SRIMAD BHAGAVAD GITA: 10. Swami Advayananda.

 

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Thursday 24, April 2025, 10:00.

2.3   THE GEETA PHILOSOPHY COMMENCES 

INTRODUCTION TO THE GEETA TEACHING 

Swami  Advayananda.

POST-10.

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By Pujya Acharyaji: 

THE BHAGAVAD GEETA OCCURS in the Bhishma Parva of the Mahabharata 

[Chapters 25 to 42]. It is very detailed in content. Every possible aspect of the spiritual path 

is covered in it. Hence it is ranked as one of the Prasthana-Traya, the three scriptures which 

claim the highest degree of authenticity in Hinduism. 

The Geeta is universal; its teaching is for all times and all climes. Man’s core pursuits 

and concerns are dealt with. For example: How to get rid of fear? How to conquer the mind? 

How to meditate? What is man’s duty on earth? – and so on. Social issues are not discussed 

here, such as poverty, women’s empowerment, etc. However, the teachings of the Geeta 

provide a sound basis for such issues to be dealt with in the context of the social and 

economic climate prevailing at any time in history. 

In our Shastras, the Geeta ranks very highly. It is considered to be the book for the 

common Hindu, i.e. it is a Dharma Shastra. It is also regarded as a Pramana Grantha (a valid 

source of knowledge). All other schools of philosohphy have to write a commentary on the 

Geeta in order to establish their standpoints relative to that of the Geeta. Many courses on 

Management today are based on the Geeta. 

Topics that would interest a particular group are picked out and viewed in the light 

of the Geeta, for example, “Efficiency at Work”;  “A Spiritual Code of Ethics in Business”, and 

many other subjects of common interest. Gandhiji found it invaluable in anchoring him on 

the spiritual path as well as throwing light on the political issues of India’s freedom. 

Similarly, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who wrote the Geeta Rahasya; Sri Vinoba Bhave, who wrote 

Talks on the Gita while in prison; and Sant Jnaneshwar who wrote the Jnaneshwari, a 

commentary on the Geeta in Marathi – all these great ones have thrown light on the Geeta. 

The Geeta has something for all that come to it. Primarily, it is a text on the 

philosophy of Advaita Vedanta, teaching the path of realizing the Divne Self of Man. 

The Blessed Lord Speaks: 

Listen to the World Teacher lovingly guide His disciple along the path of Self

Knowledge. From this verse to the end of the Geeta, the message of Brahma Vidya marches 

ahead for 17 Discourses. Each discourse is called “Yoga” as each one is a segment on the 

Path towards union with the Supreme Lord. 

These discourses may be split into three parts: 

i) Twam Pada: “You”. Discourses 1 to 6 are about the seeking individual Jeeva; 

ii) Tat Pada: “That”. Discourses 7 to 12 are about the Supreme Being;  

iii) Asi Pada: “Are”. Discourses 13 to 18 are about the identity of Twam and Tat. 

We have just begun learning about Twam, that is, ourselves – our essential nature; 

our functions, duties or role in society; our mind and intellect; and so on.

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Next

PREFACE TO THE GEETA BHASHYA

 By Sri Adi Shankaracharyaji (around 8th century A.D.) 

Taken from his Bhashya (Commentary) 

Continued

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