GEETA DHYANAM - 1. Sri Madhusudana Saraswati

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Wednesday, June 01, 2022. 20:00.

Meditation on the Bhagavad Geeta :   (9 Slokas)

Slokam 1 : Salutations to Mother Geeta

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Slokam 1 : Salutations to Mother Geeta :

Om. Parthaya  prati-bodhitam bhagavata,  narayanena swayam,

vyasena  grathitam purana munina,  madhye mahabharatam;

advaita  amrita varshineem bhagavatem,  ashtadasha adhyayinem,

amba tvam  anusandadhami bhagavad,  geete bhavadveshinem.

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Translation :

1 Om. Pathaya  prati-bodhitam bhagavata,  narayanena swayam,  =  Om. With which Partha (Arjuna) 

was  enlightened, O Mother Bhagavad Geeta,  by the Lord Narayana Himself;

2.vyasena  grathitam purana munina,  madhye mahabharatam;  =  And which by Vyasa,  the ancient 

sage, was incorporated  in the Mahabharata;

3.advaita  amrita varshineem bhagavatem,  ashtadasha adhyayinem, = The philosophy of Advaita, 

showered nectarine-like, by Divine Mother,  in the form of 18 chapters;

4 amba tvam  anusandadhami bhagavad,  geete bhavadveshinem.  =  Upon Thee, O Blessed Mother,  I 

constantly meditate. O Bhagavad  Geeta, you are the destroyer of Samsara.

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Commentary :

1 Partha : this is Arjuna; it refers to the Adhikari or fit student for whom the Geeta is

written. The Lord Himself teaches the Geeta directly to Arjuna.

Pratibodhitam : This indicates the Sambandha as it relates the goal to be achieved

with the text, expressing that it will enable the student to also gain enlightenment as it

helped Arjuna.

Bhagavata : The verse is addressed to “Mother Geeta”; there is reverence in

regarding the scripture as the Divine Mother. A mother stands for nurturing and always

caring for her children no matter what sacrifices she has to make. Even if her child is in the

ditch, the mother will bend down and pick it up, not concerned about getting dirty in the

process. In like manner, the Bhagavad Geeta is our Mother who cares only to remove the

dirt in us which clouds our understanding.

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2 Vyasa took the main message that Krishna intended to teach on the battlefield,

and elaborated and systematized it by presenting it in the form of 18 Discourses. This was

his great contribution to mankind. Vyasaji composed Krishna’s message in the form of “the

Divine Song”. Thus his contribution is duly acknowledged.

The teaching is also universal, hence Vyasa may be called a Jagatguru, that is, a Guru

for the whole world, irrespective of one’s religious background. Thus all the main features of

an Invocation have been seen to exist in this opening verse.

Puranamunina : “the ancient sage (Vyasa)”; stands for the Guru or Teacher who is

also revered in slokam. The great Teacher, Vyasa, wrote this text for the benefit of all 

mankind, thus fulfilling his role as the perfect teacher of the path of wisdom and

enlightenment

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3 Advaitamritavarshineem: This is the Vishaya or subject matter that is dealt with in

this book. The great philosophy of non-dualism or Vedanta, the height of the Vedic teaching

is taught in the Geeta. It stands also for the Vastu Nirdesh Roopa Mangalacharan.

4 Anusandadhaami: “I constantly meditate”. It is necessary to go on reflecting on

the thoughts of the Geeta in one’s mind in order to assimilate its meaning thoroughly.

Bhagavadgeete: This word becomes the Namaskar Mangalacharan, by which the

Geeta is adored as well as saluted and revered.

Bhavadveshineem: This indicates the Prayojan or purpose of the Geeta. The

knowledge contained in it will enable us to cross the ocean of Samsara or constant round of

births and deaths. This is termed as liberation or Moksha, and is the central purpose of

these teachings.

Samsara is the worldly existence which represents the effects of ignorance. These

effects take three forms, namely Adhyatmika, Adhibhautika and Adhidaivika. These are

three afflictions which man suffers in Samsara. Hence, ‘Bhavadweshineem’ also stands for

the three afflictions, mentioned in the introductory remarks above.

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Next : Slokam-2. Salutation to Sage Vyasa

To be continued .....

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