Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Krishna Maha Mantra
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Today, by the grace of Lord Krishna, we shall read the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita in its true essence. The grace of Lord Krishna is obtained through the mercy of the Guru. It is our great fortune that we are under the guidance of world-renowned Swami Ramsukhdas Ji Maharaj, who has published the Bhagavad Gita in its true essence. The term “true essence” implies that unlike others who interpret the Bhagavad Gita according to their imagination or opinions, Swami Ramsukhdas Ji has provided the interpretation in alignment with Lord Krishna’s intended message.
So, what is Lord Krishna’s intended message, and how do we understand it from the Bhagavad Gita?
The Bhagavad Gita, as spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna, was for a special purpose. It is not that the Bhagavad Gita is a scripture that anyone can interpret according to their voice. Lord Krishna had a special purpose for narrating the Bhagavad Gita, and this purpose is clearly stated in the words of the Bhagavad Gita itself. Swami Ramsukhdas Ji has composed the Bhagavad Gita in its true essence according to these words. Since the Bhagavad Gita is the divine word of God, it contains the divine power of the Almighty, including His knowledge and mercy power. The Bhagavad Gita is knowledge, and through Lord Krishna’s grace, this knowledge is understood. So, how is this grace obtained? If we humbly read, acknowledging that we are as deluded as Arjuna and that Lord Krishna is the supreme giver of knowledge, knowing everything, then Lord Krishna can grant us complete knowledge. By adopting this humble attitude towards the Bhagavad Gita’s knowledge, we can be freed from delusion and understand our true duty.
In this manner, Swami Ramsukhdas Ji explained the Bhagavad Gita in its true essence, which has been translated and published in many languages worldwide. This interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita is powerful because it is not separated from Lord Krishna’s words. Lord Krishna’s words and His power manifest in this true essence of the Bhagavad Gita, helping to transform countless devotees in the modern era.
The first verse begins with Dhritarashtra speaking to Sanjaya. The teachings of Sri Krishna commence from the second chapter.
The first verse of the Bhagavad Gita is “Dhritarashtra said: In the field of dharma, the field of Kurukshetra, gathered to fight, what did my sons and the sons of Pandu do, O Sanjaya?” The Bhagavad Gita consists of approximately seven hundred verses across eighteen chapters. The teaching of the Bhagavad Gita does not begin in the first chapter; rather, the first chapter serves as an introduction. How Lord Krishna provided the divine knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna is a well-known narrative from the Mahabharata.
Dhritarashtra, the father of the Kauravas and the blind king, was not only physically blind but also lacked spiritual insight, rendering him spiritually blind as well. We are all like Dhritarashtra in that we lack self-knowledge. Dhritarashtra’s question reflects his concern about the outcome of the battle in Kurukshetra, a place of righteousness. This narrative emphasizes that the battle was not merely symbolic; Kurukshetra, located in Haryana, India, exists to this day, affirming the historical reality of the events described in the Bhagavad Gita.
This great saga illustrates that the Pandavas and the Kauravas, along with their respective armies, gathered in the field of Kurukshetra to engage in battle. In this context, Arjuna, seeing his relatives, teachers, and loved ones on the opposing side, felt immense sorrow at the thought of fighting and killing them. At this moment, Arjuna hesitated to fight. Following this, Lord Krishna enlightened Arjuna with the knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita, reassuring him about the righteous purpose of his battle.
Therefore, we study the Bhagavad Gita in its true essence as presented by Swami Ramsukhdas Ji, devoid of any imagination or distortion, in line with the original teachings as imparted by Vyasa Deva. Through Swami Ramsukhdas Ji’s mercy, we aim to offer this profound knowledge to all of you, so that we may all benefit from the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, understanding the importance of performing our duties in alignment with dharma, under the guidance of Lord Krishna, the supreme teacher of all.
