Gita Thematic - English

Bhagavad Gita is not the science of a particular community. It is the universal science of the soul. It is a science that compels us to embrace divinity and divine qualities. All other bodies of knowledge are subject to change but this body of knowledge contained in Bhagavad Gita is timeless - eternal.

One of the five topics discussed in Bhagavad Gita is God. This lesson is all about God – Does God exist? If He does, then how great is He? What is the measure of His infiniteness? In this lesson, we will provide some empirical evidences to establish the existence of God. Then the authority of holy scriptures and holy seers will be presented further substantiating the existence of God. In the process of understanding the concept of infinity, we will establish that 'Krishna concept of God' (Infiniteness) is Absolute.

In this lesson, we will describe how this inconceivable infinity is also the transcendental person in His original state. We will also remove many misconceptions about God in the process, such as some people say that God is just a great power and some others say that nature is God. Some also say that there are many Gods and all are at the same level, with no one God being the Supreme. These are all incorrect understanding. We will discuss how Bhagavad Gita and other scriptures as well as great personalities establish Lord Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead who has all personal traits such as His Divine Name, Divine Form, Divine Qualities, Divine Activities, and Divine Abode.

In this lesson, we will discuss in detail on the qualities of the individual spirit soul and how it can transcend from the state of ignorance to knowledge. A learned person must know to ascertain the difference between a dead body and a living body. Technically the knowledge starts when one introspects the difference between the spirit (soul) and matter. Also the intriguing age old subject of reincarnation is dealt with in detail in this lesson.

We are conscious of so many things around us such as our bank balance, our relationship with near and dear ones, our life and death situations, our ambitions and so forth. But why are we not conscious of our conscious-self? In this lesson, the distinction between matter and consciousness as taught by Lord Krishna will be further deliberated upon. Also, the difference between pure and impure consciousness is discussed to understand the true nature of the soul and its conditioned state in this material world.

Nowadays, yoga is popularly presented to the world as some form of physical and breathing exercises that can help to keep the body fit. However according to the Bhagavad Gita, the process is not yoga until and unless one connects themselves to the Absolute Truth. Lord Krishna has prescribed different yoga systems such as Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Dhyana Yoga and Bhakti Yoga by which if one acts, self-realization is guaranteed. Often people ask what one's duty is. So, in this lesson we will learn about different yoga systems by proper understanding of which a person’s duty can be ascertained.

Topics regarding the soul and Supersoul (Krishna) are not within the purview of mundane senses. This knowledge has to be realized using transcendental or spiritual senses. It is spirit that is the basis of matter, and not vice versa. Hence, spiritual knowledge or transcendental knowledge is the basis of all knowledge. In this lesson, we will describe the different processes of acquiring knowledge. We will then explain how to acquire transcendental knowledge and prescribe the attitude in which a student should approach this process.

In Kali yuga, very few are capable of performing Dhyana yoga as the person has to take shelter of a secluded place, mostly in Himalayas and completely control his senses. Jnana yoga - the process of separating spirit from matter by analysis can also be practiced by a few only as it is very difficult to perform. In essence, only Karma yoga and Bhakti yoga are easy to practice in this age. Among all yoga systems, Bhakti yoga is the topmost as declared by Lord Krishna Himself.

Why do we see so many types of people in this material world and their different activities, tastes, preferences, habits, languages, geographies and clothing? Such questions will be answered in this lesson. Within the material world, living entities are driven by the three modes of material nature, namely, goodness, passion and ignorance. Everybody is forced to act helplessly under these three modes. This lesson will discuss the nature of the three modes, and the process and benefit of getting freed from the influence of these modes.

Unless we are connected to Krishna through a bonafide yoga system, i.e. Karma yoga, Dhyana yoga, Jnana yoga, or Bhakti yoga, every action performed by us binds us to the cycle of birth and death. The actual renunciation is to see everything in relation to the Lord. In this lesson, we will reflect upon the proper sense of renunciation and how to use that in the service of the Lord. Since this will be our concluding lesson in this series, we will also summarize all that we have discussed in this course.