CONTENTS
The Import of the Gita’s First Chapter………………………….….…5
The Import of the Gita’s Second Chapter………………………………..10
The Import of the Gita’s Third Chapter……………………………..14
The Import of the Gita’s Fourth Chapter……………………………22
The Cosmic Form Speaks…………………………………………………26
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There is a remarkable agreement as well as divergence between various ideals of life
evolved by various peoples. Ethical systems of the world may be grouped in various
ways. There are systems like the Greek ethics, for example, which look upon the
material perfection as the goal of life. There are other systems like the ethics of early
Christianity, which look upon life-beyond as the main purpose of our life here. Thus
there is naturalistic ethics and there is supra-natural ethics; the former reveling in the
affirmation of our worldly life, the latter glorying in its denial. Now here the Hindu is
peculiar. The perfection of material life is a valuable Hindu ideal, an end in itself.
But eternal life is not allowed to swallow up our sojourn here. Marriage, pursuit of
wealth, acquisition of fame, success in war and peace, family prosperity: those are
held up as highly desirable things, when they are enjoyed in a righteous spirit. No one
can repose in peace as long as one has not made a personal contribution to the
building up and furthering of the secular civilization. But while it is enjoined on all
persons to fulfill to the best of their capacity their worldly ambitions summed up in
vittaiṣaṇā (desire for wealth), lokaiṣaṇā (desire for recognition), and putraiṣaṇā
(desire for progeny), it was clearly perceived that these were highly important ends,
but mere means for gratification of selfish desires. If one wants to save oneself, one
must rise to a high level and transcend altogether the attraction of these earthly
desires.
Paraloka-Vidya or the science about the departed souls and their planes of living is a subject
of absorbing interest. It is a Mysterious Science which contains many secrets or hidden wonders. It
has intimate connection with Panchagni-Vidya or the science of transmigration propounded in the
Chhandogya Upanishad. The doctrine of reincarnation or metempsychosis, transmigration of the
soul and spiritualism come under the Paraloka-Vidya. Everybody is curious and anxious to know
this science.
Great scientists, the inventors of many marvellous things, mighty Emperors who have done
stupendous works, inspired poets, wonderful artists, many Brahmins, Rishis, Yogins have come
and gone. You are all extremely anxious to know what has become to them. Do they still exist?
What is there at the other side of death? Have they become non-existent or have they dwindled into
an airy nothing? Such questions do arise spontaneously in the hearts of all. The same question arises
today as it arose thousands of years ago. No one can stop it, because it is inseparably connected with
our nature.
“Secret of power lies in unity and organization. Bringing out life-giving
common principles, we have to build upon the common ground of
Dharma.” — SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
“Later generations will take care of what they need to take care of. But
in our lifetime, we need to make sure that this Dharma is protected; not
only it is protected; it is handed over intact without any damage to the
generations to come…. Faced with militant missionaries, Hinduism has
to show that its plurality and all-encompassing acceptance are not signs
of disparateness or disunity. For that, a collective voice is needed.”
— SWAMI DAYANANDA SARASWATI
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