Class Summary for May 09, 2023 - Kick-off and Introduction

   Summarized by Bala Dhandapani :

After a brief opening prayer and introduction, Swami Shantanandaji provided a brief background of Bhagavad Gita and importance of learning, understanding and practicing Gita to face different situations in our life, and to find true happiness. 

The class started off with an introduction to Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita.  After going through the main characters of Mahabharata, their innate characteristic traits,  Bhagavad Gita was introduced through the following format;

WHO 

Author: Sri Ved Vyas

Important Characters:  Bhagavan Sri Krishna and Arjuna, Pandavas and Kauravas

WHAT

18 Chapters, 700 Slokas,  Language:  Sanskrit, Format:  Dialogue,  parts:  4

Theme:  A life manual outlining the vision of life through Knowledge of the Self

Addresses the Universal problem,  Goal of life and our identity, living our life and happiness

 

WHERE

In the Plains of Kurukshethra (Modern day Haryana)

 

WHY

Gives us a holistic vision of “Life” ,  it is a manual of living.  Gita helps us to understand our own nature and the nature of the world. 

 

Although the battle location was Kurukshethra, we have to consider the battlefield as our body and the battle is between good & bad emotions, and between the positive and negative forces within ourselves. 

Realization is an individual journey and not meant to judge anyone. 

 

Discussion for next class (May 16, 2023), reflect and share your thoughts on the following

The Game of Life:  Choices

-Think about the last time you had a difficult time making a decision.  What was the situation, who were the key players, what were your thoughts and emotions, what actions did you take. 

-What were the factors that ultimately affected your decision,  what were the emotion and thoughts running through your mind.

-Was it a positive experience?  if Yes or No – Why?

 

The format of the class was discussed

Typical Format

-Start with opening prayers, meditation and pranayama

-Quick recap of previous class

-Slide presentation of current slokes

-Open -Round table discussion OR Group discussion on the slokas

-Conclusion/Summary

-Closing prayers

(Note:  this will be an interactive class, not a Sanskrit class – focus will not be on the linguistic aspect, there will be a high level translatory of the slokas, the message of the slokas will be discussed and how it applies in our real life, we will chant together.  Focus will be on the message and how it applies in this Kaliyuga. A blog will be created and notes taken by a volunteer will be posted.

Suggested resources (books) for this study group (Note:  The books are available in our ashram)

-Mahabharata by C. Rajagopalachari

-Self Unfoldment – Swami Chinmayananda (Note:  this book contains technical terms which would help us to understand Bhagavad gita better).

-The Holy Gita – commentary by Swami Chinmayananda

-Srimad Bhagavad Gita – Chapter 1 & 2, Arjuna’s Grief; & Realisation through Knowledge by Swami Chinmayananda 

 



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