Swami B.G. Narasingha - Original Bhagavad Gita — The Ultimate Millennial Edition — With Clear and Concise Commentary

ri Ka's Illuminations
on the Perfection of Yoga

WITH COMMENTARY BY
SWAMI B. G. NARASINGHA

GOSAI
PUBLISHERS

1. 
   
2. 
   
   Observing the Armies on the Battlefield
   
3. 
   
   The Yoga of Analysis
   
4. 
   
   The Yoga of Action
   
5. 
   
   The Yoga of Knowledge
   
6. 
   
   The Yoga of Renunciation of Action
   
7. 
   
   The Yoga of Meditation
   
8. 
   
   The Yoga of Knowledge and Realization
   
9. 
   
   The Yoga of the Supreme
   
10. 
    
    The Yoga of the Greatest Secret
    
11. 
    
    The Yoga of Divine Splendor
    
12. 
    
    The Yoga of the Universal Form
    
13. 
    
    The Yoga of Devotion
    
14. 
    
    The Yoga of Differentiation between matter and consciousness
    
15. 
    
    The Yoga of Understanding the Three Modes of Material Nature
    
16. 
    
    The Yoga of the Supreme Person
    
17. 
    
    The Yoga of Discretion Pious and Impious Natures
    
18. 
    
    The Yoga Explaining Three Types of Faith
    
19. 
    
    The Yoga of Supreme Perfection
    

The sublime message of Bhagavad-gt is timeless and is applicable in every facet of life. Within the Bhagavad-gt are the answers to the mysteries of existence our real purpose in this world, how we should act and why we suffer, or are oftentimes helpless in our struggle for survival.

To understand the Bhagavad-gt one must enter into the spirit of the Gt by accepting the path of devotion (bhakti). Accordingly, the Gts message cannot be properly understood by mental speculation. To this end, the sublime process illuminated within the Gt must be accepted as given by the speaker Himself, r Ka.

The active principle of understanding the message of the Gt is to hear directly from the Master of yoga, r Ka, who is glorified throughout the Vedic literature as the Supreme Person, the Absolute Truth. r Ka speaks to Arjuna in Bhagavad-gt and thus one who studies the Gt hears from Ka directly.

The philosophy of Bhagavad-gt is clear for the sincere reader, yet for some, approaching the Gt may seem daunting its language too ancient. However, this obstacle is easily overcome by a straightforward translation and commentary (Anuvtti). The requirement for a translation and commentary on the Gt is as necessary today as anytime in the past. With the passing of time, our values and our worldview are constantly changing, and this demands a fresh approach to the understanding of the Gt.

This translation and commentary on the Bhagavad-gt provides simple, yet profound knowledge to elevate us to a higher state of consciousness whereby we can realize our true self and progress towards attaining a life of spiritual fulfillment. Self-realization means to realize our actual purpose in life and act towards it, gradually freeing us from the yoke of material bondage. Where there is light, darkness cannot stand where there is proper knowledge, ignorance cannot remain. The Bhagavad-gt unravels the mysteries of life, providing not only knowledgeable answers, but also a progressive process to uplift us to pure consciousness.

One of the more remarkable features of the Gt is that its readers can easily observe and feel its philosophy working, like poetry in motion, in their everyday lives. The knowledge of Bhagavad-gt is a true science its formulas for success clear and observable in action. The Bhagavad-gt thus provides a complete outline for self-realization in everyday life.

Anyone who is fortunate enough to dive deeply into the wisdom of the Bhagavad-gt and embrace its message will surely achieve success, for this is guaranteed in the Gts final verse:

yatra yogevara ko
yatra prtho dhanur-dhara
tatra rr vijayo bhtir
dhruv ntir matir mama

Where there is r Ka, the Master of yoga , and where there is Arjuna, the mighty archer, there will always be prosperity, victory, opulence and righteousness this is my firm conviction.

Svm B.B. Viu

Bhagavad-gt is the oldest and most widely read book of theistic science in the world today. Also known as the Gtopaniad, the Bhagavad-gt has been the principle handbook of yoga for more than 5,000 years. In contrast to many mundane literatures of the present day, the Bhagavad-gt is free from mental speculation and is complete in knowledge of the eternal self (tm), the process of bhakti-yoga and the nature and identity of the Absolute Truth, r Ka. As such, the Bhagavad-gt is the single most important book in the world, surpassing all others in wisdom and enlightenment.

The first word of Bhagavad-gt is dharma. Sometimes dharma is mistaken to mean religion or a particular belief, but it is not so. Dharma means the quintessential duty or knowledge that elevates our consciousness to a direct connection with the Absolute Truth. This is also known as santana-dharma, the occupational duty of all living beings. The Bhagavad-gt begins with the word dharma thus we can understand from the outset that Bhagavad-gt is not about dogma or a sectarian way of thinking. Indeed, Bhagavad-gt is the complete science of realizing the Absolute Truth.

For an observant person it is clear that the world around us is a bewildering place with many unsolved mysteries. If one is seeking answers to the age-old questions of Who am I? Why do we suffer? Where do we come from? What is the purpose of life? What happens after death? then one will find great satisfaction in the Bhagavad-gt because the Gt answers these questions and more with the utmost clarity.

As a young seeker of truth, I first came in contact with the Bhagavad-gt in 1968. In subsequent years I traveled to India and studied Bhagavad-gt under the foremost gurus of the late 20th century, A.C. Bhaktivednta Svm Prabhupda and Svm B.R. rdhara Deva Gosvm. By the goodwill of these two great masters, the essential message of Bhagavad-gt entered my heart and I was soon to be situated on the path of self-realization.

As with any path in life, one will certainly encounter crossroads. The first crossroad that I came to while studying the Bhagavad-gt was to decide on the path personal or impersonal. Was I to follow the path of personalism to perfect the individual self to enter into the spiritual sky of Vaikuha planets and live eternally with the Supreme Person, r Ka? Or was I to follow the path of impersonalism ultimately ending existence as an individual living being and merging myself into the