विवेचन सारांश

Duryodhana.....disturbed on seeing the mighty army of the Pāṇḍavas!!!!

The first chapter of the Bhagavad Gītā is called Arjuna ViṣhādaYoga - The Yoga of Arjuna’s Despondency. 

The first session on this chapter commenced with the symbolic lighting of the lamp, followed by a prayer offered to Bhagavān Śrī Krishna, and salutations to the Gurus and Gītā mata.

This is an important chapter that provides the background for the lessons taught in Shrimad Bhagavad Gītā. The same is structured more like a story rather than a deep philosophical discourse and holds great significance. Unlike other chapters that introduce profound principles, this one lays the foundation for comprehending the Bhagavad Gītā correctly.

A crucial point emphasized by Swami Govind dev Giri ji Maharaj is that the Bhagavad Gītā must be understood in the light of the Mahābhārata, within its proper context. Many people summarize or discuss the Bhagavad Gītā without a thorough understanding of the Mahābhārata, which leads to an incomplete interpretation. Separating the Gītā from its historical and narrative context diminishes its true meaning. 

To illustrate, introducing Sambhaji Maharaj would be incomplete without intoduction or knowledge of Shivaji Maharaj. Similarly, to fully grasp the essence of the Bhagavad Gītā, we must understand its origins within the Mahābhārata.

As we embark on this first chapter, it is essential to reflect on some fundamental aspects of the Bhagavad Gītā, so as to ensure a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of this sacred text.
gīta su-gīta kartavyā, kim anyaih śāstra-vistaraiḥ
ya svayam padmanābhasya, mukha-padmad viniḥsṛtā

Since the Bhagavad Gītā is spoken by the Supreme Personality HIMSELF, one need not read any other Vedic literature. One only needs to attentively and regularly hear and read the Bhagavad Gītā. In the present age, people are so absorbed in mundane activities that reading all Vedic literatures is impractical. This one book, the Bhagavad Gītā, is sufficient, as it embodies the essence of all Vedic knowledge, especially because it is spoken directly by the Paramātmā.

The Importance of the Bhagavad Gītā, and its superiority over the Vedas:

The entire Bhagavad Gītā has emerged from the divine lips of Bhagavān Nārāyaṇa (mukha-padmad viniḥsṛtā). Hence, each shloka in the Bhagavad Gītā is considered mantramaya, imbued with divine power. The Vedas are said to have originated from the divine sounds that emerged from the nāsikā (nostrils) of Bhagavān Nārāyaṇa while He was in a deep state of rest, as revealed in a hymn from the Rigveda:

yasya niśvasitaṁ vedāḥ yo vedebhyo 'khilam jagat

nirmame taṁ ahaṁ vande vidyātīrtha maheśvaram

"I bow down to Him whose very breath gave rise to the Vedas, the One who created the universe from them while remaining uninvolved and unmanifest, and who is the most sacred and cherished shrine of knowledge."

śivatvaṁ gurutvaṁ cha śakti tvameva
tvameivāsi mātā pitā-cha tvameva
tvamevasi bandhur tvamevasi vidyā
gatir meya matir devi sarvam tvam-eva

"You are Shiva, You are the Guru, and You are the Divine Energy manifest in creation. You are my Mother, Father, and best companion. You are the Knowledge of all that exists. Bless me so that my intellect remains devoted to You forever."

According to Sant Gulab Ram Maharaj ji, the Bhagavad Gītā was revealed in a Jāgarit (fully awakened) state. This means that every word spoken by Bhagavān Śrī Krishna was delivered in a state of full awareness. This gives the Bhagavad Gītā a unique edge over the Vedas. The Vedas, in contrast, were revealed during the Nidrit (deep sleep) state of Bhagavān Nārāyaṇa.

From an interpreter’s perspective, it is easier to comprehend and explain teachings that were spoken in a fully awakened state rather than those revealed during sleep. Therefore, the Bhagavad Gītā presents the essence of all Vedic knowledge in a way that is easier to interpret and apply. It is the very essence (crux) of the entire Mahābhārata. To emphasize the significance of the Mahābhārata, Swami Giri Maharaj Ji beautifully states:

"महाभारत का सार भागवत गीता है,
भागवत गीता का विस्तार महाभारत है।"

("The essence of the Mahābhārata is the Bhagavad Gītā, and the expansion of the Bhagavad Gītā is the Mahābhārata.")

Thus, to truly understand the Bhagavad Gītā in its full depth, one must also be familiar with the stories of the Mahābhārata.

Genesis of Mahabharata epic: Swami Veda Vyāsa Ji compiled all the four Vedas: Rigveda, Sāmaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda, and the Purāṇas. However, after completing this monumental task, he still experienced a sense of incompleteness. Seeking guidance, he approached Brahmā Ji, who advised him to write the story of Bhārata with the assistance of Bhagavān Gaṇeśa. Following this advice, Swami Veda Vyāsa Ji approached Bhagavān Gaṇeśa for assistance. Initially reluctant, Gaṇeśa tried to avoid the task by setting a condition as per which Vyāsa Ji had to dictate continuously without pausing, as Gaṇeśa ji claimed that his writing speed was exceptionally fast. However, Veda Vyāsa Ji cleverly countered this condition with one of his own: Gaṇeśa ji was to write only after fully understanding each verse being dictated. This was a strategic move because comprehension is essential for proper transcription. As a result, whenever Vyāsa Ji needed a break or time to compose a complex verse, he would recite an intricate shloka that required deep contemplation. This forced Gaṇeśa ji to slow down, interpret its meaning, and then write it down. Through this method, the great Granth was written continuously, eventually comprising more than 100,000 shlokas, thus completing the Mahābhārata.

The significance of this sacred text can be understood from its original name, Jaya Samhita. Swami Govind dev Giri ji Maharaj aptly explains the meaning of this name, describing the Mahābhārata as a book of case studies. Just as law students analyze case studies to develop their understanding and apply legal principles, the Mahābhārata serves as a comprehensive guide to life. It provides invaluable lessons on various aspects of human existence, like how to interact with parents, how to build and maintain friendships, how to conduct business, how to live within a family, and the essential do's and don’ts of life. It is a complete guide to righteous living, and is rightfully called Jaya Samhita, the scripture of victory.

It is believed that those who keep this Granth in their homes, study it, and live by its teachings will receive the ultimate reward of Jaya (victory). Studying this sacred text leads to success in life, as it imparts wisdom on dharma, justice, relationships, and governance. Unfortunately, efforts were made by invaders to corrupt the minds of Indians by spreading false beliefs, that keeping the Mahābhārata at home would bring conflict or discord. However, this is entirely untrue. The first and foremost requirement for truly understanding the Mahābhārata is faith in its wisdom and teachings.

Another name for this sacred Granth is Lokveda (The People's Veda). The four Vedas are complex and difficult to interpret. For most people, merely reading them is a challenge, let alone fully comprehending their profound teachings. As such, they remain inaccessible to the common person. However, the Mahābhārata, often regarded as the "fifth Veda", is different. It is designed in a way that ordinary people can read, study, and grasp its wisdom. This is why it is called Lokveda, a scripture meant for all. Through the Mahābhārata, one can easily absorb the essence of the Vedas without needing to study them separately.

This idea is reflected in the verse:

bhāratāmṛtasarvasvaṃ viṣṇor vaktrād viniḥsṛtam

gītāgaṅgodakaṃ pītvā punar janma na vidyate || 

• bhāratāmṛtasarvasvaṃ – The nectar (amṛta) of the Mahābhārata
• viṣṇor vaktrād viniḥsṛtam – Has emerged from the very mouth of Bhagavān Viṣṇu
• gītāgaṅgodakaṃ pītvā – Drinking the sacred waters of the Gītā Gaṅgā
• punar janma na vidyate – One is liberated from the cycle of rebirth

The Bhagavad Gītā is like the sacred Gaṅgā flowing with divine knowledge. One who listens to it with sincerity and devotion attains spiritual liberation, breaking free from the cycle of birth and death. It cuts down our sins. 

sarvopanishado gavo dogdha gopalanandanah
parthovatsah sudheerbhoktha dugdham gitamrutam mahat

All upanishads are likened to cows. The milker is the son of the cowherd, Krishna; Arjuna, son of prutha, is the calf; the men of purified intellect are the drinkers, and the milk is the supreme nectar of Gita.

When Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa speaks in the Bhagavad Gītā, we must understand that He is not merely speaking as Śrī Kṛṣṇa or Vāsudeva. He is speaking in the capacity of Brahma Tattva, as Bhagavān Himself. This is what gives the Bhagavad Gītā its immense significance.

As students of advanced level (Level Three), we must move beyond viewing the Bhagavad Gītā in isolation. Instead, we should seek to understand the essence of each shloka and how it fits within the broader framework of our scriptures. The knowledge we are gaining is part of a much larger system. For instance, learning trigonometry without first understanding basic addition and subtraction may seem disconnected, yet foundational arithmetic is essential for mastering trigonometry. Similarly, understanding the Bhagavad Gītā in its entirety requires a broader perspective, connecting its teachings with the wisdom found across our sacred texts. As we delve into the Bhagavad Gītā, we must recognize the profound significance of the shlokas we encounter. These are not just verses, they are mantras. Understanding why they are considered mantras and the power they hold is crucial before we begin analyzing each shloka individually.

For instance, Subhāṣitāni (wise sayings) contain valuable teachings, yet their shlokas are not mantra-maya (infused with the transformative power of mantras).

मननात् त्रायते इति मंत्रः

"That which protects or liberates through repetition and contemplation is called a Mantra."

A mantra is that which, through sustained repetition (mananāt), protects (trāyatē) the seeker from all miseries arising from bondage and the cycles of birth and death.

Once, a disciple of Chaitanya Mahāprabhu discouraged an elderly gentleman from reciting the Bhagavad Gītā because he was pronouncing the verses incorrectly. Feeling disheartened, the old man stopped reading the sacred text altogether. That day, Chaitanya Mahāprabhu noticed that the deity had not accepted the offering. It was then revealed that the elderly gentleman had stopped eating since he could no longer recite the Bhagavad Gītā. Moved by his devotion, Bhagavān too had stopped partaking in the offerings.

Concerned, Chaitanya Mahāprabhu approached the man and asked why he had stopped eating. The gentleman explained, “I used to read the Bhagavad Gītā every day, and while reading, I would have darshan of Bhagavān Śrī Kṛiṣhṇa seated on a white chariot, imparting divine wisdom to Arjuna. Now that I no longer have this vision, I have lost the desire to eat.” Chaitanya Mahāprabhu embraced him and said, “Your reading of the Bhagavad Gītā is perfect! You have truly grasped its essence. One who has learned to always think of Kṛiṣhṇa is already on the path of perfection.”

The Bhagavad Gītā is not just a scripture; it is a sacred river of wisdom that purifies the soul. It has the power to cleanse the impurities of worldly existence (samsara mala nashanam) and liberate individuals from the endless cycle of birth and death.

mala nirmochanaṁ puṁsāṁ jala-snānaṁ dine dine
sakṛt gītāmbhaśi snānaṁ saṁsāra-mala-nāśanam
"A human being must bathe in water daily to cleanse bodily dirt, but a single bath in the holy waters of the Gītā is enough to wash away the impurities of samsara (the material world)."

Cleansing the Impurities of Samsara: The Bhagavad Gītā is called Gītā Gaṅgā, the divine river of knowledge, because it has the power to purify the mind, intellect, and soul. Just as water removes physical dirt, the wisdom of the Gītā removes the inner impurities that keep us bound to material existence.

The Three Major Impurities (Samsara Mala): In Arjuna Viṣhāda Yoga, we see that Arjuna is overwhelmed by sorrow and confusion before the war begins. His lamentation (viṣhād) represents the three main impurities that bind us to suffering: