Bhagavad Gita
Puranas Mahabharata Bhagavad Gita Ramayana
500-200 BC
The Bhagavad Gita, also referred to as the Gita, is revered as a sacred text outlining yogic and Vedantic doctrine and principles. The Bhagavad Gita is also called the Yogupanishad, linking the text to the sruti ("revealed knowledge") body of the Vedas. As the 6th chapter of the Mahabharata, the content of the story is a conversation between Krishna, referred to as Bhagavan (the divine one), representing Brahman (absolute reality) and Arjuna, a warrior and his son, representing Atman (the Self). The setting is the battlefield of the great war Kurukshetra which turns time to the Kali yuga. Krishna, as the speaker of the story, advises Arjuna on his duties (dharma) as a warrior in the midst of his doubt, confusion, and moral dilemna of waging battle with his cousins.
4 PATHS OF YOGA
Jnana Yoga: In Sanskrit, jnana means “wisdom” or “knowledge.” Jnana Yoga refers to the technique for seeking liberation in which one discerns or discriminates (viveka in Sanskrit) between the real Self and the non-self. After this discernment, then the yogi renunciates that which is the non-self – letting go of the unreal. (This non-attachment is termed vairagya in Sanskrit). Through the study of philosophical texts, steady effort and self-inquiry, one is able to understand that the real Self is something separate from one’s thoughts, ego, senses, and intelligence.
Karma Yoga: In Sanskrit, the root word of karma is ki, which means “to do.” Karma yoga is the yoga of action. Karma refers to the universal principle of cause and effect, for every action there is a fruit of that action. So to change one’s state in life, one must change one’s actions. There is a second aspect to karma yoga, which takes action one-step deeper and refers to practicing in selfless service toward others.
Bhakti Yoga: Bhakti yoga is the yoga of love and devotion to a personal God. The yogi cultivates love for God until the ego is transcended, thereby merging with the Divine within the heart. Practices include puja (rituals), kirtan (devotional singing), japa (repetition of mantras), and meditation on the Divine.
Raja Yoga: Raja Yoga translates as “Royal Yoga.” It is the classical eight-fold path presented in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras – the practice of yama (restraints), niyama (observances), asana (postures), pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (complete absorption).
Quotations
“A Karma-yogi or the selfless person becomes free from both vice and virtue in this life itself. Therefore, strive for selfless service. Working to the best of one’s abilities without becoming selfishly attached to the fruits of work is called Karma-yoga or Seva.”
Bhagavad-Gita 2.50
Study Guide Questions and Personal Reflections
- In the Bhagavad-Gita, what does Krishna represent? What does Arjuna represent?
- Of the three paths of yoga emphasized in the Bhagavad-Gita – which one(s) do you relate to or practice most? What are some things you can do to incorporate the other path(s) into your yoga practice?
Vocabulary
- yuga
- jnana
- bhakti
- karma
- viveka
- vairagya
- moksha
- dharma
- Hinduism