Vrindavan Bhagavad Gita Study Group

Summarized by   Sucheta Dighe: After the recap of the last session, Saiji explained that when Krishna uses the pronouns ME and me, the capital ME means the all-pervading Brahman and the lowercase me is the physical form of Krishna. Krishna says that "I" am the one that answers your prayers to the different forms/Devas/Gods you worship and blesses you with what you want, provided you have put enough efforts in your work as well as your prayers. The "I" here is the Brahman. Maniji - We say that Hinduism is not a religion, but a way of life. Although it sounds clichéd, Sadhguru says that Hindus respect and worship nature, animals, humans and everything in this universe which is a creation of the Almighty. It is a way of life because we respect life in all forms and we appreciate it. Video - Verse 22 - Self - effort That individual, by that newly and now grown faith in himself that he is pursuing, he becomes fascinated in pouring out more and more sincere energy and vit...

Summarized by Bala: After pranayama and meditation, recap from February 3rd was summarized. What does the Lord love, Gyani for certain, also the one who surrenders to him – Eka Bhakthi Slokas 20, 21 and 22 When one’s wisdom is carried away by a desire, the person may worship other Gods/Devas (not the Brahman).  If the devotee worships with faith to the devas, the Lord will fulfill those desires (limited) One needs to understand that although the desires are fulfilled, it is actually provided by the Brahman alone. Make a slight shift in our focus from a Materialistic world (Manoranjan) onto the real self (Atmaranjan). Theme When a small child is provided the options of a chocolate/candy and currency notes (as an example),  the child may pick the candy for instant pleasure and does not realize the value of the currency.  We should choose wisely.  All the options are provided by the Lord.  It is up to each one of us to pick the correct ones. Faith and Belief is som...

Summarized by  Yamini: Recap: By Narada muni’s  story we understand that Sravanam, Mananam and Nidhidyasanam are all very important. What we can perceive with sense organs are impermanent things and what we cannot perceive are permanent. When it comes to desires, our mind should be like the wood which doesn’t get affected by the magnet and not like iron which absorbs the magnetism of desires. Always keeping the Lord in mind helps to pull away from desires brought through senses. Non-Virtuous (Evildoers) are the ones that do not think about God and are not seeking the ultimate knowledge. The 4 stages of mukti are Salokyam, Samipyam, Sarupyam, Sayujyam. We should hold on to God in this chaotic world like we hold on to the rope while dipping in the roaring waters of Ganga. We cannot attain moksha with just bhakti, gyana is also needed to realize the brahman in us. Like the singer concentrating on tanpura’s ‘Sa’ to bring him back, we have to keep Lord in my mind and bring ourselve...