A Few Words at the Start of the Series…
Dear readers, warm greetings!
Human life is a journey filled with joy and sorrow, hope and despair, success and failure, duties and responsibilities. On this journey there are moments of happiness, and at other times dark clouds of crisis gather over the mind. Sometimes we see clearly what we should do; at other times the mind is lost in the conflict between right and wrong. At such moments we need guidance that steadies the mind, shows our thoughts the right direction, and gives us a new way of looking at life.
Thousands of years ago, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna’s mind was seized by just such confusion. He had to fight against the relatives, teachers and friends who stood before him. Duty stood on one side; love for his kin, compassion and attachment stood on the other. Arjuna, a great archer, lost heart. His bow, the Gandiva, slipped from his hands, and countless questions arose in his mind.
The teaching Lord Shrikrishna gave him at that moment is the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita.
The Bhagavad Gita is not merely a religious text. It is a great philosophical work that reflects deeply on the human mind, duty, action, knowledge, devotion, the nature of the self and the values of life. When we study its ideas, we learn not only about an event of ancient times, but also gain the chance to look at our own lives from a new perspective.
This small effort comes from that eagerness: to study the Bhagavad Gita and bring its ideas to ordinary readers.
What Is the Purpose of This Series?
We have all heard of the importance of the Gita. Many people know its verses; some recite it regularly, and others study it through various commentaries. Even so, a question arises: how do we bring the knowledge of the Gita into our daily lives?
While nurturing family relationships, running a business, fulfilling our duties, facing success and failure, or when worry and confusion fill the mind, what direction can the thoughts of the Gita give us?
In this series we will try to study such questions.
The aim of this series is not to interpret every idea of the Gita as we please. Rather, our approach will be to understand the context of the original verse, learn its meaning, consider its various shades of meaning, and then find its connection to life today.
What Will the Series Look Like?
We will try to study the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita in the order of its eighteen chapters. Beginning with the first chapter, we will understand the substance of each chapter in turn.
Each article will, as far as possible, include the following:
1. Background of the chapter: We will understand the relevant episode, the characters, and the circumstances behind it.
2. Selected original verses: We will try to give the Sanskrit verses with accurate chapter and verse numbers.
3. Simple meaning: We will present the substance of the verse in language that ordinary readers can easily follow.
4. Explanation of the verse: We will try to understand the verse’s context, its important words and its philosophical meaning.
5. Our reflection: We will offer independent thoughts based on the substance of the verse. We will try to keep the meaning of the original text clearly separate from our personal commentary.
6. Context in modern life: We will give examples from everyday experience to show how the ideas of the Gita can be understood in today’s life.
7. Supporting photographs: To explain the episode or idea in an article more effectively, we will use images suited to the subject.
In this way, we hope each article will not remain merely informative, but will encourage the reader to think.
Why Begin with the First Chapter?
The first chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is known as Arjuna Vishadayoga.
In this chapter we mainly see the situation on the battlefield, the readiness of both armies, the relatives Arjuna sees before him, and the intense conflict that arises in his mind.
Perhaps some readers will wonder: when the first chapter of the Gita is full of Arjuna’s sorrow and confusion, what can we learn from it?
In my view, this is exactly where the importance of this chapter lies. Any important guidance often begins when a question arises. If there is no confusion in the mind, we do not even feel the need to search for an answer.
Without understanding Arjuna’s questions, his distress, and the moral struggle in his mind, it is difficult to fully grasp the importance of Shrikrishna’s teaching that follows.
So we will try to study the first chapter not only as a description of war, but also from the point of view of the human mind and the process of making decisions.
This Series Is Not a Final Verdict, but Collective Reflection
I would like to say one thing humbly about this series. To fully understand a great text like the Bhagavad Gita, deep study, reflection and the guidance of experienced scholars are necessary. It is not possible to contain the whole philosophy in one article or one commentary.
So please accept the explanations presented here as one attempt on a journey of study and reflection. Where different commentators disagree, we will try to consider their views with proper references. If the meaning of a verse is unclear, we will give priority to further study rather than rushing to a conclusion.
We also intend to have the articles reviewed by students of the Bhagavad Gita before they are published. Based on their suggestions, corrections and guidance, we will try to make the articles more accurate, richer and more useful to readers.
For in the field of knowledge, the process of learning never ends. The more we study, the more new aspects come to light.
Dear Readers, a Few Expectations of You…
It is my wish that this series should not be limited to the author writing and readers reading and moving on. I would like it to become a meaningful dialogue between author and readers.
After reading an article, please reflect on the ideas in it. If you feel a meaning could be made clearer, share your suggestion. If your own study has led you to a different meaning of a verse, please tell us with references. If you find any errors, ambiguities or points needing improvement in an article, please bring them to our attention without hesitation.
In particular, I humbly request students of the Bhagavad Gita, scholars of Sanskrit, students of philosophy, and readers who have studied various commentaries to view this effort in the role of guides.
Your suggestions will make the articles more accurate, enrich our understanding, and raise the quality of this series.
Differences of opinion are natural. All I ask is that discussion be held with mutual respect, based on well-studied references, and in a spirit of seeking the truth.
Come, Let Us Begin a Journey of Reflection!
The Bhagavad Gita does not only tell us what to think. It also encourages us to reflect on how we think, on what basis we make our decisions, and how we understand the consequences of our actions.
Through this series we will study Shrikrishna’s teaching, look at Arjuna’s questions, understand the meanings of the verses, and explore what ideas from them we can take into our own lives.
If I leave any errors on this journey, I will be ready to correct them. If I receive suitable suggestions from you, I will accept them and try to make the articles more complete.
Let us all together make this study more meaningful, rich in knowledge and useful for life.
Let us carry forward, with the cooperation of all, this effort to understand the knowledge of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, to reflect on it, and to bring its worthy ideas into our lives.
Heartfelt good wishes to all readers for this journey of reflection!
Shrikrishnarpanamastu (Offered to Shrikrishna)
— Ramesh Bhole