This document provides a summary of Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar's study of the Bhagavad Gita. It discusses the key themes and lessons from each chapter. The first few chapters describe Arjuna's doubts and Krishna's explanations of cosmic consciousness. Later chapters discuss concepts like dharma and techniques for transcending subjectivity and reuniting with the absolute truth. The document emphasizes practicing dharma and spiritual disciplines like remembrance of God to overcome confusion and stay connected to higher consciousness, even in difficult times.
2. November 9, 2009 11:30 am
In 1st chapter, there is depiction of subjective; and
hence inspite of being very conscientious; erroneous
perception, feelings and response of Arjuna.
In 2nd chapter there is elaborate explanation of cosmic
consciousness and contingent nature of physical
existence of the nonliving and living world! There is
also a detailed account of the characteristics of the
individual who realizes this immortality and
expresses accurate cognition, affect and conation.
It is obvious that even as reading per se; is not
enough to bring about the transformation in an
individual and the world; it is also true that the role
reading and understanding; in terms of knowing the
“road map of blossoming” in the process of
conscious evolutionary transformation of an
individual and thereby the world; can not be denied.
The 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th chapters describe the concept
SWADHARMA and some of the relevant techniques
in brief; but which can vary according to
geographical, historical, social, religious and other
circumstances.
3. 7th chapter is meant for reinforcing these ideas by
pointing out how people in, crisis, need, greed or
intellectual and emotional yearning may get attracted
to the absolute truth.
In 7th chapter Krishna reveals his omnipresent nature
and indicates how he i.e. cosmic consciousness; is
present in every visible and invisible aspect of the
universe and how only few realize this nature and
how rest others; do not realize this! This can become
clear to a discerning student; when he would
appreciate the stanza elucidating how Krishna is a
light beyond the physical light and remains
inaccessible to most!
Throughout 6 chapters; one finds the common idea of
the rising of consciousness in an individual and the
world; and thereby getting freedom from petty, mean
and trivial but strong bondages. In 7th chapter there is
endorsement of this and also further buttressing of
this point by indicating how the cosmic
consciousness encompasses every living and
nonliving matter and space and how awareness of
this enables one to reunite with immortal self.
Naturally Arjuna would ask about the nature of the
universe and relevance of it to human life.
4. Thus cosmic dynamics is described by Krishna in 8th
chapter. Krishna assures Arjuna that a person
blossoms to get freed from the shackles of
subjectivity and reunites with one’s true self, through
the knowledge of inseparable nature of the cosmic
panorama, an individual and their relationship!
But before we discuss this further, I think it is
important to talk about nonviolence.
AHIMSA i.e. nonviolence; appears in chapters such
as 16th. In my view this AHIMSA refers to negation
or disapproval of violence committed
indiscriminately and/or under the influence of utter
darkness of ignorance (a variety of self activities
destructive to self, society and the universe).
Unqualified and indiscriminate nonviolence is NOT
advocated in Gita, which is clear from the repeated
appeal by Krishna to Arjuna to participate tin the war
(against darkness and destruction).
It is important to realize this to avoid perennial
schizophrenic state of upholding indiscriminate
nonviolence, (without being completely convinced)
and practicing violence for with petty selfish motives
(again without being fully convinced).
5. In our society violence (almost indiscriminate) is
legitimately practiced by killing animals to eat,
killing people of other countries for the so called
national interest, pride and profit, killing alleged
criminals by death sentence and implementing a
variety of deterrent punishments and most
importantly unleashing policies detrimental to
everyone in all the fields.
If we understand that AHIMSA means NOT
indiscriminate nonviolence, protection of everything
conducive to individual and global blossoming and
destruction of everything that jeopardizes the
blossoming of individuals and universe, then it would
resolve the conflicts in the minds of all young and old
and everywhere in the world and promote practice of
SWADHARMA and blossoming of individuals and
universe.
If we keep on talking about nonviolence, then it can
create value crisis and semblance of schizophrenia
(contrasting, conflicting and contradictory
thoughts/feelings and actions); in everyone and
everywhere.
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I found that the prescription of blossoming and
merging with the absolute consciousness through
6. various techniques and through comprehension of the
nature and interactions between the cosmos and the
individual; and practicing SWADHARMA; in 7
chapters; are not as simple as they appear!
In daily routine we tend to get overwhelmed and
confused or bewildered (and cut off from our true
self) by the deceptive influences coming from our
body, family, society, world and the products of all
these in terms of literature, art, media, education etc.
This makes the self realization (dissolving the
subjectivity in objective truth) and self expression i.e.
SWADHARMA, which are mutually nurturing and
promoting; very difficult.
The inappropriate perception generates agony and
urgency to respond. But since the response is usually
ineffective (because of not being in conformity or
harmony with the nature) one becomes agitated
and/depressed.
Actually in such a situation the prescriptions in Gita,
or the simplest means such as NAMASMARAN
advocated by saints and seers from all over the world,
must be practiced with greater conviction! But one
can not “see” how it would rectify the perceived
pathos in personal or global life (even if it be
erroneous); and hence tends to enter in a vicious
7. cycle of increasing distress. It is at this point that
your SHRADDHA (which means unconditioned
devotion and dedication without any petty motive)
can rescue you from the vicious cycle of distress and
help you enter in wellness cycle.
In 6th chapter therefore it is reiterated by Krishna that
mind is fickle and likely to fluctuate and vacillate,
but one should keep on keep on trying with victorious
attitude!
One may not see how holistic perspective can create
the difference in different fields and may get nervous
because of the agonizing plight of people in the world
due to callous and corrupt bureaucracy and leaders,
but the SADHANA of any suitable nature according
to one’s tradition or NAMASMARAN must never be
stopped. To convey this strongly; Krishna has
assured that one would never fail if marches on this
path!
I have begun to realize; which I did not realize
before; that all activities (especially
NAMASMARAN) to reach the truth, have their
impact, though it may not perceived immediately due
to one’s subjectivity.
8. The lesson from the 7 chapters therefore is to keep
trying to reach the absolute and keep working in its
light to the extent it is possible for you at any given
time and in victorious manner.
That is exactly the reason why I am writing this; and
making available for free download for sharing with
any one and everyone in the world without any
precondition! Trying to keep yourself connected with
cosmic consciousness; keeps you reassured on the
one hand and active in an appropriate manner
(engaged in SWADHARMA) on the other.
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The idea of arbitrary suppression or unabated
indulgence do not find place in Gita. Similarly
regimentalized stereotypes procedures also do not
find place in Gita. That makes Gita somewhat
ambiguous initially, but as you go on internalizing it
you find that she is basically universal in nature. In
3rd chapter, 4th chapter and also 6th chapters this is
evident.
Gita is universal because she show the light to any
one and every one with whatsoever state of evolution
and from anywhere in the world irrespective of
9. his/her tradition and without being judgmental about
anyone’s life style.
In 8th chapter Krishna clarifies that a person engaged
in SWADHARMA through intellectual, emotional,
instinctual activities actually is connected with the
absolute and objective reality and hence does not get
entangled and shackled in the repetitive basal cycles
through different births.
There is also a declaration applicable to bright and
dark external and internal environments, which lead
to the fate of an individual. But it is also assured that
any one who keeps trying to be connected reaches the
summit of union with cosmic consciousness.
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