Bhagavad Gita, epitome of the Vedas
Srimad Bhagavad Gita is universally hailed by the learned as truly reflecting the essence of all the Vedas. Its depth, richness and rationality of philosophy have universal appeal.
It teaches man that the true goal of life is union with Bhagavan or the Supreme Impersonal-Personal Brahman, and the principal means to attain it are the four paths of Karma or work, Jnana or knowledge, Yoga or psychic control and Bhakti or loving devotion.
The different paths cater to the varying temperaments, inclinations and stages of spiritual development of individuals, and they follow the Vedic path most suited to them. The Gita has been interpreted beautifully , both by the ancients as well as by contemporary and commentators.
Which is the supreme path? There is an argument that the Gita does not single out unequivocally any particular yoga as supreme and at best it propagates a synthesis of the four yogas . However, a careful study of the Gita reveals several pointers to Bhakti-yoga being its principal theme, wherein Bhagavan Krishna clearly specifies Bhakti and *Saranagati *( total surrender to Bhagavan) as the highest *sadhana* for jivas .
Of the four yogas recommended in the Gita , Karma, astanga and jnana yogas are not direct means to attain the goal of human life. They are secondary yogas and are linked to bhakti , which is the principal yoga.
Performing karma as prescribed in the Vedic Sastras , that is, without seeking the fruits of the action nor claiming the doership and practice of Astanga yoga, purify the heart and mind and make one eligible for jnana yoga and thereby to gain knowledge of Bhagavan. Once the necessary jnana is acquired, the aspirant is qualified to understand and pursue bhakti yoga. The Gita tells us that all karma must be done as a sacrifice in devotion to Sri Krishna.
Bhagavn Krishna says, ''All actions, unless done as an offering to Me, become causes of bondage. Every action that you perform must be offered to Me. Whatever you do, do only for My pleasure, and offer everything to Me only.''
The astanga yogic disciplines become more effective if the object of concentration and meditation is the Lord. Sri Krishna says ''Of all the yogins , he is the most attuned in spiritual communion, who worships Me with abiding faith and with his innermost self fused with Me.''
And the jnani is indeed very dear to Krishna : ''Among them, the knower or jnani , ever communing and single-minded in devotion, is the best. I am indeed supremely dear to such a jnani , and he is dear to Me. Forever in union with Me, he is established in the conviction that I am his highest goal.
After many births and deaths, he who is actually in know-ledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.''
The words Bhakti and * Saranagati * are used repeatedly by Sri Krishna. Bhagavan constantly urges us to worship Him, sing His praises, bow down to Him and finally surrender completely to Him. The Gita establishes Suddha-bhakti as the Jva 's one and only supreme objective.
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