Hindu Holy Scriptures: The Bhagavad Gita
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- Jul 31
- 2 min read
By Victor M Fontane
The Bhagavad Gita is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that forms part of the epic Mahabharata. It's a philosophical dialogue between Prince Arjuna and his guide, Lord Krishna, about duty, dharma, and the path to liberation (moksha). The core message revolves around selfless action, the immortality of the soul, and the importance of fulfilling one's dharma without attachment to outcomes.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
The Setting: The Gita takes place on a battlefield, Kurukshetra, where Arjuna, a warrior, is reluctant to fight his own kin. He questions the morality of war and the purpose of life.
Krishna's Teachings: Krishna, revealed as an incarnation of the god Vishnu, dispels Arjuna's doubts by explaining the nature of the soul, the concept of dharma (duty), and the different paths to liberation.
Key Concepts:
Dharma: One's duty or purpose in life, which can vary based on social class and individual nature.
Karma Yoga: The path of selfless action, where one performs their duty without attachment to the results.
Bhakti Yoga: The path of devotion, where one surrenders to God.
Jnana Yoga: The path of knowledge, which involves understanding the true nature of reality and the self.
Immortality of the Soul: The Gita emphasizes that the soul (Atman) is eternal and does not die with the body.
Reincarnation: The soul is believed to be reborn into a new body after death.
Moksha: Liberation from the cycle of birth and death, achieved through spiritual knowledge and practice.
Purpose of the Gita:It offers guidance on how to live a meaningful life, overcome challenges, and find inner peace amidst adversity. It encourages self-reflection, ethical conduct, and a connection with the divine.
The Bhagavad-gita asserts that God is not only the source but also the sustainer and destroyer of the entire creation. Everything emanates from Him.
The Gita has a message for the solace, peace, freedom, salvation and perfection of all human beings.
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