Bhagavad Gita: A Selection of Verses

by | Aug 30, 2021 | Blog

Sri Krishna — charming cowherd, glorious king, mentor extraordinaire and divine incarnation — lived over five thousand years ago. His early years were spent in a quaint town called Vrindavan in Northern India. Krishna is the soul of the Mahabharata, the brilliance of the Srimad Bhagavatam and the celestial voice of the Bhagavad Gita.

Today is the day of Sri Krishna’s birth, known as Krishna Janmaashtami. It is the eighth night after the Full Moon of Shraavana. 

 
To honour the eternal inspiration that Sri Krishna embodies, I’d like to share with you some verses from the Bhagavad Gita – the “Song of the Divine” that was revealed by Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshtera.
 
This precious treatise on self-realization has been studied for thousands of years, expounded by Yogic masters of different lineages. Its teachings hold a special place in the heart of many a spiritual seeker. 
 
            ~ Om Namo Bhagavate Vaasudevaaya ~
Salutations to Sri Krishna
 
 
mātrā-sparśās tu kaunteya
śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ
āgamāpāyino ’nityās
tāṁs titikṣasva bhārata
 
“O Arjuna, the impermanent nature of happiness and distress and their disapperance in due course, are like the appearance of the winter and summer seasons. They arise from contact with the objective world. These experiences come and go. Let their transience not disturb you.” 2.14
 
~
 
na jāyate mriyate vā kadācin
nāyaṁ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ
ajo nityaḥ śāśvato ’yaṁ purāṇo
na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre 
 
“For the Self, there is never birth nor death. Nor, having once been, does the Atman (Self) ever cease to be. It is unborn, eternal, ever-existing, undying and primeval. It is not destroyed when the body is slain.”  2.20 

 ~ 

 nehābhikrama-nāśo ’sti
pratyavāyo na vidyate
sv-alpam apy asya dharmasya
trāyate mahato bhayāt
 

 “In this endeavor (of the practice of Yoga) there is no loss of attempt, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from great fear (the source of many problems).” 2.40

~

 
bhūmir āpo ’nalo vāyuḥ
khaṁ mano buddhir eva ca
ahaṅkāra itīyaṁ me
bhinnā prakṛtir aṣṭadhā 
 

“Earth, water, fire, air, space, mind, intellect and ego – thus is Prakruti (Nature) divided eightfold.” 7.4

~

 
patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ
yo me bhaktyā prayacchati
tad ahaṁ bhakty-upahṛtam
aśnāmi prayatātmanaḥ
 

“If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.” 9.26

~

 
 ananyāś cintayanto māṁ
ye janāḥ paryupāsate
teṣāṁ nityābhiyuktānāṁ
yoga-kṣemaṁ vahāmy aham
 
 “Those who worship the transcendental being with devotion, meditating upon it with single-pointed focus— I provide the means required for them to thrive.” 9.22 

 ~ 

adveṣhṭā sarva-bhūtānāṁ maitraḥ karuṇa eva cha
nirmamo nirahankāraḥ sama-duḥkha-sukhaḥ kṣhamī
 

“One who hates no being, is friendly and compassionate towards all beings, liberated from excessive identification with “I and Mine”, even-minded in pain and pleasure, such a devotee is dear to me.” 12.13

~

 
Even today, there are those who hear the notes of Krishna’s flute waft over the rustling leaves of the trees in Vrindavan. Countless people sing his name in kīrtan (remembrance), and bring the joy of his colourful presence to their artistry. Each day, someone, somewhere, is inspired by Krishna’s eternal song of wisdom, and his clarion call to dhārmic action.

With love and peace,

Sai Ganesh Nagpal

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