Class Summary for Feb 28, 2021 - BG - Chapter-5 Introduction

 Summarized by: Sree Sekhar Palaparthy

We started the class with our Prayers, Pranayama and Meditation.

Recap

 We looked at a different perspective of discussing any points around what Gita might not help

teach (ex: public speaking)

 We discussed that Gita is still a great tool, but we need to use it appropriately. The study group

forum provides options to participate in things like

o Annual drama participation

o Volunteer as MCs for kid’s programs etc. to help with public speaking

 We briefly discussed about how to think of God in every action we do throughout the day

o In ideal state, we don’t need to “DO” anything for meditating, it’s just to be (like

breathing)

o Instead of defining specific time to think about God, like daily pooja etc., we might

o Have some reminders around you to keep reminding about God

o Consistently sticking to Sadhana; Shravanam, Manamam, Nidhi Dhyasanam is key to

keep God in every thought and action

 A story was shared in this context:

o Raja Janak invited few people to a feast and when they sat to eat, they realized there

was a sword hanging on top of their necks. Throughout the feast, though they were

enjoying the food items, their mind was always focussed on the sword. Similarly, we

need to keep God in our minds all throughout, though we are involved in our daily

actions

 We also reflected back on all the previous chapters (1, 2, 3, 12 and 4) we completed so far and

discussed their summary to recollect the journey in this path so far

Chapter 5 - Introduction

We saw the summary /high level structure of Chapter 5 (prelude to meditation)

 1-6 : Difference between Grihastha and Sannyasa ashrams

 7 -12 : What is Karma Yoga sadhana

 13-21: What is Gyana Yoga sadhana

 22-26: Spiritual value – Vairagya and it’s benefits

 27-29: Introduction to main topic of next chapter - meditation

Then we watched Gurudev’s 3 videos on introduction to Chapter 5

Renunciation:

 Changing external attire, clothes or running away from obligatory duties doesn’t qualify

as renunciation.

 Renunciation is not something which happens outside/externally, it needs to be within

oneself

 One needs to renunciate things which belong to oneself, like ego, expectations, wrong

values, and so on, but shouldn’t renunciate things which do not belong to them (ex:

family, property, talents, etc.)

 Renunciation needs to happen while fulfilling one’s responsibilities, and by

revolutionizing within oneself

 Sannyas is renunciation of ego, i.e giving up the idea of one is BMI who is depended

upon the world of OET, to achieve larger state

We briefly discussed about a point that renunciation of ego, eventually leads to renunciation of external

possessions, as a natural process