Dharma 9/10

Bhagavad Gita

Class Information - 

This class covers: Understanding the teachings of Bhagavad Gita and how they apply to students in today’s day and age. Will include discussions and learnings of the philosophical concepts, karma yoga, gyan yoga, bhakti yoga, etc 

Ages: 12+ / Grade: 8+

Download PDF copy of book: CLICK HERE


Teachers - 

Teachers:

EMAIL teachers: vishalsagarwal@yahoo.com, devulapallisreedhar@gmail.com

Teenage Volunteers:

Class & Homework - 

February

February 19

|| OM ||


Namaste! In the class on 2/19/23, we started with the main topic '"Who am I". We briefly covered the Hindu belief in rebirth upon birth and also elaborated on the different parts of our individuality or personality.


We are comprised of our physical body, our vital body (life forces), mental body (mind and senses), intellectual body (our wisdom, intellect, values) and the spiritual body that is full of happiness. When we judge people according to how they look, what they wear and so on, we are seeing them very superficially. 


In our deepest sense, we are all a spark of the Divine, identical and spiritual.


At the link below is our compilation on the topic of Rebirth. Students should skim through this longish compilation, focusing on stories and anything else that attracts them.


C010_Jnanayoga_What_Happens_when_we_die.pdf - Google Drive 


https://drive.google.com/file/d/1008eowNyZpBLqgjaW8CiqfWIrEga0Hpj/view 


Next week will be a working session in class.


February 12

Hari Om!

Dear Parents,

On 02/05, we closed out the discussion on the nature of the Universe as explained in Jnanayoga.

Thereafter, we started a discussion on the nature of Bhagavan as explained in Jnanayoga. In this path of Moksha, the focus is on Nirguna-Nirakara form of the Lord, who is Formless, Omnipresent, Omniscient, Omnipotent, a Soul that is the Light of the Universe and so on. 

Please see attached some notes on the above two topics. 

Jnanayoga

Nature of the universe

Today, we will discuss what Jnanayoga has to say about the question, 'Who am I'. We would talk about Jivatma, Rebirth and similar topics.

As always, encourage students to study at least 5 verses of the Gita each week, and participate in their learning and self-study as well.

Hari Om Tat Sat ||

Level 10 Dharma teachers

January

January 22

Hello All,

Special note to Parents, Please be part of this discovery and exploration. Encourage kids. Thank you

 

Working session for next class.

 

 

Very Important: 

 

Collaboration

 

 

Groups

Aarna

Siddhi

Aditi

Sohum

Aryan

Aasmi

Amogh


Likhit

Ankita

Jayasri

Ashwanth

Hasini

Abha

Ramit

Akshanth

Saivya

Vedika

Archith

Malini

Tanisha

 

December

December 15

I have collected below Verses from Bhagavad Gita, here is the homework.

 

 

 

Chapter 2 Verse 13

dehino ’smin yathā dehe

kaumāraṁ yauvanaṁ jarā

tathā dehāntara-prāptir

dhīras tatra na muhyati

 

 

2.14

mātrā-sparśās tu kaunteya

śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ

āgamāpāyino ’nityās

tāṁs titikṣasva bhārata

 

 

2.22

vāsāṁsi jīrṇāni yathā vihāya

navāni gṛhṇāti naro ’parāṇi

tathā śarīrāṇi vihāya jīrṇāny       

anyāni saṁyāti navāni dehī

 

2.23

nainaṁ chindanti śastrāṇi

nainaṁ dahati pāvakaḥ

na cainaṁ kledayanty āpo

na śoṣayati mārutaḥ

 

2.47

karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣhu kadāchana

mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo ’stvakarmaṇi

 

 

2.56

duḥkheṣhv-anudvigna-manāḥ sukheṣhu vigata-spṛihaḥ

vīta-rāga-bhaya-krodhaḥ sthita-dhīr munir uchyate

 

2.62

dhyāyato viṣayān puṁsaḥ

saṅgas teṣūpajāyate

saṅgāt sañjāyate kāmaḥ

kāmāt krodho ’bhijāyate

2.63

krodhād bhavati sammohaḥ

sammohāt smṛti-vibhramaḥ

smṛti-bhraṁśād buddhi-nāśo

buddhi-nāśāt praṇaśyati

 

 

3.35

śhreyān swa-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt sv-anuṣhṭhitāt

swa-dharme nidhanaṁ śhreyaḥ para-dharmo bhayāvahaḥ

 

4.7

yadā yadā hi dharmasya

glānir bhavati bhārata

abhyutthānam adharmasya

tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmy aham

 

4.8

paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ

vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām

dharma-saṁsthāpanārthāya

sambhavāmi yuge yuge

 

 

4.10

vīta-rāga-bhaya-krodhā

man-mayā mām upāśritāḥ

bahavo jñāna-tapasā

pūtā mad-bhāvam āgatāḥ

 

4.24

brahmārpaṇaṁ brahma havir brahmāgnau brahmaṇā hutam

brahmaiva tena gantavyaṁ brahma-karma-samādhinā

 

4.39

śhraddhāvānllabhate jñānaṁ tat-paraḥ sanyatendriyaḥ

jñānaṁ labdhvā parāṁ śhāntim achireṇādhigachchhati

 

5.16

jñānena tu tad ajñānaṁ yeṣhāṁ nāśhitam ātmanaḥ

teṣhām āditya-vaj jñānaṁ prakāśhayati tat param

 

5.18

vidyā-vinaya-sampanne

brāhmaṇe gavi hastini

śuni caiva śva-pāke ca

paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ

 

 

6.17

yuktāhāra-vihārasya

yukta-ceṣṭasya karmasu

yukta-svapnāvabodhasya

yogo bhavati duḥkha-hā

 

6.35

śhrī bhagavān uvācha

asanśhayaṁ mahā-bāho mano durnigrahaṁ chalam

abhyāsena tu kaunteya vairāgyeṇa cha gṛihyate

                            

7.3         

manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu

kaścid yatati siddhaye

yatatām api siddhānāṁ

kaścin māṁ vetti tattvataḥ

November

November 13

Last class we discussed few concepts regarding the way of life. We started our journey on Gnana yoga à Path of Knowledge.

 

Though we did not go into Bhagavad gita teachings, we took them as group project / work.

Students will have a chance to explore Bhagavad Gita on their own, they can come up with their understanding of concept, Gnana, here is the task on hand

 

 

Rules.

 

** Just a note: We can host the Brain storming session on Friday @ 7PM (Online – Zoom or Google meet).. let us know if that works for you.

Group 1: Ramit, Siddi, Aditi, Sohum, Aryan

Group 2 : Likhit, Ankita, Jayasri. Ashwanth, Hasini

Group 3: Akshanth, Saivya, Vedika, Archith, Malini

Group 4: Aasmi, Abha, Tiisha, Aarna

November 6

Hello All,  Last week was a very short class..

 

As we have learned in last classes, Bhagavad gita is Not a Novel. Its intent is to teach us a way of life.

 

We learned that every soul final goal is to achieve / reach god (Moksha).

 

Below is an overly simplified example we put forward  (The below example is just to give a glimpse of how to understand different paths to realization)

 

    i.      Perform each task  a) Mixing the flour 2) Process of raising 3) Baking  and so on…

         A path to moksha is comprised of several steps / tasks defined as KARMA

 

While we are setting ourselves up for learning the remaining important chapters of Bhagavd gita .. I encourage you to read the previous 2 chapters, chapter 16, and understand the very foundation of core concepts

 

October

October 30

Hello All, Last week we were discussing the qualities of a person performing Dharma. We always talk about classifying people either good or bad, But what should be the reference point.

Is it just because we like someone or Some persons deeds, we label him as Good? Or we don’t like his deeds and he is “Bad”? What about look that persons activities in the light of “Dharma – The righteous Duty bound by his role in this world”

 

How do we label a person who’s job is to kill people -  Hangman – Is he a BAD guy?  Or a person / entity distributing free money and thus motivating a capable person to become Lazy – is this a good guy?, what is the role of Dharma here?

 

 

Activities.

 

It is a thought process, read through and try to come up with an opinion.

 

TEST.

 

We have covered Chapter 1,2 and 16 during the last classes. We have few verses in below past class details.  You may be asked to recite if you could AND explain the following


Click here for the word document for supplement details.


In a nutshell, an evil/immoral/unethical/Adharmic person is not fit for spirituality. Doing good deeds, cultivating good thoughts and speaking good things according to the guidance of our scriptures (like the Vedas) and Gurus purifies our mind, and makes it fit for spiritual teachings of Hinduism. The Gita contains a summary of these spiritual teachings.


The Gita gives beautiful lists of these ethical and moral values (e.g., truth, knowledge, charity, self-discipline, reading scriptures, non-injuring others etc.) and emphasizes that we should practice them with love and faith. Not because someone is forcing us to practice them.


This coming Sunday, we will first quickly review the four spiritual paths taught in the Gita. Then, we will start discussing the first path - Jnana Yoga (path of spiritual wisdom) and continue with it for about two months.



October 23

Our Journey so far..

 

Few questions started our discussion on Bhagavad gita..

 

To start our discussion, we were exploring the traits of a receiver of knowledge,

 

A) To receive Bhagavad-Gita --> Arjuna is Qualified - and we discussed how curious, persistent, humble, and focused Arjuna was.

B) The time was right, Arjuna (Chapter 1 - Arjuna Vishada Yoga), was in a situation, He was about to kill, his brothers, elders, teachers, friends, and scores of innocent people, and For what --> just to gain the Kingdom? Or Gain popularity?, Arjuna questioned Krishna, if all those who he loves are to be killed, what would be for in having all these wealth? And kingdom?

 

Arjuna was well positioned now and has deep questions regarding the very nature of life, Ataman / Paramatma, Soul etc.

 

Few of the below verses will summarize the discussion.

 

दृष्ट्वेमं स्वजनं कृष्ण युयुत्सुं समुपस्थितम् || 28||

सीदन्ति मम गात्राणि मुखं च परिशुष्यति |

arjuna uvācha

dṛiṣhṭvemaṁ sva-janaṁ kṛiṣhṇa yuyutsuṁ samupasthitam

sīdanti mama gātrāṇi mukhaṁ cha pariśhuṣhyati

BG 1.28: Arjun said: O Krishna, seeing my own kinsmen arrayed for battle here and intent on killing each other, my limbs are giving way and my mouth is drying up.

 

आचार्या: पितर: पुत्रास्तथैव च पितामहा: |

मातुला: श्वशुरा: पौत्रा: श्याला: सम्बन्धिनस्तथा || 34||

एतान्न हन्तुमिच्छामि घ्नतोऽपि मधुसूदन |

अपि त्रैलोक्यराज्यस्य हेतो: किं नु महीकृते || 35||

āchāryāḥ pitaraḥ putrās tathaiva cha pitāmahāḥ

mātulāḥ śhvaśhurāḥ pautrāḥ śhyālāḥ sambandhinas tathā

etān na hantum ichchhāmi ghnato ’pi madhusūdana

api trailokya-rājyasya hetoḥ kiṁ nu mahī-kṛite

 

BG 1.34-35: Teachers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, maternal uncles, grandsons, fathers-in-law, grand-nephews, brothers-in-law, and other kinsmen are present here, staking their lives and riches. O Madhusudan, I do not wish to slay them, even if they attack me. If we kill the sons of Dhritarashtra, what satisfaction will we derive from the dominion over the three worlds, what to speak of this Earth?

 

कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभाव:

पृच्छामि त्वां धर्मसम्मूढचेता: |

यच्छ्रेय: स्यान्निश्चितं ब्रूहि तन्मे

शिष्यस्तेऽहं शाधि मां त्वां प्रपन्नम् || 7||

kārpaṇya-doṣhopahata-svabhāvaḥ

pṛichchhāmi tvāṁ dharma-sammūḍha-chetāḥ

yach-chhreyaḥ syānniśhchitaṁ brūhi tanme

śhiṣhyaste ’haṁ śhādhi māṁ tvāṁ prapannam


Attached are the reading notes for the material covered so far. 

October 16

We discussed in the last class about the importance of Bhagavad Gita. And the definition of an Soul and God. We realized from our learnings (Teaching from Vedas / sages / Various scriptures) that the Same soul living in each of god’s creation, is none other than the God.

 

Couple of Important definitions and takeaways

Bhagavad Gita talks about attaining Moksha is the final goal of every soul. Gita explains us different paths in attainment of Moksha. Lays down a methodical approach explained in several chapters.

Before we dive deep into Sankhya yoga, we need to understand, key concepts we have discussed above section, Which are laid out in Chapter 2.

Most of the great munis / rishis / saints / sages and every learned man in the history of human evolution, have finally came to realize that, all these worldly matters, wealth, artificial pleasures, money are worth nothing, they do not give them happiness or will lead the path to salvation. The very essence of a soul is realization of God, and as laid out, the easiest path is to reach him directly by understanding the ultimate truth about Atma and the God.  Chapter 2 will lead us there.

 

In Chapter 2 – Sankya Yoga. Krishna describes the characteristics of a “Soul”

Verse – 13.

देहिनोऽस्मिन्यथा देहे कौमारं यौवनं जरा |

तथा देहान्तरप्राप्तिर्धीरस्तत्र न मुह्यति || 13||

dehino ’smin yathā dehe kaumāraṁ yauvanaṁ jarā

tathā dehāntara-prāptir dhīras tatra na muhyati

Meaning - Just as the embodied soul continuously passes from childhood to youth to old age, similarly, at the time of death, the soul passes into another body. The wise are not deluded by this.

Discussion – As we grow older, we change, We grow taller, Our child hood clothes may not fit us. We may change our name, our place, our appearance, BUT our Soul the very “YOU” do not change, Similarly Soul – Atama will remain same.

Verse – 17

अविनाशि तु तद्विद्धि येन सर्वमिदं ततम् |

विनाशमव्ययस्यास्य न कश्चित्कर्तुमर्हति || 17||

avināśhi tu tadviddhi yena sarvam idaṁ tatam

vināśham avyayasyāsya na kaśhchit kartum arhati

Meaning - That which pervades the entire body, know it to be indestructible. No one can cause the destruction of the imperishable soul. The one who understands this will know the truth.

Discussion – Atma – It’s the only indestructible, and it’s the essence of Aatma.

Verse – 22

वासांसि जीर्णानि यथा विहाय

नवानि गृह्णाति नरोऽपराणि |

तथा शरीराणि विहाय जीर्णा

न्यन्यानि संयाति नवानि देही || 22||

vāsānsi jīrṇāni yathā vihāya

navāni gṛihṇāti naro ’parāṇi

tathā śharīrāṇi vihāya jīrṇānya

nyāni sanyāti navāni dehī

Meaning - As a person sheds worn-out garments and wears new ones, likewise, at the time of death, the soul casts off its worn-out body and enters a new one.

 

Verse – 23

नैनं छिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावक: |

न चैनं क्लेदयन्त्यापो न शोषयति मारुत: || 23||

nainaṁ chhindanti śhastrāṇi nainaṁ dahati pāvakaḥ

na chainaṁ kledayantyāpo na śhoṣhayati mārutaḥ

Meaning - Weapons cannot shred the soul, nor can fire burn it. Water cannot wet it, nor can the wind dry it. Aatma is indestructible

Verse – 27

जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युर्ध्रुवं जन्म मृतस्य च |

तस्मादपरिहार्येऽर्थे न त्वं शोचितुमर्हसि || 27||

jātasya hi dhruvo mṛityur dhruvaṁ janma mṛitasya cha

tasmād aparihārye ’rthe na tvaṁ śhochitum arhasi

Meaning - Death is certain for one who has been born, and rebirth is inevitable for one who has died. Therefore, you should not lament over the inevitable.

Discussion – As we have discussed in Verse 13 above, Aatma will pass from one body to another.

 

****

In the previous class update,

We tried to relate our life, each of us to compare ourselves to Arjuna, and our life is “Kurukshetra” and We are surrounded by a lot of players, Teachers, Family, Friends, Peers, Managers, Subordinates etc. Each of our decision will affect someone, or all of them either positively or otherwise, If we were standing in the battleground of so many people watching our actions, how can we take a decision, If that decision is particularly a righteous (Dharma) and you know few of them wont be happy.

We need a guide, a teacher, a guru, a mentor, a guide and one who is perfect in every senses –

This is the purest form we define as God / param atma / Purusha / Brahman.

And we found one – Arjuna found one – that is Bhagavan Krishna. Hence we call him “Jagat Guru” – We pray – “Krishnam Vande Jagad gurum” in poem –

Vasudeva sutam  (Hey son of Vasudeva), Kamsa Chanoora mardanam (The one who killed Kamsa  and Chanoora), Devaki Paramaanandam (The one who is the happiness of Devaki) – Krishnam Vande Jagad Gurm.

We pray, to Lord Krishna, to be our guide and take us through our life.

Lets explore Bhagavad gita further, in coming classes.

Keep tuned in.

September 

September 25

 

We discussed, What is Bhagavad gita in previous classes, We also touched upon Why we should read – Bhagavad Gita.

 

 

Homework:

 

                                                               i.      Verse 26  (Listen here)

                                                             ii.      Verse 28  (listen here)

सीदंति मम गात्राणि मुखं च परिशुष्यति ।

dṛṣṭvemaṃ svajanaṃ kṛṣṇa

yuyutsuṃ samupasthitam ||

sīdanti mama gātrāṇi mukhaṃ ca pariśuṣyati |

                                                           iii.      Verse 32 (listen here)

किं नो राज्येन गोविन्द किं भोगैर्जीवितेन वा ॥

kiṃ no rājyena govinda kiṃ bhogairjīvitena vā

                                                           iv.      Verse 33 (listen here)

त इमेऽवस्थिता युद्धे प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा धनानि च ॥

ta ime’vasthitā yuddhe prāṇāṃstyaktvā dhanāni ca

                                                             v.      Verse 34 – (listen here)

मातुलाः श्वशुराः पौत्राः श्यालाः सम्बन्धिनस्तथा

September 18

We learned today.

1) Namaste - the meaning and respecting the soul in each of us, a greeting with utmost respect.

2) We tried to understand the Soul (Aatma), we tried to define and express our views on Ego.

3) We explored our understanding of God - Param-Aatma, the supreme being, the creator.

4) We tried to establish a connection between Aatma (Soul) and Param-Aatma (God) - We will explore this subject in detail in Chapter 10 of Bhagavad-Gita.

5) Meditation - Meditation is concentrating our mind / soul on god, We understood the essence of Meditation is to control our 5 senses and Mind and ground them on single point, free our mind from worldly disturbances and find peace with god.

6) Practiced 10 mins of meditation today --> Homework, Practice 10 mins of Meditation every day.

Last week review..

We tried to review our understanding of concepts of 1) Truth 2) Dharma

Three main theories of truth.

1) Correspondence theory: Fact based Truth

2) Coherence - A Statement based on Certain conditions Ex: It is apple, if its red, delicious, round, from plant and etc.. if not, it’s not truth 

3) Consensus Based Truth, dependent on majority decision Ex: google works this way, President of democracy etc..

 In Santana Dharma / Per Holy scriptures of Santana Dharma, we have "Dharma"

Dharma: the righteous duty for which you are bound by your karma in pursuit of Moksha.

The duty and responsibility of your conscience as dictated by your Atma / soul (Dharma-Aatma) as per the role you are playing at the time of the hr. in accordance with our scriptures and values established by Santana dharma.

Hence, we have different dharmas - 1) Swadharma 2) Vedic dharma 3) Raja Dharma etc..

Next Week..

We will continue to explore Dharma as part of Bhagavad gita, We will follow each chapter and explore specific definitions.

Chapter 1 - Homework.

1. Explore what lead to war between Pandavas and Kauravas, why was that necessitated.

2. What was justification on each side.

3. If you replace Mahabharata characters with your personal life, Do you see a war you are fighting with different social circle, people, ideas, thoughts, responsibilities, duties etc.

4. Do you know how to address this struggle, do you think you know the right path / your Dharma (Righteous path)?

5. What are we expecting from Bhagavad gita for guidance