Preview

The Bhagavad Gita

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
868 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita as translated by Juan Mascaro is a poem based on ancient Sanskrit literature contained in eighteen chapters. The period of time, around which it was written, although it is merely an educated guess, was approximately 500 BCE. "…there are a few archaic words and expressions, some of the greatest scholars have considered it pre-Buddhistic, i.e. about 500 BC," (Bhagavad Gita, xxiv). This quote is found in the introduction to the book and further explains that the exact time it was written is undeterminable. Although the words and dialogue are very different than that of the English language to which most are accustomed to, the spiritual messages throughout the entire book are very clear and meaningful. There are two main characters, and a host of minor ones who represent very specific roles. The preceding paragraphs will discuss the roles of the characters, as well as the spiritual meanings found throughout the novel.
The Bhagavad Gita has two main characters, Arjuna and Krishna. Arjuna is the mighty warrior in the physical sense, however his character is a representational form of a person or soul searching for the right or divine way. Arjuna is introduced early on in the book on a battlefield. He knows both sides of warriors who are about to ensure in this particular battle. The battle is very symbolic for life and its trials and tribulations. Krishna is a higher power is then introduced, and in the physical sense is Arjuna's mentor. In the spiritual sense, Krishna is the Supreme Truth, what all people want to attain during their lifetime. It is Krishna's job to lead his disciple, Arjuna to the ultimate conclusion of Gita. The contents of the eighteen chapters are very basically the acquisition of the correct knowledge to achieve such a conclusion.
The piece of spiritual knowledge that carries the most weight throughout the Bhagavad Gita is the responsibility of the individual. Before one can accept the responsibility of one's self, one

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Bhagavad Gita Tradition

    • 133 Words
    • 1 Page

    The Bhagavad-Gita is an essential part of Hinduism. Hinduism is one of the oldest belief systems in the world. The Hindu culture is very complex and diverse because of how many gods and different core foundational beliefs they follow and live by. Their sacred texts are referred to as Vedas, which are considered to be a vital part in their traditions. The Vedas are seen as much more than just religious writings. They are seen as deeply rooted in the history and culture of India The Hindu culture has other books filled with poems, hymns, stories that the Hindus believe in whole-heartedly. Like Christians believe God is three in one with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit the Hindus believe their supreme god named Brahma is Vishnu and Shiva…

    • 133 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    For embracing wisdom needed for reaching the spiritual path, one needs understanding of the Bhagavad Gita in totality. It contains everything worth knowable on the path of spirituality and the path that takes one directly to the portals of God Almighty. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna preaches about the path to enlightenment from the practicing of selfless action. How Krishna presents this is by saying, “Be intent in action…not on the fruits of action.” (Reichenbach 399). He explains this by talking about Dharma, in which he explains how it is “a person’s innate nature which belongs to him or her as an individual or as a member of a group.” (Dharma lecture). In the Bhagavad Purana, it talks about who Krishna fought, what he did in his adolescence to when he had to go to Dhwarka, where the Mahabharata took place, which then starts the Bhagavad Gita teachings. These make his followers learn and realize that Krishna is a much more personable God, by the experiences he had, what he learned from them, and the day to day trials and tribulations he had to face before reaching…

    • 1794 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Siddhartha's Identity

    • 363 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Throughout the discussion and analyzing of Siddhartha, the cultural and contextual works focused mainly on the protagonist, Siddhartha, undergoing a change in his identity. As the novel revealed Siddhartha’s road to self-discovery, there were challenging obstacles that appeared before him; however, it was an opportunity for him to reflect upon and grow. Siddhartha is an intelligent man who goes on a journey in search for spiritual enlightenment. His goal was to abandon emptiness; he wanted to become empty of desire, thirst, and pleasure to experience the peace of an emptied heart.…

    • 363 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The sacred Hindi text is a story of self-actualization. Arjuna is faced with an existential crisis in the beginning of the story. He questions who he is and what he wants his life to be about. He wonders if what he does with his life is more important than the people in it, whom he loves. All these questions are much more intimidating when they are being asked in battle, where if he answers a question wrong, lives are at stake. He sees his family and friends in the audience, and his anxiety level rises. He says, “My dear Krishna, seeing my friends…

    • 958 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Karma as intentional action results in a future rebirth, and samsara is the unending cycle of death and rebirth fueled by karma (176). In order to be free from samsara, people seek for liberation (moksha) (177). Liberation cannot be explained without the understanding of atman and brahman because liberation derives from the knowledge that atman, the foundation and essence of the individual, corresponds with brahman, the foundation and essence of the universe (179). In addition, the Bhagavad Gita (Song of the Lord) presents three paths to liberation through the teaching of Vishnu/Krishna (183). The path of action is to act according to Dharma (truth and righteousness) without fear of punishment or hope of reward (184). The path of knowledge is to realize atman, and the path of devotion is to turn to God with genuine loving devotion (184, 186). Among these three paths, the path of knowledge is the hardest one and the path of devotion is the simplest…

    • 794 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Bhagavada Gita, one of Brahminical Hinduism’s most beloved sacred texts, is known for being the last and greatest Upsanishadic text of its time. Bhagavada Gita translated means, “the song of the Lord” and originally was created as a poem. This writing is only a small episode from the Mahabharata, the world’s longest poem, which like Homer’s epics deals with war and heroes but at the same time deals with many philosophical and theological issues. The spiritual question from The Gita is: How a person can become one with Brahman while still functioning in this world (Andrea, Overfield 72). Although the Mahabharata is ascribed to one single poet (Vyasa), it is also noted that many other authors worked on The Bhagavad Gita over a long period of time ranging from 500-200 b.c.e. Many…

    • 767 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hindu Religion Essay

    • 518 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Hinduism is a very unorganized, complex religion. It does not have a set of straightforward rules like other religions. Many things influence the study and practice of beliefs in Hinduism. However, there is something in common throughout all of these different forms. It is the belief in a higher, supreme power and devotion to concepts like Truth, Karma, and Dharma. Also, the belief in the jurisdiction of the sacred Hindu scriptures called the Vedas. There is many beliefs, teachings, practices, and important holidays.…

    • 518 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    abstract symbols, such as the circle, but it was also worshipped in the form of…

    • 803 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Bhagavad Gita Purpose

    • 322 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Bhagavad Gita’s purpose is to deliver mankind from the shadows of material existence. Each and every one of us has adversities in many ways. We try to exist in the material world but the atmosphere of this material world ceases to exist. Our existence is eternal and is not to be threatened by nonexistence. Lord Krishna says that for the soul there is neither birth nor death at any point. It has not come, does not come, and will not come into being. It is unborn, eternal, and primeval. The body and the soul are two different entities. The body is subjected to six transformations, starting from birth and ending at death. The soul does not go through these changes because it is not born and takes on a material body. When…

    • 322 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hinduism is the world's third largest religion, and also considered to be the oldest. Hinduism is different from Christianity and other religions because it does not have one founder, a defined theological system, a system of morality, or a prime religious organization. Hinduism consists of thousands of different religious groups that have arranged in India since 1500 BCE.…

    • 730 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    The Bhagavad Gita

    • 1252 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The Bhagavad Gita, translated from Sanskrit as “The Lord’s Song”, is the dialogue between Lord Krishna and Prince Arjuna as the charioteer and archer enter battle in the Mahabharata. Arjuna tells Lord Krishna that he feels emotionally conflicted entering into this war since it requires him to kill his own blood, and engage in actions that he feels go against his beliefs as a Hindu. At this point, the two stop in the middle of the battlefield, and Lord Krishna launches into a narrative that enlightens Arjuna on human nature and the purpose of human life as defined by one’s duties, actions, and knowledge. Arjuna’s main conflicts from engaging in the war were rooted in the fact that he would be spilling the blood of his own relatives, and that killing his relatives in order regain control of his family’s kingdom would be just as sinful as would his relatives killing him in order to keep control of their lands. Arjuna could not understand how the needs of one could warrant the death of…

    • 1252 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    1. What does it mean to neutralize a raga or a dvesa, and how is this accomplished? When may it be desirable, or even necessary to neutralize a raga or dvesa. When is it not necessary to neutralize a raga or a dvesa?…

    • 2086 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Hinduism and Christianity

    • 3026 Words
    • 13 Pages

    Hinduism and Christianity are two of the largest religions in the world today with nearly half of the world’s population claiming one of the two as their own. Without a doubt, both religions have been extremely influential in the world. In the minds of most, this is about as far as the similarities between Hinduism and Christianity go; however, the fact is that the two religions actually have much more in common than is often perceived at passing glance. There are commonalities strung all throughout the two religions, from parallel texts of scripture to eerily similar view’s concerning the nature of the divine. In this paper, I will thoroughly explore many these little known similarities. In an effort to do so as objectively as possible, I will use authoritative scriptures from the two religions themselves to state my case and provide evidence for it.…

    • 3026 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Bhagavad Gita is a Hindu sacred text of 7000 verses within the Mahabharata, which is commonly acknowledged as Sruti literature and talks about a battle between the two royal families. Basically, It endorses the achievement of the divine consciousness of the Supreme Lord and promotes three main yogas, which is tremendously important for achieving good and keeping our mind more concerned with mental and spiritual well-being than physical activity. Relevantly, the yoga refers to the practice of physical postures or poses and a doubtless actions for human beings to concentrate their minds and leading towards the sacred shrine. Three main yogas that are described in Bhagavad Gita are Karma yoga; a form that opposes actions which have a purpose, or are supposed to bear fruit/bring results, selfless actions, Jnana yoga; a form of yoga that liberates through knowledge, and Bhakti yoga;it advocates devotion to God. In this essay, I am going to describe what is the role of karma-yoga play in the story of the Bhagavad Gita?, What does it mean and how it is relevant to my own life?…

    • 805 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Indian Caste System

    • 4892 Words
    • 20 Pages

    [ 16 ]. James W. Hoover, History of the World: India in the Islamic Era and Southeast Asia (Austin: Steck-Vaughn Co., 1997), 20-22.…

    • 4892 Words
    • 20 Pages
    Best Essays