Srimad Bhagavad Gita Essence

In this book, the author has chosen 90 verses of the Gita out of the total 700, which are purely subjective in nature. He, however, has included all the important ones for the sake of coherency of presentation. It is hoped that this small book will motivate the modern reader to study the full text with passion and devotion and pursue the spiritual goals towards eternal bliss. This abridged edition will give the complete message, which has inspired generations of students of the Gita all over the world. #v&spublishers

In this book, the author has chosen 90 verses of the Gita out of the total 700, which are purely subjective in nature. He, however, has included all the important ones for the sake of coherency of presentation. It is hoped that this small book will motivate the modern reader to study the full text with passion and devotion and pursue the spiritual goals towards eternal bliss. This abridged edition will give the complete message, which has inspired generations of students of the Gita all over the world.

Bhagavad Gita is the condensed form of all the 108 Upanishads put together. Bhagavad means the Brahman and Gita means song. If one needs a literal translation of Bhagavad Gita, then it is ?the song of the Brahman'. Bhagavad Gita consists of 700 verses, mostly addressed by the Brahman, wherein He imparts the supreme knowledge to one of His creations. Brahman in this context is Lord Krishna, the incarnation of Vishnu or Narayana and the disciple is Arjuna, one amongst the five Pandavas. Since they were fathered by the king Pandu, they are called Pandavas. Pandavas are five brothers, each of them representing the five basic elements of the universe. It must be remembered that these five elements rule the five chakras, muladhara to vishudi. The verses of the Gita are in the form of questions and answers. Arjuna, the warrior clears his doubts from Krishna in the midst of a battle field. Krishna represents the Brahman, Arjuna represents soul and battle field represents the sensory organs of the gross body. The teachings of Krishna in Bhagavad Gita are practical and easy to follow. The concept of life is explained in these 700 comprehensive verses in 18 chapters. If one decides to follow the teachings of Krishna, he is not reborn. Even during this birth, if the sermons of Krishna are followed, one will not feel the miseries and sorrows. The cause and source of sufferings and the ways and means of getting rid of them are expounded. After all, it is the teaching of the Brahman Himself.

This book results from the author‘s decades of in-depth studies of Eastern spirituality. The Bhagavad Gita combines the most beautiful pearls of Ancient Indian wisdom into a wonderful entity. The “Song of the Sublime“ thoroughly explains all the important subjects of the earthly and the divine world. The Gita provides us with one of the most valuable and beautiful revelations mankind has ever received. Its verses open a gate to spiritual self-recognition and to a discovery of the divine. This edition of the Gita offers today‘s readers a most practical access to its essence thanks to a careful selection of all important text passages and the use of clear, easily understandable language. Comments added to the translation will facilitate a deep understanding of this ancient and yet timeless eastern teaching.

Rarely in a lifetime does a new spiritual classic appear that has the power to change people's lives and transform future generations. This is such a book. The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita Explained by Paramhansa Yogananda shares the profound insights of Paramhansa Yogananda, author of Autobiography of a Yogi, as remembered by one of his few remaining direct disciples, Swami Kriyananda. This revelation of India's best-loved scripture approaches it from an entirely fresh perspective, showing its deep allegorical meaning and also its down-to-earth practicality. The themes presented are universal: how to achieve victory in life in union with the divine; how to prepare for life's "final exam," death, and what happens afterward; how to triumph over all pain and suffering. This book is itself a triumph. Swami Kriyananda worked with Paramhansa Yogananda in 1950 while the Master completed his commentary. At that time Yogananda commissioned him to disseminate his teachings world-wide. Kriyananda has in his lifetime lectured, taught, and written eighty-five books based on Yogananda's teachings. The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita, Kriyananda's eighty-sixth book, is the crowning achievement of his highly productive life. In this, his masterpiece, he declares, "Yogananda's insights into the Gita are the most amazing, thrilling, and helpful of any I have ever read."

This compilation also includes point of views GATHERED FROM VARIOUS lectures I have heard and from the various commentaries given by many good and kind-hearted scholars together with my observation on what is happening in the world. My intention is that everyone should progress in the right direction. Like the SWAN BIRD, WHICH WILL TAKE ONLY THE MILK FROM A MIXTURE OF MILK AND WATER, one must take good things only from my compilation. If after reading this compilation that something worth-while is done, the credit goes to my Acharyan or Guru and to the Lord for, they had only directed me to write. If it has not achieved the purpose, then I am to be blamed because I have tried to measure the sky (fathom out the Lord's work) with a foot rule (May be readers may feel that I am an ignorant man). In His Bhagvad Gita, Lord had considered the essence of Vedas, Srimad Bhagavatham and slokas rendered by Rushis, Munis and greatest scholars and had pronounced the path, to Arjuna in particular and also to Public in general, viz., the IMPORTANCE OF FOLLOWING Dharma as laid down in the scripture in a simple and understandable way The ecstasy or joy arising out of the knowledge of world order given by the Lord will remain forever in one's mind. (Tirumahisai Alwar says that only after he learnt about the greatness of the Lord, did he consider himself to have been born.) This may find expression in this compilation. I do not want to take any credit, any appreciation or name since I do not deserve a word of praise or discord as all my writings were done from the texts written by the above-mentioned great savants. I am sure that whoever reads this book will at least realize the GREATNESS OF THE LORD, how HE grades or appraises the people's deeds, rewarding for the good things done and giving punishment for the sins committed. Also, one should REALISE ONE'S UTTER HELPLESSNESS TO REACH HIM UNLESS HE WILLS, The Lord does not DISOWN ANYONE-Meaning one should do what Lord wants him to do as prescribed in Vedas, Upanishads and other guidelines made available to the individual. Devotees having basic knowledge about Gita may understand fast at the first reading itself, whereas for persons who are first reading about Bhagvad Gita may have to read twice or perhaps thrice to grasp the subject. In some place’s readers may find certain matters are repeated again. In matters of Philosophy and tradition, repetition is not only unavoidable but also necessary, for it helps to fix ideas.

In this book, the author has selected 90 verses of the Gita out of the total 700. He, however, has included all the important ones for the sake of coherency of presentation. It is hoped that this small book will motivate the modern reader to study the full text with passion and devotion and pursue the spiritual goals towards eternal bliss. This abridged edition will give the complete message that has inspired generations of students of the Gita all over the world.