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PLEASE NOTE: The posts here are strictly meant as supplement notes for participants of the study group, and not for a non-participant.
Non participants of the study group may not clearly understand the subjective aspects of the post, and could be confused. Hence, it is recommend that non-participants do not refer to this BLOG, and instead attend the study group first.
Study group meets on Sunday's at 12.45 pm @ Chinmaya Vrindavan, 95, Cranbury Neck Road, Cranbury, NJ

Thursday, October 8, 2020

Class Summary for Oct 4, 2020 - Intro to BG - Chapter-4

Summarized by: Shilpa Sail 

Started the class with meditation as it helps us to calm our minds and preps us for the class. 
Class rules were explained and a quick recap of chapters 3 and 12 was provided.  

We started with a high-level summary of chapter 4. 

Chapter 4 covers the way to engage in this world and then how to dis-engage from this world. 
The chapter can be divided into the following parts- 
  • 1-8 Glory of Gita and the Avatara Purusha (Lord Krishna) 
  • 9- 17 Atman and Action 
  • 18- 23 Actions that do not bind the enlightened 
  • 24 – 30 The twelve yajnas (sacrifices) 
  • 31 – 37 Yajnas culminating into wisdom 
  • 38 – 42 Gain wisdom( The ultimate truth or the ultimate freedom) 

The chapter delves into how we should live with the yajna attitude which will culminate into gaining knowledge and that will be the path to attain the ultimate wisdom. 

Vedas are really vast. It is not very organized. It is advised that we read the Veda antas which is also called the Upanishad that contains the summary of the Vedas. Upanishads do not cover Karma yoga as they are jnana kandas, not karma kandas. Hence, Bhagavad Gita can be considered as a supplement to the Upanishads as it covers Karma yoga. 

The karma part is not covered in Upanishads as only permanent things are discussed in Upanishads. Both the action(karma) and the result of action are temporary, hence the Upanishads do not cover that. 

This chapter is the transition from Karma to Jnana to reach self-realization. How to think and go beyond action is covered in chapter 4. 

Saying is not the same as realizing the ultimate truth. Gaining knowledge is not enough. It needs to be combined with realization. 
 
The class concluded with closing prayers.
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1 comment:

  1. SunilNovember 1, 2020 at 7:30 AM

    Thanks Shilpa. Karma yoga is not in Upanishadd and Gita helps us with both Karma yoga and essence of Upanishads is a lovely insight. The structure summary of chapter 4 is very nice too

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