The Science of Self Realisation
International Society for Krishna Consciousness – ISKCON Sydney
1 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
A 6 Topic Course on Essence of Bhagavad
Gita
1. Introduction to Bhagavad Gita
2. The Science of Soul
3. Who is God? Why Different Gods, Different
Scriptures?
4. Material Nature, Time and Karma
5. Different forms of Yoga & The Topmost Yoga
System
6. Practical Application of Bhagavad Gita
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
2 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Introduction to
Bhagavad Gita
Topic 1
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
3 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
The Bhagavad-Gita is the main
source-book on yoga and a
concise summary of India's
Vedic wisdom.
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
4 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Background
At the last moment before entering battle, the great
warrior Arjuna begins to wonder about the real meaning
of his life.
Why should he fight against his friends and relatives?
Why does he exist?
Where is he going after death?
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
5 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Background – Cont….
In the Bhagavad-gita, Lord Krishna, Arjuna's friend and spiritual
master, brings His disciple from perplexity to spiritual
enlightenment. In the course of doing so, Krishna concisely but
definitively explains transcendental knowledge; karma-yoga,
bhakti-yoga, jnana-yoga; knowledge of the Absolute; devotional
service; the three modes of material nature; the divine and
demoniac natures; and much more…
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
6 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Bhagavad-Gita As It Is
Is the largest-selling,
most widely used edition
of the Gita in the world.
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
7 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Similarity
Different animals and birds have different
abilities
Eating, sleeping, mating and defending is
common
to animals and humans
Human can inquire about cause of suffering and
destination of life
Animals act by instinct
Humans are endowed with free will
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
8 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Quote
ahara nidra bhaya maithunam ca
samanyam etad pasubhir naranam
dharmo hi tesam adhiko viseso
dharmena hina pasubhir samanam
“The activities of eating, sleeping, mating and defending are common in
animals and human beings. The human beings are considered superior
only when they inquire about the Absolute Truth, otherwise they are
considered as good as animals.”
- MAHABHARAT
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
9 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Why am I
suffering? What
is the actual
destination of
life?
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
10 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
3 Ways of Gaining Knowledge
1. Pratyaksa Praman: Empirical sensual perception
We cannot obtain knowledge about the Absolute Truth
through material senses because:-
a) Senses are imperfect
b) Senses put us into illusion
c) We commit mistakes
d) Cheating propensity
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
11 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
2. Anuman Praman: Theories based on Evidence
or process of inference or hypothesizing on the
knowledge acquired by direct perception
3. Sabda Praman: Hearing from a bonafide
authority – knowledge obtained through this
process is free from the four human defects
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
12 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
THE INFALLIBLE VEDIC WISDOM
Vedic scriptures are called as ‘Apaurusheya’
– they have no human author.
Vedas are directly word of God revealed at
the time of Creation
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
13 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Example of a manual
When we buy a motorcycle, we get an instruction manual explaining how to use it
Similarly, at the time of creation, God gives us the Vedic scriptures for direction on
how to behave in this world
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
14 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Examples
Vedas long ago revealed that the earth is round, and it has 7 continents
which information was not known to most of Europe even 500 years ago
Plants have life is asserted by the Vedas and is proved now to be true
Vedas present accurate predictions of great personalities who will appear in
future with great detail and accuracy
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
15 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
2 Systems of Knowledge
1. Inductive / Ascending Method:- Not accepting
any authority and trying to find out truth by
one’s own endeavor or speculation
2. Deductive / Descending Method:- Knowing
things by hearing. Not experimental
knowledge.
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
16 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Example of finding one’s mother
If we want to know who our father is, we have to accept
our mother’s authority. If we want to test and find out
ourselves, even one’s lifetime may not be sufficient.
Similarly if we want to know something beyond our
experience, beyond our experimental knowledge,
beyond the activities of the senses, then we have to
accept Vedas which is considered to be like a mother
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
17 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Importance of
Bhagavad Gita Amongst
the Vedic Literatures
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
18 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
What is Bhagavad Gita?
A transcendental literature
The summum-bonum of all Vedic literatures
Can free one from all the miseries and anxieties of life, if one follows the
instructions as they are
For Kali yuga people who are short lived, Bhagavad Gita gives the
guidance about the way of perfecting one’s life
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
19 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Quote
Maline mocanam pumsam
jala-snanam dine dine
sakrd gitamrta-snanam
samsara-mala-nasanam
“One may cleanse himself daily by taking a bath in water,
but if one takes a bath even once in the sacred Ganges
water of Bhagavad Gita, for him the dirt of material life
is altogether vanquished.” [Gita Mahatmya 3]
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
20 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Quote
Sarvopanisado gavo
dogdha gopala-nandanah
partho vatsah su-dhir bhokta
dugdham gitamrtam mahat
“This Gitopanisad, Bhagavad Gita, the essence of
all the Upanisads, is just like a cow, and Lord
Krsna, who is famous as a cowherd boy, is
milking this cow. Arjuna is just like a calf, and
learned scholars and pure devotees are to drink
the nectarean milk of Bhagavad Gita”
[Gita
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney Mahatmya 6] ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
21 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Quote
ekam sastram devaki-putra-gitam
eko devo devaki-putra eva
eko mantras tasya namani yani
karmapy ekam tasya devasya seva
“Let there be one scripture only, one common scripture for the whole world
– Bhagavad Gita. Let there be one God for the whole world– Sri Krsna,
son of Devaki. Let there be only one mantra, one hymn– the chanting of
His name: Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare / Hare Rama
Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. Let there be only one work– the
service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”
[Gita Mahatmya 7]
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
22 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Requirements for
Understanding Bhagavad Gita
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
23 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
One should understand the following points
before beginning to learn Bhagavad Gita
1. Bhagavad Gita is a real historical dialogue between
Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and
Arjuna. Kuruksetra and all characters like Arjuna,
Bhima and others are all real. One should not twist
this truth and bring out some allegorical meaning.
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
24 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
2. Bhagavad Gita should be read and understood as it is
coming in disciplic succession. Only this can change
the hearts of people and free them from sinful
activities and purify their lives
3. Krishna is the goal of Bhagavad Gita. Many editions
of Bhagavad Gita have brushed aside Krsna and
Arjuna and carry self-motivated interpretations.
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
25 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
4. Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is not an
ordinary or even an extra-ordinary man. Bhagavad Gita should
be heard in the spirit of devotion like Arjuna.
5. Bhagavad Gita is spoken by the Absolute person, and it is the
Absolute knowledge. It is valid all the time and never out-
dated. It is not like the relative knowledge that the Scientists
with imperfect senses provide. The same knowledge in
Bhagavad Gita was spoken 120 million years ago also by Krsna.
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
26 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
6. Bhagavad Gita is a Scientific Presentation of
Philosophy and true Religion. The
knowledge given in Bhagavad Gita is
verifiable. This is confirmed in Bhagavad
Gita 9.2 ‘Pratyaksavagamam dharmyam’ by
Krsna.
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
27 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
7. Word of Lord is as good as the Lord. One should receive this
knowledge in a very respectful mood with the desire to perfect
one’s life. Although the Lord is not present personally before us,
his instructions are as good as the Lord.
8. There is a significance why Bhagavad Gita is spoken on a battle field. Life
is a struggle just like a battle. Bhagavad Gita is for those who want to
tackle the battle of life and to deliver us from the ignorance.
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
28 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
From Whom Should I
hear Bhagavad Gita?
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
29 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Tad vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet
samit-panih srotriyam brahma-nistham
“In order to learn the transcendental science, one must
submissively approach a bonafide spiritual master, who is
coming in disciplic succession and is fixed in the Absolute
Truth” [Mundaka Upanisad 1.2.12]
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
30 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Why do I need a Guru?
Why should I not think
for myself, Why should
there be one particular
authority? Why should I
not accept only those
things that I feel is
right/good and reject
the rest?
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
31 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Why do I need a Guru?
By accepting the advice and medicines
from a qualified physician, we are
accepting the Doctor’s authority.
As soon as we ride in a bus we are
allowing ourselves to be controlled by
the bus-driver
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
32 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Why do I need a Guru?....Contd..
From Newspapers we understand that such and such
event took place in India and America. We do not know if
really those incidents took place but we accept the
authority of Newspapers.
A child accepts his mother as authority and comes to
know of everyone– his father, brother, etc., only through
her
These are some of the Everyday Examples where we
believe authorities in order to get knowledge
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
33 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Why do I need a Guru?
A) The senses cannot give us perfect knowledge of even
this material world, then what to speak of things beyond
matter i.e., spiritual subjects? No one should dare
speculate about spiritual subjects, it is beyond our mind
and senses.
B) We accept teacher in every walk of life. Why not accept
the authority of a teacher in spiritual life?
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
34 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Why do I need a Guru?
C) Even when the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri
Krsna descended to this world, he has set an example
by accepting Sandipani Muni as His Guru. Even Lord
Ramacandra accepted Vasistha Muni as His Guru to set
an example. So even the Supreme Personality of
Godhead who is the source of all wisdom accepts a
guru to emphasize the need of accepting a guru
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
35 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Disciplic Succession – The Guru Parampara / Sampradaya
“evam parampara-praptam’ : “This Supreme
science (bhakti yoga, knowledge through
devotional service) was thus received
through the chain of disciplic succession.”
[B.G. 4.2]
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
36 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Disciplic Succession – The Guru Parampara / Sampradaya
The chain of masters in which a
particular guru hears and speaks the
truth is called his SAMPRADAYA.
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
37 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Disciplic Succession – The Guru Parampara / Sampradaya
For instance, in the Brahma Sampradaya, Vedic
knowledge descends from Brahma. Brahma gave this
knowledge to Narada. Narada delivered to Vyasa and so
on without break and even today continued by the
disciples of Srila Prabhupada.
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
38 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Disciplic Succession – The Guru Parampara / Sampradaya
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
39 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
PADMA PURANA
Sampradaya-vihina ye mantras te nisphala matah
atah kalau bhavisyanti chatvarah sampradayinah
“If one is not connected with a bonafide disciplic succession
namely – SRI, BRAHMA, RUDRA, KUMARA sampradayas –
whatever mantras he chants will not bring the desired result.”
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
40 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Disciplic Succession – The Guru Parampara / Sampradaya
sri-brahma-rudra-sanaka vaisnava ksiti pavana
chatvaras te kalau bhavya hy utkale purusottama
“Originally the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
Krsna delivered the message of Vedas to SRI
(Lakshmiji), BRAHMA, RUDRA (Siva), KUMARA
(Sanaka, Sanatana, Sanatkumar, Sananda).”
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
41 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Disciplic Succession – The Guru Parampara / Sampradaya
Ramanujam-srihi-svichakre
madhvacaryam-chaturmuhash
sri vishnuswamino-rudro
nimbadityam chatuksanaha
“This message in Kali yuga (present age) was carried
on by Ramanujacarya (SRI SAMPRADAYA),
Madhvacarya (BRAHMA SAMPRADAYA), Vishnuswami
(Rudra Sampradaya) and Nimbarka swami (Kumara
Sampradaya).”
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
42 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
QUALIFICATIONS OF THE GURU
International Society for Krishna Consciousness – ISKCON Sydney
43 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Fake or Professional Gurus…
Charge fees for secret mantras giving false promises
Allow their students to disregard all the Vedic
regulative austerities
Maintain that the purpose of yoga is material well
being and not as a means of connecting one to God
Defy the Vedas by saying ‘I am God, You are God,
Everyone is God’ and so on.
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
44 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
A bonafide Spiritual Master
He has heard the Absolute Truth in a disciplic succession
coming from Krsna Himself
He has realized the conclusions of the scriptures by
deliberation and is able to convince others of these
conclusions
He should teach by personal example
His senses must be controlled, must be truthful, interested in
the welfare of all living beings
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
45 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
3 Point Check
There is also a check-and-balance system called guru-
sadhu-sastra.
The teachings of guru must correspond with the teachings
of Sadhu (the previous spiritual masters in the disciplic
succession) which in turn, must all correspond with the
direct meanings of Sastra (the scripture).
This is the proof of perfect knowledge.
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
46 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
QUALIFICATIONS
OF THE DISCIPLE
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
47 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
A Disciple must …
Sincerely inquire about the Topmost Long-term Goal of life which
is spiritual welfare
Submissively inquire with an open mind
Have service attitude
Be a devotee of the Supreme Lord
Have faith in the Spiritual Master
Obedient to carry out the instructions of his Guru
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
48 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
Bhagavad Gita deals with 5 basic truths
1) Isvara – the Supreme Controller, God
2) Jiva – the living entity, a subordinate controller controlled by God
3) Material nature constituted of three qualities: sattva, rajas, tamas
4) Eternal time – an energy of Krsna
5) Karma – activities performed by a combination of 3 modes and under the control and
purview of eternal time
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
49 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
The knowledge of Bhagavad Gita can be categorized into 3 headings:
Sambandha – Who is Prayojana – the
Abhideya – process for
God? Who am I? What mature result,
reviving that
is the relationship attainment of love of
relationship
between me and God? God
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
50 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney
51 Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON SYDNEY Confidential
