Vrindavan Bhagavad Gita Study Group

Summarized by Bala  Dhandapani   After pranayama and meditation, recap from Sep 17th class was summarized. Parking Lot question (How do we see God when someone is non-dharmic) was addressed.  Krishna tries to convince Duryodhana to do the right thing and not go to the war.  Even though he understands that he is not following dharma, Duryodhana is unable to change his mind.  Krishna gives the army to Duryodhana (material needs) and support Pandavas – dharmic side.  Do not unsettle the mind of the ignorant, be on the righteous side.  The knowledge that we accumulate is for ourselves – do not enforce on others.  Learn to interact with the world, apply different tactics, one size does not fit all – follow Sama (request), Dhana (material), Bedha (negotiation), Dhanda (weapon). Class watches videos of Gurudev, slokas 7-12 Summary: The less evolved is always frightened of the highly evolved one.  In an office if there is a corrupt officer and a hone...

Summarized by A.K. Srinivasan The class started with Opening prayers, pranayam and meditation. We continued with Chapter 4 (Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga), Shlokas 7-12.  We briefly reviewed verses 1-6 to bring newcomers up to speed including  o why avataras present themselves at different times to dispel and fight irreligion and adharma o Meditate and smoke versus smoke and meditate example – context matters    o Intellect and how it plays a key role in the journey by providing                               Swadhyayam - the power to discriminate and                                         Saadhana -determination thru practice, Nidityasana and Mananam o The need for a Guru to imbibe what we learn, to let godliness sink in into the inner soul by surrenderin...

Summarized by Neelima Turga The class started with Opening prayers, pranayam and meditation. We started Chapter 4 : Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga After chanting the Shlokas 1-6, we saw the meaning.  Lord Krishna says that he gave this divine knowledge to the Sun God, Vivasvan, which was then passed on to Manu and then Ikshwaku. This science of yoga was thus passed down in a continuous tradition, but with the passage of time, it was lost. Bhagawan says that he is imparting the same knowledge to Arjuna as he is both his devotee and friend and is capable of understanding it. Arjuna then questions the Lord how he could impart the knowledge to Vivasvan as he was born much later after Vivasvan. Bhagavan then talks about  the cycle of birth, death and re-birth. He tells Arjuna that both of them were born many times, but Arjuna just forgot. He further continues to say that. though he has no birth or death, he manifests due to the play of Yoga ma...

  Summarized by Rajesh We covered the structure of the classes for newcomers. Mani-ji asked some ‘starter’ questions regarding Vasanas, Gunas & Sadhana Vasanas - tendencies that we have built over many lifetimes which shape our behaviors and desires Gunas Rajas (high desires -> action oriented) Tamas (dormant desires -> lazy state) Saatvic (desires managed -> peace orientation) Sadhana - discipline one needs to have to be on to apply (sample package): Prayer Meditation Shravanam - reading, listening or watching something spiritual Volunteering Introspection We talked through quick summaries of Chapter 1, 2 & 3. Chapter 1: Arjuna’s dilemma and mental breakdown Chapter 2: a synopsis of the entire Bhagavad Gita, a medical plan for Arjuna’s condition Chapter 3: Karma Yoga and the benefits of doing action without attachment to erase Vasanas Chapter 4 Summary Gnana karma sanyasa yoga The Yoga of Knowledge & Discipline of Action