This document summarizes the author's reflections on studying the Bhagavad Gita. It discusses how studying the Gita initially created turmoil for the author intellectually and emotionally, but that he felt compelled to continue studying it and feels it is connected to his past life. The author also reflects that truly understanding the Gita requires patience, a willingness to go beyond individual subjectivity, and cannot be appreciated through a casual or superficial reading. Studying the Gita has helped the author realize the importance of unconditionally accepting each moment and working in harmony with nature.

1. STUDY
OF
GITA 2nd flower
November 4, 2009
10:30 am.
Dr.
Shriniwas
Kashalikar
November 4, 2009, 4:30 pm.

2. Amidst the cacophony of needs, wants,
passions, infatuations, goals, dreams and
aspirations, which I was conscious of,
there was inexplicable undercurrent that
seemed to give sometimes
incomprehensible twists and turns to my
life beyond my tolerance and
forbearance. These twists and turns
seemed to shake and stir me from deep
within! Study of Gita even as it appeared
to create turmoil within my intellectual
and emotional framework; I could not
get rid of it, till today. This is why, I feel
it has link to my past life! The cosmic
consciousness (guru) i.e. the field; guides
throughout different contingent lives.
It is just in recent times that I have
started appreciating that Gita has the
nectar of immortality that is beyond
individual consciousness. But I must

3. share with you that Gita kills one’s
subjectivity, which is like a dying
experience! This is why I felt it was
brutally frightening to study and
internalize Gita! But even then, it (Gita)
saw me through it (Gita), which is why I
feel it has link with my past life! Again,
you may not believe this!
Many worship Gita and many condemn
it, but without studying it! They merely
use some quotations from Gita for
proving their point! I used to do it as
well; to impress the audience and feel
good with myself. But now I now that it
is like eating and enjoying the skin of the
fruit!
The words of Gita are so simple that
often they appeared to be ridiculously
simple! I never quite understood then,

4. why Gita enjoyed such a coveted
position and reigned supremacy in world
literature!
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
I confess frankly that I was wrong.
Today I feel Gita can benefit all the
children in the world to develop and tone
up their central nervous system
(including the speech areas) 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.
As a student of physiology, I am sure
that; by hearting of certain facts,
meaningful hymns, philosophical or

5. scientific sutras (e.g. those from
Ayurveda, Gita, and Arithmetic), without
questioning; lets the child build; the
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 of
clarification should not be encouraged. It
can lead to arrogant and belligerent
behavior detrimental to the building of
the edifice of knowledge and grooming
of any individual at any stage.
After studying Gita I realized that
questions should not be discouraged.
They should always be asked. But it
must also be clear that all questions may
not be answered and if answered, the
answers may not be understood. Hence
respect and patience are very important.
Hidden meanings are not understood by

6. casual reading and/or egocentric
approach under spell of egalitarian,
utopian or any such philosophical
thought. It can not be appreciated by
individualistic trends hidden under the
guise of analytical fervor and scientific
temper.
Patience (which is born from honesty,
commitment and readiness to go beyond
individual subjectivity and paradigms of
every kind) 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

7. 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 pulsate in one’s heart!
It is worthwhile to share with you here;
that opportunity to study Gita is the
greatest treasure in my life for me.