Bhagavad Gita
1. The
Bhagavad Gita is an ancient Hindu scripture that is over 5,000 years old.
2. It is a
dialogue between Lord Krishna, who is considered an avatar of Lord Vishnu, and
Arjuna, a warrior prince.
3. The
Bhagavad Gita contains important lessons about how to live a meaningful and
fulfilling life.
4. One of
the most famous teachings of the Bhagavad Gita is the concept of Karma Yoga,
which emphasizes doing one's duty without attachment to the results.
5. The
Bhagavad Gita also teaches the importance of self-control and detachment from material
possessions and desires.
6. Another
key lesson of the Bhagavad Gita is the idea of the Atman, which is the true
self or soul that is beyond the physical body and mind.
7. The
Bhagavad Gita teaches that the ultimate goal of life is to attain Moksha or
liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
8. It
emphasizes the importance of devotion to God and the practice of Bhakti Yoga,
which involves surrendering oneself to the divine.
9. The
Bhagavad Gita also contains important teachings about the nature of the
universe, including the concept of Maya, which refers to the illusion of the
physical world.
10. Overall, the Bhagavad Gita is a rich text that
offers valuable insights into the nature of reality and how to live a
meaningful life.
Chapter1:Arjuna'sDilemma
1. It was the beginning of the great battle of
Kurukshetra. The armies of the Kuru and Pandava clans were facing each other.
2. Arjuna, one of the Pandava princes, was standing
in his chariot with his bow and arrows, ready to fight. But as he looked across
the battlefield, he felt a deep sadness and confusion.
3. Arjuna saw many of his relatives and friends on
the other side, and he realized that the battle would mean killing them. He was
filled with doubt and despair, wondering if it was right to fight and kill his
own family.
4. Arjuna turned to his charioteer, Lord Krishna,
and said, "Krishna, I cannot fight this battle. I cannot bear the thought
of killing my kin. It would be better to renounce this world and become a
hermit."
5. Lord Krishna listened patiently to Arjuna's
words, and then he spoke. "Arjuna, why do you speak such words of
weakness? It is not fitting for a warrior like you to act in this way. You have
to fulfil, and you must do it with courage and strength."
6. Lord Krishna then began to teach Arjuna the
eternal principles of dharma, or right action. He explained that every person
has to fulfil, and that duty must be carried out with dedication and devotion,
without attachment to the fruits of the action.
7. Lord Krishna also taught Arjuna about the nature
of the soul, or atman. He explained that the soul is eternal and indestructible
and that it is not affected by the changes of the body or the material world.
8. Lord Krishna encouraged Arjuna to rise above his
doubts and fears and to act according to his duty as a warrior. He said,
"O Arjuna, stand up and fight! Do not be attached to the results of your
actions, but do your duty with a pure heart and mind."
9. With Lord Krishna's words of wisdom and
guidance, Arjuna's confusion and despair vanished. He picked up his bow and arrows,
ready to fight the battle with courage and determination.
10. This was the beginning of the great Bhagavad
Gita, a sacred scripture that contains the teachings of Lord Krishna to Arjuna.
It is a timeless message of duty, devotion, and spiritual wisdom meant for all
people of all ages and backgrounds.
Chapter
2: HIGHEST KNOWLEDGE
1. Arjuna, the great warrior, is feeling confused
and sad before a big battle. He's worried about hurting his family members in
the fight.
2. Lord Krishna, Arjuna's friend and mentor, helps
him understand that he should not be attached to the results of his actions.
Instead, he should focus on doing his duty and being a good person.
3. Lord Krishna explains the concept of the soul,
which is the part of us that is eternal and never dies. He says that even
though our bodies may die, our souls live on.
4. Lord Krishna encourages Arjuna to be brave and
fight for what is right, even if it is difficult. He reminds him that it is
better to die doing your duty than to live in fear and not do what you know is
right.
5. Lord Krishna also teaches Arjuna about the
importance of meditation and spiritual practice. He says that by focusing our
minds and hearts on God, we can find peace and happiness even in difficult
times.
6. Lord Krishna explains that the mind is
like a restless monkey that jumps from one thought to another. This constant
chatter of the mind can be distracting and make it difficult to focus on
important things.
7.. He says that the key to controlling the mind is
through practice and detachment. By practising meditation and mindfulness, we
can learn to quiet the mind and focus on the present moment.
8. Lord Krishna also emphasizes the importance of
detachment. He says that we should not be attached to the results of our
actions, but rather focus on doing our duty. By letting go of attachment, we
can find greater peace and happiness.
9. Another way to control the chattering of the
mind is by cultivating positive habits and thoughts. Lord Krishna encourages us
to focus on good deeds, positive thinking, and the company of virtuous people.
10. He also advises us to be aware of our senses
and not let them control us. By practising self-control, we can avoid being
distracted by external stimuli and focus on our goals.
Overall, Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 teaches us that
controlling the mind is key to living a peaceful and fulfilling life. By
practising detachment, mindfulness, and positive thinking, we can overcome the
chatter of the mind and find greater happiness and inner peace.
Chapter 3: KARMA YOGA
Chapter 3 of the Bhagavad Gita is about Karma Yoga,
which is the path of action or selfless service. Here are ten important points
from this chapter for kids:
1. Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that it is his duty as
a warrior to fight in battle and that he should not be attached to the results
of his actions.
2. Karma Yoga means doing your duty without
expecting any reward or recognition for it.
3. Lord Krishna says that everyone should do their
duty according to their nature, and not worry about what others are doing.
4. He explains that if we don't do our duty, it
will lead to chaos and confusion in society.
5. Lord Krishna says that by doing our duty without
attachment, we can attain spiritual liberation.
6. He tells Arjuna that even he, as a great
warrior, is bound by his duty and cannot escape it.
7. Lord Krishna says that it is better to do our
duty imperfectly than to do someone else's duty perfectly.
8. He explains that performing actions as an
offering to God is a form of worship.
9. Lord Krishna encourages Arjuna to be a role
model for others by performing his duty with dedication and devotion.
10. He reminds Arjuna that he is not the doer of
his actions, but rather a mere instrument of God and that he should surrender
to God and perform his duty without attachment.
CHAPTER-4 – JANANA KARMA SANYA YOGA
Krishna explains to Arjuna that the knowledge of
the Bhagavad Gita is ancient and has been passed down from one generation to
another.
1. He says that the true meaning of this knowledge
has been lost over time and he is here to restore it.
2. Krishna tells Arjuna that he has taken many
births, but he remembers all of them, while Arjuna does not.
3. He explains that he takes birth whenever there
is an imbalance in the world and evil starts to overpower good.
4. Krishna also says that he does not need to do
any action, but he still does it to show the people how to live their lives.
5. He emphasizes the importance of doing good deeds
without expecting anything in return.
6. Krishna explains the concept of the three modes
of material nature: goodness, passion, and ignorance. He says that we need to
work towards achieving goodness.
7. He also talks about the four types of people:
those who are seeking material gain, those who are seeking knowledge, those who
are seeking spiritual liberation, and those who are already enlightened.
8. Krishna says that one should always perform
their duties without attachment to the results of their actions.
9. Finally, Krishna says that the best way to
achieve liberation is through devotion to him and that one should always strive
towards this goal.
CHAPTER-5 – KARMA SANNYAS YOGA
1. Krishna explains to Arjuna that renunciation of
action and the performance of action both lead to liberation, but the latter is
easier to follow.
2. He says that one should perform their duties
without attachment to the results, which is known as Karma Yoga.
3. Krishna emphasizes the importance of focusing on
the present moment and doing one's duty at the moment.
4. He explains that the body and soul are separate
and that the soul is eternal.
5. Krishna says that one should not be attached to
the body, but should instead focus on the soul.
6. He explains that the senses and the mind are
very powerful and can lead one astray, but one should control them through
self-discipline.
7. Krishna talks about the importance of meditation
and how it helps to control the mind and senses.
8. He says that those who have achieved
self-realization see everyone equally and do not discriminate based on external
factors.
9. Krishna also says that those who are truly
devoted to him are constantly in his presence and are always happy.
10. Finally, he emphasizes the importance of
surrendering oneself to him completely and having complete faith in him.
CHAPTER-6-
YOGA OF SELF RESISTANCE
- Lord
Krishna reminds Arjuna that the soul is immortal and that it cannot be
destroyed by weapons or fire.
- Krishna
emphasizes the importance of performing one's duty, or dharma, and
encourages Arjuna to fight in the battle that lies ahead.
- He
explains that true yoga is the path of selfless action, in which one
performs their duties without attachment to the outcome.
- Krishna
teaches that those who act with wisdom and devotion, and who surrender to
him, will attain eternal peace and happiness.
- He
explains that the ultimate goal of yoga is to attain union with the divine
and that this can be achieved through the practice of meditation.
- Krishna
emphasizes the importance of controlling the mind, which is the key to
achieving inner peace and spiritual growth.
- He teaches
that one should treat all beings with love and compassion, as they are all
manifestations of the divine.
- Krishna
describes the qualities of a true devotee, including humility, purity, and
devotion to God.
- He
explains that true knowledge is knowing that the self is distinct from the
body and mind and that it is eternal and unchanging.
- Finally,
Krishna reminds Arjuna that those who have faith and surrender to him will
be protected and guided by him and that they will ultimately attain
liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
CHAPTER-7-
SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE OF YOGA
1. Krishna explains that he is the ultimate source
of everything, and everything emanates from that Truth.
2. He explains that he is both the material and
spiritual cause of creation.
3. Krishna encourages us to take shelter in that
Truth and surrender to that completely.
4. He explains that the material world is temporary
and full of suffering and that we should strive to attain the eternal spiritual
world.
5. Krishna says that the four types of people who
approach him are those in distress, those seeking material gain, those seeking
knowledge, and those seeking spiritual liberation.
6. He explains that those who worship demigods are
actually worshipping him ( Truth), as he is the ultimate source of all
demigods.
7. Krishna states that those who are free from
material desires and who have attained spiritual knowledge worship him with
love and devotion.
8. He encourages us to perform our duties without
attachment to the results and to always remember him.
9. Krishna explains that true knowledge and
realization come from serving and worshipping him with love and devotion.
10. He concludes by stating that he is the ultimate
goal of all spiritual practices and that by surrendering to him (Truth) we can
attain the highest perfection.
CHAPTER-8-
IMPERISHABLE BRAHMAN
1. In Chapter 8, Lord Krishna explains the process
of attaining the Supreme Personality of the Godhead.
2. He describes two paths: the path of light and
the path of darkness. The path of light leads to liberation, while the path of
darkness leads to rebirth.
3. The path of light is followed by those who are
devoted to God, always remember Him, and offer their actions to Him.
4. The path of darkness is followed by those who
are attached to the material world and do not think about God.
5. Lord Krishna explains that the ultimate goal of
life is to achieve the Supreme Personality of Godhead and that one can attain
this goal by meditating on Him.
6. He also explains the process of leaving the body
at the time of death and how one can attain a higher destination after death by
remembering God.
7. Lord Krishna says that those who remember that
at the time of death will attain His abode, while those who think of other
things will be reborn in this material world.
8. He also describes the cycle of birth and death,
and how one can break free from this cycle by attaining the Supreme Personality
of Godhead.
9. Lord Krishna emphasizes the importance of
devotion and surrender to Him, and how these qualities can lead one to achieve
the ultimate goal of life.
10. The chapter ends with Lord Krishna describing
the glory of His abode and inviting everyone to come and attain it by knowing
that.
CHAPTER-9 RAJYOGA
1. In this chapter, Lord Krishna explains that He
is the Supreme Lord of all living beings and the source of everything.
2. He says that everything in the world, including
living beings and non-living objects, is created and maintained by Him.
3. Lord Krishna explains that He has two natures -
His divine nature and His material nature.
4. He says that those who worship Him with devotion
and faith can attain His divine nature and become free from the cycle of birth
and death.
5. The Lord emphasizes that He is impartial and
that anyone, regardless of their social status or background, can attain His
divine nature through devotion.
6. Lord Krishna also emphasizes the importance of
offering food to Him before eating. He says that those who offer their food to
Him with love and devotion are freed from all sins.
7. The Lord says that He is present in the hearts
of all living beings and that those who surrender to Him can attain peace and
eternal happiness.
8. He emphasizes that true knowledge and understanding
of the world come from knowing Him as the ultimate cause of everything.
9. Lord Krishna says that those who offer their
actions to Him and perform their duties without attachment can attain
liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
10. Finally, He encourages Arjuna, the main
disciple in the conversation, to always remember Him and to constantly think of
Him in all his actions.
CHAPTER-10
YOGA OF MAJESTY
1. Krishna is the supreme being and the source of
all existence.
2. Krishna explains that everything in the world is
a manifestation of his power and energy.
3. Krishna describes some of his divine qualities,
such as being the beginning, middle, and end of all things.
4. Krishna explains that he gives wisdom to those
who seek it and helps them overcome obstacles in life.
5. Krishna describes his various forms and how he
appears to different people in different ways.
6. Krishna explains that he is the source of all
knowledge and intelligence.
7. Krishna reveals that he is the source of all
goodness and that he punishes those who act immorally.
8. Krishna explains that he is present in every
living being and that we can connect with him through devotion and love.
9. Krishna encourages Arjuna to worship him with
devotion and to surrender himself to Krishna's will.
10. Krishna reassures Arjuna that those who have
faith in him will overcome all obstacles and attain eternal peace and
happiness.
CHAPTER-11 VISION OF THE UNIVERSAL FORM
1. Chapter 11 of the Bhagavad Gita is called the
"Vision of the Universal Form" and is about Lord Krishna showing
Arjuna his divine form.
2. Arjuna, the brave warrior, was hesitant to fight
against his relatives and sought guidance from Lord Krishna.
3. Lord Krishna revealed his divine form to Arjuna
to help him understand the true nature of the universe.
4. Arjuna was amazed to see the vastness and
magnificence of Lord Krishna's form, with many arms, eyes, and other divine
attributes.
5. Lord Krishna explained to Arjuna that everything
in the universe is connected and that he was the creator, sustainer, and
destroyer of all things.
6. Arjuna saw the gods, humans, animals, and even
demons in Lord Krishna's form, which helped him understand that everything is
interconnected.
7. Lord Krishna showed Arjuna that he was the
source of all knowledge and that everything in the universe was a manifestation
of his divine energy.
8. Arjuna was filled with reverence and awe upon
seeing Lord Krishna's divine form and realized his true nature.
9. Lord Krishna told Arjuna that he had shown him
his divine form to help him understand the true nature of the universe and to
inspire him to fulfil his duty as a warrior.
10. Arjuna was grateful to Lord Krishna for
revealing his divine form and was ready to fulfil his duty as a warrior with
renewed courage and determination.
CHAPTER-12 – LOVE YOGA
1. The chapter starts with Arjuna asking Krishna
which is better - worshipping God with form or without form.
2. Krishna explains that both paths lead to the
same goal, but it is easier to worship God with form as it helps in
concentration.
3. Krishna emphasizes the importance of being
devoted to God and surrendering oneself to Him.
4. He explains that those who are devoted to Him
will always be protected and guided by Him.
5. Krishna describes the qualities of a true
devotee - they are kind, forgiving, content, and steady-minded.
6. He advises Arjuna to keep his mind focused on
Him and to always remember Him in all actions.
7. Krishna explains that the ultimate goal of yoga
is to attain union with Him and that it requires constant practice and
detachment.
8. He encourages Arjuna to persevere in his
practice of yoga and not get discouraged by temporary setbacks.
9. Krishna reminds Arjuna that he is His friend and
devotee and promises to always protect him.
10. The chapter concludes with Arjuna praising
Krishna for His teachings and asking for His blessings to help him become a
devoted and steadfast yogi.
CHAPTER-13 – BODY AND THE LIVING SELF
1. In Chapter 13, Lord Krishna talks about the
distinction between the body and the soul.
2. He explains that the body is like a house for
the soul, and just like a house needs maintenance, the body needs to be taken
care of too.
3. The soul is the real self, and it is eternal and
indestructible.
4. The soul is present in every living being, whether
it's a human, an animal, or a plant.
5. Lord Krishna says that one should see the soul
as the same in every living being, and not discriminate based on external
differences.
6. He explains that the soul is beyond the material
world and is not affected by material things like pleasure and pain.
7. The ultimate goal of life is to realize the soul
and to become free from the cycle of birth and death.
8. Lord Krishna says that this can be achieved
through knowledge, meditation, and detachment from material things.
9. He emphasizes the importance of having a guru or
a spiritual teacher to guide us on the path of spiritual realization.
10. Finally, Lord Krishna says that one who
realizes the soul and becomes free from material attachments attains ultimate peace
and happiness.
CHAPTER-14 – THREE QUALITIES
Chapter 14 of the Bhagavad Gita explains the
concept of the three Gunas or qualities that make up our existence. Here are 10
points from Chapter 14 for kids:
1. Everything in this world is made up of three
qualities or Gunas: sattva, rajas, and tamas.
2. Sattva is the quality of purity, clarity, and
goodness. Rajas is the quality of action, energy, and passion. Tamas is the
quality of darkness, laziness, and ignorance.
3. Our actions and thoughts are influenced by the
dominant guna in our nature.
4. Those who have a lot of sattva guna are wise,
peaceful, and happy. They seek knowledge and work for the welfare of others.
5. Those who have a lot of rajas guna are active,
ambitious, and competitive. They seek power and wealth and work hard to achieve
their goals.
6. Those who have a lot of tamas guna are lazy,
ignorant, and deluded. They are attached to pleasure and material comforts.
7. The ultimate goal of life is to transcend the
Gunas and attain pure consciousness or the state of enlightenment.
8. To do this, we need to develop sattva guna and
reduce rajas and tamas Gunas in our nature.
9. We can do this by practising yoga, meditation,
selfless service, and living a virtuous life.
10. By transcending the Gunas, we can attain
liberation or moksha from the cycle of birth and death and merge with the
divine consciousness.
CHAPTER-15 –ILLUSIONARY TREE
1. Chapter 15 talks about the importance of
understanding the true nature of God.
2. God is described as the source of the tree with
roots above and branches below, representing the eternal and material worlds
respectively.
3. Just as the roots of a tree provide nourishment
to the entire tree, Maya is the direct source of all nourishment and support
for living beings.
4. The material world, represented by the branches
of the tree, is temporary and constantly changing, while the spiritual world,
represented by the roots, is eternal and unchanging.
5. The ultimate goal of life is to reconnect with
God and attain the spiritual world, which is free from all suffering and
material limitations.
6. One can achieve this goal by cultivating
devotion and surrender to God, and by performing actions that are pleasing to
God.
7. God is described as the source of all knowledge
and wisdom, and one can attain true knowledge by studying and following the
teachings of the scriptures.
8. The material world is full of distractions and
illusions that can lead one away from the path of devotion and surrender to
God.
9. Therefore, it is important to cultivate
detachment and focus on the ultimate goal of reconnecting with God.
10. By understanding the true nature of God and the
material world, one can overcome all obstacles and attain the ultimate goal of
spiritual liberation.
CHAPTER-16- DIVINE
AND DEMONIC QUALITIES
1. The chapter starts by discussing the qualities
of people who have divine nature and those who have demoniac nature. Divine
qualities include fearlessness, purity, and self-control, while demoniac
qualities include pride, anger, and greed.
2. The divine qualities lead to happiness and
spiritual progress, while the demoniac qualities lead to misery and bondage.
3. Krishna explains that those with demoniac nature
think only of themselves and their desires, while those with divine nature
think of others and act for the benefit of all.
4. Krishna warns that those with demoniac nature
are trapped in ignorance and delusion, and their actions lead to destruction
and suffering.
5. Krishna then describes the three gates to hell -
lust, anger, and greed - and urges us to avoid these negative emotions and
behaviours.
6. He also describes the three gates to liberation
- knowledge, action, and devotion - and encourages us to cultivate these
positive qualities.
7. Krishna emphasizes the importance of
surrendering to God and living a life of service, rather than focusing only on
personal gain and pleasure.
8. He warns that those who are arrogant and
disregard the teachings of scripture will fall into a cycle of birth and death.
9. Krishna encourages us to seek knowledge from
wise teachers and to follow the path of virtue and righteousness.
10. Finally, Krishna reassures us that those who
surrender to him with faith and devotion will attain peace, happiness, and
eternal life in the spiritual world.
CHAPTER- 17- THREE TYPES OF REVERENCE
1. The chapter begins with Lord Krishna
describing the three types of faith (or belief) that people have: sattvic
(pure), rajasic (passionate), and tamasic (dark).
2. Sattvic faith is characterized by a belief in
God, scriptures, and virtuous actions. Rajasic faith is characterized by a
belief in the power of one's actions, without regard for their moral value.
Tamasic faith is characterized by a lack of faith altogether.
3. Lord Krishna explains that the type of faith a
person has determines their actions, and ultimately their destiny.
4. He goes on to describe the types of food that
people eat, and how this also affects their faith and actions.
5. Sattvic food is pure, nourishing, and promotes a
peaceful state of mind. Rajasic food is spicy, and bitter, and causes
restlessness. Tamasic food is stale, and impure, and promotes laziness.
6. Lord Krishna explains that the type of
sacrifices people perform (such as giving to charity or performing religious
rituals) also depends on their faith.
7. Sattvic sacrifices are performed without
expecting anything in return, with a sense of duty and devotion. Rajasic
sacrifices are performed with a desire for material gain or recognition.
Tamasic sacrifices are performed without care or attention to detail.
8. Lord Krishna emphasizes the importance of
performing actions with the right attitude, and not just for the sake of the
action itself.
9. He also stresses the importance of having faith
in God and surrendering one's actions and results to Him.
10. The chapter ends with Lord Krishna reassuring
Arjuna (the protagonist) that those who have faith in God and perform actions
with the right attitude will ultimately reach a state of peace and
enlightenment.
CHAPTER-18- YOGA OF LIBERATION
1. Chapter 18 is called "Moksha Sanyasa Yoga"
and it talks about the path to liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
2. Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that the path to
liberation is through doing one's duty without attachment to the results of
one's actions.
3. Lord Krishna says that the ultimate goal of
human life is to attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death, and this
can be achieved through selfless action.
4. He explains that there are three types of
actions as one's nature: actions done with ignorance, actions done with
attachment, and actions done with selflessness.
5. Lord Krishna emphasizes the importance of
following one's dharma or duty, and not being swayed by the desires and
opinions of others.
6. He talks about the importance of surrendering
one's ego to God and trusting in his divine will.
7. Lord Krishna explains that all living beings are
part of the divine energy, and therefore we should treat others with respect
and compassion.
8. He talks about the qualities of a true spiritual
seeker, such as humility, patience, and devotion to God.
9. Lord Krishna encourages Arjuna to take up the path of selfless action and surrender to God and promises that he will be protected and guided by divine grace.
10. Finally, Lord Krishna concludes the Bhagavad
Gita by saying that he has revealed the secret of all secrets to Arjuna and
that those who study and follow the teachings of the Gita will attain eternal
happiness and peace.