NARRATOR:
(The sound of conch shells being blown in a ritualistic manner)
NARRATOR:
I. Introduction: The Glory of the Gita (Gita Mahatmya)
GURU:
(Reciting Sanskrit verses) "Gita sugita kartavya kimanyai shastra vistaraih..." The Bhagavad Gita should be sung and recited with great devotion. What is the need for other vast scriptures? This Gita has emanated directly from the lotus-like mouth of Lord Padmanabha (Krishna) Himself. The Gita contains the essence of all scriptures; Krishna is the Lord of all gods; the Ganges is the essence of all holy places; and the Gayatri is the essence of all mantras.
DISCIPLE:
Truly, Gurudev. One who has the four "G"s—Gita, Ganga, Gayatri, and Govinda—in their heart, will never be born again in this material world.
GURU:
Exactly. One who reads the Gita with a heart full of devotion has effectively studied the Vedas, the Puranas, and all other scriptures.
NARRATOR:
II. Chapter 12: Bhakti Yoga (The Yoga of Devotion)
GURU:
Today we shall read Chapter 12, Bhakti Yoga. Arjuna asked: "O Lord, among those who are constantly engaged in Your devotional service and those who worship the imperishable, the unmanifest, and the formless—who is considered the most perfect in Yoga?"
GURU:
The Supreme Lord replied: "Those who fix their minds on My personal form and are always engaged in worshipping Me with great and transcendental faith are considered by Me to be the most perfect yogis. But those who fully worship the unmanifested, that which lies beyond the perception of the senses, the all-pervading, inconceivable, and unchanging—they also reach Me by controlling their senses and working for the welfare of all beings."
DISCIPLE:
But Gurudev, is it not harder to worship the formless?
GURU:
Yes, the Lord says that for those whose minds are attached to the unmanifested, the path of progress is very difficult. To achieve perfection in that path is troublesome for those who are embodied.
GURU:
Krishna says, "O Partha, for those who worship Me, giving up all their activities unto Me and being devoted to Me without deviation, I am the swift deliverer from the ocean of birth and death. Just fix your mind upon Me and engage all your intelligence in Me. Thus, you will live in Me always, without a doubt."
DISCIPLE:
What if one cannot fix their mind steadily on the Lord?
GURU:
Then the Lord suggests the practice of Abhyasa-yoga (the yoga of practice). If you cannot do that, then try to work for Me. By working for Me, you will reach the perfect stage. And if you are unable to even do that, then surrender the fruits of your labor and try to be self-situated.
GURU:
Knowledge is better than mere practice; meditation is better than knowledge; and the renunciation of the fruits of action is better than meditation, for by such renunciation, one attains peace of mind. The Lord then describes His dear devotee: "One who is not envious but is a kind friend to all living entities, who does not think himself a proprietor and is free from false ego, who is equal in both happiness and distress, who is always satisfied, self-controlled, and engaged in devotional service with determination—such a devotee is very dear to Me."
NARRATOR:
III. Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga (The Yoga of Arjuna’s Grief)
GURU:
Now, let us go back to the beginning—Chapter 1, Arjuna Vishada Yoga. King Dhritarashtra asked: "O Sanjaya, after my sons and the sons of Pandu assembled in the place of pilgrimage at Kurukshetra, desiring to fight, what did they do?"
GURU:
Sanjaya replied: "O King, after looking over the army arranged in military formation by the sons of Pandu, King Duryodhana went to his teacher, Drona, and spoke these words: 'O my teacher, behold the great army of the sons of Pandu, so expertly arranged by your intelligent disciple, the son of Drupada.'"
GURU:
Sanjaya describes the great warriors on both sides. Then, to embolden Duryodhana, the grandsire Bhishma blew his conch shell, sounding like a lion's roar. (Sound of conch shells in the background) In response, Lord Krishna and Arjuna, situated on a magnificent chariot drawn by white horses, blew their divine conch shells. Krishna blew the Panchajanya; Arjuna blew the Devadatta; and Bhima, the voracious eater and performer of herculean tasks, blew his terrific conch shell, Paundra.
DISCIPLE:
The sound must have been earth-shattering!
GURU:
Indeed, it shattered the hearts of the sons of Dhritarashtra. At that time, Arjuna, the son of Pandu, seated in the chariot bearing the flag marked with Hanuman, took up his bow and prepared to shoot his arrows. He said to Lord Krishna: "O Infallible One, please draw my chariot between the two armies so that I may see those present here, who desire to fight, and with whom I must contend in this great trial of arms."
GURU:
Krishna drew the chariot between the two armies. Arjuna saw there his fathers, grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, and friends. Seeing all these kinfolk, Arjuna was overwhelmed with compassion and said: "My dear Krishna, seeing my friends and relatives present before me in such a fighting spirit, I feel the limbs of my body quivering and my mouth drying up. My whole body is trembling, my hair is standing on end, my bow Gandiva is slipping from my hand, and my skin is burning."
DISCIPLE:
Arjuna lost his will to fight.
GURU:
Yes. He argued that killing one's own family brings great sin. He said, "With the destruction of the dynasty, the eternal family tradition is vanquished, and thus the rest of the family becomes involved in irreligion. When irreligion is prominent in the family, the women become corrupt, and from the degradation of womanhood, unwanted progeny (Varna-sankara) is born." Arjuna decided he would rather be killed by the sons of Dhritarashtra, unarmed and unresisting, than fight this war. Having spoken thus, he cast aside his bow and arrows and sat down on the chariot, his mind overwhelmed with grief.
NARRATOR:
IV. The Greatness of the Gita (Gita Mahatmya Continued)
GURU:
Let us conclude with the Gita Mahatmya as told by Lord Vishnu. The Earth (Dharadevi) asked: "O Lord, how can those who are bound by their past actions attain unwavering devotion?" Lord Vishnu replied: "One who is regular in the study of the Gita becomes happy and free in this world. Sins do not touch such a person, just as water does not wet a lotus leaf. Where the Gita is read, all holy places like Prayag are present. All the gods, sages, and yogis reside there."
DISCIPLE:
What are the benefits of reading even small portions of it?
GURU:
Even reading half a chapter brings the merit of donating many cows. Reading one-third brings the merit of bathing in the Ganges. Reading one-sixth brings the merit of performing a great sacrifice (Somayaga). Even reciting a single verse, or half a verse, daily leads one to the highest goal. One who remembers the word "Gita" at the time of death attains liberation.
GURU:
The Gita is the essence of all knowledge. It teaches us to be honest, to be steadfast, and to be devoted.
DISCIPLE:
My prostrations to you, Gurudev.
GURU:
Peace be with you. Om Tat Sat.