Class Summary for Jan 28, 2024 - Bhagavad Gita Chapter-8 ver 14 - 16

 Summarized by Sree Sekhar Palaparthy:

The class started off with our regular routine followed by prayers and Pranayama & meditation.

We started the class discussing about opinions on the Ram Mandir Pratishta ceremony that

happened recently

We discussed around why this ceremony was required or why it has a great significance to our

culture.

 US news channels covered only part of the history starting their timeline back in 90’s,

which isn’t a right perspective. They need to go back in the history to 500 yrs back to

cover the complete story (i.e when original temple existed)

 All other faiths/religions do celebrate their inaugural events across the world, and

everyone is fine with that. However, when same level of event happens within Hindu

faith, some people including Indians, thinks that there is no need for this roadshow.

 This Pratishtha ceremony was made more of a socio-political event than recognizing the

key factor behind it about celebrating Indian culture

 This event wasn’t necessarily for Hindus, as such. It was for mankind who believed Ram

as a noble/righteous person, and came to celebrate

 There was lot of Sankalpa which went into this , as there were few who went on Moun

Vrat for 30 yrs, and few fasted for months, or even died for this to happen

We also discussed few points against the Pratishta ceremony/ temple re-establishment itself took

place

 We discussed how the path leading to Pratishta shouldn’t have involved in any form of

violence, as that cannot be still justified

 We also discussed how Ahimsa, doesn’t mean not retaliating against Adharma

We did a quick recap from our last class of verses 14,15 16 and 17 of Chapter 8.

We watched Gurudev’s video for Verse # 14

 Those who direct all of their thoughts towards HIM would attain the liberation without

any effort

 If one practices it, would get this effortlessly

 Gurudev talks about the analogy of effort that goes into sleeping. One gives up all the

anxieties to slide into sleep, similarly one with consistent practice of focusing on HIM

alone, can liberate

 One needs to know who they really are and then just lead their like playing a game