Author: Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda
Publisher: Yogoda Satsang Society of India
Year: 2007
Language: English
Pages: 1173
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8189535013
Description
The immortal dialogue between soul and spirit, this work is unique among Gita commentaries. A staggering sweep of psychology, spiritual instruction, linguistic discernment, esoteric physiology, cosmology, and yoga doctrine.
Through the centuries, the sublime and ennobling counsel of the Bhagavad Gita has endeared it to truth-seekers of East and West alike. Yet its deepest meaning, cloaked in allegory, has remained obscure. In this highly acclaimed work, one of the most revered spiritual leaders of our time offers a translation and commentary of unparalleled scope and vision. Known to millions of readers around the world for his classic 'Autobiography of a Yogi', Paramahansa Yogananda reveals here the innermost essence of the Bhagavad Gita.
Reviews:
A monumental work….a masterpiece of spiritual, literary, and philosophical work.
—India Post
A staggering sweep of psychology, spiritual instruction, linguistic discernment, esoteric physiology, cosmology, and yoga doctrine….The sheer breadth of the work makes it unique among Gita commentaries.
—Quincy Howe, Ph.D., former professor of Comparative Region and
Sanskrit at the Claremont Colleges
Yogananda's commentary penetrates to the heart of the Bhagavad Gita to reveal (its) deep spiritual and psychological truths.
—Publisher's Weekly
Inspiring and empowering….Experience the true pulse of the Bhagavad Gita….through the luminous words of one of this century's great yoga masters.
—Yoga Journal
Contents
Vol. 1
List of Illustrations
Publisher’s Note
Preface, by Sri Sri Daya Mata
Introduction
CHAPTER I
THE DESPONDENCY OF ARJUNA
The Significance of Chapter I
"What Did They?" ---Survey of the Inner Psychological and Spiritual Battlefield
The Opposing Armies of the Spiritual and Materialistic Forces
The Conch Shells: Inner VibratoryBattle in Meditation
The Devotee Observes the Enemies to Be Destroyed
Arjuna’s Refusal to Fight
CHAPTER II
SANKHYA AND YOGA: COSMIC WISDOM AND THE METHOD OF ITS ATTAINMENT
The Lord’s Exhortation to the Devotee, and the Devotee’s Plea for Guidance
The Eternal, Transcendental Nature of the Soul
The Righteous Battle Is Man’s Religious Duty
Yoga: Remedy for Doubt, Confusion, and Intellectual Dissatisfaction
The Yoga Art of Right Action That Leads to Infinite Wisdom
Qualities of the Self-realized
CHAPTER III
KARMA YOGA: THE PATH OF SPIRITUAL ACTION
Why Is Activity a Necessary Part of the Path to Liberation?
The Nature of Right Action: Performing All Works as Oblations (Yajna)
Righteous Duty, Performed With Nonattachment, Is Godly
How Egoless Action Frees the Yogi From Nature’s Dualities and the Bondage of Karma
Right Attitude Toward One’s Spiritual Guide and ‘Sadhana’
Conquering the Two-sided Passion, Desire and Anger
CHAPTER IV
THE SUPREME SCIENCE OF KNOWING GOD
The Historical Basis and Esoteric Essence of Yoga
The Incarnations of the Divine
Paths of Liberation From the Rounds of Rebirth
The Lord’s Modes of Action Within His Creation
Freedom From Karma: The Nature of Right Action, Wrong Action, and Inaction
‘Yajna’, the Spiritual Fire Rite That Consumes All Karma
The All-sanctifying Wisdom, Imparted by a True Guru
CHAPTER V
FREEDOM THROUGH INNER RENUNCIATION
Which is Better ---Serving in the World or Seeking Wisdom in Seclusion?
The Gita’s Way of Freedom: Meditation on God Plus Desireless Activity
The Self as Transcendental Witness: Ensconced in Bliss, Unaffected by the World
Good and Evil and Their Relation to the Soul
The Knower of Spirit Abides in the Supreme Being
Transcending the Sensory World, Attaining the Bliss Indestructible
Appendix
Transliteration of Slokas of Chapter I -- V
Vol. II
CHAPTER VI
PERMANENT SHELTER IN SPIRIT THROUGH YOGA MEDITATION
True Renunciation and True Yoga Depend on Meditation
Transforming the Little Self (Ego) Into the Divine Self (Soul)
How the Sage of Self-realization Views the world
Krishna’s Advice for Successful Practice of Yoga
Attaining Self-Mastery and Control of the Mind
Mergence of the Self in Spirit, Pervading All Being
The Lord’s Promise: The Persevering Yogi Ultimately is Victorious
CHAPTER VII
THE NATURE OF SPIRIT AND THE SPIRIT OF NATURE
"Hear How Thou Shalt Realize Me"
Prakriti: The Dual Nature of Spirit in Creation
How the Creators Sustains the Manifested Creation
Cosmic Hypnosis (Maya) and the Way to Transcend It
Which "God" should be Worshiped?
Perceiving the Spirit Behind the Dream-Shadows of Nature
CHAPTER VIII
THE IMPERISHABLE ABSOLUTE: BEYOND THE CYCLE OF CREATION AND DISSOLUTION
The Manifestations of Spirit in the Macrocosm and Microcosm
The Yogi’s Experience at the Time of Death
The Method of Attaining the Supreme
The Cycle of Cosmic Creation
The Way of Release From the Cycles of Rebirth
CHAPTER IX
THE ROYAL KNOWLEDGE, THE ROYAL MYSTERY
Direct Perception of God, Through Method of Yoga "Easy to Perform"
How the Lord Pervades All Creation, Yet Remains Transcendent
The Right Method of Worshiping God
CHAPTER X
THE INFINITE MANIFESTATIONS OF THE UNMANIFEST SPIRIT
The Unborn and Beginningless, Beyond Form and Conception
The Diverse Modifications of God’s Nature
In Joy and Devotion, the Wise Adore Him
The Devotee Prays to Hear From the Lips of the Lord Himself: "What Are Thy Many Aspects and Forms?"
"I Will Tell Thee of My Phenomenal Expressions"
CHAPTER XI
VISION OF VISIONS: THE LORD REVEALS HIS COSMIC FROM
CHAPTER XII
BHAKTI YOGA: UNION THROUGH DEVOTION
Should the Yogi Worship the Unmanifest, or a Personal God?
The Levels of Spiritual Practice and the Stages if Realization
Qualities of the Devotee, Endearing to God
CHAPTER XIII
THE FIELD AND THE KNOWER OF THE FIELD
The Divine Forces That Create the Body, the Field Where Good and Evil Are Sown and Reaped
The True Nature of Matter and Spirit, Body and Soul
Characteristics of Wisdom
Spirit, as Known by the Wise
Purusha and Prakriti (Spirit and Nature)
Three Approaches to Self-realization
Liberation: Differentiating Between the Field and Its Knower
CHAPTER XIV
TRANSCENDING THE GUNAS
The Three Qualities (Gunas) Inherent in Cosmic Nature
Mixture of Good and Evil in Human Nature
The Fruits of the Sattvic, Rajasic, and Tamasic Life
The Nature of the Jivanmukta---One Who Rises Above Nature’s Qualities
CHAPTER XV
PURUSHOTTAMA: THE UTTERMOST BEING
Eternal ‘Ashvattha’: The Tree of Life
The Abode of the Unmanifest
How Spirit Manifests as the Soul
The Supreme Spirit; Beyond the Perishable and the Imperishable
CHAPTER XVI
EMBRACING THE DIVINE AND SHUNNING THE DEMONIC
The Soul Qualities That Make Man Godlike
The Nature and Fate of Souls Who Shun the Divine
The Threefold Gate of Hell
The Right Understanding of Scriptural Guidance for the Conduct of Life
CHAPTER XVII
THREE KINDS OF FAITH
Three Patterns of Worship
Three Classes of Food
Three Grades of Spiritual Practices
Three Kinds of Giving
Aum-Tat-Sat: God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
CHAPTER XVIII
"IN TRUTH DO I PROMISE THEE: THOU SHALT ATTAIN ME"
Renunciation: The Divine Art of Acting in the World With Unselfishness and Nonattachment
The Roots of Action and Consummation of Action (Liberation)
Three Grades of Knowledge, Action, and Character
Intelligence (Buddhi)
Fortitude (Dhriti), and Happiness (Sukham): Their Higher and lower Expressions
Discerning One’s Divinely Ordained Duty in Life
Summary of the Gita’s Massage
The Dialogue Between Spirit and Soul Concludes
Addenda
Afterword, by ‘Sri Sri Daya Mata’
Ode to the Bhagavad Gita, by ‘Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda’
Transliteration and Pronunciation of Sanskrit Terms
Epithets of Lord Krishna and Arjuna
Lahiri Mahasaya’s Diagram of ‘Chakra’
About the Author
Aims and Ideals of Yogoda Satsang Society of India
Yogoda Satsang Society of India Publication and Lessons
Terms Associated With Yogoda Satsanga Society of India
Index
Appendix
Transliteration of Slokas of Chapter VI-XVIII