ON THE BHAGAVAD-GITA Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (Abstract by lastri) The Bhagavad-Gita (“Song of the Lord”) is part of Book VI of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. The author of this translation and commentary on the first six chapters of the original Sanskrit text shows masterful elucidation and most sincere concern for the enlightenment of readers. He has promoted the practice of transcendental meditation (as popular as his name by now) in the belief that it leads to the consciousness of Being or God (
superconsciousness) which is the one all-important goal of spiritual perfection. Much like the faith-versus-works discussions in Christian circles, the Maharishi contends that superconsciousness is the cause and not the result of a well-disciplined life. Knowledge of right or wrong, and doing what is right, falls short of this ideal if one continue to agonize over hard choices. One should be able to elevate the
mind to the cleansing
awareness of Being before the realization of any real piety. It is only from this frame of mind, maintained through the regular practice of transcendental meditation, that
good works become second
nature and sustainable. Renunciation or the principle of self-denial in relation to
worldly pleasures is dismissed as irrelevant. The enjoyment of pleasure, worldly or divine, doesn’t negate spiritual progress as long as we are detached from it. Detachment means that state of mind where having or not having, success or failure doesn’t matter anymore. That’s when the best comes out of us. It’s like the Zen mind in the martial arts; without ego,
unmindful of winning or losing, and just letting the body do what it has been trained to do. The same thing happens at basketball games when all the players are unmindful of themselves, just seeing the ball getting through the goal, and unaffectedly piling points. With the passage of time, the original and correct understanding of Lord Khrisna’s message to the hero Arjuna waned, leading to the diversity of interpretations. But Nature seems to insist by bringing to this world such sages as the Lord Buddha and Sankara who have pointed the way back to the right track. Chapter 2 Verse 45 of the Bhagavad-Gita contains the central lesson. The hero was about to enter into battle against his beloved relatives and be a lot richer upon victory. In the midst of agonizing indecision, he is told to be rid of “the three gunas”, to be detached from the prospect of material gain, and to act while rooted in the awareness of Being. This book is not just good reading. It should be recommended reading for all who wish to have a better grasp of Hindu wisdom.
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