Bhagavad-Gita

The Bhagavad-Gita is universally renowned as India's jewel of spiritual wisdom. It provides a definitive guide to the science of self-realisation. No other philosophical or spiritual work reveals, in such a lucid and profound way, the nature of consciousness, the self, the universe and the Supreme. This book is the most influential and widely read work in Indian philosophy. This timeless wisdom leads to illumination of the self through transcendental knowledge.  Through its sublime teachings we are able to transcend all the problems we encounter in our lives and live a life of perfect peace and harmony. “ In this world there is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge. Such knowledge is the mature fruit of all mysticism. And one who has achieved this enjoys the self within himself in due course of time.” Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 4, text 38. “ This knowledge is the king of education, the most secret of all secrets. It is the purest knowledge, and because it gives direct perception of the self by realization, it is the perfection of religion. It is everlasting, and it is joyfully performed.” Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 9, text 2.

Bhagavad-Gita Course Week one:

Preamble: The post graduate study of the science of self-realization – a complete & perfect systematic philosophy – logical, rational &      highly sophisticated – the E=MC2 of spiritual knowledge The king of education – ch 9 mantra 1 Sublime & pure – ch 4 mantra 38 Very rare – ch7 mantra 19-“ sa mahatma sudurlabhah” Illuminating - like the sun dissipates the darkness when it rises & one can see things as they are - ch 5 mantra 16 (1) Historical context Factual, not mythical or allegorical The Gita is the philosophical essence of the Mahabharat (2) Navigational tools  A conversation between Krsna & Arjuna who often address  one another by various “nick names”  Sanskrit texts, transliterations, word for word definitions,    translations, purports, glossaries & indexes explained

(3) Direct-v-indirect interpretation        Indirect method is speculative & invariably leads to a              Justification & rationalization of ones life style & desires

4) Guru parampara:– disciplic succession - ch 4 mantra 2       There are 4 recognized disciplic successions in existence       The spiritual master (guru) – ch 4 mantra 34  -   perfect knowledge – perfect transmission       Not subject to the 4 defects of the conditioned souls –       (a) propensity to cheat   (b) imperfect sense   (c) subject to illusion(d) propensity to make mistakes      (5) 5 broad topics of analysis-        (a) jiva-atma – the spiritual self        (b) param atma – the supreme spirit        (c) prakrti – material nature        (d) kala – time        (e) karma & re-incarnation The relationship between (a) & (b) is the subject matter of the yoga system.(yoga means to link or connect – the connection of the self & the supreme self in a spiritual union

The yoga system        (a) jnana yoga – the cultivation of spiritual knowledge(ch 4)        (b) karma yoga –renunciation of the fruits of action(ch 3&5)        (c) dhyana yoga – transcendental meditation (ch6)        (d) bhakti yoga – the awakening of pure love & devotion to          the supreme & the ultimate goal of the yoga system (ch 12)

(6) Chapter one Setting the scene and Arjuna’s moral arguments against fighting (7) ) Jiva- atma – the spirit soul: The nature of the self – the 2 first aphorisms of the Vedanta     sutras - “aham brahmasmi” – I am spirit – consciousness is the symptom of the soul “athato brahma jignasur” – now that I have attained to this rare human form of life let me enquire into brahman (spirit) The soul -  ch 2  mantras 11-30 sat-eternal: cit-full of knowledge: ananda-purely blissful. This pure nature of the self has become covered over by “material contamination” through our associations in the material world like the uncared for mirror becomes covered by dust & loses its essence of reflectivity or the pure water H20 falling from the sky becomes contaminated by the elements it mixes with on the ground – the path of spiritual realization is akin to the distilling of water to return it to its original purity or wiping all the dust off the mirror so you can see you true reflection. It is the process of purifying the self – washing the consciousness so the true beauty of the soul can be revealed.

The gross material body comprising the 5 material elements- (earth, water, fire, air, ether.) ch 7 manra 4 described as a machine – ch 18 mantra 61 (car & driver of car example – the maintenance manual being the ayur veda – designed to last 100 years with proper servicing) The astral body comprising the subtle body & its functions– mind – (thinking, feeling & willing) intelligence – ( the power of discrimination) ego – ( the function of self identification-the next door neighbour to the soul) real ego –v- false ego Identification will determine ones actions & the direction of ones life – bodily identification – physical materialistic pursuits mind/intelligence identification – philosophical & mental pursuits soul identification – spiritual pursuits The relationship between the subtle body & the brain. According to the Vedic text Gita Mahatmya, the study of the Bhagavad-Gita - (1) frees one from all stress, anxiety, fears & miseries (2) frees one from karmic reactions (3) purifies the consciousness & induces a state of pure transcendental happiness (4) is all the knowledge required to attain to self realization (5) prepares one to return to the spiritual world.

Bhagavad-Gita Course Week two

Sankya philosophy - the analytical study of the material world: the 24 material elements Subtle maha tattva ego intelligence mind Gross                                                   knowledge material            sense            acquiring            active element            objects            senses               senses (1) ether           (1) sound       (1) ears            (1) hands (2) air              (2) touch        (2) skin            (2) legs (3) fire             (3) form          (3) eyes            (3) voice (4) water         (4) taste         (4) tongue        (4) genitals (5) earth          (5) smell        (5) nose           (5) anus

The 3 modes of material nature Material nature consists of the 3 modes  which conditions the  eternal living entity (Gita-ch 14 mantra 5) The three modes are always competing for supremacy, and a combination of these three modes influence and control the actions of the living entity.   The permutations and combinations of the three modes of material nature results in an infinite variety of manifestations & variations just as the 3 primary colours (red, yellow and blue) mix to create an infinite colour spectrum. Everyone one is forced to act helplessly according to the impulses born of  the  modes of material nature.  (Gita-ch 3 mantra 5) The bewildered spirit soul, under the influence of the 3 modes of material nature, thinks himself to be the doer of activities, which are in actuality carried out by nature. (Gita-ch 3 mantra 27) free will - v - determinism The material world is perceived as a place of suffering although material happiness is there, it is temporary and limited and accordingly is never fully satisfying.

And there is ever present the 4 absolutes of suffering –   (1) birth (2) death (3) old age (4) disease. Combined with this is the misery and suffering caused by the constant harassment of the 3 fold miseries – (1) adhyatmic – suffering of the mind & body (2) adhydaivic – miseries caused by material nature (3) adhybaultic – suffering caused by other living entities From the highest planet in the material world down to the lowest, all are places of misery wherein repeated birth and death take place. (Gita-ch 8 mantra 16) The fundamental underlying  principle of  the material world is sex desire– the attraction between the male and female principle - both gross and subtle. subtle sex desire is manifested in the desire for profit, adoration and distinction. We are currently residing in the material world, which is comprised of innumerable universes.  There is life throughout the universe, and there are different standards of living and different durations of life on these planets.  Within this universe you can elevate yourself to celestial planets through pious activities (in the mode of goodness), where the enjoyment experienced is much greater than here on Earth.  Through impious activities (in the mode of ignorance primarily) one can be degraded to the subterranean planets where suffering is the primary experience.

Karma & Re-incarnation: Karma -    “As you sow, so shall you reap.”           “He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword.” The principles of karma and re-incarnation formed a apart of early Christian theology but was removed from official church doctrine in the 4th century on the insistence of the Roman Emperor Justinian at the council of Nicea whose thinking was that if people thought they had more than one life then they would be inclined to take it “spiritually easy” in this life on the principle of why do today what you can put off 'till tomorrow. Every action one performs attracts a karmic reaction, a similar principle to the law of physics that for every action there is an equal & opposite reaction. We enjoy or suffer in the future the results of our present actions and we are enjoying or suffering now as a result of previous activities performed, not only in this life but in previous lives as well. We cannot escape the past which invariably comes back to haunt us. We are tightly bound up by the stringent laws of material nature.

Thoughts do not attract a karmic reaction. Only when thoughts are translated in to action does the law of karma take effect. Broadly speaking activities which are beneficial  and auspicious attract good karma whereas actions which are harmful and cause suffering and pain produces bad karma. Only in the human form does the living entity have the power to make moral choices which makes us responsible for our actions and thus attracts the law of karma. In all other species of life one is forced to act according to the body he has and thus karma does not accrue. Karma does not apply to the actions of a child whose ability to make moral choices is severely restricted. Re-incarnation – transmigration of the soul  “As the embodied soul continually passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. a sober person is not bewildered by such a change.” (Gita-ch 2 mantra 13) “Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body that state he will attain without fail.”    (Gita-ch 8 mantra 6)

The eternal soul transmigrates in an evolutionary process through the 8,400,000 species of life. In sanskrit this is called “samsara”-the wheel of birth and death. “The living entity in the material world carries his different conceptions of life from one body to another as the air carries aromas.”    (Gita-ch 15 mantra 8) The astral body (mind, intelligence & ego) accompanies the soul in its sojourn through the species.

Kala – time “Time I am, destroyer of the worlds.” (Gita-ch 11 mantra 32) Time is eternal. Relativity of time discussed. Our life is like a lightining flash in eternal time. Universal time frame – The life span of this universe is 311 trillion & 40 billion earth years. (Gita-ch 8 mantra 17) We are approximately 160 trillion years in.

Bhagavad-Gita Course Week three:

The sojourn of the soul (in the material world) The material world is fundamentally a place of suffering. In Sanskrit it is called “kuntha”- The world of anxiety. The spiritual world is called “vaikuntha” – The place where there is no anxiety. The atma (soul) in its original pure state, before contacting the material energy, exists eternally in a state of infinite pure love and bliss. The satcitananda quality of the atma is covered over by the influence of the material energy which bewilders the living entity and deludes him – “All living entities are born into delusion, overcome by the dualities of desire and hate.” (Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 7, mantra 27) “As fire is covered by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, or as the embryo is covered by the womb, the living entity is covered by different degrees of lust.”   (Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 3, mantra 38) “The living entities pure consciousness is covered by his eternal enemy in the form of lust, which is never satisfied and which burns like fire.”  (Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 3, mantra 39) She is a cruel master.  Trying to satisfy material desires is like pouring oil on a fire. Initially the fire abates but shortly thereafter flames up even more. “The senses, the mind and the intelligence are the sitting places of this lust, which veils the real knowledge of the living entity and bewilders him.”     (Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 3, mantra 40)

Because the state of pure blissful consciousness is our original nature, we are always searching out permanent unlimited happiness, love and knowledge.  Unfortunately, we are looking for it in the wrong place, the material world. We are searching out water in the desert which appears as a mirage but has no substance.  Like a fish out of the water we do not belong in this material world.  Only when we experience happiness, love and knowledge unlimitedly and eternally can we become fully satisfied – until then our journey does not end. Modern western culture teachers us that happiness is to be obtained by the external journey whereas the Bhagavad-Gita teaches us to journey “within” to experience the true beauty and glory of the self. “One whose happiness is within, who is active within, who rejoices within & is illumined within is the perfect transcendentalist” (Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 5, mantra 2

“ A person who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires – that enter like rivers into the ocean, which is ever being filled but is always still – can alone achieve peace, and not the man who strives to satisfy such desires.”      (Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 2, mantra 70) “One who is not in transcendental consciousness can have neither a controlled mind nor steady intelligence, without which there is no possibility of peace. And how can there be any happiness without peace.”  (Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 2, mantra 66) “ A person who has given up all desires for sense gratification, who lives free from desires, who has given up all sense of proprietorship and is devoid of false ego-he alone can attain real peace.”   (Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 2, mantra 71) The psychology of action While contemplating the objects of the senses, a person develops attachment for them – and from such attachment lust develops – and from lust anger arises – from anger complete delusion arises – and from delusion bewilderment of memory – when memory is bewildered, intelligence is lost – and when intelligence is lost one falls down again into the material pool.    (Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 2, mantras  62-63)

Happiness in the material world centres around the fantasies and concoctions of the mind; We chase our dreams and aspirations. We fall short - we become frustrated, angry, depressed. We failed. We succeed - we become frustrated, angry, depressed. We thought achieving our dreams would make us happy, but they did not. No amount of material pleasure can satisfy the spiritual self. And ultimately in the material world all our desires, plans and aspirations are vanquished by the time factor. “ An intelligent person does not take part in the sources of misery, which are due to contact with the material senses. Such pleasures have a beginning and an end, and so the wise man does not delight in them.”   (Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 5, mantra 22) Whatever is acheived on the material platform will be destroyed and thus, in the end, life in the material world ends in tragedy.  The transcendentalist sees the ultimate futility of all material endeavor and thus is not a participant in the “world of dreams.”  He sees his real life is in the spiritual world. He perceives the material world as a prison house or reformatory institution for the rectification of renegade souls, a place not designed as a “garden of  delights” for the unlimited pleasure of the inmates.

The sojourn of the soul (spiritual) Arjuna asks Krishna what are the symptoms of one whose consciousness is merged in transcendence? (Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 2, mantra 54) Krishna replies – (Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 2, mantras  55-58) (1) He has no desire for sense gratification which arise from mental concoction. (2) His mind is pure and finds satisfaction in the self alone. (3) His mind is not disturbed even amidst the threefold miseries. (4) He is free from –      (a) attachment and aversion      (b) fear      (c) anger (5) He has complete control over his senses and is able to withdraw his senses from sense objects.      (as a tortoise draws its limbs within the shell) (6) Has given up all sense of proprietorship. (mantra 71) (7) Devoid of false ego. (mantra 71) In the 6th chapter, mantras 20-23 Krishna describes the consciousness of one who has attained perfection in self-realization – (1) One enters “samadhi” where one’s mind is completely restrained from material mental activities. (2) One can see the self by the pure mind and rejoice and relish in the self. (3) One is situated in boundless transcendental happiness and bliss, realized through transcendental senses. (4) One is completely free from all anxieties and miseries arising from material contact. (5) One sees the truth and never departs from the truth.

“The humble sage, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned & gentle saint, a cow, an elephant, a dog & a dog eater.    (Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 5, mantra 18)) When one is situated in ones original pure spiritual consciousness the following 26 transcendental qualities become manifest in ones nature – “Fearlessness, purification of one’s existence, cultivation of spiritual knowledge, charity, self-control, performance of sacrifice, study of the Vedas, austerity and simplicity; non-violence, truthfulness, freedom from anger; renunciation, tranquillity, aversion to fault finding, compassion and freedom from covetousness; gentleness, modesty and steady determination; vigour, forgiveness, fortitude, cleanliness, freedom from envy and the passion for honour” (Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 16, mantras 1-3) “When your intelligence has passed out of the dense forest of delusion, you shall become indifferent to all that has been heard and all that is to be heard.”    (Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 2, mantra 52)

Control of the mind and sense To advance on the spiritual path one must bring the mind and senses under control. “Thus knowing oneself to be transcendental to the material senses, mind and intelligence, one should control the lower self by the higher self and thus by spiritual strength – conquer the insatiable enemy known as lust.” .    (Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 3, mantra 43) Arjuna said: “O Madhusüdana, the system of yoga which You have summarized appears impractical and unendurable to me, for the mind is restless and unsteady.” (Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 6, mantra 33) “For the mind is restless, turbulent, obstinate and very strong, O Krishna, and to subdue it, I think, is more difficult than controlling the wind.” (Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 6, mantra34) “Lord Sri Krishna said: O mighty-armed son of Kunti, it is undoubtedly very difficult to curb the restless mind, but it is possible by suitable practice and by detachment.”  (Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 6, mantra 35) “As a lamp in a windless place does not waver, so the transcendentalist, whose mind is controlled, remains always steady in his meditation on the transcendent self.” (Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 6, mantra 19) “Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose and their aim is one. The intelligence of those who are irresolute is many-branched.” (Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 2, mantra 41)“One who is not in transcendental consciousness can have neither a controlled mind nor steady intelligence, without which there is no possibility of peace. And how can there be any happiness without peace.” (Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 2, mantra 66)

The eight fold yoga system To appreciate Yoga as a science you need to understand where all those stretching and natural health techniques in Yoga are coming from. Basically these techniques are coming from the Astanga Yoga system and Astanga Yoga ultimately leads one to Bhakti-yoga. Astanga Yoga means "eightfold" and includes yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dhyana,  dharana and then Samadhi.  "Yama" means rejecting that which is unfavorable to our yoga advancement. In the Srimad Bhagavatam 3.28.1 purport by Srila Prabhupada he states that there are four prohibited activities for making spiritual advancement - [meat-eating, illicit sex, intoxication, and gambling]. This is the essence of "Yama" in the Astanga Yoga practice.  "Niyama" means accepting that which is favorable for our advancement in Yoga-following the rules and regulations prescribed in the Vedas. "Asana" is the stretching exercises  and practicing the sitting postures we see in the Hatha-yoga, Raja-yoga, and other yoga systems. "Pranayama" is the breathing exercises we see in some yoga systems. “Pratyahara”- is controlling the mind and the senses. “Dharana” - Concentration on object. Concentration of the mind on one object and its field. “Dhyana” -  Deep, steady meditation “Samadhi” is trance or total enlightenment.

Patanjali explains that the target of all yoga is Visnu or Krishna. Astanga-yoga is therefore part of a spiritual practice because its ultimate goal is realization of Visnu or God. Success in yoga is not the acquisition of mystic powers, but rather the achievement of freedom from all material designations and spiritual enlightenment. This is the ultimate perfection of practicing yoga.  If one is in Krsna consciousness from the very beginning, all these eight items are automatically performed. One does not require to practice them separately. We also see the "Yoga Ladder" in the concept of Astanga Yoga. The Yoga Ladder or "Yoga Ruruksa" begins with Karma-yoga, Jnana-yoga, dhyana-yoga and then Bhakti-yoga. "The process of linking oneself with the Supreme is called yoga, which may be compared to a ladder for attaining the topmost spiritual realization. This ladder begins from the lowest material condition of the living entity and rises up to perfect self-realization in pure spiritual life. The beginning of the ladder is called the yogaruruksa stage, and the highest rung is called yogarudha. In the Bhagavad Gita As It Is  6.3 purport Srila Prabhupada explains - Karma Yoga means turning your work into yoga practice by using as much of your earnings as may be possible for your yoga advancement. The Jnana (Transcendental knowledge and Renunciation}  and Dhyana ( meditation) platforms of Yoga means a state of advancement of total mental and intellectual absorption. Bhakti-yoga begins with the practice of Sadhana (regulated spiritual practices) and then advances to Krsna-Prema (love of God). The essential elements of the lower rungs of the Yoga system can be found in the practice of Sadhana Bhakti or regulated devotional service.

Bhagavad-Gita Course Week four:

The spiritual world The spiritual world is called “vaikuntha” – The place where there is no anxiety. Everything is purely spiritual by nature - sat (eternal) – cit ( full of knowledge) ananda (ever increasing dynamic pure bliss & love).  There is no dull matter, material qualities or material desire. Everything is fully conscious & cognisant. Krishna has unlimited energies and potencies, which are categorised into three divisions; the bahiranga, antaranga and tatastha shakti. The bahiranga shakti is the external energy of the Lord, being comprised of this material world and all matter within it.  This is also described as the inferior energy of the Lord, as it contains no consciousness. The antaranga shakti is the internal energy of the Lord, His pleasure potency, which includes His consort Srimati Radharani, and the whole spiritual world.  This is described as the superior, spiritual energy of the Lord. The tatastha shakti. The living entities are the tatastha shakti of the Lord, which is the marginal potency.  The living entities, although being purely spiritual in nature, have the choice to take shelter of either the internal or the external energies of the Lord. We were originally residents of the spiritual world but, due to the misuse of our minute independence, the desire to enjoy separately from Krishna manifested in our consciousness (the original envy principle) & we were caste out of the Spiritual World. Krishna fulfills our desires by creating the material world, where we can attempt to enjoy independently of Him. Ultimately we come to the conclusion that real happiness is not possible outside of a relationship with him and we begin our journey back to our real permanent home in the Spiritual World.

The purpose of life is to revive our original pure spiritual consciousness & return to the spiritual world.  “Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth.” (Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 4, mantra

The three stages of spiritual realization (1) Bhagavan – The Supreme Personality of Godhead The topmost platform of self realization wherin one acheives complete spiritual perfection. This stage is only achievable by pure, unalloyed Bhakti Yoga (divine love & devotion) One can understand me as I am, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, only by devotional service (bhakti). And when one is in full consciousness of Me by such devotion, he can enter into the Kingdom of God. (Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 18, mantra 55) (2) Param Atma – The Supersoul This is the seond stage, acheivable by attaining perfection in the meditation process as described in chapter 6 of the gita. Within our bodies there exists the soul, and also the supersoul.  The supersoul is common within all living entities, it is the knower of all bodies whereas the individual soul knows only our own bodies.  The individual soul is subordinate to the supersoul.     The supersoul is described [Ch 13, Verse 23] as: •    upadrasta (overseer) •    anumanta (permitter) •    bharta (master, proprietor) •    bhokta (supreme enjoyer) •    parah (transcendental) •    friend I am seated in everyone's heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness. (Bhagavad-Gita chapter 15 mantra 15) The Supreme Lord is situated in everyone's heart, O Arjuna, and is directing the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a machine, made of the material energy.  (Bhagavad-Gita chapter 18 mantra 61)

(3) Brahman – The impersonal Spiritual Energy This stage is the first step on the Spiritual Path,achievable through the process of Jnana Yoga/Karma yoga ( renunciation & cultivation of Transcendental knowledge.)  This is described in the Vedas as the dazzling effulgence emanating from the Spiritual world. In the 12th chapter of the Gita Krishna gives the sequence of  Spiritual evolution – Just fix your mind upon Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and engage all your intelligence in Me. Thus you will live in Me always, without a doubt. My dear Arjuna, O winner of wealth, if you cannot fix your mind upon Me without deviation, then follow the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga. In this way develop a desire to attain Me. If you cannot practice the regulations of bhakti-yoga, then just try to work for Me, because by working for Me you will come to the perfect stage. If, however, you are unable to work in this consciousness of Me, then try to act giving up all results of your work and try to be self-situated. If you cannot take to this practice, then engage yourself in the cultivation of knowledge. Better than knowledge, however, is meditation, and better than meditation is renunciation of the fruits of action, for by such renunciation one can attain peace of mind. (Bhagavad-Gita chapter12 mantras 8-12)

Bhagavan – The Supreme Personality of Godhead The source of all material & spiritual worlds Of all that is material and all that is spiritual in this world, know for certain that I am both the origin and the dissolution.   (Bhagavad-Gita chapter 7 mantra 6) I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts.  (Bhagavad-Gita chapter 10 mantra 8) No truth superior O conqueror of wealth, there is no truth superior to Me. Everything rests upon Me, as pearls are strung on a thread.    (Bhagavad-Gita chapter 7 mantra 7) Not under the modes of material nature Deluded by the three modes [goodness, passion and ignorance], the whole world does not know Me, who am above the modes and inexhaustible. (Gita 7 m13)

Omniscient – knows everything – past, present & future O Arjuna, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, I know everything that has happened in the past, all that is happening in the present, and all things that are yet to come. I also know all living entities; but Me no one knows.   (Bhagavad-Gita chapter 7 mantra 26) Omnipresent – all pervading By Me, in My unmanifested form, this entire universe is pervaded. All beings are in Me, but I am not in them.   (Bhagavad-Gita chapter 9 mantra 4) Omnipotent – All powerful The whole cosmic order is under Me. Under My will it is automatically manifested again and again, and under My will it is annihilated at the end. (Bhagavad-Gita ch 9 mantra 8) Arjuna said: You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the ultimate abode, the purest, the Absolute Truth. You are the eternal, transcendental, original person, the unborn, the greatest. All the great sages such as Närada, Asita, Devala and Vyäsa confirm this truth about You, and now You Yourself are declaring it to me. (Bhagavad-Gita chapter 10 mantras 12-13)

Bhakti yoga (divine love & devotion)  Only by pure, unalloyed love (bhakti) can we  return to our original home in the spiritual world.  That love must be unmotivated and uninterrupted even for the space of a moment. “One can understand Me, as I am only by devotional service. And when one is in full consciousness by such devotion, he can enter into the Kingdom of God.” (Bhagavad-Gita, chapter 18, mantra 55) The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Now hear, O son of Prtha, how by practicing yoga in full consciousness of Me, with mind attached to Me, you can know Me in full, free from doubt.  (Bhagavad-Gita chapter 7 mantra 1) O son of Partha, those who are not deluded, the great souls, are under the protection of the divine nature. They are fully engaged in devotional service because they know Me as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, original and inexhaustible.  (Bhagavad-Gita chapter 9 mantra 13) Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend.  (Bhagavad-Gita chapter 18 mantra 65) Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.  (Bhagavad-Gita chapter 18 mantra 66) The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are fully devoted to My service, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss from always enlightening one another and conversing about Me.(Gita chapter 10 mantra 9) To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.  (Bhagavad-Gita chapter 10 mantra 10)

To show them special mercy, I, dwelling in their hearts, destroy with the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance.   (Bhagavad-Gita chapter 10 mantra 11) Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion. (Bhagavad-Gita chapter 9 mantra 14) Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer or give away, and whatever austerities you perform—do that, O son of Kunté, as an offering to Me. (Bhagavad-Gita chapter 9 mantra 27) I envy no one, nor am I partial to anyone. I am equal to all. But whoever renders service unto Me in devotion is a friend, is in Me, and I am also a friend to him. (Bhagavad-Gita chapter 9 mantra 29) That very ancient science of the relationship with the Supreme is today told by Me to you because you are My devotee as well as My friend and can therefore understand the transcendental mystery of this science. (Bhagavad-Gita chapter 4 mantra 3) The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Arjuna, because you are never envious of Me, I shall impart to you this most confidential knowledge and realization, knowing which you shall be relieved of the miseries of material existence.    (Bhagavad-Gita chapter 9 mantra 1) Persons who have acted piously in previous lives and in this life and whose sinful actions are completely eradicated are freed from the dualities of delusion, and they engage themselves in My service with determination. (Bhagavad-Gita chapter 7 mantra 2) Posted by : Vipul Koul