Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar shares his experiences studying the Bhagavad Gita over 20 years. He was initially drawn to study due to curiosity but encountered contradictions. However, he sensed an imperceptible essence that compelled him to continue studying and memorizing verses to resolve contradictions. Dr. Kashalikar believes studying Gita can benefit children's development and enhance evolution regardless of understanding intricacies. He realized questions should be encouraged but not all answers understood, and humility and patience are important to appreciate hidden meanings in Gita.

2. STUDY
OF
GITA
Dr.
Shriniwas
Kashalikar

3. November 4, 2009, 10:30 am
GURURBRAHMA GURURVISHNUH
GURURDEVO MAHESHVARAH
GURUH SAKSHAT PARABRAHMA
TASMAISHRI GURAVE NAMAH
I salute my Guru, who is Brahma, Vishnu and
Mahesh called Gunamaya i.e. the penultimate
truth; and the Parabrahma; i.e. the ultimate truth.
It gives me great pleasure to share these experiences and
perceptions of my study of Bhagavad Gita. Obviously; this
is neither a translation nor a commentary. I may not call
this an interpretation also. This is simply, a sharing of my
experiences and perceptions of Bhagavad Gita! For the
sake of simplicity, henceforth I am going to refer her as
Gita.
It was in early childhood that I used to hear some chapters
such as 15th; being recited by my brothers and sister.
During our school days I remember to have learnt some
shlokas from Gita Dhyana and some shlokas from Gita
proper. But I don’t remember the details.
After this brief encounter, all that I heard during my
medical college days, from leftist friends was not in favor
of Gita. But what I heard from many others was high
acclaim for Gita.

4. But somehow I was involved in many things other than
Gita and probably kept on groping in the dark for quite
some time. May be, this was because study of Gita did not
seem to have application in medical profession or social
development; or because study of Gita wasn’t thought very
important by leaders in different fields. Most importantly,
study of Gita was not promoted enough by the local,
municipal, state and central governments; in India; to
attract majority of people and especially young minds!
Study of Gita was not associated with any apparent or
tempting incentive!
I must appreciate however; that there have been many
voluntary groups trying to spread the study and message of
Gita all over the world, even though I had not come in their
contact or influenced by their activity!
But after coming to Mumbai, flame of curiosity was ignited
and interest in Gita was aroused, probably because I had
begun to revisit the Vishnusahasranam and Namasmaran,
or may be because I was becoming increasingly aware of
my inadequacies.
Apparently it was also because; I wanted to study
something world famous and ultimate in every sense; so as
to boost my ego! Hence I began the study of Gita.
But now it appears that there was much more to it than this.
Whether I studied Gita or Gita herself made me study her,
is a moot question and I feel; the latter may be truer.

5. When I seriously began to study Gita; about twenty years
ago, I found many contradictions in her.
For example, in 4th chapter, Lord Krishna says in the same
verse, (Chaturvarnayam maya srustam…) that he
created four VARNAS and also; he did not create them!
Also, even as Lord Krishna advocates the war (Tasmat
uttishtha Kaunteya yuddhaya kruta nishchaya…2nd
chapter, nirashi nirmamo bhootva yuddhaya kruta
nishchaya… 3rd chapter, Yadahankarmashritya na
yotsya iti…..18th chapter), he also upholds nonviolence
and control of mind in most of the chapters e.g. (Ahimsa
satyamakrodham.. 16th chapter,
Moodhagrahenamatnoyat …17th chapter, ) as a virtue.
Similarly, Lord Krishna disapproves Arjuna’s arguments in
1st chapter about VARNA SANKAR, which means
indisciplined and unrestricted marriages directed by mere
attraction; in different groups, (Ashochyanaiva
shochastvam prajnya vadanscha bhashase.. .2nd
chapter) he uses the same argument (Yadi hyaham na
varteyam …and utside yurime lokam… 3rd chapter).
In 2nd chapter his argument (Akeertin cha pi bhootani…,
Bhayat ranat uparatam…, Awacchya vadanscha
bahoon…. etc) about “what people would say”, appears to
be too superficial and not enlightening or philosophical
(Please refer; page 121).
One can quote many such contradictions and uninteresting
arguments as examples; but that is not the purpose of this

6. writing. The purpose of this writing is; to share my
amazing experiences and exciting changes in my
perceptions of Gita and myself; as I went on studying Gita,
inspite of the contradictions and uninteresting arguments!
Why did I continue my study of Gita inspite of the
contradictions and uninteresting arguments? Why did I go
ahead even further to byheart her?
The reason why I kept on studying and by hearting Gita in
spite of the contradictions was; I sensed that there was
something in Gita, which I was not able perceive. This
sensing of something; which I was not able to perceive,
kept on haunting me. I sensed that it was so precious that I
could not resist myself! This was like searching of secret
treasure; inspite of difficulties and dangers! That sensation
of something imperceptible in Gita kept on propelling me
from within also! It was as if I was possessed by this
sensation in and out!
In addition, I realized that I needed to correlate the shlokas
or verses in different chapters so as to extract deeper
meaning. This required; that I remembered the verses from
different chapters, so as to contemplate on the vast canvas
of all 700 verses at any given point of time. This was the
only way to possibly resolve the contradictions; even while
traveling or walking and without having to refer a book! So
I started the uphill task of by hearting Gita even I do not
have very good memory!

7. But frankly speaking, even as I am giving these apparently
logical explanations, I had not quite understood why I kept
on reciting and by hearting Gita, obsessively inspite of the
contradictions!
It appears now, that Gita herself consumed my
consciousness, without me being aware of it and kept on
absorbing; my being in her!
Another reason for the persistence; (inspite of pains and
agonies of frequent and serious disagreements); which was
beyond my desire or voluntary will, may be that; study of
Gita has the roots in my previous birth. This study may be a
continuation of what was left half way; in the last birth!
You may believe and appreciate this or discard as a flight
of imagination! I leave it to your own perceptions and
experiences!
But life actually encompasses the births and deaths and
hence called ANUBANDHA and NITYAGA i.e. linked up
and continuous! The continuity is evident in such
phenomena.
In the process of studying Gita; the thought to share my
understanding used be very predominant. This may be a
reaction of the excitement I derived from time to time from
Gita or it may be because I thought; I have something to
offer to the society! For this reason; I had tried to write on
Gita about ten to twelve years back, but later I stopped
halfway; as I was not quite satisfied and was not at ease;

8. with my own interpretations, contentions and explanations,
which appeared circular to me!
Not that I am sharing now, because I can claim to have
understood Gita completely, but because, I am convinced
that Gita enlightens us for the journey; that starts with
ignorance, individuality; and timed mortal existence; and
heads towards the destinations of self realization;
universality and trans-temporal immortal consciousness;
respectively!
At this juncture I see; that Gita deals with; 1) Molecular
activities 2) Individual activities including various physical,
instinctual, emotional and intellectual activities 3) The
relationship of these with the society and universe and 4)
The relationship of all these with past, present and future;
and the all encompassing cosmic consciousness i.e. the
nature of our cosmic being.
Gita deals with the principles involved in what happens in a
molecule, in a cell, in an individual, in a society, and in
universe, every moment; and from all eternity to all
eternity. Gita deals with; not the drudgery of enumeration
and description of irrelevant peripheral details, but with the
intricate principles involved in the intermolecular
interactions to inter-moment interactions, interpersonal
interactions, international interactions and interactions at all
the levels of consciousness. This may be termed cosmic
dynamics or cosmic orchestra; including the role of an
individual blossoming in it!

9. I have realized that I may not understand Gita, I may
misunderstand Gita or I may partially understand Gita. In
any case it is useful; because; with the study of Gita, there
starts the exciting voyage of enlightenment and
blossoming!
Complete understanding of Gita is impossible, because it is
trans-intellectual i.e. beyond the three levels of
consciousness (SWPANA, SUSHUPTI and JAGRUTI, i.e.
dream, sleep and wakefulness respectively) and four modes
of communication (VAACHA) viz. PARA, PASHYANTI,
MADHYAMA and VAIKHARI, i.e. roughly speaking;
communication from the root of one’s existence without
articulation(umbilical area), the primitive instincts
communication (precoridal area), autonomic nervous
system and neuroendocrine system (throat) and
communication as articulated and spoken through central
nervous activity (tongue, lips, palate etc) respectively.
These modes of communication seem to express different
levels of genuinity and varying distance from the objective
truth.
However, even if I don’t understand Gita, due to above
reason; I have the freedom and opportunity to keep on
studying Gita and merge with cosmic consciousness to the
extent possible! I have the freedom to be empowered in the
course of time; sufficient enough to relinquish at
appropriate time; “my” then redundant; intellectual,
instinctual, emotional and instinctual frameworks, material
possessions and my body, happily and victoriously! This is
akin to a blossoming flower; that emanates its pleasant

10. fragrance (without reservations and any kind of pain or
discomfort whatsoever) or a ripe fruit that drops from the
tree!
Now before I go ahead, I must state here, that
NAMASMARAN enabled the much necessary inner
propulsion for continued study and “understanding” Gita to
the extent possible; and Gita provided the paradigm shift
and strong and stabilizing conceptual foundation that made
it possible to adhere to apparently meaningless and
unglamorous activity of NAMASMARAN! But most
importantly it is the cosmic consciousness (Guru) that has
made all this; i.e. study of Gita, Vishnusahasranam and
NAMASMARAN possible!
I am glad that it has been uploaded for free download and
is being shared with millions, WITHOUT the delay caused
by various formalities involved in printing, publishing
transportation, shipment, marketing of hard copies (paper
editions) due to several factors such as motivation, interest,
involvement of the printers, publishers and the people
involved in marketing and sale; of hard copies,! I am also
glad that this electronic publication is independent of any
influence of sympathetic charity, donations, sponsorship.
This is what I call the grace of God or the benevolence of
the cosmic consciusness!
In as much as I don’t want to keep any copyrights; so
that anybody in the world; could utilize these shared
perceptions freely, I would also like to clarify that; just
as well meaning use of these would aid in imminent

11. universal blossoming; the plagiarism of this material in
any form with vested interests and mercenary motives;
would prove detrimental to the plagiarists and their
readers; and hence to everyone.
November 4, 2009, 4:30 pm.
Amidst the cacophony of needs, wants, passions,
infatuations, goals, dreams and aspirations, which I was
conscious of, there was; in addition; an inexplicable and
subconscious undercurrent that seemed to give
incomprehensible twists and turns to my life; often beyond
my tolerance and forbearance, stirring me from deep
within! Added to all this was; the challenge of study of
Gita!
But even as it appeared to create turmoil within my
intellectual and emotional framework; I could not get rid of
it, till today, due to the possible reasons mentioned earlier!
It is just in recent times that I have started appreciating that
Gita has the nectar of immortality that is beyond individual
consciousness. But till recently; I felt that Gita (who kills
one’s subjectivity), imparted a dying experience! This is
why at earlier stages I felt it was terribly frightening to
study and internalize Gita! But even then, Gita immersed
me in herself!
In past, I used to sometimes worship Gita and sometimes
contradict her; without seriously studying! I often merely

12. used some quotations from Gita for proving my point and
to impress the audience and feel good with myself.
During my study in college and medical college I used get
enamored by unusual terminology and bombastic
uncommon words and feel elated. Many a times quoting
Gita, added to this elation!
But now I know that I was merely; getting enamored or
repulsed by experiencing the periphery; similar to enjoying
or hating the fruit by tasting its skin!
In India, Gita is recited, chanted, by hearted by many.
Earlier I thought this was stupidity or slavish mentality. At
times I thought this was blind belief. But today I confess
frankly that I was more immature at that time, than what I
am today! Today as a student of physiology for over 30
years, I feel that Gita can especially benefit all the children
in the world to develop and tone up their central nervous
system (including the speech areas and speech articulation
with biomedical feedback) and enhance their evolution
during this life! This is true not merely for a child but for
any and every person of any age in the world. This is true
even if Gita is by hearted without understanding the
intricacies, which one can appreciate at a later stage of
development!
As a student of physiology, I am also sure that; by hearting
of certain facts, meaningful hymns, philosophical or
scientific sutras (e.g. those from Ayurveda, Gita, and
Arithmetic), without questioning; lets the child build; the

13. edifice of knowledge and then work on it. Up to a certain
age there is no capacity in us to analyze and comprehend
certain aspects of life and hence insistence on clarification
should not be encouraged as it can act as hindrance in the
learning. In fact by hearting even if the child did not
understand the meaning is as essential; as feeding the baby,
even if it did not understand the nutritive principles in that
food!
While studying Gita I realized that questions themselves
should not be discouraged, but encouraged, but it must
also be clear that all questions may not be answered and
if answered, the answers may not be understood. Hence
insistence on clarification; as a precondition to by
hearting; should not be encouraged.
Another point in learning Gita is; an approach with
humility and patience. They are very important.
Besides, hidden meanings are not understood by casual
reading and/or egocentric approach under the spell of
egalitarian, utopian or any such philosophical thought.
Moreover; Gita can not be appreciated if we are already
prejudiced by individualistic trends or socialistic dogmas;
hidden under the guise of analytical fervor and/or scientific
temper.
Patience (which is born from honesty, commitment and
readiness to go beyond individual subjectivity and
paradigms of every kind sometimes called SHRADDHA)

14. opens the doors to enlightenment and blossoming at
individual and global levels!
Now I realize that study of Gita can empower a serious
student of Gita to live with unconditioned acceptance, love
and respect for every moment and situation, and work in
consonance with nature; to one’s complete fulfillment and
greatest satisfaction.
Gita enables one to blossom in such a way, that subjectivity
gets shed off smoothly; while global unity and harmony
begin to pulsate in one’s heart!
It is worthwhile to share with you here; that today I feel
that; opportunity to study Gita is a one of the greatest
treasure in my life for me.
November 4, 2009
9:45 pm.
During my first few years of study of Namasmaran,
Vishnusahasranama and Gita, I was instinctively or
intuitively convinced that the essence of these teachings
was not at all in opposition to the idea of social justice and
material abundance; explicit in socialistic and leftist way of
thinking. I felt strongly; that inequality and exploitation
were aberrations; and in no way; teachings of Gita,
Vishnusahasranam and NAMASMARAN (as sometimes
thought even by me). I sensed the essence of Gita and
Vishnusahasranam and the NAMASMARAN embodied the

15. spirit; unifying the essence of the leftists, rightists,
believers, nonbelievers and all others!
When it became clear that being not equal can mean;
merely being different and complementary (and not
necessarily unequal in the sense of constituting antagonistic
relationship of exploiter and exploited); I took it upon
myself to clarify the essence to myself further and share it
with others. Because I had in myself, all the elements; (like
in the outside society) which were overwhelmed by
superficiality, pettiness, prejudice and ideological
adamancy.
Hence I was possessed by only one question: How to see
more clearly and then show that essence of Gita,
Vishnusahasranam and NAMASMARAN is the key to
blossoming of all, irrespective of their identity viz. atheist,
leftists, Hindus, non-Hindus, and others belonging to
different cultural and socioeconomic groups?
I had sensed, as mentioned earlier, that Gita,
Vishnusahasranam and NAMASMARAN had the best
from capitalist or individualistic doctrines in terms of
individual blossoming and the best of Marxist, leftist,
socialist or communist doctrines in terms of global
blossoming and welfare of all; and unite all streams in the
society!
So, from this point of view, I wrote my comments or
interpretations on Gita and Vishnusahasranam and
Namasmaran, so as to highlight the innate unity and bring

16. everyone together, irrespective caste, creed, religion and
even socioeconomic group!
But as the time passed, I started realizing that even though
my efforts were honest (according to me), they were
subjective and incomplete. They did not convey absolute or
objective truth and hence, did not match the demands of the
time! But having not understood this enigma; I was really
frustrated. I didn’t quite understand the subtle difference
between subjective and objective perspectives. I was unable
to see how my efforts; admired by most readers; could
apparently make no impact (in terms of socio cultural and
politico economic conditions, to my satisfaction) on myself
and the society!
In spite of my frustration, I still felt quite strongly that the
convictions if real; then must blossom the universe in every
possible way at some point of time. So I was not too much
vagrant or did not go too astray!
Gradually I began to realize that, even as my conviction
was correct according to me, it was useless and/or
counterproductive to simply despise my own short
comings! This amounted to being suicidal, i.e. violent to
me!
It was also inappropriate to hate the shortcomings of the
others. Because, that is being in a subtle way, violent to
others! Thus, I stopped despising what ever was being
marketed under the guise of spiritualism, socialism and
other brands!

17. I realized that there was no sense in getting frustrated,
feeling guilty, accepting defeat or blaming the so called
“spiritual” or so called “revolutionary” activities of theists,
spiritualists, atheists, leftists, secular and other activists and
theoreticians (of which I was also a part at one point). I also
found no sense in feeling sad about the misinterpretations
of Gita, Vishnusahasranam and NAMASMARAN by their
worshippers and misinterpretations of Gita,
Vishnusahasranam and NAMASMARAN by their
detractors (because I was a party to this also!).
I realized that, what is required, is blossoming together and
empowering one another; through the study and practice of
Gita, Vishnusahasranam and NAMASMARAN
respectively.
I thought this would assist us to grow from within and
actualize intellectual, emotional, instinctual and physical
actions; in terms of globally nurturing policy making,
planning, administration and implementation and engender
individual and global blossoming!