam, punar avrtti durlabham

    One who donates in charity one hundred copies of the Gita attains to a plane of the Absolute, wherefrom rebirth is rarely encountered.

Verse 69

gita-dana prabhavena, sapta-kalpa-mitah samah
visnu-lokam avapyante, visnuna saha modate

    The potency of presenting the Gita as a gift is such that the soul, having achieved a place in the planet of Lord Visnu for a period of seven millenniums, then associates with that Supreme Lord Visnu in divine ecstasy.

Verse 70

samyak srutva ca gitartham, pustakam yah pradapayet~
tasmai pritah sri bhagavan, dadati manasepsitam

    A person fulfils all his aspirations by pleasing the Supreme Lord, if, after fully hearing the purport of the Gita, he presents the book as a gift to a brahmana.

Verse 71

na srnoti na pathati gitam-amrta-rupinim
hastat tyaktvamrtam praptam, sa naro visam asnute

    One who neither recites nor hears the Gita, which is the embodiment of ambrosia, drops nectar from his hand in order to drink poison.

Verse 72

janah samsara-duhkharto, gita jnanam sam-alabhet
pitva gitamrtam loke, labdhva bhaktim sukhi bhavet

    Having discovered the knowledge of the Gita and drinking its ambrosia, persons afflicted by the misery of this mundane, deathly plane take refuge in devotion unto the Supreme Lord and become truly happy.

Verse 73

gitam asritya bahavo, bhu-bhujo janakadayah
nirdhuta-kalmasa loke, gatas te paramam padam

    Many saintly kings such as King Janaka took shelter of the knowledge of the Gita, and, remaining sinless, they achieved the supreme destination.

Verse 74

gitasu na viseso 'sti, janesuccavacesu ca
jnanesv eva samagresu, sama brahma-svarupini

    In the recitation of the Gita, there is no consideration of high or low birth. Only the faithful are qualified to recite the Gita, because of all know-ledge, the Gita is the embodiment of the Absolute.

Verse 75

yo 'bhimanena garvena, gita-nindam karoti ca
sa yati narakam ghoram, yavad ahuta-samplavam

    A person who out of egotism or pride vilifies the Gita, will have to reside in ghastly hell up to the time of the great universal cataclysm.

Verse 76

ahankarena mudhatma, gitartham naiva manyate
kumbhi-pakesu pacyeta, yavat kalpa-ksayo bhavet

    That fool who, inflated with egotism, insults the purport of the Gita, must remain boiling in oil in the hell known as Kumbhipaka, up until the annihilation at the end of that millennium.

Verse 77

gitartham vacyamanam yo, na srnoti samasatah
sa sukara-bhavam yonim, anekam adhigacchati

    Despite singing the praises of the purport of the Gita in a thorough way, the person who does not hear about that purport, repeatedly takes birth in the wombs of hogs.

Verse 78

cauryah krtva ca gitayam, pustakam ya samanayet
na tasya saphalam kincit, pathanam ca vrtha bhavet

    A person who obtains the book of Gita by theft is unsuccessful in all his endeavors, and even his study and recitation of the book is just a waste of time.

Verse 79

yah srutva naiva gitam ca, modate paramarthatah
naiva tasya phalam loke, pramattasya yatha gramah

    One who does not experience divine ecstasy even after having heard the Gita, simply endeavors fruitlessly like the hard labor of a madman.

Verse 80

gitam srutva hiranyam ca, bhojyam pattambaram tatha
nivedayet pradanartham, pritaye paramatmanah

    In order to please the Supreme Lord, after having heard the Gita, one should offer gold, eatables, and silken cloth to a Vaisnava brahmana.

Verse 81

vacakam pujayed bhaktya, dravya-vastrady upaskaraih
anekair bahudha pritya, tusyatam bhagavan harih

    For the transcendental pleasure of the Supreme Lord Hari, one must worship the speaker of the Gita with devotion, by offering him cloth and many kinds of worshipful presentations.

Verse 82

suta uvaca
mahatmyam etad gitayah, krsna proktam puratanam
gitante pathate yas tu, yathokta phala-bhag bhavet

    Suta Goswami said:
    — One who, after singing the Gita, sings this eternal Glory of the Gita, as it was uttered by the Supreme Lord Sri Krsna - such a person, as aforementioned, can partake of the fruit of the Gita.

Verse 83

gitayah pathanam krtva, mahatmyam naiva yah pathet
vrtha patha-phalam tasya, srama eva udahrtah

    After singing the Gita, one who does not sing the Glory of the Gita loses the fruit of his chanting. It becomes only so much useless labor.

Verse 84

etan mahatmya-samyuktam, gita-patham karoti yah sraddhaya yah srnoty eva, paramam gatim apnuyat

    One who, with faith, recites or hears the Gita complete with the Glory of the Gita, certainly reaches the supreme transcendental destination.

Verse 85

srutva gitam artha-yuktam, mahatmyam yah srnoti ca
tasya punya-phalam loke, bhavet sarva-sukhavaham

    Whoever with true faith sublime hears this deep, meaningful Gita - Song Divine,
his pure and holy gain brings his whole life to the plane of all-pervading joy, sweetness, and charm.

iti sri vaisnaviya-tantra-sare
srimad-bhagavad-gita-mahatmyam sampurnam.

The Glory of Sri Gita.
End