Bhagavad Gita

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses the book "Bhagavad Gita". The writer maintains that the book looks at the distinction between the temporary material body and the eternal spiritual soul and characteristics of the self-realized person. The writer points out that from the beginning of this religious work to the end, the character Arjuna grew from a person who was overcome by the trappings of life to the understanding that the way that he conducts his life is all important for this world and the next. The writer further discusses that the book relates not only to how Arjuna should conduct himself, but to how one should do so to this day, as well.

From the Paper:

"This can be done, further explains Krishna, through the practice of meditation. Arjuna, however, questions how a defected mind can actually meditate. Here, as the entire Bhagavad Gita, the emphasis is on education. It is not possible to immediately reach a meditative state--the mind is difficult to restrain. So, it takes much practice and continual renunciation.
Once individuals are in this meditative state, they can see things they never could before, because of the constraints of the lower states of mind. It is possible, for example to see God in the here and now, as long as one stops a fascination for the various objects of the world. However, it is only when people love God can they become open to see him in all. This trip starts with seeing God and then ends in the state of 'being' God."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Easwaren, Eknath. Bagavad Gita. Berkley: Blue Mountain Center of Meditation, 1985.
• Prabhavananda, Swami and Isherwood, Christopher (Translators). Introduction to Bagavad Gita (with introduction by Aldous Huxley). New York: Mentor Pub: New York, 1944.

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