-------------------------------------------------------------- Bhagavad Gita -------------------------------------------------------------- A SIX SESSION COURSE

Class Norms We will be present though out the course We will be punctual We will value all contributions We will confront issues or behavior, but NOT people We shall approach the subject with due respect and devotion to Lord Krishna We will appreciate and induct what we learn

AN INTRODUCTION TO BHAGAVAD GITA SESSION 1

What is Bhagavad Gita? BG – THE SONG OF GOD BG AND THE VEDAS Slide 16 NO. OF VERSES AND CHAPTERS DURATION OF CONVERSATION

WHY TO STUDY BHAGAVAD GITA RELEVANCE IN MODERN TIMES PURPOSE OF BG BENEFITS OF STUDYING BG IMPORTANCE OF BG AS IT IS AND PROCESS OF ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE Slide 15

SETTING THE SCENE FOR THE BHAGAVAD GITA WHERE WAS BG SPOKEN? THE INEVITABLE WAR DURATION OF WAR AND NO. OF AKSAUHINIS AND OTHER DETIALS

THE 5 SUBJECT MATTERS OF BG JIVA, THE SPIRIT SOUL OR THE REAL US

THE 5 SUBJECT MATTERS OF BG ISHWARA, THE SUPREME SOUL , THE CONTROLLER OF CONTROLLERS

THE 5 SUBJECT MATTERS OF BG KALA, THE TIME FACTOR THE ENERGY OF GOD

THE 5 SUBJECT MATTERS OF BG KARMA THE LAW OF ACTION & REACTION

THE 5 SUBJECT MATTERS OF BG PRAKRTI THE MATERIAL WORLD OF 23 ELEMENTS

“ ” gita su-gita kartavya kim anyaih sastra-vistaraihya svayam padmanabhasya mukha-padmad vinihsrta ” gita mahatmya 4 Because Bhagavad-gita is spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one need not read any other Vedic literature. One need only attentively and regularly hear and read Bhagavad-gita. In the present age, people are so absorbed in mundane activities that it is not possible for them to read all the Vedic literatures. But this is not necessary. This one book, Bhagavad-gita, will suffice, because it is the essence of all Vedic literatures and especially because it is spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

“ ” sarvopanisado gavo dogdha gopala-nandanah partho vatsah su-dhir bhokta dugdham gitamrtam mahat ” gita mahatmya 6 This Gitopanisad, Bhagavad Gita, the essence of all the Upanisads, is just like a cow, and Lord Krishna, who is famous as a cowherd boy, is milking this cow. Arjuna is just like a calf, and learned scholars and pure devotees are to drink the nectarean milk of Bhagavad-gita.

Vedanta Sutras – the cream of the Vedas Sama Yajur Rig Atharva Vedanta Sutras – the cream of the Vedas Mahabharata SUMMARY OF ALL VEDIC LITERATURE & ESSENCE OF ALL UPANISADS BG Ramayana + 18 Puranas +