Srimadh Bhagavath GitA
From the Bhakti List Archives
• August 29, 1999
Dear Sri KrishNa BhakthAs: Next week is GokulAshtami (September 2). In preparation for it , I am thinking of two of the most important incidents of Sri krishNAvathAram. One is His GithOpadEsam and the other is His VivAha MahOthsavam with Sri RukmiNI Piratti , who is SaakshAth MahA lakshmi . Here is the article on Sri GithA . We are fortunate to have experts on the GithOpanishad in our group like Sri KrishNa KalalE . This posting is more at an introductory level. Sri KrishNArpaNam , Oppiliappan Sannidhi V.Sadagopan AN INTRODUCTION TO SRI BHAGAVATH GITA ************************************** This introduction to GitA will cover the following Five topics: (1) What is GitA?(2) The context of GithOpadEsam (3)Sri VaishNavite commentaries on Gita (4)Quintessence of GitA and (5)GitA MahAthmyam. WHAT IS GITA ? ************* Srimath Bhagavath GitA is nested in the heart of MahA BhAratham , the great Indian epic describing the saga of war between the PaaNDavAs and the KauravAs . Lord KrishNA agreed to serve as the charioteer(Saarathy ) to His friend , ArjunA a.k.a Parthan and thus acquired the name , ParthasArathy . The GitA is structured as a conversation that took place between the great warrior , ArjunA and the Lord of the Universe , Sri KrishNA in the middle of the battle field of KurukshEthram . The entire GitA is set up by Sage VyAsA as the narration of that conversation by SanjayA to the blind patriarch king of KauravA clan , DhrithirAshtran ,whose sons were fighting the righteous PaaNdavAs. THE GITHOPADESAM ***************** At the beginning of the battle ,ArjunA asked Sri KrishNA to position his chariot betwen the two opposing armies so that he can have a good look at the assembled warriors fighting on behalf of his evil-minded cousin , DuryOdhanA , the son of the blind king , DhrithirAshtrA . ArjunA took a good look and recognized that his dear kinsmen and teachers were the members of the army of DuryOdhanA. ArjunA was overcome with deep emotion and threw aside his bow and arrows in a state of despondency over killing his kith and kin as well as his worshipful elders and AchAryAs.Arjuna declared that he did not have the heart to fight to win the war.He begged the Lord to show him the right path out of his dilemma: " with my heart stricken by the fault of the weak compassion ,with my mind perplexed about my duty , I request You to say for certain what is good for me .I am Your disciple . Teach me who has taken refuge in You (SishyasthEham saadhi maam thvAm prapannam )". Arjuna"s conflicts are our own conflicts and dilemmas that we experience every day. The most compassionate Lord, Sri ParthasArathy took on the role of GitAchAryan and used ArjunA as VyAjam (excuse) to bless us all with His upadEsam , which is the essence of all SaasthrAs ( Sarva Saasthramayee). The upadEsam performed by our Lord at KurukshEthram is timeless and will always have enduring value for all mankind. COMMENTARIES ON GITAA ********************** Many scholars and AchAryAs have commented on GitA. The earliest commentary is by sage BodhAyanA , who lived 1,000 years before Adhi SankarA . BodhAyanA is the same sage , who wrote a vrutthi(commentary) for BadarAyaNA's Brahma Soothrams , which was used by AchArya RaamAnujA to bless us with his Sri BhAshyam . For the Sri VaishNava sampradhAyam , the commentaries of GitA by AlavandhAr (GitArtha Sangraham ) , AchArya RaamAnujA ( Sri GitA BhAshyam )and Swami Desikan (GithArtha Sangraha RakshA and Gita BhAshya- VyAkhyAna Tatparya Chandhrika) are the most important source texts .Swami Desikan's Taatparya ChandhrikA is an elaborate commentary on Sri RaamAnujA's GitA Bhaashyam. The second Jeeyar of Ahobila Matam by the name of HH NaarAyaNa Muni has also blessed us with GithArtha Sangraha VibhAgA . QUINTESSENCE OF GITAA ********************** The eighteen chapters of GitA are subdivided into three hexads (groups of Six).The first two hexads deal with the topics of Jeevan , Prakruthi ,Isvaran and communion through devotion .In the final hexad (13th to 18th chapters), the above three of Tatthvams ( Jeevan , Prakruthi and Isvaran )are examined in greater detail along with the impact of GuNAs of Prakruthi on the Jeevan ; the upadesam of the Lord concludes on a majestic note , where He asserts the supermacy of Bhakthi to Him and Self-surrender (Prapatthi)to Him as the two unfailing ways to Moksham . he famous charama slOkam (Chapter 18.66)houses our Lord's most assuring UpadEsam :" Completely abandoning al DharmAs , seek Me alone as refuge. I will free you from all sins.Do not grieve'. Swami Desikan focused on this central doctrine of Sri VaishNavam in many of his Sri Sookthis.Swami explained to us clearly that Prapatthi means the unconditioned acceptance of one's utter helplessness , seeking refuge in Sriman NaarAyaNan and accepting the divine couple as one's means and the end .Swami Desikan taught us that Prapatthi Yogam is the most direct and simple path for Moksham compared to Bhakthi Yogam and that every one without any limitation can practise it.Prapatthi requires absolute trust and faith (mahA visvAsam )in Sriman NaarAyaNan as the means and the end for Moksha siddhi . THE GITAA MAHAATHMYAM ********************** In Varaaha PurANam , Lord Aadhi VarAhan explains the greatness of GitA through 22 slOkAs.The meaning of selected slOkams celebrating the glory of GitA are: " If one devotes himself to the constant practice of GitA , even though he be restrained by prArabhdha KarmA , he will not be tainted by (new) karmAs No evil however great can affect him, who mediates on the GitA.He is like the lotus leaf untouched by the water... Where there is the book of GitA , where its study is proceeded with, there are present all the holy places , there verily , are PrayAg and the rest. There also are all the DevAs, Rishis,Yogis, the GopAs , the Gopis with NaradhA , Uddhavar and the whole train of comrades... Where the GitA is read , forthwith comes help. Where the GitA is discussed , recited,taught or heard on earth , there,beyond a doubt , do I myself unfailingly reside...GitA is my chief abode.Standing on the wisdom of the GitA , I maintain the three worlds.The GitA is my supreme knowledge... That man, who recites the eighteen chapters of GitA daily attains the perfecton of knowledge and thus reaches My supreme abode , Sri Vaikuntam. For us , who may not find the time or have the energy to recite all the 700 slOkmas of GitA daily , the reading of and reflection on the deep meanings of Sri KrishNA's charama slOkam (Chapter 18.66) alone would yield immense peace of mind in this world .The performance of Prapatthi through a SadAchAryan would bless us all with residence in the Lord's supreme abode and engage in kaimkaryam for the divine couple there along with the nithya sooris . Sri KrishNArpaNam asthu Oppiliappan Koil VaradAchAri SadagOpan
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