Vrindavan Bhagavad Gita Study Group

Summarized by: Yamini  Summary of Last week: Arjuna was overwhelmed with emotion. Meditation, introspection and Japa are 3 sadhanas to keep us centered. Japa is a good way to bring us back to Meditation. Why did Krishna stop the chariot right in front of Dhronacharya and Bhishma? Why was Arjuna sad: Because his reasoning was centered in himself rather than the bigger picture. Aatatayi is a person who commits one of the 6 worst crimes a human can commit. Duryodhana committed all of them, but Arjuna was willing to excuse all of them and leave the battle field. Chapter 1- Shlokas 32-38 Act out of sympathy for yourself when you try to do something that you are not supposed to do. How are we able to moderate /balance our desires? When you are challenging yourself to do the right thing, observe what excuses/reasoning you are giving yourself for not doing what it right. This week: We completed chapter 1 After every chapter we repeat the first Shloka of the chapter once. Chapter 1- Shlokas...

  Summarized by: Neelima Turga The class started with Opening prayers, followed by pranayam and a short meditation. The approach of the Bhagavad Gita is to first define the problem and then give the solution. The first chapter defines the problem, In the second chapter, Bhagawan gives the solution. The solution is further explained in detail in chapters 3 to 17 and finally chapter 18 is again a summary of all the teachings from the Lord himself. As we continue our journey with the Gita, we will be able to understand and appreciate this better.  We chanted shlokas 24-26 and saw the translation. Sanjaya continues to say that after Arjuna is addressed as Gudakesa, Lord Krishna takes the chariot to the middle of the battleground and places it right in between both the armies. There Arjuna could see all his fathers, grandfathers, uncles, teachers and all other relatives. Here, Arjuna is addressed as Gudakesha, which also means the one who conquered sleep. Sanjaya also talks about A...

Summarized by:  Bala  Dhandapani Class started with an opening prayer, pranayama and meditation on Om. Since this was first class for the 2023-2024 session, scope of model/style of this study group was discussed/reiterated.  Some of the points discussed were:           Need active participation from all         Large focus of the class will be on discussion           Activities in the class would be Gita presentation, discussion questions, reflections, videos etc.           Reference books:  Mahabharata by Sri C. Rajagopalachari, Self Unfoldment, The Holy Geeta  and Chapter 1 &2  (Arjuna’s Grief; & Realisation through Knowledge) by Gurudev           What this study group in NOT:  not a lecture, not a chanting class, focus of the class is not on chanting of slokas and not on pronunciation etc. ...