Sri Bhagavad Gita .

[Maya3]

I love the Gita, I think it is amazing. But The Upanishads is my main scripture.

The first chapter of the Gita can be misunderstood. In a way I wish a different example had been used instead of a war scene. But this is taken out of context and is only a small part of a much larger story, The Mahabharata.

But what is ironic for me is that I always think about the first chapter.
For me it means that you should always stand up for what is right. No matter if your own family is against it. Even if it causes a lot of friction, you should not give in and pretend for the peace of the house.

Maya

 

[ratikala]

namaskaram :namaste

The first chapter of the Gita can be misunderstood. In a way I wish a different example had been used instead of a war scene. But this is taken out of context and is only a small part of a much larger story, The Mahabharata.

there are parts of the mahabarata that I love also , but the gita stands alone as a treatise on the nature of mans worldly existance and his relationship with god ,

But what is ironic for me is that I always think about the first chapter.
For me it means that you should always stand up for what is right. No matter if your own family is against it. Even if it causes a lot of friction, you should not give in and pretend for the peace of the house.

Maya

to me it is about the ultimate choice between ones personal comfort and ones duty .

 

[Maya3]

to me it is about the ultimate choice between ones personal comfort and ones duty .

That is a good way to look at it too. In our time there are a lot of things that are very comfortable for us that is not good in the long run and not good for our fellow man. Buying clothes produced in sweatshops, food that is genetically engineered etc. It might be easier to just buy the cheapest easiest to get, but it is our duty to find out how things were produced and take responsibility.
The first chapter can be used in almost any situation.

Maya

 

[Poeticus]

Namaste, Bhaginī-ji:

Forgive me for my interruption.

there are parts of the mahabarata that I love also , but the gita stands alone as a treatise on the nature of mans worldly existance and his relationship with god

"There are many approaches to the Bhagavadgita in the Mahabharata. Most translators, commentators, and students treat the Bhagavadgita as an entity or scripture isolated from its context, that very Mahabharata, the 'Fifth Veda'. But the Mahabharata does not permit this attempted removal and interpretation, this tearing away from its great sacred body, for it refuses to render up and make clear its innermost treasures: as a brain does not function independent of the human or animal body in which it grew and has its roots, so with the Bhagavadgita rooted in its body, the Mahabharata.
Greater than any mountain, the Mahabharata sits supreme, its top veiled in clouds, with powerful winds and bitter cold. Truly, it is said, the Mahabharata gives birth, and also gives death...What is not found within the Mahabharata is not found anywhere. A great intellectual and spiritual mountain, it unveils itself only to the most passionate, intense, sincere, full of truth to themselves and others, athletic, death-defying, life-embracing, plunging-into-possibility climbers."​

- - - -
"Foreward" by Haven O'More in A Bilingual Edition of The Bhagavadgita in the Mahabharata, translated and Edited by (my homeboy) J.A.B. van Buitenen; University of Chicago Press. 1981.
- - - -

M.V.

 

[ratikala]

namaskara maitra varuna ji :namaste

Namaste, Bhaginī-ji:

Forgive me for my interruption.

no need to seek forgivness my freind , ....

"There are many approaches to the Bhagavadgita in the Mahabharata. Most translators, commentators, and students treat the Bhagavadgita as an entity or scripture isolated from its context, that very Mahabharata, the 'Fifth Veda'. But the Mahabharata does not permit this attempted removal and interpretation, this tearing away from its great sacred body, for it refuses to render up and make clear its innermost treasures: as a brain does not function independent of the human or animal body in which it grew and has its roots, so with the Bhagavadgita rooted in its body, the Mahabharata.
Greater than any mountain, the Mahabharata sits supreme, its top veiled in clouds, with powerful winds and bitter cold. Truly, it is said, the Mahabharata gives birth, and also gives death...What is not found within the Mahabharata is not found anywhere. A great intellectual and spiritual mountain, it unveils itself only to the most passionate, intense, sincere, full of truth to themselves and others, athletic, death-defying, life-embracing, plunging-into-possibility climbers."​

- - - -
"Foreward" by Haven O'More in A Bilingual Edition of The Bhagavadgita in the Mahabharata, translated and Edited by (my homeboy) J.A.B. van Buitenen; University of Chicago Press. 1981.
- - - -

M.V.

and please forgive my jest, ... but who is this silly billy ??? .... no sincere devotee of the lord seeks to seperate the gita from the mahabharata , simply to study the discourse between sri krsna bhagavan and his devoted friend arjuna . first one learns the context in which this divine speach was dilivered , then one studies the speach it self .

What is not found within the Mahabharata is not found anywhere. A great intellectual and spiritual mountain, it unveils itself only to the most passionate, intense, sincere, full of truth to themselves and others, athletic, death-defying, life-embracing, plunging-into-possibility climbers."


ah now I never debate but show me this man and I will debate !!!

ha , it does not ''unveil'' it self only to the most pasionate or intence'' ,.... it 'reveals' to all , this is sri krsnas mercy , ......what is all this'' life embracing'' , ''death defying '' noncence , ... ''plunging in to possibility'' , ???? he is enjoying the sound of his own voice just a little too much ...No No No this is not an interlectual mountain this is a sea of faith and devotion , what is this mountain climber up to ???

Ahh but I like one word he used ''sincere'' ... but I prefer surrendered or self realised soul :bow:

sorry I regret having to diss this poor 'Haven O'More'!!! he is enjoying him self too too much with flowery language and analogies , instead he should pay homage to vyasadeva and to sri krsna him self .


please I beg your pardon but if this is the the forward it would put me off the ensuing translation ......

 

[Poeticus]

Namaste, Bhaginī:

Woah, gurl, you mad, yo. Shanti, homie, Shanti. Only I can get mad. My sister cannot get mad. Now that you are mad, I am mad too!

It is just saying that one must not separate the Shri Gita from the Shri Mahabharata. I mean, don't you think the text itself is truly understood by those that really wish to be influenced by it or by those that seek it as revelation?

No biggie, Bhaginī-ji. I am glad to see the fire in your heart for Dharma! I am proud of knowing a Hindu like yourself!

M.V.

 

[ratikala]

namaskaram maitra varuni ji :namaste

Namaste, Bhaginī:

Woah, gurl, you mad, yo. Shanti, homie, Shanti. Only I can get mad. My sister cannot get mad. Now that you are mad, I am mad too!

Ah yes but I can be mad without loosing my equanimity

It is just saying that one must not separate the Shri Gita from the Shri Mahabharata. I mean, don't you think the text itself is truly understood by those that really wish to be influenced by it or by those that seek it as revelation?

so a conversation , .....'' seek it as revelation?'':yes: ...one who approaches with humble submission he will truely understand , but one whos ''wish is to be influenced by it ? '' ...... prehaps some imprint , by reading some merit is gained that will bear fruit in a subsequent lifetime , but understanding in this life ? :no:

No biggie, Bhaginī-ji. I am glad to see the fire in your heart for Dharma! I am proud of knowing a Hindu like yourself!

M.V.

so now your chance to make me happy
how would you write the forward to a translation of the mahabharata ?

 

[Poeticus]

how would you write the forward to a translation of the mahabharata ?

Namaste,

"Led by a very handsome playboy, the forces of good go ape**** on the forces of evil. This is a story about love, murder, truth, evil, justice, beauty, darkness, light, warfare, duty, and hardcore partying as well as hardcore sobbing. Readers, I give you...the Mahabharata!"

Something like that, Bhaginī-ji.

M.V.

 

[Vinayaka]

delete

 

[Sb1995]

I use the Tirukkural as my ethical scripture on vegetarianism. (It's rather clear on the whole matter.) Besides, I just feel a whole lot better. But ... to each his own. In my community here (mostly Sri Lankan Tamil, and some Indian Tamil) there are a few vegetarians, but the meat-eaters outnumber us. Nobody I know will even dare come to temple on a day they have eaten meat. Needless to say, we get bigger crowds in the mornings.

Pretty much the same with myself.

 

[Vinayaka]

delete

 

[Sb1995]

I put this lasty comment in the wrong thread ... getting old ... sheesh.

I realized that but I still decided to respond

 

[Poeticus]

I realized that but I still decided to respond

Namaste,

What do you think of the Shri Gita, SB-ji?

M.V.

 

[Sb1995]

Namaste,

What do you think of the Shri Gita, SB-ji?

M.V.

To be quite frank I haven't read it. It is one my life goals to though. I can be completely honest and say I do have a hard time reading for a long time. So even if I get a copy of it I feel as if I wouldn't be able to read it often due to the belief that I shouldn't touch it if i ate meat. Same goes for all the prayer books I own, I do not touch them if I have came in contact with meat that day.

 

[Poeticus]

To be quite frank I haven't read it. It is one my life goals to though. I can be completely honest and say I do have a hard time reading for a long time. So even if I get a copy of it I feel as if I wouldn't be able to read it often due to the belief that I shouldn't touch it if i ate meat. Same goes for all the prayer books I own, I do not touch them if I have came in contact with meat that day.

Namaste,

Please leave out the discussion of meat on this thread. We can continue that discussion on the "Who is Hindu?" thread. But, here, let us not converse on the matter.

Coming back on track, I used to have a huge pet peeve with reading. But, I realized that I was able to better my English through reading. At the same time, I was able to better my reading of Devanagari through reading Sanskrit texts. So, now, I read to better my knowledge.

How is Krishna Bhakti amongst Kashmiri Pandits? I believe Shaiva is more prominent amongst the Kashmiri Pandit community, correct?

M.V.

 

[Sb1995]

Namaste,

Please leave out the discussion of meat on this thread. We can continue that discussion on the "Who is Hindu?" thread. But, here, let us not converse on the matter.

Coming back on track, I used to have a huge pet peeve with reading. But, I realized that I was able to better my English through reading. At the same time, I was able to better my reading of Devanagari through reading Sanskrit texts. So, now, I read to better my knowledge.

How is Krishna Bhakti amongst Kashmiri Pandits? I believe Shaiva is more prominent amongst the Kashmiri Pandit community, correct?

M.V.

Yes you are correct, according to my father most Kashmiri Hindus follow Shaivism. And I brought up meat because that was part of the reason as to why I have yet to read the holy Gita.

 

[Poeticus]

Yes you are correct, according to my father most Kashmiri Hindus follow Shaivism. And I brought up meat because that was part of the reason as to why I have yet to read the holy Gita.

Namaste,

When you do get around reading it, try to read through as many translations as possible. I have only read two translations so far. I want to find a third one so if you come upon one in the future, let me know.

M.V.

 

[Sb1995]

Namaste,

When you do get around reading it, try to read through as many translations as possible. I have only read two translations so far. I want to find a third one so if you come upon one in the future, let me know.

M.V.

Well there are a few translations at my mandir. I'll buy the text from there.

 

[Poeticus]

Namaste, Bhaginī-ji:

Leaving all joking aside, let me answer this from my perspective so I can provide you with a clear explanation of what I believe the forward is trying to say:

so a conversation , .....'' seek it as revelation?'':yes: ...one who approaches with humble submission he will truely understand , but one whos ''wish is to be influenced by it ? '' ...... prehaps some imprint , by reading some merit is gained that will bear fruit in a subsequent lifetime , but understanding in this life ? :no:

The understanding is that the truths contained in the Shri Gita aren't for everyone. Not all will understand them. They may be able to read it one hundred thousand times and still fail in grasping the intentions. Many who understand the Shri Gita will accept it as a revelation. Some do and even label it Shruti. The key is not to think of it as a revelation that is merely influencing a devotee, but that it is guiding one into light-hood. One may not understand it in this lifetime, you are correct. But, one may also learn its fruits in this lifetime as well. It depends on the acceptance of that truth.

and please forgive my jest, ... but who is this silly billy ??? .... no sincere devotee of the lord seeks to seperate the gita from the mahabharata , simply to study the discourse between sri krsna bhagavan and his devoted friend arjuna . first one learns the context in which this divine speach was dilivered , then one studies the speach it self.

Yes, no sincere devotee seeks to separate the Shri Gita from Shri Mahabharata. Especially to learn about the Song Lord Shri Krishna sung to a disdained Arjuna.

What is not found within the Mahabharata is not found anywhere. A great intellectual and spiritual mountain, it unveils itself only to the most passionate, intense, sincere, full of truth to themselves and others, athletic, death-defying, life-embracing, plunging-into-possibility climbers."

ah now I never debate but show me this man and I will debate !!!
ha , it does not ''unveil'' it self only to the most pasionate or intence'' ,.... it 'reveals' to all , this is sri krsnas mercy , ......what is all this'' life embracing'' , ''death defying '' noncence , ... ''plunging in to possibility'' , ???? he is enjoying the sound of his own voice just a little too much ...No No No this is not an interlectual mountain this is a sea of faith and devotion , what is this mountain climber up to ???

Ahh but I like one word he used ''sincere'' ... but I prefer surrendered or self realised soul :bow:

sorry I regret having to diss this poor 'Haven O'More'!!! he is enjoying him self too too much with flowery language and analogies , instead he should pay homage to vyasadeva and to sri krsna him self .

The author of the forward was not speaking about the Shri Gita when he was using those adjectives; he was describing the Shri Mahabharata. The Shri Mahabharata is death defying on many occasions. The evacuation from the Wax Palace, the Exile and living in disguise, the event of slaying Karna, the exploits of Lord Bhishma, etc.

But, to address your concerns about the "unveiling" of the Shri Gita:

The Shri Gita must be searched for, must be found. The greatest truths sometimes aren't meant for people to accept, but are meant to be found. Hence, the "unveiling". Once a devotee accepts those truths of the Shri Gita, he/she will "embrace" them as revolutionary and as "ekam sat" even (and even that is a whole different thread).

To a scholar, the Shri Mahabharata is an "intellectual mountain", no doubt. But, to a devotee it is Sarva-Sat (All-Truth/Truth that is Encompassing). The author wasn't speaking on behalf of devotees or bhakta-s. Thus, one must not take his statements on the spiritual level. If a thinker comes to the gates of the Shri Gita, his curiosity will help those doors open. And, I believe to them is whom the foreword's author was speaking to.

I posted that quote to a reply you made a few days ago. I wanted to tell you that one cannot read the Shri Gita without having read the Shri Mahabharata in its entirety. I believe the author was merely warning readers the same thing.

Either way, I would never argue with you, Bhaginīi-ji. So, please don't take this as an affront.

M.V.

जय श्री कृष्ण

 

[Kalidas]

So far of what I have read of it (chapter 11 now) I do not see how people can see it as a justification of war (Okay I actually CAN but those people are obviously grasping at straws). What I get from it is to act because that is our life duty and nature, but do not be attached to the consequences. No living being can live and "not act", so if we must act act in a way that brings you close to the divine.

The whole war part is (I THINK) a way to show us that even the most detestable of actions (mass murder of your own kin!) can be done with divine intentions when you release yourself of your attachments to the end result. Even the most "unpopular" actions when done in the service of the divine, are holy and shale be rewarded. Don't forget that "in service of the divine" part. I have recently been trying a lot harder to think "if I am acting for God should I be doing it this way?" It's actually a great way to self reflect and make good decisions!