Class Summary for Seo 05, 2023 - Chapter-1 recap

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.  not a language/linguistic class

  •          Focus will be on high level perspective/message from each of the sloka and how to apply to our daily life.

Brief overview of Vedanta 101 – Self Unfoldment

The following topics were discussed in the class:  BMI, Values, Karma, Vasanas, Gunas and Sadhana

BMI- Body Mind Intellect

Vasanas – habits

BMI Chart – go beyond BMI, cross Vasanas to realize Supreme Consciousness- Brahman

Values – Satyam (Truth),  Brahmachari ( Self Control/moderation),  Ahimsa (Non-Violence in physical, verbal and mental level)

Karma – Action (mental and physical), cause of vasanas

Gunas – Satva (Pure/peace), Rajas (Action) and Tamas (lazy), try to stay towards satvik, although one may experience a mix of Satva, Rajasic and Tamas in different ratios throughout the day.

Sadhana – daily practice (Continue on Introspection and Meditation), important to keeping growing

 

Overview of Chapter 1

Slokas 1-2:  Introduction

3-11:  Duryodhana’s Speech

12-19:  Armies blow conches

20-25:  Arjuna ready for battle

26-30:  Arjuna succumbs to emotion

31-37:  Arjuna reasoning wrongly

38-47: Arjuna’s collapse

Analysis of the mind – conflict, confusion, greed, jealousy, fear etc.

Analysis of the intellect – ignorance and delusion resulted by lack of knowledge.

Pseudo-self starts to project with materialistic desires and attachments.

Response(s) to the reflection questions posed during the summer break

1)      Why does Duryodhana enumerate the names of the distinguished hero’s in his own army

Discussion:  Insecurity, fear, trying to reassure himself, feeling guilty.  It is like name drop at work to show ones importance (false).

 

2)      How does Duryodhana display his vanity

Discussion:  Duryodhana oscillates between over confidence and insecurity, taunting in a negative way.  Selfish ego coming into the way, pseudo-self projecting.

 

3)      Why did Bhishma sound his conch

Discussion: to end Duryodhana’s ranting, continue to keep moving (before the Kaurava army looses its morale)

 

4)      What are the 2 ways in which verse 10 can be interpreted

Discussion: Bhishma in one side, Bhima in the other side.  Bhishma – unlimited, insufficient.  Bhima – limited, sufficient

Subjective analysis – wow taken by Bhishma – not to kill any of the Pandavas,  wow taken by Bhima – kill all of the Kauravas.

 

Another discussion point – Who could have stopped the war

Discussion:  Dhritirashtra could have, but didn’t due to blind attachment


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