Bhagavad Gita
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Foreword by Dr. David Frawley SWAMI B. V. $34.95 Spirituality TRIPURARI he Bhagavad-gîtå is India’s most con- tciset expression of the perennial philoso- HAGAVAD phy. Speaking directly to the soul, it pin- points the cause of all suffering—material The Story of Our Own Life’s Potential B attachment—and offers a remedy to this com- B mon human malady: the paths of right liveli- “This book’s focus and unique organization promise an in-depth journey into B ITA hood, mystic insight, devotion, and ultimately the pivotal Hindu text and offer the interested reader a new perspective.” unconditional love. In this edition, Swåmî B. V. its feeling and philosophy its feeling HAGAVAD —Bloomsbury Review HAGAVAD G its feeling and philosophy Tripuråri comments on the Gîtå’s philosophy “The most arresting new Gita…a kind of postgraduate course in the cultural, in contemporary language, making it both metaphysical, and spiritual teachings inherent in this ancient treasure.” traditional and contemporary at once. riter, poet, and Hindu monas- Swåmî B. V. Tripuråri unveils this hidden Wtic, Swåmî B. V. Tripuråri has become —Yoga Journal W message in the spirit of the Gau∂îya Vedånta the contemporary voice of devotional “This Gita is also unique in that its verse-by-verse commentary draws on tradition. His commentary represents this Vedånta. Swåmî has written ten books other Hindu literature to more fully explore the characters of Arjuna and lineage’s deep spiritual insight in a postmodern and innumerable articles. He divides Krishna, as well as the relationship between them. This determination to light by affording the reader a startling glimpse his time between his two sustainable study the Gita in the larger context of Hindu devotional writing distinguishes into the subjective perspective of K®ß√a as he communities: Madhuvan, a 150-acre Swami Tripurari’s edition from the rest of the pack.” sings the Gîtå. Bhagavad-gîtå: Its Feeling and Phi- yoga retreat and monastery in the tropi- — Publishers Weekly losophy is a full-featured, traditional rendering, G cal jungle of Costa Rica, and Audarya, a G including the original Devanagari (Sanskrit) ridgetop monastery in the redwood for- “Swami Tripurari captures the intellectual and emotional components of the lettering, transliteration, word-for-word analy- ITA est of northern California. Bhagavad-gita in a way that makes for compelling and enlightening reading. ITA Both new and experienced students of this classic text will find this edition sis, and English translation. While traditional rich and rewarding—a veritable world of unprecedented thought.” in form and spirit, Swåmî B. V. Tripuråri’s lucid —Steven J. Rosen, author of Krishna’s Song: A New Look commentary and contemporary spiritual insight make this edition of the Bhagavad-gîtå highly at the Bhagavad-gita and founding editor of the readable. Journal of Vaishnava Studies Swåmî’s commentary takes the reader from verse to verse, chapter to chapter, reveal- Mandala Publishing ing the systematic nature of the Gîtå such that 17 Paul Drive this timeless spiritual classic reads almost like a San Rafael, CA 94903 best-selling novel—the story of our own life’s 800.688.2218 potential to live in the light of God’s love. www.mandala.org Printed in India by Palace Press International www.palacepress.com Swami B. V. Tripurari BHAGAVAD GITA BHAGAVAD GITA its feeling and philosophy SWAMI B. V. TRIPURARI Other books by Swåmî B. V. Tripuråri: Aesthetic Vedånta Ancient Wisdom for Modern Ignorance Form of Beauty Gopåla-tåpanî Upanißad Joy of Self Rasa: Love Relationships in Transcendence Çikßå߆akam of Çrî Caitanya Çrî Guru-Paramparå Tattva-sandarbha For philosophical inquires contact: Sri Caitanya Sangha e-mail: [email protected] website: www.swamitripurari.com To order this and other books contact: Sri Caitanya Sangha 22001 Panorama Philo, CA 95466 phone: 707-895-3052 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.swami.org © Swåmî B. V. Tripuråri 2010. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. 12 11 10 5 6 7 ISBN: 1-886069-53-0 In the service of my divine guardians, Çrîla A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupåda and Çrîla B. R. Çrîdhara Deva Goswåmî Mahåråja, this book is dedicated to Çrîla Bhaktisiddhånta Saraswatî Thåkura’s. spiritual great grandchildren, who are scattered throughout the globe. May they bring dignity and new light to his divine mission. contents abbreviations ........................x foreword ..............................xi preface ............................... xv introduction ......................xix C hapter One ⁄∆ŒŸÆæËíÅ Vißåda-yoga: Yoga of despair ........................................................................................1 C hapter Two –ŸÄëææËíÅ Så∫khya-yoga: Yoga of Analysis.................................................................................31 C hapter Three éº@æËíÅ Karma-yoga: Yoga of Action ....................................................................................... 93 C hapter Four ◊Ÿ≤æËíÅ Jñåna-yoga: Yoga of Knowledge ........................................................................... 129 C hapter Five éº@–N柖æËíÅ Karma-Sannyåsa-yoga: Yoga of Renunciation of Action ....................................................... 1 69 C hapter Six ±æŸ≤æËíÅ Dhyåna-yoga: Yoga of Meditation ...................................................................... 193 C hapter Seven ◊Ÿ≤⁄∆◊Ÿ≤æËíŸÅ Jñåna-Vijñåna-yoga: Yoga of Knowledge and realization ............................................225 C hapter Eight ™Ÿ¿é∏˘“˜æËíÅ Tåraka-Brahma-yoga: Yoga of attaining the absolute ........255 C hapter Nine ¿Ÿúí‹“¯æËíÅ Råja-Guhya-yoga: Yoga of Hidden Treasure .............................................283 C hapter Ten ⁄∆∫›⁄™æËíÅ Vibhüti-yoga: Yoga of Divine Manifestation .............................................323 C hapter Eleven ⁄∆Õ∆¬¥ÆÀ@≤æËíÅ Viçva-rüpa-Darçana-yoga: Yoga of TheophAny ....................................... 357 C hapter Twelve ∫⁄#æËíÅ Bhakti-yoga: Yoga of Devotion .............................................................................395 C hapter Thirteen ¥˘é‚⁄™¥‹¡Œ⁄∆∆‰éæËíÅ Prak®ti-Purußa-Viveka-yoga: Yoga of Deliberation on Matter and spirit .......................415 C hapter Fourteen í‹®&æ⁄∆∫ŸíæËíÅ Gu√a-Traya-Vibhåga-yoga: Yoga of Distinguishing the Three Modes of Nature ......441 C hapter Fifteen ¥‹¡ŒË%ºæËíÅ Purußottama-yoga: Yoga of the highest person ..................................... 465 C hapter Sixteen ÆÊ∆Ÿ–‹¿–Ω¥ÆæËíÅ Daivåsura-Sampada-yoga: Yoga of Discerning Godly and Ungodly Natures .............. 485 C hapter Seventeen Ã˘ØÛ&æ⁄∆∫ŸíæËíÅ Çraddha-Traya-Vibhåga-yoga: Yoga of DIscerning threefold Faith ...........................................503 C hapter Eighteen ºË’æËíÅ Mokßa-yoga: Yoga of Freedom ................................................................................. 521 glossary .............................581 index of verses ...................585 general index .....................597 Abbreviations Ai. Å. Aitareya-åra√yaka Bg. Bhagavad-gîtå B®. B®hadåranyaka Upanißad Brs. Bhakti-rasåm®ta-sindhu Br. Sm. Brahma-saµhitå Bs. Bhakti-sandarbha Cc. Caitanya-caritåm®ta Ch. Up. Chåndogya Upanißad Gt. Up. Gopåla-tåpanî Upanißad Ka. Up. Ka†ha Upanißad Kk. K®ß√a-kar√åm®ta Ks. K®ß√a-sandarbha MB. Mahåbhårata Pp. Padma Pürå√a Ps. Paramåtmå-sandarbha ‰g ‰g Veda ÇB. Çrîmad-Bhågavatam Çve. Up. Çvetåsvatara Upanißad Tai. Br. Taittirîya-bråhma√a Tai. Up. Taittirîya Upanißad Ts. Tattva-sandarbha Un. Ujjvala-nîlama√i Vs. Vedånta-sütra Ya. Sm. Yåjñavalkya-sm®ti Ys. Yoga-sütra Foreword The Bhagavad-Gita is one of the great classics not only of world religion but of world philosophy and the great tradition of yoga. If we had to choose a single book to represent the spiritual and cultural traditions of India, we would certainly have to choose the Gîtå. A person who has not studied the Gîtå has missed something significant in our global wisdom heritage. In fact, if we were to put together the monotheism of the Western world with the nontheistic karma-based meditation traditions of Buddhism and the Far East, we would come up with something like the Bhagavad- gîtå, which combines theism with karma, rebirth, and self-realization and encompasses global religion and experiential spirituality. The scope of the Gîtå is enormous. It covers devotional mysticism, meditative insight, cosmic vision, practical psychology, and even social activism: the keys to all aspects of life, mind, and consciousness. In every generation over thousands of years, it has provided inspiration for thinkers, leaders, and yogîs in India. Much of the inspiration for India’s independence movement came from the study of the Gîtå by such prominent figures as Gandhi, Tilak, and Aurobindo. The Gîtå has been a key text for the great gurus of yoga who have come to the West, such as Paramahansa Yogananda and Çrîla Prabhupåda. Through gurus like these, the Gîtå has provided unceasing and undiminishing inspiration to people all over the world. The Gîtå remains relevant today even though it was written before the time of Christ. Its instructions are clear, concise, logical, and scientific—not just appeals to faith, belief, personality, or culture. If you study the Gîtå deeply and sincerely, its teachings can transform your life and awareness. That is why the Bhagavad-gîtå remains one of the most